Once in a Lifetime {BxB English}

🖤 Chapter 24

Kash's gaze was threatening as his hand rested on Ody's shoulder.

Ody stared at him, shocked. It had been over two weeks since he'd last seen him, and that was back at that school, where Ody's friends, and specifically Mano, had beaten him badly.

"Come on, don't look at me like that. It's all good; nothing's wrong" Kash said, wrapping his arm around Ody's nape and starting to walk him toward a bench.

"Sit" he said, shoving him abruptly onto the bench. Ody looked at him nervously, unsure of what was coming next.

"I didn't know you had so many friends. They care about you a lot, huh?" Kash said, standing over him. "That move at the school, I'll give it to you—it was clever. You caught us off guard" he added, his expression equal parts amused and threatening. "Whose idea was it? Mano's?"

"No!" Ody snapped, blinking rapidly, which only made Kash laugh.

"You're a terrible liar. Man, I'm so sick of fighting, but that guy ticks me off so much I can't just let it go" Kash said, his face darkening with anger, unsettling Ody.

"He's not alone! He has all of us. If you dare touch him—"

"Yeah? What are you gonna do?" Kash bent down to meet Ody's eye level, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Let's just stop this" Ody said anxiously. "You saw we've got people too. Don't keep pushing it"

"And what if I send him to the hospital first? What'll you or your little buddies do then?" Kash smirked smugly, but Ody was shaken by his words.

"Leave him alone"

"Why do you care so much?!" Kash barked, slamming his hand down on Ody's knee, making Ody instinctively shift back for safety.

Mano was walking down the hallway when he saw Kash cornering Ody, and stopped in his tracks. Their eyes met, and Ody's chest was heaving with rapid breaths.

Mano blinked rapidly, turned his head forward, and kept walking, moving farther and farther away from Ody and Kash.

"I'm talking to you!" Kash yelled angrily, but Ody's gaze was locked on the spot where Mano had just been.

"He's just... he's my friend, and I want you to stop" Ody said quietly, turning to look at Kash.

"And what if I do the same to Steve and Chris?"

"Don't you dare!" Ody leaned forward, visibly shaken, making Kash laugh again.

"You're too funny. Here's how this is gonna work. You're gonna do whatever I tell you, or I'll beat all your friends to a pulp. Don't let the fact that you outnumbered us fool you—I can bring twice as many. Got it, Ody?" Kash said in a single breath, his stare piercing. "Don't mess with me"

"You won't. Because Mano knocked you out cold, and I'm sure you're scared of him" Ody shot back boldly, and Kash shot to his feet.

"You're gonna regret saying that" he growled, just as a hand yanked him forcefully backward.

Ody remained in place stunned, as Mano stepped into the scene.

He grabbed Kash by the shirt, dragging him along, leaning in to whisper something in his ear.

He kept pulling him toward the exit. Once outside, Mano shoved Kash hard against the wall.

Ody followed them from a distance and saw Mano punch Kash in the stomach. Kash doubled over in pain, and Mano leaned in again to say something before shoving him aside and walking away.

Kash clutched his stomach, grimacing in pain. As Mano reentered the building, he caught sight of Ody nearby, staring at him.

"What did you say to him?" Ody asked, but Mano ignored him and kept walking. "Mano!..." he grabbed his arm, only for Mano to yank it away abruptly and glare at him sharply.