Chapter One

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That feeling I had in the market earlier resurfaced as I saw the man in red sitting in the corner of the room, completely captivated by what was on the table in front of him. His features very much resembled stone, something that was hard to break. I hadn't realized how long I was staring at him until Marius pulled me back to reality.

"Valerie? Are you alright?" He asked taking a step-in front of me.

"Uh, yeah. What were you saying?" I said pulling my gaze from the Enjolras and looked at Marius.

"I was saying, that we were all in law school together in England, and many of us grew up near each other and hadn't even noticed. Enjolras actually lives down the road from my family home." Marius said as we walked across the room to sit at a tabled with a few other men in Marius' friend group.

"Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to someone. This is Valerie, she and I grew up together." Marius smiled as he pulled out a chair for me to sit. I smiled at him and took a seat. "Valerie, this is Grantaire" he said gesturing to the man with curly black hair and a green vest. "And this is Coufeyrac" He said pointing to the other man at the table.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." I smiled at the both of them.

"The pleasure is ours" Coufeyrac said grabbing one of my hands and placing a kiss on it. I blushed slightly.

"Mademoiselle" Grantaire nodded. "If you'll excuse me, I do believe I am in need of another bottle." He said tipping over the wine bottle to show that he had completely drunk the contents inside. He got up and left, and my gaze followed him to the bar where he grabbed another bottle of wine, and this time bringing back four glasses with him.

"So, Valerie, how do you know Marius?" Grantaire said passing me a glass of wine.

"My father worked for his grandfather when he graduated from law school before opening his own practice. The Pontmercy's have been close family friends for years. Marius and I have been friends since we were kids." I said taking a sip of my wine. The boys smiled.

"Your fathers a lawyer. Marius, myself, Grantaire and Enjolras over there are all going to law school as well. We met in England, and all grew up around each other, we just didn't know it" Coufeyrac said.

"That's what Marius told me, funny how things happen. It must have been meant to be for you to meet as adults rather than kids." I smiled looking between the three men.

"Everything happens for a reason" Grantaire said holding up his glass before taking a sip.

"Here's to that! We all said drinking our wine. The rest of the night I was acquainted with the rest of the men in the friend group, all except for one. Enjolras. He never moved from his spot, nor did I wish to go over and interrupt him. I was completely contempt just watching him work, his curls framing his face as he kept his head down staring at the parchment on the table.

Grantaire continued to fill my cup of wine as he and I talked, he told me a bit more about their group and how they were bonded by one thing and that was the longing for change in France, and equality for all. I smiled at him, as I finished my cup of wine.

"You know, I feel the same way. I find it appalling that the Monarchy is just willing to ignore the fact that they are taxing the already poor and starving people to pad their lavish life style, buy clothes, and throw huge parties. Something has to be done about this." I said loudly, showing my passion for change in the country. This must have gotten the attention of the man in read because for the first time tonight, he looked up from what he was doing and stared at me intently listening to what I was saying. I noticed a small flicker of fire in his eyes. I looked at him as he stood up from his table and made his way over to me. My stomach started to have that fluttering feeling again, as I watched him walk over to me.

"I don't think we have been properly introduced." Hi said looking down at me. "I'm Enjolras"

"So, I've been told." I smiled at him. "Valerie" I said extending my hand to shake his.

"I'm sorry, but you do look rather familiar. Have we met before?" He said looking at me confused.

"Yeah, I believe we bumped into each other this morning on my way out of the flower stand." I said as he took a seat at the table with us.

"Ah yes! I hope I didn't cause you any harm" He said concerned.

"No, no not at all, I wasn't watching where I was going" I said looking down at my hands in my lap.

"Well I have to say, that speech was rather compelling." He said before he got up and walked away. I watched him as he went back to his work, studying the pages in front of him.

"Well Valerie, I think I should get you home, I didn't realize how late it was. I don't want you mother to worry." Marius said offering me his hand. I took it and stood up before saying goodbye to everyone as we walked down the stairs and out of the café. I held on to Marius arm as he walked me home.

"What did you think of them?" Marius said breaking the silence between us.

"They are all very pleasant. And seem like a wonderful group of men. Grantaire, I feel will be terrible for my drinking habits." I chuckled. "The only one I can't seem to figure out is Enjolras. What's his story?" I said looking up at Marius.

"He's fascinating! He has the same passion to bring around change in France as you do. He is probably the hardest working of the group. He is either at the library, or when he is with us, he is in his usual spot studying. His passion for his work is very admirable." Marius said as we turned the corner of the street my house was on.

"That's for sure. I would love to talk to him more. And learn more about his ideas to make changes in society" I smiled at the thought of Enjolras.

"I think you fancy him." Marius teased.

"I do not! I just find him very interesting and compelling. I want to know more." I said as we stopped outside my front door.

"Well we are meeting again tomorrow around seven o'clock. I could pick you up on my way." Marius smiled.

"I would love that very much." I smiled. "Good night Marius. I'll see you tomorrow evening" I said before I stepped in the door and closed it behind me.

The house was dark and quiet, so I figured everyone would be in bed. I quietly made my way to the stairs and started to climb them when a voice came out of the dark.

"Where have you been?" I looked around for the voice to see my mother sitting in the sitting room.

"Marius and I just went for a walk." I said nervously.

"Mhmm. For three hours?" My mother stood up crossing her arms. She wasn't completely convinced.

"Yeah, we lost track of the time. We were catching up." I said looking down at my feet.

"If I didn't know better, I would think that you were sneaking off to be with that Pontmercy boy." She said.

"Mama, you know we are just friends." I said kind of annoyed.

"Yeah, well you best be careful. I know that. But possible suiters may not." Oh no, here we go again. My mother was always trying to marry me off.

"Mama, can we not do this now?" I sighed.

"Valerie, you must start giving these men a chance! You are already eighteen years old, you need to find someone who will care for you." She said walking over to me and placing her hands on either side of my face. "Now, go get some sleep." I followed her instructions and went up to bed. 

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