Pizza-line Bling

Loaded Meatlovers Pizza

*Leslie's P.O.V.*

Having a relationship – even though I don't know if I should call it that – during summertime is great. No distractions, no responsibilities... All you do is go out, do things together and text without it affecting your concentration on studying. Sure, Drake had to work, but after his shift is over he's free to do whatever.

Today I had planned a planning meeting with Mia.

Yes, you can do that.

We want to make sure we can do as much as possible during summer because our parents made us promise that our gap year would only be about our studies and visiting universities.

"Can't we do that over brunch? I don't want to stay inside!" Mia whined. "It's so hot in here too, let's go to the beach!" She suggested.

"Miaa!" I cried when it hit me. "Yes! To the beach!"

How did I forget about that? I mean, it was the greatest perk of living at a coastal town.

"Do you want me to lend you a bikini?" I asked and then spotted the bright blue strap under her sundress. "Nevermind, wait here, okay? I'll be down in ten."

As I was running to my room I heard the front door open. I guess she'll have my mum's company now.

It didn't take me long to put on my pink and red one-piece on. Honestly, I hated this colour combination. I only liked it on this swimsuit and Taylor Swift's Grammy Awards two-piece. Fine, that was orange, but it still looked red in the pictures.

I grabbed my sunscreen, my sunglasses and flip flops and skipped back to where I had left my best friend.

"I don't know if she'll agree though, he's having diffic-" was all I heard before Mia cut herself from saying more. "There she is, my dearest friend," she came over and hugged me, her still wet from the sunscreen skin sticking to mine.

"I'm not buying it, spill," I ordered my mum.

She scratched her head and picked up her groceries. "Mia will tell you soon, now go and have fun," she came to my side and kissed my cheek.

● ● ●

"But I'm too ashamed to sunbathe in the front row, why can't we sit at the back?" I pulled on Mia's dress to keep her from walking further.

"Leslie, shut up, there are empty sunbeds at the front and we're getting them. Regardless, more people can see you on the back row. Think about the ones passing by. Now," she took my hand, "come!" She made me run, which only happens in special occasions, and we reached the empty sunbeds at the same time as another group of friends did. Mia glared at me before plastering on a smile and turning to the guys.

"I'm sorry, can we have these two? We are two anyways, I'm sure you want to sit all together," she pointed at the fact that there were four of them.

The only girl of the group shrugged. "It's fine, everyone keeps staring anyway," she put her beach bag on a back row sunbed, "I just want to enjoy the sea."

"Me too," I whined.

"Shut up and sit down."

"Feisty," I heard one of the guys comment and the rest of them chuckle.

"You don't wanna know," I whispered under my breath.

Once we settled down and after I had put on sunscreen on mostly every part of my body, I wanted to find out what Mia and my mum were talking about. "So, about your conversation with my mum-"

"Later!" She sang.

"Wait! At least help me with the sunscreen," I tried stopping her without any luck.

I guess I have to do it myself.

I put some of the white liquid on my right hand and slapped it on my left shoulder. I spread it as much as I could and repeated for my other side. At least my upper back won't get burnt.

"Do you want help with that?" Someone asked from behind me.

I thought about it for a second when the girl from before spoke up. "Don't worry, he's my boyfriend," I turned to look at her. She was putting sunscreen on the other too. "I wouldn't let the dogs near you," she laughed.

I thanked her and let her boyfriend apply the heavenly cold spray to my back. Not long afterwards I run and dove into the water. If it were any other day I would have stayed in the shallow area for at least half an hour, make myself familiar with the coldness of the sea, but now I wanted to know. I wanted to find out what Mia was telling to my mum. What wouldn't I agree to? And who is he who's having difficulties? Was she talking about Drake?

I dove into the water and once I was deep enough, I grabbed Mia's leg and pulled her down with me. I knew I caught her by surprise, but she deserved it.

"That was mean," she coughed as soon as we got to the surface and breathed for air.

"So is keeping secrets from your best friend," I challenged.

"If you killed me you'd ever find out," I glared at her. "Fine," she laid on her back to fix her hair. "Your mum's next trip is to Italy and she invited me to come with you, but I wasn't sure if you would want to go. You know, with whatever is going on in Drake's life."

Hmm...

"You were right," I run my hand through my wet curls, "I don't know if I want to go – I mean, I'd love to," I sighed, "I just don't know if I should."

Mia nodded. "Talk to your mum. She mentioned something about touring with an architect, I'm not sure... And then talk to Drake," she scratched her nose, "I'm not saying he has to give you permission or anything, but if you want a relationship with him you should include him while making decisions."

"You're right. Again." I can't just leave him here alone, especially after promising his grandma to keep him calm and safe.

"Do you want to go on a double date with us? I have to tell Justin anyway," she shrugged and motioned for me to start swimming towards the shore.

"Won't it seem like I'm using you as a lifesaver?"

"Aren't you, though?" Mia smirked.

"You're an idiot," I splashed a wave of water all over her.

"Right back at you," she laughed and we continued our water battle. The sun was blasting and the water felt relieving especially on our heads. We were earning a few angry glares from some old ladies swimming with their grandkids, but I didn't care. I was with my best friend and I was happy.

I was happy.