Short Stories

Part 1 - 13 Reasons

"One Old Fashion please." The deep and gravelly voice brings Angie's attention to the man now standing at the bar next to her. Tall, dark, and handsome. She knew it was a cliche thing to think, but that's exactly what the man looked like.

He starts to turn his head and Angie quickly looks down at her drink. After a few seconds she sneaks a glance at him only to already find him looking at her.

He opens his mouth to speak but she cuts him off. "Look, I'm not interested so you can save whatever lame pick-up line you were about to say for another girl."

The guy closes his mouth only to open it again. "I was gonna ask if you could pass the peanuts." He says and points to the bowl of nuts sitting next to her drink. There were several bowls on the bar and tables for hungry and drunk guest.

Angie narrows her eyes at the man. Was he being serious or was this just his plan b if he got shot down?

"You gonna pass them over or hog them to yourself?" The man asks, his deep voice breaking Angie out of her thoughts.

"Maybe." Angie says vaguely. A mischievous glint twinkled in her blue eyes.

"I thought you said you weren't interested." The man cocks an eyebrows. His drink is set down in front of him and he lifts it to hips.

Angie watches his Adams's Apple bob as he swallows. "That's when I thought you were trying to pick me up."

The man narrows his eyes. His bottom lip was pulled between his teeth as he thought. "Darren." He says finally and offers a hand.

Angie doesn't hesitate to shake his hand. "Angie. Nice to meet you Darren."

"Now are you going to pass those nuts?" Darren asks as he pulls his hand back.

"Right." Angie slides the bowel of nuts over to him. Her curiosity was burning at the back of her throat. Eventually she gives in. "Were you really going to ask for the nuts?"

Amusement dances in Darren's eyes. He takes a sip of his drink before answering. "No. I was going to ask why a pretty girl like you would go out to a bar only to keep her back to any available men?"

Angie's eyebrows furrow together. That was not the response she was expecting at all. "I'm here to accompany my friend. Make sure she gets home in one piece. Not to get hit on by drunk men who think they have more game than they really do."

Darren laughs loudly, the sound Angie found quite pleasing. "So what you're saying is I'm not going to get lucky tonight?"

Angie was about to send him away when she notices the tinkle of mischievous in his eyes. "I'll make you a deal."

Darren arches an eye brow at her. "What kind of deal?"

A smirk grows on Angie's lips. "If you can give me thirteen reasons to go out with you, in three days, then I will."

"Thirteen reasons in three days?" Darren questions thoughtfully. "That's very specific."

"That's my offer. Take it or leave it." Angie says flatly before turning back to her drink.

"Okay, so if I agree how will I give you my reason?" Darren asks, his voice sounding close than before.

Angie turns and finds his face mere inches from hers. "Snapchat."

"What?" Darren blurts our, eyebrows drawn together.

"You know the app that lets you send pictures and short videos to others that disappear after a few seconds." Angie explains with an innocent edge to her voice.

Darren rolls his eyes. "I know what Snapchat is. I'm just confused as to why you chose that."

Angie grins and pats Darren's cheek lightly. "Because it notifies me of you take a screenshot of one of my snaps. Now do we have a deal?"

Darren reaches up and grabs ahold of her hand that was on his cheeks moments before. "Deal."