Valerie (An Enjolras Love Story)

Chapter Two

I woke up the next morning full of excitement for this evening to go back to the Café with Marius, and to finally find out more about the man in red. I skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of fruit for breakfast. And quickly ate it. I figured I would go back into town for the afternoon to waste some time before Marius picked me up at seven. I made my way from the kitchen to head upstairs to change into a simpler dress. As I came down the stairs I heard my father call my name. I followed his voice into his study.

"Good Morning Papa" I said walking over and placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Good Morning Mon Cheri" He smiled up at me. "What are you going to be doing today?" He asked as he looked back down at the papers on his desk.

"I was actually just about to head into town for the afternoon." I said

"Okay, well be sure to be home by five because your mother had invited the Chaudoir's for dinner. We thought that it would be a good time to introduce you to Andre. We feel that he would be a good fit for you." My father said looking at me seriously. I should have known that this was going to be another one of my mother's schemes to marry me off. If it were her telling me the news, I would have reacted quite differently. Because she and I have never gotten along, but because it was Papa telling me I just nodded and agreed to whatever he said. That was one thing I could never deal with, was disappointing my father. I had so much respect for him that I wanted nothing more than for him to be proud of me.

"I'll be here Papa." I said with a small smile and left the house for the market.

I walked through Saint Michelle on my way to the bookstore when I heard shouting coming from the other end of the square. I pushed my way through the crowd when I spotted Marius walking in the same direction I was.

"Marius!" I shouted at the top of my lungs so that he could hear me over the crowded square. He must have heard me because he stopped in his tracks. I pushed my way through the crowd and over to him.

"Valerie! What are you doing here?" He smiled at me.

"Just getting out of the house for a bit. Where are you going?" I asked and he looked a bit nervous.

"Well uh... Actually I uh...." He was cut off before he could answer my question.

"Marius, we are ready to start. Oh, good day Mademoiselle Valerie. I didn't expect to see you here" Enjolras said as he came over to where Marius and I were standing. "But we really must go." He said looking at Marius before walking away. I looked at Marius confused.

"Come with me." He sighed taking my hand. He led me over to the other side of the square where the rest of his friends and Enjolras stood handing out pieces of parchment. I took one and stood with the rest of them as I looked down and read the contents on the paper.

The Barricades will rise. Freedom for all

I turned to ask Coufeyrac who was standing next me what was going on, when Marius and Enjolras jumped up on a few crates so they stood out over the crowd. They started to shout about a revolution they were planning, to help the people abolish the monarchy and have equality for everyone. My eyes grew wide, what had Marius gotten himself into?

I listened intently at Marius and Enjolras rallied the fast-growing crowd. As I listened to their speeches, I couldn't help but stare at Enjolras, I don't know how to explain it, but there something I was feeling that I had never felt before. Maybe Marius was right, maybe I did fancy him. As I stared at him I could see a small smile creep across his marble face, and I couldn't help but return the smile back to him.