Pizza-line Bling

Margherita Pizza

*Drake's P.O.V.*

"How did you know it was me who gave her your number?!" Abi squealed through the phone, literally hurting my eardrum.

As you may have understood, I was on the phone with none other than Abi; the girl who – without me knowing – gave my number to Leslie. Not that I bothered, but anyway...

"I saw you talking to her, you doofus," I laughed at her failed attempt to go behind my back. "I may be an idiot, but I'm not stupid."

"Did you just quote iCarly?" I heard her gasp, followed by a hysterical laughter.

"Oh, shut it. As if you never do that," I sighed and scratched the bag of my head. Opening my closet, a creaking noise was heard.

Just don't brake apart again, I mentally warned it.

It's been hard for my family to maintain our apartment as it should be since the day my dad left for the military twelve years ago. My mum along with my grandma have been trying their best to provide me with anything I need, but the little income from my mum's job is just not enough for all of us. That's why I chose to work this summer. I felt like it was my responsibility to help her.

"Earth to Drake! I've been talking to you for two minutes," Abi shouted through the phone, breaking me out of my trance. "What are you even doing?"

"I'm just getting ready," I shrugged, even though I knew she couldn't see me. "I'm taking Leslie out for ice cream," I smiled to myself.

Grabbing a pair of dark blue jeans out of my ready-to-fall-apart closet, I listened to my new friend as she spoke again.

"Aw! You're taking her out?! That's so sweet of y- Oh, hey Spencer."

I put my jeans over my shoulder and opened a drawer to find myself a decent-looking shirt.

"You can't be serious right now!" Abi screamed in my ear angrily.

"I didn't say anything?" I said, coming out more like a question.

"Not you. Spencer," she spat out. "He wants you to come here immediately."

"What do you mean?" I asked her confused. The pizzeria wouldn't open until noon and it was still nine in the morning. Only Abi should be there and the people who clean up the place.

"He said that as you need more money, you can come every morning and clean up along with the others. He will make sure to double your payment."

"I'm coming," I hung up.

Call me an idiot, but I'm not wasting this opportunity. I know that canceling on Leslie is rude and stupid, but I need the money.

Texting Leslie a short message, I made my way to the living room to inform my grandma about the change of plans.

"Hey, ma," I greeted her, sitting down next to her on the couch. "I'll be out until noon. Will you be alright?" I asked, kissing the back of her hand.

"Ah, of course I will. Don't worry about me, hun. Go have fun with that sweet girl of yours," she attempted winking at me.

"Actually..." I mumbled. "I'm going to work. They promised to pay me more if I go every morning and clean up."

My grandma looked at me with wide eyes. Soon, her surprised face turned into an angry one. More like furious if you ask me.

"Are you really dumping a girl for your job? Are you crazy, Drake?!" she slapped my thigh.

"We need that money, nan. I wanted to help and I will, okay?" I held my hands up in surrender.

"Just don't go and destroy your love and social life for a stupid amount of money, alright? Without money, believe me, you can live. Without a partner, though... Things can get hard through the years," she teared up.

Having lost her husband many years ago, I trust her when she says that being alone is not easy.

"What do you think I should do?" I looked at her straight in her deep green eyes.

"Don't ask me. Ask your heart," she tapped my chest slightly. "Use your brain, dammit," she chuckled.

"Dammit? Since when do you say dammit?"

"Jesus, just go and do what I told you to! Use your brain and don't get mixed up," she shook her head.

What on earth does she want me to do?

I slowly stood up and walked towards the front door. I was putting on my shoes and changing into a T-shirt with the pizzeria's logo, when an idea came to me. I quickly span around and looked at my grandma. She looked back at me and nodded her head – what I felt as – proudly.

Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I texted my partner in crime, Abi.

Me: Get Spencer out of the place. I have an idea!