The sound of footsteps echoed on the staircase like the gentle rhythm of life, ushering in a new day full of excitement. The hurried breaths pushed away the morning mist, a small ray of sunlight spreading across my face, like the warm sensation of a fresh start. My mother's gentle call echoed from below like a soft reminder, yet in my mind, it also carried a gentle pressure, impossible to ignore.

"Hurry up, dear, it's almost time for class!"

With the tired eyes of a young person, I responded to that call with a faint smile, but inside, worry still lingered like a dark shadow lurking in my mind. The anticipation, the anxiety before a new day began, the tasks, the responsibilities about to be faced made me restless.

The last moments before entering the online class meeting passed slowly, as if trying to hold onto the present moment, the final moments of freedom before embarking on a new day of learning. I felt every breath, every heartbeat, like gentle beats of music, reminiscent of desires, dreams once set.

Forty-nine faces, forty-nine different stories, each face carrying its own world, its own secret of student life, like beams of light illuminating the diverse tapestry of school life. I quietly prepared, observing each expression, each face on the screen, but behind every smile, every glance were the emotions, the individual thoughts of each person.

"Hello, everyone, my name is Mai Thi Thuy Trang. I hope we'll have beautiful memories together."

Her voice echoed, solitary and weary, like a fading breeze with each passing moment, yet it also brought hope and faith to weary young souls. The welcoming words from the teacher signaled a new beginning, an opportunity to start afresh.

The teacher's kind wishes were like small waves washing away worries, bringing warmth to the virtual space of the online classroom. I looked at the screen, each face appearing before me, each face a mirror reflecting my own image, my desires, dreams, and worries that we all shared.

"Now, let's introduce ourselves to get to know each other better."

The suggestion from the teacher made me squirm in my seat, like a heartbeat pounding fiercely in my chest, both nervous and anxious. Her voice echoed in the virtual space of the class meeting, but the feeling of tension still weighed heavily on me, like a dark cloud shimmering at the bottom of my heart. Since childhood, introducing myself has always been a difficult challenge. Each time, it felt like I was going through an internal battle, between wanting to shine and the fear of being exposed to everyone.

Now, even though it was just a frame on the computer screen, I still felt a shiver, like a big snake coiled inside my chest. My hands trembled, but I remained determined, like a warrior ready to face the challenge. After fumbling for a while, I finally found the mouse cursor to turn off the camera, a fleeting gesture yet meaningful, like shedding a heavy burden, opening up a space of freedom and comfort.

Then, I hurried to the bathroom, as if to regain freedom and peace, a corner of my own in a world full of pressure and anxiety. It was a place where I could temporarily set aside thoughts, worries, and find peace in the quietness of privacy.

"In a new environment, I have to change myself," I said to myself, trying to reassure myself.

Returning to my desk, I saw that some of my classmates had already introduced themselves.

"It's going to be my turn soon," I thought, preparing myself mentally for my part.

"Now is Duc Trong's turn."

Immediately, I heard my name, like a bell signaling an impending chaos. It turns out the teacher was calling in the order of the frames on her screen. A sense of panic overwhelmed me, as if I were a hunted animal in a dangerous situation, not knowing how to protect myself. My face turned pale, like a blank sheet of paper, my lips stuttering a few words but unable to pronounce them, like closed doors of the soul, unable to open up to share inner thoughts.

In that moment of confusion, I felt lost in a forest full of danger, not knowing which way was safe. My mind became blurry, yet in my head, there echoed sounds of fear and helplessness. I stared at the camera, but in my eyes, I only saw the confusion and chaos.

In that moment, I felt encouragement from within, like a gentle breeze, soothing me a bit. I tried to control my breath, grasped my hands tightly, to bring myself back to a state of alertness and determination. Finally, thoughts began to form in my mind, like dim lights emerging from the darkness, creating a path for me in this bewildering haze. My hand reached for the mouse cursor, and I quickly sent a message to the class group.

"Hello, everyone, I'm Nguyen Duc Trong, from the D province. My mic had a technical issue, so I couldn't connect. Hope you all understand."

Pressing "enter," I turned off the camera again and sighed, feeling helpless, like a fierce wave sweeping away all the thoughts and emotions within me. It felt like sinking into a dark space, where there was no existence, no light to guide the way. In that moment of confusion, I felt isolated and abandoned, with no one understanding the emotions and thoughts disturbing my mind. A deep sigh was a way for me to relieve tension and anxiety, but the feeling of helplessness still lingered deep in my soul, unsure when I would find a way out of the whirlpool of dark and murky moods.

I lay there for quite some time, pondering, so when I returned, the introduction part had already ended. Everyone just said their names.

But Gia Han, the last one, took more time to share about himself. I couldn't forget his standout presence during the introductions. From personal hobbies to foods he disliked, Gia Han confidently shared everything with everyone, as a way to open hearts and create a more intimate, comfortable environment for everyone. His introduction lasted nearly 5 minutes, yet no one felt tired or bored, because every word from Thanh Truc's mouth brought excitement and interest. It showed his influence and attraction, making people unable to take their eyes off the screen and creating a strong impression on me.

"There are still positive people like this in the world. It's rare!"

Then, it was time for the class to elect class monitors. It seemed like most people were impressed with Gia Han, and the result was that he got most of the votes. However, when the votes were recounted, the result was that Thien Kim got more votes. The reason given was Thien Kim's impressive academic achievements, while Gia Han was pushed into the role of deputy class monitor.

Of course, I didn't participate in that voting session. For me, those who lead often only know how to use power to oppress others, rather than having remarkable abilities or talents. When the meeting ended, I lay on the bed, struggling in an inner battle with myself. While pondering about myself and the future, Lem - my house dog - jumped straight onto my belly, as if to bring comfort and encouragement in the most difficult moments.