A Promise

Chapter Three

        I did not see Monsieur Marius until after I had knocked him into a bread stand.

        I ran down the crowded streets of Saint Michel, anxious to get back home and show Papa the money and the ring. Maybe, just maybe, he would let me buy a pair of shoes with the money. Of course, I did not let myself feel too much hope. I knew that he would most likely use the money to buy alcohol or a new coat for himself. Still, I was excited to get home. Suddenly, I slammed straight into someone. We both fell to the ground. At least, I fell to the ground. He fell backwards into the display of the baker, knocking over huge trays of bread.

        "Hey, watch where you're go-- Oh. It's you, Monsieur Marius," I said, standing up and straightening out my dress. I held out my hand to help him up.

        "Who knocked over my bread?" a voice roared. I turned around to see the fat baker running towards us, waving his fist in the air angrily.

        "It was my fault, Monsieur," Marius said swiftly. "I will pay for everything." He took out a purse and handed the baker a large fistful of coins. The baker stared down at the money in awe. I rolled my eyes at Marius.

        "You didn't have to do that," I told him. "We could have run for it."

        "Yes, but that bread is the baker's living," Marius told me.

        "That's not my problem."

        Marius sighed while I grinned. The two of us had met about a year and a half ago, after Marius had moved into the apartment next door to mine. At the time, he was pretending to be poor, so I never asked him to be a benefactor. Instead, we became good friends, especially after I helped him track down a girl he had seen on the streets and fallen in love with. He knew that I was a thief and a con-artist, but he did not say anything to the police since I had helped him find his beloved Cosette. There was a time when I had fancied myself in love with him, but that was before I realized that there is no such thing as love. Marius was the person who had given me the information about Enjolras' revolution. In fact, Marius was one of the people involved in the revolution.

        "What's up today, 'Ponine?" he asked. "I haven't seen you much about."

        "Well, I met your Chief, Monsieur Enjolras," I remarked. "I don't know why you think he is so great. I did not like him very much."

        Marius laughed. "No one likes him very much the first time they meet him, but trust me, he is a good person, even if he is a little cold and detached."

        "I don't think he liked me very much either. He kept staring at me as if he were looking for all my flaws."

        "He does that to everyone," Marius told me. "He is very analytical. He likes to observe the details of everything he sees. Sure, he looks for all the flaws, but he also looks for all the good things, too."

        I shrugged. "Whatever. I got my money from him, and that's all that matters."

        "Money? You didn't scam him, did you?" Marius asked accusingly.

        "I tried to, but he was too smart," I replied. "He saw straight through me, but, even so, he gave me money."

        "He did?" Marius asked. "That's very unusual for Enjolras. He doesn't normally give charity."

        "Really?" I remarked. "Well, I guess I am just special."

        Marius laughed. "Yes you are, 'Ponine. Shall we walk home together?" he asked, offering me his arm.

        "Why thank you, Monsieur," I said, taking his arm. With my other hand, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a piece of fresh, white bread and bit into it.

        "Eponine, where did you get that?" Marius asked, staring at the bread. "Did you steal that from the baker?"

        "Maybe, maybe not," I said with a short laugh. Marius shook his head disapprovingly, but, all the same, he smiled.

        "You know, 'Ponine, you really should start keeping a low profile," he advised me. "You do realize that you are wanted for thievery? If the police see you, they will arrest you on the spot."

        I laughed. "You're talking to Eponine Thenardier. I know how to avoid the police. I will only get caught if I want to get caught."

        "Just be careful," Marius said.

        "Aren't I always?"

        We reached our apartment building, still laughing and joking. Suddenly, I heard a voice behind us.

        "Hey! Get away from her!"

        I turned around to see Montparnasse glaring at Marius. "Relax, 'Parnasse," I said, pulling my arm away from Marius and giving Montparnasse a quick kiss on the cheek. "Monsieur Marius was just being a gentleman and escorting me home, weren't you, Marius?"

        "Er, yes. That's what I was doing," Marius said, eyeing Montparnasse wearily. "If you will excuse me I have to go do, ah, something." Marius turned around and bolted away. I laughed.

        "Now look what you've done, 'Parnasse," I exclaimed. "You scared the poor boy away!"

      "Yeah, well I don't want some bourgeois boy messing around with my Eponine," Montparnasse growled.  

        "I've told you before, just because we are getting married does not mean I am 'your Eponine,'" I said haughtily. "And Monsieur Marius is not 'messing around' with me. He is engaged to marry Cosette. You remember Cosette, don't you? The little girl that used to live at the inn when we were little?"

        "I don't remember her, and I don't care," said Montparnasse. "Are you sure you're not still in love with that boy?"

        "You know just as well as I do that love does not exist. I am no longer a lovesick little girl. " I said. "But to allay your fears..." I stood on my toes and pressed my mouth against his. He kissed me back, rather sloppily.

        "All right, I believe you," he said with a grin. "So, how much money did you make today?"

        I smiled. "You'll have to wait and see. Come, I'm showing Papa right now." Hand in hand, we walked into the apartment.