The bell rang, signaling the start of the first day of Class 4. Sam felt a twinge of nervousness, but it was quickly overshadowed by the excitement of starting her favorite subject—science. As the day unfolded, her nerves melted away, and she settled into the rhythm of the new school year. Each day had its own charm, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
On the third day, the principal entered the classroom with an announcement that would change the schedule for everyone. Starting next week, there would be a new languages period. Students could choose between Spanish, German, or Chinese. Those who didn't want to learn a new language would be placed in a non-interested group. The news created a buzz among the students, but for Sam, it was bittersweet. Her best friend, Zia, hadn't shown up since the school year started, leaving her feeling a bit alone.
Despite Zia's absence, Sam was thrilled about the language choice. When she got home, she eagerly shared the news with her parents. Her father suggested she take Spanish, as her older sister, Fifi, had learned German, and he thought it would be good to try something different. Sam agreed and decided on Spanish.
The following Tuesday, the language classes began. There were three sections: Spanish with 15 students, German with 20-25 students, and Chinese with 40-50 students. The non-interested group had the fewest, with only 10-11 students. On the first day of Spanish class, Sam took a seat and was just settling in when the door opened. To her surprise, Zia walked in, a broad smile lighting up her face. Fate had brought them together in the same language class.
The Spanish teacher, Mrs. Susanita, began the first lesson with some basic phrases and short names. The pronunciation exercises were fun, and the students laughed at their own attempts to roll their R's and mimic Spanish accents. The second class caught them off guard—Mrs. Susanita announced a surprise quiz to test what they had learned in the first lesson. Despite the unexpected test, Sam felt confident and looked forward to more Spanish classes.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Sam gathered her books and shared a smile with her best friend, Zia. The classroom was filled with excitement—the countdown to summer vacation had begun. The warm glow of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting a golden hue across the room. Everyone was buzzing about their summer plans, but Sam's thoughts were already drifting toward the upcoming school year.
As Sam left the classroom, she felt a wave of relief at the prospect of summer. The break promised fun and relaxation, but she couldn't quite shake a nagging feeling. A feeling that, come fall, things might not be the same. She couldn't have known it yet, but after summer vacation, her world would change in ways she could never have expected.