Still avoiding him, Mano muttered, “Because when you get close to someone, they leave.”
Ody stared at him, stunned. So that was it. That was the reason beneath everything.
“I’d rather not have friends than have them and lose them.”
Ody saw the raw fear in his expression and felt something tighten in his chest. “We’re not going anywhere. We’ll stay by your side.”
“That’s what my parents said too.” Mano lifted his eyes and met Ody’s, his expression flickering for a second.
The vulnerability in his gaze made Ody’s heart ache.
Mano’s words hung between them, heavy enough to make the air feel tighter. He stared at the table, blinking, as if the truth he had just spoken had taken something out of him.
The moment stretched, quiet and fragile, Ody watching him with a softness that Mano didn’t dare meet again.
Ody could almost feel the wall between them shift, not gone, but cracked open just enough for him to see what was underneath. Before either of them could speak again, footsteps approached.
“Your coffee,” the waitress said as she set the glasses on the table. Mano turned his face away. “Enjoy,” she added before leaving.
Ody’s eyes stayed on him. “Is that why you’re afraid to get close to people? Are you scared they’ll leave you? That they’ll walk away?” His voice carried sympathy, though sadness pulled at the edges of it.
Mano finally met his gaze. “I’m not scared.”
“Then come with us,” Ody said, steady and intent.
Mano sighed and leaned back in his chair. “There’s no point. I already know how it ends.”
“Come anyway. You’ll see it won’t be like that. Unless you’re afraid of losing.” Ody kept his gaze locked on him, catching the quick flare of irritation in Mano’s expression.
“Me. Afraid.” Mano’s tone sharpened.
“That’s what it looks like to me,” Ody replied with a raised eyebrow.
“Fine. I’ll come. But you’ll see I’m right.” Mano’s voice was hard, defiant.
Ody hid a small, satisfied smile.
“Hello, boys,” two female voices chimed from nearby. Both of them looked up.
Standing beside the table were the two women who had been watching them earlier, each holding her own coffee. One had long black hair and striking blue eyes, her posture relaxed and confident as she looked between them. “Are we interrupting?”
“No,” Mano said.
“Can we join you, or should we leave you two to your argument?” she asked with a friendly smile.
“We weren’t arguing. Sit,” Mano said.
She slid into the seat next to him. “Ranya,” the black-haired girl said, her blue eyes fixed on Mano.
“Maria,” her friend added, smiling at Ody.
They introduced themselves, and Mano took a slow sip of his coffee.
“Are you guys in college?” Ranya asked.
“Yeah. Music,” Mano said, indifferent.
“Hm. Fitandartistic,” she teased, eyes lingering on his arms. “Nice tatts.”
