Milo runs down the block with his bookbag on his back and his instrument case in his hand. He makes a hard turn and runs up the next block; the block that Jennifer and her family live.
He runs up the front steps and knocks on the door. Lydia, Jennifer’s mom, opens up the door. Milo is visibly out of breath.
Lydia: Milo?
Milo: Hi, Ms. Lewis; I lost track of time at our band rehearsal after school.
Lydia cocks up an eyebrow. She sighs.
Lydia: Don’t let it happen again, solely because I don’t want to have to explain to your parents where their son was all day.
Milo: I’m sorry; it won’t happen again.
Lydia opens the door and lets Milo in. He gently drops his instrument case on the ground and walks upstairs towards Jennifer’s room. He sees Jennifer laying down flipping through a magazine. She looks up from the magazine briefly to look at Milo; she rolls her eyes.
Milo: Hey, Pep.
Jennifer doesn’t say anything back. Milo sighs and pulls the desk chair to sit down near the bed.
Milo: Can we talk?
Jennifer: There’s nothing to talk about…
Milo: Pep.
Jennifer sucks her teeth and forcefully closes the magazine.
Jennifer: What do you want me to say? I’ve said everything I needed to say and clearly that wasn’t enough for you.
Milo: Look, I’m sorry for the way that I acted.
Jennifer cocks an eyebrow; not convinced.
Milo: I’m being serious. You had your reasons for doing what you did, and they are valid whether or not I agree with them or not.
Jennifer: I just don’t understand why my word wasn’t enough in the first place. Yes, I had my reasons for not telling you, and that’s not because I don’t value you as my best friend or something. I just knew that you wouldn’t have took it lightly and honestly I just wanted to forget it even happened.
Milo: I know, and I’m sorry for what I said about you not being a good friend and all that nonsense when I was angry. *reflects* I’m glad that Danny was able to help you out in that time of need. I guess he’s not as bad as I thought he was.
Jennifer: Do you think I’d set Nicki up with someone that I knew was a complete asshole?
Milo: *guilty* No.
Jennifer: Exactly… *sighs* But I know you were just looking out for me in the long run and… I can’t be mad at someone that actually gives a shit about me.
Jennifer gets up from the bed to sit at the corner. She prompts Milo to sit next to her. Milo smiles at the gesture.
Milo: We’ve been best friends since pre-school, Pep. You were the first person to stick up for me and have my back when I was too shy to stick up for myself. Plus, you actually wanted to be friends with me for me. Our friendship not only means a lot to me, but you also mean a lot to me.
Jennifer smiles and sighs, adjusting in her seat. She’s now relaxed and comfortable.
Jennifer: You mean a lot to me too, and again I’m sorry if I’ve been on the edge lately and snappy and all of that. I feel like everything around me is changing and I guess I’m just scared of us changing.
Milo: We’ll never change. I promise you that.
Milo gives Jennifer a hug to solidify their friendship. Once they release from the hug, Jennifer plays with the ponytail Milo has in his hair.
Jennifer: Why do you have your hair in a ponytail?
Milo: *nervous* Oh, I, uh, wanted it away from my face for once.
Jennifer: *teases* It makes you look like you have a huge head.
Jennifer laughs as Milo nudges her on the shoulder. All is well between the two best friends.
Jennifer: So, I meant to tell you this before we started fighting, but my Spring recital is next week. I asked Nicki but she’s going away for Spring Break with her family, so I wanted to see if you wanted to come.
Milo: Of course! I wouldn’t miss one of your dance shows for the world.
Jennifer smiles at Milo; Milo mirrors her. They both continue to hang out in Jennifer’s room, catching up on everything that they’ve missed these last couple of days.
Letters From Liz. 