The last Friday of the month was always one of Meret’s favorite days to be in school.

Not because of the lessons since there was usually only one lecture scheduled that morning, but because the rest of the day was reserved for sports until noon. Those hours always felt like freedom to her. She could unwind, laugh with her friends, and let herself scream her lungs out in excitement without a care.

Today was no different. She was part of the first crew slated to perform gymnastics, and she was ...