What is Love?

Chapter 1

Éponine awoke to the blaring ring of her alarm. She groaned and reached her hand out from under the mound of pillows on her bed and explored her nightstand until she located the snooze button. She brought her hand back into her bed and sunk deeper into the warmth of it. She dozed for a few moments longer before forcing herself to throw her covers off. The cold brisk air hit her and she immediately regretted it. She jumped out of her bed and went to her vanity. It was her first day of her senior year and her hair looked like a bird's nest. She sighed and brought her brush through the knots until her hair was calmed. She plugged in her flat iron before going to her closet. She found her favorite black dress, a jean vest, and her black combat boots and quickly changed into them. She spun around in front of her mirror and smiled, pleased with herself. The flat iron beeped, indicating it was ready to be used, and she ran back over to it before straitening her hair. When she was done she went to the bathroom and washed her face before applying her makeup. She lightly covered her face with a concealer and applied a winged style eyeliner and mascara. Finally she looked presentable.

She checked her phone to see the time and saw it was 6 o'clock on the dot. She left her room and started to go downstairs when he saw that her best friend Enjolras's light was still off in his room. She sighed and climbed back up the stairs before entering Enjolras's room. She opened the door slowly and peaked in; she saw him sprawled out on his bed, covers slewn everywhere. His chest was bare and she could see the outline of his muscles on his back. She chuckled silently, Enjolras would be mortified if anyone knew how he slept. She walked closer to the bed and tapped Enjolras's shoulder, "Enj, get up, it's time for school" she said softly.

Enjolras groaned, "Éponine please, 5 more minutes" he pleaded.

Éponine laughed, "No way. I know you Enjolras, five minutes your time actually means 30 minutes, so get up!"

Enjolras turned over to face her, "Please Éponine" he said sticking his lower lip out, his eyes still closed.

"No" Éponine said firmly as she opened his blinds.

Enjolras quickly turned away from the light and groaned again, "Éponine close the blinds, I'll be up in 5 minutes".

Éponine said nothing, but she moved closer to his bed. Enjolras's back was turned, and she saw her opportunity. She approached the bed and stuck out her foot. She kicked her foot out into Enjolras's back, knocking him off of his bed and onto the floor.

Éponine let out a snort of laughter before sprinting out of the room. She heard Enjolras cursing at her from upstairs but she just called up, "I'm leaving in 10 minutes, if you're not down by then you have to find another way to school!"

She reached the kitchen and was greeted by Enjolras's mother making breakfast. "Morning Éponine, don't you look lovely today!" she said kindly.

"Thank you Madame" Éponine replied, blushing slightly.

"Is Enjolras up or do I have to go get him?" Asked his mother.

"Don't worry, he's up" Éponine said with a laugh.

His mother turned to face her, "What did you do, Éponine?" She asked with a devious smile on her face.

Éponine laughed, "I may have used some force in order to get I'm out of bed" she said sheepishly.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to have a bruise now thanks to you" Enjolras said as he entered the kitchen. His blonde curly hair had been matted down by a shower and Enjolras now wore a red shirt with jeans.

Enjolras's mother laughed, "Well at least you're up darling. Now what do you two want for breakfast?" She asked, "I made eggs, pancakes, waffles, I also have yogurt, fruit, toast-" 

"Mom" Enjolras interrupted, "you're listing off enough food to feed an entire army!" He chuckled.

Enjolras's mother smiled endearingly, "I wasn't sure what you two were going to want on your big day, so I just made everything!" She replied.

"Thank you" Éponine said gratefully, "I'll have some eggs and toast please"

"I'll have the same" said Enjolras as he plopped down next to Éponine at the island.

Soon plates of food were put in front of them and both Éponine and Enjolras ate quickly to get out of the door as soon as possible. Enjolras placed a quick kiss on his mother's cheek before going to start the car. "Thanks again" said Éponine as she grabbed her black backpack off the chair and followed Enjolras out to the garage.

Éponine climbed into Enjolras's red car and they began their ride to the high school to start their senior year. 

"You look great today" said Enjolras casually as they drove to the school.

Éponine smiled, "Thanks! You don't look to bad yourself." She replied.

Enjolras smirked and continued driving towards the school.

Éponine looked out the window of the car as they passed Éponine's old neighborhood. She remembered back when she was younger, when she lived with her parents. They had lived in a dirty old shack with little to no money. Her parents had never wanted her and deemed her a waste of space. She grew up thinking she was worthless and unwanted. She was abused there too. Not only physically but mentally. She couldn't even count how many times they had beat her to a pulp, telling her how they never loved her, and left her to, die, for lack of a better word. Yet she survived every time and before her freshman year of high school  Enjolras found out about it and invited her to stay with him in his house, with his family. His parents graciously accepted her and she finally found a home.

She was pulled from the memory by Enjolras grabbing her hand and squeezing it. She squeezed back and smiled, he always knew when something was bothering her and he always knew just how to fix it.

Finally they arrived at the school. The students were all pouring out of their cars and buses and into the school. Enjolras parked in the lot and he and Éponine sat there for a few second before he asked, "You ready?"

Éponine turned to face him, "Ready as I'll ever be". They laughed and opened their car doors. They met on the sidewalk in front of the car and side-by-side, walked into the school.