Read Online A Diamond in My Pocket by Lorena Angell - Free Book Online

else, “Once this party leaves
here, you will be on your own. The trio of leadership will make the decisions
for sleeping accommodations every night. No reservations have been made in
advance for any hotel or motel as this would mark a trail. You may find, at
some point, many of you crammed into the same room due to lack of availability.
I expect maturity and consideration from everyone and no inappropriate conduct
with the boys.”
    A few girls giggled while others
groaned. At least that part of my new world was normal.
    “There have been other missions
where hotel rooms were unavailable and quick decisions had to be made for
survival. I expect you to act without question if you find yourselves in a
situation like this. Chris has the responsibility on his shoulders in a moment
such as this to make sure the Runners are safe. Do exactly as he says. Am I
understood?”
    A collective, “Yes ma’am,” echoed
through the room.
    Mrs. Winter began talking with each
individual girl inspecting and approving what they’d placed in their pouches. A
few personal items didn’t pass inspection. I watched the other girls
intermingle with one another and I wondered if they would ever include me. Beth
was the only one who would even speak to me at this point, and that wasn’t
saying much.
    Our entire team, with the guys
included, had ages ranging from thirteen to twenty-three. I was shocked that
two thirteen year old girls, Olivia and Ashley, were even allowed to go. Did
their parents have to give approval for such a thing? If they were at my school
and about to go on a field trip, they would need a signed release form. Somehow
I doubted it was the case here.
    The door opened and I swear fog
rolled in to mystify the entrance of the eight guys. My eyes were drawn to
Chris. I’m pretty sure he walked in slow motion with a spotlight trained on
him. Everyone wore similar running suits of the same green color, enhancing
their physical perfections even more than is humanly possible, making them look
flawless. Their bodies were perfection at its finest, with Chris winning grand
prize in my book. The heavenly vision of bronzed skin stretched taut over toned
muscles made a small drip of drool slide to the edge of my open mouth. My heart
rate jumped up a notch as Chris and I made eye contact.
    I thought about myself only a few
days ago, back when I was just a normal girl at regular high school. There were
only a couple of good looking guys and none of them could even hold a candle to
the looks or… “assets” Chris had. Suz would kill to be in my position.
    My position. What was my position? Oh,
yeah, that’s right, slowest muck around, the loser who will be the tag-a-long
slowing everyone else down. My looks were so far beneath theirs and my
abilities might as well be nonexistent. They knew it, and I knew it. Geez
girl, pull your head out of the clouds; they are all better than you will ever
be.
    As they neared, I watched as
contempt washed over Chris’s face. I represented failure in his eyes and that
would probably never change. Of course, just because he had unabated hate for
me didn’t mean I couldn’t admire his body from afar.
    So, there I was, feeling completely
inadequate, knowing I’d never measure up. And that’s how my day started. I hoped
it will end on a different note.
     
    ****
    “Sir, the Runners are here.”
    I listened as the secretary announced
our arrival over the intercom. The forty-five minute run to the office complex
had been rather pleasant. I held hands with Chris, but only after Mrs. Winter
demanded him to do so. Embarrassed, I assured him I didn’t have any diseases
and had had all my shots. He scrutinized me with his intense blue eyes and took
my hand gruffly. I concluded he’d rather have prostate surgery without anesthesia
than touch any part of me.
    We flew, or at least it seemed like
we did, through the forest and over the lakes. Mrs. Winter was right; when you
run so fast that you don’t sink, you