Famous Fate

24

"Congratulations are in order, Percy," Chiron told me as I sat down in his office. "Your album was reviewed and is set to be released in a week. We're having a release party and everything!"

Great, more of those, I thought bitterly.

"Cool," I replied, my voice weak. "Could I...could I go now? I have...business to do."

Although I was certain Chiron could tell I was lying, he nodded, congratulated me once last time, and allowed me to leave.

I quickly darted out of the office after a brief and forced chat with the receptionist. I found myself walking home despite the fact Chiron's offices were over a mile away from my apartment.

It was finally becoming colder outside as fall approached rapidly, leaving me shivering on my walk.

I placed my hands in my pockets and just started walking. When I looked up I found myself at a familiar Starbucks.

I pushed open the door to see a, surprisingly, not so packed Starbucks. I made my way to the short line.

The Starbucks looked like every other coffee shop in New York with its dirty tables, muted colors, and giant green logo on the wall. The smell of coffee instantly filled my nose as I entered and the sound of people bickering filled my ears.

Standing behind the counter was Rachel Elizabeth Dare, her crazy red hair pulled up into a ponytail and her Starbucks uniform stained with coffee and, somehow, paint.

"Percy?" she asked annoyedly as I walked up to the counter. "What brings you here after, what, a year?"

I shrugged. "I guess I missed it. Where did the crowd in here go? It's nine in the morning!"

The Starbucks was nearly empty. One of my favorite parts of it was its crowds because if there were more tired people packed in here, the less I would be seen and ogled at.

"They opened another one across the street," Rachel said bitterly. "It's bigger, better, newer, and my tips have been going down."

"Well, I can help you out with that," I said as I stuffed her tip jar full of whatever bills were in my pockets.

She rolled her eyes. "Percy, what are you really doing here?"

I sighed as I peered around before speaking. "Could we...talk?"

"Yeah, it's almost my break anyways," Rachel said as she called over one of her co-workers and stepped outside with me. "Now, what is it?"

"I miss you," I blurted out.

She laughed. "Finally tired of being with little miss perfect?"

"I don't know, but I miss you, Rachel," I responded. "I know we never were official in the past because of the media and stuff, but I wanna be with you. For real."

Rachel avoided my gaze and leaned against the building, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her dirty green apron. "You've ended everything with blondie?"

I nodded as I looked over at her. She was still avoiding my eye contact, but had stopped wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Completely. So, what do you say?"

"Percy, you're a great guy—" she started as she pushed herself off of the wall and folded her arms across her chest.

"And that's why you're going to take me back?"

Rachel laughed half heartedly as she readjusted a strand of her hair. "I guess I do miss your humor. Even if it's stupid."

I grinned as I put my arms out. She rolled her eyes before accepting my hug and planting a kiss on my cheek. I was quite taller than she was, so she had to go up on her toes.

"Alright, I've gotta go. My break's almost over. I'll see you tonight, your place," she practically ordered as she headed towards the door.

"It's a plan, shortie."

"Call me that again and it's cancelled."

She stuck her tongue out at me before opening the door and heading back inside. She waved her hand at me through the huge window before she started working.

And as I walked off, I couldn't help but imagine what Annabeth was doing right now.