The last school bell of the day rings, and Milo runs out of the vocal classroom. He runs up the stairs and heads towards the exit doors of the school. He looks back, hoping his friends are not behind him, looking to see where he went. He walks further and further away from the exit, ultimately deciding to hang out behind a tree. Milo takes out his Sidekick cell phone from his pocket and flips it open to check AIM. He doesn’t see Gwen online. He looks around the area one more time to see if he sees Gwen. Suddenly, his cell phone buzzes off.
Gwen: What’s your ETA?
Milo scrunches his nose, confused in Gwen’s choice of words.
Milo: uhm… now? i’m behind the tree out front.
Milo looks up from his phone once he sends the message. He sees Gwen exiting the school, looking around for Milo. Milo comes out from under the tree and waves his hand.
Milo: *waves* Gwen!
Gwen notices Milo and begins to walk in his direction. She’s carrying her violin case on one shoulder, and her backpack on the other. She finally reaches up to Milo, in which she immediately drops her bag on the grass.
Gwen: Why are you behind this tree?
Milo: *nervous* I didn’t want to get in the way with everyone coming out of class.
Gwen nods her head, ultimately believing in Milo’s story. Milo quickly clears his throat.
Milo: So, you want to rehearse in one of the rehearsal studios downtown?
Gwen: There’s studios we can go to?
Milo nods.
Milo: They’re free for Waverly students; how do you think we all get our work done?
Gwen: *laughs* I guess you got me there.
Milo smiles as he and Gwen continue to walk down the street, towards the bus stop.
Gwen: Do you live around here?
Milo: Oh, no. I live in Brooklyn.
Gwen: *shocked* You travel all the way from Brooklyn to go to school? Why not go to a school closer to where you live?
Milo and Gwen stop in front of the bus stop, standing near the sign.
Milo: Because it’s Waverly High, the top school of performing arts between the 5 boroughs. Do you live near the school?
Gwen: Sort of. I live near the Brooklyn Bridge.
Milo: *teases* Why not go to a school closer to where you live?
Gwen: *deadpans* Ha ha. *teases back* Because it’s Waverly High, the top school of performing arts between the 5 boroughs.
Milo laughs out loud, surprised that Gwen was witty and funny like this.
Milo: Was Waverly your first choice?
Gwen: Actually, it was a STEM school in Midtown. I wanted to study biochemistry, but the placement exam was nearly impossible to pass.
Milo: Now that’s saying a lot since you’re, like, a genius in Biology.
The bus finally reaches the bus stop, in which Milo lets Gwen get on the bus first. Once they board the bus, it drives towards uptown.
Shortly after, Milo and Gwen get off of the bus and walk down the street. Gwen breaks the ice.
Gwen: How did you get into the dual major program?
Milo looks at her, thinking about what to say. They make it to the studio space before Milo gets the chance to answer Gwen back. Both teens enter the lobby of the space; Milo walks directly to the front desk.
Front Desk Man: Nice seeing you again, Milo.
Milo gives a hand pound to the front desk man.
Milo: Another month, another assignment to practice for.
The front desk man laughs and looks over at Gwen. Milo looks at him, then to Gwen.
Milo: This is Gwen, one of my bandmates.
Front desk man: Oh! *to Gwen* Are you new to the band?
Gwen looks at the man, confused. Milo clears his throat before speaking.
Milo: Oh, my band class in school.
The front desk man nods his head, now understanding. He hands Milo one of the passes to a rehearsal studio room.
Front desk man: Have a good rehearsal, you two.
The two teens thank the front desk man and walk away, towards their studio room for the afternoon. Milo opens the door and lets Gwen walk into the space first; he then follows behind her.
Gwen: It seems like you’re well known in this place.
Milo: *shy* Yeah… I really only practice in this space.
As Milo begins to set up, Gwen stands there, watching him.
Gwen: Are you also in a band?
Milo: Yeah, band class–
Gwen: *crosses her arms* I meant an extracurricular activity band.
Milo: Oh! Uhm… I am.
Gwen’s eyebrows cock up, surprised.
Gwen: That sounds exciting. Do you do both vocal and guitar playing?
Milo: Just lead guitar. We have a lead singer, a bassist, and a drummer.
Milo places a seat and music stand in front of Gwen before returning to where his case is. He sits down and looks at Gwen.
Milo: We have a show next weekend if you want to come and see us perform.
Gwen doesn’t say anything back; instead, she takes her violin out of her case, followed by her music. Milo begins to do the same.
Milo: *clears throat* So, what piece are you having difficult with?
Gwen: The Bellisima No. 27 in C Minor…
Milo flips through his sheet music, then looks at Gwen’s sheet music.
Milo: So this piece just starts off with a little vibration from the bow…
Milo buts his bow against his violin and plays the starting note. Gwen listens on.
Milo: The placement of your fingers matter when you play that first note because it’s in the minor key.
Milo places Gwen’s fingers on the correct string on her violin; Gwen watches on, but nothing is said afterwards/ Milo immediately takes his hand away, showing Gwen where to place her fingers by demonstrating on his violin.
Milo: Like this.
Gwen plays the starting note, which Milo nods excitingly.
Milo: Exactly!
Gwen smiles and continues to play the piece. Milo watches on, correcting her if she makes any mistakes while playing it. To Milo’s surprise, she plays the rest of the piece without any hiccups. Once Gwen is finished, Milo claps his hands.
Milo: That was great! It didn’t seem like you had any trouble with this piece.
Gwen: *shy* Thanks… It’s really that first note that messes me up, and I would hate to be that sour note in the class that doesn’t catch on with everyone else, y’know?
Milo: I understand. *smiles* You’re still pretty good though, probably one of the best in our section.
Gwen: No, that title is yours.
Milo blushes, he’s caught off-guard with Gwen’s compliment.
Milo: Thanks.
Nothing is said between them, the only sound in the room is Milo’s ringtone going off every two seconds. Milo grabs his phone from his bag and flips it open.
Pep: What’s your ETA, dude? Band practice started like 20 minutes ago.
Milo: *under his breath* Fuck.
Milo begins to frantically pack his stuff; Gwen looks at him, confused.
Gwen: Is everything okay?
Milo: Uhm, yeah… I just lost track of time and have to get going…
Gwen: Oh… okay…
Milo packs his stuff and puts his bookbag on, running towards the door.
Milo: *shouts* I’ll see you in school!
Closing the door behind him, Gwen stands in the middle of the room. The smile she once had on her face has vanished.
Letters From Liz. 