A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Good Decisions - Chapter 48

Courfeyrac escorted you out of the room, standing you by the door (but out of the way so you wouldn't prevent anyone from leaving), and he shoved his hands into his pockets before looking up to you.

"I really want you to know how genuinely sorry I am," Courfeyrac said. "I know that I was upset about Jehan, but that's not an excuse for my behavior at all. I took things about yourself that you couldn't help, and I used it against you."

You bit the inside of your cheek, letting the muffled conversations of mourning schoolboys fill the silence, and carefully, you let out a sigh.

"Courfeyrac, you really did hurt me," you said with a slight nod. Though you hadn't noticed, you were hugging yourself, and playing with the sleeves of your dress (cross-dressing was, apparently, frowned upon). "Why didn't you confront me about this sooner?"

"I was afraid to," he said. "I wanted to give you some space before coming back to you again, and... It honestly seemed like there was no way of fixing anything."

"You think I'm unapproachable, do you?" you asked, cocking an eyebrow. By that point, you were giving him a hard time. Although a part of you hated him for what he said, the other part was beyond empathetic— he had a rough night after discovering what was to become of Jehan, and because he was upset that you had just ditched him... Well, he needed to get it all out somehow.

"No, that's not it at all," Courfeyrac said quickly. He clearly didn't understand your tone. "I just knew that you had been with Enjolras—"

"Calm down, Monsieur— I forgive you," you said, giving a slight chuckle. "Even though you were a massive dickhead, I would rather not just abandon you or something... I mean, you saw how that turned out."

Courfeyrac deflated with relief.

"Oh, thank the good Lord," he muttered. His lips broke into the softest smile. "Alright, now let's talk about the baby."

He was greeted by an audible gasp.

Naturally, the both of you glanced over, horrified to see the beautiful Rosamonde at the bottom of the steps. Her jaw was agape as she stared at the two of you. Though many people would think it impolite to eavesdrop, it was clear that it hadn't been intentional— after all, she was in the middle of carrying bottles whole helping Madame Houcheloup clean up after the boys.

She was quick to shut her mouth.

Courfeyrac went pale.

"You heard that?" he asked, gripping onto the railing in case he had a heart attack.

Rosamonde's eyes began to water. It was clear that she just wanted to run away, but telling that her movement was all but a flinch, you realized she stopped herself.

"Yes," she gulped. She touched her cheek before you could see the tear that had slipped from your eye. "I've heard about it— from Joly and Gavroche— that you had gotten someone pregnant, but... I suppose hearing it from you is a little more validating."

You immediately recognized the heartbreak on her face. After all, it was that same emotion you felt when Courfeyrac had her against the wall, their lips locked together as they practically screwed in public— but it seemed as that thought had vanished as she turned to you.

"Mademoiselle [Y/N], I suppose your name is?" she said, her vibrant eyes still swimming with tears. She forced a smile. "I'm really sorry I have to meet you this way, but— it's a pleasure."

You couldn't look her in the eye. Her life was being ruined over a child that wasn't even her fiancé's.

Upon getting no reaction, she tucked her hair behind her ear and made her way up the steps— perhaps to keep the conversation private as opposed to yelling across the room.