The Diamond Family : Book 1, The Diamond Trilogy

Chapter 3

The Gathering Room was filled with a scatter of hushes and giggles. All the girls gathered around a barely working squared tv. The quality isn't great, but no one seemed to take notice. I sit next to Elisa who looks beyond excited. She fiddles with her little brown beaded bracelet, something she did when she was too excited. Usually, she would get jumpy when couples came looking, but today she was different. I never saw her so happy.

Her happiness shined off her, casting off a warm feeling of delighted in my chest. Even though I despised the family, I hoped that they would give Elisa a good long life. I searched for familiar faces around the building crowd. I noticed that almost everyone in the orphanage was gathered around the tv, all eager to catch a glimpse of the broadcast. There were the smallest six-year-olds from the oldest seventeen-year-olds. Each with a grin plastered across their face.

Some girls were dusting off their bland clothes as if they thought the family could see them through the tv. Others were whispering and giggling. There were a few bouncing on the balls of their feet, eager looks printed on their face. But most seemed too focused, still as stone, eyes glued on the tv.

The thing that puzzled me was the lack of Caretakers. It seemed like they forgot about us, which I admittedly say happens quite often. But with the room being this noisy, it's a hard task to forget about us.

"What's taking them so long?" Elisa asked tensely, gazing at the commercial playing on the screen. "Do you think they forgotten? Maybe they couldn't make it. Or what if—"

"Elisa," I said, cutting her off. "I'm sure they're just doing some preparation. You have to remember that this is the first broadcast about the choosing."

She nods gingerly, fiddling with a strand of her hair. "I hope you're right."

I chuckled softly, resting a hand of her shoulder. "When am I wrong?"

Her poster changes. Her nerves vanish and a smile creeps back on her face. She flicks a lock of hair off her shoulder, looking both confident and at ease. "Never."

"Perks of being born with the trait of intelligence—I'm always right," I wink, causing Elisa to giggle.

I open my book, desperate to finish it before I have to give it back to Taylor. But right when I'm starting to tune out the noise around me, someone yells, "Look! They're starting."

I sign. Closing the book and placing it gently on my lap, pulling my attention to the broadcast. The whole room goes silent, taking the scene in.

A long wooden stage creeps around a big gray building. Lengthy scarlet red banners hanged elegantly in the background of the gray building. A speaking podium lies naturally front and center of the stage. Single, straight back chairs are seated on both sides of the podium, one for each member of the family.

Suddenly, a line of red suits and dresses walk across the stage, taking their seats in suit. A bunch of girls around me start to point and giggle, even Elisa shows a bit of blush on her cheeks. I realize they're all staring at Nicholas Diamond. Nicholas was one of the newest members of the family, getting chosen five years ago. Ever since he took foot on stage the public has fallen in love with him. He carries that effortless charm and quick humor. Plus, he's also known to be a bit of a looker. His jawline was an unusual perfect shape, playing well with his mischievous eyes. His wheat brown hair had that poof with a slight curl in some pieces, looking both soft and fluffy.

A girl next to him, whispers something into his ear causing him to nod. She also got chosen five years ago. I believe her name to be Bela Diamond. Her raven hair flows off her tan skin with a slight curl, her lips a dark shade of red representing the Diamond family's symbol color. She was known for her seductive attitude and flawless looks. Her sinister red dress was sliced perfectly to expose her long tan leg.