The Diamond Family : Book 1, The Diamond Trilogy

Chapter 2

I had completely forgotten that in a few months someone could be chosen to become a member of the Diamond family. The Diamond Family was a prestigious, well-known, and respected family. Past their wealth and not much known about them; they took a male and female orphan to join their family every five years. You had to be exactly sixteen to even be considered to join the family. I never really thought that I would be eligible to join till now. But why would I want to a public claim to them, when in two years I could live my own life?

"We already got an envelope in the mail; our orphanage could have a girl chosen!" Lauren explained, hopping around her seat, seeming ready to bolt from it in any given moment.

"Amelia found the envelope while helping sort through the mail. And she took it in here, reading it to all of us!" The girl sitting next to Lauren said, seeming impressed to know more information than we do.

"Where's Amelia?" Elisa asked, eager to read the letter herself.

We all scanned around the room, searching for the envelope and Amelia. My eyes settled at a table with a crowd of seven girls. "Maybe over there," I counted.

Elisa grabs my hand leaping to the other side of the room. A few girls hold different cleaning material but are too distracted to actually use them. I notice a thirteen-year-old girl with a bitter expression on her face. I remembered her being a high-tempered girl, arriving here a month ago kicking and screaming. She caused a fight the second day with a little girl named Kayleen. I realized not everyone in this orphanage was sixteen, that's why she cares a cold expression.

I notice Amelia right away. Her neck-length jet hair and squished face. I can tell she bragging because she's closing her eyes while pointing to herself. As we got closer I can overhear her self-centered conversation.

"One of the Caretakers said that no one has ever gotten chosen from our orphanage, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was the first," she brags, praising herself.

"Can you read the letter, Amelia?" Elisa asks, hope filling in her eyes.

"Well, of course, I have read it many times to all of you, but it wouldn't hurt to read it again," she giggles to herself.

"Actually, we could read it ourselves if you would stop acting like the envelope is just yours," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Fine. Here you go, Elma. Read it yourself since you act like such a saint." she hands me the envelope and I snatch it from her hands.

The envelope cripples under the touch of my fingertips, which are dry from hours of washing rags of grim clothes. The envelope is sealed with a slick red stamp, carrying the logo of a diamond suit. Telling us that this is The Diamond Family's property.

"Dear, Grand Voices Orphanage. We would like you to enter any eligible sixteen-year-old orphans from your establishment. We have departed a dozen copies in the package given to you, this is for anyone who will voluntarily fill it out. Please send a picture with the form of the orphan, as you know we will be choosing two orphans to become our own. We are so overjoyed to see all of you. Signed The Diamond Family."

My stomach tickles me as I catch the tang of the words. It was the hope that this dark place needed, I give them that, but how stiff the family was gave me creeps. Perfection from an orphan who lived their life in tattered clothes seems impossible. I couldn't even imagine changing for the sake of the public. But who wouldn't love living in a castle of a house, or the gems and dresses that come from the stuffy family? To be honest, I wouldn't mind living with someone waiting for hand and foot over me.

"Imagine, getting chosen," Elisa gushes, snapping me back from thought.

I shrug. "Yes, imagine."