The Luna Choosing Game

I didn’t want to think about Nicholas anymore, so I made my way over to Joyce instead. I knew his two

brothers well but not him, and that seemed a shame.

When I drew near, Susie glanced up to smile at me. “Oh, Piper. Have you met Prince Joyce? Should I introduce you?”

How could I say that if I met him, I didn’t remember? That would be unbearably rude.

“I don’t remember if we’ve met,” Joyce said in my silence. He looked at me eyes of burnt umber, watchful and calculating.

“I’ll introduce you, then,” Susie said. “Prince Joyce, this is Piper. Piper, please meet Prince Joyce.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Prince Joyce,” I said, giving a small curtsey.

He nodded.

We both didn’t move for a moment, me standing with Joyce gazing up at me. Then he motioned toward one of the chairs near him.

“Please, sit,” he said.

the chair. Then there was silence again. Prince Joyce didn’t seem to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me anxious. I worried my

enjoying the competition so far?”

he said.

glanced at Susie. She shrugged.

to select for the elimination ceremony?”

the answer. Meanwhile Susie seemed a bit downtrodden. My heart went out to

given it much thought, honestly,” Joyce said. He quickly covered a yawn with his hand. “If it were up to

no?” I

find the perfect person for me during a popularity contest? No one cares about ne anyway. They didn’t before the contest, and they won’t after. I have no hope of wearing the King’s

no one cares

didn’t seem to hear

my two brothers fight over it. I just want to be

at Jessica, and the way she frowned, I prompted, “Wouldn’t it be nice if you did

I admit it’s not an ideal situation for love to spring from,

to be interested in me with my brothers around,” Joyce said. “I wouldn’t even bother with this, except my parents would nag me to death if I didn’t

previous attempts to gain his attention and declare her interest had gone unnoticed. She took a breath, maybe to muster her courage, and

her. When she noticed, her face went as