Every theatre kid has that one character that they strongly identify with; it's to the point that you two are basically the same person. For me, Eponine was--and still is--one of my all-time favorite characters that many teenage girls still can relate to today. As a young teenager, I was easily able to relate to her because I too was often put in the dreaded "friend zone," usually by friends that I developed feelings for over time. Whenever she sang "On My Own," I felt as if she was able to understand everything that was going on in my 13/14/15-year-old life.
Now that I am older, a little bit wiser and have experienced a lot more since my young teenage years, I have done some reflecting on my days of "being Eponine." In retrospect, being in the friend zone was actually a good thing; it taught me three important things that I now embrace.
Eponine is strong.
We all know that being put in the friend-zone is not easy for anyone. Add on to that the person you're interested in falling hard for someone else who's returning the feelings for that person, and it makes getting over that person 100 times more difficult. Just imagine how Eponine felt when Marius fell in love with Cosette literally the moment he saw her.
You can see how destroyed she is just from the look on her face. In front of Marius, however, she hid how distraught she was and continued on with her life as if nothing happened. That takes courage, believe me.
People in our society today admire inner strength. They admire those who are able to go through adverse times in their lives while still having a smile on their face even though it might be a completely different story on the inside. I know that I have gained inner strength by going through tough situations and knowing that it will all be OK in the end. Your crush may like you only as a friend, but know that you will get through this hard point in your life and come out stronger in the end.
Eponine is fierce.
Dang girl, going off to war so you can prove to your crush how much you love and want to be with them while risking your life? Furthermore, risking your life by standing up for what's right? Having to deal with cruel circumstances (living with the Thenardiers, let alone living in that time period)? That, my friends, is what you call fierce.
In today's day of age, you can show your fierceness in different ways. Do something that makes you feel amazing, beautiful, confident, or all of the above. It can be anything from wearing a certain outfit, doing your hair and makeup, to coming out of a good workout all sweaty but feeling like a warrior. Confidence is a lady's best friend, and in my opinion confidence and fierceness are strongly related to one another in that they both make you feel like a goddess.
Eponine is loyal.
Despite the fact that Eponine was heartbroken by Marius's love and affection towards Cosette, that didn't stop her from always staying true to her friendship with Marius. She didn't get angry at him for falling for another girl, even though she was completely in love with him. She did everything he asked her too: bring him to Cosette's house, deliver a letter for him to Jean Valjean. She even put her life on the line by going off to battle with him. (For those of you who know the story of "Les Misérables," you know how it all ends.)
Yes, your crush (who might also be your friend) may not reciprocate the feelings you have for them, but don't let that stop you from being their friend. Help them when they need it; be there for them when they need someone to lean on. Despite the fact that things may not have ended well for you, being a loyal friend will be appreciated more than you think. To them, they will know that you're a go-to person in adverse times, as well as a go-to person to be around in general.
For those of you who feel like you and Eponine are the same person, I want you to embrace it! You are stronger and more fierce than you give yourself credit for. Never forget that. Don't let a little fall of rain (pardon the pun) stop you from being happy with yourself.
If you're still having doubts, I can promise you one thing: one day you will find your Marius, and you will be Cosette. He will admire your strength, your fierceness, and your loyalty. In the end, that will make your Eponine experience totally worth it.
