Adela sprinted down the street, her backpack bouncing with each hurried step. She was late again, and the familiar anxiety bubbled in her chest. As she neared the school, the bell's shrill ring echoed, quickening her pace.

The door swung open with a loud creak, and Adela burst into the room, her cheeks flushed. Ms. Dawson, a patient woman with kind eyes, paused mid-sentence and turned her gaze towards Adela. "Good morning, Adela. Please take your seat," she said, her voice calm but firm.

Ms. Dawson cleared her throat, gaining the attention of the class. "Today, we'll discuss something a bit different—manners and time. Let's imagine: if you could time travel, what manners would be important?" Adela perked up, intrigued by the unusual topic.

Tommy, a boy with a mischievous grin, raised his hand. "You'd have to be polite to dinosaurs, right? Like, no loud noises," he suggested, earning giggles from his classmates. Adela, inspired, chimed in, "Or maybe, we should always be on time, even if we're traveling to the past or future," she added, her voice more serious.

Ms. Dawson approached Adela after class. "Adela, I hope today’s lesson gave you something to think about," she said warmly. Adela nodded, understanding the gentle nudge towards change. "Yes, Ms. Dawson. I think I’ll try to be more on time. Even without a time machine," she replied, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

Adela walked home, her steps lighter than they had been in the morning. She glanced at her watch, determined to make tomorrow a fresh start. She felt a newfound resolve, ready to change her habits, one step at a time.