The author analyzes "proxy pride" among classmates for Vijay, their successful peer. He critiques this borrowed success, noting Vijay's "head-start" from his filmmaker father, contrasting it with others' greater struggles and achievements. He questions societal admiration for luck, often mislabeled as talent. The author expresses detachment, concluding a classmate's fame isn't inherently meaningful. He reflects on his diverse class's "luck" and survival despite difficult beginnings, offering a critical perspective on success and pride.