“That was the first and last time. From now on, you’re on your own.” Mano turned and walked away.
Ody’s voice stopped him. “Why... did they bully you?”
Mano glanced back. Their eyes met one last time. Then he walked off without answering.
A message from Stella lit up his screen.Tonight at nine. Make sure you look handsome. You’re taking me out
Mano exhaled.I said I’ll text you
Her reply came instantly.We both know you won’t little Mano
His jaw tightened.Don’t call me that again unless you want to forget about your little plan.He locked his phone, shoved it into his pocket, and swung his leg over his bike. He sped off without looking back.
Behind him, Ody didn’t move.
“Left all alone now, huh?”
He turned.
“Your bodyguard’s gone? What a shame.” Kash stood there, his white shirt still stained with coffee, bitterness dripping from his voice.
“What do you want?”
“He shouldn’t have done that. Now, thanks to him, I’m really pissed.”
Ody held his gaze.
“And guess what? Since he bailed, who do you think I’m going to take it out on?” A twisted smile spread across his face.
“You started it.”
“And I’m finishing it.” He stepped forward and grabbed Ody, as he resisted. “Move,” he growled through gritted teeth as he dragged him into the building.
“What the hell do you want, Kash? Leave me alone!” Ody shouted.
Kash shoved him into the men’s restroom. Snickering echoed behind him.
Ody glanced back and saw Brandon and Pablo closing in. Panic flashed through him.
“You were smart to keep your head down. We never touched you. But now that your buddy got involved, you’re the one who’s paying for it.” Kash blocked the exit.
Ody swallowed. “You really wanna do this on campus? You’ll get in trouble.”
“Oh yeah? You planning on snitching?” Kash laughed. “This isn’t high school, Stavrinos. Go ahead. Talk. I dare you.”
Ody’s chest rose and fell fast.
Two hands grabbed him from behind. Instinctively, he threw a punch, connecting with one of them. The other lunged, but Ody dodged, only to stumble straight into Kash.
Pablo grabbed him from behind, pinning him as Kash drove a fist into his face. Pain exploded beneath Ody’s right eye. Another blow landed near his mouth. He groaned as Pablo tightened his grip. A third punch struck his cheek again, right over the same spot.
Kash shook out his hand and stepped closer. “If you keep being the good boy you’ve always been, we’ll only see each other in class. But if you, or any of your buddies, try to cross me, we’ll have more meetings in these bathrooms.”
They dropped him and walked out.
Ody pressed his hand to the bone beneath his eye, sharp pain pulsing under his fingers. He forced himself up and looked in the mirror. The skin was already darkening. When he heard voices outside, he quickly left, hiding his face as he headed to the parking lot. At his car, he noticed a piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper.
He pulled the note free and unfolded it.Hope that got through your head. Go back to being a good little student or you know what’s coming.
