“Practical?”
“Huh?” He looked up, meeting Ody’s eyes.
“Like an instrument.”
“Composition. And piano.”
“Good luck,” Ody said with a small smile.
“Thanks.” Mano nodded and left.
Steve frowned. “He was weird today.”
“What do you mean?” Ody asked, a small knot forming in his chest.
“He usually sounds bored or ready to throw a punch. Today he seemed…”
“Seemed what? He was normal.”
“Okay, dude. Whatever,” Steve said.
Ody went home afterward, took a shower, and started cooking lunch.
The doorbell rang.
He paused, frowning, then moved to answer it, drying his hands on a towel.
He pulled the door open, and everything in him went still.
“Hey.”
Ody snapped out of it and tried to slam the door shut, but a foot slammed into the gap, stopping it.
“Go away.” His grip tightened on the door.
“I’m not here to hurt you. Relax,” Kash said, standing on his doorstep. “Can I come in?”
Ody just stared at him, eyes wide. Something about this was wrong. “Leave,” he said, trying to shove the door closed again.
Kash shoved it back open. Ody stumbled backward, his body going rigid.
He stepped inside and shut the door. “Stop freaking out. I told you I’m not gonna hurt you.” He walked into the living room, hands in his pockets.
Ody stayed near the entrance, his breathing unsteady.
“I wanted to talk, but your bodyguards are always glued to you at school,” he said, dropping onto the couch.
“And whose fault is that? They stick to me because of you,” Ody shot back.
“Look… I didn’t mean to hit you. It got out of hand, but before that, we were just messing around.” Kash didn’t look away, but something in his eyes faltered.
Ody stared, stunned at the audacity.
“I never hit you before.”
“Kash…” Ody’s voice tightened. “What do you want?”
“Sit down. I’ll tell you,” he said, nodding toward the couch.
