Chapter Text
Penny and Alberto were over.
Not in any big sense, they just broke up. And it hadn't even been messy (much to Utah and Prudence's dismay.) It wasn't over any argument, or infidelity. Penny just... realized she didn't really feel 'in love' with him.
Yes, it was a bit awkward to keep working with him every day, but they were still friends. Alberto was basically over it after a good few weeks, too. He knew it wasn't her fault she hadn't realized boys weren't her thing earlier. Well, she claimed it wasn't that, but he had a sense.
It was a Tuesday, and the work day was nearing it's end. Alberto was manning the tables, tending to mitch and Wally's sundae, so Penny was stuck with their closer. Penny was a little bit out of it— she spent most of her night doomscrolling. She probably should've let Alberto handle the closer for today, knowing she'd probably tick off the closer a little.
But before she could call to Alberto, she heard the door jingle. She hurried to the counter.
Captain Cori.
Whenever Penny saw Cori, she always felt a little... sick, almost? Her stomach felt odd and she'd get all wonky, she could barely pay attention to what the captain was saying. She wasn't sure why.
She scribbled down Cori's order. She moved to get started. Alberto walked in, starting to count the money.
"...'Berto." Penny squeaked.
He looked over.
"Mhm?"
"I haven't gotten the last customer yet." Penny stated. Alberto paused, and nodded. He just decided to sit aside for a minute.
Penny got the sundae mixed, but as she brought it to the toppings center, she stumbled a little, and tripped.
Spilling the sundae on the floor.
Fuck, why now? Why when the closer was waiting?
Penny got up. The blender boosters were busted, Alberto had called to get them fixed by the next day, so the mixers were going to be slow too. Cori would notice how long it took, and Penny knew that. Penny eventually got it on the mixer again. After a good 2 minutes, she brought the slightly overmixed sundae to the toppings.
Her hands were shaky, probably from sleep deprivation. She ended up spilling some syrup and sprinkles over the sides. And she ended up bringing Cori a sort of messy sundae.
Cori stared at her order, and at the slight mess of ice cream on penny's shirt.
"U-um... Order for... um... Captain Cori?"
Penny squeaked. Cori glanced to Penny's flushed face, and then her shirt, and then the sundae. She was most definitely displeased with her order.
But Cori took it anyway, dropping some money into the tip jar. It only looked like a couple of bills.
Penny just watched her leave for a second. And Alberto watched Penny look insanely embarrassed. Penny slumped under the counter after, groaning.
"...You good?"
Alberto asked, crouching beside her.
"Just... ugh, what is wrong with me?"
She sighed. Alberto patted her shoulder, taking her visor and setting it on the counter.
"...If you count money and inventory, I'll clean up the spill and stations, 'kay?"
Alberto offered.
Penny looked to him.
"That sounds good." She sighed. Alberto grabbed the mop, while Penny got to counting the food. She was grumbling to herself. And Alberto knew she was significantly more awkward just now than the rest of the day.
"...Are you alright?"
He asked.
"I don't even know." She sighed, writing down what they needed more of, and what they had. "I just... I don't know what's wrong with me! I just feel so... sick around her!"
"You hate her that much? I mean, I get it, I sorta feel that towards Xandra-"
"No, I don't hate her! She's really cool!" Penny stated, "i just... I don't know! I get all lightheaded and... urgh!"
She grumbled, walking to the registers.
Alberto stared at her. He knew exactly what was up with her, but he didn't know if she'd accept it. She had some bad internalized homophobia. But he got his usual goofy grin he got when he knew something someone else doesn't. Secrets were hard for him.
Penny didn't pay attention. She knew she doomed them to a shit tip from Cori. She had counted the register, and was going through tips. She reached for the top two bills that Cori left. She expected ones at best. But then she unfolded them, and made a gasp.
Cori had dropped $40 dollars in there.
"...Holy shit."
She mumbled. Alberto walked over.
"...She left us a giant tip. For a really bad sundae, too."
Alberto smiled.
"...sweet."
"Its weird, I seriously messed that thing up! She watched me slip!"
"Dont worry about it, Penny."
Alberto said,
"She probably just felt really bad. Or it was a mistake."
Penny stared at the dollar.
Alberto thought about it for a second, and decided to instigate her a little. She needed to get out there a bit more. Maybe get away from guys.
"...or shes trying to get on your good side 'cause she likes you."
He teased.
"What?"
"I mean, come on, you're a pretty girl!"
"There's no way-"
"You're nice, too."
"Alberto, stop it."
"And you always remember her regular, clearly she's on your mind."
"Berto-"
"Cori's stupid to not have scooped you up by now!"
Penny was just standing there, absolutely embarrassed. She couldn't say she hated the idea— but she wasn't gay!
"I... I don't like girls, Alberto!"
Alberto sighed. He was going to give up for the day.
"Hah, yeah."
He smiled. He put the mop away, and moved to clean up the rest of the stations.
"Do you need a ride home?"
Alberto asked. Penny paused, then nodded.
"Um... you can just drop me at the convenience store."
She stated. Alberto nodded. They left the store, and he drove her down to the convenience store. She thanked him, and walked in.
Wylan was sitting at the counter, showing a song to his friend Olivia. He only had a little left on his shift, so he was sort of checking out on paying attention.
Penny sighed, meandering down to the wine, and buying a cheap bottle. She left, and walked her way back to her home. She was tired and confused. She shut herself inside, and toppled onto the couch.
Alberto couldn't have meant that, right? Cori couldn't like her that way. No way. But, if Cori did... would she even mind that much? Maybe she'd be interested too.
Penny couldn't care anymore. She grabbed a clean mug, and poured herself a glass.