A Favor That Was Returned
By BroadwayEponineBound

He stood there, looking at her. She was a dirty street urchin, the kind everyone avoided. But to him, she was the most beautiful thing in the world. He had to talk to her; it was almost a given. He gathered his courage and walked across the street, accidentally-on-purpose bumping into her.

"Here, watch where--" She looked at him. She stopped talking. His heart swelled when he saw her face up close. "Oh...um…Excuse me, monsieur." She tried to leave. He grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"What's your name?" he asked her, overpowered.

"Eponine. What's yours?" She didn't even seem to realize that she shouldn't be talking to a stranger or telling him her name.

"Enjolras. Would you like something to eat?" By her thin body, he knew she wouldn't be able to resist. Which she didn't. He took her to the ABC Cafe. No one he knew was there, and he was glad. He wanted time alone with this Eponine girl. They chose a table in the far corner, away from everyone else there.

They idly talked, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. They talked about politics, friends, family. Everything and anything that was important to them. Enjolras spoke of politics and revolting. Eponine spoke of love and wealth. They spoke to each other until the owner closed the café, and they found themselves on the street. The streetlamps burned. They stood there, not wanting to leave each other, but knowing they had to.

"Would you like to take a walk in the park?" Enjolras asked, not knowing what else to say. She agreed, and they soon found themselves walking slowly around the abandoned park.

Suddenly a dark figure rushed up to them. Eponine clung to Enjolras' arm, afraid that it was thief. Enjolras put his body protectingly in front of hers, not wanting any harm to come to her. Then Enjolras recognized the face of Combeferre.

"Enjolras! I've been looking all over for you. The revolt has started! They need at the barricade near the Beouf Café." He gasped, trying to catch his breath.

"I'll be there momentarily. You may leave now."

"But I was supposed to bring you back--"

"I said you may leave now." Combeffere backed away, scared of the tone of Enjolras' voice. Then he turned and started running back in the direction of the barricade. By this time Eponine was weeping, knowing Enjolras would have to leave her. He turned to her.

"You know I have to go." She nodded. They stood there for a minute. Then Enjolras grabbed her in his arms. "But I don't want to go. Suddenly the Revolution isn't important anymore." He said into her hair.

"No, Enjolras. You have to go. They're counting on you." Eponine was saying these words, but she didn't know why or how. She pulled from his grasp. "But I'll come with you."

They silently walked to the barricade, praying the other would not be struck down. They arrived. Enjolras started shouting orders, and Eponine quickly got lost in the crowd, disappearing.

Suddenly, gunshot rang out. People fell, and all Eponine could think of was finding Enjolras. Finding him alive. All of a sudden, she saw Marius. Then she saw the gun pointed of at him. She loved Enjolras, but she still cared for Marius. She ran, placing her hand over the muzzle. Pain shot through. She stumbled, wanting to find Enjolras, but finding Marius instead.

He saw her, fell down to his knees, and grasped her in his arms. Quite the way Enjolras had in the park. But Eponine was no longer in love with these arms. She felt that she owed it to Marius though. He had been so kind, almost like a brother. So she told him that she loved him. It was the least she could do, but every lie shot through her, but it was more painful than the gun wound.

She wanted to twist around, to see if she could see Enjolras one more time. Then, before she could, she saw a bright light above her calling her. She answered it, going toward it, leaving her body behind on earth. Enjolras watched this whole scene, frozen. He thought that she had loved him. But no, or so it seemed to him. It was the handsome Monsieur Marius, the one everyone loved. She had just pretended to love him; she had played with his heart. Tears streamed down his face. The one girl he had loved, and she didn't return the favor. He knew what he had to do. He grabbed the red flag and jumped on top of the barricade. "Vive Republique!" he shouted. "But because I loved Eponine." He fell, chocking on his last words.

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