Ody watched his movements, surprised by the confidence. “You sure it’s been five years?”
“My bike’s got gears too, mikre.”
Ody smiled faintly, then frowned. “You’re kind of a speed demon.”
Mano’s expression shifted, serious. “If you want me to slow down—”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I don’t mind speeding in the car.”
Mano eased off the gas anyway, eyes returning to the road. “Accidents happen in cars too.”
“I know, I just… I feel safer in a car. On a bike, you’re exposed. One wrong move and you’re on the ground.”
“You’ve got a point,” Mano admitted.
“You’re careful, right? You don’t go too fast?” Ody asked.
Mano glanced at him with a teasing grin. “Are you worried about me, mikre?”
“I have been for a while now,” Ody said, his voice quieter.
Mano’s smile slipped, his fingers easing off the wheel. He looked straight ahead, ears tinting red with the kind of blush he’d die before admitting to. He didn’t dare look at Ody again.
By the time they reached campus, he parked beside his motorcycle. He grabbed his helmet from the backseat and stepped out. Ody slid into the driver’s seat and followed him out of the lot. He already knew the way to Mano’s place almost by heart.
When they arrived, Mano disappeared inside the building. A few minutes later he returned carrying two instrument cases. He loaded them into the back seat and walked to the passenger door.
“You’re not driving?” Ody asked.
“What, you liked how I handled the wheel that much?” Mano teased.
“I trust you,” Ody said, holding his gaze.
Their eyes lingered on each other longer than either of them intended. Then they switched seats.
“Can I stay and watch you practice?” Ody asked on the way back.
“Uh… I don’t really…” Mano hesitated.
“I won’t bother you. I’ll just sit and listen.”
Mano gave him a quick glance before looking ahead again. After a moment, he nodded and Ody smiled.
When they reached the apartment, they carried the instruments upstairs.
“What’s this?” Ody asked as they entered.
“The sheet music.”
“Oh. And… what’s it for?”
Mano huffed a quiet laugh. “It shows me the notes I need to play.”
“You don’t have them memorized?”
“I play a lot of pieces during the year. Some exams require sheet music, some don’t.” He unpacked the flute and laid the sheet music on a chair.
“Wow, it’s bigger than I remember. I thought it was shorter and wooden.”
