A couple of weeks pass by, and it’s finally the night of the dual major showcase. Milo looks in front of the mirror hanging behind his bathroom door. He takes in a deep breath as he straightens the bowtie of his suit. He hears his mother’s muffled voice yelling something out, but Milo is too engulfed in his thoughts.
The door abruptly opens, which catches Milo off-guard. He seems Jennifer enter the room.
Milo: Jesus, Pep! You scared the shit out of me!
Milo finally takes a look at Jennifer, noticing the black dress she was wearing. For a moment, he’s speechless.
Milo: *flustered* Oh, uhm, uh…
Jennifer: I know. It looks like we’re going to a funeral or something. This dress is hideous.
Milo laughs, glad to feel some of the edge of tonight ease a bit.
Milo: You look…*hesitates* fine. The dress is fine.
Jennifer turns around and faces the mirror with Milo.
Jennifer: We’re dressed like our parents.
Milo: We’re dressed like Waverly freshman about to do their end of the year showcase.
Jennifer: *looks at Milo* You mean the showcase that shows off the dual majors?
Milo: *defensive* You’re also performing tonight, Pep. It’s not all about the dual majors.
Jennifer: The freshman choir is simply singing the Star Spangled Banner and dipping the stage.
Milo: Still!
Milo grabs Jennifer by the shoulders, placing her in front of him in the mirror.
Milo: You’re a part of Waverly High! They’ll be telling students 20 years from now about the first ever dual major showcase and those who participated in it! ‘Jennifer Ann Castro, widely known as Pep, world famous dancer once sang the Star Spangled Banner at Waverly’s first ever dual major showcase!
Jennifer laughs and shakes her head. She looks at Milo through the mirror for a moment before turning around to face him.
Jennifer: I’m sorry for how I treated you this year, Milo.
Milo: *confused* That came out of nowhere.
Jennifer: I’m being serious! I treated you like shit throughout this whole school year when it was supposed to be a new beginning for the both of us. We’re literally in high-school, Milo. We’re graduating three years from now!
Milo ponders on the thought, seemingly sad when he does.
Jennifer: Exactly.
Milo: ‘Exactly’ what?
Jennifer: You’re thinking about three years from now, standing in the auditorium in our caps and gowns waiting to turn the tassel to the other side!
Milo: *laughs* Can we at least think about getting through tonight’s showcase first?
Jennifer nudges Milo on the shoulder, smiling as she does.
Jennifer: Thanks for dealing with me all of these years. I know being my best friend can be a handful.
Milo: I’d take being your best friend over anything.
The two friends hug it out until the muffled yells of Milo’s mom is heard. The door swings open once more. Milo and Jennifer quickly release each other from the hug. Nicki and Danny enter the room.
Milo: Hey, Nic; Hey, Danny.
The two girls look at each other, shocked to hear Milo greet Danny. Both girls look at Danny waiting for his response.
Danny: Hey, bro; good luck on the showcase tonight.
Danny puts his fist out for a pound. Milo returns it cordially.
Milo: Good luck to you too; don’t let Pep’s loud ass singing voice drown you guys out.
The group of friends laugh as Jennifer nudges Milo’s arm once again.
…
Milo walks around backstage in the sea of other students, preparing for the showcase to start. He’s seemingly looking for someone, but is unsuccessful in doing so. He looks down at his phone, seeing that Gwen has not signed onto AIM today. He flips his phone back around and into his pocket, sighing in anxiety.
Danny: Yo, Milo!
Milo turns around and sees Danny, confused.
Danny: Mr. Harrison wants you to perform with us.
Milo: *confused* I have to get ready for the dual major one though–
Danny: I don’t know; he said he needed someone to replace another student that isn’t here.
Milo walks with Danny, back to the other side of the backstage area where the freshman ensemble are preparing for the opening. He notices the freshman choir getting in position on the stage, noticing Jennifer near the front.
He turns his head when he hears Mr. Harrison call his name.
Mr. Harrison: Milo–
Milo: Yes?
Mr. Harrison: I need you to fill in Gwen’s position today.
Milo: *concerned* Is she okay? What happened?
Milo looks around, trying to keep his composure.
Mr. Harrison: I don’t know the details besides that she did not show up for practice earlier today.
Mr. Harrison gathers the other freshmen in the ensemble, directing them to their positions on stage right before the principal is heard speaking from the other side of the curtain. Nicki watches Milo take the place of Gwen, sitting in her seat. Jennifer, who is standing on the stage risers with the freshman choir, notices Milo sitting with the band. Milo catches Jennifer looking at him, trying to read her lips.
Before he is able to comprehend what she is saying, the curtains open and an audience full of people begin to applause. Milo takes in a deep breath, raising his violin to his chin and prepares for the piece to start.
…
Mr. Harrison begins to gather the dual major students backstage while excusing the freshman ensemble. Shortly after, the vocal teacher begins to escort the freshman choir off the stage. Jennifer looks around, hoping to see Milo to wish him luck. To her surprise, Milo is not there.
Mr. Harrison: Where is Milo Kamalani? Has anyone seen him?
No one in the ensemble answers. Jennifer walks past the group, noticing Nate at his position, shaking his head in an annoyed way.
…
It is now nighttime, and nothing but the street lights illuminate the suburban block. He’s now wearing just the dress pants and white button down shirt while the bowtie and jacket are in his backpack.
Milo catches his breath as he finally gets to his destination. He looks up to the white treehouse in the front yard.
Milo: Gwen, I know you’re up there.
Nothing happens.
Milo: Gwen? It’s me, Milo!
Milo notices a shadow moving inside of the treehouse, confirming his suspicions.
Milo: Gwen, please. Talk to me. What’s wrong? You would never miss a–
Gwen’s head pokes out of the window of the treehouse.
Gwen: Keep it down! My parents are in the house.
Milo looks up, then looks towards the front of the house. He quickly begins to climb up the steps of the treehouse, finally getting to the top. He quickly notices Gwen shove something to the side of her. He doesn’t mind it as he looks at Gwen, sitting in her black dress.
Milo: What are you doing here?
Gwen doesn’t answer. Milo now crawls into the empty spot of the treehouse, next to Gwen.
Milo: Gwen?
Gwen: What are you even doing here?
Milo: *playfully* I asked you first.
Gwen doesn’t react. This worries Milo.
Milo: What’s wrong? Why didn’t you show up for the showcase tonight?
Gwen: I wasn’t feeling good.
Milo: *confused* But you’re dressed. You have your instrument with you and– *light bulb goes off* Did you skip the showcase? Does your mom think you’re at Waverly right now?!
Gwen: I answered your question; now answer mine.
Milo: You barely answered my question! What’s going on? It isn’t like you to lie to your mom and to miss–
Gwen: *defensive* Yeah, well there’s a lot of things I do that are not like me then.
Gwen turns her head to face away from Milo. Milo sits there, confused.
Milo: Gwen. You know you can talk to me about anything. We promised that to each other; to tell each other anything that’s on our minds. That’s just who we are.
Gwen: I know.
Milo: And whatever is bothering you, you know I will be there for you and comfort you because we also promised each other that. I wouldn’t ever break a promise with you–
Gwen: *turns around; annoyed* I know, Milo; I know.
Milo hovers his hand on Gwen’s before gently touching it. Gwen looks down at it, not lifting her head up.
Milo: *softly* Hey…
Milo lifts Gwen’s chin up gently between his index finger and thumb, noticing the tear streaks on her cheeks for the first time. He tries his hardest not to react, but he is scared to know what possibly made her this upset.
Milo: Did you find something out about your cancer? Is it… something serious?
Gwen slowly blinks her teary eyes, letting the tears fall down her face. Milo doesn’t take his eyes off of her.
Milo: You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready to, but whatever it is… I’m here for you. No mater what, I will always be here for you, Gwen.
Gwen lip quivers as more tears begin to fall faster. Milo takes the sleeve of his button down shirt and wipes the tears from her face. She watches him; the gesture seems to calm her down a bit as she finally lets out a breath.
Gwen: I’m sorry, Milo.
Milo: For what? You haven’t done anything wrong–
Gwen: *shakes head* I ruined your night, I ruined your showcase–
Milo: *laughs* You didn’t ruin anything, Gwen. *sighs* Sure, Mr. Harrison is going to rip my head off on Monday, but I don’t care.
Gwen: You should; what if your dual major status gets suspended or evoked for good?
Milo shakes his head before answering.
Milo: There’s more important things that matter.
Gwen: Like what? Consoling me in our performing clothes in a cramped up treehouse?
Milo: Yes.
Gwen doesn’t say anything back. Milo smiles, reassuring Gwen.
Milo: You matter.
Gwen takes a moment to look at Milo. Her expression changes back to being worried; silent tears begin to fall down her face, which one quickly wiped off with her hand. Milo doesn’t take his eyes off of her. His attention is solely on her, waiting until she is ready to say something.
Letters From Liz. 