| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 45 : RETURN TO SCHOOL

Date: June 5, 2021
Place: London

After months of being cooped up at home due to the pandemic, Matilda was finally able to return to school in full swing. The joy she felt as she slipped on her uniform that morning was palpable, and there was a bounce in her step as she hurried to the car with her siblings. The world felt different now—safer, brighter—but still with a lingering sense of caution. It had been a year of isolation, uncertainty, and adjustment, but the return to in-person school was a step toward normalcy.

"Are you excited?" Catherine asked as she adjusted Matilda's school tie one last time. "I know you've missed your friends."

"I am!" Matilda replied, her eyes shining with anticipation. "But I'm nervous too. I haven't seen James and Maria in so long."

"You'll be fine, darling," Catherine reassured her, her smile warm. "Just remember to be kind and patient with yourself. It's been a strange year for everyone."

Matilda nodded, but deep down, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. What if her friends had changed? What if they didn't remember her the same way?

At School:

The school gates had never looked so welcoming. As Matilda walked through the entrance, her heart fluttered in her chest. There was a buzz in the air as children chatted excitedly, parents waved goodbye, and teachers directed students into their classrooms. The once-familiar scent of the school—chalk, books, and the faint whiff of the outdoor playground—felt both comforting and new.

When Matilda entered her classroom, she was greeted by the warm smile of her teacher, Mrs. Parker. "Well, Matilda, it's lovely to have you back!" Mrs. Parker said, gesturing toward an empty desk beside the window. Matilda smiled back, taking a seat and looking around the room. It was almost the same as it had been before the lockdown, except now there were small changes to make sure everyone stayed safe, like extra hand sanitizing stations and spaced-out desks.

And then, in the middle of the chatter and the flurry of students settling in, she heard it—a familiar voice calling her name.

"Tilly!"

Matilda's heart skipped a beat. She turned around, and there they were—James and Maria, her best friends. They were standing in the doorway, their faces bright with joy. It felt like the world had shifted back into place, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Matilda felt completely at ease.

"James! Maria!" Matilda exclaimed, jumping up from her seat.

The three friends quickly ran toward each other, their laughter ringing out in the classroom as they shared a joyful, albeit socially distanced, hug. "It's so good to see you!" Maria said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I missed you so much!"

"I thought I'd never see you again!" James added, grinning. "It's been ages. How've you been?"

Matilda felt a sense of relief wash over her as they began to chat. "I've been good. It was weird being at home for so long. But at least I got to see George and Charlotte more."

"I know what you mean," Maria said, sitting down next to her. "We had to do all our classes online for so long, and it was really boring. I missed being with everyone in person."

"Same here," James chimed in. "And I definitely missed the playground. I've been dying to play soccer again with everyone."

The conversation flowed easily between the three friends, picking up right where it had left off before the pandemic started. They talked about everything—what they had done during the lockdown, the new hobbies they'd picked up, and, of course, how they couldn't wait for things to finally go back to normal.