To Love Someone Is To See The Face Of God

Chapter 7

One year after the ball (4 years until the barricade) 

Ella's POV

I miss Enjolras. I miss Marius and Combeferre. I miss Courfeyrac. I miss Jehan and Joly. I miss Feuilly and Bossuet and Bahorel. They left me and Grantaire. Gavroche moved into one of the elephant located in Paris. It's been a year since they left for University, and I miss them. It is one of those refining schools and they have no contact to anyone except family. Grantaire has been drinking more than ever, and I can't do anything. Eponine and I spend lots of time with each other, but its not the same. They write, and I write back, but I can't help but cry when I walk into the Café Musian, and they're not there. Without them occasionally feeding me, I've been forced back to the docks occasionally. Granatire helps, but I feel like a burden to him when he is only slightly better off. Winter is well here, and disease is rapid. How am I to stay well without Joly? . I finally bought a flat. It's not much, but it's better than my shack. Montparnasse has been on me to pay him back what I just don't have. I know who he works for, and that puts the fear of the Virgin Mary in me. 

 I wake up and jump off my creaky bed. I look at the small pile of Francs I earned yesterday. I walk to my small mirror and brush my hair. I splash my face with cold water, and it soothes the stinging of the cut on my face. I pull on a semi-clean blouse and skirt. The long sleeves cover the bruises scattered on my arms. What Grantaire doesn't know won't kill him. His flat is a street over and I go check on him everyday. As I walk down the steps, I'm met with an unwelcome face. 

"Hello Ella." I try to smile and walk past but he sticks out his arm and grabs me. 

"Good Morning Montparnasse." He chuckles and slowly backs me into the corner of the stairwell. 

"Ella dear, you know you still owe me. I know you made some money last night." He stretched out his hand and I place half of the Francs in his palm. He fake smiles and counts it. He gives a sarcastic chuckle. 

"Oh Ella. This isn't all of it and you and I know both you that." I smile and try to act sweet and Innocent. 

"But monsieur, that is all." He swiftly raises his hand and slap me across the face. My cheek stings and is thrown the the side. He grabs my throat and slams me into the wall. 

"Now listen you hussy! LISTEN! You give me the rest or else." He drops me and I crumble to the floor. He walks off, but not before picking up the last few Francs I dropped. I lay there a moment and then stand up. I touch my burning cheek and wince in pain. I brush off my dress and take a deep breath. I miss Enjolras. I want him to swoop in and save me. Take me into his arms and tell me its going to be all right. But he isn't going to, and it won't be ok. I walk slowly down the stairs, looking out to see if anymore of his men are waiting for me. I walk onto the street and practically run the Grantaire's.

I open the door and the stench of alcohol hits me like a ton of bricks.

"Grant? You home?" I walk in and close the door behind me. I run to the mirror and see my face is still red and the cut on my cheek looks like its been bleeding. I hear some movement and talking in the kitchen. 

"Grantaire! How drunk are you? Do you have a friend over? Do you both have clothes on?" I have learned to ask these questions after a few.... interesting visits. I walk into the small kitchen and see Grant with his head on the table and the back of a head. Messy brown hair sort of sticking up. I run over and see who it is. 

"MARIUS PONTMERCY!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE IN TOWN?!" I scream at my best friend. I tackle him in a tight embrace. He laughs and we hug for a good few minutes. I wipe away a tear or two and he pulls away. 

"Why my dearest Cinderella! How I have missed you- how everyone has missed you." He takes my hand and kisses it gently. He has grown up alot in only a year. He looks at my face and suddenly grows concerned and takes my face in his hands. I flinch which further concerns him. 

"Dear Ella! What has happened to your face?" Grantaire shoots up and joins Marius in examining my face. Neither of them can know the truth. Think of a good lie... 

"Well, I had a bit of a row with a police man, or mainly his horse. He beast didn't take a liking to me."

"Bull crap Ella. This is a hand, and horses can't cut one's cheek." I back up and they release my face. 

"Don't let my troubles hinder this happy occasion! Who else is back? Or is it everyone?" He didn't want to change the subject, but I made him. 

"We're on holiday, but Feuilly and Bossuet and Bahorel aren't coming here, but to Italy with their families. Oh, and Enjolras isn't here." My heart sinks. he notices and gives me a hug. I look at Grantaire and he is smirking and took a swig of wine. 

"Grant! It is not even noon. Put that bottle down!" he smirks and chugs the rest of the bottle and lets it clatter to the ground. I push his shoulder and he smiles. Marius jumps in very quickly when Grantaire reaches for another bottle. 

"Everyone is at the Cafe, will dear Cinderella join me to see her favorite people?" I smile and take his arm. R comes and takes my arm and we walk off. 

Upon arrival, I become very nervous. I used to walk fearlessly among groups of men, but not anymore. Marius notices my reluctance and kisses my cheek. I smile and let go of both of their arms. I swing open the doors and smile. The cafe falls silent and four familiar yet slightly different face all charge me laughing. 

"CINDERELLA!!!! WE'VE MISSED YOU!!!" I step back at first, but then to not let them know I run to them. They all embrace me and I shed a few tears. 

"Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Joly, Jehan! I've missed you all so much in this year!" Courf picked me and up and spun me around and we all laughed. I hug each of them individually and they kiss my hand. They all got taller, and their faces grew more like men's faces. I was hugging Combeferre when I heard someone very loudly clear their throat. I turn around and I'm met with cobalt eyes and golden curls and big white smile. 

"Enjolras?!"