What is Love?

Chapter 27

Once in the school Éponine finally felt like she was able to breathe. The busy halls of people made her feel like she was hidden away from any prying eye. She was just another face in the crowd. Marius had dropped her off at her homeroom before going to his own. He kissed her sweetly on the lips before turning around. Éponine walked into her room and saw Musichetta waiting for her. She quickly walked over and plopped down next to her. "So how's the you-know-what?" She asked with a smile.

Musichetta chuckled but her eyes were sad, "Joly won't stop bustling around and making me sit on my lazy butt while he does everything. Literally, I'm not allowed to walk to the bathroom" she said jokingly.

"Well at least he's trying. But exercise is good for you're body" Éponine said.

Chetta shook her head, "Try telling him that, I'm suprised he's not ordering me to get a wheelchair" she said smiling fondly at the boy. Joly wasn't paying attention, he was too busy talking with Enjolras.

Enjolras didn't seem to be wholeheartedly in the conversation, his eyes flicking over to Éponine every once in a while.

Éponine reverted her attention back to Musichetta, "Have you told anyone else besides me?" Éponine asked.

Chetta nodded, "Joly told the boys yesterday when they hung out and we told his parents after you left my house" she said.

Éponine was surprised, telling his parents must have been frightening. "How did it go?" She asked.

Musichetta shrugged, "As well as it could go I guess. They've offered to help in anyway they can so I'm very thankful for that" she said.

Éponine nodded, "But you haven't told yours yet?" She asked.

"How can I Ép? Hey mom and dad you remember that kid I've been dating for like 3 years? Yeah well we're pregnant. You know how well that would go over. My dad would probably find a way to sue Joly and plant him in jail. I don't know how I'm going to tell them" she sighed.

Éponine knew Musichetta was right. Her parents were insanely against her dating Joly and this would just set them over the edge, but Éponine knew Musichetta. She would not give up.

Finally the bell rang and the girls gave each other one last smile before going their separate ways. Éponine usually walked quickly to her class in order to avoid confrontation with Enjolras but today he was on her tail.

"Éponine " he called, "hey Ép can I talk to you?" He asked.

Éponine continued walking until she felt a hand wrap around her arm and spin her around. She whirled around go find herself face to face with Enjolras. "Hey Enj" she said with a sheepish smile, "what do you want?"

Enjolras shrugged, "Just to walk with you" he said, "and to ask you when you started to like to wear scarves?" He asked.

Éponine laughed and there it was, Enjolras being nosy. She knew it was only a matter of time but she didn't expect the question this early. Éponine shrugged, "I don't know. I just wanted to try something new" she said as nonchalantly as she could.

Éponine could see Enjolras didn't believe her but he was ready focused on something else. "What happened to your face?" He awake reaching to put hand on her face but she flinched away and backed up.

"Nothing?" She said, "Why would you ask that?"

Enjolras shrugged, "Your face looks different today. Your face looks less symmetrical than usual" he said with a smile. Before something like this would make her laugh, but now she barely make her smile. "Okay, what's wrong Éponine? Don't bother trying to say 'nothing' because I know there is something. Please Éponine" he pleaded.

Éponine shook her head, "We need to get to class Enjolras" she said looking towards the ground.

"Come on Ép-" he began before he was cut off by the looming shadow over Éponine's shoulder. Marius.

"Is there a problem here?" He asked placing his hand on Éponine's shoulder.

Enjolras shook his head and held his hands up, "Nope none at all. Just trying to talk to my friend, I haven't in awhile" he said never looking at Marius always at Éponine.

"Good" said Marius before he turned himself around. Éponine cast one final look over her shoulder at Enjolras. He was standing in the hallway his hands clutching the straps of his bag staring helplessly after the couple. He knew something was wrong.