Page 113 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Nobody laughed.

The next day, no one said anything when he walked into class. No one shoved him. No one called him names. He still sat alone during breaks. That didn’t change. But now, the space around him stayed empty.

When the final bell rang, heads turned as he left the classroom.

He got suspended for hitting five students. Four days out of school.

A few days later, he was walking home along the narrow sidewalk he always used, the street quiet, empty. A few steps ahead, he slowed. Something felt off. Then he saw them. Ten of them. Waiting.

Mano froze.

“We let you be for a few days after what you pulled,” a familiar voice said. “But don’t think you got away with it. I warned you, if you go against us...”

Mano stepped back, then ran. His steps stumbled over each other, breath catching as he heard them behind him, feet pounding closer. He didn’t make it far. Hands grabbed him from behind.

That evening, he woke up in a hospital room. His face was bruised and cut, cleaned, but still swollen. Every movement sent pain through him. His aunt sat beside him, slumped in the chair, her hand wrapped around his, fast asleep. Mano stared at the ceiling, his mind drifting back to his brother. If he were here… none of this would’ve happened. His vision blurred. He blinked hard, but the tears slipped down anyway.

His aunt stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Sweetheart?”

Mano turned his head away.

“How are you? Are you in pain?” she asked, leaning closer. “Do you need something?”

“Go get something to eat, auntie. You haven’t had anything in hours,” he said, keeping his eyes turned away.

She brushed her fingers over his cheek. “Even now, you’re thinking about me…”

“Go, auntie,” he said, finally looking at her.

She nodded, her eyes glistening. “Alright, honey. I’ll bring you something to drink too.” She stepped out, the door closing behind her.

In the hallway, a nurse stood in front of a group of teenage boys.

“Just for a minute!”

“Please!”

“He’s our best friend! When we found out what happened, we lost it,” the dark-haired boy said. “Only a few minutes. We’re begging you.”

The nurse hesitated, then sighed. “Alright. Five minutes. He needs rest.”

“Thank you so much!”

Mano heard his door creak open and turned. The moment he saw them, he froze. The dark-haired boy laughed and stepped closer to the bed. Mano tried to sit up, but pain stopped him halfway.

“What’s up, Mano? You in pain?”

They closed in around the bed. The boy slammed his fist into the pillow beside his head, Mano flinching. “Ooh, look at you…” His gaze dragged over him. “Damn. Who the hell messed you up this bad?” He grabbed Mano’s jaw, turning his face side to side, inspecting the bruises.

The others laughed while Mano stared at them. He thought about calling out, but—

“We told you what would happen if you crossed us,” the boy said.

Mano’s breath hitched. “No...”

“You didn’t think it through when you beat us up in front of everyone. Now your aunt’s gonna pay for it.”

“No!”