Category: y2katalogue: The Tapes

Milo walks into his Biology class before the period starts; no one is there yet besides the teacher. Milo was hoping that Gwen was already here to talk to her. It was unlike her to not be the first student in the class. The second bell rings, which makes everyone begin to come into the classroom. Milo watches each student come into the room; he finally sees Gwen. She sill has the black hair that Milo normally sees; he can’t shake the feeling about what happened last week in the rehearsal room.

Teacher: Alright everyone, today we’re going to do some review for our end-of-term exam; we will be going over chapters 6 through 12…

Milo looks up toward Gwen who is taking out her books from her bag. She doesn’t acknowledge Milo whatsoever. Milo sighs, giving up then and there to focus on the class.

Once the bell rings, Milo is one of the first to pack up his things and leave the class. He doesn’t go far; h stands to the side of the door, watching every classmate leave the room.

Gwen finally walks out without acknowledging Milo once again. Milo runs to catch up to Gwen’s pace.

Milo: Gwen!

Gwen doesn’t stop walking; Milo still tries to catch up to her.

Milo: Hello? Earth to Gwen?

Gwen: *turns around* What, Milo?

Milo briefly stops; he’s caught off-guard.

Milo: Are you okay?

Gwen: Why wouldn’t I be?

Milo: Because you’ve ignored me this entire day in our classes together.

Gwen opens up her locker in front of Milo’s face. He’s taken back at it.

Gwen: I’ve been busy today.

Milo: *annoyed* Busy ignoring me, that’s for sure…

Gwen slams her locker door shut; Milo jumps to the loud noise.

Gwen: Don’t you have other friends to bother?

Milo: Bother? I’m ‘bothering’ you?

Gwen doesn’t answer right away. She looks at Milo and back down at her books.

Gwen: I’m going to be late for class–

Milo: It’s lunch… Are you trying to avoid me or something?

Gwen turns around and starts to walk the other way; Milo follows her.

Milo: Did I do something wrong? Seriously Gwen, you aren’t answering my messages on AIM, you’re avoiding me in class, and now you’re lying in front of my face! Like if I did something wrong, I would rather you just tell me–

Gwen turns around; once again, Milo is stunned in place.

Gwen: Milo! Just… shut up, okay?

Milo doesn’t say anything right away. He analyzes the look on Gwen’s face.

Milo: I just want to know if everything is okay between us after what happened last week-

Gwen: Nothing happened last week.

The late bell rings for everyone to go to their next class.

Gwen: I’ve got to get going, I have a practice room for lunch–

Milo: You need help with anything?

Gwen: *annoyed* No, Milo; I’m perfectly fine doing so on my own.

Milo doesn’t say anything back. He stands there as he watches Gwen walk away and down the hall. He watches her walk away.

…

Milo reaches the lunch room during the time when everyone is lined up to get a tray of today’s lunch. Milo skips out on getting lunch and instead walks straight to his designated table. He sees Danny and Nicki sitting together; no Jennifer.

Milo: Hey, where’s Pep?

Nicki: We thought she was with you; we haven’t seen her yet.

Milo looks around the lunch room to see if he sees her. He looks back at Nicki when he doesn’t.

Milo: Was she even in school today?

Nicki shrugs her shoulders; Dany doesn’t look up from his lunch tray. Milo notices.

Milo: So no one has heard from Pep today?

Nicki: Maybe she wasn’t in school today, I’m not really sure.

Milo looks at Danny.

Milo: *to Danny* Anything?

Danny doesn’t answer back. The silence makes Nicki look at Danny.

Nicki: Danny?

Danny: *sigh* I briefly saw her today in my global history class.

Nicki: *questions* Briefly?

Danny: She came to class and when I got up to use the bathroom in the middle of the period, she wasn’t there.

Milo: *annoyed* What do you mean she wasn’t there? She just fucking left in the middle of class?

Danny: *defensive* How should I know? I don’t have a fucking tracking device on her or something–

Milo: Isn’t she supposed to be one of your “good friends” now?

Danny doesn’t respond to Milo without Nicki getting in between the conversation.

Nicki: What the hell has been up with you guys? Don’t think I didn’t notice you you guys arguing before rehearsal the other day?

Milo is shocked; unaware that Nicki overheard his conversation with Danny.

Nicki: Like honestly, I am sick and tired of you two making this band experience a hard one when it’s suppose to be fun–

Nicki gets up from her seat.

Danny: Wait, Nic–

Nicki: *to both boys* Figure it out and leave me and Pep out of it.

Nicki walks away from the boys, leaving an awkward and tense vibe. Danny gets up from his seat, shaking is head.

Danny: I don’ have to work out shit with anyone–

Before Danny can turn away from Milo, Milo walks in front of him, blocking his way.

Milo: I’m just looking for my best friend, that’s all.

Danny: I would figure a best friend would message them or call them if they are looking for them…

Danny tries to walk away again but is stopped by Milo once more.

Milo: That’s the thing you’ve yet to learn about Pep. She will not answer to anyone if she is going through something.

Danny: *annoyed* That much I know; she was my girlfriend at one point.

Danny finally walks away from Milo, leaving him there with a bad taste in his mouth. He hates Danny even more after hearing him say that. Milo runs out of the lunchroom, trying to figure out where Jennifer could’ve possibly gone. He flips his cellphone open; no new messages from Jennifer.

Milo: *to himself* Where the fuck are you, Pep?

The teens leave the rehearsal room with their bags packed, ready to call it a night. Danny stands next to Nicki; Milo stands next to Jennifer. Everyone is in agreement how they will disperse.

Nicki: Today was a good rehearsal! I like how this new song is coming along.

Danny: *smiling at Nicki* It’s going to sound sick at the next gig.

Milo and Jennifer don’t say anything; tension is felt.

Nicki: Well, I’m going to walk home with Danny; are you guys okay going home yourselves?

Milo: *mumbles* Of course, go home with the serial friend dater…

Jennifer looks at Milo; she is the only one to hear his comment.

Jennifer: Of course, we literally live on the same block, so…

Danny: We’ll AIM you when we get home; we’ll see you guys in school tomorrow.

The teens go their separate ways in their designated groups. Once Jennifer and Milo are far from Danny and Nicki, she immediately slaps Milo’s arm. He jumps up; shocked.

Milo: The hell was that for?!

Jennifer: What the fuck has been your problem all day? I heard what you said about Danny.

Milo: I was hoping that Danny heard what I said…

Jennifer steps in front of Milo, stopping him in his tracks.

Jennifer: I thought we were over the whole thing about Danny.

Milo: No, you are over the whole thing with Danny; I don’t have any reason, or get any benefits, for forgiving him.

Jennifer: *annoyed* For the sake of our band–

Milo: *angry* That you guys vetoed me into! Seriously Pep, why doesn’t anyone see just how fucking wrong this whole dynamic is?

Jennifer: You’re the only one that has this issue with Danny! Ironic since this had nothing to do with you in the first place!

Milo: Ironic since he’s saying that my own best friend hasn’t told me the entire story!

Jennifer pauses; off-guard.

Jennifer: Entire story?

Milo: *clarifies* En-tire-story. Maybe I can’t choose to forgive and forget Danny from the story you told me. Maybe the issue was that you made Danny out to be this whole villain in your story that it was only right for me to support my best friend and side with her. Maybe you were the true villain in this situation.

Jennifer: Are you fucking kidding me right now?

Milo: So let’s start from the very beginning, shall we?

Jennifer: *angry* Milo!

Milo: *recalls* Danny Campbell; the most popular guy in 8th grade because of his guitar skills and because he won the talent show two years in a row, whatever. He decides to talk to you in Spanish class because he has a hard time learning the differences between the pronouns; he has to have some idea that you are crushing on him the way you used to melt every time he would call out your name–

Jennifer: Shut the fuck up, Milo!

Milo: *continues* So you guys decide to hang out after school, making me lie for you when you were on a strict time schedule for cursing out our homeroom teacher just months prior; that’s not relevant to your story but more of a reminder for you that I was around, supporting you and having your back even after voicing my concerns about you all of a sudden dating him–

Jennifer tries to push Milo away; he dodges away.

Milo: *continuing* You guys bond over music, potentially want to start a band together where you sing and he plays the guitar even thought you were already in one to begin with, and whatever; you guys hit it off. Of course, he has the free one day during winter break, he invites you over, and you go right ahead and–

Jennifer: *yells* Just stop it already!

Milo: *yells back* Fuck him! No condom, nothing! You get caught up in the moment that you don’t even know if he came–

Jennifer throws a punch at Milo, landing him on the jaw. Milo fumbles back, holding his mouth.

Milo: Fuck you, Pep!

Jennifer: Fuck you too, Milo!

Jennifer runs in the opposite direction, away from Milo. A group of adults circle around Milo to help him off the ground.

…

Jennifer walks into the house, slamming the front door shut. Her mom, Lydia, and Justin, are sitting on the sofa. Jennifer stops and observes them; it angers her even more.

Lydia: Hey! You know better than to slam doors in the house.

Jennifer walks right past her parents, stomping towards the staircase. She can hear her mom call out her name; she doesn’t look back.

She walks into her bedroom and slams the door. She immediately notices Maryette, laying on her bed playing her Nintendo DS.

Maryette: Oooo, you slammed the door…

Jennifer: *annoyed* Shut up!

Maryette: I’m gonna tell Mom!

Jennifer: For fuck’s sake, leave me alone!

After another yelling match between the two sisters, Lydia opens the bedroom door to moderate the argument.

Lydia: What is the issue now, you two?

Maryette: Mom, Pep slammed–

Lydia: *to Maryette* That’s enough.

Jennifer tries to sneak out of the bedroom; Lydia catches her before she does.

Lydia: *to Jennifer* You are not exempted from this, Pep.

Jennifer: All I want to do is do my homework and be left alone! Is that too much to ask?!

No one says anything. Before Jennifer breaks down, she walks out of the bedroom and immediately runs back down the stairs. She passes Justin, now standing near the counter in the kitchen.

Justin: Is everything okay?

She doesn’t answer him; she walks past Justin and back to the front door. She, once again, slams the door behind her. She looks across the street and notices the front door of Milo’s house open. It’s Eloise, Milo’s mom. She notices Jennifer across the street and waves at her. Jennifer fakes a smile, waving back.

Jennifer: *through her teeth* Your son is a piece of shit.

Milo walks into the rehearsal space for their after-school band practice. Milo is normally the first to arrive to practice; today, someone has beaten him there first.

Milo looks at Danny, unpacking his things to set up. Danny turns around and nods at Milo.

Danny: What’s up, dude.

Milo: Hi.

Awkward silence.

Danny: Ready for practice with the girls?

Milo: You mean our band? Yeah.

Danny turns back around to set up his equipment. Milo does the same at the other corner of the space.

Danny: Nicki was telling me how the last show had a good turnout rate, like audience wise.

Milo: Well, she does help with recruitment. She knows how to do her job…

Danny: Yeah… I guess…

Milo rolls his eyes as he sets up his guitar. Danny watches Milo’s moves. Milo notices it from the corner of his eyes.

Milo: You good?

Danny: I’m fine, just wondering why you’re taking out your violin for a band practice…

Milo looks down and finally notices his mistake. He quickly closes his case and begins to take out his guitar.

Milo: With all due respect, you really need to mind your business–

Danny: Just because you say it, doesn’t mean that you mean it.

Milo turns around and faces Danny. The facade is down.

Milo: Seriously, Danny; why did you even audition to be in the band? Why would you join a band that a girl you weren’t dating, but fucked, and then had the whole school know what happened? In what world does that make sense?

Danny: I’m not in any place to tell you what exactly happened because I wouldn’t discredit anything Pep–

Milo: *annoyed* Jennifer–

Danny: She was the one that said I can call her Pep, by the way.

Milo: She wouldn’t dare to, only her closest friends get to call her that.

Danny: Well maybe you should ask her why she allows me to call her by that nickname.

Milo: *dismissive* I’m not fighting with someone who literally does not know what they are talking about. *shouts* You used her, dude! Like, do you realize that Pep was head over heels for you and you just went and did what you did to her?

Danny: Rightfully so that’s none of your business. What happened between us doesn’t concern you.

Milo: *yells* She’s my best friend, jerk bag!

Danny: And she was my ex-girlfriend!

Milo: Now you’re talking to her best friend? Like what kind of guy are you even–

Danny: How about you ask your best friend to tell you the entire story, huh?

Milo stops talking; confused.

Milo: She did–

Danny: It’s not my place to tell you anything that she hasn’t told you, but maybe there’s an actual valid reason why we forgave each other and moved on from that.

Moments later, the front door of the rehearsal room opens and in walks the two girls. Jennifer looks up and smiles at the boys.

Jennifer: Sorry we’re late, Nicki had to stop by her house to get her guitar.

The boys don’t say anything; they get into their places. Danny gives Nicki a hug, greeting her. Milo side eyes the couple.

Milo: Let’s get this rehearsal started already…

Jennifer looks at Milo, waiting for him to move the microphone stand to her as he always does. Milo looks up at Jennifer; confused.

Milo: What?

Jennifer: The mic?

Milo: Oh–

Milo moves out of the way so Jennifer can get it. Jennifer looks at him, even more confused now.

Jennifer: Really, Milo?

Milo: *annoyed* What? Just grab the mic stand.

Jennifer passes Milo to grab the stand.

Jennifer: *whispers to Milo* The hell is your problem?

Milo: Nothing.

Jennifer: Clearly something is bothering you; what did I even do to you?

Milo: Nothing, Pep; for fuck’s sake.

Jennifer: *annoyed* So now we lie to our best friends?

Milo: Do we?

Jennifer looks at Milo and doesn’t respond back. She tries to read the expression on his face. Nicki is heard calling the band together.

Nicki: Okay, band; let’s get this rehearsal started.

Milo and Jennifer walk away from each other , getting into their positions before starting the first song of the rehearsal.

Milo walks into his band class as the late bell rings; everyone is preparing their instruments before the teacher starts class. He takes his violin out of his case and looks at Gwen a couple of seats down. He cocks his eyebrow up, wondering why Gwen hasn’t said anything to him. He turns around to face his music stand as Nicki sits in the seat in front of him.

Nicki: *turns around* Have you’ve seen Danny today?

Milo: Why would I know where he is?

Nicki: *rolls eyes* I don’t know, maybe because his our band member.

Milo: I don’t care about that guy unless it’s after school in Pep’s garage for band practice…

Nicki: *annoyed* When are you going to let the grudge go?

Milo finally looks up at Nicki.

Milo: Grudge? You mean holding him accountable for the fucked up shit he did to Pep? He’s lucky that he’s even in the band.

Nicki: I’m not saying he was right for doing what he did, but he has apologized to Pep for it a long time ago and she forgave him.

Milo: Nicki, you’re smarter than this. You should know that doesn’t change anything. So to answer your question: no, I don’t know where he’s been.

Nicki rolls her eyes and turns her head in Gwen’s direction.

Nicki: *to Milo* Did you say hi to Gwen?

Milo looks up quickly, then back to his sheet music.

Milo: No.

Nicki: *shouts* Hey, Gwen!

Gwen looks up towards the two teens. Nicki waves her hand as Milo looks down at his music; shy. Nicki motions her hand to invite Gwen to come over to her.

Milo: What are you doing?

Nicki: *confused*Saying hi to Gwen?

Gwen begins to walk over to Nicki and Milo; Milo slowly begins slipping down his seat.

Nicki: Hey, Gwen!

Gwen: *shy* Hi.

Milo nods his head but doesn’t say anything back to her. Gwen turns her head to face Nicki.

Gwen: Were you able to finish the piece for class today?

Nicki: I didn’t, but Milo was able to finish it before our practice yesterday.

Nicki nudges Milo with her elbow. He shoots her a deathly stare.

Nicki: Milo’s the best person to ask since you both are in the same section.

Gwen and Milo don’t say anything to each other; the late bell saves them the awkward conversation.

…

Milo runs toward the West Wing to the rehearsal rooms during his lunch period. He looks through every window of each rehearsal room until he sees Gwen in one of them. Milo tries to open the door, but it is locked. He wiggles the doorknob until Gwen pokes her head up, looking toward the window. She gets up from her seat and closes the curtain of the window. Milo starts to knock on the door to get Gwen’s attention. After a couple of minutes, the front door of the rehearsal room opens.

Gwen: What do you want, Milo?

Gwen walks away to go back to her seat; Milo stands near the doorway.

Milo: You still need help with the piece from band class?

Gwen: *scoffs* Now you care if I know the piece or not?

Milo: What does that mean?

Gwen: You acted like I was some ghost in band today when Nicki called me over.

Milo: You guys were having a conversation…

Gwen: *rolls eyes* I guess you were also being courteous on the night of your show, huh?

Milo is tongue-tied. Gwen shakes her head.

Gwen: You made me feel like I was some ghost friend to you or something…

Milo: *defensive* Dude, you didn’t mention that you came to the show because you were a friend of mine–

Gwen: ‘Dude’?

Milo doesn’t say anything back; it frustrates Gwen.

Gwen: Whatever, Milo. If you don’t mind, I am trying to learn the piece that apparently I should ask you about for help but considering that you are a jerk, I am going to get this piece right on my own–

Gwen sits back down in her seat and starts to play the piece; she begins to play the piece on a sharp note, which makes Milo cringe in place. Milo walks over to Gwen to make her stop.

Milo: Gwen, please–

Milo tries to take the violin from Gwen, but she refuses.

Gwen: Let go!

Milo: You’re not playing the note right!

They fight over the violin until Milo notices something back fall to the ground. He immediately jumps in fear, not knowing what it was. He looks up at Gwen with wide eyes. Gwen sits in her seat with short and thin looking blonde hair. Milo looks at the ground to see the black hair that was once on Gwen’s head was a wig. Gwen is horrified.

Milo: Gwen?

Gwen quickly grabs the black wig from the floor and puts it on her head. She grabs her things from the rehearsal room and runs out.

Milo: *runs out rehearsal room* Gwen!

Gwen is seen running down the long hallway; she doesn’t look back at Milo.

It was the lunch period of the freshman class of Waverly High. While everyone walks towards the end of the hall to go up to the lunchroom, Milo walks towards the West Wing where the rehearsal rooms are located. He looks through the window of each door before he finally sees Gwen in one of them with her violin. He knocks, which makes her jump up in place. She gets up to open the door.

Gwen: You nearly scared me to death looking through the window.

Milo: Sorry, I didn’t mean to!

The room goes silent for a moment. Awkward.

Gwen: So, what brings you here?

Milo: *nervous* Oh, uhm; I wanted to see if you wanted to rehearse during our lunch period; I figured you were in one of the rooms already.

Gwen: Oh… you don’t have to rehearse with me if you don’t want to. I know you probably would rather rehearse with your bandmates.

Milo: *confused* You are one of my bandmates though.

Gwen: I mean your extracurricular activities band…

The light bulb goes off in Milo’s head.

Milo: Oh! My band; we don’t rehearse during school hours. I actually wanted to rehearse for today’s class with you if that was okay… with you…

Gwen doesn’t say anything. She scoots over so that Milo can bring a music stand and chair next to her. He does just that without saying anything to her.

Gwen: Uhm, Milo?

Milo: Yeah?

Gwen points to Milo’s bookbag.

Gwen: You don’t have your violin case with you to practice.

Milo looks down and notice that Gwen is correct; he does not have his case with him.

Milo: Shit, I must’ve left it in my locker before going to class last period.

This made Gwen laugh. Milo sighed in relief.

Gwen: *puts violin away* I don’t want to rehearse with you just sitting here–

Milo: No, no! You could still rehearse if you wanted to–

Gwen: It’s fine–

The two teens go silent after talking over each other. Another awkward silence.

Milo: So…

Gwen: *giggles* Milo, it’s fine if you want to go to lunch–

Milo: Oh no, I don’t go to the lunchroom to eat lunch.

Gwen: You bring your own lunch?

Milo: I don’t eat lunch at all.

Gwen: *worried* Milo, you have to eat during the day!

Milo: I do eat!

Gwen: *crosses her arms* A bag of chips don’t count.

Milo nervously laughs; he’s been caught.

Milo: Fine, you got me; but I’m okay throughout the day–

Gwen reaches in her bookbag and pulls out a half of sandwich in a Ziploc bag. Milo looks down at it before looking back up at Gwen.

Gwen: Take it.

Milo: That’s your lunch though.

Gwen: I had half of it already.

Milo: But what if you get–

Gwen: *giggles* Milo, just take it.

Milo takes the Ziploc bag from Gwen and opens it up. He begins to quickly eat the sandwich; clearly hungry. He looks at Gwen, who is looking at him, destroying the sandwich.

Gwen: Not hungry, huh?

Milo adjusts himself as Gwen laughs. He looks at her, laughing shortly after. Before tossing the Ziploc bag out, he notices writing on it. He looks at it.

Milo: ‘Gwyneth’?

Gwen’s face turns red; hiding it with her hands.

Milo: *tries not to laugh* Wait, is your actual first name Gwyneth? Like Gwyneth Paltrow?

Gwen snatches the bag away from Milo, stuffing it in her book bag.

Milo: I mean, I’m not judging… it’s just…

Gwen: You’re like 2 seconds away from laughing, Milo!

Milo starts laughing, but immediately stops himself.

Milo: I didn’t expect that Gwen was actually short for Gwyneth. I thought your name was just Gwen.

Gwen: *sighs* If only my parents were simple like that. At least you’re just Milo…

Milo shakes his head.

Milo: If only my parents were simple. My dad is a native Filipino, and I’m an only child.

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

Milo: My birth name needs its own page on the Scantron; let’s just say that.

Gwen laughs. This makes her feel better.

Gwen: Wait, so what is your birth name?

Milo: I’d have to be six feet in my grave before telling you my full name. *laughs*

Gwen playfully rolls her eyes. Milo smiles, hard.

The bell rings, which means the two teens must pack up and go to their next class of the day.

Milo: I’m sorry if I distracted you from practicing during our lunch period.

Gwen: It’s alright. I didn’t mind just chatting.

Milo smiles before getting up towards the exit of the rehearsal room. He turns around one last time.

Milo: You should come to my band’s show this Friday!

Gwen: *off-guard* What?

Milo: It’ll be fun! Of course if you’re not busy.

Gwen: You don’t have to invite me; it’s alright–

Milo: Gwen.

Gwen doesn’t say anything back. She waits for Milo to speak again.

Milo: I’ll send you the address on AIM, okay?

Gwen: Okay.

Milo smiles and the warning bell rings in the hallway.

Milo: *teases* I’ll see you in band, Gwyneth.

Milo laughs as Gwen nudges him in the shoulder. Milo walks out of the rehearsal room afterwards.

Jennifer walks into the house, leaving her bookbag right on the ground next to the front door. She walks toward the kitchen, starving and wanting to eat dinner for the night. Upon entering the kitchen, she’s taken back at who she sees in the kitchen.

Justin, her once-estranged dad, looks up from the stove and smiles at Jennifer.

Justin: Hey, Jennifer.

Jennifer doesn’t say anything, she turns around and walks away from the kitchen. Before she is able to go upstairs, her mom, Lydia, is seen coming downstairs.

Lydia: Hi, Peppy.

Jennifer: What’s he doing here?

Lydia: He’s making us dinner tonight.

Jennifer: *annoyed* Is this is why you called me to come home early from practice today?

Lydia: *defensive* No, I called you to remind you that you needed to come home early from your practice today; I told you few days also.

Jennifer: Well then I’m going to Milo’s–

Lydia stops her daughter from going up the stairs further.

Lydia: We ae having dinner tonight as a family.

Jennifer: *scoffs* Family? What is this, the 1960’s?

Lydia: Pep, I know this isn’t something that you’re looking forward to doing, but he is your father.

Jennifer: He decided to finally be one after disappearing for 11 years?

Lydia: *stern* Pep.

Jennifer rolls her eyes and begins to walk down the stairs; her mom follows her. Once the mother-daughter-duo walks into the living room area, Maryette is seen walking in from school.

Lydia: *to Maryette* Make sure you wash up before you come down for dinner, sweetie.

Maryette: I never have to wash up before dinner though–

Jennifer: Because you-know-who is in the kitchen…

Maryette: *confused* Who?

Jennifer rolls her eyes nd walks away from her mom and sister. She enters the kitchen, taking her seat at the table and flips open her cellphone. Justin turns around to look at her before continuing to prepare dinner.

Justin: I’m, uhm, making sopita tonight. You like soup?

Jennifer: I guess.

Justin nods his head, getting the hint. Jennifer looks up from her phone and at Justin; watching him cook. She rolls her eyes and looks back down on her phone.

…

The Castro family sit at the small kitchen table having dinner together. Lydia and Justin sit at one side of the table while Jennifer and Maryette sit on the other side.

Maryette: *mid conversation* So Niko and I had our poster board displayed at the Science Fair today!

Lydia: That must’ve been exciting for you guys. What did you guys have to do at the fair?

Maryette: All we did was sit by our project and only got up when the judges came by to see it. Other than that, we didn’t have to go back to class or anything!

Lydia smiles t her youngest daughter. Jennifer, playing with the food on her plate, doesn’t ay any attention.

Lydia: *to Jennifer* How about you, Pep? How was your day at school?

Jennifer: It was fine.

An awkward silence fills the room for a moment. Lydia coughs, creating noise to break the tension.

Lydia: Did you find out what day the winter showcase is so that we can go?

Jennifer looks around at the table.

Jennifer: Since when is Mars interested in seeing one of my school shows?

Maryette: *intervenes* I’m not–

Lydia: *points at Justin* I meant us, Pep.

Jennifer looks at Justin. His ears turn red, trying to play off the awkward feeling of the room.

Justin: *to Lydia; whispers* It’s okay, Lyd.

Jennifer: *intervenes* Good.

Justin looks up at Jennifer; he readjusts his seat to face forward at the table.

Justin: Is your show for dance?

Jennifer: No.

Justin: Do you not dance anymore?

Lydia: *adds* She sings at her school…

Justin: *shocked* Sing? I didn’t know you could sing, Pep–

Pep gets up from her seat at the kitchen table, fed up.

Jennifer: Maybe if you were in our lives for the past 11 years, you would know that I, in fact, do sing and dance!

Lydia: *stern* Jennifer Ann!

Jennifer: If you were in our lives for the past 11 years, you would’ve been at every showcase and every recital and you wouldn’t be asking me these stupid fucking questions!

Lydia: Jennifer that is enough!

Jennifer walks away from the table and towards the living room. Lydia gets up and follows.

Lydia: Jennifer? Jennifer?

Jennifer grabs her coat from the rack and picks up her bookbag from the floor.

Lydia: Jennifer-

Jennifer: I’m staying over Milo’s.

Lydia: No, you’re not. It’s a school night and we have company.

Jennifer: *turns around* I don’t care, Mom! I don’t care about this dinner, and I don’t care that you’re dating him again! It’s your life, do whatever the hell you want with it-

Lydia: He’s your father, Pep-

Jennifer: No he is not! If he was really my dad, we wouldn’t have left us! Mars doesn’t even know who the hell he is because she wasn’t old enough to remember him! But I was, and because I was old enough, I am not calling him my dad. He is just another guy you’re dating in my eyes.

Jennifer opens the front door to leave.

Lydia: If you leave, you will be grounded for two weeks.

Jennifer: Ground me then, since all you care about is creating this perfect image of us to a man that left us when we needed him the most! *voice cracks* I needed him the most, mom!

Shortly after, Justin walks into the living room, standing next to Lydia. Before he could say anything to her, she turns around and exits through the front door, slamming it behind her.

In a studio in Brooklyn, Jennifer, Nicki, and Danny sit around as if they were waiting for something… or someone. Jennifer sighs, finally getting up from her seat, annoyed.

Jennifer: *to Nicki* Did he message you back?

Nicki: I keep getting his away message…

Jennifer sighs, sitting back down in her seat.

Jennifer: I’m so sorry, Andie; our guitarist is usually always on time for rehearsal.

Andie, the sound engineer, nods his head and looks back to his computer. Moments later, the studio door opens and in walks Milo.

Jennifer: Dude! Where the hell were you?!

Milo: *out of breath* Sorry, I was traveling from the city.

Nicki: But school ended 2 hours ago.

Milo drops his bookbag on the ground, followed with two instrument cases. Jennifer notices.

Jennifer: Why do you have your violin with you?

Milo: *to Jennifer* Dude, what’s with all these damn questions?

Jennifer: Because you’re an hour late to the only studio time we have, mind you recording this was your idea.

Milo: I had practice for band, so chill out.

Nicki: *chimes in* We had an after school band practice?!

Milo: No, I just did…

Milo walks into the booth with his guitar which prompts the rest of the band to enter as well. Andie begins to set up the recording equipment together. In the booth, Jennifer turns to Milo, still pretty pissed.

Jennifer: You know a simple message on AIM would’ve been fine.

Milo: I’m sorry, Pep; I lost track of time-

Jennifer: You made me look like an ass in front of my cousin’s boyfriend. Like, what if he goes back to Beatrice and is like ‘your cousin is so unprofessional’…

Milo: *annoyed* For fuck’s sake, we’re in some small studio space in Downtown Brooklyn, not in Los Angeles with a celebrity!

Jennifer: That doesn’t change the fact that you embarrassed me. dude!

Before the teens can continue, a voice is heard through the intercom.

Andie: Uhm, guys… the mics are on… whenever you’re ready…

Jennifer’s face immediately turns red. She faces forwarded in front of the microphone. The rest of the band gets ready o start recording the demo of their first single.

…

Andie: Alright guys, that was awesome. Take 5 an we’ll get some adlibs in there.

The band takes off their headphones and takes a breather; Milo puts down his guitar and takes a deep breath.

Danny: Hey, Milo?

Milo: *looks up* Yeah?

Danny: Do you think we can talk?

Milo: *annoyed* About what?

Danny: Nothing serious, just about the direction of the song. I think it would be dope if the bass line went over the lead in that one part where Pep’s–

Milo: *corrects* Jennifer.

Danny: Uhm… yeah. Where Jennifer is singing the bridge all low and sultry–

Milo: I don’t think that’ll sound good; it’ll be too heavy and inaudible–

Danny: We can’t at least try it out?

Milo turns around, finally facing Danny.

Milo: No offense, but you really don’t have composition rights over a song you had no part in writing, or putting together.

Danny: It’s just a suggestion, Milo.

At this point, the girls overhear the conversation; in true Jennifer fashion, she investigates.

Jennifer: What’s going on?

Milo: *dismissive* Nothing.

Danny: I just had a suggestion, but its fine.

Jennifer: What is it?

Milo: *annoyed* Pep.

Jennifer: *to Danny* We’re always looking for new ways to revamp our songs–

Milo: Since when?

Jennifer: *defensive* Since we decided to record demos for these songs. *to Danny* What was your suggestion?

Danny looked shy, not knowing what to do. Milo rolled his eyes. Nicki walks to Danny, looking up at him.

Nicki: *softly* It’s kay to share.

Danny: I had suggested that the bass and lead should switch in tone to let the vocals shine through in the bridge leading up to the final chorus.

The girls cock up their eyebrows.

Jennifer: That’s not a bad idea–

Nicki: It’ll make the piece more sultry.

Milo huffed, annoyed. He walks out of the booth to gather his thoughts. Jennifer shook her head, annoyed at Milo’s behavior. Spontaneously, she hits the button to the microphone in the booth.

Jennifer: People who are late to their own band’s recording session can’t turn down suggestions.

Milo gets up from his seat and walks over to Andie, pressing the button to the intercom.

Milo: If it’s my band, then the person that created the band does have ultimate say in how the song that he wrote goes.

Jennifer: It’s our band, and again; maybe if you cared about making it to your band’s rehearsals on time, we would actually take you a little more seriously.

Milo: *argues* I literally had band practice for school after our vocal class; at least you get to leave after your major class at the end!

Jennifer: Nobody gives a shit that you’re a dual major, dude!

Nicki ultimately moves Jennifer from the microphone; she’s had enough of the back and forth between her two friends.

Nicki: *yells* That’s enough! For once can you two just get along at a rehearsal?! I’m sick and tired of you two constantly fighting over the stupidest things! *to Milo* It doesn’t hurt to try suggestions, especially if those suggestions come from someone within our band! If you two don’t get your shit together, there’s not going to be a band anymore!

Nicki storms out of the booth and out of the studio space. Danny goes after her. Milo’s face softens as he watches Danny go and check on Nicki. His face immediately hardens once he hears Jennifer, sighing as she walks out of the recording booth.

Jennifer: Sorry, Andie…

Andie: It’s fine, I’ll be outside the room when you guys are ready to wrap up; I have to go to a doctor’s appointment with Beatrice in about an hour.

The teens don’t say anything back; Andie closes the door behind him, leaving Milo and Jennifer in the space on their own.

Milo: *sighs* Why are you always getting on my case about the smallest things?

Jennifer: Because you always get on mine.

The two teens sit in silence until Jennifer sighs.

Jennifer: I’m sorry. Can we just make things simple for us? We both got tons of shit on our plates and we should really just… start to be best friends with each other.

Milo: I would like that.

Jennifer smiles at Milo, in which he returns the smile back to her. His cellphone is seen in the side pocket of his backpack vibrating with the screen lit.

The last school bell of the day rings, and Milo runs out of the vocal classroom. He runs up the stairs and heads towards the exit doors of the school. He looks back, hoping his friends are not behind him, looking to see where he went. He walks further and further away from the exit, ultimately deciding to hang out behind a tree. Milo takes out his Sidekick cell phone from his pocket and flips it open to check AIM. He doesn’t see Gwen online. He looks around the area one more time to see if he sees Gwen. Suddenly, his cell phone buzzes off.

Gwen: What’s your ETA?

Milo scrunches his nose, confused in Gwen’s choice of words.

Milo: uhm… now? i’m behind the tree out front.

Milo looks up from his phone once he sends the message. He sees Gwen exiting the school, looking around for Milo. Milo comes out from under the tree and waves his hand.

Milo: *waves* Gwen!

Gwen notices Milo and begins to walk in his direction. She’s carrying her violin case on one shoulder, and her backpack on the other. She finally reaches up to Milo, in which she immediately drops her bag on the grass.

Gwen: Why are you behind this tree?

Milo: *nervous* I didn’t want to get in the way with everyone coming out of class.

Gwen nods her head, ultimately believing in Milo’s story. Milo quickly clears his throat.

Milo: So, you want to rehearse in one of the rehearsal studios downtown?

Gwen: There’s studios we can go to?

Milo nods.

Milo: They’re free for Waverly students; how do you think we all get our work done?

Gwen: *laughs* I guess you got me there.

Milo smiles as he and Gwen continue to walk down the street, towards the bus stop.

Gwen: Do you live around here?

Milo: Oh, no. I live in Brooklyn.

Gwen: *shocked* You travel all the way from Brooklyn to go to school? Why not go to a school closer to where you live?

Milo and Gwen stop in front of the bus stop, standing near the sign.

Milo: Because it’s Waverly High, the top school of performing arts between the 5 boroughs. Do you live near the school?

Gwen: Sort of. I live near the Brooklyn Bridge.

Milo: *teases* Why not go to a school closer to where you live?

Gwen: *deadpans* Ha ha. *teases back* Because it’s Waverly High, the top school of performing arts between the 5 boroughs.

Milo laughs out loud, surprised that Gwen was witty and funny like this.

Milo: Was Waverly your first choice?

Gwen: Actually, it was a STEM school in Midtown. I wanted to study biochemistry, but the placement exam was nearly impossible to pass.

Milo: Now that’s saying a lot since you’re, like, a genius in Biology.

The bus finally reaches the bus stop, in which Milo lets Gwen get on the bus first. Once they board the bus, it drives towards uptown.

Shortly after, Milo and Gwen get off of the bus and walk down the street. Gwen breaks the ice.

Gwen: How did you get into the dual major program?

Milo looks at her, thinking about what to say. They make it to the studio space before Milo gets the chance to answer Gwen back. Both teens enter the lobby of the space; Milo walks directly to the front desk.

Front Desk Man: Nice seeing you again, Milo.

Milo gives a hand pound to the front desk man.

Milo: Another month, another assignment to practice for.

The front desk man laughs and looks over at Gwen. Milo looks at him, then to Gwen.

Milo: This is Gwen, one of my bandmates.

Front desk man: Oh! *to Gwen* Are you new to the band?

Gwen looks at the man, confused. Milo clears his throat before speaking.

Milo: Oh, my band class in school.

The front desk man nods his head, now understanding. He hands Milo one of the passes to a rehearsal studio room.

Front desk man: Have a good rehearsal, you two.

The two teens thank the front desk man and walk away, towards their studio room for the afternoon. Milo opens the door and lets Gwen walk into the space first; he then follows behind her.

Gwen: It seems like you’re well known in this place.

Milo: *shy* Yeah… I really only practice in this space.

As Milo begins to set up, Gwen stands there, watching him.

Gwen: Are you also in a band?

Milo: Yeah, band class–

Gwen: *crosses her arms* I meant an extracurricular activity band.

Milo: Oh! Uhm… I am.

Gwen’s eyebrows cock up, surprised.

Gwen: That sounds exciting. Do you do both vocal and guitar playing?

Milo: Just lead guitar. We have a lead singer, a bassist, and a drummer.

Milo places a seat and music stand in front of Gwen before returning to where his case is. He sits down and looks at Gwen.

Milo: We have a show next weekend if you want to come and see us perform.

Gwen doesn’t say anything back; instead, she takes her violin out of her case, followed by her music. Milo begins to do the same.

Milo: *clears throat* So, what piece are you having difficult with?

Gwen: The Bellisima No. 27 in C Minor…

Milo flips through his sheet music, then looks at Gwen’s sheet music.

Milo: So this piece just starts off with a little vibration from the bow…

Milo buts his bow against his violin and plays the starting note. Gwen listens on.

Milo: The placement of your fingers matter when you play that first note because it’s in the minor key.

Milo places Gwen’s fingers on the correct string on her violin; Gwen watches on, but nothing is said afterwards/ Milo immediately takes his hand away, showing Gwen where to place her fingers by demonstrating on his violin.

Milo: Like this.

Gwen plays the starting note, which Milo nods excitingly.

Milo: Exactly!

Gwen smiles and continues to play the piece. Milo watches on, correcting her if she makes any mistakes while playing it. To Milo’s surprise, she plays the rest of the piece without any hiccups. Once Gwen is finished, Milo claps his hands.

Milo: That was great! It didn’t seem like you had any trouble with this piece.

Gwen: *shy* Thanks… It’s really that first note that messes me up, and I would hate to be that sour note in the class that doesn’t catch on with everyone else, y’know?

Milo: I understand. *smiles* You’re still pretty good though, probably one of the best in our section.

Gwen: No, that title is yours.

Milo blushes, he’s caught off-guard with Gwen’s compliment.

Milo: Thanks.

Nothing is said between them, the only sound in the room is Milo’s ringtone going off every two seconds. Milo grabs his phone from his bag and flips it open.

Pep: What’s your ETA, dude? Band practice started like 20 minutes ago.

Milo: *under his breath* Fuck.

Milo begins to frantically pack his stuff; Gwen looks at him, confused.

Gwen: Is everything okay?

Milo: Uhm, yeah… I just lost track of time and have to get going…

Gwen: Oh… okay…

Milo packs his stuff and puts his bookbag on, running towards the door.

Milo: *shouts* I’ll see you in school!

Closing the door behind him, Gwen stands in the middle of the room. The smile she once had on her face has vanished.