In My Life

Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"So, you've known Montparnasse for how much time?" Marius asks.

I laugh a bit.

"You're curious..."

"I... Well, I just..."

"It's cool," I reply. "Since I was ten, actually."

"Wow, that's a long time."

"Hey, I'm not that old!"

We continue walking around town when we spot someone waving his hand at us from behind a fountain.

"Oh, here comes Mr Know-It-All," Marius lets out.

"Hey," Mr Know-It-All says, arriving at our level.

"Hey, Enjolras."

"Hi," I shyly say.

"How's it going?"

"Fine," I reply.

"Better," Marius corrects me.

I shoot him a look.

"I'm heading to Café Musain," Enjolras says. "Checking stuff with the guys. Wanna come?"

"Oh," Marius starts. "Actually-"

"I wasn't asking you," Enjolras snaps. "Your presence is required. I was asking Mademoiselle over here."

"Oh," I reply. "Umm, yeah, sure, I'd love that."

"Cool," he replies.

He then looks up at Marius.

"You forgot, didn't you?" he says.

"I..."

But then Marius' gaze fixes itself upon something in the distance. It doesn't take me long for noticing that the something is more like someone. A someone I don't especially hold in my heart.

"I'll catch up," Marius lets out, distantly.

He starts running towards that person.

"Who's that?" Enjolras asks.

I won't lie; I love the way Enjolras said that. He seemed completely disgusted by her presence.

"Cosette," I mutter.

"You know her?"

"Knew, actually." And then I see the way he's looking at me. "Long story," I add.

"Alright, Mademoiselle. Well, care to accompany me to Café Musain? You know, leave the two lovebirds together..."

"Yeah... Lovebirds..."

//

A FEW MINUTES LATER

"I did not know that!" Enjolras exclaims. "Are you serious?"

"Maybe not," I reply with a smile.

"Okay, you are quite sneaky, Mademoiselle!"

"And you are quite gullible, Monsieur."

"Hey! Okay, so, umm... What's your favorite book?"

"I can't really read..."

"Oh, sorry. Well, then, what's your favorite...?"

"You don't need to do this, Monsieur."

Enjolras starts to laugh.

"Do what?" he asks.

"Pretending to be interested in what I like."

"What makes you think I'm pretending?"

"You're just trying to be polite, I get that. But you don't need to pretend around me."

"Wow, you really are afraid."

I look at him in shock.

"I am definitely not afraid."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I..."

"You are, Eponine." He stops walking. "You're afraid to open up. You're afraid to put your barriers down."

"Enjolras..."

"You're afraid to be hurt." He looks at me straight in the eyes. "I'm right, aren't I?"

I hunch my shoulders, looking to the ground.

"I'm sorry," he says. "That came out rough."

"It's fine, I'm used to it."

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

He looks towards Café Musain, now visible from where we're standing, and starts walking again.

"Sometimes I get worked up and words just shoot out of my mouth. Some people believe I overthink too much. But I believe I don't think enough."

"What's this revolution everyone's talking about?"

"Everyone's talking about it?"

"Well... Some people."

I see a hint of a smile appear on his face.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see in a couple minutes."