Yes, it's been 3 years since the Milo finale, the episode that broke the hearts of all us Milolissa shippers. I know, I know...I've gone into quarantine from anything Milo Murphy's Law related since - but I can't go running away anymore. I need to pick up this story, finish this arc so I can give you guys the payoff you've waited for. With that said, here we go...
We pick things up June 17, 2016 - the day after the last day of Milo, Melissa and Zack's 7th grade year. This time next year, the Murphy trio will be preparing to enter Danville High School. The week before, the entire JCMS student body had gathered to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins claim their 4th Stanley Cup by beating the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. That Sunday, they were to gather again for a watch party for Game 7 of the NBA Finals as Lebron James' Cleveland Cavaliers looked to complete a historic comeback against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
For Milo Murphy, however, he wasn't looking forward to either the watch party or the summer. Sure, on the outside things looked okay. But on the inside, Milo was a totally different person. He may have finally gotten his crush, Amanda Lopez; but he was slowly starting to realize that what he wanted wasn't really what he wanted to begin with.
The only one who knew it was his sister Sara. Though she was 2 years older than the jinx of Danville, Sara's been one of the few constants of Milo's life. She has been a guiding emotional compass to Milo throughout his life and always tried to point him in the right direction. If ever there was a time for Sara to be that compass, it would be right now.
For the past 3 months, ever since Milo and friends had returned from Octalia, Milo hadn't felt like himself. Sara didn't notice it at first, but Milo had slowly been going downhill in terms of his demeanor. When they dug deeper just after Spring started, that's when they got to the root of the problem - it was Zack and Melissa's budding relationship bringing Milo down. Milo was developing a fear of not having Melissa around as much as he's used to.
"Milo, you in here?" Sara asked, walking into her brother's room.
"Door's already open...and you're already in..."
"Milo, you haven't come out of your room much at all. What's going on?"
Milo sighed as his sister sat next to him. "I just miss Melissa. Strike that...I don't just miss her...I love her..."
Sara put a hand on her brother's shoulder. "I always knew this day would come."
"What do you mean, Sara?"
"I mean, I always knew you had a thing for Melissa. Can't believe it took you this long to admit it."
"I didn't want to admit it...I was afraid I'd wreck what I already have with her. But now...I admit it...I'm truly in love with Melissa Sabrina Chase, my best friend..."
All Sara could do was smile. "I figured as much. But the both of you are with different people - you've got Amanda and Melissa's got Zack...what are you gonna do?"
"I don't know, Sara. I really don't know..."
"You still gonna go to that NBA Finals watch party?" Sara asked.
Milo perked up somewhat. "It's not every day a team comes back from a 3-1 hole to force a Game 7. Of course I'm going, Sara!" the jinx said as Melissa and Zack passed by, hand in hand.
"Especially if it means looking at...that..."
"Milo, cool it. Things always seem to turn your way, don't they?"
"Yeah...usually within 11-44 minutes," Milo remarked. "This might take longer than that, Sara. Now I gotta see if I can find that retro Tim Hardaway jersey Grandpa and Grandma Murphy got me for Christmas. Maybe I can wear that Sunday to jinx the Warriors..."
"That's my little brother!"
Sure enough, Milo did end up finding his retro Tim Hardaway Warriors jersey and that Sunday, the jinx worked to perfection as the Cavaliers completed the comeback with a 93-89 win in Game 7, making Cleveland a city of champions again, finally fulfilling Lebron's decade old promise to bring a title to Cleveland.
July 4th came quickly and so did one of Milo and Melissa's favorite summer traditions - the July 4th fireworks along Danville Harbor. Danville put on a big festival to celebrate the birth of America - games, rides, music and one of the nation's biggest fireworks displays. It was an all-day affair for both Milo and Melissa, and far be it from Zack and Amanda to mess that up.
As night fell, Milo and Melissa sat on one of the park benches snuggled up to each other awaiting the fireworks.
"Melissa..."
"Yeah, Milo?"
"Ever feel like you're at a bit of a crossroads?" Milo asked as the first fireworks burst into the sky.
Melissa raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean, Milo?"
"I mean that I may have Amanda now and that I know I've been crushing on her awhile, but I don't know if she's who I really want to be with..."
Melissa placed her hand on Milo's. "Milo, I hear ya. I've been feeling the same way since Octalia. Yes, I did peck Zack on the cheek, but I'm in the same boat as you. I don't know if he's who I want to be with."
As the fireworks went off, Milo looked into Melissa's sparkling blue eyes. "Hey, Melissa...you think we would ever...take that next step?"
"As boyfriend and girlfriend?" Melissa finished for Milo. "Who knows? It could happen..." the ginger teased. "Say it were to happen and we were to become boyfriend/girlfriend..."
Milo smiled and looked towards his closest friend. "I wouldn't object to that. In fact, I would embrace the idea of dating you. I just wish things had turned out differently...that we were boyfriend/girlfriend right now..."
"Me too, Milo. Give it time, though. Maybe when we hit our high school years, we may realize who we really want has been with us the whole time. And just think...we're just a year away from hitting Danville High!"
Milo sighs "I guess...but what if it doesn't work out? What if we never end up together?"
"Now don't go saying that, Milo. It'll work out...it's going to work out...trust me..."
"I sure hope so...I can't imagine my life without you, Melissa..."
"And I couldn't imagine my life without you, Milo..."
The duo embraced as the last of the fireworks burst into the sky and out of sight. All through the rest of the summer, Melissa would end up in a whirlwind of emotions, all having her ask the same questions - 'Is Zack really the one I want to end up with? Am I really in love with my best friend Milo?'
Same would go for Milo. Sure, his dates with Amanda were fun, Murphy's law considered...but he was at a crossroads. All through that summer, he was thinking 'Am I in love with my best friend? Am I in love with Melissa?'
All of that would come to a head come the first day of 8th grade on September 8, 2016 when a familiar face would come to JCMS. A face from Zack's past would return - a cute blonde cowgirl about the same age as Milo, Melissa, Zack and Amanda...
"Hey there Boy Band, Danger Zone, Queen and Magenta!"
Zack recognized that Southern drawl instantly. "Jackie? Is that really you?"
"You got it, Boy Band! Calamity Jackie Cartwright at Jefferson County Middle School!"
Calamity Jackie is back! This is gonna throw Zack for a loop! The Milanda/Zalissa arcs will come to a head next chapter so stay tuned! Remember...
IT'S MILO'S WORLD AND WE'RE ALL LIVING IN IT!