From One Mistake Comes Many Gifts

Chapter 2

From One Mistake Comes Many Gifts

                                                                              Ch. 2

Malcolm's POV

I analyzed the two newbies discreetly while working at my post: the cash register. My job here at Karaoke Café was the most important because without me, these bozos that work here would be broke before they even opened the restaurant to the public. I was the money manager and casher. Back to the two rookies in this facility: the one with shaggy, raven hair clapped his curly haired friend on the back, smiling. His lips formed the words, Come on buddy; let's get to work, to the scrawny, young man. Just then, the pair came over to me.

"Hey man, my name's Percy Jackson. Yours? The black haired male said while sticking his hand to shake.

"Malcolm Chase," I replied. His face changed to one of confusion, then, as if everything in the world became clear to him, Percy beamed at me and shook my hand furiously.

"Are you Annabeth's brother?" without letting me answer, he went on. "Nice to meet you man!" The brown haired teenager cut in and introduced himself as Grover Underwood. After we got our names and such situated, Percy explained that he was a waiter and didn't know what to do, as Jason had left them stranded before the pair could ask any questions. Typical Jason, leaving innocent people in the dust even if he is the one responsible to show the new workers around and help them when they need it, I thought to myself. "If you go to that girl over there," I pointed to Thalia, "she can help you."

"Thanks dude, I owe you," he told me with a relieved smile. Percy sauntered over to the spunky teenager I pointed to after saying to his friend, "Good luck G-man." After a minute of silence I glanced at Grover, who was looking down at his ratty Nike sneakers. "Do you need any help with anything?" I asked him. Grover looked up from his some-how fascinating shoes and explained to me his predicament.

"I'm the new chef who specializes in vegetarian food, but I don't know who the other chef is to show me around the kitchen." I instructed Grover to go into the kitchen and find a boy with brown, cropped hair who had broad shoulders and was a little on the husky side. "Once you see him, just tell him that you're the new chef and he will know exactly who you are. His name is Frank." Like his friend Percy, Grover's face was overcome with gratitude and he thanked me profusely. Me, being the shy and modest person I am, just blushed from the un-needed thanks and told him that it was no problem. While counting money, giving costumers' their correct change, and telling them that I hoped they had a great day, I was still thinking and pondering about the new employees and what I should think about them. Especially Percy Jackson, he seemed very happy at the mention of my little Annie. I had to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't make a move on Annabeth, though I know she is more than capable to take care of herself, I still am overprotective over my little sister and my adorable niece. Bianca DiAngelo, who is a waitress and big sister of Nico DiAngelo, waltzed up to me, breaking my thoughts.

"Hey, Malcolm! How's life?" Bianca's sweet voice reached my ears.

"Great, how's yours?" I played along with her silly shenanigans before saying, "Have a great day," to the female, teenage costumer before giving her my best grin. The blonde girl giggled and batted her eyelashes before sashaying away. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Bianca's eyes narrow and glare at the female costumer's back. I turned to her, and in a flash her glare was no more and in its place was the sweet smile that I loved (of course I would never tell her that to her face). Bianca then told me something, but I wasn't paying attention because I was in the middle of thinking, Test #1 complete; hypothesis- positive.

"Are you even paying attention to me, Malcolm?" Oops. I've been caught red handed. Instead of being angry like any other person in the world, all Bianca did was laugh. "Do you wanna take your lunch break so we can chat?" Bianca questioned. I just tilted my head a little in confusion.

"Why would we do it now? It's only 10 in the morning and it is still breakfast rush." Bianca pouted cutely. After some persuasion, I finally got Bianca to wait until after the breakfast rush was over. Bianca then left my side to get back to waitressing. I was only able to get a breather for a second before a line costumers walked up to the cash register. Sigh, good luck Percy Jackson and Grover Underwood, you're going to need it.

Percy's POV

My eyes followed where Malcolm was pointing. They landed on a girl who was in a heated discussion with someone; she had had short, spiky, black hair. I've seen that hair before! It's that girl who whispered in Annabeth's ear the other day, I realized. I grinned at my absolute luck and, as not to seem excited, casually walked up to the black-haired girl. "Hey, I'm Percy, a new employee here. Malcom told me I should talk to you for instructions on what to do." Surprised, the spikey haired girl swiveled around so fast that our heads cracked against each other's.

"Ow!" exclaimed the girl as she rubbed her sore forehead. "I'm Thalia," she glared at me, "Thalia Grace." Thalia then stuck out her hand and I tentatively shook it. Damn she has a hard head… that and a firm handshake, I thought, trying to restrain myself from rubbing my head and now-sore hand.

After shooing away the boy she had been talking to, Thalia went on, "That's right; I am the head waitress here at the Karaoke Café. Follow me, I'll show you around and teach you the procedure of being a waiter here. You will also meet all your fellow co-workers."

After meeting Luke Castellan, Piper McLean, Juniper Tree, Hazel Levesque, and Bianca DiAngelo (the other waiters and waitresses), Chris Rodriguez, Charles Beckendrof, Selena Beauregard , and Nyse Castriwan (the ushers), and learning what to do as a waiter Thalia clapped her hands together and exclaimed, "Well, that's about. If you have any more questions just ask me or the head waiter, Nico DiAngelo."

"Great thanks, I really appreciate the help," I told Thalia happily. This job is going to be easier than expected; that, and its great pay! I thought to myself gleefully.

Frank's POV

Where is the new guy? I'm really excited to meet him.

"Yo Zhang!" Leo Valdez interrupted my train of thought, "Anything else I need to fix up while I'm here?"

"No the broken pipe was all, are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer?" I asked the elfish looking teenager. Saying that he would like to meet the new employees of the café, Leo agreed. As if on cue, a scrawny teenager nervously poked his head in the kitchen doors.

"Is there a 'Frank' in here?" he asked.

Waving him over I answered, "Yeah, that's me. And who are you?" Intimidated, though he shouldn't be, the brown-haired kid informed me that his name was Grover Underwood and he would be the new vegetarian chef.

Before I could introduce myself properly to Grover, Leo jumped up from the chair he was sitting on and practically shouted, "Hi! My name is Leo Valdez. I'm the guy repairs everything around here. Over there is Calypso Titan," Leo pointed to Calypso, a girl with blonde hair, "she is a DJ at Karaoke Café. Then there is Will Solace. He's here so if someone has an allergic reaction or gets seriously hurt in any way, he can heal them or rush them to the hospital." Leo pointed to a 6'0 foot teenager with blonde hair and blue eyes who was currently eating a sandwich. Barley stopping for a breath, Leo went on, "They tough, scary looking girl with brown hair out where the costumers eat is Clarisse; she is another DJ. And last but not least, there's Rachel Elizabeth Dare. She's sadly not here today, but Rachel is in charge of our advertising, you know, posters, commercials, etc."

"Ok Leo, that's enough. You don't want to scare poor Grover away on the first day, do you?" Leo shook his head. After showing Grover around the kitchen, we got to work. He's a good kid, I thought to myself.