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A bleary-eyed Elle trudges her way into the kitchen, following the smell of eggah and fresh flatbread. “G’morning, Mum,” she says as she trods over and wraps her little arms around her mum in a hug.
“Good morning, baby,” her mum sings back and ruffles the girl’s hair. “Your breakfast is just there on the table. Don’t forget, Miss Brown sent out a reminder that today’s costume day. I’ve gotten the chest out of the loft so you can look through it. I’m sorry but I can’t help you pick something out this morning, I’m in quite a rush.”
She pauses for a moment to take a sip of her tea and gather up her work items. “I know you can handle walking alone, but Mrs. Jesperson is just next door if you need anything,” she continues. “Get ready quickly please so you’re not tardy, don’t dilly-dally. Have a good day, okay? I love you.” She plants a kiss atop Elle’s bedhead and is swiftly out the door.
Elle doesn’t waste a moment, scarfing down her food in record time before bounding into the sitting room to begin her search for the perfect getup. Most days at primary school were good already, but she has extra reason to be excited as she gets ready this morning. That reason being today is costume day, and costume day is her favourite kind of school day.
You see, Miss Brown draws a name each day to pick the helper who aids with class responsibilities. Typical duties include things like switching the lights, feeding the fish, and leading the line in the hallway—though, the young children carry out these assignments with such eagerness it’s obvious they’re seen as a privilege rather than a chore. They take turns cycling through all the children in the class so no one gets left out; when everybody has served their part, the cycle starts over again.
Once a month, however, they hold a sort of party where the children get to dress up, show off their costumes, and then vote their favourite to be the helper. Past themes have included zoo animals, book characters, and mythical creatures. It’s always a grand time, but the joy that Elle’s had on all the previous costume days combined is far surpassed by her uncontained delight at today’s theme: faerie tales.
She hurriedly makes her way through the clothes chest, passing by many costumes of varying conditions and sizes, in search of one in particular—one which she’s secretly been waiting years to properly grow into and wear. An ecstatic squeal escapes her when she finally finds it at the bottom of the bin, and she gingerly scoops it up to hold out in front of her. Elle stays like that for a moment, quietly admiring it before rushing off to get ready.
Elle practically floats into her classroom twenty minutes later, having skipped down the pavement all the way there. She’s walking on a cloud and can barely contain her excitement as she takes a spot on the back of the rug amongst her fellow dressed-up classmates. After allowing the children a few minutes of lively chit-chat, Miss Brown begins the day.
“Welcome to class, and good morning everyone! I hope you’re all ready for costume day!” She smiles and clasps her hands together at the cheering that erupts from the crowd before her. “Now that everybody’s seated, let’s start at the front here and zig-zag our way through. You can each take a moment to stand and show your costume when it’s your turn. I’ll watch from my desk while I mark attendance.”
Elle waits patiently as the other children display their outfits like it’s a fashion show. There have been mostly royalty so far, along with a dragon, a handful of knights, and a court jester. When her turn finally comes, she quickly hops up and shuffles to the front of the classroom. “I’m Belle,” she declares with a shy smile.
She’s parading a canary silk dress with golden embellishments. The voluminous skirt flows over her uniform trousers and droops to brush the top of her trainers with each step. She takes a twirl and earns a chorus of oohs and aahs from the audience. She can’t help but grin deliriously when she hears a hushed “pretty,” among everything else.
The positive response is no doubt partly owed to the extra magic she’d added with supplies from her crafts box. Strings of tinsel peek through her curls and specks of glitter freckle her hazelnut skin like stars. She thinks this must be what it feels like to be a princess, basking in the admiration and attention that’s so rarely focused on her.
When Elle resumes her seat, a few more children showcase their outfits before it’s time to take the poll. The young students close their eyes while Miss Brown calls out names and tallies the raised hands. “And our helper of the day is… drumroll, please…” A rumbling noise fills the room as little hands excitedly pat the ground. “[Elle]! Everybody give [her] a round of applause!”
The couple little butterflies that have been flitting around in Elle’s stomach suddenly transform into a whole kaleidoscope. They’re innumerable and unrestrained, dancing about in a meadow that’s springing more wildflowers by the second. Filled with a nervous joy, she stands to give a curtsy and can’t help but notice how right this feels; this is how it’s supposed to be. Elated giggles bubble out of the girl, and soon the entire class is ringing with the contagious sound.
Throughout the rest of the day, Elle runs her errands with all the grace and elegance of a real princess. There’s an extra spring in her step, a testament to the fluttering that completely fills her heart.