Milo walks down Gwen’s block, hoping that she would be hanging out in her treehouse. He’s checked nearly every day to see if Gwen was there. She wasn’t. Today, Milo decided to change the narrative for once.
He takes a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. Shortly after, Gwen’s mom, Beth, opens the door.
Beth: Oh! Hi, Milo.
Milo: *nervous* Hi, Mrs. Messrow… is Gwen home?
Beth calls out for Gwen, making Milo even more nervous than he was.
Beth: I’m glad you’re here to see her. I feel like all she needs is to see a friend.
Milo nodded his head, watching Gwen walking down the stairs. She looks at Milo, taken completely off-guard.
Beth: Ah, sweetie! Milo’s here to see you.
Gwen reaches the bottom of the stairs and puts on a smile.
Gwen: Hi, Milo.
Milo: I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out today; go to the park or something.
Beth: *intervenes* That’s a great idea! *to Gwen* Just make it back home before dinner, okay?
Gwen: Okay.
Milo tightens his smile, happy to finally see Gwen in person, yet alone get to hang out with her.
…
The teens walk along the trail in Prospect Park, watching kids play frisbee in the grass and people riding their bikes. Milo turns his head, observing a young mother pushing a baby stroller along the pathway.
The teens stop at a bench to sit. Nothing has been said between the two for the entirety of the walk. Milo looks at Gwen, who is mindlessly looking out towards the grassy area.
Milo: We could sit in the grass if you want.
Gwen turns her head, facing Milo.
Gwen: No it’s okay, it’s probably super hot sitting out in the sun like that.
Milo: It is super hot today.
Awkward silence. Milo clears his throat before he speaks. Gwen beats him to it though.
Gwen: You don’t have to tip toe around me, you know.
Milo: *confused* Huh?
Gwen: Don’t treat me differently now that… you know…
Milo is taken back by Gwen’s blunt statements. He blinks, trying to gather his composure.
Milo: How are you feeling? Honestly.
Gwen takes a moment to think.
Gwen: I’ve been sick these last couple of days. I keep telling my mom is just some stomach bug. I don’t know how much longer I can really keep that story for.
Milo: Why don’t we both sit down with your parents and tell them?
Gwen’s eyes widen in shock.
Gwen: Are you crazy? My dad alone will chew you up and spit you out.
Milo rubs the back of his neck nervously, letting out a deep breath.
Milo: It’s the risk I’m willing to take for you.
Gwen looks at Milo as he slightly smiles at her for reassurance. She scoffs, shaking her head.
Gwen: How are you so calm about this?
Milo: One of us has to be the other person’s anchor to lift them up.
Gwen smiles, which makes him feel better. He smiles back at her. He gets up from the bench, reaching out his hand to Gwen.
Milo: Let’s enjoy the day. No worries, no needing to think about what’s to come. Let’s just focus on today.
Gwen: *smiles* I’d like that.
…
The two teens slowly walk down a pathway; this time they are holding hands. The smile on Milo’s face doesn’t disappear, and Gwen notices.
Gwen: What are you even thinking about?
Milo: *laughs* Honestly? I’m just happy we’re finally hanging out. *shy* I… actually missed you.
Gwen: Missed me?
Milo: You know; we went from seeing each other every day in school to now just every once in a while. I also wanted to give you your space after we last spoke.
Gwen: *sigh* I feel like I needed to do a lot of thinking by myself, for myself; you know?
Milo raises an eyebrow, tentative to Gwen’s response.
Gwen: All this stress isn’t good for me, or for the baby.
‘The baby’. Milo’s body feels tingly as the words escape Gwen’s mouth. He smiles without even knowing. Gwen notices right away.
Gwen: What?
Milo: It’s just the way that you included the baby with your worries…
Milo smiles wide, which makes Gwen feel shy.
Gwen: I have to! If we are going to do this, we have to do it the right way!
Milo’s eyebrows cock up, surprised. He doesn’t want to look nervous to Gwen, as he promised he was the anchor in this. He smiles.
Milo: I agree.
Gwen smiles at Milo before taking out a notebook from her bag. Milo watches her intently with admiration.
Gwen: To mask the scary parts about this, I’ve been thinking about things… like the future. I thought that everything I wanted to do in life was over because of this one bump in the road; no pun intended.
Milo: *laughs* What did you have in mind?
Gwen: I know we’re only going to be sophomores in the Fall, but I’ve been doing some studying for the PSATs to prep for college.
Milo: College?
Gwen gives Milo a look. Milo backtracks.
Milo: I mean, you said it yourself that we’re only going to be sophomores; why don’t we think about how to get through sophomore year?
Gwen slightly raises an eyebrow, seeming annoyed.
Milo: I’m glad you’re thinking so far ahead into the future, but… can we think about what is happening now?
Gwen: Did you not hear me say that I’ve been masking away that thought?
Milo: You mean the thought that we have a baby on the way and no one knows besides us and–
Milo stops his train of thought. Gwen looks at Milo, scrunching her eyebrows.
Gwen: Finish your sentence.
Milo: I did–
Gwen: *stern* Let me guess; you ran and went to tell your best friend, huh?
Milo: *scoffs* What? What are you even–
Gwen: Milo.
Milo looks at Gwen, who now seems disappointed in him. He lets out a deep breath before answering her.
Milo: She’s the only person I can trust with this.
Gwen: *gets up, frantic* Milo!
Milo: What?!
Gwen: Why would you go and tell Jennifer about this?!
Milo: She’s my–
Gwen: No!
Milo is taken back by Gwen’s reaction.
Gwen: You had no right telling her my business like that!
Milo: *annoyed* Our business, Gwen. I have every right to confine with my best friend about something as serious as this.
Gwen: You’re not the one that has to go back to school in September to everyone staring at you because you’re wearing baggy clothes to hide your growing stomach! You don’t have to come up with a plan to tell your parents that their only child is deciding to keep a baby despite only being 15! Your everyday life will look absolutely the same that it did freshman year; mine won’t!
Milo: It’s like you only want to listen to me when it’s something you want to hear, but fail to hear the fact that we’re on the same goddamn pedestal! If you fall off the platform, we both fall off!
Gwen: The fact you trust Jennifer with this is mind-boggling, considering the fact that she clearly has an opinion about me.
Milo: She just needs to get to know you better–
Gwen: She doesn’t, Milo! That’s the issue! How can I trust someone that only has your best interest in mind?
Milo: Because if I have your best interest in mind, she has to as well!
Gwen doesn’t say anything back. Milo sighs.
Milo: Gwen, I know I’m not going to experience everything you’re going to. Hypothetically speaking, you will be spending more time with the baby these next 9 months than me, which I think is the better alternative.
Gwen rolls her eyes, less tense than before.
Milo: I’m not saying you and Pep have to be best friends now, but… you’ve become such a major part of my life these last couple of months; this is just another part of the equation now.
Gwen looks at Milo with worried eyes. Milo pulls Gwen in for a hug, as if he is protecting her from the outside world.
Milo: We’re going to be okay, Gwen.
Milo and Gwen pull away from each other, looking in each other’s eyes. Milo slowly leans in, kissing Gwen on the lips. She kisses Milo back. Sparks fly.
Letters From Liz. 