Page 16 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Kash sat at his desk, staring at his laptop. “What?” he asked, not even looking at her.

Stella walked in fast, holding up her phone. “Did you mess with this?”

“No.” He didn’t even turn.

“What do you mean no? My photos are gone.”

“I didn’t touch it. Leave me alone.”

“And the video?”

That made him pause. Slowly, he looked up. “You mean the one you filmed of Mano?” His gaze hardened. “The one where you humiliated him like a fucking psycho?”

Stella blinked, thrown off for half a second. “What did you just say?” Then she snapped. “You deleted it. I knew it!”

Kash leaned back in his chair, watching her now. “For your own good.”

Her eyes flashed.

“You need to stop,” he went on, calmer than before. “I found you a therapist, I talked to—”

“You go to therapy!” she cut him off, her voice rising. “I hate you!” She turned and stormed out, the door slamming hard behind her.

Kash didn’t hesitate. The chair scraped loudly against the floor as he pushed it back and got to his feet. He yanked the door open and caught her by the arm before she could get away. “And don’t even think about sending anything to Ody’s girlfriend,” he said, low and controlled. “Because I’ll tell Mom and Dad everything you’ve done.”

Stella froze.

Kash held her gaze. “And you know exactly how that ends.”

A shaky breath left her as she pushed at him, trying to break his grip. “You’re threatening me? Fine. I’ll tell them you’re gay!”

“Go ahead,” he said, almost too calm. “You’d be doing me a favor. I’d finally have a reason to get the hell out of this house.”

That wiped the anger off her face. Then she tore her arm free and slammed the door in his face.

Kash stayed there, staring at the closed door, exhaling. He knew she wouldn’t do it. Not when it could cost her him. Not when he was the only one she could hold on to in that house.

The next morning, Ody got into his car early. Music played through the speakers as he drove until he finally pulled into the college campus. It was his first time there, so he stopped to ask for directions before heading inside. His steps carried him down a long corridor, students scattered outside classrooms along the way.

He slowed. His eyes moved from face to face, scanning carefully. Then he kept walking, slower now, more deliberate.

Laughter echoed from further down the hall. A group of students approached, boys and girls mixed together, completely unaware of him. His gaze locked onto them. On her. Her red-copper hair. The smile on her lips. Like she was just another girl her age. Like nothing had happened.

Ody stopped moving. Didn’t take his eyes off her. When she noticed him standing there, her smile vanished. Her steps faltered, her stomach tightening.

The Odysseus she’d seen on social media had looked warm, easygoing, full of life. The man in front of her now was none of that.

He watched her, steady, unblinking.

She swallowed hard. “Uh… guys, I’m going to the bathroom. Wait for me outside.”

“Okay!” her friends said, continuing on, oblivious.

Now there was no one between them. Just her and the man in love with the person she had hurt.

She turned and hurried into the restroom. Ody clenched his jaw and followed, unhurried. Stella locked herself in one of the stalls. He stopped by the sink, arms crossed, and waited.

A few seconds passed. His patience wore thin. “I’m not leaving,” he said, his voice low and steady. “You coming out, or do I come get you?”