Criminally Insane

"Are You Google?"

"Reports are due tonight," Professor McGuire stated as we gathered our items to go.

Most of the students groaned and complained, and then there were students like me who stayed at their desks because they were going to turn in their assignments right now.

"Ms. Keating," Professor called out. I looked up. "You're turning in your report early?" He asked.

"Yes sir," I replied as I clicked the 'Submit' button. I smiled at him as his laptop made a noise, notifying him that an assignment had been turned in.

"Very well, Ms. Keating. Have a nice day."

"You do the same, Professor McGuire."

He eyed me while I packed my things away, and while I never appreciated the long stares, I determined it was best not to question him in fear of him tampering with my grades.

The complainers glared at me as I made my way to the front of the class and out the door.

Sighing as I walked out of the building, I heard students planning parties for tonight since it was Friday.

I didn't have the time to party. I was accepted into Yale on a scholarship, so I had to keep my grades up.

I reminded myself of the two girls from Book Smart.

It was almost five o'clock, so I decided to stop by my friends' diner to pick up a snack.

"Hi, Jade," I spoke to one of the everyday customers.

The old lady peered at me over the book she was reading.

"The Fault In Our Stars," I mumbled as I walked behind the counter. I went to the back and grabbed a hoagie out of the refrigerator. When I walked back to the counter, the bell on the door shook. That signaled that someone had just stepped in.

"Welcome to Tori's Diner," I said with a smile even though I almost pissed my pants at the sight I was seeing.

"What's the best thing you got, Tori?" The man asked me. His voice was deep and accented. It seemed like a dark shadow was following him, creeping over the people in the room until it stood behind him with an evil glare. Or maybe it was my fear of Shadow man.

I opened my mouth, but my throat was dry. I looked around to see two workers already busy with other customers. "Tourists say that the cake is the best," I said, avoiding his intimidating stare. I was never good at eye contact.

"Why is your cake the best?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I was not Tori. Instead, I fixed my eyes on his tie. The suit he was wearing was an eye charmer, and it defined his body perfectly. It could see his muscles under the black suit. The grey silk tie stuck out against the dark attire.

"I-I don't know," I stammered, pushing my dark hair behind my ear. "Reviewers say it's very moist. I've never tasted the cake." I just wanted to stop saying the word cake.

"I've tasted a dozen moist cakes," was his short reply as he eyed me. A piece of hair fell in his eyes when he tilted his head more to the right. "Why is yours the best?"

I shook my head and cleared my throat, an action that was meaningless. My mind was racing with thoughts, none of which would make any sense if I opened my mouth.

"It's everything a cake is supposed to be, sir."
I didn't know the cake was supposed to be different from others. "It's sweet, moist, and fluffy. Easy to bite into, duh..." I lost my train of thought as I stared up at him.

"We should try it together," he said, the ever-present smile on his face staying strong.

Wrapping my jacket tighter around my body, I cleared my throat once more. I didn't know what else to do to stop the feeling of anxiety I was feeling.

I was conversing with a hot guy and he was making me feel uncomfortable. Something about him was unsettling and my body was screaming at me to run. But of course, the other parts of me wanted not to stay and see what he was about. Because I was a woman of proper reasoning, I did the right thing.

"Sir, if you're not here to order, you're going to have to leave," I said trying to make my voice sound strong.

The man pushed himself off the counter, and thinking he was going to leave, I exhaled. I turned to grab my sandwich and turned back around, bumping into something hard and well-toned.

How did I know it was well-toned? Funny you may ask. I kept touching the hard surface to be sure it wasn't a wall. And why would it be a wall? Warm hands grabbed my wrists, pulling them away.

I looked up at the face.

God, that face.

"Are you Google cause you are everything I'm looking for," that deep voice mumbled.

I took that as my cue to laugh. I laughed hard and he released my wrists before stepping away from me.

"That is the best worst pickup line I've ever heard!" I wheezed as I laugh some more, bending over slightly while clutching my belly.

This stranger comes in here with his deep voice and dark, yet tempting aura. He starts making his sexual innuendos and walks behind my counter to give me his best pickup line?! I laughed even harder in disbelief.

The man offered me a small smile. "Scarlett, if you keep laughing I'm going to hang you from a ceiling, and skin you alive," he whispered darkly, but quietly in my ear.

My laughter ceased as if it was never there, and my eyes widened as I shuddered. He knew my name.

He smirked. "Choose your next words wisely," he said as he reached behind me.

I knew I was visibly trembling. I double-dog dared myself to move. He withdrew his arm from behind me, and I saw my hoagie in his hands.

How dare he?!

"Get out," I said growled. "Get out of here, and don't you ever come back!" I screamed. A bit overdone for a sandwich, but the entire situation was just now settling into my mind.

Everyone looked at the dramatic scene that had unraveled itself.

He looked shocked for less than a second before a wicked grin settled on his prominent, mischievous features. His bright grey eyes twinkled with what seemed like newfound joy. Because his vibe was off, it scared me. He scared me. The man leaned down to my height and stopped when he was near my ear.

"Now, that's the best pickup line I've ever heard."

And with that, he was gone.

~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~•~~~
Second chapter up! It's starting off slow for a reason so bare with me!

~djdiamondmind1738💜💙💚💛🧡❤️🖤

Edited: December 5, 2021 @ 9:46PM
Edited: February 15, 2023 @ 11:46PM