A few minutes later, he heard voices. Kash and his friends walked out, smug grins spread across their faces. Mano stepped forward instinctively, ready to attack, but forced himself to stop.
“Smart choice,” Kash sneered, giving him a sideways grin before walking away.
Only once they were gone did Mano rush back into the restroom, shoving the door open.
Ody was sitting on the floor, hair and clothes still dripping. Mano’s eyes widened as he approached slowly. Ody kept his head down.
“What did they do to you?” Mano’s voice broke through the silence.
Ody lifted his head. “You care?” His voice was bitter, but the hurt behind it was unmistakable.
Mano’s face tightened. “Don’t say that…”
Ody stood, water dripping from his hair, the wet strands falling straight over his eyes. “Tell me something,” he said as he looked up at him. “If you were going to leave me on my own… Why did you throw coffee on him that day?”
Mano’s stomach knotted.
“Why did you say you’d help me? That I wasn’t alone? That we’d show them they messed with the wrong guy?” He held Mano’s gaze. “Just so you could stand there and watch them fuck with me again?”
Mano sighed, his eyes on the floor. Ody was right. Every word.
“I know I told you not to do anything if they messed with me again, but…” Ody’s voice softened, his eyes drifting away.
Mano stayed silent, taking in every word.
“You should’ve never gotten involved,” Ody whispered, brushing past him and leaving him alone with the guilt.
Soaked and defeated, Ody walked through the parking lot, ignoring the stares. He got into his car and drove off.
Mano finally made it to the music room.
“Where were you, Mano? Why didn’t you show up yesterday?” the professor asked.
“I was sick,” he answered.
“Grab the guitar and take a seat.”
Mano picked up the guitar and settled onto the stool. He adjusted his fingers on the strings and played.
“It’s Sol La Sol, Mano. Focus,” the professor scolded after a wrong note.
“Sorry.” He shifted his fingers and tried again.
The next day, Mano rode to the university just as Ody’s class was ending. He spotted Kash coming out with his friends. He exhaled and walked straight toward him. “I need to talk to you,” he said, stepping in their path.
The three exchanged mocking looks. Behind them, Steve and Chris walked out of the building, confused to see Mano standing there with Kash.
“I don’t think we have anything to discuss,” Kash said, trying to walk past him.
Mano stepped in front of him again, blocking his path. “Five minutes,” he said, holding his gaze.
“You don’t get to make demands,” Kash shot back, matching his stare.
“I’m not demanding. I’m asking for five minutes of your time.” Mano’s voice was steady.
Kash smirked, glanced at his friends, then jerked his chin at them. “Go on. I’ll catch up later.” They walked off, throwing Mano a disdainful look. “Walk.” He ordered.
Mano clenched his fists and followed him into the cafeteria. They sat across from each other at a small table. Kash leaned back, arms crossed, relaxed as ever. “I’m listening.”
