Jennifer sits in the usual booth of the pizzeria her and her friends sit after school. She flips open her cell phone and sighs when she sees no incoming messages. She closes it and sighs. Moments later, Nicki enters the pizzeria.
Jennifer: Hey Nic!
Nicki finds Jennifer sitting in the booth, she waves as she approaches the booth.
Nicki: I’m assuming you already ate?
Jennifer: Your assumption is incorrect. I was waiting for Milo to finally show up since he was dying for me to try that Hawaiian slice *pretends to gag* but he hasn’t shown up yet.
Nicki: He had dual major rehearsals after school today. *questions* I thought it was with the vocal program?
Jennifer shrugs her shoulders.
Jennifer: Well it definitely wasn’t with the freshman choir. It sucks that he has these extra rehearsals just because he decided to take on two majors.
Nicki: Milo has always been into his music though.
Jennifer: *annoyed* Yeah, but I didn’t realize dude couldn’t have a social life anymore because of it.
Nicki: You’ll get used to it, Pep.
Jennifer sighs and drops the subject.
Jennifer: Where’s Danny? I’m surprised you guys aren’t joined together at the hip.
Nicki: *rolls her eyes* I have a life outside of Danny, for your information.
Jennifer: Like what? Watching reruns of Jeopardy?
Nicki sighs as Jennifer teases her friend.
Jennifer: Have you guys made it official yet?
Nicki: Pep! Can’t two people just get to know each other before deciding to throw a label on things?
Jennifer: *teases* Oooooh, so you guys are FWBs!
Nicki: “FWB”?
Jennifer: Friends with benefits!
Nicki’s face turns red.
Nicki: Absolutely not! I have some dignity.
Jennifer: I’m just saying; you like him, and he clearly likes you too—
Nicki: *nervous* You think so?
Jennifer cocks up an eyebrow, confirming her statement. Nicki sighs.
Nicki: Danny is too cool to like a nerd like me.
Jennifer: Nic, it’s 2007. We’re nearing the end of the new millennium! The jocks aren’t only with the cheerleaders and the musicians aren’t only with, like, the edgy girls. Danny totally likes you.
Nicki shifts in her seat; she seems uneasy.
Jennifer: What’s wrong?
Nicki: I guess I’m just trying to be okay with… you know…
Jennifer doesn’t know what Nicki is referring to.
Nicki: *sighs* Sometimes I feel like when Danny and I are getting closer to each other, it’s like we remember what happened between you and him and immediately back away. I know you’re over it, but–
Jennifer: Do you feel like you’re betraying me as a friend for liking Danny?
Nicki: *nervous* Is that how you feel?!
Jennifer: No, but I’m assuming that’s what you think I feel…
Jennifer sighs, taking a sip of her soda.
Jennifer: Nic, if I felt that way, I wouldn’t have had introduced you two in the first place. Yeah, Danny and I have a weird past, but I don’t allow that shit to get to me anymore. I have to move on in order to live my life, and Danny should do the same. It’s obvious he really likes you though.
Nicki’s face turns red. The door of the pizzeria opens; the girls turn around thinking it could be Milo. It was another guy from their high school. Nicki notices Jennifer looking a little bit longer than usual.
Nicki: Pep?
Jennifer doesn’t answer.
Nicki: *shouts* Pep!
Jennifer quickly turns face forward.
Jennifer: What?
Nicki: You have a thing for Nate or something?
Jennifer turns around once more to get another glance.
Jennifer: *swoons* His brown, curly hair is just so cute. Plus, he plays guitar.
Nicki: You definitely have a thing for musicians…
Nate turns his head and sees Jennifer looking. He smiles at her before she quickly turns around.
Jennifer: Oh god, he probably thinks I’m some weirdo now…
Nicki: He looked at you for two seconds, Pep; I don’ think he’d come to that conclusion in two seconds.
Jennifer: You’d be surprised!
Nicki shook her head in disbelief. The front door of the pizza shop opened again; this time, a girl enters. Nicki notices the girl.
Nicki: Hey Gwen!
Jennifer turns around and sees Gwen. Gwen awkwardly waves at Nicki. Nicki gestures Gwen to come to her table, in which Gwen slowly walks towards.
Gwen: *shy* Hi, Nicki.
Nicki: *to Gwen* Gwen, this is my best friend, Jennifer. Pep, this is my friend, Gwen.
Jennifer politely waves her hand to Gwen. Gwen returns the gesture.
Nicki: I’ve never seen you come to the pizza shop.
Gwen: Oh, Milo was the one that told me about it. I figured I’d come to get a slice on my way home.
Jennifer looks up when Gwen mentions Milo’s name. She looks at Gwen and notices the beanie on her head. It looks… familiar…
Jennifer: You know Milo?
Nicki: *to Jennifer* Gwen came to one of our shows, remember?
Jennifer can’t remember the memory.
Nicki: She also plays in Milo’s section in our band class.
Jennifer: Oh… Cool, cool…
Gwen stands there feeling awkward. Nicki clears her throat.
Nicki: *to Gwen* You’re going on the band trip this Saturday?
Gwen: Yeah! I gave Mr. Harrison my permission slip, I also reminded Milo that he need to get his in before the end of the week.
Jennifer: *interrupts, talking only in Nicki’s direction* I don’t think he’s going to that; he told me he was coming to my showcase in this city.
Gwen: Oh. He didn’t mention anything about being busy this weekend.
Jennifer side eyes Gwen’s comment; Gwen doesn’t seem to notice.
Nicki: I’ll see you tomorrow in band.
Gwen: See you.
Gwen walks away as Jennifer watches. Once Gwen is far away enough, Jennifer turns around to face Nicki.
Jennifer: Who the hell does she think she is?
Nicki: *sighs* Pep…
Jennifer: No, seriously! Who is she and why does she talk about Milo like she’s his secretary or something?
Nicki: What makes you say that?
Jennifer: *sarcastic* Oh, I don’t know; the fact that she clearly knows his agenda more than his best friend is a good start…
Nicki: Gwen’s just a girl in our class, trust me; Milo’s not looking at her like that.
Jennifer: *keeps going* And did you notice the beanie she was wearing? That’s the same beanie Milo always wears!
Nicki: Other people own that hat too, Pep; Milo bought it in Hot Topic for God’s sake–
Jennifer watches Gwen leave the pizza shop through the front window near their booth. Jennifer is uneasy. Nicki begins to get up from the booth.
Jennifer: You’re leaving already?
Nicki: I have cello lessons at 4:30; you know that.
Jennifer rolls her eyes.
Jennifer: I guess all of my friends are just too good to hang out with a vocal major.
Nicki: Pep, we hang out every single hour of the day, there can’t be that much gossip to discuss in a day–
Jennifer: Of course there is! We’re high school girls!
Nicki laughs as she says goodbye to Jennifer. Jennifer sighs as she sits n the booth alone; a first for her.
Letters From Liz. 