coffee shop clichés
Percy hates early mornings.
Percy hates walking.
And Percy hates coffee. So how did he wind up on the other side of campus at 7 o'clock in the morning, in a coffee shop, he blames it on Piper.
Piper and her insistent whining for him to get out of her bed. He liked it there. Her covers were soft. The floor he was standing on wasn't. Percy wiped the crust from his eye and yawned loudly for the umpteenth time. Piper stood fully awake beside him, practically shaking from caffeine deprivation. His head became heavy and nearly found sweet release.
Until his best friend pinched the shit out of his arm. "Stay awake, Jackson. You should get some coffee too." Percy groaned her name in a long drawl of huffs. Piper pinched him again. Percy squinted his eyes at her trying to muster all the evil he could, but it was coming off half-hearted and lazy. Piper chuckled at him. He looked drunk.
The coffee shop was practically empty at this ungodly hour, so when the waitress called Piper, if he had the energy he would have screeched in excitement.
"Hi, my name is Annabeth, can I take your order?" the sweet voice coaxed Percy out of his trance. His eyes met her face and maybe it was because if how woozy he was, but her face glowed like he was suddenly in a movie. The girl had long blonde hair that curled down her back. And her skin was remarkably peach, like she spent a lot of time at the beach. But the one thing that Percy really noticed was cement grey eyes swirled like a thunderstorm. Annabeth. What a lovely name he thought.
Piper relayed her complicated order to Annabeth, all in one breath, and the waitress took it without a hitch, which was quite impressive. Annabeth eyes flickered to his. "Is that all?" Percy couldn't think of anything to say, but he didn't want to miss his chance chat saying something to this girl. He had to think on his partially functioning brain. "Um, an iced hot chocolate with caramel and sugar, and whipped cream." She smiled and relayed his order back to him.
He couldn't help but watched her while she made their coffees. She was so efficient, and making things so quickly. It was admiral. And hot. She came back to the counter a few minutes later, coffees in tow. Piper paid and then they left. Just like that the girl was out his view.
Being half asleep and all, Percy didn't really have much of a clue where he was. And Annabeth wouldn't leave his mind. He so desperately wanted to see her again. He laid awake on Piper's bed, after a long night of studying thinking of grey eyes and princess curls. He started at Pipers ceiling. His mind just wouldn't settle. He glanced over at the clock. 6:23. It passed through his mind that that's when he and Piper had started walking that day. He glanced at Piper. And then back at the ceiling. And then back at Piper.
Silently he pulled on his sweats. He patted her several times on the back. She groaned in response. "Percy..? What the hell do you want?" He flipped her over, revealing a rather gruesome nip slip. He turned away. "Hades, Pipes, cover that up!"
"Huh..?" she looked down at her exposed breasts. Her face flushed immediately. Thankfully for Percy though, her embarrassment woke her up. She checked the time. "Dude it's 6:30, why did you wake me up? Why are you even awake?" Percy shrugged in a nonchalant manner. "Couldn't sleep. "
"I want hot chocolate." she stared back blankly. "Right now?"
"Yes right now. "
She huffed. "And what exactly do you want me to do about that?"
"Come with me..?" he offered weakly.
Piper stayed silent. "Please? I want to go to the one across campus. But I don't know where it is." Her face was full of confusion. "You..wanna go to coffee shop..across campus..at 6:30.. for hot chocolate?" he grinned sheepishly. "Sounds a lot like what I said the other day."
She quirked a brow at him. "Touchè, my friend. Let me comb my hair." She disappeared into the bathroom with a yawn. He looked over at Jason who had knocked out on the couch a while after them. He felt bad for taking Jason's spot next to his girlfriend, but Piper and Percy have been best friends for as long as they could remember, so when Piper pulled Percy aside and asked him to put some distance between them, it wasn't like he could object in favor of his bro. Piper had her reasons.
He sighed just as Piper came out the bathroom in her 'I just woke up but I'm still cute.' way. Percy would never deny it. His best friend was gorgeous. Jason was a terribly lucky guy. Piper cocked her head to the side. "Ready?"
"Yeah." Percy pulled his beanie over his head. And they left the dorm room. His dark green fitted sweater had cola stains from the night before but eh. What the hell?
"That beanie is hot with your shirt. Where'd you get it?" Piper commented. "My mom. She got it for you actually. But it matched my shirt so I wore it first." Percy stuck his tongue out her playfully. "Hey!" she laughed and grabbed for the hat. She pulled it off successfully and his raven hair flipped about. Piper thought to herself how soft it was. She quickly pulled it onto her head almost covering get eyes. It was quite big on her.
"It doesn't even fit." he laughed, "give it back." he pulled it off of her this time. He extended his arm, hat in hand, and she couldn't reach it. After blowing raspberry, Piper gave up. Percy fixed it back onto his head.
The pair walked out of the building and into the brisk autumn morning. "So, what's really going on between you and Jason?" Piper groaned. She looped her arm around his. "Why do you wanna know?"
Percy smiled at her. "Cause were besties, and I have no drama in my life so I feed off of yours." Piper laughed. "I'll tell you just because of that response." She hung her head and became serious. "Jason is really cute and nice, and he's such a gentleman, but I feel like we just don't fit." she looked up at him to see if he understood, and to her delight he was intently listening. "Were like two puzzles pieces that are so close to fitting, but it just won't click. I think he's a little too much of an over achiever to me. I don't want to face life goals right now. I just want to be me. And I think that if I go long term he'll be holding me back from that. But then he's such a sweet and wonderful person. I don't wanna let him go. He hasn't done anything wrong. I'm the one whose confused."
Percy thought on her words. "From what I can tell, a gem like that guy isn't easy to come by. You should give him a real chance. I can see that your barely even testing the waters. He doesn't seem like he'll hurt you. And you should give in to his tendencies. It doesn't hurt to have you're life at least a little bit together."
Silence over took the two as Piper figured what she wanted to make of Percy's advice. Leaves crunched under their feet. Piper finally spoke up. "What made you want hot chocolate at this time of the morning?" Percy blushed, but decided to tell her the truth. "Annabeth."
"Annabeth? Do you mean the girl who works there?" Percy noticed an odd change in Pipers voice but didn't say anything. "Yeah. I can't seem to get her off my mind." "She's in Berraro's class with me. She's incredibly driven. She's like Jason except times ten." Percy smiled to himself. He thought she would be. To work at coffee shop so early, and be a student, and take care of herself is tough act to complete. It was so admirable. Piper noticed the soft smile and deep in thought look that her friend had and was quick to add, "She doesn't seem like you're type."
"Well if that's true I think I might be ready for a change." Percy said dreamily. Piper pursed her lips. The coffee shop, 'Little Bean' was coming into view. Percy's heart hammered, as did Piper's, but for a completely reason.
The walk to the shop held no more words. Piper too afraid, and Percy too elated. As they walked closer Percy could see Annabeth whipping away at the counter, bopping along to her music. They opened the door, signaling a chime, gathering the attention of the blonde. She pulled out her headphones and took her place at the counter.
Her hair was a lot neater when he saw first her. Today, her lovely hair was woven back into a loose braid, with tendrils hanging loose on her neck. Percy could've melted right then and there. Her eyes flickered in recognition but she used the same line as before. "Hi, my name is Annabeth. Can I take your order?"
Percy smiled at the beauty in front of him. "Yeah, a hot chocolate with caramel and whipped cream. Extra sugar please." Annabeth smiled as Percy stumbled out his order. It was obvious he was flustered. "No problem Percy." Annabeth's eyes widened as she said his name and a blush spread across her cheeks. He noticed it immediately.
A crooked grin set across his face. "How do you know my name?" Annabeth grimaced. Like she was expecting the question but hoping he wouldn't ask.
"Hehe," she fondled the end of her braid. "Well.. heh, I mean who doesn't know your name. You're like the star swimmer around here." she bit the bottom of her lip. Percy blushed. He loved swimming, and it paid for his scholarship, but the attention wasn't really his thing.
She excused herself to make his drink. As she did, Percy worked up the nerve to do what he had come for. He glanced at Piper texting away on her phone. Annabeth came back and told him his total. As she handed him his change he spoke up.
"Annabeth can I ask you something?"
"Can I go on a date with you? No thanks."
Percy coughed with embarrassment. "What?! I was not gonna say that! That's so presumptuous of you!... okay so maybe I was. Why not?" his face turned into one of hurt. He was not expecting to be turned down so quickly.
"Ugh. You wouldn't believe how many guys say the same thing to me every day. I hate being a barista. And plus that's so cliche."
"Actually I could believe it. You're quite beautiful. Plus, some clichés are nice." Annabeth blushed and true to hide her smile. She feigned neutrality. "Well, your not the first to say that either." Percy quirked a brow. "Why do I have to be? I'm saying it, and thinking it now."
Annabeth glanced around the shop. She had no real answer for him. Most guys just grumble and give up at this point. "You don't," she said finally. "So many others have tried that I'm just it used to it by now."
Percy hit her back smoothly. "So what if I tried harder?"
"Why would you?"
"Because I'm looking at you and it's making me want to try."
Annabeth bit her lip. He was very cute. And he did put up a nice fight. She smiled. "Then why don't you try again tomorrow?"
Percy leaned against the counter. "Are you inviting me to?" Annabeth shrugged. "Maybe."
"Then I will." Annabeth smiled broadly and handed him his cocoa. "Have a nice day. Enjoy." he took a sip. "I will."
Percy made his way out and Piper followed suit.
She made it just right.
Hi my name is Jess. This is my first story on fanfiction and I really hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it.
I'm not sure if there'll be any update schedule but I will try my hardest for one a week.
Review, Favorite, or just click for the next chapter and you'll make my day! Choi!
