Category: y2katalogue: The Tapes

The door to the girl’s bathroom swings open, and Jennifer immediately sees Nicki talking to another girl in front of the mirrors. Nicki notices Jennifer and immediately stops talking. The other girl turns around to look at Jennifer, and then leaves the bathroom after saying goodbye to Nicki. Once the door closes, Jennifer walks up to Nicki.

Jennifer: Since when are you friendly with Stella?

Nicki: *dismissive* She’s in my band class.

Jennifer: Seems like everyone is in your band class…

Nicki: *faces Jennifer* What is that suppose to mean?

Jennifer: I don’t know, the fact that Milo’s new best friend was introduced to him because of you kind of bothers me; him lashing out on me because of Nate didn’t make you walk out of our band rehearsal but as soon as I mention Gwen, now you’re quitting.

Nicki turns the faucet off and turns her body toward Jennifer, giving her her undivided attention.

Nicki: No, it was just my last straw between you two. Seriously Pep, I am so tired of hearing you and Milo go back and forth because you two refuse to talk things out like actual friends and leaving me in the middle of it all.

Jennifer: *defensive* So me securing a rehearsal space for our band wasn’t enough for you to understand that the way Milo was reacting was uncalled for?

Nicki: I’m not saying I’m siding with Milo, I’m saying that you two are either friends, or you’re not.

Nicki walks away to grab paper towels to dry her hands; Jennifer walks in front of her to keep her from avoiding the conversation.

Jennifer: Did he tell you we weren’t friends anymore?

Nicki: *annoyed* No, Pep; but considering you two fight over the dumbest things really questions whether or not you two should stay friends. I mean honestly; when was the last time we all even went to the pizza shop after school and hung out? When was the last time you had anything to say about Milo that wasn’t you venting about a fight you had?

Jennifer: *defensive* Milo is always too busy to just casually hang out after school anymore, hence why we only ever see him in band rehearsals that he does nothing but complain at—

Nicki: Then talk to him if that bothers you, y’know, something that I do whenever you and Milo go off on each other for no real reason.

Nicki walked away from Jennifer and exited the bathroom, leaving Jennifer standing there by herself. As she began to walk out of the bathroom, she bumps into Gwen, entering the bathroom.

Gwen: Oh! S-sorry…

Gwen kept her head down, walking past Jennifer. Jennifer turns back around, changing her mind.

Jennifer: No worries, Gwen… you just seem to always insert yourself in the wrong places…

Gwen scrunched her eyebrows as she looked at Jennifer, not appreciating her side comment. Jennifer rolls her eyes as she washes her hands.

Jennifer: By the way, if you so happen to see Milo today—which I know your probably will— tell him that his best friend was looking for him.

Gwen: *mumbles* Best friend…

Jennifer hears Gwen and turns back around.

Jennifer: Yeah, his best friend.

Gwen doesn’t say anything back; she looks at Jennifer as she speaks.

Jennifer: Thanks for relaying the message.

Jennifer continues to walk out of the bathroom has the bell rings Gwen looks back before she exits the girls’ bathroom as well.

…

Jennifer walks into her bedroom and notices her sister, Maryette, lying on her side of the room. She rolls her eyes as she sits at her desk, turning on her computer.

Maryette: Mom said she’s waiting for an important call and that we can’t use the computer.

Jennifer: Whatever.

Maryette: It’s true! She’s supposed to get an important call from the doctor and—

Jennifer: I don’t care; shut up already—

Maryette: I’m telling mom!

Jennifer: Don’t you have anything better to do than to be in my business?!

Maryette: You’re not allowed to be on the computer!

The girls start arguing with each other until their mother comes into the room to investigate what is going on.

Lydia: Hey, hey! What is going on in here?

Maryette: Pep is using the coomputer after you said that we couldn’t go on it and she isn’t listening and is—

Lydia: Mars, why don’t you go downstairs with Aunt Gabby and get some ice cream with her and Matt?

Maryette: *sighs* Fine.

Maryette walks out of the room; Lydia closes the door behind her and sits on the edges of the bed, facing Jennifer.

Lydia: Is everything okay, Peppie?

Jennifer: I’m fine.

Lydia: Well, as you know; Milo is going to be staying with us for the week while his parents are away on a business trip.

Jennifer: *annoyed* Don’t they have other people that can watch him while they’re away? Why does it always have to be us?

Lydia: Because you two have been best friends since you were kids? Are you and Milo fighting?

Jennifer: I don’t want to talk about it.

Lydia: Okay… well, Milo is coming over after school tomorrow, so whatever you two are going through, please try to put it behind you or the time being.

Lydia gets up from the bed and walks towards the bedroom door.

Lydia: *turns around to face Jennifer* I am waiting for a call, so if you can wait a few before logging onto the computer, it would be greatly appreciated.

Jennifer huffs and crosses her arms as her mother leaves the room. He looks into her book bag and takes out her Sidekick, flipping it open to check her messages. She sees a message from Nate on AIM.

GuitarNate92: hey jennifer; wanna stop by the rehearsal space after school tomorrow?

Jennifer smiles and begins to write back.

XxChilliPepxX: sure! I’ll meet u after school near the vocal room 🙂

Jennifer sends the message and smiles, excited to spend more time with Nate,

Milo is seen walking into Biology, clearly not in the greatest mood. He walks over to his desk without saying a word to any of his classmates, takes out his books, and leans his head on his arm against the desk. Gwen watches as he does, sensing that something is wrong.

Gwen: *softly* Hey, Milo.

Milo: *looks up* Hey.

Gwen: Are you okay?

Milo sighs, as he leans on the back of his chair.

Milo: It’s been a rough week.

Gwen: *sympathetic* You want to talk about it?

Milo: I’m thankful that you let me vent, but you’re probably tired of me venting about the same issues over and over again.

The teacher walks into the class and lets the class know that the lecture will begin shortly. The two teens turn their heads back to face each other.

Gwen: *whispers* I don’t mind, if that’s what you’re worried about. This is what friends do for each other.

Milo looks at Gwen; the word “friend” rings in his ear. He hasn’t really thought much about Gwen being one of his friends. He smiles hearing Gwen say it though. She notices him smiling.

Gwen: What?

Milo: Are you busy today after school?

Gwen: *shakes her head* Fridays are my days off from my extracurricular activities. Why?

Milo: *teases* I mean, what else do friends do after school on a Friday afternoon? *waits a moment* Hang out.

Gwen rolled her eyes and laughed. Milo smiled in return.

Gwen: I would love to hang out after school. *light bulb goes off* Oh! We can hang out in the treehouse!

Milo: *confused* The treehouse? Is that some sort of exclusive club or something?

Gwen: *laughs* No, it’s literally just a treehouse. Meet me after school today near the bus stop going towards uptown.

Milo smiles at Gwen, appreciating her support. The teacher quiets the class down and begins the biology lesson for the day.

…

Milo and Gwen are walking in a suburban neighborhood; completely different than his own. He looks around the houses, noticing just how big they are. Milo is taken back by the nice area he and Gwen are walking in.

Shortly after, the teens stop at a house in the middle of the street. A huge tree sits in the front yard; Milo notices the white treehouse within the tree. He finally puts two-and-two together.

Milo: Oh, you literally meant a treehouse!

Gwen laughs as she starts walking towards the ladder attached to the tree trunk. Milo watches her climb up before pushing open a panel to enter. She pops her head out for the opening, looking down at Milo who is still standing on the ground.

Gwen: Come!

Milo nervously starts climbing the ladder, not knowing what to expect once he gets to the top. Shortly after, Milo crawls in from the panel and sits on the floor of the treehouse. He observes the things that live in the treehouse: a tiny bookshelf with magazines and books, some pillows against the corner of the treehouse, and some Christmas lights that wrap around the ceiling. He takes everything in awe.

Milo: *looks around* This is so dope.

Milo looks at the books on the bookshelf; he notices the title of one of the books.

Milo: To Kill A Mockingbird. We’re reading this in our English class.

Gwen: *nods* It’s one of my favorites. I keep most of my favorite books up here to reread.

Milo: Reread? You mean you already finished it?

Gwen: I read it in middle school in my ELA honors class. That same year, I asked my mom if she could buy me the book for my own collection for my 13th birthday.

Milo is shocked to have learned that Gwen already read the book the rest of their grade was currently reading in school. Gwen pulls out other books from her shelf; some in which are thicker than any book Milo has read before.

Milo: Where do you even find the time to read all these books with your busy schedule?

Gwen: I don’t really read in my free time anymore, but I used to read a lot when I was in and out of treatments at the hospital.

Milo looks up at Gwen, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

Gwen: I didn’t do much of my extracurricular activities in the beginning, and I wasn’t in school that much because of the treatments and constant appointments. I read books in my free time; in a way, it sometimes felt better to live in the world of these different characters than my own, especially on the days where I felt the weakest.

Milo listens as Gwen continues to speak, taking in her story that he appreciates her telling him about. Trusting him with.

Milo: Was the treehouse always here?

Gwen: My dad built it when I was in elementary school, but I was too afraid of heights for the first year. Eventually, it started to fall apart and my parents were thinking about taking it down completely, but after I came home from the hospital after my first treatment, he rebuilt it for me. That summer, it became my favorite place to read, and then later practice violin in.

Milo: I bet this was a popular hangout spot for you and your fiends when it was first built—

Gwen: I never had anyone else up here before. *looks at Milo* You’re the first.

Milo looks at Gwen, taking back by the revelation. She smiles at him before putting her books back on the shelf. Milo watches her do so.

Milo: My dad wouldn’t ever done something like this for me. He never had anyone else interest in knowing the things I was passionate about.

Gwen turns her head to look at Milo.

Gwen: Surely he had to, otherwise you wouldn’t be in such a prestigious program like Waverly’s.

Milo: My dad was never nice to me. He always acted like everything I liked or did was wrong in his eyes. Anything that went against his own wishes meant going against him.

Gwen stays silent, not knowing what to say next. Milo sighs.

Milo: I always felt like something was wrong with me too. Like, why wouldn’t my own dad sacrifice some of his duties to come and support my activities? At least my mom tries to make them, even though her and my dad are business partners and work in the same company. They aren’t around a lot of the time, which means I’m usually the oddball out in Pep’s family.

Gwen: You stay with them when your parents are away?

Milo nods.

Milo: Yesterday, Pep threw the fact about my dad to my face in front of band practice after disagreeing with her about something she was doing. I guess it just made me feel shitty afterwards knowing my own best friend would stoop so low and throw it in my face; that my dad couldn’t care less about me.

As Milo sighs and takes a deep breath, Gwen places her hand on top of his for reassurance.

Gwen: I’m sorry that you went through that. It’s not cool for her to expose your story like that after trusting her with it. But even if you are hurt by her words or it’s now making you think worse of yourself, remember that you are not the horrible things people tell you out of anger.

Milo: But what if it is true? What if the things you judge yourself for are the same things someone says out loud about you?

Gwen: It’s not true. Now, I don’t know why things were said to you or what kind of things you tell yourself, but I can tell you that you are not those horrible things. You are extremely talented and passionate. You are smart about things that most of us are not smart about. You are driven to do bigger and better things, all while still trying to figure yourself out. Most importantly, you are trustworthy, caring, and a great friend.

Gwen looks at Milo before continuing.

Gwen: I… never really had a friend like you before.

Milo: *smiles* Same here.

The two teens look at each other intently, sharing a connection. They slowly leaned into each other and gently kiss each other for on the lips. The kiss only breaks up once a woman’s voice is heard calling out Gwen’s name.

Gwen: Fuck—

Milo is taken back but the sequence of events; first kissing Gwen, hearing Gwen cuss for the first time, and then Gwen forcefully pushing his head and body down toward the floor of the treehouse, hiding him from the woman outside.

Gwen: *pokes head out of window* Yes, mom?

Gwen’s mom: Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes; it’s time to come in for the day and wash up.

Gwen: Coming!

Gwen’s mom walks back into the house; Gwen lets out a sigh of relief and helps Milo get up from the ground.

Gwen: *turns red* I… am so sorry about that, I didn’t mean to crush you like that!

Milo started laughing, which made Gwen started laughing along too; easing the shock of what just happened between them not too long ago.

Milo, Jennifer, and the rest of the band enter the rehearsal space. The teens look around, observing their surroundings before setting their bags down. Milo walks over to the music stands to begin setting up for band practice.

Nicki: This is such a huge space! *to Jennifer* Does Nate and his brothers host rehearsals for the New York Philharmonic or something?

Jennifer laughs as she rolls her eyes.

Jennifer: Dude, this is going to be the space where stardom is born; I can feel it!

Milo rolls his eyes as he continued to set up. He takes one of the microphone stands from the storage closet and brings it to the center.

Nicki: Thanks for helping us get the rehearsal space! I feel like this space is going to inspire us to put on even a bigger and better performance.

Milo: *annoyed* Alright, the space isn’t that great.

Nicki looks at Jennifer; Jennifer rolls her eyes as she started to get her things together for the practice. Nicki looks at Danny, sharing a confused look on their faces.

Milo: Alright, we’re going to start off the practice with “Once Again”.

Milo looks around the space for a microphone.

Milo: We need a microphone; where do they keep the microphones?

Jennifer: I don’t know, he—

Milo: We need microphones in order to practice; why wouldn’t he have the mics out already—

Jennifer: *annoyed* Take a chill pill; I’ll go ask somebody if they can help us get the microphones—

Milo: *mumbles* So unprofessional.

Jennifer turns around and looks at Milo. She shakes her head and leaves the rehearsal room. Nicki is now annoyed at Milo.

Nicki: Cool it, Milo.

Milo: *dismissive* Whatever.

Shortly after, Jennifer comes back into the space; this time she is accompanied by Nate. Milo is fuming in his place.

Jennifer: *talking to Nate* So, yeah; we were looking to see where you kept the mics for rehearsals?

Nate greets everyone in the space; Milo is the only one that doesn’t greet him back.

Nate: Uhm, yeah; they should be in the tech closet that Milo is near.

The teens look at the closet next to Milo. Milo turns the knob of the closet door and opens it without any issues.

Jennifer: Ugh, you’re a lifesaver, Nate! Thanks again for letting us rehearse in here today.

Nate: No problem! I’m here if you guys need anything else. *looks at Jennifer* you know where to find me.

Nate walks out of the rehearsal space as everyone said their ‘goodbyes’; of course, Milo doesn’t say anything.

Milo: Alright, let’s finally rehearse that number after killing half of our rehearsal time looking for these dumb mics.

Jennifer rolls her eyes and walks to her position next to the microphone stand. There’s clearly tension in the space between Milo and Jennifer. Danny doesn’t intervene, but the tension continues to bother Nicki throughout the practice.

Milo begins to count down the rest of the band to start the song, Nicki, Danny, and Milo begin playing their instruments. Jennifer stands there, not really feeling the lyrics of the song. Milo watches Jennifer sing the song without any passion behind the words, ultimately halting the rehearsal process.

Milo: Stop, stop, stop. *to Jennifer* Yo Pep, you’re good?

Jennifer: Great, actually. I don’t think the lyrics to this song are any good.

Nicki and Danny watch the two teens go off on each other. Nicki especially knows the severely of Jennifer’s comment.

Milo: Oh really?

Jennifer: Yes, really. Like what is even “I woke up today, I woke up wide awake” even mean? Isn’t that a bit repetitive?

Milo: *annoyed* It’s a song, not a friggin’ ELA essay; it’s not suppose to make sense—

Jennifer: It should still make some sort of sense if we’re trying to portray an image to our audience. *goes on a tangent* The other day, I was hanging out with Nate while he was writing lyrics for a song and I was able to visibly see the image through the words that he was writing.

Milo: *annoyed* Well maybe then you should be the lead singer in his band instead of ours… Oh, wait; they already have a lead singer and it’s not you.

Jennifer: *defensive* Maybe you should get tutoring from Nate to write— oh, wait; you’re not in AP English with Nate for him to even help you.

Milo: If you don’t want to be in this band, then why are you even here?

Jennifer: If you didn’t want me to be in this band, then why did you ask for my hep to find us a space to rehearse?

Milo: You were the one that didn’t want to do them in your garage because your dad is around now and you hate his guts—

Nicki: *scolds* Milo!

Jennifer: *to Nicki* Don’t even bother, let him speak his mind! *to Milo* Your parents have a whole basement we can use but your dad is always complaining how his son is talentless and wasting his place playing in some stupid band!

Nicki: Pep!

Milo: *to Nicki* Nah, it’s fine! Let her talk! Let her try to explain her plan when this guy breaks her heart like the 15 other guys she’s crushed on in the past and come back to me crying as if I haven’t warned her for the first 14 times that these guys want nothing but a girl who comes off as being easy!

Jennifer: Like Gwen, right?

Milo is taken back by Jennifer’s comment since it came out of nowhere. Nicki is now furious and begins to pack up her things. Jennifer and Milo both look at Nicki as she does.

Nicki: I quit.

Jennifer: What do you mean you quit?

Nicki: I mean I quit! I am not going to be a part of this band where you guys do nothing but yell at each other an come for each other’s heads when I’m working my ass off getting us these gigs in the first place! You guys can figure out a bassist for this show, because I refuse to keep being in the middle of you two and your stupid arguments!

Milo: Nicki, you don’t mean that—

Nicki: Watch me.

Nicki storms out of the rehearsal space as Milo and Jennifer watch. Danny begins to pack his things up too.

Jennifer: *to Danny* You’re not staying either?

Danny takes a moment before he answers Jennifer’s question.

Danny: With all due respect, I think you guys have to figure out your issues before all of us can come together as a band. I’m here to play some music and do something fun with Nicki and you guys, but if Nicki’s backing out of the band, then I am too.

Jennifer: Dude, are you serious?

Danny nodded his head as he walked out of the rehearsal space as well. Jennifer and Milo stand in the space, feeling awkward. Milo shook his head as he started to get his things together. Before he leaves he space, he hands Jennifer a twenty dollar bill, paying for the rented space.

Milo: Tell Nate we’re not gonna be needing the space for practice anymore.

Milo walks out of the rehearsal room; his mind is racing at 100 miles per hour, thinking about everything that was said today.

Milo: *confused* Why would she even mention Gwen?

Milo flipped open his Sidekick and immediately went on AIM to see if Nicki was still logged in. She wasn’t. He took a deep breath and sees an unread message from Gwen from an half an hour ago.

GwennyPenny: I hope band practice is going well, rockstar! XD

Milo smiled at the message and then immediately signs, not answering the instant message.

Milo walks into his Biology class and smiles once he sees Gwen sitting at his table. He immediately takes the seat across from her , which makes Gwen look up from her notebook.

Gwen: *smiles* Hey, Milo.

Milo: *points at her notebook* Writing the scientific formula to cure world hunger?

Gwen: *laughs* What does one have to do with the other?

Milo: I don’t know, doesn’t the earth eat due to photosynthesis or something?

Gwen ponders on the thought, amused.

Gwen: That somehow made sense, but you clearly need more tutoring if you’re looking to be in Chemistry with me next year.

Milo raises an eyebrow and smiles as Gwen giggles.

Milo: Oh I will, only if the smartest girl the world is the one tutoring me.

Gwen: *sarcastic* You have Marilyn vos Savant as a tutor? I’m totally jealous.

Milo laughs at Gwen’s joke, feeling amused by her intelligence-related humor.

Milo: That’s a good one; and something that we are learning in our history class.

Gwen: It’s literally freshman social studies, Milo.

Milo: So what? It;s still something that I was able to remember from being in that boring class.

Gwen smiles and rolls her eyes, continues to write in her notebook. Milo watches her as she does.

Milo: Do you ever read back on your class notes?

Gwen: *confused* Why wouldn’t I?

Milo: I mean, you simply just know everything, even without the teacher actually teaching it to us first.

Gwen: I always read back on my notes; that’s how I learn the information. *teases* You should try it sometime.

Milo sucks his teeth as Gwen laughs; he doesn’t take her words too seriously.

Gwen: Enough about me; you and your band have practice later today?

Milo: *shocked* How did you know I had band practice today?

Gwen: Because it’s Wednesday, and you tell me your band always has practice on Wednesdays, of course with the exception of school performances or something else.

Milo smiles at Gwen as she speaks. He’s still pretty shocked that Gwen remembers the things that he would’ve deemed as miscellaneous information.

Gwen: *nervous* What? Is my hair okay?

Milo: *snaps out of it* Yeah no, your hair is fine. I was just thinking about something else is all.

The bell rings, and the teacher begins to teach the class. While Gwen is focused in on what’s being taught, Milo finds himself looking at Gwen every now and then, smiling whenever she would raise her hand and answer a question correctly.

…

Jennifer is seen opening her locker door during passing, getting the textbooks needed for the next class. She drops something on the floor as she opens it, realizing that she must have overstuffed her locker from the previous period.

Jennifer: *annoyed* Ugh, son of a—

As she bend down to pick it, up, she is startled when she sees Nate appear out of nowhere.

Jennifer: —Nate! Geez! A warning would’ve been nice.

Nate: *teases* But it’s more fun to be a bit spontaneous.

Jennifer cocks an eyebrow and begins to walk down the hall; Nate walks with her.

Nate: Listen, I wanted to talk about what happened at the studio the other night…

Jennifer continues to walk with her head down, listening to Nate as he speaks.

Nate: I didn’t mean to judge you the way I did about your past relationship.

Jennifer stops in place, finally turning to Nate.

Jennifer: I’m listening.

Nate: *sighs* I’m sorry for the way that I acted. The truth is that it bothered me that my brothers knew about you and Danny before you told me, but then I realized that I have no right in being mad at you for not telling me something. It’s not like you’re my girlfriend or something.

Jennifer seems slightly disappointed, but acts cordial.

Jennifer: Yeah.

Nate: And I really hope you still would like for me to come to your band’s show in a couple of weeks to see what you guys have been working on, if that’s okay with you.

Jennifer ponders the thought and sighs. She faintly puts on a smile, hiding her true feelings.

Jennifer: Of course; that’s what friends do.

Nate leans in to give Jennifer a hug, in which she quickly reciprocates one back to Nate. In the sidelines of the hallway, Milo catches them in the act. He rolls his eyes and walks in the opposite direction.

…

Milo: And she was all over him!

Milo and Nicki sit in the hallway, waiting for Jennifer to be dismissed from class.

Nicki: From the sound of it, it looks like it was just a simple, friendly hug.

Milo: *annoyed* Oh, so you’re just going to sit there and pretend Pep isn’t crushing on Nate?

Nicki: And even if she was, what does that have to do with you? I understand your dislike for Danny; but you barely even know Nate besides him being a dual major like you.

Milo: I don’t trust any guy that calls himself a musician just to impress girls—

Nicki: … you do understand that you are also a musician, right?

Milo: Yeah, but I don’t use it to get girls to talk to me.

Nicki cooks up an eyebrow, crossing her arms along her chest.

Nicki: Yeah? So your “friendship” with Gwen is just a friendship?

Milo is flustered at the question.

Milo: Yes, Nic. I’m not out here trying to hook up with every pretty girl in our grade—

Nicki: *shocked* You think Gwen is pretty?!

Milo: *nervous* I mean, she’s okay—

Nicki: Milo, you’ve never called a girl that you didn’t like ‘pretty’ before. Plus, I didn’t think Gwen was your type—

Milo: *defensive* She’s not, but I’m a guy; of course I’m going to think girls are pretty.

Nicki lets the conversation go once she sees Jennifer walk out of the vocal room. Milo is relieved: perfect timing.

Jennifer: Hey, Nic! *looks at Milo* Milo.

Milo: Pep.

Nicki and Danny walk hand-in-hand in the lunchroom towards the groups’ usual table. She stops in front of it when seeing Milo and Jennifer sitting there, looking bummed out.

Nicki: *nervous* Hey, guys.

Milo & Jennifer: *monotone* Hey.

Nicki looks up at Danny, and Danny looks down at her. He clears his throat before anything else.

Danny: I’m going to practice in the West Wing for class; I’ll see you guys later. *to Nicki* Bye, babe.

Milo and Jennifer look shocked after Danny’s “babe” comment.

Nicki: Bye.

Nicki turns back around to see Milo and Jennifer staring her down.

Nicki: What?

Milo: “Babe?”

Nicki: It’s a nickname–

Jennifer: For a girlfriend.

Nicki doesn’t say anything. Jennifer sighs, adjusting in her seat.

Jennifer: Must be nice to have someone actually like you for you and not judge you for your past.

Nicki, confused, is speechless at first.

Nicki: Thank you?

Milo: I agree; it must feel good to have someone actually not think you’re this big, bad villain of some sort.

Jennifer: Right? Like I’m sorry I’m not this perfect human being that can always meet your perfect expectations all the time!

Milo: Exactly! Like don’t make me out to be this mean and nasty person when really you’re just reading into things too much!

Jennifer: Dude, finally! Someone who just gets it!

Milo smiled slightly, looking at Jennifer as she spoke.

Nicki: *uncomfortable* Okay… I guess things have been… challenging for the both of you.

Jennifer: *to Nicki* Boys just suck, that’s it.

Milo looks at Jennifer, confused to what Jennifer was talking about.

Nicki: What happened?

Jennifer: I met up with Nate to see the rehearsal space for these next couple of practices–

Milo: *interrupts* Wait, what rehearsal space?

Nicki and Jennifer looked at Milo.

Jennifer: *sighs* I went out with Nate this past weekend to check out his studio space.

Milo: *concerned* By yourself?

Jennifer: *annoyed* Why wouldn’t I? You were busy doing your band class crap–

Milo: You mean my performance–

Jennifer: Whatever. *looks at Nicki* Anyway, Nate had his brothers there, you know the ones in his band?

Milo: *annoyed* You were by yourself with three other guys?

Nicki and Jennifer turn their heads to look at Milo. Jennifer, visibly annoyed, turns her entire body toward him.

Jennifer: Yeah, and what about it?

Milo: *growing angry* The fact that you’re alone with three dudes that you barely know wasn’t a concern for you?

Jennifer: What, you think I was gonna let them “gang-bang” me or something?

Milo furiously gets up from his seat, grabbing his stuff from the table.

Nicki: Pep!

Jennifer: What? It sounds like Milo is implying that I would just let any cute, random guys bang me—

Milo: Do you even have a fucking brain in that thick skull of yours?! You don’t know Nate. He sings a couple of lines in vocal and you just fucking swoon for him—

Jennifer: *gets up* No, you don’t know Nate, and think every guy with an instrument in their hand also has their other hand up my skirt or something!

Nicki: *nervously* Guys, please—

The bickering is now causing the lunchroom to look in Milo and Jennifer’s direction.

Milo: I don’t have to know a guy to see that they invited you to his private rehearsal space, alone, without the rest of the band, just to check out the place—

Jennifer: And clearly you don’t know me to see that I wouldn’t just let some guy take control over me like that—

Milo: You did once, what’s not a second time?

Jennifer slaps Milo across the face, which now has the lunchroom rowdy in excitement. Milo holds the spot on his face where Jennifer slapped him.

Milo: *in shock* Did you really just fucking slap me?

Jennifer: Fuck you, Milo! You’re just jealous because every girl that you ever liked never liked you back! Get over it and stop projecting your insecurities onto me!

Milo walks up to Jennifer, sizing her up. He wouldn’t hit her, but he’s also fuming in anger for what she said.

Milo: So that’s how you feel, huh?

Jennifer: Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it?!

The two teens continue to yell at each other before two of the lunch aides break up the fight. One of them takes Milo in one direction, the other takes Jennifer outside of the lunchroom. Jennifer is still shouting as she gets escorted out, Milo puts his hands up for the lunch aide, letting her know he’s fine.

Milo looks at Nicki, sitting at the lunch table with her hand on her head. She shakes her head before looking back up at Milo.

Nicki: Why didn’t you just let her speak, Milo?

Milo: *defensive* Am I the only one that cares about Pep’s well being whenever she’s out doing crazy shit?

Nicki: *upset* Milo! She’s not yours to protect!

Milo and Nicki stare at each other momentarily. Milo knows what Nicki meant by that.

Milo: She’s my best friend, I’m suppose to look after her—

Nicki: If you don’t drop your feelings for Pep, you’re going to end up ruining your friendship with her.

Nicki walks away from Milo, leaving him alone in the lunchroom. Everyone goes back to their tables after the fight ends, and Milo is left standing there. He grabs his things and decides to leave the lunchroom for the day. As he passes the table closest to the exit, he notices Gwen sitting there, looking at him.

She definitely just witnessed this whole mess go down.

Jennifer and Milo walk down the street after school. Jennifer is seemingly in a better mood than earlier. Jennifer walks ahead of Milo, ultimately walking backwards to face Milo. He carries his instrument case on his back while also carrying Jennifer’s large tote bag of school books.

Milo: Pep, you really can’t go through this bag and empty some shit out of it?

Jennifer: Everything in that bag is something that I need in there! I have music binder, change of clothes for dance practice, my roller skates–

Milo: *shocked* You have your roller skates in here?

Jennifer: Where else would I put them?

Milo laughs and shakes his head as they continue to walk down the street.

Jennifer: Thanks for going to the pizza place with me today. It’s good to know that the pizza place is one thing that hasn’t changed in my life. you know?

Milo: I get it, but always remember that nothing is ever going to change with us.

Jennifer smiles as they continue to walk to the pizza place. Once they get to the front of the store, Milo’s relaxed expression vanishes from his face. He’s shocked at who he sees sitting in the pizza place: Gwen. She immediately sees him when he walks in.

Milo: Gwen… hey…

Gwen looks at Jennifer before he looks over at Milo. Milo clears his throat and looks at Jennifer.

Milo: Uhm, you guys met before, right?

Gwen looks at Jennifer and smiles; Jennifer does the same in a fake way.

Gwen: Yeah, back at your show a couple of weeks ago. *to Jennifer* you have such an good voice.

Jennifer: Thanks.

Milo clears his throat before speaking.

Milo: *to Gwen* So, what brings you here?

Gwen looks at Milo; confused at the question.

Gwen: I… uhm, really wanted to get a slice of pizza before my violin practice…

Milo looks at Gwen and nods before turning his head to look at Jennifer.

Milo: We’re here for a slice as well; do you want to… uhm… sit with us at our table?

Jennifer looks at Milo; not interested in having new people sit at their table.

Gwen: *surprised* Oh, are you sure? I uhm…

She looks at Jennifer before she looks back at Milo.

Gwen: Don’t want to intervene with your plans.

Milo: No, no it’s fine; right Pep?

Jennifer: *fake smiles* The more, the merrier.

Gwen nervously looks at Jennifer as she speaks and immediately looks at Milo. The three teens walk over to their usual table near the window. Gwen sits on one side of the booth while Milo and Jennifer sit at the other side. There’s an award silence happening. Jennifer smiles and starts up the conversation.

Jennifer: *to Gwen* So… you also play the violin, huh?

Gwen: *nods* I do. Milo and I have been practicing our pieces for the showcase coming up.

Jennifer: *raises eyebrow* Oh? *looks at Milo* Is that so?

Milo: *shy* Not always; I help those who need it.

Gwen scrunches her eyebrows together, confused at Milo’s statement.

Milo: *clears throat, looks at Jennifer* The strings section has a lot of issues when it comes to getting the chords correct, so I tend to help out and stuff.

Jennifer: Oh… How nice of you to help out your string-mates… *to Gwen* Milo’s a great person to learn from. He’s a dual major.

Gwen: So he’s mentioned to me before.

Jennifer isn’t fond of Gwen’s snappy response.

Jennifer: Our vocal choir doesn’t have tutoring sessions like that. We’re expected to know our music once we learn the whole thing from our teacher.

Gwen looks at Milo; his face is flushed.

Jennifer: Right, Milo?

Milo: Uhm… right.

Gwen shifts in her seat; uncomfortable.

Milo: *to Gwen* Did you go to the West Wing for practice?

Jennifer: *intervenes* The West Wing?

Milo: Yeah, the area where–

Jennifer: –No, no; I know what you’re talking about. I just didn’t think people used those rooms for actual practice.

Jennifer nudges her elbow at Milo, making him visibly uncomfortable.

Jennifer: Remember when Gregg got caught making out with that girl in the west wing rooms? *laughs* I thought they closed them off because of that incident.

Milo: Pep…

Jennifer: I would not want to be the one practicing in those rooms; I’m better off using the acoustics in the girl’s bathroom.

Jennifer laughs and sighs once she’s done.

Jennifer: Anyway, enough about those gross rehearsal rooms…

Gwen: *begins to get up* I have to get going; I promised my mom I’d be home for dinner on time today, so–

Milo looks up at Gwen, feeling guilty and embarrassed.

Jennifer: After just having pizza?

Gwen: My parents are big on all of us having dinner together.

Gwen quickly gathers her things an begins to slide out of the booth.

Milo: Gwen–

Gwen: *turns around* It was nice meeting you officially.

Gwent turns around to leave, making Milo jump out of his seat in the booth.

Milo: Gwen–

Jennifer: Milo?

Milo quickly turns around and looks at Jennifer. She looks at Milo with a confused look on her face. Milo tries to play it off by sitting in the seat where Gwen was.

Jennifer: Dude, are all your bandmates that weird?

Milo: *sighs* Come on, Pep…

Jennifer laughs off the weird conversation and takes a bite of her slice.

Jennifer: I’m just saying, you should start hanging out with the vocal heads instead of your band geeks… besides Nicki, she’s the only exception.

Milo: *lighthearted* Good save; you know I would’ve told Nic you called her a band geek.

Jennifer: Dude, I had to talk her out of making her AIM screen name “thatbandg33k”!

Both teens laugh; Milo looks out the pizza parlor’s window, watching Gwen walk down the long block by herself. The smile fades away.

The bell rings at Waverly High and students begin to roam the hallway. Milo and Jennifer walk out of the vocal room more exhausted than usual. They both walk to their lockers to get their books for the next class.

Milo: Why was that vocal class literal torture today?

Jennifer doesn’t answer. She hasn’t said much about anything most of the day. Milo looks over at Jennifer for an answer; he doesn’t bother her for one.

Milo: Like I get it, Quartets are must to test you on your music, but man… it was hard to watch.

Jennifer: Yeah.

Milo looks over at Jennifer; worried. He clears his throat, changing the conversation.

Milo: You’re heading to Algebra?

Jennifer: Yeah.

Jennifer shuts her locker door closed and begins to walk away from Milo. He watches her as she does. He sighs as soon as Nicki walks up to Milo and his locker.

Nicki: Still nothing?

Milo: Nothing. *faces Nicki* She hasn’t said more than 7 words in the entire day. I don’t think I ever seen her this depressed.

Nicki: I know; it feels so weird to see her not being herself.

Milo looks down the hallway, watching Jennifer turn the corner of it. It breaks his heart.

Nicki: *changes the subject* Are you going to practice in the West Wing during lunch today?

Milo: Maybe; I’m not sure yet. Why? Are you?

Nicki: I really should, but I’m worried about Pep. I have to get this last part of the piece down, but Pep’s our best friend and–

Milo: I’ll go to lunch and stay with her.

Nicki: Are you sure? I know you barely like going to lunch in the first place.

Milo: You have to practice, Nic. I’ll be fine and I’ll keep Pep company.

Nicki lets out a deep breath before the warning bell goes off.

Nicki: I’ll see you in band later; give Pep a hug for me during lunch.

Nicki runs away from Milo to make it to her next class on time. Milo closes his locker after taking out his Biology textbook.

Milo walks into his Biology class and sits in his assigned seat. Gwen, as always, is on time at her desk already with her books out. She looks up when she sees Milo sit down in his seat.

Gwen: *greets* Hey, Milo.

Milo: *smiles* Hey, Gwen. *looks at her notebook* Are those your notes for a project or something?

Gwen: *shakes head* Regents.

Milo: *shocked* School’s not even over yet!

Gwen: *giggles* Go figure, Sherlock. *sighs* With my extra violin lessons and doctor appointments coming up, I’m not going to have enough time to study for the test in a couple of weeks.

Milo: You probably don’t even have to study; you’re the only one that’s gonna ace this test.

Gwen shakes her head and laughs.

Gwen: Well to be on the safe side; I am going to study. *changes the subject* Are you going to the West Wing today? Our show is tomorrow.

Milo: *hesitates* Oh, uhm… I was actually gonna grab some lunch today.

Gwen: *shocked* Really? *teases* I didn’t think you even knew where the lunchroom was located.

Milo smiles at Gwen’s minor burn to him. She laughs, playing it off.

Milo: You know I have to keep everyone on their toes; I just feel like doing whatever I wanna do.

Gwen: Until it’s the day of the show and you’re freaking out because you didn’t prepare enough for it.

Milo shakes his head and laughs.

Gwen: But seriously; you’re not going to the West Wing today?

Milo ponders the thought for a moment.

Milo: I guess I can eat some pizza after school today.

Gwen smiles as the bell finally rings to start class.

…

It’s the start of the lunch period as most of the students head towards the direction of the cafeteria. Milo, on the other hand, begins to walk to the West Wing. He makes the hard turn of the corner and stop short when he sees Jennifer turn the same corner.

Milo: *surprised* Oh! Pep!

Jennifer stands there, looking at Milo.

Jennifer: Hey.

Milo: Hey; are you headed to lunch?

Jennifer nods her head and continues to walk towards the cafeteria area. Milo follows along.

Milo: Do you mind if I come with you?

Jennifer stops and looks at Milo; confused.

Jennifer: Since when do you go to lunch?

Milo: I didn’t eat breakfast today, so I’m starving right now.

Jennifer: *confused* … You eat breakfast?

Milo: Do you think I don’t eat or something?

Jennifer giggles; seeing her smile makes Milo happy.

Milo: *teases* Since you know the lunch menu so well; what’s on it today?

Jennifer: *disgust* Chicken patties.

Milo second guesses his decision of going to lunch with Jennifer. Eventually, the two teens get to the lunch room and grab their lunch trays. They both turn around and look for an empty space to sit. They begin to walk over to the usual table Jennifer hangs out at.

Milo: So, how has your day been going so far?

Jennifer: I would say that I can’t wait to get home, but I would rather sit in Global for 5 hours straight.

Milo: That’s… cruel. Did you talk to your mom after I left?

Jennifer: No. Why should I? Clearly she doesn’t care about my feelings or listen to anything that I have to say.

Milo: But she’s your mom–

Jennifer: *defensive* Who cares? She’s not acting like my mom right now, so I’m not gonna treat her like my mom.

Milo sighs, thinking carefully about what to say next.

Milo: I’m sorry that you’re going through this, Pep. I don’t know how you exactly feel, but I can understand how much this means to you.

Jennifer: *sigh* I just don’t understand why my mom would let him back into our lives. He left us all those years ago and thinks he can just walk back into them.

Milo: Maybe you should ask your mom; she might make things clear for you–

Jennifer: *annoyed* I don’t want to talk to her ever again.

Milo sighs, realizing this conversation is going nowhere.

Milo: Why don’t we go to the pizza place today after school? This lunch is depressing to eat.

Jennifer smirks at Milo’s comment. He briefly sighs out of relief.

Milo: It’ll also be on me today.

Jennifer: You don’t have to tell me anything else! I’ll be there.

Milo smiles as he takes a sip of his chocolate milk. Jennifer returns eating her school lunch.