Pizza-line Bling

Desserts

*Leslie's P.O.V.*

Italy is freaking magical, I swear. The sights, the people, the food. It's only been a day going around and appreciating the wonder of it all, but I'm already feeling attached.

We ended up renting bikes and exploring the city. At first we made our wishes to the Trevi Fountain. We cycled around in the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum, where unfortunately we didn't have the change to see from the inside. Too many fellow tourist had the same idea and we didn't have much time to waste on waiting. My favourite activity was walking through the vintage market and shopping for the ones at home. I got my dad a vintage paiting for his home office, Samantha an ethnic-patterned umbrella and Azura a set of vintage tea cups. Drake was the most difficult to shop for. Luckily, during our second time through, I spotted a bronze pizza keychain among many more Italian themed ones. As for myself, I bought an Italian book to urge me to learn the language and a vintage postcard for my mum-advised scrapbook.

In the afternoon we got to eating. I tried for the first time ever the original Carbonara pasta and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that; I learned what a food orgasm feels like.

"Can we go to the hospital? My feet are killing me," I winced in pain. "And my butt," I saw Mia shake her head laughing, "I think I'll have a mark to remember this day for the rest of my life."

"For someone so excited about this trip you're grumbling too much," my mum put her hand over my face to stop me from talking more.

As soon as we walked into the hotel my phone started buzzing like crazy. I quickly fished it out and hoped that it wasn't for the worst.

"What happened?" Mia panicked.

"It's Drake. He's been texting me," I scanned the messages as fast as possible.

Drake: Hey, are you online?

Drake: I guess not...

Drake: I need to talk to you

The messages were sent two hours ago. I quickly opened Messenger and started a phone call.

"Hi," Drake answered the phone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't have the chance to get online, I'm sorry," I repeated.

"Her blood pressure is significantly low, it's only a matter of hours," he told me, no emotion in his voice, no proof on whether he was crying or not.

My heart broke for him.

"Are you going to go to the hospital?" I asked and informed my mum and Mia that I was going to sit at the lounge room of the hotel.

"No. I can't. I can't watch her go," I heard a silent sniff from the other side of the line. "I said my goodbye earlier today, some time before texting you."

"And you're alone? Don't you want to call Abi over or someone else?"

"Abi came by to bring me food but I sent her away. I can't be with anyone right now."

"Do you want me to hung up?" I asked mentally begging for a negative answer.

"No. I like talking to you."

"Okay," I needed my head slowly.

"Okay," he repeated.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked him and looked around, noticing a guy from the hotel's staff walking towards me.

"I quit my job," he said at the same time as the Italian guy from the front desk informed me that my mum wanted me in my room. I nodded.

"Why?" I asked and quickly explained my question, "I mean, don't you think that working will keep your mind off of the sadness?"

"I can't, I would just think about it while driving around and I can't," he sighed.

"Listen," I said and got up to get to my room. "Would it help if we thought about it together?"

"I can't talk about it-"

"You won't have to. Just get in bed, put on your earphones and wait for my call."

I waited for his answer as I pressed the elevator button. When nothing came from me I went to end the call.

"I-"

Nooo...

He what?

He what?!

I mentally cursed myself for being impatient and tried to hold the urge to smash my face with my phone.

"What happened?" My mum asked once I walked into the room.

"Drake's grandma. She's not well," I searched the room for my mum's laptop. "Can I use it?"

"Sure, hun. Do you need to sleep in my room tonight? I'll stay here with Mia," she offered along with a hug.

I nodded. Mia stood up from her bed and approached me with a sad smile.

"I love you and I'm here if you need me," she hugged me tightly.

I turned to walk away when I remembered, "Mum," I called her, "I don't think I want to come with tomorrow."

"It's okay, dear, I understand."

"I'll stay here with you," Mia suggested.

I smiled, "I love you more," was all I said before closing myself in my mum's room.

I sat on the bed and started a video chat with Drake.

"Hey," I saw his resting-on-a-pillow face on my screen.

"Hey, baby," I touched his cheek on my screen attempting to wipe a tear off his face.

"Would you mind if I fell asleep during our call?" He asked a bit embarrassed making me chuckle.

"That's the plan," I smiled. "I'll put on some music if you don't mind... It helps me, maybe it will help you too."

"Thank you," I heard him say as I searched for the perfect song. "Thinking of you in another country makes me miss you more," he admitted. "Maybe that's why I'm missing my grandma already... She's going on a journey further away, somewhere I can't reach. That's the problem," he paused. "I won't be able to reach her."

As if on cue my song started playing.

"Thank you," he repeated one more time and got silent, listening to 'Before You Go' by Lewis Capaldi.

It wasn't long afterwards that he's eyes fell, sleep taking over him. The tear rails were still visible, even though the bad resolution. He finally seemed peaceful. I turned the music down and changed into something more melodic.

"Ugh, Drake," I whispered to myself, still admiring him sleeping, "I think I'm falling for you."

"But Leslie," he whispered back without opening his eyes, "I'm fallen already."