Mano cut the engine. “Get off.”
They walked along a narrow path lined with tall, dark trees. After a few minutes, the scenery opened up to a stunning view of scattered houses below, their lights glowing against the dark sky.
“Wow,” Ody breathed.
“It’s nothing fancy like the Acropolis, but I like it better here. It’s quiet,” Mano said as he settled on a low ledge.
“It’s really nice. I’ve never been here before,” Ody said, sitting beside him.
“I found it in my first year and kept coming back.”
“Alone?” Ody asked. For some reason, he’d expected Mano to bring girls here.
“Always alone.” Mano looked at him. “This is my place. I never wanted anyone to know about it.”
“Then why did you bring me?” Ody frowned.
“You’re different.” Mano froze as soon as the words left his mouth. He looked away for a second, then cleared his throat. “Imean… you’re the only friend I have.” He then forced a smirk, trying to shake off the softness. “Even though you don’t let me talk about my hookups.”
Ody’s eyes dropped, heat creeping up his neck. He didn’t know how to answer that, so he didn’t.
“Have you ever been to Volos?” Mano asked.
“No.”
“If I go for a few days this summer, would you come with me?” Mano’s voice was quieter this time, his eyes drifting back to him.
Ody’s breath hitched. He stared at him, stunned, something warm and confusing curling deep in his chest. He opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out.
Mano saw the hesitation and shut down. “Forget it,” he muttered, looking away like he regretted saying anything at all.
“No, I want to,” Ody said quickly, lowering his gaze. “I want to go… with you.”
Mano looked at him for a long moment, then turned back to the view.
“I’m definitely going to Patra to see my parents,” Ody said. “Do you… wanna come? I could show you around my city.”
Their eyes met again.
“We could take the car. Make a road trip out of it,” he added.
“For how long?”
“For as long as we want.”
“And where would I stay?”
“At my place. My parents would love you.” Ody smiled. “And Anastasia is going to love you too.”
Mano didn’t speak. He just stared at him, frozen in place. He had forgotten what a family felt like. Thirteen years without one. And here was this boy, offering it to him like it was the easiest thing in the world.
But it wasn’t just that. Something else was stirring inside him. Something he didn’t dare name.
“Why would your sister love me?” Mano asked.
“Oh, well, at her age, if she sees a pretty guy… yeah, you know how they are.” Ody let out a small laugh, but Mano didn’t laugh back. He kept looking at him, serious and unreadable.
“This is the second time you’ve called me pretty,” he said, studying him.
