“We’re walking you to your car.”
“Come on, what could possibly—”
“Don’t. Just walk,” Steve interrupted.
Once Ody got inside his car, they waved and left.
At home, he opened his chat with Mano.What’s up?
Mano: All good you?
Want to come play basketball this afternoon? The guys want you there
Mano hesitated before typing.I was planning to hit the gym today
Come on, it’ll be fun. They probably want to say a few things too
What things?
I don’t know… thank you I guess
You already thanked me. That’s enough
Ody exhaled.Mano… why are you pulling away? Just come hang out with us. We’ll play basketball, talk about random stuff
Mano stared at the message. Crowds made him uneasy. Being around so many guys would throw him off balance.
Odysseus: I don’t want to pressure you. If you don’t feel like it that’s okay. We’ll catch up another time
Thinking about what the guys might bring up, the bullying, Kash, the beating, made his chest tighten. He didn’t want to be the center of attention.Yeah. Maybe another time,he texted back.
He hit the gym and focused on his routine. His music cut briefly as a notification came through just as he finished a chest set.
Stella: Did you hit Kash??
He exhaled. Of course. She must have talked to him. Word spread fast when people wanted drama.
The phone buzzed again before he could respond.
Why did you do that Mano? What if he does something worse now?Her panic seeped through the screen. She always reacted fast, always imagined the worst.
For a moment, guilt tried to surface, but he pushed it down.There’s no way he’ll try anything
A new message popped up almost instantly.He yelled at me that he can gather a crew just as big. How many of you were there?!
Mano frowned. Kash was still running his mouth. Apparently last night hadn’t scared him off.What else did he say?
This time the pause was longer. Long enough for Mano to imagine her chewing her lip, pacing her room, clutching her phone.
He said if he catches you with me he’ll crush you
A humorless laugh escaped him. Kash thought threats still worked. After what happened yesterday, that was almost funny.Haha yeah tell him I said hi
The typing bubbles appeared fast.Mano I’m being serious. I’ve never seen him like that. He’s dangerous... He scared me
He stared at the message, a flicker of sympathy rising. She wasn’t built for this kind of chaos. She didn’t understand what Mano had already lived through, what he had already survived. Dangerous wasn’t new to him. He had lived with worse.
He already beat me once. I’m not scared. If he wants to try again tell him to bring 10 guys. I’ll show up with 25 and end it for good
