Never Truly Lost |L.H.|

3: "I'll throw a fucking box in her face."

I get to work, walking into the back and seeing Michael put a few pizzas in the oven.

"You're a snail, Hemmings. Well, you're car is anyway." He laughs.

"Shut up, Clifford." I scoff.

"You need to work on your comebacks, mate."

"Whatever. How busy are we tonight?" I ask.

"We've only got this one order so far, and they're picking it up, so you can chill for a bit. Maybe get some dough prepped?"

"Okay." I say, hanging my things up and heading over to the sink to wash up.

"So what's new?" Michael asks, leaning on the counter next to me.

"I finally dumped Nicole." I say with a smile.

"It's about time! I was tired of her coming in here to yell at you." He says, wiping the flour off his hands and onto his black apron, making smeared handprints. "Always on the busiest nights, too. It's bad for business. I banned from the premises her yesterday when she came in to yell at you and you weren't here."

"I have a feeling she might try to do that a few more times. She demanded that I stay her boyfriend."

"Well, next time she comes in, I don't care if it's just for pizza, I'll throw a fucking box at her face."

"Don't worry about her ordering pizza. She's too much of a clone to eat anything with carbs, fat, sodium or sugar." I laugh, and get started prepping pizza dough. Michael and I talk more as we make pizza for customers. It felt busy, even if there were only 5 orders tonight when there's usually 15.

***

I punch out of work at 8:00pm, when my shift ends. Today was easy since nobody chose for their pizza to be delivered.

"Luke, as your co-worker and friend, I suggest you save up money for a better car." Michael says as we stand outside, Michael locking up the place.

"I wish I could, man. But John keeps stealing my money." I joke.

"Well, work on it. The boss will kill you if you're late again."

"okay, I'll work on it. See ya."

"See ya."

I walk to my car and start it. It has a little trouble every time. It has to be at least 20 years old. I back up and proceed onto the road, waving to Michael as he gets into his car.

It's been several minutes on the road and I pass the house Julee and her friend we hanging out at. I glance and I see open curtains, spotting them dancing around. It puts a smile on my face that she didn't let the words Nicole said get to her.

I get home, and I park in the garage. As I walk through the door, I'm ambushed my mom. "Luke, where have you been? You're shift ended at 7!" She asked, concerned.

"Don't worry, mom, I was forced to work late by the boss again." I reply. She calms down slightly.

"Well, I'll have to call him and complain about him over-working my baby!" she says, hugging me tight and kissing my cheek. "By the way, Nicole came by. She was crying and was looking for you. I remembered you were at work, but I told her you were too busy to talk since you haven't been wanting to talk to her lately. What happened between the two of you?"

"Nothing. Just a little argument." I assure.

"I see. Well, maybe you'll get past it. Now, why don't you go upstairs and change and I'll have a plate of food for you?"

"alright." I say giving her a peck on the cheek and hustling up the staircase.