The corridors outside buzzed with the chaos of students rushing off for their annual-function practices, but inside the classroom it was unusually quiet. Only a handful of students sat scattered in their seats, and right in the middle of them-Vivaan, who for the first time hadn't volunteered for a single competition.

The teacher's voice echoed through the half-empty room, "So students, there are only ten of you left here. A-section also has only twelve, so the incharge has decided to merge the classes. You both have similar subjects except for Maths and Bio, so pack your stuff."