[preplay: wish plot]

It was the end of the year at school, only four more days to go, which was hardly any time at all really. All the tests were done; all the events over with. Most classes were just showing movies, and although Eponine had rarely seen moving pictures, except for time to time in the Children's Home common rooms -- and even then they had to be deemed appropriate for anyone who might be in the room -- even she was tiring of the ridiculous plots that seemed to play out on the small screens allotted to the classrooms of Darrow High.

It was far too much time that could be spent doing better things. If she slipped school, she could go to the beach, or go shopping, or -- she thought warmly -- spend time with her boyfriend. It was still such a novel idea, being someone's girlfriend; the sort of title to inspire foolish butterflies. In fact, it seemed altogether ridiculous if she stopped and thought about it too hard, and so she didn't. After all, she deserved some good things.

Instead, while the TV plays something about a group of poor children who play some game involving a frozen lake and sticks that she can't quite make heads or tails of, and what seems to be a very wealthy man who drinks too much, she sends a message off to Nicaise.

This movie is terrible. I miss you! Meet me outside after school? xx

After school, she looks around for him in the throng of children streaming out the doors, smiling.