What is Love?

Chapter 45

A few months passed and it was time for graduation. Marius had been in the jail until his father posted bail for him and they left town. No one had heard from them since. Éponine and Enjolras had become an official couple and for the first time in Éponine's life she felt like she belonged. She had a family made up of people who loved her, Joly, Musichetta, Enjolras and little Annabelle had become one of sorts. Éponine and Enjolras acted as an aunt and uncle to the little girl and loved her almost as much as her own parents. She was spoiled rotten from the day she was born. Musichetta's parents bought the couple and their child a flat a few minutes away for them to live as a family. Annabelle had her own room with millions of toys and articles of clothing. Now, however, it was her parents day to shine, along with all the other kids in their grade.

Éponine stared at herself in the mirror. She wore a fitting turquoise dress with matching flats. She heard a knock at her door and turned to see Enjolras leaning against the doorway.

"You look beautiful" he said smiling.

Éponine blushed, "Thanks, and you look rather dashing" she said striding towards him.

He looked down and laughed, he was wearing a red dress shirt with a black tie. "I try, love" he said taking her hand and leading her down the stairs.

"I can't believe today is the day" she said happily, "I can finally get out of here and forget everything that happened here" she said shuddering slightly.

Enjolras squeezed her hand, "I hope you don't want to forget everything" he said smiling shyly at her.

She turned to him and too his other hand, "I never want to forget you" and she went on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. He pulled her into him and kissed her lips. Éponine heard footsteps behind her so she pulled away and turned to see Enjolras's mom smiling endearingly at the pair.

"Oh don't stop because of me" she joked causing the couple to laugh, "but while you are can I take a few pictures" she asked holding up her camera.

Éponine felt Enjolras sigh but before he could object she said "of course" she said. She felt Enjolras pinch her side and she jumped slightly but hit his arm in return. He chuckled and put his arm around her waist pulling her into him for the picture.

After about 100 clicks of the camera Enjolras had finally had enough. "Okay mom you can take more pictures later but right now Ép and I have to get to the school. See you later" he said pecking her cheek and dashing out the door with Éponine in tow.

"Well that was rude" Éponine teased when they were driving.

Enjolras shook his head, "She gets way to carried away with pictures. We would be there forever if we didn't leave then" he said.

Éponine rolled her eyes, "Alright Mr. Dramatic" she said, "are you ready for your speech? You never practiced it" she asked.

Enjolras shrugged, "I know it don't you worry. I didn't practice it because I didn't want to ruin the surprise" he said mysteriously.

Éponine rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat going through all her memories of the past few years. She remembered when she first met Enjolras, on the playground. She didn't have anyone to play with because who would want to play with the dirty poor girl but Enjolras came over to her and asked to play with her. Their friendships flourished in the following years and then Éponine and Enjolras met all their other friends, "The Les Amis" they liked to call themselves. She would miss seeing them everyday.

Then she remembered when Enjolras first found out about her parents abuse. Éponine would always cover up but one weekend she didn't because she wasn't going anywhere but Enjolras spontaneously showed up at her house. He was lost for words. She pulled him out of the doorway and down the alley begging him not to tell anyone, they would beat her more she had said. However Enjolras was furious, he wouldn't listen. He marched over to the police and they came crashing in. Her first 3 years of high school went by like a wave, quick and quiet, however her senior year hit her like a tsunami.

She saw Marius, the first time she saw him, talked to him, blushed because of him, smiled because of him, begged him, kissed him, and finally she saw her first beating, the night it all should have ended. She cringed as she watched herself stay with him, love him, beg him.

Finally she reached the present as they arrived at the school. Musichetta and Joly were standing with their parents and Annabelle outside the school. The girls ran and hugged each other quickly before the graduates went to their respective seats. In a few hours she would be done with this chapter of her life, and although it was trying she learned valuable lessons. As Enjolras stood to say his speech she felt Musichetta grip her hand. Éponine smiled she was ready to move on, but she wouldn't forget.