Jennifer is seen sitting on top of the monkey bars on the playground, looking down at a notebook as she vigorously writes. There’s a slight wind in the summer air, blowing her red curly locks in different directions. She’s too focused to realize that her name has been called numerous times in a row. She finally looks up from her notebook, noticing Nate standing on the ground.
Jennifer: Nate?
Nate: Something told me you’d be here if you weren’t at the pizza parlor.
Jennifer smiles at the sentiment, appreciating Nate’s attention to detail.
Jennifer: So you were looking for me?
Nate: *playful* Maybe.
He smiles as he begins to climb up the monkey bars, sitting next to Jennifer.
Nate: I feel like I haven’t seen you in so long.
Jennifer: *sigh* I know. I’ve been busy babysitting my sister while my mom works and goes to all of her appointments. I feel like I don’t even have the summer to enjoy.
Nate: I can relate, y’know, for different reasons and stuff…
Awkward silence. Jennifer lets out a deep breath.
Jennifer: Sorry.
Nate: For what?
Jennifer: For being such a Debbie Downer; this is probably not how you want to spend your summer day–
Nate: Do you want to talk about it?
Jennifer looks at Nate. He looks genuine in his question.
Jennifer: I think the band is breaking up.
Nate: What happened?
Jennifer: Milo and I got into a huge fight after he did something completely stupid… I don’t know if we could ever be friends again.
Nate: *defensive* Did he hurt you?
Jennifer: No, no…
Jennifer looks at Nate with a perplexed look on her face. Nate stares at her, trying to get a reading on her.
Jennifer: Milo got a girl pregnant.
Nate’s eyes widen in shock.
Nate: Seriously?
Jennifer: Yeah. I know I shouldn’t be affected by it, like it has nothing to do with me–
Nate: You’re still allowed to feel things though.
Jennifer: He’s also keeping it.
Nate’s eyes widen even more in shock.
Nate: Oh.
Jennifer: *scoffs* I don’t know what he’s even thinking. It just feels like he’s so caught up with Gwen that–
Nate: *shocked* Wait, wait–Gwen? As in Gwen Messrow?
Jennifer swallows hard, feeling bad for saying who the girl was. She doesn’t say anything, which confirms Nate’s suspicion.
Nate: Oh my god!
Jennifer: *panics* You can’t tell anyone, Nate!
Nate: She’s the last girl I would think that any guy would let–
Jennifer: Nate!
Jennifer grabs Nate by the collar.
Jennifer: Promise you won’t tell anybody. Milo would kill me–
Nate brushes Jennifer off, slightly annoyed.
Nate: For someone that just got into a huge fight with the guy, you sure care about what he thinks.
Jennifer: *confused* What are you trying to say?
Nate: You care way too much about something that isn’t your business. So what that you told me? You’re allowed to express what’s bothering you without feeling like you’re doing something wrong.
Jennifer sighs before saying anything.
Jennifer: It’s… complicated.
Nate: Of course it is.
Nate starts to climb down the monkey bar; Jennifer tries to stop him before he reaches the ground.
Jennifer: Are you seriously mad at me right now?
Nate: I’m not mad, just… disappointed. I feel like the closer we get, the more you worry about a guy that clearly isn’t worried about you.
Jennifer: Nate–
Nate: I like you. A lot. But… I don’t think you’re ready to have that conversation.
Jennifer widens her eyes and begins to frantically climb down the monkey bar.
Jennifer: Are you serious? Nate!
Jennifer grabs Nate by the arm and swings him around to face her.
Jennifer: Be a big enough man and–
Nate grabs Jennifer by the face and kisses her hard. It catches her off-guard at first, but immediately settles into the kiss. This is something Jennifer wanted, but something in the way that it happened feels unsettling.
They break away from the kiss; Jennifer is the first to open her eyes and look at Nate.
Nate: Sorry, I just–
Jennifer: No, it’s cool…
Both teens share an awkward silence, and Jennifer absolutely hates it. Nate clears his throat before shoving his hands into his pockets.
Nate: I should get going; my brothers and I have a rehearsal we can’t miss.
Ouch. It stings when he doesn’t invite Jennifer. She nods as Nate begins to turn away, looking back at Jennifer after every other step. Jennifer sighs as she grabs her bag from the playground, and walks away from the monkey bars.
…
Jennifer is seen roaming through the shelves at the local bookstore, hoping the new editions of her favorite graphic novel were in stock. She smiles as she skims through one of the novels before she hears a familiar voice. She turns her head to see it was Milo.
Milo: Guess you beat me here for the latest edition.
Jennifer smiles and shakes her head, tapping the book with her hand.
Jennifer: I was in the neighborhood already and figured to see if they had it yet.
Milo doesn’t say anything back. Jennifer sighs as her smile vanishes away. She hands the book over to Milo.
Jennifer: Take it.
Milo: *confused* You had it first.
Jennifer: I don’t… feel like reading it anymore.
She hands the book to Milo and walks away from him.
Milo: Pep.
Jennifer stops and shuts her eyes. She turns back around and faces Milo. He lets out a deep breath.
Milo: Nicki told me you were here.
Jennifer: Of course she would. *sighs* Milo–
Milo: I want you to formally meet Gwen.
Jennifer is taken aback by Milo’s straightforwardness.
Jennifer: Meet her? I know her.
Milo: I mean meet her more than just a person in band class, Pep.
Jennifer: *annoyed* You came all the way over here to find me and tell me you want us to formally meet?
Milo: C’mon Pep, this means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me.
Jennifer looks up at Milo, undeniably falling for the puppy dog look on his face.
Milo: I think you’d like her a lot! She’s very cool and chill and–
Jennifer: Is she your girlfriend now?
The excitement slowly vanishes from Milo’s face.
Milo: My girlfriend?
Jennifer: *nods* Are you guys dating now because you guys are having a baby.
Milo: Is that a question?
Jennifer: That’s up for you to decid–
Milo: Yes, Pep. Gwen is my girlfriend.
The word rings through Jennifer’s ears. She doesn’t really know how to feel about this sudden revelation. She swallows hard and puts a tight smile on her face.
Jennifer: Sure.
Milo” *unsure* Sure?
Jennifer: *sure* Sure. I’ll formally meet your girlfriend. Bring her to the pizza shop.
Milo smiles and pulls Jennifer in for a hug. Jennifer’s smile fades once Milo isn’t looking, not excited or happy about this situation.
Letters From Liz. 