9. Chapter 9
Awesome babe. I’ll come pick you up. He replied to his girlfriend and went inside.
Steve and Chris were waiting outside the classroom with a few others. Two hours later, class was over.
“Movie night, huh? I have a date tonight,” Steve said.
“Oh yeah? With whom?” Ody asked as they walked toward the main exit.
“Danae. I told you about her.”
“Why are you heading this way?” Chris asked, glancing at Ody.
“I didn’t bring the car today. I’m taking the bus.”
“Why not?”
“Took it in for service.”
“Something wrong with it?”
“No, just routine.”
“Oh, okay.” Chris turned back to Steve. “What were you saying?”
The two of them took the metro, while Ody continued alone by bus. He got home and dropped onto the couch as sunlight poured through the balcony doors.
Was he too harsh to Mano? Maybe.
If Mano hadn’t spilled coffee on Kash, none of it would’ve happened. He would’ve walked away with a stained shirt, nothing more. And after the last incident, Ody had no idea what they might try next. Still… Mano had only been trying to protect him. Did I screw up?
Around noon, he made pasta for lunch and put on a show on his laptop. Later, a new message from Anna arrived. Babe... My grandma needs tests at the hospital after her surgery. My dad is at work so I have to help my mom
Odysseus: Of course. Is your grandma okay?
I don’t know yet. We’ll see after the tests. I can’t make it to the movie, sorry
Don’t worry at all. Family comes first
You should still go. I already bought the tickets. Take a friend okay? Not a girl…
Haha yeah babe, I’ll ask Steve
Okay I’ll text you later. Kisses
He called Steve first. “Anna can’t make it to the movie. Wanna come? Tickets are already paid for.”
Steve laughed. “Bro, I told you. I have a date tonight.”
Right. Ody had forgotten. He tried Chris next, but he was buried under Kalston’s assignment and barely had time to talk. After the call ended, Ody stared at his phone for a moment. Everyone was busy. Which left him with one option.
Odysseus: What’s up? [15:15]
Mano had been studying music during quiet hours. He glanced at his phone, saw who it was, and put it aside.
Odysseus: I have movie tickets at 9. You down? [15:23]
He accidentally tapped the notification and opened the chat. “Fuck!” he shouted. Ask your friends [15:27]
I did. They can’t make it
Neither can I
You sure? They’re paid for. I was going with my girlfriend but she had something come up
What movie? I don’t watch action
Really? Why? I think it’s sci-fi. Not completely sure. Didn’t check much
Find it and send me the trailer
The trailer spoils everything. It will ruin the experience
I said find it and send it. If you want company
Ody stared at the message. A few minutes later, he sent the link.
Mano watched the trailer, searched the movie online, then finally replied. Come pick me up in your car. Since you’re a scaredy cat
I’m not a scaredy cat
Whatever you say
Seen
He tossed his phone aside and went back to studying. A little after eight, he got ready and headed downstairs.
Ody waited outside the car. Mano walked past him without a word and slid into the passenger seat. Ody got in beside him, shutting the door a little too hard. Mano flinched, unnoticed.
Ody hesitated. “Did what I said this morning bother you?”
Mano turned his head. His gaze cut straight into him.
“I know you were trying to help,” Ody said. “I didn’t blame you.”
“That’s exactly what you did, but whatever. Just drive.”
“We still have time. I want to clear things up.”
Mano exhaled through his nose. “Look. I know that if I hadn’t spilled coffee on him, they wouldn’t have cornered you in the bathroom. I get that. But if you never stand up to people who treat you like trash, they’ll keep doing it. They look for weakness. They prey on it.”
Ody listened silently, his gaze dropping.
“Those cowards go after the weak,” Mano continued. “Because they’re too scared to touch the strong. So decide. Do you want to be their plaything until graduation, or do you want to show them they picked the wrong person?”
Ody absorbed every word. Mano was right. If he kept letting the teasing slide, it would never stop. “You’re right about that,” he murmured.
“So?” Mano pressed.
“I’ll show them they picked the wrong person.” Ody met his eyes.
Mano nodded in approval.
Then Ody hesitated. “If I can.”
Mano’s gaze sharpened. “What kind of mindset is that?”
“Well... I told you. I’m not like you. I can’t fight anyone who messes with me.”
“Is that how I come across to you?” Mano asked.
“You beat them up in the middle of campus.”
“I beat them up because three of them backed you into the bathroom and attacked you.” Mano’s voice rose before he could stop himself.
Silence fell between them.
“Do you know how many…” Mano started, then stopped, his voice quieter now. “How many times I got cornered by groups and beaten up?”
Ody froze.
“And I didn’t have anyone. Nobody helped me. Ever.”
Ody’s throat tightened, his gaze lingering on Mano.
“So yeah. If I can protect you from those bastards, I will. Even if you think I’m just some thug who only knows how to fight.”
“I never said that,” Ody muttered.
“The point is, you have me.” Mano turned fully toward him. “You’re not alone. You’ll show them they messed with the wrong person, with my help. Okay?”
Ody nodded.
“Good. Start the car before we miss the movie.”
Ody turned the key, the rest of the drive passing in a quiet calm.
Soon, they pulled into the cinema parking lot. Ody parked, and they walked toward the theater entrance among the small crowd gathering for the evening screenings. They showed their tickets at the door.
“Want something to eat? I forgot to ask,” Ody said.
“No. I came straight from the gym. I had a protein bar.” Mano found his seat, and Ody sat down beside him.
“How long have you been training?”
“Five years.”
Ody let out a low whistle. “That explains a lot. And how did you learn to fight like that?”
“Krav Maga.”
Ody turned toward him. “Seriously?”
Mano nodded. “I started with kickboxing, but ended up there.”
“When did you start?”
“At fifteen.”
Ody studied him for a moment before asking, “For self-defense?”
Mano nodded.
“What year are you in college?” Ody asked.
“Fourth. You?”
“Third.” Ody glanced at him. “Did you start late?”
Mano frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You’re twenty-three. Shouldn’t you be in your fifth year?”
“Ah… yeah.”
“Did you take the national exams twice?”
“No.” Mano kept his eyes on the screen. “I took a gap year after high school.”
“Oh.” Ody studied him for a moment, then leaned back in his seat and let it go.
“You’re twenty-one, right?” Mano asked, looking at him.
Ody nodded.
“Good student?”
Ody tilted his head. “Why do you say that?” he asked with a small smile.
“Pharmacy has high admission scores.”
“Oh.” Ody shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Total nerd.” A faint smile appeared on Mano’s lips.
Ody huffed under his breath. “How many nicknames are you planning to give me? Scaredy-cat, nerd…”
“I have more.” Mano turned to him again, his eyes locking onto Ody’s. “Mikre.”
It was a common Greek nickname used for younger men, teasing and familiar, sometimes joking, sometimes challenging, sometimes with a hint of affection, but always carrying that quiet reminder of who was older.
The word, pronounced mee-KREH, wasn’t accidental.
Mano watched him like he’d been expecting a reaction.
But Ody didn’t react. He just kept staring at him.
For a brief moment, Mano frowned, almost suspicious, before a quiet chuckle escaped him and he turned back to the screen.
“What’s so funny?” Ody asked.
“I figured your ego would hate that one,” Mano said, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
Ody didn’t answer. It was strange hearing that nickname from someone who’d barely used his actual name, and yet it felt like he’d been calling him that for years.
Mano’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Did you tell your buddies you were going out with me?”
“No.”
“Of course not.”
“I didn’t get the chance. We didn’t talk,” Ody defended.
“That, or they don’t like me. Especially the one, uh…”
“Steve?”
“Yeah. Him. Or maybe you just don’t tell them about me because then you’d have to admit those assholes beat you up.” Mano turned toward him again, almost accusing.
“I... It’s not that,” Ody stammered.
Mano let out a quiet laugh. “Relax. I’m just teasing you.”
Ody’s breath hitched. That laugh. He had no idea why it hit so hard, but it did. Soft, unguarded, beautiful in a way he felt it deep in his chest. The sound stayed with him long after Mano turned back to the screen.
“You look good when you…” Ody began, then stopped.
Mano turned to him. “When I what?”
The lights dimmed, cutting the moment short, and Ody was silently grateful he didn’t have to explain what he almost said.
Half an hour into the movie, Mano recognized scenes from the trailer. The story took place in the future, centered on human evolution and new colonies. After an hour, an action scene began.
“Take this,” a man shouted, throwing a futuristic weapon to a woman.
“What about you?”
“Don’t worry.”
They split up. The man drew a high-tech revolver.
Mano’s body tensed. His hand, resting on the armrest, curled.
Ody noticed and looked at him. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.
Mano lowered his gaze, avoiding the screen. His breathing grew quick and shallow. Before he could steady himself, a sudden shout blasted from the speakers. “Hey!” Gunfire exploded through the theater.
Mano jerked as if struck. A piercing ring filled his ears, sharp and metallic. He pressed one hand against his ear, wincing in pain.
“Mano?” Ody leaned closer, confused.
The ringing intensified. Mano clutched both ears now, head bowed, breath rapid and uneven.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Ody whispered.
The noise in Mano’s head grew unbearable, drowning out everything else. He shot to his feet and stumbled past Ody.
“Hey!” someone shouted behind them.
“Sit down, we can’t see!” another snapped.
Mano pushed the door open and stumbled into the hallway. He pressed his back to the wall, slid down, and curled forward, hands still clamped over his ears, his forehead almost touching his knees.
The door opened again. Ody rushed out, eyes scanning with panic until he saw him crumpled on the floor. He crouched. “Mano? Can you hear me?”
The ringing pounded relentlessly inside his skull.
“Mano…” Ody touched his shoulders, trying to get through to him. No response. Only pain. “Mano!” Ody called again.
The ringing suddenly stopped.
Mano drew a shaky breath. His hands slowly fell away from his ears. His chest still heaved as he lifted his head and met Ody’s terrified green eyes.
“What was that? Are you okay?”