A Promise

Chapter Seven

        I walked down the streets of Saint Michele, my foot wrapped tightly in bandages, courtesy of Enjolras' friend Joly. My stomach was full and my ankle was healing, all thanks to the person I had previously dismissed as an unfeeling, marble man. His ring, which was much to big to fit around my bony finger, had been placed on a simple golden chain around my neck, once again courtesy of Enjolras. The ring rested against my heart. I thought about what Enjolras had said. Did he really think there was good in me? I had a hard time believing it. All my life, I had assumed that stealing was my only talent, my only hope of survival. But he had seemed so sure that I was a better person than I gave myself credit for. Maybe, just maybe, I could be good... for him.

        "Hey, Eponine!" I heard a voice say. I saw Montparnasse running toward me. I groaned inwardly. I was definitely not in the mood to talk to him. "Listen, Eponine, I'm sorry about what I said earlier," he told me. "Let's just agree to forget about what happened, okay? I even gave your father a few francs and told him it was from you, so he forgot about the whole incident and he's not mad at you anymore."

        I smiled reluctantly at Montparnasse. "Thanks, 'Parnasse," I said. "See, this is why I agreed to marry you."

        Montparnasse laughed and put on a fake pout. "I thought you agreed to marry me for my devilish charms and heart-throbbing good looks."

        "Haha, very funny," I said, rolling my eyes as he struck a ridiculous pose. He leaned over and planted a kiss on my mouth. I kissed him back reluctantly, but it did not feel right at all. Suddenly, Enjolras' face popped into my head, and I automatically recoiled from Montparnasse. What was that about? I wondered. I had kissed 'Parnasse many times before. Why did I suddenly feel so wrong about doing it?

        "What was that for?" 'Parnasse asked. 

        "Um... your breath is horrid," I lied. Montparnasse glared at me. "Everyone's a critic," he said with a dramatic sigh. "Hey, what's that around your neck?"

        "Oh, this?" I said, touching the ring. "Um, nothing. It's just a ring I stole from Enjolras."

        "Who's Enjolras?" Montparnasse inquired.

        "A bourgeoisie boy that I scammed," I said shortly. "One of Marius' friends."

        "Well, you can get a lot of money for that on the black market," 'Parnasse said with a grin.

        "I don't want to sell it!" I said quickly. "I like it."

        "Your Papa won't be too pleased if he finds out you're keeping it to yourself instead of using it to get him money," he warned me.

        "But you won't tell him, will you 'Parnasse?" I asked, batting my eyelashes at him.

        Montparnasse sighed. "Fine, I won't tell him. But don't say I didn't warn you. Hey, look over there!"

        I turned to where 'Parnasse was pointing, but all I could see was an old bourgeoisie woman buying fruit from a street vendor. "What is it?" I asked.

        "That woman!" Montparnasse replied. "She's rich and defenseless. She'll be an easy target to steal from."

        "Oh..." I said, realizing what 'Parnasse had in mind. Before, I would have jumped at the chance to steal money from such easy prey, but now, I couldn't bring myself to do it. This was my chance to prove to myself that Enjolras was right about me. This was my first opportunity to see if there really was good in me.

        "Listen, 'Parnasse," I said tentatively. "Let's not steal from her. She's just an old woman."

        Montparnasse stared at me as if I had said something treacherous. "What do you mean? You're not going soft are you?"

        "No!" I said quickly. "I just... I don't think it's right to steal from an old lady, that's all."

        "You are going soft!" Montparnasse accused. "Look, Eponine, we were born into poverty. We don't have the luxury of choosing what is right versus what is wrong. The only choice we have is to steal what we can or die on the streets!"

        "I don't believe that!" I cried out. "I believe I am better than that, and I think you are too. Join me, 'Parnasse. We can be good together, I promise."

        Montparnasse gave me a cold glare. "You think you're too good for the Patron Minette? Fine, leave us. Go live on your own and see what it's like to have to get by without stealing. Don't come crying to me when you're dying of starvation."

        "Fine!" I snapped. "I can do it. I know I can."

        "You know what you're acting like? You're behaving just the way you did when you thought you were in love with that Pontmercy boy. You were soft then, too. You even screamed in order to stop us from robbing a house, remember? So who is it this time? What bourgeoisie boy have you convinced yourself you're in love with? Is it that Enjolras guy? You know you have no chance with him, right? No bourgeois could ever love a gamine like you."

        I stared at him, completely taken aback. I wasn't in love. I didn't believe in love, did I? Then why did my heart suddenly start racing at the sound of Enjolras' name?