Gwen and Milo walk to the pier in Battery Park, looking out at the water where the sun is currently setting. The orange color of the sun is reflecting on the water, looking over the Hudson River. Milo looks over at Gwen, looking out toward the water in awe.
Gwen: The water looks like a painting; how is this even real?
Milo: Have you never seen the sunset here before?
Gwen: *shakes head* I don’t really… go out and explore. I never seem to have the time to do something spontaneous for the day.
Gwen looks at Milo.
Gwen: This is the most spontaneous thing I’ve done, so I’m glad that I’m doing it with you.
Milo blushes. He looks out at the water before he says anything to Gwen.
Milo: Sometimes, it’s better to just do what you want to do, and not what you have to do.
Gwen: *teases* Is that your way of talking yourself out of doing homework?
Milo side eyes Gwen playfully as she laughs.
Milo: What I mean is school and band aren’t our complete lives, and I even have to say that about the band with my friends. It’s okay to want to do something else with some meaning.
Gwen: *confused* Meaning?
Milo: Like coming to the park to watch the sunset. Going to the pizza shop and getting that slice of pizza you were craving all day at school. Going to the movies and sneaking into rated R movies because you want to see the latest scary movie. Hanging out with your friends because it feels like you never get the chance to, because our busy lives get in the way, and—
Gwen: You enjoy their company.
Milo takes a moment to look at Gwen, nodding his head at Gwen’s response.
Gwen: The most important thing is that whatever you do with your time, you enjoy it.
Milo’s mind begins racing; it shows in the way he fidgets with his fingers.
Milo: Do you wish you had more time?
Gwen turns her head to Milo and scrunches her eyebrows. Milo’s face turns red, realizing just how inappropriate that came off.
Milo: *panics* I mean, like– I didn’t mean it like–
Gwen: I know.
Nothing is said for a moment. Both teens look away from each other, now seeming awkward.
Gwen: But to answer your question: yes. I do wish I had more time.
Milo turns his head to face Gwen, waiting for her to continue speaking.
Gwen: I’m glad that I have all these things keeping me busy, because it feels like I am making something out of the time I have. But I do wish that I had time to do things like this. Things that you remember years from now because they were special and… different.
Milo: And you will remember them years from now, and you’re going to have so many more moments like today.
Gwen smiles before sighing. Milo is sad that she doesn’t agree with him.
Gwen: Millions of people have cancer, Milo. Some people are living their last night alive tonight, while I’m here… breathing, walking, and living. I know one day I’ll be one of those people in a hospital bed, living my last night, knowing I’m not waking up the next day–
Milo: *stern* Gwen–
Gwen: *continues* And… I’ll accept it once that day comes.
Milo takes in the weight of Gwen’s words before responding. He can’t stop looking at her as he does. It begins to make her feel uncomfortable.
Gwen: What?
Milo: Nothing. It’s just… you’re seriously one of the strongest people I know.
Gwen: *scoffs* More like pessimistic…
Milo: *serious* I mean it, Gwen.
Gwen looks at Milo, noticing his eyebrows scrunched inwards, and his mouth is tight.
Milo: Sure, there are tons of people in this world who are going through what you’re going through, and possibly even worse. But people our age will take their hardships and think the world owes them something just because they think no one else has it as bad as they do. Someone our age will literally think it’s the end of the world because their divorced parents decided to get back together again, and think that the people around them should pity them just because it’s something that they assume to be the worst thing to happen to them. But you’re the total opposite. You’re literally the sweetest and kindest girl I have ever met, and you’re literally fighting for your life every single day. That makes you so fucking strong!
Gwen giggles at Milo’s enthusiasm; it eases Milo.
Gwen: *laughs* Okay, okay, Mr. Inspirational.
Milo smiles at Gwen’s soft giggle; his eyes are locked onto her. She notices, but doesn’t look away from Milo.
Gwen: Thank you.
Milo: I’m just speaking the truth–
Gwen: No, I mean… thank you for being so thoughtful and so kind. You’re… like no one I’ve ever met before.
Milo: I feel the same way.
Without any hesitation, both Gwen and Milo keep their eyes on each other, slowly moving their heads closer to each other. Their noses are practically touching before they both stop in their place. Their eyes move from each other’s lips to each other’s eyes.
Milo: *nervous* I… uhm…
Gwen: Say it.
Milo is caught off-guard as he looks at Gwen.
Milo: Huh?
Gwen: Say it like you’ll never see me again, Milo.
Milo takes a moment to look at Gwen. His skin feels numb, his nerves jumping in excitement. He singlehandedly never felt this feeling before. Before he can overthink things, he leans into Gwen, gently kissing her on the lips. Gwen accepts it, closing her eyes in the process.
Their lips gently separate after the kiss, and the two teens look at each other once it’s done. Nothing is immediately said.
Milo: *nervous* I… like you. Like… like-you like you. Like– like–
Gwen giggles as she holds Milos cheeks with her hands, leaning in to kiss him again. This time, the kiss is deeper than the first one. Milo is undoubtedly on cloud nine.
Letters From Liz. 