Part-296

  He stepped away from the wall, slowly and deliberately dragging his thumb across his throat—a gesture that was as childish as it was menag.

  James’s stomach twisted, but he kept his expressioral. He knew what Jel was doing. It wasn’t just about intimidation; it was about pnting seeds of doubt. If Banani’s team sed-guessed themselves, even for a moment, they’d already lost.

  Sourov muttered something under his breath, his fists still ched, but he didn’t move. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffog.

  Nabi whispered from behind, “Let’s just leave, guys. It’s not worth it.”

  James gave a small nod. “She’s right. Let’s go.”

  The team began to move, carefully maneuvering around Jel’s group. As James passed Jel, the other boy leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “Better start practig those sotion speeches, James. After all, someone’s gotta fort the losers.”

  James didn’t flinch. He met Jel’s gaze head-on, his eyes cold and steady. “We’ll see who needs soling wheime es.”

  Jel chuckled again, the sound lingering in the air like a taunt. “Looking forward to it.”

  With that, Banani’s team made their way out of the stadium, leaving Jel and his crew behind. The night air outside was cool, but it did little to dispel the heat of the frontation.

  ---

  As they walked toward the parking lot, Ryan puhe side of a mppost in frustration. “I should’ve decked him,” he muttered angrily.

  “And gotten us disqualified?” Zia shot back, his voice sharp. “That’s exactly what he wanted, Ryan. Use your head.”

  Ryan exhaled hard, running a hand through his hair. “I know. It’s just... they’re so damn smug.”

  James pced a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “We’ll deal with them in the final. O, not here.”

  Sourov cracked his knuckles, his expression grim. “When we beat them, I’m going to enjoy every sed of it.”

  Coach Gin gave a rare smirk. “Make sure you don’t get carried away. Winning is the best revenge.”

  The team fell into a thoughtful silence as they reached the parking lot. The enter with Jel’s team had rattled them, but it had also lit a fire.

  They weren’t just fighting for a trophy anymore. They were fighting for pride, for resped most importantly, for each other.

  ---

  As James climbed into the backseat of the car with Sourov and Abbas, he let out a slow breath. The enter with Jel pyed over in his mind, every word, every gnbsp;

  He khis wouldn’t be the st time they crossed paths. Jel’s threat wasn’t just a warning—it romise. And James inteo meet that promise head-on.

  “We’ll beat them,” he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

  Ryan g him from beside the driver’s seat, a determined glint in his eye. “Damn right, we will.”

  Srinned, his earlier anger melting into fierce resolve. “And when we do, we’ll make sure they never fet it.”

  James leaned back, a small smile pying on his lips. The battle was far from over, but he knew ohing for sure—wheime came, they’d be ready.