Part- 403:
Emdad, his best friend who had retly returned from Thaind, sauntered over, his face split into a broad grin that James knew all too well. It was the grin of someone who had ammunition—and was eager to use it.
“Well, look who’s the academic superstar now!” Emdad announced, g James on the back with suthusiasm that James almost stumbled forward. “Our very own topper! I hought I’d see the day. What’s ? You start quoting Shakespeare or something?”
James snorted, crossing his arms. “Yeah, maybe I’ll start reg poetry at lunch. Should I start with ‘To be or not to be’?” He rolled his eyes, but a grin reading across his face despite himself.
Emdad raised an eyebrow. “Please. Save the drama for your diary, Mr. Topper.” He leaned in with a spiratorial whisper, gesturing across the room to where Rafi sat, quietly frowning at his ows. “Just…maybe keep the ‘I didn’t even aim for the top’ part under s around Rafi, okay? Puy might just bust.”
James chuckled, gng briefly in Rafi’s dire. Rafi’s usual calm and collected demeanor had taken a hit, and James couldirely deny the satisfa he felt at having, even uionally, disrupted the school’s unspoken academic hierarchy. “Holy,” James said, shrugging, “I wasn’t trying to beat him. But I ’t say it feels bad.”
Emdad ughed and gave him a pyful pun the arm. “Oh, don’t get too cocky, Topper. I’m still sixth in css, and I was off training in Thaind, so I’d say I’m doing pretty well for myself.”
James put on a mock-serious face, folding his arms. “I’m pretty sure that’s just jealousy speaking,” he teased.
Emdad held up his hands, feigning surrender. “Touché. But hey, give me a few more months, and I’ll e back with both brains and brawn. Prepare to be dethroned, my friend!”
As James and Emdad tio chat, Mili and Toya joihem, each wearing expressions that hi something more than friendly banter.
Mili crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at James. “Topper, huh? Looks like we’ll all have to step up ame if we don’t want you turning into some kind of study celebrity,” she quipped.
James chuckled, sensieasing uo also a hint of challenge. “Just a fluke,” he said with a grin. “But you know, Mili, if you ips, I might be vio share my secrets.”
Toya shot James a pyful look, and her eyebrow arched as she leaned in. “I might need a few ‘study tips’ too, James,” she said, her voice light but her gaze mischievous.
Emdad snickered, taking iensioweewo girls. “Oh, I see what’s going on here,” he murmured loud enough for everyoo hear, clearly enjoying the brewing rivalry. “So, our buddy James here has suddenly bee a hot odity. What’s , fan clubs?”
Mili turo Emdad, feigning irritation. “No one’s starting a fan club,” she said, though her cheeks hi a faint blush.
Toya, not oo back down, chimed in with a smirk. “You’re right, Mili. But if there were a fan club, I’d probably be president.”
Mili raised an eyebrow, shooting her a cool gnce. “In your dreams, Toya. You’d have to get past me first.”
