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Percy was not a coffee shop regular. He was not in the mood for forty-something-year-old ladies with bleach-blonde hair berating him about his love-life. He was not in the mood for waiting in line just to get his hazelnut latte that he could get for cheaper at Dunkin’. He wanted to get his Christmas shopping over with, and this stop was not on the agenda.
Alas, he was in a coffee shop, and he was waiting in a crazy long line for his hazelnut latte, all because his sister had thought the ‘aesthetic’ was cute. To be fair, it was pretty cool. Beatles albums lined the walls, a record player in the corner(that was probably made in 2014) played ‘Penny Lane’ softly. The walls were a lilac purple that reminded Percy of the sky right before the sun disappeared completely.
“Percy, you need to actually order. You can’t just glare at Paul McCartney the whole time.” Estelle smirked, nudging him lightly.
“Shut up,” he grinned, pushing her back lightly. He ordered his coffee and paid without hassle.
“What’s up your ass today?” Estelle asked as they leaned against the wall(right under the ‘Let it Be’ album).
“You know I don’t like coffee shops. We could have just gone to Dunkin’ and not had to deal with all these people.” He shrugged.
“Oh, you mean the people you scared off with your eyeball rays of death? It’s not that bad, dude. I mean, it’s a Beatles themed cafe. What’s better than that?”
“Dunkin’,” Percy answered shortly. Their number was called and he stepped forward to pick up the drinks. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman who looked suspiciously like his last hookup walking past. He stopped abruptly, causing the woman in front of him to slam into him. When he recovered from the shock, he realized that his coffee was no longer in his hand; it was now all over the coat of the woman.
“Shit—I’m so sorry. I’ll buy you a replacement jacket or something. Coffee stains don’t really come out of white.”
“Speaking from experience?” The woman asked, laughing. Her smile was bright and carefree, her white teeth shining in the light streaming through the windows. She stripped off her wet coat, revealing a reindeer sweater underneath.
“Kind of, yeah.” Percy blushed, bending over to pick up the plastic cap off the floor.
“At least you spilled your coffee and not mine,” Estelle snatched her iced frappuccino from her brother, laughing far too loudly for an indoor coffee shop.
“Damnit,” Percy muttered.
The woman’s smile remained, and she stuck out her hand for him to shake. “I’m Annabeth. Is this your sister?”
“I’m Estelle, and this is my clumsy idiot brother, Percy. He looks to be about your age. He is twenty-six. He’s also a grouch, but don’t worry; he can be really nice if you can crack his shell. I recommend blue food.” Estelle shook Annabeth’s hand before Percy had a chance to speak, introducing himself for him.
“Nice to meet you.” Percy smiled a crooked half smile(Estelle was right…you had to earn the full smile).
“You too,” Annabeth chuckled softly. Estelle subtly backed away until she was back under the ‘Let it Be’ album, leaving the two adults alone. “Don’t worry about the coat. I’ve got another one at home.”
Percy eyed the jacket, finding the Louis Vuitton emblem on the sleeve. “That’s not a knock-off, is it?” She shook her head, amused. “You’re sure there’s nothing I can do? Do you want my jacket or something?”
“Only if I can get a chance to return it,” she winked, sipping at her miraculously unspilled coffee.
“Are you saying you want to see me again?” Percy raised an eyebrow, smile returning.
Annabeth handed him her phone. “Maybe…now put your number in. Just in case.”
Percy quickly typed in his number before handing her the phone as well as his thick jean jacket.
“Keep warm, ‘Beth.”
“You too, Percy.”