Don’t Go Breaking My Heart - Volume 1 Chapter 1 And So It Begins..

“Darling, I need you to know that we will always support your decisions. We just want to make sure that you really want to do this,” Bertha James said to her daughter.

“This isn’t a one-day ballet lesson or an impulsive 3-day tailoring session. It’s a life decision Winnie,” Lawrence James added.

“Mom, dad, I love you guys, and I’m very sure this is what I want to do. I know I quit ballet and gave up on homemaking but all those were just me being curious. This is really what I want to do,” Claudia James said reassuringly.

“Okay dear. We support you,” Bertha sighed with relief. This daughter of hers was an adventurer. Finally being able to settle on her future was a thing to be celebrated in the family.

“Since you guys are so supportive and the atmosphere is so lovely, can I please get a puppy? Pretty please with lots of whip cream and cherries on top,” Claudia pleaded with her glittering hazel eyes.

“Take back those eyes. You’re not getting a dog, a car, or a scooter,” Lawrence replied firmly.

“Okay. I was just trying my luck. I’m going over to Flora’s,” she said as she ran out the door.

At the age of 5, Claudia wanted to learn to ride a bicycle. She got a pretty pink one for practice. Every year, for 3 years straight, she got a new bicycle to practice. Finally at the age of 9, after much persuasion and threats to take away her summer break, she learned to ride one. She always dabbled in various things but never finished them. At the age of 16, she had tried basketball, bowling, DJ, yoga, cooking, tailoring, tap dance, ballet, skateboarding, ice skating, arts, science, and many more. Her parents have always been supportive. They never believed in constraining thier child or putting her in an invisible box of societal norms. The only issue here is Claudia never finished anything she started. It’s either she got bored or it wasn’t how she imagined it’d be.

Finally she settled on one, hair. Her argument was whenever she got her hair cut, styled or colored, she always found it fascinating how someone had control of the hair and in turn, is able to control how you look. She could make someone ugly if they pissed her off or beautiful if they paid her well. She always got her right dose of adrenaline rush watching the scissors chop through the hair like a lawn mower. She found her safe haven, and everyone crossed their fingers hoping that she sticks with it.

“When will you enroll at beauty school?” Flora asked.

“Summer. Once high school is over, I plan to get certified to own my personal salon,” she said as she lifted her chin and pushed her chest out to show off.

“You’re gonna be a young CEO. At least, I can get free haircuts,” Seraphina clapped happily.

“Girl, don’t even think about it. I can give you discounts, but you’re gonna pay. No free lunch in this world darling,” she replied quickly so the girls understood where to put their money in the future.

“I’d drop dead is Winnie gave cuts for free. One thing she loves more than herself is …” Flora said before the girls replied, “money.”

They all laughed as Flora continued, “I love you guys. You always finish my sentences.”

“If I were a man, I’d marry you two,” Seraphina giggled mischievously.

“That’s why God made you a girl, you perv,” Claudia said, flicking Seraphina’s forehead.

Their conversations were not always happy, but they always manage to laugh it off at the end. Flora, 17, Claudia, 16, and Seraphina, 13, have all grown up together. More than bestfriends, they were sisters. Naughty but studious Flora, innocent yet adventurous Claudia, brilliant, young, and perverted Seraphina: the three amigos.

“I’m still going to get my hair dyed maroon this afternoon. Wanna come?” Claudia offered.

“No, we are just gonna wait for you to surprise us again,” Seraphina said and Flora nodded in agreement.

“Okay then. I’ll see you guys later. Muah muah muah,” she sent flying kisses as she strolled out of the house.