He grabbed the phone back, furious. “What did you just do?”
“Relax. It’s just a message.”
“You don’t get it. She doesn’t respond to nice.”
The reply came quickly.If you were always this sweet to me, we would be perfect. This is how I want you to be my good boy. I’ll take it down
Mano stared in disbelief, his mouth falling open.
Ody exhaled in relief. “See? It worked.”
“Worked? She wants me to be hergood boy. That’s humiliating!”
“What’s wrong with being a good guy?”
“You can be whatever you want. That’s not me,” Mano argued, eyes burning.
“You don’t seem as bad as you try to look,” Ody said gently.
Mano grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him close, their faces inches apart. His voice dropped, low and intense. “You haven’t seen anything.” Then he let go, ripped off his seat belt, and opened the door.
“Where are you going?” Ody asked.
“Wherever the fuck I want.” Mano slammed the door and walked off, anger radiating from him.
Saturday came. Ody went out with Anna, and Mano blew Stella off. He fed her some excuses. Being rude would only provoke her, and after what she had already pulled, he wouldn’t risk more photos being posted online. Thinking back to the first timehe got tangled up with her made him regret it deeply. If he could turn back time, he would’ve never said yes to her.
Stella: You sure you don’t wanna hang out today?
Mano: I have to practice guitar Stella. I can’t
Okay no big deal
Monday morning arrived. Mano rode his bike to campus and parked between two cars. After setting the kickstand, he took off his helmet and headed to the music room. There were no desks inside, only students scattered around with their instruments.
“Good morning. Grab your guitar,” the professor said.
Mano opened a tall drawer and took out his guitar.
“We’ll work on the first piece, then switch you to piano for the new one. Sounds good?”
“Yes.”
Two hours later, after practice, Mano walked back to the parking lot. As he approached his bike, something felt wrong. “No way,” he muttered, kneeling beside it.
Both tires were flat. Completely slashed.
The realization hit instantly. His face hardened. “Those bastards,” he growled, standing up as anger surged through him. Without hesitation, he stormed toward the pharmacy building.
“You know, when they say that twenty percent of the grade comes from the assignment, you just have to do it.”
“It’s extra credit, obviously,” Ody said, chatting with his friends as Mano approached from across the courtyard, his expression stormy. “Mano?”
“Where is he?” Mano snapped, striding straight toward them.
“Who?”
“Kash. And his buddies. They’re here, right?”
