On Monday morning, Dana, Yusef, and Farah arrived early.

The school hallway smelled like floor cleaner and warm bread from the cafeteria.

Dana held a folded paper so tightly that the corners were soft.

“I cannot do this,” she whispered.

Yusef looked at the office door. “It is only the morning announcement.”

“Only?” Dana said. “The whole school will hear my voice.”

Farah smiled. “That is the point.”

Inside the office, Ms. Rana pointed to a small desk microphone.

“Dana, you are on the radio today,” she said. “Read clearly. Not too fast. Sound friendly.”

Dana’s stomach felt strange. “What if I sound silly?”

“Then you sound like a student,” Ms. Rana said. “Students are allowed to sound human.”

They practiced in an empty classroom first.

Farah clapped softly. “Again. But slower.”

Dana read, “Good morning, everyone. Today is Monday. Please bring your science notebooks to period two.”

Yusef shook his head. “You swallowed the word notebooks.”

“I did not,” Dana said.

“You did,” Farah said. “Say each word like you want people to catch it.”

Dana tried again, slower.

This time her voice was steady.

“Better,” Yusef said. “Now smile a little. People can hear a smile.”

Dana laughed. “That is not a real rule.”

“It is my rule,” Yusef said.

At 7:55, the red light turned on.

Dana sat at the microphone. Farah and Yusef stood by the door.

She began, “Good morning, every—”

Then she stopped.

The paper shook.

Farah mouthed, Slow.

Dana took one breath and started again.

“Good morning, everyone. Today is Monday. Please bring your science notebooks to period two. And remember: be kind in the hallway.”

Her voice was clear. Not perfect. Clear enough.

When she finished, Ms. Rana gave a thumbs-up.

Yusef whispered, “You did not swallow notebooks.”

In the courtyard, classmates waved.

“Nice announcement!” a boy called.

Dana’s face felt warm, but she was smiling.

Farah bumped her shoulder. “See? Your voice can fill a school.”

“I was scared,” Dana said.

“Scared is fine,” Yusef said. “Quiet forever is the problem.”

They walked toward class together.

Dana folded the paper carefully and put it in her bag.

She still felt nervous.

But now she also felt ready for next Monday.