It’s one of the hotter days of the summer break. The ceiling fans in the pizza parlor are spinning on the highest setting, and the windows in the front are open to let in more air. Jennifer sits in her usual spot, fidgeting with her hands on the tabletop. She looks out of the window until one of the workers walk up to her with two slices.
Pizza Guy: Alright, two everything slices for the young lady.
Jennifer: *smiles* Thanks, Sal.
Before Jennifer can eat her nerves away, the bell of the front door rings and grabs her attention. She takes in a deep breath; she sees Milo and Gwen walk in.
The two teens sit in the seat across from Jennifer. Jennifer uncomfortably shifts in her seat, noticing that Milo is not sitting in the seat next to her–his usual spot– at the booth.
Milo: Looks like you went right to it, Pep.
Jennifer looks at her two slices, suddenly not feeling as hungry as she once was.
Jennifer: Yeah, you know how Sal does it.
Milo nods his head. Jennifer looks at Gwen, surprised to see her look so… different. She doesn’t have long, black hair draped in front of her face; it’s in a short, layered bob– and blonde.
Milo: *clears throat* So, I know you guys know each other from school, but uhm… Pep, this is my girlfriend, Gwen. Gwen, this is my best friend, Pep–uhm, Jennifer.
Gwen: *nervously smiles* It’s like to formally meet you, Jennifer.
Jennifer: Same.
Awkward silence fills the busy pizza parlor; nothing is said until Milo breaks the ice.
Milo: I was telling Gwen how we were looking to do that show at the Gramercy Lounge at the end of the month.
Jennifer cocks up her eyebrows, unbeknownst to this information.
Gwen: You guys are really talented; especially you.
Gwen looks at Jennifer as she speaks.
Jennifer: Thanks… it’s what I do.
Gwen pulls back from her seat; Milo notices.
Milo: Gwen is gonna come to our next rehearsal–
Jennifer: Really?
Milo nods his head with pride.
Gwen: I told him it wasn’t necessary…
Milo: You’re a part of the gang now; *to Pep* maybe she can help Nicki with the business side of things–
Jennifer: We don’t allow other people into our rehearsals though. It’s against band regulated rules.
Milo: *scoffs* You mean the rules I came up with?
Jennifer: Are we now bending the rules because it doesn’t benefit you anymore?
Milo scrunches his brow, annoyed at Jennifer’s response.
Gwen: *to Milo* Milo, it’s fine–
Jennifer: *sarcastic* Yeah, Milo; it’s fine.
Milo stares at Jennifer in the eyes. Jennifer doesn’t budge.
Milo: The least you can do is be nice about it, Pep.
Jennifer: Fine. *to Gwen* Since Milo’s suppose to be my best friend, I’ll let him bend his own rules due to unforeseen circumstances.
Jennifer’s eyes travel down Gwen’s stomach, completely forgetting the major factor in this all.
Milo: *changes the subject* I’m gonna get us some slices; *to Gwen* grandma slice?
Gwen nods her head. Milo smiles and walks to the counter. She turns her head and faces Jennifer.
Gwen: I do appreciate you meeting us here today. I know all of this is… unexpecting and sudden. But, this meet up meant a lot to Milo. He speaks highly of you.
Jennifer: *surprised, scoffs* I doubt that he still does.
Gwen: Despite what you guys gone through, he does.
Jennifer’s face softens.
Jennifer: He speaks highly of you too.
Gwen smiles, wrapping her arms around her small figure. Jennifer swallows the knot in her throat.
Jennifer: So, when did you guys make it official?
Gwen: A little over a month ago. He took me to the arcade to brag about his high score on Pebbles Dock for our first month anniversary.
Jennifer bites the inner part of her lip, noting how going to the arcade to play Pebbles Dock was their thing.
Jennifer: So… do you like him?
Gwen: *confused* What do you mean?
Jennifer: I mean… you guys started dating around the same time you guys… y’know…
Gwen: *perplexed* I’m having a hard time understanding where you’re going with this.
Jennifer: Are you only dating Milo because you’re keeping his baby?
Gwen scrunches her eyebrows together, seeming annoyed.
Gwen: I’m dating Milo because I like him.
Jennifer: I just find it convenient that he decided to formally introduce you as his girlfriend after finding out the baby…just saying.
Gwen doesn’t say anything back; Milo walks back to the booth with two slices and a smile on his face.
Milo: *to Gwen* I told Sal to make your slice extra crispy for that crunch you like.
Gwen doesn’t respond. Milo notices.
Milo: What’s wrong?
Gwen: Nothing.
She begins to gather her things.
Jennifer: What’s wrong, Gwen? Milo just bought you your grandma slice.
Gwen gives a look to Jennifer; Milo is confused, looking at the two girls.
Milo: Gwen–
Gwen: I’m not feeling good; I just want to go and get some rest.
Milo pauses for a second and looks at Jennifer.
Milo: *to Jennifer* I guess I’ll go and drop her off–
Gwen: *to Milo* No, it’s fine… I’ll go alone.
Gwen walks out of the pizza parlor, leaving both Milo and Jennifer at the booth. Milo sits back down across from Jennifer, confused.
Jennifer: Too bad she was feeling sick; I heard that’s normal for people in their first trimester–
Milo: What did you say to her?
Jennifer looks up at Milo and scrunches her eyebrows together.
Jennifer: Why do you think it was something I said?
Milo: Because you’re you. She was perfectly fine up until I left the booth with you two alone.
Jennifer: *annoyed* If she can’t handle your friends, then is she really the righ–
Milo: *stern* What did you say to her, Pep?
Jennifer: Nothing! I literally asked her simple questions any friend would ask–
Milo: You’re not going to scare her away.
Jennifer stares at Milo fiercely.
Jennifer: What?
Milo: I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work this time, Pep.
Jennifer: *defensive* I don’t even know what you’re talking about.
Milo: Right.
Jennifer: I don’t get it; you wanted me to meet her and you automatically thought we were going to be the best of friends or something?
Milo: No; what I should’ve expect was for you to act exactly as you are right now; thinking that if you said some crazy shit to Gwen that she would run away and never speak to me again. The only difference this time around is that Gwen isn’t just some girl I wanted you to meet. Gwen is my girlfriend. We are having a baby together because we–
Milo stumbles a bit on his words. He looks at Jennifer.
Jennifer: Say it.
Milo: Say what?
Jennifer: It.
Milo: It what?!
Jennifer: Tell me that you and Gwen are having this baby because you love her.
Milo doesn’t say anything; he’s at a lost for words. Jennifer rolls her eyes, leaning forward to the table to whisper something.
Jennifer: You might want to work on that tough guy demeanor you think you have.
Milo: Fuck off, Pep.
Jennifer is taken back by his words. She quickly gathers her things and throws $5 on top of the table.
Jennifer: Next time you want to shove your pregnant girlfriend down my throat because you feel guilty getting her knocked up, keep me out of it.
Jennifer walks away from the booth and out of the pizza parlor, leaving Milo sitting at the booth alone once again.
Letters From Liz. 