It was the lunch period of the freshman class of Waverly High. While everyone walks towards the end of the hall to go up to the lunchroom, Milo walks towards the West Wing where the rehearsal rooms are located. He looks through the window of each door before he finally sees Gwen in one of them with her violin. He knocks, which makes her jump up in place. She gets up to open the door.
Gwen: You nearly scared me to death looking through the window.
Milo: Sorry, I didn’t mean to!
The room goes silent for a moment. Awkward.
Gwen: So, what brings you here?
Milo: *nervous* Oh, uhm; I wanted to see if you wanted to rehearse during our lunch period; I figured you were in one of the rooms already.
Gwen: Oh… you don’t have to rehearse with me if you don’t want to. I know you probably would rather rehearse with your bandmates.
Milo: *confused* You are one of my bandmates though.
Gwen: I mean your extracurricular activities band…
The light bulb goes off in Milo’s head.
Milo: Oh! My band; we don’t rehearse during school hours. I actually wanted to rehearse for today’s class with you if that was okay… with you…
Gwen doesn’t say anything. She scoots over so that Milo can bring a music stand and chair next to her. He does just that without saying anything to her.
Gwen: Uhm, Milo?
Milo: Yeah?
Gwen points to Milo’s bookbag.
Gwen: You don’t have your violin case with you to practice.
Milo looks down and notice that Gwen is correct; he does not have his case with him.
Milo: Shit, I must’ve left it in my locker before going to class last period.
This made Gwen laugh. Milo sighed in relief.
Gwen: *puts violin away* I don’t want to rehearse with you just sitting here–
Milo: No, no! You could still rehearse if you wanted to–
Gwen: It’s fine–
The two teens go silent after talking over each other. Another awkward silence.
Milo: So…
Gwen: *giggles* Milo, it’s fine if you want to go to lunch–
Milo: Oh no, I don’t go to the lunchroom to eat lunch.
Gwen: You bring your own lunch?
Milo: I don’t eat lunch at all.
Gwen: *worried* Milo, you have to eat during the day!
Milo: I do eat!
Gwen: *crosses her arms* A bag of chips don’t count.
Milo nervously laughs; he’s been caught.
Milo: Fine, you got me; but I’m okay throughout the day–
Gwen reaches in her bookbag and pulls out a half of sandwich in a Ziploc bag. Milo looks down at it before looking back up at Gwen.
Gwen: Take it.
Milo: That’s your lunch though.
Gwen: I had half of it already.
Milo: But what if you get–
Gwen: *giggles* Milo, just take it.
Milo takes the Ziploc bag from Gwen and opens it up. He begins to quickly eat the sandwich; clearly hungry. He looks at Gwen, who is looking at him, destroying the sandwich.
Gwen: Not hungry, huh?
Milo adjusts himself as Gwen laughs. He looks at her, laughing shortly after. Before tossing the Ziploc bag out, he notices writing on it. He looks at it.
Milo: ‘Gwyneth’?
Gwen’s face turns red; hiding it with her hands.
Milo: *tries not to laugh* Wait, is your actual first name Gwyneth? Like Gwyneth Paltrow?
Gwen snatches the bag away from Milo, stuffing it in her book bag.
Milo: I mean, I’m not judging… it’s just…
Gwen: You’re like 2 seconds away from laughing, Milo!
Milo starts laughing, but immediately stops himself.
Milo: I didn’t expect that Gwen was actually short for Gwyneth. I thought your name was just Gwen.
Gwen: *sighs* If only my parents were simple like that. At least you’re just Milo…
Milo shakes his head.
Milo: If only my parents were simple. My dad is a native Filipino, and I’m an only child.
Gwen: What does one have to do with the other?
Milo: My birth name needs its own page on the Scantron; let’s just say that.
Gwen laughs. This makes her feel better.
Gwen: Wait, so what is your birth name?
Milo: I’d have to be six feet in my grave before telling you my full name. *laughs*
Gwen playfully rolls her eyes. Milo smiles, hard.
The bell rings, which means the two teens must pack up and go to their next class of the day.
Milo: I’m sorry if I distracted you from practicing during our lunch period.
Gwen: It’s alright. I didn’t mind just chatting.
Milo smiles before getting up towards the exit of the rehearsal room. He turns around one last time.
Milo: You should come to my band’s show this Friday!
Gwen: *off-guard* What?
Milo: It’ll be fun! Of course if you’re not busy.
Gwen: You don’t have to invite me; it’s alright–
Milo: Gwen.
Gwen doesn’t say anything back. She waits for Milo to speak again.
Milo: I’ll send you the address on AIM, okay?
Gwen: Okay.
Milo smiles and the warning bell rings in the hallway.
Milo: *teases* I’ll see you in band, Gwyneth.
Milo laughs as Gwen nudges him in the shoulder. Milo walks out of the rehearsal room afterwards.
Letters From Liz. 