8. Chapter 8
Mano went still. “After what you did today…” The words stuck. Something in his chest shifted, pulling him back.
Kash was talking with his two friends when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and Mano’s fist crashed into his mouth, sending him straight to the ground.
“You thought you could mess with him after I left?” Mano growled. “Come on. I’m right here. Take it out on me.”
The other two rushed him, but Mano blocked them as Kash stumbled back up.
“If you wanted to defend him, you shouldn’t have left after spilling coffee on me,” Kash sneered.
That was all it took. Mano launched at him, fury boiling over. The other two grabbed his arms, but he kept breaking free, his punches landing harder each time.
“If I hear you touch him again, this will feel like nothing,” Mano snarled.
Kash spat blood. “Why do you care so much?”
“Because bullies like you are nothing to me. So come for me, not him.” His fists tightened. “But if I find out you went after him again—”
“Yeah? What are you gonna do? Beat us up for your little wimp friend?”
Mano snapped and attacked again, relentless.
Students emerging from the building stopped in shock.
Then, Ody arrived.
“Don’t expect anything from them anymore,” Mano said. “They won’t touch you again. Unless they’re stupid. Or suicidal.”
Ody swallowed. “Why did they pick on you? Back then.”
Mano looked away.
“What did they do to you? Hit you? Call you names?”
“All of it,” Mano said and Ody stilled. “One day I’d had enough. I stopped being the victim. Since then, people stay out of my way.”
“They’re afraid of you,” Ody said. “But I’m not.”
Mano’s eyes lifted to his. “If I wanted to, you would be.”
“And why don’t you?”
Mano hesitated, the answer slipping out before he caught it. “You seem like a decent person. That’s rare.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt different, quieter.
“Anyway. That’s why I stood up for you. Because it felt like standing up for me. But if they bother you again, you tell me.”
“I’m not helpless. I can handle myself.”
“Oh yeah? If those three corner you somewhere, what are you gonna do?”
Ody had no answer. “If that happens, it’ll be too late to tell you. The damage will already be done.”
Mano’s jaw clenched. “Don’t make me follow you everywhere.”
Ody cracked a small smile. “Like what? My bodyguard?”
“I’m not letting them touch you again.” Mano’s gaze locked onto his, intense, almost painful.
Ody’s smile faded. “Did they hit you a lot?” he asked.
Mano didn’t answer. He just looked away, the distant look in his eyes saying enough.
“I’ll be fine,” Ody said gently. “You don’t have to keep coming with me.”
Mano shook his head once. “Now it’s my turn.” He looked back at him. “What time is your class tomorrow?”
“Mano, seriously, you don’t—”
“I said, what time?” Mano repeated, his voice firm.
Ody hesitated. “Eleven.”
“I’ll pick you up at ten thirty. On the bike.” Mano grabbed his helmet. “Don’t be late.”
“The bike?” Ody blinked.
“Yeah.” Mano glanced at him. “Why?”
“I just thought… maybe I take my car and—”
“You scared?” Mano smirked.
“N-no.” Ody rubbed the back of his neck. “The car’s just more comfortable.”
“And so is the bike. Faster, too. I’ll drop you off then head out.”
Ody raised an eyebrow. “What, you coming to class with me?”
For the first time, Mano smiled. Really smiled.
Ody stared at the way it softened his face, at the warmth in his eyes.
“I’ll make sure those assholes aren’t waiting for you,” Mano said.
Steve and Chris are definitely going to ask questions…
Mano noticed Ody drifting into his thoughts. “Alright?”
“Uh… yeah. Thanks.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “See you tomorrow.” He took a few steps toward his bike, then paused and looked back at Ody. “I want to see you leave first.”
Ody let out a small laugh. “That’s not necessary. Just go.”
“I’m not leaving until you do.” Mano crossed his arms.
“Isn’t this a bit much?”
“Yesterday they jumped you the second I left, didn’t they?”
“Well… yeah. But Kash can barely move after the beating you gave him.”
“I don’t care,” Mano said. “Start the car.”
Ody didn’t move.
“I mean it. If you don’t leave now, I’m staying right here.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes for you to drive off.”
Ody sighed, glanced down with a faint smile, and finally got into the car.
Once he disappeared down the street, Mano headed toward his bike.
He had barely taken a few steps when his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Chrysa, checking in and asking if he still wanted to meet. She suggested tomorrow, and he replied that he could only make it after noon because he had something to do in the morning.
He climbed onto his bike and started the engine, the vibration running through his hands as he tried to settle his thoughts.
By the time he got home, he dropped his phone on the bed, grabbed his music books, and forced himself to study, though concentration didn’t come easily. His mind kept drifting back to green eyes, a bruise, and the way Ody had looked at him before leaving.
The next morning, Mano woke up a little after ten. He grabbed a quick breakfast, got dressed, and headed out on his motorcycle.
He checked the address Ody had sent him and set off.
When he reached Pangrati, he slowed, following the GPS to find the exact location.
A little after ten thirty, Ody spotted him arriving outside the apartment building.
Mano took off his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Good morning,” Ody said as he approached.
“Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t find the address.”
“I didn’t wait long.”
“We’ll get there fast. You’ll see.”
“You won’t… go too fast, right?” he asked nervously.
Mano arched a brow. “Ody, you scared?”
Ody blinked, staring at him. “It’s the first time you’ve called me by my name.”
Mano looked away, sighing. “Get on.” He handed him the second helmet.
Ody hesitated, eyeing it.
“Let me guess,” Mano said. “First time on a bike?”
“N-no.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t show.” He smirked and took the helmet back. He held it above Ody’s head and settled it in place, fastening the strap under his chin. He gave the helmet a couple of light taps. “Get on, or you’ll miss class.”
Ody climbed on behind him, careful not to touch him.
“Hold on,” Mano said.
“I’m fine.” Ody rested his hands on his own knees.
Mano lowered his visor and revved the engine. Then he took off with a sudden burst of speed, jolting Ody backward. Panicking, Ody grabbed Mano’s waist.
Mano smirked. “Told you to hold on,” he said over the noise.
Ody loosened his grip again, barely touching him through the shirt.
“You have class in ten minutes,” Mano shouted. “If you don’t want to be late, I’ve got to go fast.”
“Uh… go ahead,” Ody replied shakily.
“You need to hold on,” Mano repeated as he stopped at a red light. Ody still didn’t. “This isn’t a scooter. Hold on or you’re coming off this bike.”
Ody swallowed and wrapped his arms around Mano’s waist. “Just don’t go too fast.”
Mano sighed, grabbed his hands, and settled them more securely around him. Ody’s chest pressed against him, the firmness of Mano’s abs unmistakable beneath his shirt.
The light turned green and they sped off again. Ody clung to him, convinced the wind would rip him off the bike if he let go.
Mano was right, they reached the university in minutes. He parked and shut off the engine. Ody let go and got off, fumbling with the helmet clasp. His fingers searched blindly beneath his chin. “Damn it…” he muttered.
Mano laughed inside his own helmet. Ody stilled.
Mano took off his helmet, hung it on the handlebar, then reached for Ody’s buckle, fingers brushing too close to his throat. “Like this.” He unfastened it and lifted the helmet off his head, his gaze catching Ody’s.
Ody looked away, blinking.
“You can’t deny it. We got here faster than by car.” Mano leaned forward over the bike, arms crossed, eyes on him.
“Well… you were doing double the speed.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re a newbie with bikes?”
“I’ve ridden before.” Ody looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m just… not that comfortable. I prefer cars.”
“Sure. Scaredy-cat.” Mano smirked.
“I’m not.” Ody’s jaw tightened.
“Let’s go.” Mano swung his leg off the bike.
“Go where?”
“Which building is your class in?”
“I know the way. I don’t need a guardian.”
“We’re not doing this again. Move.”
Ody stayed where he was.
Mano sighed. “Didn’t we agree I’m watching out so no one jumps you? If anything happens, it’s on me. So I’m making sure nothing does.”
“I don’t need protection. I’m a grown man.”
“Good,” Mano said. “Then you can keep up.”
Ody frowned. “With what?”
Mano stepped forward, stopping just in front of him, eyes locked on his. “Me watching your back.”
Ody looked away first.
“Come on. Let’s go.” He turned, taking a couple of steps ahead.
“Maybe you shouldn’t come inside.” Ody stopped him.
Mano turned, looking him up and down. “Why?”
“If my friends see you and realize I didn’t bring my car, they’ll start asking questions. I can’t tell them the truth.”
Mano’s expression shifted. “You mean your friends don’t know what those assholes are doing to you?”
“Before you got involved, they didn’t really do anything serious,” Ody said in a calm voice.
Mano looked away, his jaw tightening.
“Sorry. I know you were trying to help, but now I’m in more danger. They used to just mess with me.” Ody lowered his gaze.
Mano nodded, his jaw still clenched.
“Anyway, thanks for—”
“Yeah, yeah, just get to class.” Mano cut him off, jerking his head toward the entrance.
Ody hesitated for a second, then stepped past him. “I’ll head home with the guys. Thanks for the ride.”
Mano didn’t respond.