stupefied

Lee Schneider, who was before confused, now worried, internally panicked when the young man in front of her wouldn't respond to anything.

It had been exactly fifteen minutes since she last spoke to him and it seemed like his system had shut down.

"Excuse me, mister?"

No response.

"Hey."

Still none.

"Are you alright?"

She would've hit her own head for asking that. Of course he's not okay! Just look at him.

Lee obeyed her thoughts and studied him. Some of his messy mop of brown hair had fallen over his hazel eyes that were wide with an emotion she couldn't quite comprehend. His lips were slightly parted as if he's shocked at something.

Maybe it was something she said.

The sound of a bell ringing withdrew her from her thoughts. "Lee, order's ready."

She went to grab the plate of stacked pancakes from Lazlo through the small opening of the kitchen. "What's up with that guy?"

"I dunno. He just went like that fifteen minutes ago." Replied Lee with a shrug, placing the man's order in front of him.

"Fifteen minut- Lee, you mean he's been like that for fifteen minutes?" Lazlo asked incredulously, to which she replied with a meek nod.

Lazlo shook his head at her. "Try slapping him to snap him out of it."

"What?" Lee asked in disbelief, a small gasp escaping her lips as she placed a hand on her chest, looking almost offended. "I can't do that!"

"And why not?"

She crossed her arms while a frown formed on her freckled face. "Because! That's not nice. Also, I don't know the guy."

Lazlo looked at the stupefied man behind the counter. "Alright, I'll do it."

He shrugged nonchalantly, removing himself from the window to exit the kitchen. He walked over to where Lee silently stood across the peculiar fellow and waved his hand in front of the man's face.

Just in case.

When he didn't receive a response, Lazlo smacked him across the face, causing Lee to flinch and take in a sharp breath.

The man was released from his daze with a pained groan.

"Are you okay? Did it hurt? Would you need a pack of ice?" Lee was in front of him in an instant, somehow feeling bad for him.

He simply stared at her face for a while in silence, his eyes seeming to search for something. Something Lee couldn't quite interpret. He then abruptly stood up when a short moment passed. "Sorry, I have to go."

"Wait!" Lee called out, causing him to stop in his tracks and turn around to face her. "What about your pancakes?"

The man muttered something incoherent before walking back up to the counter, placing a ten-dollar bill on top of it. "You can have it. I know it's your favorite. Also, keep the change."

He gave her a halfhearted smile before exiting the diner, leaving a stupefied Lee and a very amused Lazlo.