A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Poets... More or Less - Chapter 14

You had spent the majority of the next few days with Grantaire. When you ended up together, you noticed that he didn't do so much as take a sip of alcohol— and you appreciated that...

When Saturday rolled around, you had nearly forgotten about your meeting with Jehan.

The only reason you were there was because you had literally run into him.

"Oh— careful!" he said.

Just moments before, you had spotted Timeo outside of work, and you would much prefer to stay out of his sight as opposed to... well, very much in his sight.

"Sorry, Monsieur!" you said. He had had grabbed the both of your shoulders, perhaps to check if you were alright, but you were caught up in too much of an adrenaline to take notice. "I really—"

"Wait, you were the woman from the flower shop, weren't you?"

You really had to run, but something made you pause to steal a look at the man. His face was pink from the breeze blowing onto his face.

"Do I...?" you paused. You were going to ask if you knew him, but upon examining his face, you realized that this was the man who had showed you an unparalleled amount of kindness towards you. Your lips broke into a smile. "Wait... You were the one at the shop! Who— erhm, bought those flowers for me!"

His lips broke into a cheeky smile.

"That's me," he said with a smile. "I was just heading to the library."

"Oh— what kind of works are you into?" you asked, tilting your head. You noticed that his face burned into a further shade of pink.

"Poetry," he said, shifting a little as he tightened his jacket around him. He opened his mouth to say something, but after a moment of looking at you, he flashed you a desperate smile and gave a small, awkward chuckle.

It took you a moment to understand what had happened.

"Oh!" you exclaimed. "Oh my God— I'm completely sorry! I was supposed to meet you today..."

Poor Jehan went even more red.

"No, don't worry about it," he said, smiling a little. A drop of rain (which would more than likely turn into hail sooner or later) landed on the tip of his nose, and he was quick to wipe it off. "I didn't know if you would remember or not— and if you did, that would have been great! But if you had other plans, that's fine. I go to the library often anyway, so I would be there... And if you want to reschedule, that's okay. If not, that's completely okay, too..."

He was blushing so hard that you were a little concerned he would pass out.

"No! I do have time today, actually," you said apologetically. You watched as a crisp ball landed on the street, bouncing a bit like a dropped pearl, and you saw that it was followed by many more. Both you and Jehan scooted a little to try and get under a nearby roof. "My apologies for not remembering. These past few days have been a wreck."

"Oh, I completely understand," Jehan said, flinching as a bead of hail bounced from his shoulder. "Many of my friends seemed to be busy this week, too... But that's quite alright. It's given me time to think."

"About what?" you asked. You didn't mean to intrude, of course, but you also felt compelled to let him know that. "If... you're alright with sharing, that is."