Reyna stared down at the menu in front of her. Truthfully, she couldn't actually read any of it, but there were plenty of pictures. Everything looked delicious. Her stomach rumbled, and she almost licked her lips. The door of the office opened, and her eyes flickered up as Clarisse walked in.
"Enjoy your vacation?" Reyna asked with a small smirk on her face. Clarisse flung her bag towards her, and Reyna caught it. She bit back her grunt and dropped the bag on the ground. Clarisse walked towards her and sat in a free chair.
"Shut up," Clarisse ordered. Reyna's smirk grew. It was a little easier to smile now, and it seemed like she was going to have a lot of practice soon because Annabeth and Chiron kept talking about making her a back up bartender. Even though she helped out one day, she wasn't sure how comfortable she would be doing it every day. Especially if Piper would be right next to her.
"You did good for your first week solo," Clarisse complimented. Reyna felt her smile widen. With Clarisse being sick with the flu, Reyna had been the lone security guard. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She didn't have to throw anyone else out, and there were only a few people with fake IDs that she turned away.
Surprisingly, working alone hadn't been the worst part of her week. That was reserved for the Monday that she spent as a bartender. Working a double shift had been tiring but not terrible. It was dealing with people for a majority of the day that exhausted her. She also hated being nice to people who were impatient with her when she was trying her hardest.
After surviving her shitty Monday, Reyna spent the rest of the week watching the door. For a majority of it. She also filled in as a bartender for an hour here and there. Reyna glanced at Clarisse and slowly spoke, "Thanks."
"Did you have fun behind the counter?" Clarisse asked with a small smirk. Reyna rolled her eyes. "There is a bright side: you're not even the worst bartender here."
"That's good," Reyna exhaled with a nod. "That's, uh, because you are, right?"
"I'm going to knock your ass flat if you keep that up," Clarisse threatened. Reyna smirked and placed the menu down. She leaned back in the seat. Clarisse placed her finger on the menu. "They are delicious and always open. That is why we're going there after work, and I'm buying."
"What?" Reyna asked. She frowned and looked at Clarisse.
"We're going here after work to eat, and I'm buying," Clarisse repeated.
"You don't have to buy," Reyna began. Clarisse shook her head and reached into her pocket.
"Happy birthday," Clarisse said as she pulled out her wallet and then grabbed a piece of plastic. As it was held out, Reyna slowly took it. She studied the ID and frowned. It had her picture on it, along with all of her information.
Reyna barely remembered going with Chiron to get the ID made, and she totally forgot it would be sent in the mail to Chiron's place. Reyna slowly grabbed her beat up wallet and put the ID in there. Clarisse tossed her a small bag.
"Don't pocket that. Happy birthday again," Clarisse said. Reyna stared at her.
"You don't have to," Reyna began. She slowly opened the bag and found a brand new wallet inside. "Clarisse, you really didn't."
"I did," Clarisse stated. "Now, we are going out to eat after work. If you argue, I'm just going to pick you up over my shoulder and carry you."
Reyna stared at the wallet she had been given. She felt a little queasy at the sight of it. Reyna couldn't remember the last time she had been given any kind of gift. She cleared her throat and slowly pulled the cards out of her old wallet. She transferred them to her new one.
Reyna pulled out a folded piece of paper and studied it. The parchment was almost a decade old. Memories flew through her head, and she quickly blinked out of them. Reyna placed it into her new wallet.
"Love letter?" Clarisse teased.
"No," Reyna said as she lost any trace of a smile. Clarisse frowned as well. "It's something that I've held onto for years. In case I need it."
"Thank you again," Reyna said as she examined the new wallet and pocketed it. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "How is Chiron doing? Is he over the flu?"
"Not completely. I think he was the one who spread it to everyone else," Clarisse answered. "Everyone who was working with him on that shift got sick. Guess you got lucky."
Reyna shrugged and looked back at the menu, "The wallet was enough. You don't have to take me anywhere."
"The wallet is from Chiron. My gift is a night out. We're going to eat and then get fucked up at a bar," Clarisse stated.
"I'm not sure," Reyna began. She shifted uncomfortably and pulled at her collar. "I don't drink."
"Hey, I'm not going to force you to do something you're not comfortable with," Clarisse assured as she bumped Reyna's shoulder. "The food is not optional, though. You are going to eat that damn buffet out of business, and I know you can do it."
"Alright," Reyna relented. She slowly stood. "I... thanks."
"You're welcome," Clarisse said. "And one drink? Not anything too heavy. Just a sip. Unless it's against your religion."
"No. Alright, one drink. Just one," Reyna decided. Clarisse nodded and kept a smile on her face. "Is Piper here yet?"
"She walked in when I did," Clarisse replied. Reyna nodded and slowly stood. She walked out of Clarisse's office and made her way out into the bar. A couple customers were lingering around, and at the bar, Annabeth and Piper were setting up supplies as the other two bartenders were finishing up their shift.
Reyna started to walk towards them but hesitated. She turned away and frowned slightly. What was she even doing? Piper really didn't like her, and was apologizing really going to do anything? It wasn't like she really had anything to apologize for.
Reyna glanced back at the two and saw Annabeth and Piper move away from the bar. She didn't mean to, but she could hear what they were saying. Annabeth was the first to speak, "How did the date go yesterday?"
"I thought it went great," Piper muttered. "We had a lot of fun, but at the end, Jason said we should just remain friends."
"Shit. I'm sorry, Piper. Did he say why?" Annabeth questioned.
"No," Piper answered as she shook her head. "He just said that he wanted to stay friends. I don't think he can make up his damn mind."
"If you need to talk about it Piper," Annabeth began.
"I know. Thank you," Piper said. "Is kicking Jason's ass on the table? You could totally take him."
"Oh totally. He's all strength but no technique. And his head is as soft as a baby's," Annabeth joked. Piper chuckled. "Seriously, let me know if you need anything."
"I will," Piper promised. Reyna glanced at the two as Annabeth walked away. A deep breath left Reyna, and she made her way towards Piper. She was tired of how awkward it was between her and Piper.
"Hey," Reyna began as she made it to Piper's side. Piper looked at her. "Um, can we talk?"
"Yeah," Piper answered. Her face was neutral, and Reyna couldn't read her tone. "What do you need?"
"I just wanted to apologize for the other day," Reyna began, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Why did she decide to do this again? Not talking to anyone was easy enough. It didn't help that Piper just watched her without a word.
"I didn't mean to walk in on you two," Reyna continued. She cleared her throat and felt like her face was heating up. "You know. With you and Jason. If I made things awkward."
"You didn't," Piper promised. A look of frustration crossed her face for a few moments.
"You were just kind of hostile," Reyna added, and she wasn't quite sure why she was still talking. Piper's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't know if it's because I walked in or your problems with Jason. Or with Lyc-"
"Just knock on the damn door next time," Piper snapped. She turned on her heel and walked towards the bar counter.
"Yeah," Reyna muttered as she exhaled. She turned and nearly jumped out of her skin as she saw Annabeth.
"Don't be too upset. Piper is just mad about Jason and taking it out on others," Annabeth said gently.
"Because she doesn't like me," Reyna muttered sourly. Annabeth looked like she was going to respond, but her hesitation was enough for Reyna to nod. "I get it. I should get ready for work."
Reyna turned and walked away. She wasn't sure why she wanted to clear that up with Piper, and it would have been best to just keep her mouth shut. Reyna knew better for the next time at least. A sigh left her, and she walked back towards Clarisse's office. She just had to get her shift over. Then, she would eat her heart out at the buffet.