I pushed open the classroom door and slid into my usual spot at the back, Ayush already there, smirking at something Aryan had just whispered to Tanmay.
"Man, did you see what Tanmay drew on the board yesterday?" Aryan whispered, nudging Tanmay.
"Yeah, pretty bad," Tanmay said, grinning. "I think even Killi would've laughed."
Puneet snorted from across the room. "You two are hopeless. At least Kartikey actually writes something useful."
Kartikey rolled his eyes, not even looking up from his notebook. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Puneet."
I leaned toward Ayush, keeping my voice low. "Bet they'll mess up again when the teacher comes in."
He chuckled. "Probably. But it's funny watching them try."
A pencil rolled across the floor, and Tanmay kicked it back, laughing. Aryan made a dramatic gasp. "Ooh, careful! That's a dangerous pencil. Could strike at any moment!"
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. Small jokes, small teases—they filled the classroom with noise without anyone actually learning anything yet. It was the morning ritual, a way to wake up, warm up, and pretend the day wasn't just about lessons and formulas.
"Hey, Honey," Puneet called quietly. "What's that doodle this time? Another weird monster?"
I shrugged, holding my sketchbook closer. "Maybe… maybe it's a superhero. You wouldn't get it."
He laughed. "Yeah, sure. Keep dreaming, man."
I didn't mind. I wasn't really competing for laughs—I just listened, watched, and occasionally joined in. There was a rhythm to it all: jokes, nudges, smirks, whispers, laughter. The class was alive, chaotic, but predictable.
Even sitting quietly, I felt part of it. Observing, teasing lightly, sharing small comments with Ayush—it was enough to blend in without losing my edge. And that was fine with me.
The bell hadn't rung yet, but already the morning had warmed the room, filled it with energy, and reminded me that school wasn't just lessons—it was a living, breathing web of voices, gestures, and endless small dramas.
:Lunchroom...
The bell rang, and most students rushed to the canteen or the courtyard, leaving the classroom almost empty. I unpacked my lunch quietly, sliding into the usual spot at the back with Ayush. A few others stayed too—Kartikey hunched over his notebook, Caz leaned back in his chair reading, Uday scribbling something in the corner, and Puneet fiddling with his sandwich.
Tanmay nudged Aryan. "Hey, bet Killi's gonna freak out if anyone messes up today."
Aryan grinned. "Yeah… but it's kinda fun watching him blow up. Almost like a live-action drama."
I smirked. "You two really enjoy watching chaos, huh?"
Tanmay laughed. "You're quiet, Honey. Don't tell me you don't like it too."
I shrugged. "Depends… I like watching, not getting involved. But sometimes chaos is entertaining."
Kartikey glanced up from his notebook. "I'm just glad I don't have to run around. You guys are all crazy."
I nudged him. "Crazy is relative. You laugh at the chaos too, don't deny it."
He rolled his eyes but chuckled faintly.
Uday piped up from the corner. "So… anyone actually studying for the next class, or are we all doomed?"
Puneet snorted. "Studying? Nah, we'll survive. Somehow."
I leaned back. "Yeah, survival is the real goal, right?"
Aryan smirked. "You talk more than I thought, Honey. Didn't know you had it in you."
I laughed softly. "Only when it's worth talking. And you guys make it worth it sometimes."
Tanmay laughed, slapping his knee. "See! Honey's finally joining the madness."
For the rest of lunch, the conversation flowed: jokes, teasing, small debates about last night's homework, and exaggerations about what Killi would do if we messed up again. I joined in where I felt like it, teasing Kartikey lightly, laughing at Aryan's dramatic expressions, or giving a sly comment to Uday.
Even in this half-empty classroom, the chatter made everything feel alive. There was no pressure, no deep conversations—just friends, jokes, and the easy rhythm of being part of the day without standing out too much.
And for me, that was enough.
After lunch, the bell rang and we shuffled back to the classroom. Shraddha mam, our chemistry teacher, was already at the front, arranging her notes and smiling at the students. The smell of chalk and faint chemical tang reminded me this wasn't a free period—this was work.
Ayush slid into the seat beside me. "You ready for these formulas?" he whispered.
I shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's survive this one first."
Aryan nudged Tanmay, whispering something I couldn't hear, and Puneet rolled his eyes. Kartikey was already scribbling notes methodically, completely focused.
"Hey, Kartikey," I said quietly, "got the answer for question three? I'm stuck."
He looked up, frowning slightly. "Yeah… it's just about balancing the equation. Here, check this." He slid his notebook toward me.
"Thanks," I murmured, jotting it down.
Uday leaned over. "Do you guys think Shraddha mam will give us a surprise question?"
Tanmay smirked. "She's evil enough to try. I wouldn't be surprised."
I chuckled softly. "Then we'll just act like we studied… hope for the best."
Shraddha mam began the lesson, explaining reactions and chemical formulas. Some students scribbled furiously, others doodled in the margins, and a few whispered answers to friends. I split my attention between my notebook and the little interactions around me—Kartikey's careful notes, Caz flipping pages quietly, Aryan smirking at Tanmay's jokes, Puneet gesturing dramatically to Uday.
I leaned toward Ayush. "Did you get the periodic table part? I can never remember all these elements."
He shook his head. "Nah… just memorize the ones she always asks about."
I nodded, scribbling a quick note. "Smart move. I'll do that too."Even in the middle of studying, jokes slipped in. Tanmay whispered about a 'chemistry disaster' from last year, making Aryan snicker. I laughed quietly, shaking my head. The balance of work and chatter made the classroom feel alive—structured, but still chaotic in its own way.
By the end of the period, my notebook was filled with formulas and doodles alike, my pencil moving as much for sketches as for notes. I leaned back, observing the class one more time: the little dramas, the whispers, the gestures, the faint smirks across desks. Even in study, everyone had a story, and I was quietly keeping track of it all.