when tomorrow comes || enjonine

+ chapter 3

the weather conditions the following day were not favorable for a stroll throughout the streets: a gentle downpour had commenced, creating a humming upon the cobblestone. my clothing was growing damp and beads of water decorated my dark hair. i didn't wish to be out, but i didn't mind, either. in fact, i enjoyed the rain.

i had taken to the streets rather early in search of stray coins that have found their ways into hidden crevices or scraps of food that i could slip into my pockets. i was hungry, as always, and my frequent dissatisfaction was beginning to take a toll on my health, but i was a thenardier, and i would not, under any circumstances, allow something as silly as hunger to defeat me when i had much more significant problems.

i judged it to be perhaps nine o'clock, but the city was bustling and lively. eager vendors and herds of street rats like myself appeared to have been roaming for hours. street rats, beggars, and thieves were abundant on the streets, and the look of disgust was imminent in the faces of the bourgeoisie when i passed them, but our social inferiority humbled them; therefore, no one troubled themselves with doing anything.

i had noticed one thing in particular on the rue de la chanvenrie this morning: a bright flash of red, carefully weaving through the crowd. before i could wring it about my mind, my feet had directed me into the nearest alleyway and i was hidden behind the brick.

never before had i seen enjolras wandering the streets of paris. his status was far too high for that! yet here he was, attempting to navigate these unfamiliar walkways like a blind man. the fraction of me that pitied the marble man at this particular moment in time caused me to refrain from hiding. i cautiously abandoned my hiding place, hoping that he would accept my aid and not cause me embarrassment.

his eyes seemed to locate me immediately. i couldn't help but discern a brief look of relief washing over his face and his features momentarily softened.

"good morning, monsieur," i called to him.

"good morning, mademoiselle," he responded, attempting to guise his timidity.

"oh, no formalities necessary." i had winced at his words.

he raised his eyebrows inquisitively. "what do you mean?"

"you called me mademoiselle, but i am no mademoiselle— they are not of the variety that helplessly wander the streets in search of money."

"i believe that any well-mannered young woman should be considered a mademoiselle," he responded. "i find you of that variety. respect is not a limited concept: i believe that it should extend to all corners of the universe."

a part of me was disbelieving. "you know nothing of me, monsieur."

he winked at me. "first impressions are very important."

a gentle smile tugged on my lips. i shook my head. "i couldn't help but notice that you seemed lost. is there anything i can do to assist you?"

enjolras seemed to consider this for a moment— even if he needed guidance, which he obviously did, i didn't expect his marble exterior to soften any and reveal that he was actually quite helpless.

"how well do you know these streets?" he asked, with a sneaking suspicion.

"oh, far better than anyone, monsieur. i'm quite well-known for that," i boasted. "i survive off of these streets; i know my way around."

"what does that mean?"

i shrugged, uncertain how to respond— i had no wish to explain my living conditions to enjolras. i doubted i would receive any charity from him anyway, but i did not intend to risk it.

"each to her own," i said simply.

"if that is your poor attempt to hide the fact that you live on the streets, it is not going to work," he replied, his eyes obviously settling upon the grime layered on my flesh. "if you ever find yourself in need of somewhere to stay, éponine, i live alone. there is always room in my house for guests."

"this is precisely what i was trying to avoid, monsieur," i insisted, rushing past him. "i am no charity case!"

he grabbed my forearm and stepped back so that i could face him. "i didn't claim that you were. i am only offering my assistance, just as you are offering yours now."

i didn't want to admit that he was correct, but unfortunately, he happened to be.

"very well," i said. "where are you going?"

"i'm searching for textiles. musichetta insisted that if i want rosettes for our rebellion, i will have to purchase the supplies myself, but it is not often that i wander these streets."

"i see that," i teased. he glared at me with the intensity of a predator, so i immediately continued my statement. "there's a fabric store on rue saint-denis. i can escort you there, if you should like."

enjolras momentarily contemplated this. i couldn't blame him, for walking the streets of paris with a gamine such as myself would be unusual for a boy of his status and rank. i was accustomed to looks of disgust whenever i roamed the streets, whereas enjolras could not have been. i didn't want to subject him to what i endured frequently, and for that matter, disliked.

however, his response surprised me. "that would be wonderful, thank you, éponine."

my shock was manifested upon my face. "are you in earnest?"

"entirely."

i nodded. "you must prepare yourself for hateful looks."

"i won't, for that's exactly the mindset les amis and i are fighting to eradicate," he remarked nonchalantly, as though he didn't care one whit about receiving a disgusted glance. it was ironic! enjolras, the wealthy schoolboy, never destined to receive a negative comment in his life, unbothered by something which was entirely normal for me that i hated so?

"i'm in awe of your revolution, monsieur," i admitted as we turned the corner onto rue saint-danis.

"thank you. we appreciate your support. it seems you may be the only one..." his voice trailed off.

"that can't be true, monsieur," i insisted. "however, if you would reach out to the public more, you may gain more supporters."

"how would i?"

i shrugged. "i wouldn't know. perhaps if you delivered speeches to crowds, or donated to the poor." i struggled to come up with ideas. "it couldn't hurt to support your own cause."

he nodded. we had reached the fabric shop, and he held the door open, waiting for me to enter.

i shook my head, retreating backwards. i could not go into a shop! i was a notable thief among these streets and i feared recognition.

"do you not wish to accompany me, éponine?"

i could not abandon enjolras, and guilt was already overriding my system. i was his guidance, i was his sight, and i dare not to dismiss him. setting my shoulders straight, i entered the shop. he followed behind me.

"would you look at this!" he exclaimed, his eye enraptured by a golden burlap. he held it against his body and turned to me with a mischievous smirk. "i think it suits my handsome face, do you?"

"you look like a king, or an emperor," i told him.

he scowled. "god forbid."

-

ch3 ch3 ch3

i love writing this story sm like i am sonic the hedgehog up in here i'm already on ch6 and LET ME TELL U

jk i won't spoil it

but thx for reading y'all tell ur friends abt this story i need validation hahaha!!!

<3. anna