"Well, the party was at night, which I certainly think helped." She couldn't even give him a smile at that, as much as she wanted to. At this point, he just needed to rip off the band-aid, enough with the awkward small talk, just tell her he hated her.

Apparently, Charlie, too had the same idea. As he walked towards her, Eponine steeled herself, preparing for any sort of punch that was going to come her way. Unfortunately, when Charlie took his hands out of his pockets, despite knowing he was still a scrawny kid, she flinched. But then his arms were around her and- what?

"Are you sure? You did read my letter, right?" Her hands were at her side as he hugged her. "I should have ruined your birthday with that."