"You two cursed me," Percy accused as he leaned on his table. He grabbed his beer and took a sip. Annabeth looked at him and smiled. He was close enough that he could smell her perfume: vanilla. It reminded him of the blue cookies his mom would make for him.
"We all have to suffer, Jackson. This bitch made Jason work tonight," Piper pouted. She turned her head dramatically and crossed her arms. Annabeth grabbed her basket of tofu bites. "Hey!"
"Jason volunteered. He said I have been working too many Friday nights," Annabeth countered. She patted Piper's head and sat the tofu bites down. Percy agreed with the statement. Even before he went out of his way to avoid Annabeth after learning about her engagement, she worked nearly every Friday night.
"He is such a gentleman," Piper said in a dreamy voice.
"Maybe, he wanted to get away from you," Percy offered with a cackle. He almost yelled as Piper hit him with a purse. "What is in there?!"
"None of your business," Piper answered. She looked at Percy. "How did we curse you anyway, considering your presence is a curse."
"Haha, McLean. Do you know who I saw in the store earlier today?" Percy demanded, putting his hands on his hips.
"Yourself," Piper teased. Annabeth gently slapped Piper's shoulder and grabbed one of her tofu bites. Piper slapped her hand. "Those are mine!"
"I'm just trying one," Annabeth began.
"I'll try one of your fingers," Piper snapped back.
"We might have to tell Jason," Percy teased. Piper rolled her eyes, but a smirk came to her face. She offered a tofu bite to Annabeth, who ate it with an inquisitive face. "No. The Kabachi man came to the store today."
Piper immediately started cackling like she was a villain in a kid's cartoon. Annabeth smiled and covered her face in an attempt to hide it. Percy leaned in close and studied both of them. He struggled to keep his face blank.
"I'll do it, McLean," Percy threatened. Piper leaned in closer, so their noses were touching.
"What you gonna do, fish boy?" Piper challenged.
"When I see the Kabachi man next, I'll tell him that you missed seeing him every day," Percy whispered. Piper's eyes widened. "Then, I'll tell him that you were talking about getting whole six packs of the green flavor in the store, just for him."
"I will kill you," Piper swore.
"No. You'll be in jail for murdering the Kabachi man," Percy countered as he tried to sneer. Piper licked his nose. Percy instantly recoiled. "What the hell?!"
"You taste like seawater," Piper complained as she wiped her tongue on her napkin.
"You licked me!" Percy complained. He placed both hands to his nose and tried to wipe away the feeling of Piper's tongue.
"Men would pay for me to lick them," Piper commented.
"Females too," Annabeth chimed in. The smile was fully on her face, and she couldn't hide it. "Be grateful, Percy. You experienced this for free."
Percy pretended to gag, and Piper threw a tofu bite into his mouth. He almost gagged for real but managed to save himself. Piper and Annabeth started to laugh. God, Annabeth had the most amazing laugh that Percy ever heard. It was somehow better than his mother's.
"Is Thalia's band on last tonight?" Annabeth asked. She craned her head to look at the stage. Percy smirked and turned his head.
"Yeah. She was super nervous," Percy answered. "Should we get more beer and food?"
"Should you? Yes," Piper answered. Percy rolled his eyes and stood from the table. "More tofu bites too!"
Percy scoffed but couldn't stop his smile. Piper smirked. Percy looked at Annabeth, and she spoke up, "Onion rings?"
"Not gonna kiss anyone tonight?" Piper asked. Annabeth rolled her eyes, and Piper looked directly at Percy. She winked. Percy felt his face heat up, and he hurried towards the bar counter.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked as he turned towards Percy. This one had to be a new bartender as Percy didn't recognize his face. They spent a lot of time at this bar, too much really, and knew everyone that worked there. Thalia was on a first name basis with everyone.
"Three beers, onion rings, tofu bites, and mozzarella sticks please," Percy said. The bartender nodded and turned away to type into a computer. Percy relaxed as he heard the current band stop playing. It wasn't that the band was bad. They just had a horde of fangirls who loved screaming as they played.
"Going to eat that all by yourself?" a voice asked. Percy's head whipped to the side, and he stared.
"Reyna? What are you doing here?" Percy asked as he examined Reyna. She was leaning against the bar counter and watching him.
"I remember Nico mentioned that Thalia's band was playing tonight. I wanted to check them out," Reyna replied. She was wearing shorts and a black shirt. Percy didn't think he would ever see Reyna out of her uniform, but she still managed to maintain not only her regal beauty but an air of authority. "I haven't seen her yet."
"They're going on last," Percy explained. He smiled. "You should come to my table. It's just Annabeth and our friend Piper."
"I don't want to intrude," Reyna began. It was hard for Percy to read her face. She seemed relaxed but maybe a little tense. It didn't seem like Nico was there, so she was probably alone. This was also probably her first time at the bar, and Percy had been a little shell-shocked his first time.
"You're not intruding," Percy promised. Reyna looked slightly uncomfortable. Percy didn't let it dim his smile. "If you're not comfortable, I get it. I'll let Thalia know you're here."
"No. I just... haven't been out much," Reyna admitted after a few moments. "It might be nice to hang out with other people besides Nico."
"It will be," Percy said, and his smile widened. "Can I get you a beer? We'll have enough food for you to have some."
"I don't drink," Reyna answered. She pushed herself off of the counter, and Percy was handed his food and beers. Reyna grabbed the baskets from him, and he gave her a grateful look.
"Piper can be a little crazy, but I'm sure she'll tone it down. Annabeth is really nice. Don't let her intimidate you," Percy said as they started to walk.
"I remember Annabeth. And, I know Piper by name. Jason's girlfriend right?" Reyna asked. Percy nodded. "I've heard good things about her."
"They're both great," Percy promised. The two made it to the table. Piper didn't notice them as she was busy watching the stage. Annabeth noticed Reyna and smiled brightly. Percy could see Reyna relax slightly at the reaction. "I brought a friend."
"You have a friend?" Piper asked as she turned back around. She studied Reyna. "Wait! Don't tell me. Reyna!"
"Yeah. Did Jason tell you about me?" Reyna questioned as she sat the baskets down. Percy passed out the beers.
"He's told me some. But, Thalia talks about you a lot," Piper said. Reyna smiled slightly. Percy grabbed a spare chair for her, and Reyna sat in it. Annabeth moved the baskets to the middle of the table for easy access. "I'm so sorry you have to work with Percy."
"Percy's not too bad," Reyna said with a shrug. "Did you ever get Jason to drop the stupid ties?"
"Oh my god. It took three months for him to lose the tie. Then, another month to lose the dress shirt," Piper complained. "I had to hide all of his ties, but he has an emergency one in his car. Who has an emergency tie? Why would you even need that?!"
"We're allowed to wear shorts during the summer, and everyone would wear shorts but him. He would come in wearing his dress pants, dress shirt, and a tie. Color coded for each day," Reyna said with a shake of her head.
"Wait. You can wear shorts during the summer?" Piper asked. She looked at Annabeth. "I quit. I'm going to work with Reyna."
"You literally have air conditioning blowing down directly onto you," Annabeth said as she grabbed an onion ring. "Meanwhile, I'm running around the store wearing pants."
"Maybe, you should quit and join the store. I'm sure they'll take you over Percy," Piper commented. Percy scoffed.
"Do you have more experience?" Reyna questioned. Percy gasped and placed both hands to his heart. "You're the one who said Annabeth is great. I've only heard you say positive things about her."
"Because she's amazing," Percy said, and he could have sworn he saw Annabeth blush. Percy took a drink of beer and looked at Reyna. She seemed more relaxed, and he was wondering how much he could joke with her. Only one way to find out. "Maybe, we should replace you with Annabeth."
Reyna chuckled and shook her head, "Lupa won't allow it. She absolutely loves me."
"I heard Lupa herself trained you. My store manager handed me a large handbook of procedures. There was a note on the front page that said 'if you need help, don't come to me.' The other assistant manager wasn't even there!" Annabeth complained.
"Really?" Reyna asked. The three others at the table nodded their agreement. "I'm sorry. That sounds terrible."
"Thankfully, I'm a quick learner. Do you think we can trade store managers?" Annabeth wondered.
"NO!" Percy almost shouted. "Mr. D hates me. He literally hates me. Are you trying to get me killed?"
"It wouldn't be too big of a loss," Piper teased.
"It would be," Reyna admitted. "Someone has to watch the store while I'm not there."
"Thank you," Percy said. He gently pushed one of the baskets towards Reyna, and after a moment, she grabbed a mozzarella stick. Percy turned his head and smiled as he saw Thalia's band walk out on the stage. Piper cheered instantly.
Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Reyna lean forward slightly and watch the band. Percy focused back on the band and tried to make eye contact with Thalia, but she was too focused on her guitar. That was probably a good thing. If she saw Reyna, there was no doubt that she would freeze up in the middle of a song.
"Who are the other band members?" Reyna asked as she moved over to Percy to be heard over the band.
"The singer is Zoë Nightshade. That accent isn't just for show. Phoebe is the other guitarist, and Naomi is the one playing the bass. She also does backup vocals," Percy explained. Reyna nodded and seemed to be focused on Thalia. "She switches between guitar and drums depending on the song."
Reyna nodded and sat back. As the band played, Percy noticed that Reyna would tap her fingers on the table, but it was still hard to read her. She was like Annabeth in that way, but Percy had learned how to read Annabeth's little signals.
Like how Annabeth's eyes widened as she talked about something that she had a passion for. When she crossed her arms, it was because she had her sole focus on a conversation. When she lifted her chin during a conversation, that was when someone was in trouble. And, she would smile when she was happy or when she found something really funny. All in all, Percy learned that Annabeth was perfect.
Percy moved his eyes to the side. Piper was singing along to the song and trying to start a one woman moshpit. An attempt to drag Annabeth into it was ignored. Towards the third song, Reyna was also getting into it by nodding her head along to the beat. Percy himself was doing his best to sing the song, and that prompted Piper to try and throw him into the moshpit.
Of course, he joined. And between the two of them, Annabeth looked back desperately to Reyna for help. Reyna only shrugged and grabbed an onion ring. Annabeth managed to fend Percy and Piper off with two very well placed elbows, and they all settled down close to the final song.
"Thalia said they just do this for fun. Why don't they try to make a career of it?" Reyna asked as the band transition to a softer song, one that fully showed off Zoë's accent.
"They just don't want to," Percy answered. He moved closer. "It's hard to explain, but they were all friends in high school. They played there for fun, and then, they found this bar. I think all of them don't want to quit their jobs to pursue something that doesn't guarantee a steady income, and while Thalia doesn't have that problem, I don't think she wants to be famous. Cause of her mom and all that."
"Her mom?" Reyna asked. Percy looked at her in surprise.
"You don't know?" Percy asked. Reyna shook her head. "Shoot. I thought you would recognize the last name. A lot of people ask her about it when they learn her last name, and she hates it. Her mom was a famous actress. Let's just say it wasn't a happy ending."
Reyna nodded. If she had more questions, she remained silent, and Percy was thankful for that. Most people tried to pry into Thalia's past, and Thalia usually blew up on them. Percy listened in on the last song, and the bar fell into silence as they listened. When the song was done, everyone started to cheer.
Percy jumped to his feet and cheered as loud as he could. He even saw Reyna stand and clap. When the band finished their bowing, Percy looked at Annabeth. She looked back at him with a grin.
"Thalia is going to freak out," Annabeth whispered softly.
"How long until she notices?" Percy questioned with an evil grin. Annabeth smirked.
"What are you two planning?" Piper demanded. She watched both of them suspiciously before popping another tofu bite into her mouth.
"Reyna, what are you doing after this?" Annabeth asked, completely ignoring Piper.
"Nothing," Reyna said after a few moments. Annabeth smiled.
"Do you want to hang out with us after? We usually go out somewhere. Maybe bowling or laser tag or something else like that," Annabeth said. Reyna studied the three of them. She shifted slightly. Percy noticed the way that she rolled one of her shoulders, the same one that seemed to be bothering her.
"Will that be okay with Thalia?" Reyna asked.
"Thalia would literally kill us if we didn't ask. She loves you," Piper said. Percy almost choked on his beer, and Annabeth barely turned her head to the side to hide how wide her eyes were. "She talks about you all the time. You're like her best friend. Maybe her only friend."
"She is a good friend," Reyna admitted.
"You are too nice. We all know Thalia is terrible," Piper said. Reyna smiled slightly. "But, you're welcome to come. If you're not comfortable, we get it. I know I can seem crazy, and Percy is crazy. Annabeth is just scary."
"If I'm not intruding, I would like to come," Reyna answered. Percy smiled and looked at Piper.
"Hey lo... Reyna?!" Thalia almost shouted. Percy jumped at the sudden voice right behind his ear, and he felt Thalia practically fall into his back. "What are you doing here?!"
"I came to see you play," Reyna answered. "And to join for whatever the four of you are doing after, if you'll have me."
"Of course we will," Thalia said quickly. "Is laser tag okay?"
"Laser tag is the best," Piper commented.
"Was not asking you," Thalia said as she grabbed a beer. "The only opinion that matters is Reyna."
"Laser tag sounds good," Reyna replied. Thalia grinned, but Percy could tell she was shaking slightly. "I can drive since you guys were drinking."
"I've only had a couple of sips," Annabeth began. Reyna leveled all of them with a look. "You can drive if you want. But. Sho-"
"-tgun," Piper finished before Annabeth could. She cackled as Annabeth slapped her arm. Reyna smirked and rested in her chair.
"Let me just put my stuff in my car," Thalia said. She turned and practically ran out of the bar. Percy stood and started to clear the empty baskets. Reyna and Annabeth finished off the onion rings, while Piper practically inhaled her tofu bites. Annabeth took care of the beer bottles while Reyna got the remaining baskets.
Then, all four of them walked outside. Piper moved to Reyna's side and started talking to her. Percy fell in step with Annabeth and just enjoyed being in her presence. Annabeth seemed relaxed. These were the moments that Percy loved. Sure, it was nice to be able to laugh and talk with Annabeth, but he loved the fact that they could sit in silence for an hour and not be uncomfortable.
"Let me just move my stuff to the trunk," Reyna said as they made it to her car. She grabbed her backpack from the passenger seat and opened the trunk. Percy opened the back door for Annabeth, and she looked at him.
"Such a gentleman," Annabeth said. She sat in the middle seat, and Percy sat next to her. "Or, did you just want the window seat?"
"I don't want to sit next to Thalia," Percy admitted.
"Hmm. I'm going to be squished against you," Annabeth threatened.
"I'll live," Percy said dramatically. He couldn't stop his smile, and Annabeth smiled as well. Annabeth leaned on him, and Percy felt his heart soar. Thalia got in the car and gave Percy a knowing look.
"Thalia, your future girlfriend is so hot," Piper whispered as she turned in the seat. "She's ripped. Even more than Ja... oh hey, Reyna. What's up."
"What am I more than Jason?" Reyna asked as she sat in the driver's seat.
"Did you hear that?" Piper questioned after a moment. Reyna looked at all of them with a raised eyebrow.
"Just that I'm something more than Jason," Reyna answered.
"Ripped. Piper thinks you're more ripped than Jason, and you are. He's such a dough boy. I'm more fit than him, and I don't get to the gym as much as I want to," Annabeth said. Reyna smirked.
"I try to go to the gym every day. It relaxes me," Reyna explained as she started her car. She looked at them."I drag Nico there twice a week."
"There is no way," Annabeth said. Reyna's smirk grew, and she backed out of the parking space. "Do you know Iris' laser tag?"
"Yeah. I go there with Nico sometimes," Reyna replied as she focused on the road. Thalia spent the entire car ride staring at Reyna. Percy tried his best not to be a creeper by staring at Annabeth and smelling in her perfume. Piper made small talk with Reyna.
Ten minutes later, Reyna pulled into the parking lot. Thalia was the first one out screaming laser tag. Percy followed a second behind yelling laser tag as well. He raced Thalia to the front door and beat her. As Percy celebrated, Thalia gave him an angry look.
Percy looked back at the car and saw that Reyna was walking between Annabeth and Piper. There was a smile on Reyna's face, and Annabeth was laughing. Piper had a huge grin on her face. Thalia spoke, "They're getting along well."
"They are. I was kind of nervous," Percy admitted as they walked inside and to the front counter. Thalia paid for their team of five.
"Did you invite her?" Thalia questioned as she leaned on the counter and looked at him.
"No. She just showed up and said she wanted to see your band play," Percy answered. "She looked really into it."
"I hope I don't screw this up," Thalia began. Percy turned towards her.
"Thals, you have this. Trust me. Just be yourself. Don't try to be special or do anything that you normally wouldn't do. Just be yourself," Percy encouraged.
"Be myself," Thalia repeated. She smiled, and the other three walked into the building. "We'll all ready guys. We just have to gear up and go."
"Gear up?" Reyna asked with a smirk. Thalia winked at her and then led them to the left. They walked into a hallway and into a room that held the vests and guns. Percy had a smile on his face, but the second he stepped into the room, he froze. Annabeth was right next to him, and she froze as well.
Piper bumped into him, but she caught himself onto him and froze. Thalia stepped in front of Annabeth and balled up her fists. Reyna was the only one who looked confused.
"Annabeth, we can just leave," Percy said as he watched the three men in front of them. One was already walking into the laser tag arena. The second fixed his eye patch before following behind, and the third was the bastard man himself. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scar on his face: Luke Castellan.
Luke and his buddy Ethan followed after the other man, never looking back. Percy slowly looked at Annabeth. He didn't want her to have to play laser tag with her ex-fiance that cheated on her. Annabeth looked at the color red on her vest. Reyna and Percy had red as well. Piper and Thalia were blue. Different teams usually made for fun matches, but today was different. Annabeth looked at the scoreboard, and Percy followed her gaze.
"They're the green team," Annabeth noted as she turned to them. "Everyone focus on them. We're going to kick bastard man's ass."