“We’ll let you two lovebirds enjoy your night. Bye… Mano.” They walked away, both giving him lingering looks.
He barely acknowledged them.
“I told you to be more affectionate.”
“If I’m not good enough, find someone else.”
More acquaintances drifted in throughout the night, each interaction feeding Stella’s ego. By the end of it, she was glowing. Mano just wanted to leave.
The next morning, Ody forced himself to go to class. He paused in front of the mirror before leaving, staring at the bruise beneath his eye. It had darkened overnight.
At the parking lot, a motorcycle nearly cut him off.
“Hey!” the rider shouted.
Ody hit the brakes. Black helmet. Black Yamaha.
“Go ahead,” Ody gestured, letting him take the closer spot. He parked farther away.
As Ody stepped out of his car, Mano approached. “Watch where you’re going next time. You’re the one always talking about accidents.”
“Didn’t see you. Sorry.” Ody tried to walk past, but Mano caught his arm.
“What is that?”
Ody turned his face away. “I have class. Let go.” He pulled back.
Mano yanked him harder. The bruise came into view. Purple. Swollen. His expression darkened. “Who did this to you?”
Ody looked straight at him. “Who do you think? The guy you threw coffee on.”
Mano’s eyes locked onto his.
“After your little stunt, he took it out on me.”
“And you just let him beat you?” Mano snapped.
“It was three of them!” Ody shouted.
Mano went still.Three? They set him up because of me?
“Now you understand why I don’t fight back?” Ody continued, anger rising. “Before you got involved, I was just the guy with a stained shirt!” He turned and walked away.
Mano stood there, frozen.
Outside the lab, Kash and his friends were waiting. Seeing them, Ody quickened his pace.
“Nice souvenir,” one of them mocked and they all laughed.
Kash stepped closer. “Remember what I told you. Keep your mouth shut and nothing happens.” He patted Ody’s back and walked inside.
“Hey, bro!” Steve called out, then noticed the bruise. “What the hell? What happened to you?”
“Nothing. Just an accident.”
“What kind of accident?” Chris asked. “You trip into someone’s fist?”
“Guys, drop it.”
