Author: liz

The graduating class of Beverly Junior High sits in the front of the auditorium while the parents and guests sit towards the black. The Principal makes her speech about this year’s graduating class. Every now and then, the teachers have to quiet down the chatty class, but for the most part, the graduation ceremony proceeds just as planned.

Principal: I would like to introduce this year’s valedictorian. She’s a phenomenal scholar and will be continuing her studies as a classical instrumental major at Waverly High; the city’s highest honor performing arts school. Please give a round of applause to Sophie Lee!

The auditorium claps as Sophie stands up from her seat on stage. She nervously walks to the podium, looking out to the audience. She looks around towards her classmates as her stomach begins to knot up. She doesn’t say anything when she stands at the podium; an awkward silence fills the auditorium.

In the audience, Milo watches Sophie on stage, worried for her. He looks around and sees her former friends talk and laugh at Sophie. Milo gets mad and instantly stands up from his seat.

Milo: *shouts* Woohoo! Sophie, you got this!

Sophie looks towards the crowd and sees Milo standing up from his seat. The other graduating classmates look towards Milo. She smiles and takes a deep breath. The teacher quiets down the class and looks towards Sophie. Sophie looks back out towards the auditorium and closes her eyes. She pictures herself at the park with Milo on the stage while they were working on their exit project. She remembers Milo running out towards the audience to tell her to play her violin without any worries at the audience.

Sophie opens her eyes and looks towards the audience once more. She takes a deep breath and looks down at her speech.

Sophie: Good morning, Class of 2022. We are here today to celebrate us ending a chapter in our journeys to start a new one; one where we will learn more about ourselves as people, and one where we will carry our academics and talents to other realms of the world. We all have a unique story to tell, and telling our stories can help those who feel too scared to tell theirs, or those who can’t speak theirs out loud.

Sophie takes a pause and looks at Milo. Milo, in the audience, smiles and nods his head at Sophie. She looks back up, and continues with her speech.

Sophie: My mom met my dad in Korea when he was living there to teach. They both lived in Korea in her small apartment, facing the challenges most interracial couples face in a country where foreigners are not looked at too kindly. My mother, who wanted her children to learn about her roots and culture, also wanted better for us and to learn that passion and determination and courage comes from wanting to going against the norms in society.

Sophie looks down at her paper and shifts in her stance. She continues, even though she appears more nervous than before.

Sophie: I want to thank my mom for always encouraging me to challenge myself and be the best version of myself I can. For us to move from England to the United States within the last year, she taught me that all that I needed to know moving on from middle school and going into high school. Because of her, I am more determined to continue my story and share it to those who may not know me well, and not know that I came to America because my mom wanted me to have a better life and more opportunities to explore my full potential.

Sophie looks back up, feeling confident in her words.

Sophie: So to the Class of 2022, I hope that our next chapter gives us the opportunity to better ourselves and explore life on different paths. We have all worked hard to be in these caps and gowns today, and if no one has told you how proud of you they are today, I will be the one to congratulate you and your accomplishments, because we did this together as one. Thank you and congratulations!

The auditorium applauds and SOphie takes a bow. She shakes hands with the principal as she goes back to her seat. She looks towards Milo in the audience, who gives her a thumbs up.

…

After the graduation ceremony, all the graduates and their family are in the schoolyard, taking pictures with one another and handing them gifts for their graduation. Milo walks out and looks around the schoolyard for Sophie, but doesn’t see her right away. He hears someone calling out his name, and when he turns around he sees his family.

Jennifer: Congratulations, Milo!

Jennifer hugs Milo and Milo Sr. ruffles Milo’s hair up and smiles.

Milo Sr: We’re so proud of you, bud.

Milo: Thank you.

Milo continues to look around the schoolyard.

Jennifer: Oh! Mollie is with the rest of the family, let’s go and meet up with them.

As the two adults walk in the opposite direction that Milo is looking in, hoping to see Sophie, but fails in the process. He suddenly looks disappointed.

Milo and his family meet up with Mollie and hers. Mollie fist bumps Milo when they meet up, congratulating each other for graduating.

Mollie: We did it! We survived middle school!

Milo: *laughs* Who would’ve thought, right?

Shortly after, Milo and mollie’s friends join them to take pictures. Before they take the first picture, Milo notices Sophie through the crowd of people, in which he quickly jumps out of the group photo an runs towards Sophie. He reaches Sophie and taps her shoulder, in which she turns around and hugs Milo.

Sophie: Congratulations, Milo!

Milo: You too! You did amazing with your speech.

Sophie: You think so? I was really nervous that it was going to sound stupid or dumb…

Milo: It was great. You shared things that were personal and you chose to tell your story. That takes courage, and you totally out beat your stage fright.

Sophie smiles at Milo’s kind words. Sophie’s mother comes towards Sophie and greets Milo.

Ms. Lee: Congratulations, Milo!

Milo: *shyly* Thank you, Ms. Lee.

A woman calls out for Milo, which makes him turn around to see Jennifer and Milo Sr. walking towards his direction. Milo’s face fushes red, embarrassed for his parents to come and meet him when he’s talking to Sophie. Jennifer notices the girl with Milo, and notices the girl’s mother as well.

Jennifer: Hi! I’m Jennifer, Milo’s parent. And this is Milo Sr, Milo’s dad.

Sophie: Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Kamalani. I’m Sophie, Milo’s friend.

The adults smile and begin to introduce each other and have a small talk. The two teens walk away from the adults, towards a secluded area where no one is. They sit on the edge of a railing.

Sophie: We’re officially going into another summer, huh?

Milo: We are. Can you believe it’s been a year since we became friends?

Sophie: It definitely feels like it’s been longer.

Milo: *laughs* Right? It’s been one hell of a year.

The teens share a silence between each other and then look at each other and smile.

Sophie: Thank you, for everything you did for me this year.

Milo: You don’t have to thank me. We’re friends, and that’s what friends do.

Sophie smiles and then takes a deep breath.

Sophie: You think we will still be friends in high-school?

The question catches Milo off-guard.

Milo: Of course! Why would you think that we wouldn’t?

Sophie: *shy* I don’t know… what happens if we don’t see each other in school? Or don’t have the same classes? Or what if we have new interests and new friends and we forget about each other–

Milo: *laughs* Scout!

Sophie stops talking and looks at Milo. He shakes his head and smiles.

Milo: Something tells me we’re going to be together for a really long time.

Sophie smiles and doesn’t say anything. A slight tension is now between the two teens. They look at each other in the eyes. Slowly, they both kiss each other on the lips and pull away.

Sophie: *embarrassed* I’m so sorry Milo, I didn’t–

Milo: No need.

Milo smiles wide to reassure Sophie of his feelings at this exact moment.

Milo: I… liked that.

Sophie takes a deep breath out of relief.

Sophie: I… did too.

The two teens smile big, excited for what’s to come. Milo gets up from the railing and extends his hand out for Sophie.

Milo: Shall we go back to everyone else?

Sophie grabs his hand and holds onto it. Their hands stay interlocked with each other’s as they walk down towards the crowd of graduates and loved ones.

— The End —

It’s graduation day for the seniors at Beverly Junior High. The graduating class all gather in the gym; they are all in their caps and gowns and taking pictures before the ceremony begins. On one side of the gym, Mollie and Ronnie are hanging out and talking to one another with their other friends, Davy and Jonah. Milo walks into the gym and looks around the room full of his classmates. He hears his name being called by Mollie, who he spots waving her hand across the room. He walks over to Mollie and greets her with a fist bump.

Milo: Happy graduation, guys.

Mollie: Finally, we’re out of here!

Ronnie: Goodbye, middle school, hello high school!

The two girls hi-five each other. Milo smiles and looks at his phone. He turns around and walks away from the group. Mollie looks confused.

Ronnie: I guess she’s here?

Mollie: Yeah, I guess.

Milo walks towards the entrance of the gym and greets Sophie. She smiles and hugs Milo. His face flashes red. He notices the special sash that only the honor students get.

Milo: Hey there, Sophie “Valedictorian” Lee!

Sophie: *giggles* Well hey there yourself!

Milo: Are you ready for your big speech?

Sophie: *nervous* I feel like it sounds really ridiculous and cheesy.

Milo: You’ll do great, Scout.

Sophie smiles and takes in a deep breath. Milo does the same before saying anything else. He grabs Sophie by the end and walks further into the gym. Sophie is confused but follows Milo.

Sophie: Where are we going?

Milo: I want you to meet my friends.

Sophie stops in her tracks, in which Milo looks back at her; Sophie looks worried.

Sophie: Your… your friends?

Milo: Yeah. *smiles* They’re gonna like you, trust me.

Milo reaches out for Sophie’s hand once again. She looks down at his hand and then takes it. They continue to walk towards the other side of the gym together.

When the two teens walk towards Milo’s friends; Ronnie, Davy, Jonah, and his best friend Mollie. The other teens look at Milo with Sophie. Sophie stands behind Milo, nervous and shy to be in front of his friends.

Milo: Hey, guys… you all know Sophie, right?

The friends nod their heads; Mollie doesn’t move in her spot. Milo takes a deep breath and begins to pull Sophie close to him. She nervously looks up at the group and then backs down towards the floor.

Milo: She’s a friend of mine, so she’ll be hanging out with us today.

Milo looks at Sophie, who looks at Milo with comfort. She looks towards the group of friends and shyly waves.

Sophie: *nervously* H-hi.

The group of friends says hi to Sophie, which makes her feel more comfortable. Mollie rolls her eyes and walks away from the group. Milo watches her leave.

Milo: *to Sophie* I’ll be back.

He walks after Mollie, calling her as she was walking away.

Milo: Mol—

Mollie: *turns around* Don’t “Mol” me! How could you? On graduation day?

Milo: She’s my friend, Mollie.

Mollie: And I’m your best friend!

Milo: Look, just because we are best friends, it doesn’t mean I can’t make friends with other people. She’s really nice and cool, and I wish you would give her a chance because she’s… she’s…

Mollie: The girl you like?

Milo’s face turns red; he definitely didn’t think Mollie was going to say that.

Mollie: I’m not going to sit around and see you swoon over a girl that is just going to use you in the end. Girls like Sophie don’t like guys like you.

Milo: No, girls like Laurie don’t like guys like me. Sophie isn’t like Laurie, and you would know that if you gave her a chance.

Mollie doesn’t budge, but the teachers call out for the students to line up and get ready for the start of the ceremony. The two friends separate and go in their spots in line for the ceremony.

Milo goes to his spot across from Sophie, who looks at him. He looks at her; looking flustered. He sees how pretty and long Sophie’s hair looks and how cool her sash looks on her gown. He looks at her face, who is smiling back at him.

Sophie: Everything’s okay?

Milo: Yeah, yeah… everything’s fine…

Sophie reaches out for Milo’s hand, which instantly calms him down.

Sophie: Let’s do this.

Milo smiles at Sophie as the two lines begin to walk towards the auditorium.

It’s one of the rehearsal days for the seniors of Beverly Junior High. The boys and girls are separate from one another, yet find a way to chat with each other while waiting for the teachers to begin with rehearsal.

On the boy’s side, Milo sits quietly. He doesn’t really engage with anyone and looks like he rather be anywhere else but here at the moment. On the girl’s side, Sophie sits by herself while Mollie sits a couple of seats from her. She keeps looking in Sophie’s direction with a disgusted look on her face. Ronnie, who is sitting next to Mollie notices.

Ronnie: Mollie.

Mollie: *turns her head quickly* Huh?

Ronnie: Why are you giving Sophie the stank eye for?

Mollie: Nothing…

Ronnie: *sighs* Is this about Milo again?

Mollie: I just don’t get why he would choose a girl over his best friend!

Ronnie: He’s a boy, Mol. All boys are going to put girls before their friends.

Mollie turns her head back in Sophie’s direction and continues to stare at her.

Mollie: But she was friends with Laurie, Ron. She was a part of the squad that made my life a living hell for 3 years–

Ronnie: Yeah, but if she’s friends with Milo, then she might just be a nice person. You know Milo wouldn’t hurt you on purpose.

The teachers quiet the auditorium and begin to instruct directions in how to proceed with the practice.

Teacher: First, we will have the girls line up towards the east wing of the auditorium…

The girls get up from their seats and begin to walk towards the back of the auditorium. Sophie walks on her own until she is nudged by someone. She looks toward her side and sees that it’s Mollie, who is now passing her as she walks up. Sophie grows annoyed.

In the hallway, the girls line up in a single file line. Sophie now looks at Mollie, who is talking with Ronnie further down the line. She squeezes her eyes shut until she opens them and moves out of her place in line, walking towards Mollie. Sophie stops in front of Mollie, to which the girls stop their conversation and look at Mollie.

Sophie: Can we talk, Mollie?

Mollie looks at Ronnie, who nods her head. She walks away from the line, back to where Sophie was standing.

Mollie: What do you want to talk about?

Sophie: *sighs* I just wanted to let you know that it was never okay what Laurie did to you. I never agreed with what she did and I was never a part of anything she did…

Mollie: Okay…?

Sophie nervously fidgets with her hands until she forces her hands to her side to continue with the conversation.

Sophie: I also know you and Milo care about each other as friends and… I don’t want you to be mad at him because of him being friends with me.

Mollie: *laughs* You think you’re the reason? You know the world doesn’t revolve around you.

Sophie: Milo is my friend, Mollie, and… and I know he’s upset that you guys are fighting–

Mollie: *defensive* Look, I don’t need you in my business with my best friend. You have no right just coming in here and telling me what I should and shouldn’t do.

Sophie: No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying… we both care about Milo a lot, and… I’m coming to you as a person that understands how much he means to you. I just want us to be okay. We don’t have to be friends if you don’t want, but for the sake of Milo, let’s just be cool?

Mollie doesn’t say anything, she just stands there looking at Sophie.

Sophie: I don’t have anything against you, Mollie. I just… wanna let go of the foolishness. I hope that one day, you will see where I’m coming from.

Mollie walks away from Sophie once the teachers begin to straighten out the girls once more. She walks back to her spot, pondering on the conversation she just had. She doesn’t say anything.

The girls line up and walk down one side of the auditorium and the boys walk on the other side. Once the boys and girls meet up in the middle, they are partnered up as they walk down the middle aisle together. Sophie looks up to see herself partnered with Milo, which she smiles at. Milo smiles at her back, and Mollie, who is further down the line, watches the two interact. Once she reaches the middle of the aisle, she sees herself paired up with Simon. She rolls her eyes and looks forward. Simon catches on.

Simon: So many girls in our grade and I have to be paired with you?

Mollie: You’re not great either, idiot.

Simon shakes his head and stands next to Mollie. He looks at her and where she’s staring at.

Simon: Jealous that your best friend got stolen by another girl?

Mollie looks at Simon, highly annoyed.

Mollie: Jealous that your crush is spending all her time with another guy?

Simon’s smile fades.

Simon: I’m with Laurie.

Mollie: Puh-leeease. You’ve made it so obvious that you like Sophie, so I don’t know who you’re fooling.

Simon: *defensive* You don’t know shit, Castro.

Mollie: Clearly you don’t either, Hempstead. Sophie seems to be interested in another guy, so you’re just gonna have to deal with it.

Simon looks at Milo and Sophie further down the line, so are laughing and talking to one another. Simon gets angry and doesn’t say anything else.

Further ahead of the line, Milo and Sophie have a conversation while they wait for further directions.

Milo: You have your big speech ready, Valedictorian?

Sophie: *laughs* No, not yet. I have no idea what I even want to say.

Milo: I mean, write what you wanna say. It doesn’t have to be this big presidential, “I Have a Dream” speech.

Sophie: … Do you know Martin Luther King Jr. was not a president, right?

Milo: His speech was the only one I could think of.

Sophie laughs and pinches Milo’s cheek. He instantly turns red.

Sophie: Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, started the Gettysburg Address with “Four score and seven years ago…”

Milo: What exactly is “four score”?

Sophie: *sighs* At least you passed social studies, but make sure to take better notes in high school.

Sophie scruffs up Milo’s hair; he just smiles and blushes in place. Behind Milo and Sophie is Laurie, who watches on from a couple of inches away from them. When the line begins to move, Milo and Sophie don’t notice right away, which Laurie finds her opportunity to finally say something.

Laurie: Romeo! Juliet! Pay attention and stop flirting with each other!

The rest of the class laughs, in which Sophie immediately turns red and embarrassed. Milo looks back at Laurie, upset.

Milo: You’re just mad because your so-called “boyfriend” doesn’t even talk to you.

Milo turns around as the rest of the class “ooo’s” at the diss. The teachers quiet down the class and proceeds with the rehearsal. Mollie, who is still in line, smiles at the diss that Milo told Laurie.

It’s a warm night at the end of May at the Castro residence. Milo sits outside in a lounge chair with Mollie; they have the bonfire turned on and they are roasting marshmallows while chatting. Mollie’s mom, Lydia, walks out towards the two teens with drinks and snacks.

Lydia: Here you guys go; make sure you take your garbage inside the house, okay?

The teens agree with Lydia’s rules.

Milo: How are my dad and Jennifer doing?

Lydia: No word of the twins just yet, but they’re doing alright.

Lydia walks into the house; Mollie continues to make s’mores.

Mollie: Two more siblings, huh?

Milo: Yep, like I didn’t want Micah, let alone two more.

Mollie laughs and roasts another marshmallow.

Mollie: Thank god I don’t have younger siblings.

Milo rolls his eyes and eats his s’mores.

Mollie: So, are you coming back to school next week?

Milo: Yeah, just in time to finish things up and finally graduate middle school.

Mollie: I can’t wait to leave that fucking school…

Milo: Why? Most of the people are just going to Waverly High with us.

Mollie: Yeah, but we’ll be high schoolers! We’ll be all grown up! Later curfews, older guys to date–

Milo shakes his head and laughs.

Mollie: And older girls for you to date as well!

Milo: I definitely don’t want to date anyone anytime soon…

Mollie: *teases* You say that now, but wait until you see how high school girls are!

Milo rolls his eyes and continues to make s’mores. His phone vibrates on his lap, to which he quickly answers the text. Mollie watches Milo smiling towards his phone.

Mollie: Who the hell is making you smile like that?

Milo quickly shakes his head and stops smiling; he locks his phone and puts it in his pocket.

Milo: Nobody, just saw something funny on TikTok…

Mollie: Right… because you know better than to smile at anything that plastic bitch has to say…

Milo: *annoyed* Why are you still so mean towards Sophie?

Mollie: Oh wow, you’re addressing her by name?

Milo: Yeah, like any normal person?

Mollie rolls her eyes, which makes Milo irritated.

Milo: You know, you’re so excited to get out of Beverly, but you’re still acting as childish and stupid like how you’ve been in Beverly.

Mollie: … What did you say about me?

Milo: Maybe it’s time to forget about all that dumb shit with Laurie and all of them and just move on from them. It makes you the bigger person anyway.

Mollie laughs, teasing Milo.

Mollie: You gotta stop thinking like the world is all good and that it’s nothing but cookies and rainbows and all that shit.

Milo: I don’t. I believe in actually getting to know a person before ultimately judging them. You know she’s not even friends with Laurie and the rest of them anymore?

Mollie: And I care because…?

Milo gets up from his seat.

Milo: Sophie is my friend whether you like it or not.

Mollie: You can’t be serious. Are you seriously still friends with that bitch?

Milo: The only bitch I know is you, Mollie! Sophie has nothing against you; she doens’t even care about you! So why do you care about her and I being friends?

Mollie gets up from her seat now; furious.

Mollie: So if I just became friends with someone that makes your life a living hell, you wouldn’t feel a type of way?

Milo: *yells* Sophie isn’t the one who did that! It was Laurie! You know, maybe if you actually gave people a chance and didn’t judge them before getting to know them, you would know that Sophie is a cool girl.

Mollie begins to walk back inside the house, Milo calls out for her.

Milo: Mol?

Mollie: *turns around* Leave me alone, Milo. Clearly, we aren’t friends anymore, and that you think that I’m just this big bitch that doesn’t have her reasons on why she hates the plastics.

Milo: But Sophie–

Mollie: But Sophie nothing! She was friends with a person that made my entire middle school life a living hell. She chose to be friends with someone that is awful to people she thinks are under her. She chose to be friends with a girl that no matter what chose to belittle others and humiliate them for fun. Me? I do that shit to people like her, who deserve to have a taste of her own fucking medicine! Sophie may not have done or said anything, but she chose to be friends with a monster like Laurie.

Mollie walks into the house. Milo slowly walks back to the house, feeling pretty guilty and confused about everything that was just spoken about.