Bully Lord

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 commitment was relentless.

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

"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 can pull it off, it’s you."

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

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

Mili, noticing the whole scene unfold, couldn't hold back her frustration. She glanced at Toya and muttered under her breath, "That's just so childish."

Toya, catching the comment, shot back with a sharp glare. "Mind your own business, you bitch!" she snapped, her voice laced 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 back on Mili and stormed out of the classroom, completely ignoring her furious response.

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

The next 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 between sets. 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 need to focus."

But his level of focus came at a cost. Aside from Toya, who continued to be cold toward him, his social life had taken a hit. He declined invites to hang out with friends and skipped casual conversations between classes. There was no room for distractions.