Only Been Pretending

Chapter Three ~ A Day In The Life

Chapter Three ~ A Day in the Life

                Enjolras stepped into the café and climbed the stairs to the second floor, surprised to see very few people there. He was immediately flagged down by his two closest friends, Combeferre and Courfeyrac. As he walked over to them, he was greeted by an already drunk Grantaire.

                “Our fearless leader has arrived. Good evening, Apollo,” Grantaire slurred, taking a sip from the bottle in his hand.

                Enjolras rolled his eyes, “For heaven’s sake Grantaire, put that bottle down! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you sober.”

                The drunk just smirked in response and took another long sip from his drink. Enjolras joined his closest friends at a table at the back of the Musain where they had several maps spread out.

                “I know I’m early, but where is everyone? Most of them are usually here by now,” Enjolras inquired as he sat down at their table.

                Courfeyrac shrugged, “Straggling behind, I suppose.”

                “Joly can’t make it tonight. They needed extra hands at the infirmary and he’s staying to help. Feuilly won’t be here either. He has a lot of work to catch up on. Apparently, there has been a high demand for fans lately,” Combeferre chimed in.

                Enjolras nodded in response. Then, they turned to the maps and began discussing new plans while Grantaire drowned himself in alcohol. Slowly, the Amis arrived one by one. Enjolras glanced at the clock and saw that it was well past time for the meeting to start, so he stood. Just as he was making his way to the podium at the front of the room, the youngest of the group, Marius Pontmercy, appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been introduced by his ex-roommate, Courfeyrac. Marius had since moved out on his own. Enjolras still wasn’t sure what to make of him. He wasn’t positive that Marius was entirely dedicated to the cause.

                “Marius, you’re late,” Enjolras said flatly.

                Marius muttered an apology before taking a seat in the back, and Enjolras took his place at the podium to deliver his speech.

0000

                After she had to turn down Marius’s offer of attending the meeting, Eponine had to endure her father’s ranting about how she hadn’t properly swept the floor. She listened to it for a good ten minutes before she lost her cool. She rolled her eyes when she thought her father wouldn’t see, but she learned that he had in fact seen when he suddenly struck her across the face. He’d left, and now she stood in the same spot, rubbing her stinging and slightly red cheek.

                So much for no more bruises tonight, she thought.

                Suddenly, two arms snaked around her waist from behind, the person pulling her tight against his chest. Her blood went cold, immediately knowing who it was.

                “Good evening, my dear,” the viper sneered in her ear.

                “Let me go, ‘Parnasse,” she spat.

                He turned her in his arms so that she was facing him. She glared at his evil green eyes and smirk.

                “That’s no way to greet me, ‘Ponine.”

                “Go away,” she growled.

                He shook his head, “You know what I want.”