The bell rings at Waverly High and students begin to roam the hallway. Milo and Jennifer walk out of the vocal room more exhausted than usual. They both walk to their lockers to get their books for the next class.
Milo: Why was that vocal class literal torture today?
Jennifer doesn’t answer. She hasn’t said much about anything most of the day. Milo looks over at Jennifer for an answer; he doesn’t bother her for one.
Milo: Like I get it, Quartets are must to test you on your music, but man… it was hard to watch.
Jennifer: Yeah.
Milo looks over at Jennifer; worried. He clears his throat, changing the conversation.
Milo: You’re heading to Algebra?
Jennifer: Yeah.
Jennifer shuts her locker door closed and begins to walk away from Milo. He watches her as she does. He sighs as soon as Nicki walks up to Milo and his locker.
Nicki: Still nothing?
Milo: Nothing. *faces Nicki* She hasn’t said more than 7 words in the entire day. I don’t think I ever seen her this depressed.
Nicki: I know; it feels so weird to see her not being herself.
Milo looks down the hallway, watching Jennifer turn the corner of it. It breaks his heart.
Nicki: *changes the subject* Are you going to practice in the West Wing during lunch today?
Milo: Maybe; I’m not sure yet. Why? Are you?
Nicki: I really should, but I’m worried about Pep. I have to get this last part of the piece down, but Pep’s our best friend and–
Milo: I’ll go to lunch and stay with her.
Nicki: Are you sure? I know you barely like going to lunch in the first place.
Milo: You have to practice, Nic. I’ll be fine and I’ll keep Pep company.
Nicki lets out a deep breath before the warning bell goes off.
Nicki: I’ll see you in band later; give Pep a hug for me during lunch.
Nicki runs away from Milo to make it to her next class on time. Milo closes his locker after taking out his Biology textbook.
Milo walks into his Biology class and sits in his assigned seat. Gwen, as always, is on time at her desk already with her books out. She looks up when she sees Milo sit down in his seat.
Gwen: *greets* Hey, Milo.
Milo: *smiles* Hey, Gwen. *looks at her notebook* Are those your notes for a project or something?
Gwen: *shakes head* Regents.
Milo: *shocked* School’s not even over yet!
Gwen: *giggles* Go figure, Sherlock. *sighs* With my extra violin lessons and doctor appointments coming up, I’m not going to have enough time to study for the test in a couple of weeks.
Milo: You probably don’t even have to study; you’re the only one that’s gonna ace this test.
Gwen shakes her head and laughs.
Gwen: Well to be on the safe side; I am going to study. *changes the subject* Are you going to the West Wing today? Our show is tomorrow.
Milo: *hesitates* Oh, uhm… I was actually gonna grab some lunch today.
Gwen: *shocked* Really? *teases* I didn’t think you even knew where the lunchroom was located.
Milo smiles at Gwen’s minor burn to him. She laughs, playing it off.
Milo: You know I have to keep everyone on their toes; I just feel like doing whatever I wanna do.
Gwen: Until it’s the day of the show and you’re freaking out because you didn’t prepare enough for it.
Milo shakes his head and laughs.
Gwen: But seriously; you’re not going to the West Wing today?
Milo ponders the thought for a moment.
Milo: I guess I can eat some pizza after school today.
Gwen smiles as the bell finally rings to start class.
…
It’s the start of the lunch period as most of the students head towards the direction of the cafeteria. Milo, on the other hand, begins to walk to the West Wing. He makes the hard turn of the corner and stop short when he sees Jennifer turn the same corner.
Milo: *surprised* Oh! Pep!
Jennifer stands there, looking at Milo.
Jennifer: Hey.
Milo: Hey; are you headed to lunch?
Jennifer nods her head and continues to walk towards the cafeteria area. Milo follows along.
Milo: Do you mind if I come with you?
Jennifer stops and looks at Milo; confused.
Jennifer: Since when do you go to lunch?
Milo: I didn’t eat breakfast today, so I’m starving right now.
Jennifer: *confused* … You eat breakfast?
Milo: Do you think I don’t eat or something?
Jennifer giggles; seeing her smile makes Milo happy.
Milo: *teases* Since you know the lunch menu so well; what’s on it today?
Jennifer: *disgust* Chicken patties.
Milo second guesses his decision of going to lunch with Jennifer. Eventually, the two teens get to the lunch room and grab their lunch trays. They both turn around and look for an empty space to sit. They begin to walk over to the usual table Jennifer hangs out at.
Milo: So, how has your day been going so far?
Jennifer: I would say that I can’t wait to get home, but I would rather sit in Global for 5 hours straight.
Milo: That’s… cruel. Did you talk to your mom after I left?
Jennifer: No. Why should I? Clearly she doesn’t care about my feelings or listen to anything that I have to say.
Milo: But she’s your mom–
Jennifer: *defensive* Who cares? She’s not acting like my mom right now, so I’m not gonna treat her like my mom.
Milo sighs, thinking carefully about what to say next.
Milo: I’m sorry that you’re going through this, Pep. I don’t know how you exactly feel, but I can understand how much this means to you.
Jennifer: *sigh* I just don’t understand why my mom would let him back into our lives. He left us all those years ago and thinks he can just walk back into them.
Milo: Maybe you should ask your mom; she might make things clear for you–
Jennifer: *annoyed* I don’t want to talk to her ever again.
Milo sighs, realizing this conversation is going nowhere.
Milo: Why don’t we go to the pizza place today after school? This lunch is depressing to eat.
Jennifer smirks at Milo’s comment. He briefly sighs out of relief.
Milo: It’ll also be on me today.
Jennifer: You don’t have to tell me anything else! I’ll be there.
Milo smiles as he takes a sip of his chocolate milk. Jennifer returns eating her school lunch.
Letters From Liz. 