The rain tapped softly against the classroom windows as Mia and Liam stayed late, reviewing their science fair presentation once again. The dim light gave the room a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
Mia finally felt brave enough to share more of herself. "You know, sometimes I think my family expects me to be perfect all the time. It's... exhausting."
Liam nodded slowly. "I get that. My dad's always pushing me, too. Sometimes I feel like I'm competing just to meet his expectations, not mine."
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of their shared struggles bridging the gap between them.
In that moment, Mia realized the rivalry that had defined their relationship was fading, replaced by understanding and something deeper—trust.