caller • mattia polibio

025.

Laura and Claudia had been on the phone for hours.
Discussing every detail of Mattia asking her out, sometimes Laura making her repeat it another time just because the story was so surreal, Claudia was living her own fairytale.

"What will you do about your dad?" Laura asked the million dollar question "you know you can't keep it from him forever"

She was right. She was going to have to tell her dad, he was strict when it came to things such as boys, parties and just about anything that came between Claudia and a bright future. Nevertheless she had hope, maybe he'd like Mattia: extra points for being Italian himself. She didn't want to worry now, in this moment she was happy, content with the way life was for her, she was going to keep it that way for as long as possible.

"I wish Mom was here, she would've loved him." Claudia said.

"I'm sure she's approving up above Claud, Tio too."

The called ended not long after, tomorrow was Friday, meaning that school was still not over and she had a shift in the evening, of which she didn't want to be tired for. She showered, prepared her bed, picked out tomorrow's outfit and placed her phone on charge. Whilst in the shower, Mattia had left her a couple texts.

tia❤️
you're perfect.

tia❤️
i'm so lucky to call you
mine🥺

claudia
you're cute tia <3
goodnight x

——————

Claudia rested her head against the desk, exhausted.
Despite what she thought was a decent nights' sleep, she could barely keep her eyes open, yawning endlessly. School work lay out on the table, homework she wanted to just get out of the way. Since the conversation with Laura she wanted to show her Dad that she was working hard, if he thinks she's slacking then bye bye Mattia.

She finished up the final pieces of her Maths work as she snacked on breadsticks, her dad brought in a coffee too, after sending one of the waitresses to the local shop for Soya Milk. Claudia's father was slowly returning to his normal self, focusing again on his daughter and work, in the air you could sense that stress and tension was drifting away. He cared a lot for his family and now Claudia was all he had left.

Packing away her finished work as the time approached 7 o'clock, she wondered which pizza they'd pick today and how in just three more hours she can go and be with her friends and, now, her boyfriend. Oh how it was crazy to be able to call him that. She pulled out her phone to send him a text, checking in, missing him a little already. However by chance, the phone rang in the middle of her actions.

"Amores Italian Restaurant, can I take your order?"

"Hey beautiful, can I get two large mozzarella pizzas?"

"Kairi's pick tonight huh?" She giggled. "Save your appetite and I'll bring a pepperoni pizza"

"I do appreciate you. I can't wait to see you later."

"Missing me that much?"

"One hundred percent."

"Well that's $24.99 and a bottle of Coca-cola. See you soon"

Claudia just wished to be off her shift and once again in his arms.