Your Eponine (Also known as Kathy’s Story)

This story began as a way for me to let out my feelings, giving myself an alternate reality to turn to and think about when everything got too much for me, a world where my situation has a happy ending. But over writing it’s developing into a lot more than that, and though I have a good idea of how it’ll end, I’m not sure. Kathy is not me anymore, she has a life of her own.

This is my first original fic, and reviews and such things will be much appreciated. Oh, and as for the place they live, it’s nothing like any place I really know, I just used the first name that came into my head. Everyone feel free to correct me on the NZ school system or anything, as I’ve lived in Oz for the last 5 years so never went to a kiwi intermediate…

Disclaimer: This. Is. Mine.

Chapter 1

“I’ve missed you all sooooooo much!” As Liz’s screams echoed through the halls of our school, Marie and I looked at each other and burst into laughter. Soon Tanya joined in, and then Liz gave up her pretence of anger and began to laugh too. Within a few moments the four of us were dying of laughter, while the rest of our school gave us worried looks and began to slowly edge away. We looked at them, and then at each other’s eyes, and began to laugh again. And thus began Form 5.

Looking at the four of us, you would never imagine that we would be friends, coming from all over the school as we do. People in our year sometimes referred to us as the “Mismatches,” but we didn’t really mind. We didn’t care what other people thought of us, as long as we were friends. Although it didn’t seem much at the time, looking back it is an extremely precious jewel.

First, there was Marie. Marilyn Amelia Warner, but she prefers not to go by her full name. You see, on the outside she’s a gorgeous, thin girl who is both a gymnast and an athlete, with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. But she hated to be known for that. She’s actually a genius, loving to learn and read books, top in all her classes. She’d much rather be called a geek than a cheerleader, which shows her strength of character. But she’s not in the least bit shy, and she ALWAYS speaks her opinions very loudly.

The next one of my friends is Tanya Morrison. She’s a little short… alright, she’s 5’… but she’s always bubbly and cheerful. Her black eyes are always sparkling as she participates in whichever activities are on the agenda, no matter how good she is, and she’s usually not the top. It’s her charisma and kind heart that makes her loved by most students in our school, and our group mediator and inspiration.

And then there is Liz. Elizabeth Jane Taylor, the leader of our little group. She’s a beautiful brunette, constantly hunted after by boys and VERY flirtacious. She’s also very trendy, always having the latest clothes and music. Then again, considering her dad is a successful lawyer and her mother a model, living in a large mansion, it’s not surprising. But, unlike most rich girls, she’s anything but a snob. She’s a fun, intelligent and considerate girl, always having time for us.

We four have been close friends ever since we first met in Form 1, when Liz had to show the new girl (that’s me) around and we met Tanya and Marie having a water fight. It’s a very interesting story, but that’s not important right now. What IS important is that we’re best friends and always will be.

Oh, who am I, you ask? Let me introduce myself. Kathryn Amelia Turner, 15-year-old student of Tauranga Girls High. I’m the shy one, the one who tags along with the rest. I don’t have Marie’s brains, nor Tanya’s confidence, or Liz’s beauty. But I’m myself, and I’m happy that way. I live in an apartment in Tauranga with my Mum, my Dad and my little sister Susie, and as far as I can tell my life is perfect. I’m not saying that there’s nothing I want, because that would be a lie. I wouldn’t mind enough money to go on overseas trips like my friends, or a pet, or to have a guy like me for once in my life. But I wouldn’t change my life for anything.

Now, where were we? Ah yes, the first day back at school...

Liz was jumping up and down in excitement – I don’t blame her, really. If I’d been the one spending a month in Hawaii, I’m sure that I’d be excited too. Tanya had been skiing down in the South island, while Marie went to her beach house near Auckland. And I was happy just standing there, listening to their stories, imagining it was I. My parents don’t really have high paying jobs, and we never seem to have enough for a big holiday. But it doesn’t matter.

“So, Kathy, what did you do during your holidays?” Marie asked, breaking me out of my reverie.

“Oh, not much. We went to the beach, and the park, and I took Suzie to the movies.”

“Oh, I wish I had a little sister! She’s so cute!” Marie doesn’t have any sisters, just a little brat of a younger brother called Tom. I pity her, I truly do... then again, she does have her gorgeous dog, Snowy, to make up for it.

And then the conversation moved on again. “Hey Liz, how are things going with you and Terry?” Tanya asked. This is the guy that Liz had been going out with for the past year.

“We broke up.”

Suddenly all private conversations stopped, and a stunned silence was evident. “You broke up with him? But I thought you were in love!” said Tanya, evidently distressed. She’s always been a bit of a matchmaker, and it was her who got them together in the first place.

“You see, he’s moving to Australia, and I don’t think it’ll work long-distance.”

“That’s a pity. Oh, did I tell you? I met this really great guy in the holidays, he’s in Form 6 and we’ve been going out for a week.”

During all this Marie and I had been standing silently together in amusement, but then she decided to join in. “Really? Me too! His name is John, and he’s really quiet, but he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met!”

Tanya visibly brightened. “You did? I’m so glad for you, do you know how long I’ve been trying to make you go out with someone? Now we only have Kathy left to set up.”

I rolled my eyes, and Tanya smiled at me. We’d been having that very same debate since Form 3, and she obviously wasn’t going to stop then. It’s not that I hated boys; it’s just that I didn’t see anything in them. Then again, I didn’t exactly know any guys… other than their boyfriends, that is, but they don’t really count.

Luckily for me, Marie changed the subject before Tanya started with her evil plans. “Anyway, John was telling me about this musical that he’s planning on auditioning for. It’s called Les Miserables, and apparently it has a really great storyline. I was wondering whether you guys were interested?”

Tanya was the first to agree, and Liz was quick to join her. “Kathy?”

Les Miserables was one of my favourite musicals of all time, and one of my lifelong dreams had been to play Eponine. But I was frightened. “They’d never accept me, I can’t act…”

“Kathy, you are a fantastic singer! You’d be perfect for the part of Eponine,” Marie was quick to respond.

I was about to say no, but then I stopped to think. Maybe it was time for me to try something different, to step out of my comfort zone. Who knows, maybe I might even get a part? “Alright… I’ll audition, although I’m sure I won’t get in.”

The cheering of my friends was cut off by the bell for roll call, and the four of us split up to go our separate ways. Many times I would look back on that decision and wonder what drove me to make it. But I can’t imagine my life if I hadn’t.