The next Saturday, the atmosphere inside Room 17 felt different.

The silence wasn't awkward anymore—it was familiar.

Ayaan walked in carrying a packet of chips.

"Since we're all prisoners," he declared, "I've brought prison food."

"You do realize this isn't allowed?" Reyansh asked.

"So is making detention fun."

Even Reyansh couldn't stop the corner of his lips from lifting.

As everyone settled down, Mrs. Sharma entered with a small assignment.

"You have one hour."

"Groups of two."

"Discuss one question."

The room fell silent.

Nobody moved.

Mrs. Sharma looked around and started pairing them herself.

"Reyansh with Ayaan."

"Vihaan with Akruti."

"Aashi with Yash."

"Ayesha, you'll work with me."

Ayaan groaned dramatically.

"Ma'am, you've paired the class clown with the topper. If I fail, history will blame him."

Mrs. Sharma ignored the comment.

The room slowly filled with quiet conversations.

For the first few minutes, Reyansh solved every question by himself.

Ayaan watched him before finally asking,

"Do you ever get tired of trying to be perfect?"

The pencil in Reyansh's hand stopped.

For a few seconds...

Neither of them spoke.

Finally, Reyansh whispered,

"I don't know."

He looked down at the notebook.

"I only know I'm scared to stop."

Ayaan didn't joke.

Didn't tease.

He simply nodded.

For the first time since they had met...

Someone had seen beyond the topper.