Page 110 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“That’s it? I just go running back? Where was he when I needed him?” His voice rose. “When I was begging him to stay?”

The room went quiet. Ody watched him, something shifting in his expression, questions pressing at the surface. “What happened, Mano?” he asked. “What is it he doesn’t know?”

Mano looked down. “It all comes back to one thing,” he said, quieter now. “That he left. I don’t know if I can ever forgive him.”

“If he hadn’t left… Would it have been different?”

“Everything would’ve been different.”

Ody reached for him, his hand settling against his cheek. “What happened?” he asked. “What happened back then?”

Mano drew in a shaky breath. “Do you remember…” he started, swallowing, “when I begged you not to take me to the hospital?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Just the thought of it…” Mano trailed off, his gaze dropping. “It all comes back.”

Ody’s hand moved to his shoulder, steady, grounding.

Mano stared at the floor. “If Nick had been there… I wouldn’t have been so scared.” His voice dropped, almost to himself. “I was only fifteen.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Ody said. “Don’t push yourself.”

Mano shook his head. Then he looked at him. “I want to.”

Ody blinked. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I want to tell you everything.”

Chapter 23

Eight Years Ago. “Hurry up, Mano! You’re going to miss first period!” his aunt, Irine, called from the living room.

Mano stepped out of his room, school bag slung over his shoulder, black hair falling across his forehead.

“Come on, sweetheart.” She helped him into his jacket. It was November, and the morning air was cold.

They got into her car. Mano buckled his seat belt without a word; his head lowered in the passenger seat. She glanced at him before starting the engine.

“Have a good day at school, honey,” she said when they arrived, turning to him.

He opened the door and stepped out. She stayed there for a moment, watching him. Mano crossed the schoolyard toward the entrance.

A hand slammed into the back of his neck, laughter breaking out behind him. “You’re late, dumbass. Didn’t we say you’d show up earlier?” the dark-haired boy said.

He kept walking, but they moved to block his path. “Where do you think you’re going, nerd?”

Mano lifted his gaze.

“Oh, look. The bruise is gone. What did you tell your aunt this time?”

“You hit your head on a locker!”

“You fell off your bike!”

“Teachers are gonna think you get beat at home,” the dark-haired one snorted. “But who’s left to beat you? Just your aunt, right?”

Mano tried to step past them.