Into the Clouds | Percabeth| Mortal AU

Chapter Four

Annabeth walked into the coffee shop for work. Rachel was leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.

"Why the serious face?" Annabeth asked.

"I'm not workin' today. There's a new girl coming in to take my spot," Rachel said. She had a thicker New York accent than anyone in town. "My dad got this gig in New York City. He's makin' me leave today."

"What? Who is she?" Annabeth did not like the fact she had to work with someone new. She didn't get along with Rachel for a while.

"I don't know." The door opened and a lost-looking girl walked in. "Oh, that's her," Rachel said. "Anyway, I didn't wanna just leave you hangin'. Keep in touch won't you?" Rachel reassured.

"Yeah, of course."

Rachel gave Annabeth a hug. "Be nice to her, she's new in town." Rachel waved to the new girl on her way out and said something then pointed at me. The girl smiled and walked up to me.

"Hi, I'm Pidge. I'm new in town," she said.

She had long brown hair and brown eyes. She was pretty in a dorky way. Her glasses sat on her nose.

"Hi," Annabeth said. "I'm Annabeth. You must be the new barista."

Pidge nodded. "Yep, that's me."

Annabeth showed Pidge how to work the register and the basics of the coffee machines. She was allowed to do basic coffee and checkouts until she got more practice.

"Were you at school today?" Annabeth asked. There was only one high school in town so it is easy to assume she'd be going there.

"Yeah. There's a lot of gossips," Pidge chuckled. "Everyone was going on and on over the football team. What do you think of them?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know my opinion," Annabeth laughed as she set Leo's drink aside for him. "Today is super busy so I'm going to work the register to get the customers through faster and you make the drinks as fast as you can."

Pidge nodded and began running through to make the easier drinks. Leo came in to get his coffee. "Here asshole," she said as she handed him the drink. "Enjoy."

Leo jerked his chin in the direction of Pidge making the drinks. "Where's Rachel?"

"She's moving away today. That's her replacement."

"Dang, well it looks busy here today so I'll get out of your hair. Will Pidge there give you a ride home or do you want me to come by after your shift?"

Annabeth sighed. "I'll text you, 'kay?"

Leo winked and walked out of the coffee shop.

Percy and Connor came in. Connor sat down at their usual table and Percy walked over. of course it has to be him, Annabeth thought.

"Venti, half-whole milk, one quarter 1%, one-quarter non-fat, extra hot, split quad shots, no foam latte, with whip, 2 packets of splenda, 1 sugar in the raw, a touch of vanilla syrup and 3 short sprinkles of cinnamon. Got that?" Percy paused to smirk. "Oh, and a black coffee for my friend over there."

Annabeth ground her teeth. "Pidge? Can you come take the register? This asshole just ordered a very complicated drink."

Pidge walked over. Annabeth took a deep breath and began making his drink as fast as she could. 15 minutes later she called out, "One venti, half-whole milk, one quarter 1%, one-quarter non-fat, extra hot, split quad shots, no foam latte, with whip, 2 packets of splenda, 1 sugar in the raw, a touch of vanilla syrup and 3 short sprinkles of cinnamon for the biggest douche in the room and a black coffee for Connor!"

Percy came up to her. "Why so mean?"

"Because I don't like annoying pricks like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"People who think they're all that. People who order drinks only assholes order."

"Sorry you think that, but you know, Annabeth, one day you'll agree to go out with me."

Annabeth laughed. "Huh, yeah, only in your dreams, Cloud Macchiato."

Percy walked away and Annabeth faced Pidge. "My shift is over, I don't know when yours ends but there should be someone here soon for the six o'clock shift."

"Okay, thanks for showing me the ropes."

Annabeth wrote her number on one of the cafe napkins. "Here," she held it out, "in case you need to contact me or something. Um, what grade?"

"Tenth."

"Okay, I'm eleventh. Let me know if you need anything."

Pidge smiled and looked a little confused. "Thank you."

Annabeth tipped her invisible hat and went outside to text Leo to come to pick her up.