When Tomorrow Comes

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Are you okay, Mademoiselle?" Enjolras asked.

They were walking through the streets, side by side, trying not to notice all eyes that were turned on them. It wasn't everyday that the citizens of Paris saw a student hanging around a girl like Eponine. In fact, it was pretty much the first time.

"I'm fine, Monsieur," Eponine answered for like the tenth time since they had left Café Musain.

He approached himself and whispered in her ear:

"I don't like these people staring at us."

Eponine smiled.

"I thought you liked attention," she nagged.

"Well, yeah, but..."

"I understand, Monsieur. I don't like their stares either."

She grabbed his hand and started to pull him to the right. A few turns later, they arrived in the dead end of an alley.

"Why are we here?" Enjolras asked. "What is this place?"

Eponine pointed to a the corner to the left. It was covered with cobwebs and dirt.

"This is my spot," she told him. "I come here everytime I'm scared. Everytime I'm hiding from my dad. Everytime I want to be alone."

She smiled sadly.

"It's my secret spot," she continued. "No one knows where it is."

Eponine leaned in and laid her head on Enjolras' shoulder. He passed his arm around her and pulled her close.

"You're safe with me," he said.

"Yeah, until tomorrow..."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you get it, Enjolras? We only have one day more together."

Those three words sunk in. One. Day. More. After that, nothing will ever be the same again.

"We have more than one day more," Enjolras said. "I want you by my side every day of my life."

"And how long will that be?"

His heart broke.

"This revolution," he started, "is to bring justice. It's not to start a war. I want things to change, Eponine. The people need things to change."

"But what if they don't?"

Enjolras looked to the sky as if he was looking for some sort of sign proving that he was making the right decision. He sighed.

"We will fight for a new world and it will rise up like the sun," he told her. "And if it won't, at least we'll have died facing our foes."

"Monsieur!"

Eponine's eyes filled with tears.

"Let us not waste tonight thinking about what could happen tomorrow," Enjolras said. "Let's focus on the present. Because for me, what's important is right now. I'm here, with you."

"Thank you," Eponine suddenly whispered.

"For what?"

"For saving me..."

She paused.

"For saving me from my life," she finished.

"Eponine, I..."

"No, don't say anything."

And then she turned around and looked at him straight in the eyes.

"Monsieur, have you ever taken a leap of faith?" Eponine asked him.

But before Enjolras had time to answer, she leaned in and kissed him. And instantly, the world around them disappeared. Paris was gone and all that was left was them and the universe.

They lost track of time. When Eponine finally pulled away, Enjolras felt his heart still burning inside. The thump of his heartbeat was resonating in his head.

"I think I love you, Monsieur," she told him.

Enjolras smiled.

"I know I do," he replied.

He put his hand on her cheek and gently rubbed one of her scars with his thumb.

"I'm glad I found you, Mademoiselle."

"This is crazy," Eponine let out. "This is surreal, it's like I'm dreaming again. Things are moving too fast."

"That's life," Enjolras answered sadly. "If we stop to think about it for just a moment, we miss a whole lot more. Everything happens for a reason, Eponine. Always remember that."

And then he lost his smile.

"Listen to me," he said. "Tomorrow, I want you out the streets. When we start our revolution, I don't want you anywhere near us."

"But Monsieur!"

"I'm serious, Eponine. There will be danger in the streets and I don't want you near it."

"I can handle myself."

"Don't you think you've suffered enough?" he let out.

Eponine's heart broke. If Enjolras was to die tomorrow, at least she would've wanted to die by his side.

"Alright, Monsieur," she said.

But she did that for him. For the first time in her life, she was doing something for someone else, other than her or her siblings.

"Thank you," he replied. "Now, I have to head back to Café Musain to settle last minute things. Care to join us?"

"No, it's fine," she answered.

"Eponine..."

"Go, they're all waiting for you."

She wiped away a tear and looked away.

"Goodbye, Monsieur," she told him.

"This isn't goodbye..." he started.

"Just go..."

Enjolras reluctantly turned around and left, leaving a heartbroken Eponine alone.