Category: The Teenage Tell-Tale.

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.

Milo sits in the treehouse at his grandparents’ place for the evening. He writes in a notebook, constantly erasing his Notes and starting over. He hears something being hit on the side of the treehouse. Curious, he leans over the window of the treehouse and sees Sophie on the ground.

Milo: Scout?

Sophie smiles as she looks up at Milo.

Sophie: Hey, Milo.

Milo pats the entrance of the treehouse, Sophie begins to climb up the treehouse. Milo makes room for her one she reaches the top of the treehouse. She sits on a pillow next to Milo.

Milo: What brings you to the treehouse at this hour?

Sophie: I wanted to see if you were doing alright.

Sophie reaches for Milo’s eye patch and gently touches it. Milo’s face turns red.

Sophie: How’s your eye doing?

Milo: It’s doing okay… thanks for checking in on me.

Sophie: I still feel terrible that you got ino the middle of my mess.

Milo: *laughs* I’d take being in the middle of your mess beofre getting in the middle of anyone else’s, that’s for sure.

Sophie smiles and relaxes her body. She looks around the treehouse.

Sophie: Did the principal give you a hard time?

Milo: *sigh* She was saying that i need to stay outta trouble for the rest of the year if I want to graduate…

Sophie: She threatened you?!

Milo: I wouldn’t say threatened… she just warned me. But it’s fine, technically I’m grounded until then.

Sophie: And me being here is not helping, is it?

Milo looks at Sophie and giggles; the air gets less tense. Sophie looks at the notebook in Milo’s hand.

Sophie: Writing more music?

Milo: *looks down* Uhm, something like that.

Milo closes the notebook and tosses it to the side. He takes a deep breath.

Milo: I appreciate you coming to see me, but how did you know I was here?

Sophie: Oh I don’t know, I did this project with some guy that deemed this spot to be his favorite spot to hang out in the neighborhood.

Milo smiles and deadpans a laugh. Sophie laughs as well.

Milo: You’ve been the first person to actually come up here. No one else really knows about this place besides my dad and you.

Sophie: *surprised* Really? You mean you never hang out here with your friends?

Milo shakes his head. Sophie nods her head in understanding.

Milo: This really only has been a place for me, but I don’t know, I actually like you up here with me.

Sophie smiles.

Sophie: I like being up here with you too.

Nothing is said between them, but they look at each other. They get closer to one another, clearly overthinking about what’s next to come. Milo and Sophie’s faces are close to each other, and Milo slowly makes the move to kiss Sophie on the lips. She doesn’t protest and share an inncoent kiss on the lips. After sharing their kiss, Sophie looks at Milo whose face is as red as a tomato. Sophie giggles.

Sophie: Are you okay?

Milo: *flustered* Uhm, yeah, I’m fine, I–

Sophie now makes the move to kiss Milo. After sharing another kiss, Milo looks at Sophie, speechless.

Milo: I, uhm…

Sophie: *nervous* Sorry, I didn’t want you to… like, overthink it.

Milo continues to look at Sophie.

Sophie: I should, uhm, get going before it gets too dark…

Milo grabs Sophie’s arm; she turns her head to face him.

Milo: Sophie, I…

Sophie doesn’t look away from Milo; she waits to see what Milo has to say.

Milo: I… like you.

Sophie doesn’t say anything right away. She gathers thoughts before saying anything to Milo.

Sophie: I… like you too, Milo.

Milo smiles and his face turns red again. Sophie giggles and grabs Milo’s cheeks.

Sophie: *teases* Milo, your cheeks are a rosy reddddd…

Milo: *shakes his face away* Scout!

Sophie laughs and kisses Milo on one of his cheeks.

Sophie: I’ll see you in school, Milo.

Milo: You too, Scout.

Sophie smiles and begins to climb down the treehouse. Once Sophie leaves, Milo takes out the notebook he was writing in and opens the page he was at. The page reads a poem entitled “Sophie”.

Sophie sits in a seat with chocolate milk all over her clothes. She looks around the office, nervously bouncing her leg in place: she has never been sent to the office in this type of situation before. She starts to tear up until she sees the door opening, Laurie walks out of the principal’s office unbothered. Sophie begins to panic.

Sophie: Look, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to cause trouble, I swear, I–

The lady at the front desk tells Sophie to sit back down on the bench, in which Sophie listens. She fidgets with her fingers. Another student walks into the office and sits in the seat next to Sophie. It’s Milo, who now has an eye-patch on his right eye. Sophie looks worried.

Sophie: Milo!

Milo looks at Sophie, and the lady at the front desk shushes the teens.

Milo: *whispers* Are you okay? Is your mom picking you up?

Sophie: My mom is going to kill me; 10 years of good grades and good behavior all now down the drain thanks to Laurie.

Milo: You’re probably not that much in trouble if this is your first time being sent to the office.

Sophie doesn’t listen; she still nervously looks around the office, not sure what’s going to happen next. Milo places his hand on her shoulder to bring her back to reality.

Milo: Hey.

Sophie looks at Milo, wide-eyed and nervous. Milo swallows hard and takes a deep breath before saying anything to Sophie. Before he can, the Principal’s office opens, in which makes Sophie immediately stand up from her seat.

Principal: Miss Lee, your mother is here to pick you up.

Sophie: *frantic* Principal Sommers I am so sorry I didn’t mean to get into a fight I would never do it again please don’t put it on my record I–

Principal: Miss Lee.

Sophie stops talking; her tears continue to fall down on her face. Milo watches, feeling horrible.

Principal: You are not in trouble, but I don’t want you coming back in here again for doing the same thing again, alright?

Sophie nods her head quickly. Sophie’s mother enters the main office and sees her daughter. She points at her daughter and walks towards Sophie.

Mrs. Lee: Sophie…

Sophie: Mom I am so sorry! I didn’t–

Mrs. Lee: Ya~

Sophie stops talking. Milo gets uncomfortable in his seat now that Sophie’s mother is here. The Principal allows Sophie’s mother to sign her out. Before Sophie leaves the office with her mother, Milo politely stands up, which takes her mother off-guard.

Milo: Mrs. Lee?

Sophie’s mother turns around to face Milo; Sophie looks at Milo, not knowing what he’s doing.

Milo: Sophie truly did nothing wrong. A mean girl was messing with her and she was simply defending herself.

Sophie’s mom ponders on the thought. She simply nods her head.

Mrs. Lee: Thank you, Milo.

She turns around and walks out the office with Sophie. Milo is unsure if he made the situation worse or not.

Moments later, a man enters the main office and is directed towards Milo. Milo looks up when his father calls out for him.

Milo Sr: Milo? What happened to you?

Principal: Mr. Kamalani.

Milo Sr. looks up at the principal.

Principal: Why don’t you and your son come into my office?

Milo Sr. looks down at Milo, concerned about what needs to be spoken with the principal. Milo doesn’t have any idea what is coming.

…

The front door of an apartment is opened; Milo walks in while his father closes the door behind him. Jennifer is seen cooking dinner in the kitchen and holding her lower back; she’s very pregnant. She immediately notices Milo’s eye.

Jennifer: Milo? What happened?

She looks at her husband, in which he does not look happy.

Jennifer: *to her husband* Milo?

Milo Sr: Nothing new Pep, just our son getting into trouble again, almost not graduating because of them…

Milo: *defensive* That’s not true!

Milo Sr: Really? So the fact we spent our afternoon in your principal’s office discussing the potential expulsion and you not graduating was not “not true”?

Jennifer: Wait, what?

Milo: *to Jennifer* I was trying to get my friend out of a fight!

Milo Sr: Yet, you were the one sent to the office, and the one that got in trouble! Seriously Milo, what the hell has been going on with you?

Milo doesn’t answer, he remains upset and pouty.

Milo Sr: I swear it’s like ever since you’ve been “friends” with this friend of yours, it’s like you keep fighting their battles for them! *to Jennifer* This time, it wasn’t Mollie.

Jennifer: Milo?

Milo begins to feel overwhelmed.

Milo: Just leave me the fuck alone!

He storms into his room and slams it shut.

Milo Sr: *yells* That homework better be the only thing you’re doing in there! If I even hear just a tiny bit of noise that isn’t your pencil and paper, you’re going to be grounded!

Nothing is said back. Milo Sr. take in a deep sigh and sits on the bar stool, facing Jennifer in the kitchen.

Milo Sr: I just don’t know what to do with this boy, Pep.

Jennifer: What did the principal tell you?

Milo Sr: One of the girls was the one that hit him in his eye.

Jennifer: Why is he even fighting with girls in the first place?!

Milo Sr: Pep… that girl that he’s been hanging out with; you know the one he was working on that project with?

Jennifer: *recalls* Sophie?

Milo Sr: She was involved.

Jennifer: She never came across as a girl who would get into fights though.

The couple take a moment and look at each other. Their thoughts are on the same page.

Milo Sr: There’s more to this girl than Milo is telling us about.

Jennifer: He totally likes this girl, and I’m worried he’s not going to graduate because of her.

Milo Sr ponders on the thought, brushing his hair back and leans forward onto the counter.

It’s lunchtime at Beverly Junior High. Milo and Sophie enter the lunchroom together, walking towards the line to get lunch.

Milo: I think we did a pretty good job on our presentation.

Sophie: Yeah; I can’t believe it’s over now.

Milo nods and grabs a tray; Sophie grabs one too.

Milo: Look, I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean to be so mean to you. I just get overprotective with my friends.

Sophie: I’m sorry too. I should’ve just spoke to you first before just getting mad at you.

Milo: *holds out pinky finger* Truce?

Sophie intertwines her pinky with Milo; she smiles.

Sophie: Truce.

Milo smiles and turns back around to get lunch. They both get off the line once they got their lunch and walk towards the tables in the cafeteria.

Milo: So, I guess you’ll be sitting with your friends?

Sophie: Laurie and I aren’t friends anymore.

Milo: *shocked* Wait, what?

Sophie: We’re not friends. She also made everyone else in her circle not my friend either after what happened with Simon.

Milo: That’s shitty of Laurie.

Sophie: *shrugs* It’s whatever, at least I’m not incline to agree with her on every little stupid thing.

Milo laughs and walks towards a table with Sophie. They both sit down together, which Sophie questions.

Sophie: You’re not sitting with Mollie?

Milo: *sigh* Mollie and I got into a fight at her house a week ago.

Sophie: Was it because of me?

Milo looks at Sophie; he doesn’t answer. Sophie sighs loudly.

Sophie: I’m sorry, Milo. I didn’t mean to be the reason you and Mollie are fighting.

Milo: It’s not your fault. I… sorta lied to her about us.

Sophie: *raises an eyebrow* Lied?

Milo: She didn’t know that I hung out with you all summer last year… and just a bunch of other things that I said out of anger.

Sophie: I’m sorry.

Milo: Don’t be. Mol and I fight all the time. We always find our ways to forgive each other. We are also family so, that makes it easy to make up and let things go.

Sophie: Well, I hope that you two can work things out soon.

Milo doesn’t answer, he just begins to eat his lunch. Sophie follows.

On one side of the lunchroom, Laurie, Simon, and their friends sit at their table. While Laurie is talking to the other girls at the table, Simon looks across the lunchroom, directly where Sophie is sitting.

On another side of the lunchroom, Mollie and her friends sit at their table. While her friends talk to each other, Mollie looks across the lunchroom, directly where Milo is sitting.

Back at Laurie’s table, Laurie turns her head towards Simon, who is paying no attention to her.

Laurie: Babe? Hello? Is everything alright?

Simon doesn’t answer, which annoys Laurie.

Laurie: Hello? Earth to Simon?

She physically tries to turn his head with her hand, in which gets him mad.

Simon: For fuck’s sake Laurie, leave me alone!

Simon gets up and walks away from the table. Laurie calls out for Simon, but he doesn’t look back.

Back at Mollie’s table, she gets up from her seat and away from her friends, who begins to call out for her one she leaves the table.

Both Simon and Mollie begin to walk towards the table where Milo and Sophie are sitting. When they both reach the table, they look at each other, confused. They shake it off and look towards the two sitting at the table.

Milo: Mollie?

Sophie: Simon?

Mollie: So you’re just not going to apologize for what you said to me?

Simon: The hell are you doing sitting with this loser?

Mollie: *to Simon* Why do you care? *to Milo* We need to talk, come on.

Simon: *to Mollie* Clearly he’s too busy with Sophie *to Sophie* Come on, come sit with us.

Sophie: Why should I? Laurie isn’t my friend.

Simon: She doesn’t mean that; besides, she doesn’t use you like this asshole.

Mollie: Milo.

Simon: Sophie.

Simon tries to grab Sophie by the arm, but Sophie pulls away. Milo doesn’t like it.

Milo: She clearly doesn’t want to go with you, so just leave her alone.

Simon: Who the hell are you talking to?

Sophie: Simon.

Mollie: Milo, let Sophie go back to her fake, plastic friends. Clearly she’s one of them.

Sophie: Excuse me?

Simon: At least she’s not trying to be a guy, like you.

Mollie: You’re right, you would know how it is to act like a girl, since you’re one of them.

Milo: Mollie, just go.

Sophie: You too, Simon.

Simon: Wow, I didn’t think you would actually settle for a wimp like Milo; I thought you had better taste since I was your last boyfriend–

Sophie: Stop it, Simon.

Milo: You’re just upset that Sophie is happier sitting with me and hanging out with me.

Mollie: Oh, so you guys are going out?!

Milo & Sophie: *together* No!

Simon: Sophie has more sense to actually want to go out with a loser like him.

Mollie: Milo knows to not trust a plastic bitch from Laurie’s friend group.

Simon: *to Mollie* That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about!

Mollie: Oh please, the one that you cheat on with Sophie?

Sophie gets up from her seat, annoyed.

Sophie: You both don’t know what you are talking about.

Mollie: Oh look, you can finally speak up for yourself.

Milo: Mol.

Sophie: Yeah, I can, and it would be great if you stop bullying me just because Milo and I are friends.

Simon: Look at you pitying the less fortunate *laughs* He isn’t your friend.

Milo: I’m more of her friend than you ever were to her.

Mollie: But have been such a shitty one to your own best friend.

Sophie: That’s enough!

Laurie walks towards the table.

Laurie: Simon, what the hell is wrong with you?

She looks at Sophie and sighs loudly.

Laurie: Seriously, you gotta get it through your thick skull of yours that Simon is my boyfriend. Get yourself your own boyfriend.

Sophie: Gladly, can you take your overbearing boyfriend that will not leave me alone back to your table then?

Laurie: Please, you probably are so happy he’s here talking to you.

Simon: Laurie, just stop it.

Mollie: Wow, standing up for the homewrecker, Simon? Classic douchebag behavior.

Milo: Will you stay out of it, Mollie?

Mollie: Why the fuck are you sticking up for her?

Sophie: *to Laurie* You know, maybe if you stopped and looked at something else other than yourself, you would see that the world doesn’t evolve around you and that you actually have to care about other people for them to stay in your life.

Mollie laughs and watches on; Milo covers her mouth.

Laurie: You were a nobody before I took you into our squad; you were just some loser foreigner.

Milo: Hey! You can’t talk to her like that!

Laurie: I’ll talk to you like that, you pathetic excuse of a guy. Go and wash your hair for once in your life!

Sophie: Laurie, go and pick on someone that cares about what you say, because we don’t.

Laurie: Oh please, save the sob story for your father that is in prison!

Sophie slaps Laurie across the face; the group of teens quiet down and are shocked at what just happened. Laurie just holds her face in shock.

Laurie: Did you just fucking slap me?

Sophie is in shock that she did it also. She doesn’t say anything back. Laurie grabs the chocolate milk from one of the trays and pours it on Sophie.

Laurie: That’s for messing with me, you bitch.

Simon: *angry* Laurie, what the fuck?!

Laurie turns around to walk away from the table, in which Sophie runs after her and pulls her hair to drag her back.

Laurie: What the fuck!

Sophie and Laurie begin to fight in the middle of the lunchroom; the kids in the lunchroom get up from their seats and gather around the two girls fighting. Milo runs in the crowd of kids trying to get to Sophie. Mollie pulls Milo back.

Mollie: Milo! What the fuck are you doing?

Milo frees himself from Mollie’s hand and runs towards the crowd.

Pushing between the people in the crowd, he finally gets to the two girl and tries to pull Sophie away. In the process, Laurie claws Milo’s face without knowing, which then he cries out in pain. When a couple of security guards enter the lunchroom and diffuse the crowd, they reach the teens and begin to get them up to exit them out of the lunchroom. Milo holds his eye in pain while the security guard pulls him away. Sophie gets pulled away as well, looking at Milo as he gets taken away. Mollie runs towards the exit of the lunchroom, trying to catch up with Milo to check on him. Simon stands there, acting like nothing happened and that he wasn’t involved.

The sun is setting on this warm, June day in New York City. Two teenagers, Milo and Mollie, sit on the front porch of Mollie’s house. Mollie throws a tiny ball from palm to palm, talking to Milo who clearly is concentrated in a notebook.

Mollie: You know, when you come over to a friend’s house, you’re supposed to hang out with them and, oh I don’t know, hang out with them.

Milo looks up from the notebook to look at Mollie.

Milo: My family being here doesn’t count as us hanging out. It’s a family gathering.

Mollie: Whatever.

Mollie stops playing with the ball and begins to get up, Milo watches her.

Milo: Mol?

Mollie looks down at Milo.

Mollie: What?

Milo: Have you heard anything going around the school about Simon and I?

Mollie: Why would I care about that airhead?

Milo: Because it’s about me and Simon getting into that fight a week ago.

Mollie sits back down on the steps, wondering where Milo is going with this.

Mollie: Yeah, I know. I don’t know why you’d even entertain that fuckboy though.

Milo shakes his head, frustrated.

Milo: Nevermind.

He goes back into doodling in his notebook; Mollie puts her head over the page to prevent him from continuing. Milo looks at Mollie.

Milo: Can you not?

Mollie: Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on.

Milo: Nothing, Mol. It was just a question.

Mollie: Look Milo, it’s never “just a question” with you. You always ask things with reasons behind it. Now, should I be worried about that ass hat Simon or…?

Milo: Something just didn’t make sense to me.

Milo closes the notebook on Mollie’s hand, She slips it out of the notebook.

Milo: Like, I don’t give a shit about him, but he just comes up to me one day and starts fighting me like I stole his girlfriend away from him.

Mollie looks at Milo; she doesn’t say anything at first, but she can’t keep it in.

Mollie: Okay I wasn’t going to say anything because like, who cares about them, but like Laurie and Simon are still together after what happened at Prom. Like, she must be stupid for taking that cheater back.

Milo: Laurie took him back?

Mollie: *nods* Mhm. I swear that bitch is just going to get her stupid heart broken by a guy that wasn’t even on the radar like, a year ago…

Milo: *intrigued* Is Laurie still friends with So… I mean, did Laurie forgive her friend too?

Mollie: *annoyed* I don’t know! Why are you all of a sudden interested in the drama? Is your little project partner not spilling the tea anymore? *laughs* You know, its been a while since you and that girl worked on your project; you do know it’s due in like, 2 weeks?

Milo doesn’t answer back, he just takes his notebook away from Mollie and begins to doodle inside of the notebook.

Mollie: Is there something you’re not telling me, Milo?

Milo: Its kinda hard to keep anything from you, Mol…

Mollie snathes the notebook away from Milo, in which Milo protests.

Milo: What the hell, Mollie?

Mollie: *confesses* Are you and Sophie not dating anymore or something? Did you tell that two-timing bitch to get lost and that’s why you guys aren’t talking?

Milo: What the hell are you even talking about?

Mollie: I heard what was going around. Simon was probably mad jealous that you were dating Sophie, because I mean anyone can see that Simon has a crush on her…

Milo is dumbfounded, not sure what to say.

Milo: So you knew this stupid rumor and didn’t even tell me that it was going around?

Mollie: I didn’t even know it was a rumor! I was just waiting on you to tell me because I mean, I am your best friend and you didn’t even tell me!

Milo: *annoyed* There’s nothing to tell! You really believe a stupid rumor without even telling me?!

Mollie stands up, annoyed and defensive.

Mollie: What was I suppose to think when all you do these days is hang out with that dumb girl and never talk to me anymore! At least I make time to hang out with you, and now that we finally are, you’re moping over a girl who literally kissed her friend’s boyfriend! Is that the type of girl you want to date?!

Milo gets up and faces Mollie; he’s frustrated and angry.

Milo: First of all, you don’t know a damn thing about Sophie, and I’m sick and tired of you bashing her every chance you get!

Mollie: You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you seriously going to defend a girl you barely know? Like, you just met the girl like 5 months ago!

Milo: I’ve known Sophie for almost a year! What are you saying?!

Mollie blinks, trying to comprehend what was just said.

Mollie: What?

Milo doesn’t realize whats going on, and keeps talking and confessing.

Milo: You think you know so much about me when in all honesty, you don’t! Did you know that Sophie and I hung out all summer last year? No, because you didn’t care about what I was doing if it didn’t concern you!

Mollie: You… you spent the summer with Sophie?

Milo finally realizes what was said and he immediately looks anxious. Mollie nods her head, and begins to yell at Milo.

Mollie: You seriously spent your entire summer with her, and now look at you. She played you, Milo! She’s nothing more than just a Laurie follower; a wannabe! You got your heart all tangled up in her and look what she does; she runs to Simon and kisses him!

Milo doesn’t know what to say, but he’s feeling defensive.

Milo: You know, you really have to start worrying about your own life, especially with everything that’s happened with you in the last year. *malicious* How’s therapy going for you? Heard you now go on Thursdays too on top of your usual Tuesdays!

Mollie is visibly hurt.

Milo: See, it sucks when someone brings up your own business and have opinions on it, doesn’t it?

Mollie: You know, it’s one thing to look out for your best friend because the people they start hanging out with is no good for them, but for you to just throw my life in my face like its some type of joke, is fucked up.

Mollie turns around and begins to walk back into the house, Milo feels a little guilty for saying what he said to Mollie. Milo doesn’t say anything back; he lets Mollie walk back into the house.