A/N: Also, if you're curious as to how many chapters there will be, even I don't know. This is all coming to me as I go along, so anything could happen. Expect the pairing at the end. I know exactly what it's going to be. Pray I choose the one you want. Anyway, onward and up!(On a Tuesday)
After the day shift was over, and very few customers came in, Mordecai went home and got his share of the work done at the park. He wasn't exhausted because he didn't have to do work, so it was relatively effortless to do.
Mordecai walked in the house when it was almost 9 and he planned on going straight to bed in time for work tomorrow. But he saw Rigby waiting on the couch. Not playing video games or watching TV. Just…. sitting there.
"I'll bite. What are you doing?" Mordecai asked.
"I need to talk to you. Look man, I'm sorry about yesterday. I really just think you were just leaving all of us," Rigby said. Mordecai had to face palm at his friend's words.
"Need I remind you how much I stressed the fact that I'm not going away? You just won't see me as often because of the work that I have to do. Because that's the life of a college student. I spent 4 years wasting my time with a low wage job when at this point I could've already graduated and got a better job. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret the people I've met, but it's just…"
"You don't have to explain anything. I was the one acting like a turd, remember?" Rigby said.
"Yes I remember. And when don't you act like a turd?" Mordecai asked, smiling.
"Don't try to tell me you don't act turdish at times?" Rigby said.
"I'm not going to say that. Though you are way worse than me," Mordecai said.
"Whatever. So are we good?" Rigby said.
"Yeah, we're good. But I need to get to bed though," Mordecai said, going up the stairs.
"What?! It's not even 9 yet!" Rigby exclaimed.
"New job, remember?" Mordecai said.
"Aw that's jank! Even Benson gives us till 9 to get to work," Rigby complained.
"Well I have to get to work at 6. Sorry, but I don't have much time for slacking anymore," Mordecai said, going up the stairs. Instead of his alarm being set to 8:30, he switched it to 5:30. He then collapsed on his bed and fell asleep 10 minutes later.
When his alarm went off, Mordecai practically pounded the alarm before trying to get up. He rubbed his eyes to relieve the itch and stretched to try and relieve some of that morning soreness. He performed his morning proclivities: shower, teeth, and breakfast. He then put on his uniform and walked out of the door at 5:56. He took the cart and drove to the coffee shop and was stopped in his tracks when he walked in. The place was packed. Not only was every seat taken, but there was a line that led outside. Mordecai jolted himself out of his shock got behind the counter to help.
"How do this many people get up this early?" Mordecai asked as he prepared the coffee machine. At least some skill came out of working with a crazy coffee bean and his even crazier translator.
"The same way we do. Because of our jobs," Eileen said, grabbing 2 trays and running to the tables.
"Oh, this sucks man," Mordecai said, grabbing the mug and pouring coffee into cups. "Uh, how many cups of coffee?"
"Twenty, but you'll have to make another pot for them all," Eileen yelled across the room. "I saved you some time by putting all of the sugar and all the stuff on all of the tables."
"Thanks," Mordecai said, moving his hands furiously trying to grab everything. He put all four cups for one table on the tray and gave them to one table before having to go to the other tables.
"Where's my coffee?!" a man yelled.
"It's coming! Please be patient," Mordecai said politely while making another pot of coffee.
"While that's being made, can you help me get these trays out to everyone?" Eileen asked.
"Sure," Mordecai said, grabbing 6 trays and balancing them on top of each other. Eileen tagged them all with the specific table they need to go to.
"Thank you for that," Mordecai thought as he dashed around the place.
He passed them all out before heading back and grabbing six more trays and passed those out.
"How does she do this by herself is beyond me," Mordecai said, as sweat began dripping down his face as he went back to the coffee pot and started pouring the cups again.
As soon as one of the tables was cleared out, it was instantly filled again. Mordecai sighed. This was going to be a while before everyone was done. And this is how it was for the next hour. They had to go back to back to back for an hour straight for all of the customers to clear out. It took an hour because more started showing up. By the time they all left, Mordecai was on the floor, panting and sweating. Eileen was still on her feet, but breathing heavily.
"That… was…. horrible," Mordecai said.
"Be lucky. That was... an easy day," Eileen said.
"Easy?" Mordecai wheezed out with as much emphasis as he could.
"A lot of people... don't go anywhere this early on a Saturday, but a lot of them do. But even more people… have to get up early on a Monday. Better prepare yourself for Monday, because this place is going to be even more packed when that day comes," Eileen explained.
Mordecai groaned. This was not how he saw this job going.
"Come on. Get up. We have to clean this place up," Eileen said, shaking Mordecai.
Mordecai stood on his sore legs and shook his sore arms. Eileen handed him cleaner and a washcloth.
"You handle the tables. I'll mop the floors," she said.
Mordecai looked the tables. It looked like people were spilling more coffee than they were drinking. Mordecai had to really push his arms to keep going.
"So, is that it?" Mordecai asked after he finished the tables. Eileen had already finished the floors when Mordecai finished.
"For now. They'll be back by night, though in not as many numbers. Though it'll guarantee you'll go home exhausted," Eileen said.
"Fantastic. Can I make a breakfast run?" Mordecai asked.
"Where are you going?" Eileen asked.
"Pancake Planet," Mordecai said.
"Hold on. I have some cash. I want a few pancakes. I didn't have a chance to eat this morning," Eileen said, digging into her pockets. "Oh, wash your hands first. I don't want the smell of cleaner all on my food."
"Noted," Mordecai said after sniffing his hands and reeling back from how strong the smell was. He went back into the kitchen and washed his hands and dried them before heading back and grabbing the $5 Eileen gave him along with some change.
"I want three pancakes. That's for the tax," Eileen said.
"Alright. I just hope I don't get docked for this," Mordecai said.
"Don't worry, I'm covering for you. The boss is cool about that," Eileen said, making Mordecai sigh in relief.
"Oh, that's a relief. I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, walking to the cart.
"Hey Mordecai," CJ said, walking past.
"Oh, hey. I've always wondered this job pays so well. Because it could potentially kill you," Mordecai breathed out.
"You work at the coffee shop now? What made you do that?" CJ said.
"Trying to go back to college, and it's not cheap. It would take me years on the park's salary, so I'm working here. I work nights at the park and I work the entire day at the coffee shop. This morning was rough," Mordecai explained.
"Yeah, I've been there on a Monday. I pity how much running around you'll be doing. But it's a good thing you're going back to school. I know Rigby didn't finish high school, but you did and even attempted to go to art school, but that didn't work out," CJ said.
"No. Because I got lazy and dropped out. Real smart of me when I had a scholarship to the place. I didn't have to pay a cent, but now I have to nearly break my limbs trying to keep up with the customers that come in here," Mordecai said with a resentful tone.
"Better late than never. Anyway, where are you heading now?" CJ asked.
"Pancake Planet. I'm making a breakfast run for the both of us while Eileen's holding down the fort as it were," Mordecai said, getting in the cart.
"I'll join you. I'm pretty hungry this morning myself," CJ said, getting in the cart.
"When aren't you hungry?" Mordecai joked, driving off.
"Nice to meet you black pot. I'm a black kettle," CJ said, gesturing between the two of them.
"Ok, ok, I admit, I can be a little..."
"Gluttonous?" CJ said smiling.
"I don't overindulge. I have a fast metabolism," Mordecai argued.
"That's what they all say. I have yet to see medical proof," CJ said, elbowing his stomach.
Mordecai reeled back and swerved the cart slightly before straightening out.
"Are you trying to kill us?" Mordecai asked with a glare.
"Not my fault you can handle a nudge," CJ said.
"A nudge I can handle. Keeping the cart straight while being nudged is a challenge," Mordecai said, his attention focused on the road.
"Fine then. No more nudging. So how have you been?" CJ asked.
"Taking one day at a time. You?" Mordecai asked.
"Eh, pretty good. Just started dating someone else..."
Mordecai suddenly hit the brakes on the cart and swiftly turned his head turned toward CJ.
"WHAT?!" Mordecai yelled.
"I'm kidding! Now who's trying to kill us? That car in the back nearly hit us," CJ said, jerking a thumb toward the honking car. Mordecai started driving, though with a slight apprehension.
"You know you can't joke about things like that. I take stuff like that seriously," Mordecai said.
"Why so serious?" CJ said, grinning.
"Because if you know me at all, you know I take stuff like that seriously. And I don't like it, even though you are fully within your rights to do so," Mordecai said, his tone becoming resentful again.
"Are you done hating yourself so we can move on with our lives? I don't hate you, so why are you hating you?" CJ asked.
"You may, for some strange reason are able to get over what I did, but I can't. Because it messes with my mind as far as any type of faithfulness is concerned," Mordecai said.
"You don't know why you did it and yet you're resentful about it. In all honesty, that's dumb," CJ said.
"I know it's dumb, but welcome to my life," Mordecai said, parking the cart. "Well, we're here, and luckily, the line isn't long. Let's get our food and get out."
"Could you loosen up a bit? Feel like I'm making a breakfast run with my uptight boss," CJ said.
"I am not uptight! I just need to get back to work," Mordecai said.
"See? Uptight," CJ said.
"You're too down-tight," Mordecai retorted.
"That's not even a thing!" CJ exclaimed. "Now you're just not making sense."
"That's the point," Mordecai said, walking up to the counter.
"All of that time away from me must've fried your brain," CJ said, waving her hand over his head similar to a fan.
"My brain is perfectly raw, thank you very much. What are you getting?" Mordecai asked.
"Um..."
"Just how many times am I going to meet you in a row?" Stacey said from behind the counter.
"You work at Pancake Planet?" Mordecai said surprised.
"Officially a week ago. Because they offered me free pancakes on Saturdays along with a paycheck. So this your girlfriend? I must say you've grown up since the last time I saw you," Stacey said.
"No, we're not dating. I screwed that up majorly," Mordecai said.
"I don't even want to know about another Mordecai epic failure. We still meeting today?" Stacey said.
Mordecai smacked his forehead in idiocy.
"Ok, how'd you screw up now?" Stacey asked.
"He has to work the rest of the day, hence the uniform he's wearing. I guess he forgot that you would have work," CJ clarified.
"Another epic fail, am I right?" Mordecai said, still holding his forehead.
"Majorly. So when are you actually free?" Stacey asked.
"Depends on when I can get a day off. I only just got the job," Mordecai said, scratching the back of his head. "Er, sorry I screwed up."
"Ah, I'm used to it from you. Anyway, what are you ordering?" Stacey asked.
"Whatever she's getting, one three pancake platter, and one ten pancake platters," Mordecai said.
"Why not just order thirteen of them?" Stacey asked.
Mordecai rolled his eyes.
"They're not both for me. The other is for a friend. Don't think you presume to know me," he said.
"I do know you. Well, at least I did before. So how about..." Stacey said, writing on a piece of paper and handing it to Mordecai. "... you call me when you figure out when you're actually free?"
Mordecai blushed a little at how it sounded, but he took the number.
"Well, hopefully I can figure out when I won't have to work, but you might be waiting a while," he said.
"I got time," Stacey said, grabbing bags from a co-worker behind her. "Well, here's your food and you owe me a call mister."
"You'll get it. Bye," Mordecai said, grabbing the bags and exiting the shop.
"Ok, the tension between you two was thick enough where you couldn't cut it with a knife. Actually, more like a bone saw," CJ said, looking through her bag and checking to make sure everything was there. "Ex?"
"Art school partner. We never dated, though people told me I should," Mordecai said, placing the bags in the back of the cart.
"If you did, we possibly wouldn't be where we are now," CJ said.
Mordecai flinched and nearly took the wheel off in the process.
"Possibly," he said, his hands turning white on the steering wheel.
"I didn't mean it like-"
"It's ok. I understand," Mordecai said, his voice quiet.
"You know I hate when you act all solemn. Like you just got back from a funeral," CJ exclaimed.
"Until everything is completely wrapped up, what you see is what you get," Mordecai said, focusing on the road.
CJ sighed and the rest of the trip was silent.
As soon as they got to the coffee shop, Mordecai instantly hopped up and got his food inside, but to his displeasure there were more customers. His limbs still haven't calmed down from the morning run.
"Hold this please," he said to CJ before having to go to work.
He started waiting tables again back to back to back. Making coffee, pour it, serve it. Rinse and repeat for the next few minutes. It wasn't nearly as long as this morning, but was enough to get the soreness in his limbs going again. Of course, to Mordecai's displeasure, one of the customers wasn't interested in the coffee at all. Rather, his focus was on CJ.
The urge to smack his head into the desk was strong, but he knew he had no grounds to do that. So after pretty much everyone else was gone, he handed Eileen her breakfast and ate his an attempt to focus on something else. It was hardly working.
CJ had the strange feeling you get when someone is watching you and when she turned around, that particular feeling was right. Guaranteed, he was rather handsome to her, but it was still creepy.
"Can I help you?" she asked, turning around and crossing her arms.
"How are you doing?" he asked
"Fine. Uncomfortable that you're staring at me. Either say something, or stop staring before you lose your eyes," CJ said. He smiled with all the charm of a shark before speaking.
"You want to go out? I mean, if you're not dating someone already," the man said.
CJ stole a glance at Mordecai. He was looking directly at his food, but she could see the expression on his face. If his stare had heat on it, his food would be cinders. And the desk. And the entire building. But he's holding back because he knows he has no right to interfere.
"Not interested," CJ said simply.
She could see the veins in Mordecai's neck retract a little. Not much, but it was something.
The man shrugged.
"Alright. If you change your mind…"
"I'm sure I won't," CJ said with a bit of emphasis.
"Don't pop a blood vessel," Eileen said to Mordecai.
"It's still strange to me. I had the feeling to bash the guy's face into the table," Mordecai said.
"At least you know self-control. You act like you didn't see this possibility coming," Eileen said.
"I was either to stupid not to or I ignored it. Either way, this situation is not going well for me," Mordecai said.
"You haven't been trying to figure this out, have you? This is not only affecting you. Whether you know it or not, Margaret and CJ are waiting for an answer. One or the other," Eileen said.
"You don't think I know that? Part of me is trying to avoid thinking about this because the answer may not be the best one," Mordecai said.
"Is there a such thing as 'the best one?' There is no 'best one.' It is what it is. It's CJ or Margaret. Simple," Eileen said.
"Simple is not the same thing as easy," Mordecai said, his hands rubbing his forehead.
"You need a push, because you're not going to do make this discovery on your own," Eileen said, hand under her chin. "You said there's someone named Skips that helps with a bunch of your problems. Maybe he can help with this one."
"How could he possibly help me with this?" Mordecai asked.
"You never know. If you won't ask him, I will, cause this is getting ridiculous," Eileen said, crossing her arms.
"I'm not asking him that. That'll just feel plain weird," Mordecai said.
"Then I definitely wi-" Eileen cut herself off as yelling suddenly popped up. CJ's voice in particular. And it was directed at the man from earlier.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Mordecai asked walking up to the two. Personally, he was asking for an excuse to knock this guy flat on his butt.
"Nothing. He's just been badgering me a little too much and it's annoying me to no end. I guess he doesn't take rejection well," CJ said.
"No, I don't. Persistence is one of my best qualities," the man said.
"Well, right now, it's one of your most annoying ones," CJ snapped.
"Sir, if you can't stop messing with the customers, we're going to have to ask you to leave," Eileen said.
"You can ask me to leave, but that doesn't mean I will," the man said defiantly.
"You will leave willingly or I will make you," Mordecai threatened.
"Really? How are you gonna make me leave, toothpick?" the man said, flexing. Mordecai had to admit. He looked strong.
"Oh, like this," Mordecai said, grabbing the man by the back of his jacket and throwing him out of the shop.
When Mordecai came back, he could see both Eileen and CJ doubled over in laughter. Mordecai even had to smile and how little effort that took.
"There's an expression that comes to mind here. Not putting your money where your mouth is," he said, placing a coin on top of his beak.
The door opened again and the guy he threw out came back again.
"You only did that because I wasn't ready," he said.
Mordecai pretended to check a watch.
"Are you ready now?" he asked.
"Yeah, why?" the man asked.
Mordecai got up, grabbed him by his jacket, and threw him out again. Somehow, the two women managed to laugh even harder at this. Mordecai dusted his hands and went to go sit back down, but the guy came back again. This time Mordecai lost his patience.
"Listen, if you don't get out and stay out, I'm going to call the cops. Which would you rather take?" Mordecai asked, taking his phone out.
The man finally seemed to take the hint and left. Mordecai threw his hands up in his signature outrage. Well, his and Rigby's.
"Are there always stubborn d-bags like that?" Mordecai asked.
"Every once in a while, but not too often. Unfortunately, I can't handle them like that," Eileen said, smiling widely. "Well, we got about eight hours to kill and we don't have too many customers until a few minutes before 8, so any ideas of how to kill time?"
"I got nothing," Mordecai said.
"Me neither," CJ said.
The door opened again, and Mordecai closed his eyes tightly. If it was the same guy, he was going to punch him so hard. But it was only Rigby.
"Hey man," Mordecai said, holding out his fist.
"Hey. Just wondering how things are going here," Rigby said, hitting Mordecai's fist.
"Fine. Had to throw out a douche a while ago, but that's about it," Mordecai said.
"Why didn't you tell me? I would've recorded it!" Rigby said with excitement.
"It just happened two minutes ago. I wouldn't have had time to get you," Mordecai said.
"I'm upset that I missed it though. Hey Eileen. CJ," Rigby said neutrally.
"Hey Rigby," they said simultaneously.
"How's the park?" Mordecai asked.
"Harder because you're not there. I hated mowing the lawn," Rigby said.
"Christmas is in two days. How is the weather in a state where the grass can even grow?" Mordecai asked. (Ok, fact is, that was a Christmas party. Not actually Christmas, so therefore that didn't actually happen on Christmas. Just sayin)
"You think I know? Anyway, you got the trash and the dishes waiting for you when you get back ," Rigby said.
"Thanks for the heads up. I guess Benson gave you the long and hard jobs because I got this job, right?" Mordecai asked, already knowing the answer.
"You guessed it. I think he's actually more fond of you than me," Rigby said.
"That's probably cause I don't slack off every day. Hint hint," Mordecai said.
"I get the hint. I've got no room to slack off now that you're not there. I know that it's actually a good thing, but I don't have to like it," Rigby said, crossing his arms.
"You think I like having to get up early, work over half of the day, and then I have to do more work before I can sleep. That week's paycheck will be well earned," Mordecai said.
"How much do you make here?" Rigby asked.
"A thousand and fifty a week, forty two hundred a month," Mordecai said. Rigby's eyes widened.
"Can I get a job here?" Rigby asked.
"Do you want to do my schedule?" Mordecai asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rigby shuddered.
"On second thought, never mind. I don't want to know what a slave feels like," Rigby said.
"Thought so. While the paycheck is good, I have to run myself ragged to earn the money. Another reason why I want to go to college. I won't have to work that hard to earn a decent living," Mordecai said.
"Yeah, but the money here is amazing compared to our paycheck at the park. You earn more money in a week here than you do in several months at the park," Rigby said.
"Yeah, I have to work at least a full month here before I have enough cash to pay for school. I don't know if I can work two jobs and go to school," Mordecai said.
"I'd jump in a volcano before I'd do that," Rigby said.
"Of course you would, but some people have to do that. Whether I like it or not, I'm going to have a hard future ahead of me," Mordecai said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, good luck with that. Anyway, if you get your own apartment, can I bunk with you?" Rigby asked.
"You could, but you would have to get up even earlier to make it to work on time," Mordecai said. "And I will make sure you get up in time."
"Way to ruin it," Rigby mumbled.
"Hey, I'm just being real with you. And there's no way you're living in my house without a job. I don't care what you do with the money, but you will work," Mordecai said.
"Ah, you getting this job has taken all of the fun out of you," Rigby said.
"And you have too much fun inside of you. Can learn to be serious sometimes?" CJ asked.
"Not really. It's my one and only rule. Never take stuff too seriously," Rigby said.
"That will never get you ahead in life. But I'm going to head on home because it's getting a little boring around here, no offense to any of you. Bye," CJ said.
"Bye," Mordecai, Eileen, and Rigby said.
"Rigby, can I talk to you?" Eileen asked.
"Sure. What is it?" Rigby asked.
"Can you get your friend Skips to help out with Mordecai's situation?" He's doing nothing to solve it himself," Eileen said.
"Eileen!" Mordecai exclaimed with a glare.
"I'll definitely do that. To be honest, he needs help," Rigby said.
"I still don't Skips will be able help," Mordecai asked.
"Maybe he's got some supernatural way to help you figure it out. This is Skips, you know. He has a solution to pretty much everything," Rigby said.
"Whatever. It better not weird, embarrassing, or both," Mordecai said, before lowering his voice. "Even though it probably will..."
A/N: This chapter turned out very long winded, but I kind of struggled to write it, so cut me some slack. Anyway, till next time.