Two weeks have passed since the report cards were distributed. Nothing special happened during this semester break. Viona spent most of her time at home. The dance studio and music class she usually attended were also temporarily closed, following the school calendar. Her days felt empty, almost colorless. She missed the busy rhythm that made her time feel alive—the stomping of feet during dance practice, the tinkling of notes from the music keyboard, and laughter with her fellow students. 
But this morning felt different. The first day of the second semester had finally arrived. Although the holiday did not leave a pleasant impression, Viona tried to grow a new spirit within herself. She wore a neat white and blue uniform and carried her favorite bag, then stepped firmly through the school gate. The building that usually felt familiar now seemed a little foreign after being left for two weeks. 
She walked towards class 2.C with a simple hope: hopefully today would go smoothly. 
When she arrived in front of the class, the atmosphere was already crowded. A group of students gathered in one corner, talking in half-whispered but tense tones. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard from the hallway. Reni appeared and immediately pushed aside the crowd with an expression of anxiety mixed with enthusiasm. 
“Gossip… Gossip… Gossip! They say we’re going to be shifted to the afternoon class, along with the other second grade classes!” he exclaimed quickly.
“Gosh, don’t let that happen! I really don’t want to go to school in the afternoon. It’s already hot and I’m sleepy,” Lina replied, rolling her eyes.
“But if not, where are we going to study? The renovations aren’t finished yet,” another person chimed in, trying to think logically.
“School is so annoying! The renovations from last year aren’t even finished yet!” Vani grumbled in her characteristically sharp tone.
Viona just listened silently. She didn’t have the energy to respond, even though she agreed in her heart. Going to school in the afternoon meant having to study in the scorching heat, fighting sleepiness during critical hours, and losing time for her favorite afternoon activities. The thought alone was enough to make her spirits collapse.
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The school bell rang three times. The students immediately left the classroom, walking quickly towards the field to take part in the first flag ceremony of the new semester. The sound of footsteps mixed with worried whispers that had not yet completely died down.
The morning sun greeted us with warm rays, penetrating the gaps in the shady leaves surrounding the school field. The morning air was still fresh, the dew had not yet completely evaporated from the grass. The students stood in neat rows, wearing white and blue uniforms that contrasted with the color of the grass.
The ceremony officers walked with firm steps. The stomping of their feet added to the solemn atmosphere. Several students yawned slightly, but the enthusiasm to start the new semester was slowly visible on their faces.
The national anthem played, accompanying the Red and White as it slowly rose to the top of the flagpole. Everyone stood up straight, their eyes looking respectfully.
After the salute was finished, the principal stepped forward and gave a speech in a loud voice. He conveyed his hopes and motivation for the students to study harder. However, towards the end of the speech, his voice changed. His tone was calmer, even sounding a little heavy.
“Dear children,” he said, “in connection with the renovation of the school building that has not been completed, it is with a heavy heart that we announce a change in the entry schedule for several classes.”
Several students began to look at each other. The calm atmosphere slowly turned tense.
“For the second grade, especially classes 2.C, 2.D, and 2.E, will start school in the afternoon session, starting tomorrow, Tuesday until further notice.”
Disappointed reactions were immediately heard. Murmurs of dissatisfaction echoed from the corners of the rows. Several students took a deep breath, while others rolled their eyes or stared blankly ahead.
Viona was silent. No words came out of her mouth, but her mind was filled with anxiety. The heat of the day, the drowsiness, the disruption of the studio schedule, all of that had now truly become a reality.
The atmosphere on the field, which was initially orderly, slowly turned noisy.
“It’s so unfair! Why are we the only ones told to come in at noon?” a student from 2.D shouted in a raised voice.
“Yes! Why do 2.A and 2.B still get to come in in the morning?” another replied with an annoyed face.
“How can we study in the afternoon like that? You’ll definitely be sleepy!” complained Reni, joining in the complaints from her line.
“Then what about our extracurricular activities? Many of them have afternoon schedules!” added a student from the basketball club in a frustrated tone.
Vani, as usual, couldn’t keep quiet, “The renovation! It’s never been finished. We’re the ones who are sacrificed!”
“If the school continues like this, we have to fight back!” a student exclaimed loudly. “How about we just demonstrate? Let the school know we don’t accept it!”
Several friends immediately nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! We’ll make posters! Bring them to the field! Shout during recess!” another exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Just a peaceful demonstration, so it won’t be considered a violation. But keep your voices loud!” Reni added, her eyes shining.
However, not all students were caught up in the euphoria of the demonstration plan. Viona remained standing still. In her mind, the plan sounded impulsive. She glanced at Lina who was standing not far from her.
“I think it’s useless,” Lina muttered softly, just enough for Viona to hear. “The school must be in a tight spot. There’s not enough space, it’s not like they’re intentionally making things difficult for us.”
Viona nodded slowly. She could understand her friends’ anger, but a demonstration was not a magic solution. Especially if it was not based on a mature plan. Instead of being heard, they could be considered impolite and even harm themselves.
“But at least we can express our opinions… But we don’t have to shout on the field,” Viona said quietly.
“That’s right,” Lina replied. “Maybe we can go through the homeroom teacher, or student representatives. Or ask for an official audience with the principal.”
The morning that was expected to bring new enthusiasm, now presented news that made Viona's frown deepen. The principal's announcement was like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight, destroying the hope of a normal routine that she had longed for. 
The roar of her friends' protests filled the air of the field. Viona could feel the same turmoil of dissatisfaction, but she chose to withdraw for a moment from the vortex of emotions. Lina's words calmed her, providing another perspective amidst the din of disappointment. 
"You're right, Lin," Viona whispered, responding to her friend's muttering. "It's natural to be angry, but we need a better way to convey this." 
She watched her friends who were lost in the action plan. Their enthusiasm was burning, but Viona was worried that the enthusiasm was not balanced with mature consideration. She imagined how noisy the field would be during break time, the shouts that might just be considered a passing wind by the school. 
The flag ceremony was finally over. The students began to move to disperse, but the discussion about the schedule change and the protest plan was still the main topic. 
Viona took a deep breath. Although his emotions were triggered, he chose not to get carried away. He believed that voicing disagreement was important, but the way it was delivered was equally important.
In his heart, he muttered: They have the right to be angry, but I also have the right to think clearly.
The excitement of the planned demonstration during the ceremony turned out to be just talk. The burning enthusiasm to protest slowly faded as the students returned to their respective classes. The reality that Tuesday was just around the corner, and the schedule change was inevitable, made most of the students sigh in resignation. 
In class 2.C, the atmosphere felt more sluggish than usual. The previously enthusiastic chatter was now dominated by complaints and gloomy faces. Viona and Lina sat in their seats, exchanging glances without needing to say much. They both felt disappointed, but also realized that fighting the school's decision without proper preparation would probably be in vain. 
"Okay, Lin," Reni finally said, her voice sounding tired. "What else can we do? If that's the decision." 
"But this isn't fair!" Vani was still adamant, although her tone was no longer as sharp as before. 
"Are we the only ones who changed the schedule?" 
"I don't like going to school in the afternoon either," a student from the back of the bench chimed in. "But if we demonstrate, are we sure they will listen?" The question hung in the air, no definite answer was given. The idea of ​​making posters and shouting on the field during break time felt increasingly distant from reality. The energy to organize the action seemed to evaporate, defeated by resignation in the face of the new routine that was already before our eyes.
The bell rang, breaking the silence that had begun to envelop the class. The first subject teacher entered the class with a friendly smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere that seemed less enthusiastic. However, behind the warm greeting, Viona could feel the tension that had not completely disappeared. 
That day's lessons went on as usual, but Viona's mind occasionally drifted to the principal's announcement. She imagined how it would feel to study in the blazing sun, fighting against sleepiness when the lesson material was at its densest. She also thought about her dance studio schedule which was usually held in the afternoon. This change would certainly bring adjustments that were not easy. 
When break time arrived, the school field was not as crowded as imagined during the ceremony earlier. Several students were seen gathering in small groups, still discussing the schedule changes in a languid tone. There were no posters raised, no shouts of protest echoed. The enthusiasm to take real action was apparently not as strong as the momentary emotional turmoil. 
Viona and Lina chose to sit under a shady tree on the edge of the field. They observed their friends who seemed to accept reality with various expressions. Some were resigned, some were still grumbling softly, and some were trying to find the positive side of this change.
"Maybe it's a good idea for us to start in the afternoon," said a student from another class who happened to be passing by. "We can sleep longer."
Hearing that, Lina could only smile thinly.
"It's nice if you don't have afternoon activities."
Viona was silent. She realized that everyone had a different perspective. For some students, going to school in the afternoon might not be a big deal. However, for those who had activities outside of school, this change would definitely be disruptive.
The first day of the second semester ended without any protests as planned. The students of class 2.C and other classes affected by the schedule change went home with mixed feelings. There was disappointment, resignation, and maybe a little curiosity about what it would be like to study in the afternoon session.
Viona stepped out of the school gate with her mind in turmoil. She knew that on Tuesday, her routine would completely change. She had to adapt to the new schedule, rearrange her time to study and practice dance. Although it wasn't easy, she tried to accept this reality with an open heart. Maybe, as Lina said, the school was indeed in a difficult situation. And maybe, behind this discomfort, there was a valuable lesson about patience and the ability to adapt to change.