Milo and Gwen enter Central Park on this particularly nice Spring day. Gwen looks around in her surroundings, worried. Milo walks facing forward without a care in the world. He turns around and notices Gwen still nervous being out of school.
Milo: First time, huh?
Gwen turns around to face Milo.
Gwen: I never missed a class while being in school. You’re a horrible influence, Milo Kamalani.
Milo smiles once he realizes Gwen is teasing him. They continue to walk further into the park, into a grassy area where they can sit and hide from potential cops, looking for teenagers cutting school.
Milo: Have you been to Central Park before?
Gwen: I don’t really stay in the city if I’m not in school.
Milo: The city is such a beautiful place though! Brooklyn is fine and all of that, but if I can live in the city, I would.
Gwen: Maybe when you make it big in the music industry, you could live in the city.
Milo: *scoffs* I doubt that…
Gwen: It’s possible! Playing at Carnegie Hall with the most prestigious orchestras around the world?
Milo takes a moment to look at Gwen, taking in her beauty.
Milo: Is that what you’re aiming for?
Gwen: Huh?
Milo: Do you hope to play at Carnegie Hall with your violin one day?
Gwen shakes her head, in disbelief.
Gwen: I… don’t think so.
Milo: Don’t doubt yourself, Gwen. You’re an amazing violinist, and if any of us gets to play with the Philharmonic in the future, it would be you.
Gwen smiles and looks at Milo.
Gwen: You’re the dual major though.
Milo: *sigh* That doesn’t mean anything to anyone besides those in Waverly.
Gwen: It’s still something to feel accomplished for. You worked hard to be in the dual major program; the first of its kind!
Milo takes one more look at Gwen; she begins to look uncomfortable.
Gwen: What?
Milo: You also work hard. You’re, like, the smartest girl in our grade. You’re gonna be able to go to any college you want when you graduate in 2010.
Gwen: I guess–
Milo: *stern* Hey.
Gwen looks at Milo.
Milo: You have to learn how to give yourself credit the way you do for others.
Gwen: It’s hard when you’re in a constant battle with yourself.
Milo: But we all are; even me, and you just said that I am more capable of performing at Carnegie Hall than you because of my dual major, but you fail to realize that they’ll pick someone like you due to your accolades. It’s all about perspective.
Gwen: *smiles* Thanks.
The two teens sit in a brief silence as a warm breeze passes through. Gwen immediately holds her head with her hand; Milo notices. Gwen anxiously looks over at Milo; they both know what is on each other’s mind.
Milo: You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to. It’s none of my business about what you choose to do and–
Gwen: I have to wear it.
Milo looks at Gwen, allowing her to talk.
Gwen: High school is ruthless if you don’t look a certain way.
Milo: Having long hair? You don’t need to have long hair to be considered pretty, Gwen. There’s tons of girls in Waverly that wear their hair short.
Gwen: Of course, but–
Milo: And you can always grow your hair long if you wanted to–
Gwen: Sure, but–
Milo: You shouldn’t be ashamed for not looking like all of the other girls that the guys go crazy for! You’re pretty just the way you are–
Gwen: *annoyed* Milo!
Milo is taken aback by Gwen’s shouting voice. Gwen closes her eyes and shakes her head as if she is trying to gather everything Milo blurted out to her.
Gwen: Wait… y-you think I’m pretty?
Milo: *shy* Uhm… y-yeah. *solidifies statement* I think you’re really pretty. You are pretty.
Milo’s face gets red as he talks, which makes Gwen laugh.
Gwen: Thanks, Milo.
Gwen pats Milo’s lap with her hand, again sharing another silence for a brief moment. Gwen’s face slowly disappears before letting out a sigh.
Gwen: I used to get called pretty all the time. It made me feel good about myself since I was never like the other girls that actually get asked out. They always commented on how long my hair was; comparing me to Rapunzel and all of those cliche comments. It felt good to be… seen, after years of being invisible.
Gwen plays with random strands of the black hair hanging down her shoulder.
Gwen: Then… my hair just wasn’t the same anymore. My parents had to keep cutting it shorter and shorter and I just wanted to feel seen and pretty again.
Gwen looks at her fidgeting fingers before Milo looks at her. Gwen looks at him in return as he begins to reach for the black hair. Looking at Gwen, she doesn’t fight him off. He slowly slides the wig off of Gwen’s head, revealing her short, chin-length, blonde hair. He smiles at her once it’s completely off.
Milo: You are still pretty, Gwen.
Gwen smiles and gives Milo a hug. Milo is caught off-guard but immediately returns the hug. He smiles, holding Gwen close to him.
Letters From Liz. 