Claudia

ChapterOne

 "I'm going toLondon!" Claudia exclaimed, clutching a letter from her boss in herfist, "oh, that's great!" her mother said excitedly hugging herdaughter. "I am so psyched! I get to live there for 6 months! Myboss is employing my trip there," Claudia read from the letter inher hands trying hard to not seem overly-excited. Claudia, who was5'6'' and 22 was already imagining herself in that room in London,"when do you leave?" her father inquired glancing over hershoulder at the letter. "I leave at the end of the week" sheread, "so this Saturday?" her mother asked, Claudia nodded yes,as a smile lit up her brilliantly fair face. Three days later,she had packed a lot of suitcases, "well I'm going to be there for6 months, of course I need this much" she told her parents as theycrammed the suitcases into their van, "we'll miss you, love" herfather said hugging her tightly, "i will miss you all so much too!I will write when I can, probably every week" she grinned andhopped into the van ready to go. "I'll see you in 6 months!" sheyelled as she and her luggage was loaded onto the company plane atthe Airport; Margaret Garrett, Claudia's best friend and roommatearrived on the plane 10 minutes later. "Claud! We're going toLondon!!" She squealed, positively excited, Claudia smiled broadlyat her friend and said, "i cannot wait for this." 

Many hours later,they arrived in London sound asleep, heads leaning on each other andthey awoke very groggily. "We're already in London?" Margaretasked looking out the plane window, "touching down in London City"the airport attendant announced to the crowd who was sleepily staringout the windows of the plane. "It's a totally different time zonehere, Margaret" Claudia yawned, standing up as they descended fromtheir plane, "i know, it's going to be weird adjusting fromIndiana's timezone to London's" Margaret sighed yanking hersuitcases out from the baggage claim. "We're now arriving at our house and i can't wait to fall asleep" Claudia said as her eyes began to feel droopy, hours later sunshine began to shine into their room, "wake up lovely!" a voice spoke, chipper and bright eyed there was Margaret; Claudia sat up and yawned looking around at herself, "did i really fall asleep in all my makeup and clothes?" she asked, shocked, "yeah you did, silly." Margaret laughed, "you look like you've seen a ghost! Just get up and get cleaned up, you'll feel much better!" climbing, almost zombie-like out of bed, Claudia began her first day in London. The girls had a car reserved for the business that would take them wherever they wanted to go, and they had no clue as to what their first stop would be. 

"Where to?" A friendly voice asked smoothly, "Lila!? You're here too?" Claudia asked stepping out of the car to greet her friend, "yeah, my family is living here for 3 months while my dad is working here" Lila said. Lila was tall, freckled and auburn-haired, a sight for any man. "You've shot up like a beanstalk!" Margaret giggled as she hugged Lila who smiled, "yeah it's in my genes, my dad is tall," she looked at Claudia, "my oh my, Claud, you're a sight! You must have a boyfriend." Claudia laughed, "not since me and Jeremy broke up 3 months ago, but since i am here i want focus on me," she sighed, "Jeremy wasn't the right one!" Margaret stated, "obviously, that's why they broke up." Shaking her head, "no he cheated, that's something i don't speak about too much" looking up to see her friends faces she gained her confidence back, "but i don't let him bother me, I'm focusing on me this trip." 

They wandered around London in awe of the many beautiful sights it held. When they stood admiring Big Ben a stranger came running through and accidently knocked Margaret off her feet. "Excuse me!" he shouted back to them, "that was rude" Claudia said looking after the running man now 10 feet away, still running, "are you okay, Mar?" Lila asked kneeling down next to her, "just a little dizzy" she mumbled looking nauseous. "We need a hospital" Claudia said looking around for their car, "let's go" she said helping Margaret up. Later, at the hospital Claudia became an object for a certain man's affections, a young doctor, named Bruno Hall, "Miss Ross, you're looking lovely" he said shaking her hand and blushing. Claudia herself was blushing a very light pink, "why thanks" she giggled as he smiled shyly at her, "Claud, come on over here" Lila demanded with a smirk upon her lips. "Someone's got a crush on you" she glanced behind her and saw Bruno look quickly away, "what makes you think that?" Claudia asked, "well the way he shook your hand as he complimented you, Claud, don't be a softy." 

"May i visit you later?" Bruno asked Claudia, who smiled, "i suppose you can, i only just moved in here" she explained; she gave him the address and walked away wondering why someone would give her that much attention. Later that evening after Dr. Bruno had gotten off his shift he quickly changed at his apartment, "what if she thinks I'm awkward?" he thought nervously as he pulled up to her house. "Hi, Mr. Hall, come on in" Margaret welcomed him in, "Claudia, Mr. Hall is here to see you!" as she looked at the color in his cheeks. "Ah, Claudia, nice to see you again," he said shaking her hand, "and it is nice to see you too" she invited him to sit down. The night didn't last very long, Dr. Hall had an early shift next morning so he bid them farewell. The moving in didn't take too long, the house they had was a rental, rented out by the company that Claudia and Margaret worked for, "so, what do you want to do today?" Lila asked them both looking questioningly at Claudia who was grinning, "we should go see this" she showed Lila her phone, " i agree, let's go." The girls arrived at their destination, "wow, this is gorgeous!" Claudia said as she slammed her car door shut behind her.

Standing before them was Buckingham Palace, it was massive and elegant. "I wonder what the queen is doing in there.." Margaret wondered aloud "probably going about, doing her queenly duties" Lila remarked with a smirk "duh, i figured that" Margaret rolled her eyes. "She probably doesn't want you to know" a deep voice spoke from behind them, the girls whirled around, "and who might you be?" Claudia questioned, hands on her hips, he smiled "oh my, his smile" Claudia thought, her heart racing. "I'm Damian, Damian Elliott" he said in a voice as smooth as melted chocolate, "and who might you all be?" he glanced at them all, "I'm Margaret, this is Claudia and Lila" Margaret told him as she pointed towards the other two ladies.