Love is the greatest of all things.

Name: Mya Combeferre

Biggest Dream: To become a professional ballerina.

Greatest Fear: To never know what it’s like to feel free to be who I really am.

What Makes You Laugh: Charlie Chaplin, comedies, my great dane, Nova.

What Makes You Mad: Sometimes feeling ashamed of being a Jew, or being judged for who I am.

What Makes You Cry: Seeing my brother sad, missing my parents..

Your Best Trait: I think I’m fairly approachable and independent.

Your Worst Trait: I can be a bit quiet and closed off if I’m not familiar with someone.

Ever Been In Love?: Yes, I am right now.

Are You Happy Right Now?: I am indeed.

My name is Mya Combeferre. I moved to Paris only a few months ago to try out for the Paris National Opera Ballet. I had practiced so much that for a little while, I forgot how to live. Being so close to my brother was a blessing, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to live in the house with all of his friends, who now I can call my friends, and someone who I see as a little more than that.

For a while, the ballet didn’t seem to matter as much to me. I began to branch out and speak to the others of the house. At first, I was very uncomfortable, especially that night everyone got extremely drunk and began stripping, but soon, I began to really like being in the house and I enjoyed everyone’s presence as well. That prompted me to run for leader.

Although my run did not go as well as planned, and I was admittedly a bit upset at first, I soon realized that I was just not meant for that position. I’m glad my brother, Arthur, became leader, as he serves his position with such graceful authority. And then Friday the 13th came. 

That was one of the most frightening days of my life. It was extremely shocking too, as I found out that Felix was the true owner of the house all along, and had been hiding that from everyone. I never got a chance to talk to him about that, but it really doesn’t matter now. Although that day will forever be imprinted in my memory, and the memories of all those who were a part of it, I don’t think I’m angry about what happened. I think it just made me stronger, on the inside at least.

After those events, however, I began to question my staying in the house. I don’t think I was scared for me as much as I was scared for my brother. I hoped that if I threatened to leave, he might go with me, but that quickly withered away. Soon, I began to try and reacquaint myself in the house, but the peace didn’t last very long. Only a couple months after those events, an eviction notice was delivered. My brother had told me I had to go with Enjolras and his daughter, and I couldn’t put up much of a fight, but there were things I had to do and say before I left.

And now?

Now the year is 2015 and although I am 63 years old. After I left the house I was very distant with everyone. I moved to live in the Latin Quarter with Feuilly, Enjolras, Minnie, and what was supposed to be Arthur. However, he stayed, and for a while, I heard nothing. I think a part of me is still in that house, even in the short time I lived there. Some of my favorite memories were made there, as were some of the worst. One of the things I regret most is deciding not to try out for the Paris National Opera Ballet after all, it was, however, the most depressing time in my life. Still, I have lived a full life.

With little hesitation, I finally decided to attend school and there I became a teacher. I went on to teach dance to young girls and boys and I admit that that was my true passion all along: teaching. Seeing young minds in their prime and helping to mold children into the people they will become is something that I cherish. I happily taught and taught until a few years ago, when I retired to live out my life spending time with my children and grandchildren.

Oh yes, I have children. Four, actually. When I was 22, I (re)met the love of my life: Felix Tholomyes. I had thought I would never see him again after the house, but we managed to run into each other at a little cafe. I was sure by then he would’ve been long married, but that wasn’t the case. It didn’t take me long to admit my feelings for him, and I was surprised to find that they were reciprocated. Once I finished school, we were soon married.

As for Arthur, I do not see him as often as I would like. However, I call when I can. Even though we do not seem as close as we once were, ever since we left the house, I believe that our bond is still as strong as ever. As for the rest of the house, it seems they faded out of my life just as quickly as they came into it, with the exception of my friends at the Latin Quarter, of course. Regardless, they will forever have an impact on me, and will always be in my memory.