RED DIAMOND

Chapter Three - Fiona

I stood in front of my mirror in my room trying to decide which pair of glasses to wear for the party. People would soon be arriving for my birthday; more people than had ever come to any of my birthdays before. I was excited, yet nervous. I gave a hopeless sigh, setting a round silver pair of glasses down, then gasped as a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Try the rectangular ones, they match the color of your hair."

I spun around on my heel, "Harmon? You're early!" He was wearing fancy black shoes, pants and a navy blue dress shirt.

"Happy birthday! And I'm only early by like, an hour. Besides, better early than late. Something wrong with that?"

"No, it's just... a surprise. A pleasant surprise!" I gave him a quick hug, "So how are you?"

"Good, I'm happy to be out of that car. I had to drive half of the way here. You?"

"A little nervous, I'm not really the kind of person who hosts parties. How do I look?" I spun around, flaunting my ruffled pink dress and curled hair.

Harmon smiled, "Pretty. You look pretty."

"I'm glad I was born in the spring and not winter, this thing is kind of cold. And pink isn't my favorite color, but it just so happens to be the one that suits me the best. I'm doomed to be pink..."

Harmon laughed, "How sad, but it does suit you! Maybe one day you'll appreciate the color as much as I do, I mean, on you. I think it looks great."

It felt like a hand had grabbed my gut and was twisting it up the more he spoke, "I-I wasn't fishing for compliments ... anyway, let's go downstairs!" I exclaimed, changing the subject.

Harmon shrugged, "You literally asked what I thought, and either way you're gonna get compliments regardless if you want them or not."

"Well- I- thank you." I said, avoiding direct eye-contact. He went silent, and I caught a glimpse of a grin on his face before he turned away and headed down the stairway.

"So how do you like being an analyst for Red Diamond?" He said casually.

I shrugged, "It doesn't really feel any different from P.O.T.A.T.O. since I'm working with a lot of former employees , so it pretty much feels the same. Oh, I heard you got a promotion!"

Harmon nodded, "Yep, I did. I'm now lieutenant for a special forces squadron called the Shadow Squad. Most of the squad consists of Blood Knight agents since Blood Knights had more of a focus on military forces." he chuckled, "We may have joined a new organization, but we got the same old jobs back!" He said as we entered the dining room.

Both of us spun around as Sophia's excited voice rang throughout the room, Logan following behind her, "Harmon, guess what!?" She exclaimed with an enormous smile, "My interview is in two days!"

Harmon drew back, "Oh yeah...I forgot about that." Harmon leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, "I hope she gets in, 'cause then I'll be able to order her around." I giggled. Of course he'd enjoy that.

"What are you guys whispering about?" Sophia asked, wearing an annoyed expression.

Harmon shrugged and we both smirked.

"Happy birthday! Oh, are the Waynerts here already?" My mom said as she put a pizza in the oven. My dad came up to me and hugged me, "You look nice." he said as I hugged him back.

"Morning! Being fifteen feels no different than fourteen, and not all the Waynerts are here yet, Harmon and Logan came early."

"Ah, okay. I was hoping they weren't all here yet, their youngest wouldn't have anyone to play with because Josie and all the younger kids are out on a walk."