“Thanks.”
“What about you, Ody? Are you studying?” Maria asked.
“Uh… yeah. Pharmacy,” he said, a little stiff.
“We’re in nursing. Pretty close fields, right?” Maria grinned.
Ody gave a small, awkward smile, while Mano drank his coffee, detached from the conversation. He knew this kind of situation all too well, and exactly where it usually led.
“How old are you guys? Wait, let me guess.” Ranya studied Mano carefully. “Twenty-five. And…” She turned to Ody. “Twenty-three?”
“No, no. He’s twenty-five, and he’s twenty-three,” Maria declared, pointing to Mano last.
Mano’s glare hit her instantly.
“What? Did I guess wrong?” Both girls laughed.
“You’re telling me he looks two years older than me?” Mano asked with a scowl.
“Well…” Maria hesitated. “I don’t know, it’s…”
Mano shot Ody a warning glare.
“Wait. Who’s taller?” Ranya asked.
“What does that have to do with age?” Mano snapped.
“The fact that you’re asking means he is,” she laughed.
Mano turned away, annoyed.
“I’m taller by five centimeters,” Ody said casually.
“Were we at least close with the ages?” Maria asked.
“You added four years to me, but no big deal,” Ody said with a shy laugh.
Both girls froze. “You’re twenty-one?” they shouted.
He chuckled. “Yeah.”
“And you?” They turned to Mano.
“She got it right,” he said, nodding toward Maria.
“Twenty-three. Told you!” Maria gloated.
“Wow. No way you look twenty-one,” both girls said, inspecting Ody like he was under a spotlight.
He shifted, uncomfortable.
“He barely looks twenty-one. More like eighteen,” Mano muttered, his tone edged with irritation.
“Oh, come on,” Ranya teased. “You’re just bitter because he’s taller.” The girls laughed, and Mano shot Ody a look.
“Well, we thought you were older. We’re twenty-two,” Ranya added as Mano took another sip.
“Boys, do you wanna go out for drinks sometime?” Maria asked.
