Part- 405:
He met Toya’s gaze, and she gave him a look that seemed to say, “Don’t worry, I’m still on your side.” Then, gng over at Mili, he noticed she was watg him with a softer, more thoughtful expression. For a sed, he almost wondered if her rivalry with Toya was about more than just academics.
Emdad, as always, caught on to the unspoken tension. “So, what’ll it be, James?” he asked, putting him right on the spot. “If you had to choose between study sessions with Mili or Toya, who’s it going to be?”
James groaned, rolling his eyes. “Emdad, please. This isn’t a game show.”
“Oh, but it should be,” Emdad said, grinning. “I’d call it ‘Study Buddies and Frenemies.’ We could make a whole season out of you three.”
Despite himself, James ughed, the absurdity of it all finally breaking through his awkwardness. Mili and Toya exged gnces again, but this time, both seemed a little less tense, as if realizing just how silly it all was.
After a moment, Mili sighed, crossing her arms. “Well, if Toya’s ‘study tips’ work, maybe I’ll end up taking that top spot baext semester,” she said, her voice challenging but with a slight smirk.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Toya replied smoothly. “I’ll make sure James stays at the top. Besides, it’s not just about grades—it’s about teamwork too.” She shot James a wink, making his cheeks redden slightly.
Emdad, uo let go of the teasing, threw an arm around James’s shoulder and spoke to Mili and Toya. “Ladies, rex. James here is a man of many talents. I’m sure he’ll find a way to study with both of you and keep everyone happy, right?”
James shook his head, finally ughing at the ridiculousness of it all. “Fine, you got me, Emdad. study session, I’ll make sure it’s a group one—no petition, just teamwork.”
Mili and Toya both rexed a little, their pyful rivalry simmering down as they exged amused gnces, clearly seeing the humor iuation. Emdad, looking satisfied with his handiwririumphantly.
“Perfect!” Emdad decred. “Now we’re all a happy team, right?”
James nodded, feeling a sense of relief and camaraderie as the tension dissipated. It was moments like these, he realized, that made all the hard work worthwhile.—---The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling school campus. Laughter and chatter echoed through the air as students filtered in and out of s, a buzz of energy marking the day of sports club recruitment. The tenth graders were occupied with their impending gover exams, leaving the lrades free to explore extracurricur activities. Among the throngs of students, the basketball club was doing its best to make a mark, but the task roving more challenging than anticipated.
Kiyoshi Sajeb, the captain, sat beh a rge oak tree, flipping through a pamphlet on basketball tactics. Beside him, Tahera Khanam, the club’s manager, looked disheartened as they surveyed the limited i iable adorned with basketballs and flyers. They had spent the entire m trying to attraew members, but basketball wasn’t popur, especially among the boys who wandered by, many of whom barely khe basics of the game.
