Eponine hadn't let her emotions show. That was one of her talents, being able to hide how she felt. Monsieur Enjolras had told her off for interrupting the meeting. The Amis was a tight group and she, clearly, wasn't apart of it. Though Enjolras preached on a daily basis about equality.

How ignorant he was. She couldn't help but dislike him. It was hard to, knowing his best friend was Marius, the man that she loved. But she did. Whenever he was around there was a tension between her and Marius. She had caught Marius scolding Enjolras one day; "She's just here to help. She understands, Enjolras. She's what we need. Her brother Gavroche-" he had whispered frantically.

"I don't care if her brother is Gavroche. What does that mean to me? How should that change my opinion on her-" she could tell Marius was outraged, he spoke louder and firmer.

"Enjolras, you fight for equality, so be equal for God's sake! I like her, therefore, she stays. You don't like her? Well then don't acknowledge her if it makes you feel any better."

Eponine's heart fluttered at the sound of Marius sticking up for her. She hadn't had anyone but her little brother do that in all her life. She wasn't going to use it to her advantage, especially not at Marius' expense. But it was nice to know that he was willing to do that for her.

But this meeting, Marius wasn't there, so Enjolras could have his way. He didn't say it very rudely, she thought. He just mad it clear that she wasn't needed that night. She had slinked into the shadows and left the café quickly. The meetings were the only times she ever felt like she was apart of something, the rest of the time she just wandered the streets trying to survive.

Anger suddenly surged through her. What did Enjolras have against her? What did she do? Determination setting in she decided she would wait outside the café and demand to know why Enjolras hated her so much. Why was she, of all people, the dumping ground for all his petty angst?

The night grew colder and Eponine cuddled closer to the wooden wall that creaked in the wind on hot days. The only had a shawl that she wore around her shoulders; it was torn in several places from problems at her home. She couldn't go back there now; she would be beaten, or worse. She hadn't gotten money back in time causing her father to have some problems with some men. It was her fault since all the money that came through the place was dependent on what she did, since her parents were trying to stay away from public view. That was, of course, because they had come into a problem with the law and currently had money on their heads.

Eponine let her eyes shut, she would sleep only for a minute, a minute and nothing more. She had to be on her toes; that was the way it was on the streets of France, especially in the slums where she lived, in the bottom of the pit.

In a moment of pure fear Eponine was jolted out of her slumber, she knew immediately she had rested for more than just a minute. In her confusion she had thrown herself to her feet, nearly knocking over the cause for her to be woken.

It was Enjolras.

"Merde! Give a guy a warning, will you?" He exclaimed, catching himself before he fell onto his butt.

"Why should I? You never give me a say in anything anyways." She nearly spat, collecting herself Eponine stood up taller than she usually would. Her heart pounding, a bit relieved that it was only him and not some other man wanting something else. She almost shuddered at the thought.

Enjolras had collected himself too, his eyes narrowed slightly, but almost accusingly. He stared at her for a few long minutes, his jaw clenched. Eponine looked away, aware that he was still watching her.

"Why are you still here?" He asked, his voice demanding. Eponine was surprised at the question; this wasn't the way this conversation was supposed to be going. She was supposed to be asking him the questions, not the other way around.

"What does it matter to you where I stay?" She asked back, he didn't answer, calculating her and his response carefully. His blue eyes looked grey in the moonlight, his blonde hair white. The red of his jacket was muted to a maroon, and his feet seemed to just melt away into the ground, the same deep brown as the street.

"I asked you first." He muttered, avoiding answering the question she shot at him. She pursed her lips, not wanting to admit that she didn't have anywhere to go but to her brother's place. Going there would be a relief, but her pride would be damaged.

"I'm here because of you." She said; he looked a bit shocked.

"Me?"

"Oh, don't flatter yourself." She looked away, "Why are you always so cruel to me? What have I done to you?" He locked his jaw again, laughing bitterly.

"I don't know what you mean, Mademoiselle." He said 'Mademoiselle' in an almost mocking tone. Her blood seemed to boil with anger.

"Don't lie. I know how you feel about me. I know you don't want me around! You don't care about my brother, but when it comes to me… God forbid Eponine is around! I'm not some dog, I have feelings, you know." It was his turn to look away, Eponine felt proud of herself for once. She had finally gotten it out there. Months of tension between them had led to this moment.

"Why do you always have to judge people, Eponine? You're always judging everyone." He said, she puffed herself up.

"I don't judge everyone. Just because you're some scholar doesn't mean you can go around making assumptions." She crossed her arms, he smirked at her. The closest to a smile she's ever gotten from him.

"I'll tell you why. It's because you are extremely… compelling, and I don't want Marius to go around getting distracted by you. I need him for the resistance. I don't need a man who can't stand not being within twenty feet of some girl." He held his gaze, his steely eyes boring into hers, and then he said something she didn't expect at all to come out of him;

"Or me, for that matter."