Part-190

  “I have to ace these exams,” James muttered to himself, already feeling the pressure weigh on him. He immediately switched to "study mode," creating a strict routine for himself. He began carrying his textbooks everywhere—whether he was walking to the gym, eating, or even during his downtime. His itment was relentless.

  Mili noticed the ge in him during their study session. "Wow, James, you’re really going all in on this, huh?" she remarked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him bance a notebook on his p while scrolling through digital fshcards.

  "Yeah, no choice," James replied, his voice serious. "I’ve got to secure one of the top spots in this exam. Anything less isn’t an option."

  Mili smiled knowingly. "Well, if anyone pull it off, it’s you."

  Meanwhile, rumors about James and his fight with the Spider Eyes gang had spread throughout the saking him something of a local hero. One person, however, didn’t seem impressed: Toya, the raudent. She had been trying to get closer to James, mostly due trandmother's insistence, since her grandmother had invited him over to celebrate his victory. But James, entirely focused on his new missions, had politely deed the invitation, expining he had to prioritize his studies.

  Toya didn’t take the reje well. She wasn’t a typical bully, but her pride had been wounded, and her frustration bubbled over. The day, when James returo his desk after a short break, he found the word "loser" written in bold letters across the surfa perma marker. Several students snickered, and whispers filled the .

  Mili, notig the whole se unfold, couldn't hold back her frustration. She g Toya and muttered under her breath, "That's just so childish."

  Toya, catg the ent, shot back with a sharp gre. "Mind your own business, you bitch!" she snapped, her voice ced with venom.

  Mili’s face flushed with anger. "What did you just call me? How dare you speak to me like that?" she demanded, her voice rising with each word.

  Without another word, Toya turned her baili and stormed out of the , pletely ign her furious response.

  James, however, barely reacted. He simply sighed and pulled out a book from his bag, ign the mess. Toya's outburst didn’t bother him. He was ser-focused on his mission. His eyes skimmed over the page as if the word "loser" didn’t eve.

  The few days were grueling. James studied for hours on end, barely stopping to sleep or eat. Even at the gym, where he typically worked out to relieve stress, he was now found flipping through textbooks betwees. His friends, especially Mili, started to worry about him pushing himself too hard.

  "You’re not going to burn yourself out before the exams, are you?" Mili asked one evening as they left the library together.

  James shook his head. "I’ll be fine. I’ve got a method. If I stick to it, I’ll ace the exams. I just o focus."

  But his level of focus came at a cost. Aside from Toya, who tio be cold toward him, his social life had taken a hit. He deed io hang out with friends and skipped casual versatioween csses. There was no room for distras.