The Luna Choosing Game

“Thank you,” I said. “Please thank them for me, as well. I wouldn’t want to get them in trouble by approaching them directly.”

Till pass on your gratitude,” Charlotte said.

We continued to work throughout the day. When we finally finished, it was time for me to attend a

banquet.

Elva, who had been patient all day, complained loudly that she wouldn’t get to attend.

“You’d hate it,” I told her, hoisting her up into my arms. “A bunch of stuffy people insulting each other

while pretending to be nice.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked.

“1 don’t know, honey.” But I did know. With only 9 candidates left, everyone was on the edge. We were coming down to the wire soon, and all the girls, except Susie and 1, wanted the crown. “People

sometimes have to cut each other down to make themselves feel more important.”

“That doesn’t sound very nice”

“It’s not,” I agreed.

As I prepared for the banquet, I was startled by an unfamiliar maid sticking her head through the door.

Charlotte immediately intercepted her and then sent her away

What did she want?” I asked when she had gone.

pulled together. “I’m not sure. She didn’t even ask

wrong room but that

you recognize her?”

me lace up my silver dress in the back.

room? What had

maid, and Mark outside the door, I headed down to the dining

low–cut bodice and a slit up the side. The fabric sparkled

fit for a Luna. I maybe should have felt like an imitator wearing

descended the stairs, Julian stood

you to the dining

a

laughed. “So mistrustful. Maybe I just want to be the one on your arm.”

my eyes.

walked in together. You are supposed to be my favorite

I

feel like the right reason, or maybe, not the only one. For now, however, I supposed I could

accepted Julian’s offered arm.

Julian

“It is.”

great on

I side–eyed him.

winked at me. “It looks better on you than it

Her? Who?