The bustle of the college cafeteria was a familiar noise to William, one that had always relaxed him and at the same time stressed him out. Laughter and conversation intertwined like background tunes as he sat across from Layla, who watched him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. It was a cloudy day and the air smelled of freshly brewed coffee and study books.

Layla, her pink hair shining in the light, asked him curiously.

—Why are you so pensive, Will?

Her eyes were a spark that lit up the place, and her expression made him feel a strange combination of calm and anguish.

—It's just that...

William took a deep breath, searching for the words.

—I don't want to go on, college isn't for me, I want to go out into the world and do something real.

-But... what about your dreams of being a graphic designer? -Layla answered, surprised. You are the best in class. You used to be passionate about it, remember?

—Yes, but that's not enough. I don't want to spend two more years sitting in a classroom, listening to professors who don't know what they're talking about,” his gaze drifted to the window, watching the clouds gather in the sky, ”I can't take it anymore.

Layla stared at him, and in that instant, he knew she was disappointed.

—Will, please think about this. Life is not just about working. It's about learning, growing... and the opportunities a college degree gives you are invaluable.

—I know,” he replied, his voice low, ”but it's not for me, I want to do something now.

Layla folded her arms, frowning.

— If you get out, what are you going to do, are you going to be delivering pizzas all your life?

They looked at each other in silence with the weight of the decision still hanging in the air, finally, William gave her a wry smile and replied.

—Maybe I'll become the best pizza delivery boy the world has ever seen.

—That would be quite an accomplishment,” Layla teased, though there was a shadow of concern in her voice.

With a smile, William rose from the table, and resolutely told her.

—I need time to think, thank you for listening, Layla.

*****

Years later, William was in front of Layla again, but this time it was in the small dining room of Tito's Pizza, she had finished her degree and couldn't help but show it off to him.

—Look, Will! I'm a graduate, and you... well, you're still a pizza delivery boy hahaha -her voice was teasing, but her smile showed the affection she felt for him.

—Oh please, that's not fair! You've graduated while I've been working hard to make sure the pizzeria has enough cheese! -William scoffed, raising an eyebrow and pretending to be offended.

—I'm glad you're happy with your life,” Layla replied in a playful tone. But don't worry, I'll still let you eat my leftover pizza, that's one perk of being my best friend.

—We all know that,” he said, smiling.

—Can you imagine if I had dropped out of college and stayed here? No, wait, I would have surpassed you as a pizza delivery guy hahaha.

William laughed, knowing there was an undercurrent of truth in his joke.

—Now I'm going to go out and be the best graphic design graduate in the world.

*****

—Remember when you came out saying you were going to be the best graduate? Hahaha actually, you're the one who stayed at the pizza place, and I'm the one with the bright future of being the best delivery boy. how do you feel, bachelor?”

Layla looked at him, her angry expression now changing to a smile.

—Keep teasing me, but I'm here because, you know, I didn't find a job after I graduated. Not everyone can be like you and get a dream job at the pizzeria.

—So, can you say you're a pizza graduate? -William laughed, enjoying the joke.

—Shut up! -Layla threw a piece of dough at William, who managed to dodge it with a smile.

Tito's Pizza was a vibrant place, where the aroma of freshly baked dough and fresh tomato sauce permeated the air. The place was a bit large, with dark wooden tables and chairs holding satisfied customers. The walls were adorned with photographs of customers, captured moments of laughter and joy as if they were family.

William, 180 cm, had a good build, but his face was that of a regular guy, Greek nose, dark eyes and thin mouth. His brown hair was a bit tousled, as if he had spent more time in the kitchen than looking in the mirror. She wore a navy blue uniform with the Tito Pizza logo on the chest, an outfit that seemed to match her laid-back attitude perfectly.

Layla, on the other hand, was a charming sight. Standing 170 cm tall and with a body that looked sculpted, her pink hair, which was always well-groomed, was a reflection of her bright personality and pretty face. Her uniform consisted of a tight-fitting blue T-shirt and a black apron that accentuated her figure. William often found himself distracted watching her, not only because of her beauty, but because of her infectious energy.

The place was always full of customers, but the ones who livened up the atmosphere the most were the employees. Sofia, a 19-year-old girl, was a whirlwind of energy and always ready to make a joke.

—William! Have you noticed that you've lost the ability to be funny since you started working here? -she shouted as she served a pizza to a group of customers.

—Lose the ability to be funny? Have you tried making jokes with pizza dough? It's an art you haven't mastered yet,” William replied, laughing.

And then there was Lucas the manager, a 23-year-old guy, who seemed to be the most disinterested, but always made sure everyone was at their best.

—You know, Will? If you ever decide to stop delivering pizzas, you might be a good comedian, but you'd have to stop making fun of Layla,” said Lucas, as he arranged a box of pizzas on the counter.

—Why not? It's part of my charm,” replied William, with a smile, ”I really enjoy watching her blush.

The dynamic between them was special. They teased each other constantly, but there was a spark in the air that suggested something deeper. The way Layla would smile at William as he spoke, or how she would laugh at his awkward jokes, was indicative of a connection that went beyond friendship.

As William moved among the tables, serving customers and delivering pizzas, he couldn't help but steal glances at Layla, she moved gracefully, interacting with the customers, and every laugh she shared with them seemed to make William feel more attracted to her, it was a strange mix of admiration and desire.

—William, stop flirting with the girls and go take that order! -Sofia shouted from the kitchen, provoking laughter among the employees.

—Me? Never! -William replied with a smile, while Layla looked at him with her arms crossed.

—Come on, Will, don't kid yourself, you're about to be pizza king, get to work! -Layla said sarcastically.

—Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, cheese queen,” he replied, as he moved toward the cash register.

As the workday continued, Layla tossed him a small piece of pizza dough as a joke. William ducked with quick reflexes, laughing as he stood up.

—That was no way to make friends, Layla,” he said, smiling, ”Careful, maybe I'll steal your bachelor's degree and become a graduate.

—In your dreams Will, don't forget that, even though you didn't finish college, you have the talent to make pizza an art.

That was the spark that ignited something in William. The laughter in his eyes, the way his lips curved as he spoke, everything seemed perfect. There was something deeper between them, a romantic potential they both seemed to ignore.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the pizzeria filled with laughter and the sound of the oven running. William moved among the tables, serving pizzas and chatting with customers. At one point, while making sure everyone had what they needed, he noticed Layla chatting animatedly with a group of friends. Her laughter was infectious, and William felt a pang of admiration.

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with vibrant energy.

—Do you have to do that? -asked Sofia, as she filled a tray with empanadas.

—Do what? -William answered, grimacing.

—Look at it as if it were a work of art. You're here to work, not to become a spectator,” Sofia said with a smirk.

William shrugged, unable to hide his smile.

—It's hard not to, sometimes I feel like the pizzeria is just a backdrop for his performance.

—You're a romantic, Will,” Sofia laughed, ”but maybe it's time you told her how you feel.

William frowned, processing the suggestion. The idea of opening up and confessing his feelings to Layla seemed terrifying to him.

—What if she doesn't like me? What if I'm just a friend to her?

—¿Y si es algo más? Solo tienes una vida y no puedes quedarte atrapado en la zona de amigos para siempre. La vida es demasiado corta —respondió Sofía, apretando suavemente a William—.

—Sí, tal vez tengas razón. Pero... No sé cómo hacerlo", admitió, sintiendo que su corazón latía más rápido.

Más tarde, cuando el servicio se calmó y la pizzería comenzó a vaciarse, William encontró un momento de tranquilidad. Se acercó a Layla, que estaba organizando unas cajas de pizza.

—¿Entonces ya eres graduado? -dijo William, sonriendo mientras se acercaba- -¿Crees que eres mejor que yo?

—Solo un poquito -respondió Layla, con un tono juguetón- pero no tanto como para que dejara de trabajar aquí, a veces pienso que esto es más divertido que estar en una oficina.

William asintió, disfrutando de la familiaridad de su interacción.

—No olvides que me debes una pizza gratis por cada vez que me recuerdas que no terminé la universidad.

Layla lo miró con picardía.

—Tal vez deberías considerar que soy la única persona aquí con un título, y sin embargo estoy aquí, tal vez la universidad no sea todo lo que parece.

—Tal vez deberíamos hacer un trato. Yo te enseñaré a hacer pizzas y tú me darás una clase sobre cómo ser un graduado exitoso", sugirió William en tono de broma.

—Eso suena justo, pero no creo que enseñar sea lo tuyo —se rió Layla—.

The doorbell at Tito's Pizza rang for the fourth time in the last half hour. William was behind the counter, taking calls for orders, while Layla organized the orders along with Lucas. It was another hectic day at the pizzeria, but it had become routine for them.

— William, hurry up with those orders or our pizzas will get cold! Lucas shouted from the kitchen, in his usual I'm your boss but I'm telling you as a friend tone.

— Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, boss! -replied William, rolling his eyes as he tied his boot laces before heading out to make a delivery.

— Always late... -I sometimes wonder how you manage to stay in this job, who are you bribing?

William, while adjusting his delivery helmet, gave her a smug smile.

— Sofia, my only bribe is my irresistible charm, -he put his hand to his chest in a theatrical pose of drama- besides, we can't all be as perfect as you, the cash register queen.

Sophia, a 19-year-old with boundless energy, just laughed. She and William had a relationship full of jokes and sarcasm since they met on their first day, which made the long hours of work more entertaining.

— Come on, Will," Layla said with a smile as she organized the boxes at the delivery station, "stop wasting time and go out and deliver, we don't want unsatisfied customers.

William watched her for a second. Layla, with her bright pink hair pulled back in a ponytail, moved efficiently as she organized the orders. The navy blue uniform with the Tito Pizza logo fit her perfectly, and her energy always brought the place to life.

— Sure, graduate, I'm flying. I don't want you to stress, it would be a sin with that pretty face," William joked, knowing his comment would get her attention.

Layla was quick to respond, frowning and with her hands on her hips.

— Please stop flattering me or you'll end up being late, -she gently pushed him towards the door- now, get to work!

With one last smile, William left the pizzeria, hopping on his motorcycle to make his round of deliveries. The cool evening air greeted him, clearing a little of the bustle of the shop. As he rode through the city streets, he couldn't help but think about how routine his life at Tito's Pizza had become. Each day was pretty much the same as the last: banter with Layla, small arguments with Sofia and Lucas making sure everything was under control.

In the middle of his thoughts, his phone vibrated. It was a text from Layla.

Layla: "Will! Make sure you deliver the pizza on time or you'll earn a scolding from Lucas. XD"

William laughed, knowing Layla always found a way to remind him of the little things and quickly replied:

William: "Yeah, yeah. I don't want to disappoint my secret boss."

As he made the deliveries, William reflected on how he had gotten to that point in his life. He had left college to find something more "real," but here he was, working at a pizza place and joking around with his best friend, Layla, who now had a degree in graphic design, although she also worked there.

After several deliveries, William returned to Tito's Pizza. The place was still as lively as when he left it. Sofia was serving a customer who seemed undecided about his order.

— A family pizza with extra cheese or one with pepperoni and mushrooms? -Sofia asked patiently, as the customer scratched his chin.

— Harder to choose a pizza than a college degree, huh? -William muttered under his breath as he walked past them, just loud enough for Sofia to hear.

— You see, Will? -Sofia replied, tapping him gently on the shoulder as she smiled- you're not the only one who makes tough choices in life.

William laughed and walked over to Layla, who was in the kitchen checking the oven. Even though the heat was unbearable in that part of the restaurant, Layla never seemed to lose her energy.

— How are the pizzas coming? -William asked, leaning against the kitchen door.

— Same as always, hot and delicious," she replied with a smile, "You, on the other hand, look like you've just run a marathon.

William shrugged his shoulders.

— It's a hero's job Layla, someone has to keep the city well fed.

Layla shook her head, though an amused smile tugged at her lips.

— If you deliver pizzas as fast as you make jokes, you'd be the best delivery boy in the world.

Before William could respond, Lucas appeared behind them with a serious gesture.

— Can someone tell me why we're so behind on orders? -He asked in a slightly serious tone, "Come on, guys, there are pizzas that need to be delivered!

Layla quickly straightened up, pretending to be busier than she was, while William held up his hands in innocence.

— I'm just following orders, boss, it's Layla who's late with the pizzas! -said William, causing Layla to glare at him.

— Sure, blame it on me," she replied, crossing her arms, 'if you'd let me do my job without interruption, the pizzas would be at the customers' doorsteps before they knew it.

Lucas watched the scene with a slight smile.

— Okay, okay, I don't want to be part of this fight. But you know, if there are problems with deliveries, you two are going to have to stay overtime to sort it out.

They both nodded and got down to business.

The afternoon passed smoothly, with the bustle of customers coming and going, and employees joking with each other to ease the workload. It was a rhythm they all knew well, but that didn't mean there wasn't room for a few moments of fun.

Near the end of the shift, as the pizzeria was beginning to empty, Sofia seized the moment to approach William and Layla with a mischievous grin.

— You've noticed, haven't you? -she asked, as she organized the empty boxes.

— Noticed what? -William asked, raising an eyebrow.

— Really, you haven't noticed? -insisted Sofia, looking at both of them mischievously- There's something between you two, come on the way you look at each other and talk to each other.

Layla and William looked at each other for a second, surprised by the comment, before William burst out laughing.

— What are you talking about, Sofia? -He said, while laughing-Layla and I are just best friends.

Layla, while also smiling, couldn't help but feel a little flutter in her stomach.

— Yes, Sofia," she added, trying to sound nonchalant, "we're just friends.

Sofia shrugged, but her smile didn't disappear.

— Whatever you say... but I'll keep watching, the stakes are on the table.

As the pizzeria closed for the night, William couldn't help but think about Sofia's words. Was there really something more between him and Layla? And if there was... what did that mean for them?

The clock read ten o'clock at night when William finished his last delivery. The pizzeria had already begun to empty, and the bustle of the day was slowly fading. Tito Pizza, though still with its characteristic smell of freshly baked dough and melted cheese, now seemed quieter, as if it too was resting after another long day.

William left his helmet on the counter and stretched, feeling the fatigue in his shoulders and legs. As he did so, he watched his coworkers finishing their tasks. Sofia, with her inexhaustible energy, was cleaning the cash register, humming a trendy song. Lucas was checking the oven one last time before turning it off, and Layla was arranging the last boxes of pizza on the shelf. It seemed like no one was ready to leave yet, as if extending their time together would make them forget the routine.

— Ready, guys,” said William as he approached the delivery station, ”Anyone need any help before I run away?

— I can see you, William,” said Sofia, not looking up as she wiped the counter. You're going to leave without saying goodbye, aren't you? As usual.

William let out a small laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

— You'd let me leave without saying goodbye?

— Not in your dreams,” she replied, pointing at him with the rag in her hand.

Layla appeared behind Sofia, smiling as she leaned against one of the tables.

— Wow, Will. You haven't bothered me that much today, are you tired or are you becoming a responsible delivery boy?

— You're not rid of me yet,” William replied, winking at her. I'm just saving my strength for tomorrow.

Layla rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. Their interactions always seemed light, but William couldn't help but feel a slight tension in the air, a faint echo of Sophia's words in the afternoon. Was there really something between them? He shook those thoughts away and focused on saying goodbye.

— Well, guys, it's time to go. It's been a long day and my bed is calling me,” he said, faking a big yawn.

Lucas approached from the kitchen, patting him on the shoulder.

— Get some rest, Will. I'll see you tomorrow. And don't be late this time.

— Yes, boss, yes,” William replied, raising his hand in a mocking salute.

With a final goodbye, he walked out the door of Tito's Pizza. The night air greeted him with a gentle breeze. As he walked to his motorcycle, he felt relaxed, though a small knot was beginning to form in his stomach. He knew what awaited him at home, and although he didn't say it, he always carried that worry with him.

The trip back to his apartment was short. At that hour, the streets were almost deserted, and the noise of the city had been reduced to a distant murmur. When he reached the building where he lived, he left the motorcycle in its usual place and climbed the steps two at a time, anxious to see his sister.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by the warm aroma of a simple dinner. His younger sister, Emily, was waiting for him at the small kitchen table, her long brown hair pulled back in a braid. Despite her youthful face of barely fifteen, there was a maturity in her eyes that William always noticed, one that shouldn't have been there.

— You're home! -she said with a smile, quickly getting up to serve him a plate of food.

— Yes, I made it. -William closed the door behind him and dropped his backpack on the floor. He sat at the table, watching his sister wait on him, something that always made him feel a little guilty. He should be the one taking care of her, not the other way around.

— How did it go today little brother? -asked Emily as she sat down across from him.

— The usual,” William replied, shrugging his shoulders. A lot of work, some jokes, but all good.

Emily smiled, but William noticed something in her eyes, a concern she was trying to hide.

— What about you? -he asked, trying to divert attention, “How was school?

— Fine, fine,” Emily answered quickly, although her tone betrayed him. She was hiding something, as she always did when she didn't want to worry him.

William didn't insist. He knew his sister was trying to be strong for him, just as he was trying to be strong for her.

As they ate, his mind began to wander. He remembered the days when school seemed the most important thing to him. He had had big plans, ambitious goals...until everything changed.

He paused in thought, looking at his sister, and a flood of memories washed over him. He remembered the call from the hospital, the doctor explaining to him in technical words he couldn't quite understand, but which in the end summed up a harsh reality: Emily needed urgent surgery. And it wasn't going to be cheap.

It was at that moment that William made a decision. He dropped out of college without a second thought. He couldn't continue studying while his sister was in danger. He needed money and he needed it fast. Both his parents had passed away a few years ago, leaving them with only an apartment. The pizzeria was only a temporary solution, or so he thought at the time. Now, years later, he was still there, delivering pizzas, while his life seemed to be on pause.

Emily watched him silently, as if she could read his thoughts. It was amazing how well she knew him.

— Little brother, don't worry so much about me. I'm fine now,” she said, with a small smile that tried to reassure him.

William tried to smile back, but the weight of responsibility never quite went away. His sister was fine, yes, but his decision to abandon his own dreams still haunted him.

— I know, Emily. But I can't help it.

There was a silence between them, a comfortable one, where no more words were needed. They both knew what the other was thinking, and although the subject was always present, they preferred not to delve into it any deeper than necessary.

When they finished eating, William got up and began to pick up the dishes.

— Hey, I'll take care of this. You go get some rest,” he said, while his sister watched him from the doorframe.

— Okay, little brother, I'm counting on you,” she said as she patted him on the head.

William laughed softly, as he washed the dishes, his mind still working, thinking about how to balance his responsibilities with the desire to regain some of what he had lost.

The night wore on, and as the apartment fell silent, William wondered how different his life would have been if he hadn't had to make that decision. But he also knew he would do it again, without hesitation. His sister would always come first.