What is Love?

Chapter 18

Marius had one hand on the wheel and the other held Éponine's hand tightly. Éponine could feel her heart beating a mile a minute, she couldn't contain her excitement. She had an actual boyfriend for the first time in her life. They pulled into the parking lot of the movie theater and Marius jumped out of the car and opened Éponine's door before she even took off her seatbelt. "Thank you" she said as she took his hand and stepped out of the car.

"No problem, m'lady" he said in a phony accent.

Éponine laughed held his hand. She placed her head lazily on his shoulder as they walked into the theater.

Marius bought her ticket and popcorn and lead her to their theater. "Where do you like to sit? You seem like a girl who likes to be close to the action" he said with a wink.

She laughed and shook her head, "Surprisingly no. I like to be in the back. It doesn't hurt my neck as much" she said bashfully.

Marius chuckled lightly and shrugged, "Alright that's fine! I like the back more anyway". The couple walked a few rows into the theater and sat down on the aisle seats. They watched through the trailers when suddenly a large man and his wife sat down in front of them.

Éponine heard Marius groan in frustration."What's wrong?" She asked.

Marius turned to her, "They have the entire theater to choose a seat from and they pick the ones in front of us. It's ridiculous" he growled.

Éponine took his hand and squeezed it, "It's ok. I can still see perfectly fine" she lied.

"No you can't" Marius muttered. He leaned forward ad tapped the guy on the shoulder, "Hey buddy, there are plenty of open seats in this theater and you choose these? Now my girlfriend can't see so if you don't mind can you move?" He asked annoyed.

Éponine was both flattered and shocked by Marius's remark. She was flattered that he had actually called her his girlfriend, it was official now. However, she was shocked at how rude he had been to the man and his wife.

"Listen buddy, my wife and I are staying. If you want to see you and your girlfriend here can move" he said angrily.

Eponine felt Marius grow rigid against her and she took his hand. "Really Marius, it's ok. Lets just move in a few seats".

He continued to stare daggers at the man in front of them but eventually he moved down a few seats next to Éponine. He took her hand and held it to his lips, "I'm sorry Ponine" he whispered sadly.

Éponine felt her heart sink, "It's alright Marius. You don't have to worry about it. I can see much better over here anyway" she said smiling.

It took him a moment but Marius eventually smiled back to her and soon the lights dimmed.

Éponine was automatically absorbed into the movie. It was one of those forty action movies that usually only boys liked but she tried her best to stay interested. She occasionally reached her hand in for popcorn and once in a while, her hand and Marius's hand would touch. Every time that happened Éponine would look to Marius blushing and find him smiling softly back. One time Marius took hold of her hand and held it tightly. Éponine enjoyed the electric like tingles that flew down her arm and throughout her body.

Finally the movie ended and Marius could not stop talking about it. Éponine smiled at his giddy excitement and stopped in front of the girls bathroom. Marius nodded and kissed her hand before releasing it. Éponine walked it to the bathroom feeling lighter than air. She couldn't believe how amazing this night had been. Or so she thought.

As she was washing her hands a girl that she recognized from one place before came waltzing in. One of the friends of Marius ex girlfriend. She stared suspiciously at Éponine. "You're the waitress from the resistant right?" She asked.

Éponine nodded, "Yup that's me. What do you want?" She asked.

The girl took a step forward, "Do you still hang out with Marius Pontmercy?" She whispered lowly.

"Yes" Éponine replied loudly, "I'm his girlfriend" she said.

The girl's eyes widened and she took a step back. She was speechless for a moment before she nodded slowly, "Be careful" she said before quickly disappearing into a stall.

Be careful of what Éponine wanted to ask, but she forced herself out of the bathroom and back to Marius. Marius was smiling as soon as she came out of the exit. She couldn't help but smile back but the girls words still replayed in the back of her mind.

"What took you so long?" Asked Marius sweetly.

"Sorry she said I got caught up trying to fix my hair" she lied.

Marius nodded, "Well you looked beautiful either way" he said taking her hand.

She smiled, "Thank you".

"Come on" said Marius, "lets get you home before Enjolras has a heart attack" he laughed.

Éponine nodded and they made their way to Marius's car. It didn't take long for Marius to drive her home, but she wished the night would last longer. He walked her up to her doorstep and

Éponine faced him before opening the door. "Thank you for tonight. It was one of the best nights of my life" she said smiling softly.

Marius chuckled slightly, "Me too Ponine" he said. He leaned forward and kissed her lips and Éponine quickly returned the kiss.

Finally they pulled away from eachother and Marius gave her one last happy look before going back to his car. Éponine watched him back out of the drive way and drive away before finally opening the door and entering the house.