Part-200

  “I’ve been meaning to check it out,” James said. “Maybe this summer I’ll finally give it a go.”

  Mili’s eyes lit up. “Great! I think it’ll be really good for you. And, we also tackle the homework together while we’re at it.”

  James chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I’d definitely need help with some of those assigs.”

  They exged a few more words, and Mili headed back to her seat, leaving James with the thought of the dojo lingering in his mind. The idea of learning real bat teiques appealed to him—especially after his experien the dungeon. The skills he had gaihere were powerful, but he khey cked the finesse of a trained fighter. Martial arts could offer him that edge.

  Just as he was about to dive bato his thoughts, James noticed Toya at her desk, frowning slightly as she scribbled something on her notebook. He decided to approach her.

  “Hey, Toya,” he said, standio her desk. “About yrandmother—I’m sorry I haven’t visited yet. Exams and everything… You know how it is.”

  Toya, who had been sulking moments before, rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Oh, please. Spare me the excuses. I know you're just too busy hanging out with your little girlfriend Mili. I guess my grandmother's not important enough for you to bother with."

  James raised an eyebrow, amused by her attitude. "Is that so? I thought you were the one who was always pining about me not visiting her."

  Toya folded her arms, pouting as she spoke, "It almost feels like I invited you just so you could meet her before she passes away. I shouldn’t have asked someone who’s not even ected to us."

  James couldn't help but ugh. "What oh are you saying? e on, I’ll visit yrandmother this weekend, no excuses. And I’ll make sure t her a huge bouquet of flowers. How's that sound?"

  Toya softened her expression slightly. "Fine. But don't expect me to be happy about it."

  James smirked, amused by her attitude. “I’ll make it happen soon. How about this weekend?”

  Toya hesitated for a moment, then softened her expression. “Alright. Grandma’s been asking about you. She’s not going to be happy if you fke again.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” James said, his smile widening.

  The rest of the css, overhearing their versation, started exging goya’s sharp remarks and James’s calm responses only seemed to stoke the fire of an already existing rumor—that there was something more than friendship between James, Toya, and Mili. The so-called love triangle had bee a favorite topic of gossip among their cssmates, and this iion only gave them more to talk about.

  As James walked back to his desk, he couldn't help but notice the subtle whispers and stolen gnces. He sighed inwardly, knowing that whatever he did or said around Toya or Mili would only add fuel to the gossip mill.