“I can’t believe he’s doing this to him,” Chris said, sprinting out of the classroom with Steve right behind him.
They found Mano pacing in the hallway, his expression tight with panic.
“I saw him leave the building. Where did he go?” Mano demanded.
“Kash gave him this,” Steve said, handing over the note.
The moment Mano read it, something dark flickered across his face.
“You know what this means, right?” Steve said. “He’s putting up with all of this to protect you.”
“Just like you’re doing for him,” Chris added.
“Let’s go knock them out,” Steve said, already stepping forward.
Mano grabbed his arm, stopping him. “No. We need to do this right. They have to see we’re not alone, that we have numbers and strength. Only then will they stop.” He paused, already thinking ahead. “I’ll go now. Tonight they’ll probably try to find him. They’ll follow him, figure out where he lives, maybe lure him outside.”
Steve and Chris exchanged a glance.
Mano’s voice hardened. “I’ll be outside his building as soon as it gets dark. If they grab him, I’ll follow them and see where they take him. You two get your guys ready. We can’t leave him alone with them for long.”
“We’ll be quick. Go now,” Steve urged.
Mano turned to run, but Steve called after him. “Mano! Look after my best friend. I trust you with him.”
He nodded once and bolted out of the building.
Silence followed. Ody stared at him, still trying to process everything he had just heard.
“Bro, are you okay?” Steve asked, jogging up to them, breathless.
“Guys, I can’t believe you set all this up for me…” Ody said, still overwhelmed.
“If you’d spoken up sooner, maybe we wouldn’t have to.” Steve nudged his shoulder before turning to Mano. “Thanks, man. Guess you’re not completely unbearable after all.” Their eyes met for a brief moment before Steve moved off to check on Chris.
“That was his way of accepting you,” Ody said with a grin.
They both chuckled.
“Are you hurt?” Mano asked, his eyes locked on Ody’s.
“No,” he said after a shaky breath. “So that’s why you told me to be patient and not be afraid.”
“It was risky, but we planned it out. I don’t think he’ll dare look at you now,” Mano said, glancing at Kash’s unconscious body on the ground.
“Guys, we should go before someone sees us,” Steve called out.
Some of the boys had taken a few hits, but nothing compared to the ones groaning on the floor. Others lay as motionless as Kash.
“Ody, come on,” Steve called as they headed toward the gate.
“How are you getting back?” Ody asked Mano.
“On my bike.”
“Will you be okay?” Worry was clear in his voice.
“Yeah. Go with your friends,” Mano said.
