At dinner , Cait called the under eleven's down first , to the kitchen , where they scoffed down their fish fingers and beans on toast within seconds . Half an hour later , she cam looking fr the rest of us , and brought us into the kitchen .
“Chicken and pasta tonight” She told , us passing out the plates . “Meg , give that to Becca , Terri, pass that on to Sam ...”
When we all sat down with our plates in front of us , Cait began to tell us her news . “All of you here have been assigned to one of two social workers , Kiara or John . They both have the same boss , Tomas Markey , who has recently signed a contract for a charity event called Second Chance . “
This was what Cait and John had been talking about earlier , I realized .
“Second Chance is providing homes for children … well , like you . Up for adoption . It is , getting adopted . It is , a second chance at family life .”
Terri , a girl who had been here all her sixteen years and never ceased shoving it in my face , rolled her eyes . “We're up for adoption any time . Whenever they want , people can come and adopt us . How does charity come into that ?”
Cait grimaced . Obviously she had been hoping nobody would mention that . “Well , you are the charity “ She answered awkwardly . Hisses and glares were passed around the table , followed by sighs and avoiding looking in each other's eyes .
“But to answer your other comment , Terri “ Cait said , sounding brighter now , “ There is a key point in this charity work . You will be adopted by , well , celebrities , I suppose you could call them .”
“Seriously!” Terri cried , “We're all getting adopted by famous people !”
Cait looked down awkwardly . “Another catch” I muttered to myself .
“Mr Markey has signed a contract with … what was it … oh ! Hopeless Records . And Hopeless Records are going to pick two or three of their signed bands , to participate in Second Chance . Each band will be assigned two or three Children's Homes,to find a child to adopt .”
“So... There's a chance that none of us could get adopted ?” Terri said slowly . Cait nodded . “Yeah , I guess so . But still it's an honour to be included . And you never know , you could be chosen !”
“When do we find out who gets adopted ?” Asked a small boy , who's name I had no idea .
“The band that gets assigned us , will come around to get to know everyone , sometime this week .”
The boy raised his eyebrows . “So , you don't know who the band is , or when they're coming ?”
Cait shook her head . “Not yet . But I'd say … today is Thursday , right ? Then , they'll probably come around Sunday . Once I get an exact date , don't worry , I'll tell you .”
“Is everyone going to be included , or just the eleven up's ?” Terri asked , wrinkling her nose a little at the idea of being associated with the smaller children . “Just you lot “ Cait answered , “Is that all the questions ?”
We nodded , then left . “Hazel , help me with the dishes ?” Cait asked , as I got up to leave . I shrugged , and nodded . “What do you think of being adopted ?” She said , passing me plates to dry . “It's cool , I guess .”
“Cool ?” Cait repeated , then shook her head . “Young people these days .”
“I don't see the point in getting excited about it if I won't be picked .”
“You might be picked .”
“Probably won't be .”
Cait rolled her eyes . “You know , there is such thing as optimism .”
“Like there's such thing as reality ?”
“Just dry the dishes .”
When I was done , I ran upstairs to my room . The things I had just brought were dumped on my bed . I made space for me to sit down , then took a look in the box closest to me .
“Such thing as reality “ I reminded myself , and began unpacking . I was going to be here for a long time , so I might as well start soon .
Wen I was finished , my room looked much tidier , but still squashed . Under my bed lay various piles of books , photo albums , diaries and CD's , on my locker stood at least ten photographs , sleeves were hanging out of my wardrobe door , and my windowsill was overflowing from different sentimental ornaments .
It was late too , and soon , Cait came knocking on my door , telling me to go to sleep . “Long day tomorrow “ She said . I slipped into my pajamas and went to bed . My mind was restless . I though about two main things , Second Chance and living in this drab place forever . “You never know” I whispered to myself . “I could get adopted by a band .” I laughed out loud at the thought , stuffing my face in the pillow so Cait didn't come back . But , as my thoughts drifted , I wondered what it would be like to be adopted by a superstar .
**************************************
I woke up in the morning , and didn't feel like P-Diddy . Thankfully , I didn't have to go to school . John had said that when a child gets moved to Care , they have until the following Monday off school , and for that , I was glad . I would have to go back next Monday , though , and I was dreading it .
I turned over , and tried to get back to sleep . It was hard , because everyone else was getting up for school . I could hear the rustling of sheets , complaints about the cold , and … well , mainly it was just complaining.
At about eleven , I got up and dressed . Cait had left a note saying she had 'nipped' to the shops to get some things for dinner . Which was strange , because usually she'd do a weekly shop on Mondays and it would last for the entire week . I shrugged the thought off , and made myself some toast .
When Cait got back , she had company with her . “Hazel , this is Kiara . She works for Tomas Markey , with John . She's a social worker .”
“Hey , Hazel “ Kiara said . “I just dropped by to tell Cait about the Second Chance thing .” She turned away , “The producers are coming over tonight for dinner , to meet you and the kids . John and I will be there as well .”
“I know “ Cait replied . She tapped the shopping bags beside her . “That's what this lot is for .”
Kiara smiled , and began helping her unpack . “What are we having ?”
“Spaghetti “ Cait told her , handing me some cereals to put in the press .
“With meatballs ?”
“With meatballs .”
When we were finished unpacking , Kiara began talking to me . “Are you excited about Second Chance , Hazel ?”
Cait nodded to me desperately . I laughed to myself . “Yes” I replied .
“It's exciting , isn't it ? Do you know who the band is yet ?”
I shook my head .
“You'll find out tonight so , I'd say .” Kiara told me , smiling .
Kiara left shortly after that , before everyone came home from school .
“The producers will be here around six , and it's just half four now “ Cait told us all . “If you go upstairs , get changed , finish your homework and whatever as quickly as you can we'll be ready for them .”
It was a busy time before they came , everyone was rushing around . Anyone who was finished their homework , Cait sent them cleaning . By the time the doorbell rang , the house was spotless , every child was lined up I the hall , and the eleven ups sat in the living room , anxiously waiting for the producers to come in .
It was funny , actually , how we were waiting for what could possibly decide our future . Everyone in the room knew it , and we were quiet as we sat .
“Hello ?” We heard Cait call , and we froze , ears listening . “Welcome , come in , come in . I'm Cait , the foster mother , and you are ...”
“Khalid.”
“Louis.”
We listened as they made their introductions . Cait introduced them to all the small children , then brought them into us .
“And these are all the children who are taking part in Second Chance “ Cait said .
“Hey “ Said the first man .
“Hello “ Said the second .
We muttered 'hello's' as well . “Guys this is Khalid , and Louis .” Cait told us .
The three of them sat down on the only empty couch .
“They're here to talk to you about Second Chance .”
The first man cleared his throat . “I'm Louis . I'm the president of Hopeless Records , the record company who're taking part in Second Chance . It's really nice to meet you all .”
He glanced at the man beside him , who took his hint .
“I'm Khalid “ the second man said . “I'm in charge of Second Chance , so if you have any questions , come to me .”
We nodded . “Why don't you introduce yourselves ?” Cait asked us .
“I'm Terri “ Terri started , “ I have been here for sixteen years , and I'd like to get adopted because I never knew my family .” She fake-sniffed , and glanced away .
Khalid and Louis looked at each other , while the rest of us introduced ourselves .
“I'm Hazel “ I said awkwardly . “I've been here about a week , and I'd like to be adopted because … Ummm … Because …I'd like to be a part of family again .”
Cait left us all to talk while she fed the under elevens .
“Does anyone have any questions ?” Khalid asked .
“Who's the band ?” Someone asked .
“Oh !” Khalid said , smiling .
“Drum roll , please “ Louis shouted . We stamped our feet obligingly .
“... All Time Low !”
All Time Low ? Never heard of … Steven liked that band .
I blinked , and looked away .
Everyone else's reactions varied . Some people screamed , others looked around in confusion , 'who?' clearly written on their face .
A/N : Hi , I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who's reading . I'm sorry it took so long to get out , it's been a busy week . I do try to put out a chapter at the weekends , and if I can during the week too . So , keep checking back !
I'd also like to say thank you to who fanned and commented , and made me smile all day .
If anyone could get me a cover , it would be great , because so can't make them .
Last thing , if anyone wants to become a character in my story , just send me a message message with the character's name , what he/she looks like , and a little bit of their personality .
Again , thanks for reading ,
keep_the_secret xx :)