Broken

4. Broken Traditions

"Happy birthday, Sunshine!" A loud, familiar voice woke me up. I opened my eyes, hoping to see my parents' faces looming over me. So I was partially disappointed when I saw it was Miss Serafin, although I was still pleased nonetheless.

The round woman swiped me from my bed and spun me around. I couldn't help but laugh as I flew through the air like a little fledgling.

Despite only waking up moments ago, I was rather eager to begin my birthday festivities. I was unaware as to what the day would hold for me, however. My parents, who would rather take their medicine than give me the time of day, usually made it a point to wish me a happy birthday first, but due to the events several months ago, they must've opted out of that arrangement.

"I'll be getting you ready for your big day, sweetie." Miss Serafin announced. My whole life, my mother would brush my hair every morning, and on my birthdays, she would place a bright purple bow in my hair. I guess she has passed that task on to Miss Serafin.

Miss Serafin pulled up a chair and I sat down. I had a wool blanket wrapped around me since the air was very frigid due to it being winter. A fire had been started in my fire place, but it would still be some time before my bedroom was warm.

My hair was pulled behind me, and Miss Serafin began spraying it with water. I shivered as the water hit my neck. Because my hair is so long and curly, it requires a lot of effort to get it unknotted.

I could hear the brush ripping through the knots in my hair.

"Ow." I cried, clenching my teeth to brace for the pain.

"I'm sorry," Miss Serafin apologized, "your hair is being extra difficult this morning." She spoke as if my hair was its own entity.

My hair was being pulled from my scalp, and my cries of pain weren't going to help.

"Uh-oh..." Miss Serafin muttered.

"What's the matter?" I asked worriedly.

"Uhh, don't worry, Kiara. I will return in just a moment." Miss Serafin shuffled out of my bedroom.

I brought my hand to the back of my head. Why did she leave the brush in my hair? I tried to remove it, but it was so entangled in my hair, it only pulled my hair with it. I sighed and slumped back into my chair.

A few minutes later Miss Serafin returned with my mother. I looked at her shocked, but quickly adjusted my posture and averted my gaze forward.

"You see, your highness," Miss Serafin picked through my knots.

"Mhmm." My mother agreed.

"What do you propose we do?" Miss Serafin asked.

"I don't see it getting any better. Cut it off." She stated bluntly.

My eyes widened. They couldn't cut it! I've never cut my hair before! I loved my hair!

"But, Your Highness, that would be almost all of her hair, gone!" Miss Serafin responded. Tears began to swell in my eyes.

"I'm aware. But we don't have time for other methods. She's needed in an hour to greet her guests and she's not even dressed." My mother snapped.

"Very well."

Miss Serafin grabbed a pair of scissors and began chopping away at my hair. I glanced at the ground where long, very long, strands of my hair were falling like a fluorescent orange meteor through the night sky.

I tried to cheer myself up. It couldn't possibly be that short now. Who knows? Perhaps I may even enjoy shorter hair!

"Okay, that should do it." Miss Serafin cut off one last strand of hair. "Are you ready to see your new look, Kiara?"

I nodded hesitantly. She held a mirror in front of my face. I gasped. My hair was a lot shorter than I had anticipated. Only a few poorly cut strands hung below my chin, the rest sat close to my scalp. It looked like my hair had gone through a cheese grater.

I couldn't speak, I only began to sob. I thought this day was going to be a fresh start; a break from my broken relations.

"It's not that bad, sunshine" Miss Serafin tried to comfort me. "Maybe it just needs some extra color?" She held up the bow I'd worn every single birthday for the past nine years. She slid the hairpin onto the left side of my head, where it pulled back the little hair I had left. "See, it's not so bad!" She smiled.

While it was beautiful, her putting the bow in my hair only made me cry more. It was something my mother had done every year, and even though she was standing right beside me, she made no attempt at doing so herself.

"Kiara, pull it together. You are nine years old, you should not be throwing a tantrum like this. Stop your crying. You're needed downstairs in less than an hour now." My mother hissed. She ended at that and marched out of my bedroom.

Miss Serafin sighed. "I don't know what has crawled up her petticoat lately, but you needn't listen to her. I know it's not what you imagined for today, but I think you look as beautiful as ever!" She comforted. She brushed the choppy bangs out of my eyes and smile at me.

I returned the favor and nodded. My breath was still ragged as the sadness constricted them.

"Now come on, I have a very beautiful dress for you!" She grabbed my hand and led me to my armoire. 

She pulled out a purple, floor-length ball gown. There was a maroon satin belt that had a bow on the front. The sleeves were long and it had a high collar. Which, I suppose will look nice with my new haircut.

Miss Serafin helped me into the dress. It was a very beautiful dress, and I have to admit that it brightened my mood.

"Thank you, Miss Serafin." I smiled. I turned around and gave her a hug.

"Anytime, sunshine." She bent down and kissed the top of my head.

She grabbed my hand and walked out with me to the ballroom.

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