Run Away with Me

Chapter 4

I woke up the next morning under a heap of blankets in Combeferre's bed. The guest room was currently being used for storage. Now the sun came streaming through the windows, waking me up after around five hours asleep. I could hear someone rustling around in the kitchen. I rolled over and saw that the bed was empty beside me. Maybe I could convince Combeferre to make me his delicious pancakes.

"Combeferre! Are you making me breakfast?" I laughed, walking towards the kitchen.

"Um, hello, Éponine."

Shit.

"Hi, Enjolras," I said shock, finding him in the kitchen. "Sorry. I thought you were Combeferre."

"It's alright. Sorry for waking you. I would've been much quieter but I didn't know we had company," he said awkwardly.

"Yeah, sorry. Things just got kinda crazy tonight and I ended up here."

Enjolras nodded, seeming more uncomfortable than usual.

"I didn't know you and Combeferre were interested in each other like that. How long have you been together?"

What? He didn't seriously think we were dating, did he? And he thought we had done the dirty last night! But it was my best cover. I couldn't let him know the real reason.

"Oh, only for about two weeks now," I made up quickly.

"Well, congratulations. Always good to know Combeferre is happy," he said, taking a sip of black coffee. It made the whole house smell good.

"Yeah."

It was awkward for a few minutes. I wanted to ask where Combeferre was, when would he be back, and where could I find some breakfast. Instead I just turned and started to walk back to the bedroom. But first, I couldn't pass up a golden opportunity.

"Enjolras?" I called.

"Yes?"

"I hope we weren't too loud for you last night!"

I could picture his blushing face.

~~~~~~~~

"You did what?" Grantaire laughed over the phone as I recounted my morning tales. I had told him everything about last night up until my comment to Enjolras.

"I couldn't resist! It was too funny! And I still have no idea where 'Ferre is. I thought he didn't work Sundays."

"I did too."

It was quiet for a minute as I sat on Combeferre's bed, fiddling with a blanket.

"Ép?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really happy that Combeferre was there. Montparnasse is a scary guy, and I'd hate for you to end up back in his company."

"Yeah, me too. I just wish there was something I could do. I can't even go home right now. And I really don't wanna burden Combeferre," I said quietly.

"You won't. That's what best friends do for each other, remember? You'd help any of us if we needed it. You're our sister. We love you, Ép."

"Yeah. I love you guys, too," I couldn't help but smile. Grantaire always knew how to make me smile.

"Wanna go for lunch?"

"Sure. Meet me here in an hour."

I grabbed my dress from the night before, heading into the bathroom to get a shower. The water felt so good. It woke me up, washing away the pain of the night before.

"Ép?" Combeferre called when I was almost finished.

"'Ferre! Where've you been?" I called back, letting the water soak me and warm me to my bones.

"It's kinda of hard to explain through a door," he laughed.

"I'll be out in a minute!"

I finished showering, before getting out and wrapping a towel around myself. I wrapped a towel around my hair, poking my head out the door.

"R will be here in a little while to go to lunch. Join us?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'll bring Courf, too. I have big news."

~~~~~

"Okay! Everyone shush!" I said excitedly as the four of us sat in the Cafe Musain.

"Yeah, 'Ferre, what's the big news?" Courfeyrac asked excitedly.

"Well, remember that internship I applied for at that law office? I got it!"

"Congratulations!" We all cheered.

"That's amazing, Combeferre!"

"Can we get a round of rum and coke to celebrate?" Grantaire called to a waitress.

"Wait, hold on!" Combeferre said quickly, a look of sadness distorting his face.

"What's wrong?" Courfeyrac asked.

"I'm moving to New York City. For six months."

My world of safety came crashing down. What was I supposed to do without 'Ferre? Who would talk to me when I called late at night, or never fail to stock their fridge with my favorite ice cream, or eat all of the overly-sweet frosting off of cupcakes for me? Our friendship was built around the four of us, and it would never be the same without Combeferre.

"Are you serious?" I choked out.

"Ép, please don't be mad at me," Combeferre pleaded.

"I'm so proud of you, but really?! New York?! There are internships in Paris!"
I cried, getting up from the table.

I tried to hide the tears, but all they did was blur my vision. I walked towards the doors, throwing them open and stepping outside. I hit a wall of muscle.

"Ow! I'm always running into you, aren't I?" Enjolras laughed.

"I'm not in the mood," I snapped, hurrying away.

"Woah, Éponine, what's wrong?" Enjolras asked, rushing after me.

"You probably knew! You probably knew that Combeferre is going to New York!"

Enjolras's face fell. He swallowed hard, before looking at me.

"No, he hadn't told me," Enjolras said quietly.

"Well, he's leaving!" I bursted into tears.

Before I could stop it, Enjolras was actually hugging me.