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.

didn’t seem to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me anxious.

the competition

he

at Susie. She

you are going to select for the elimination ceremony?”

Meanwhile Susie seemed a bit downtrodden. My heart went out to her. If

said. He quickly covered a yawn with his hand. “If it were up to me, we wouldn’t even be doing

no?” I

contest? No one cares about ne

that no one cares

didn’t seem to hear

fight over it. I just want to be left alone.”

she frowned, I prompted, “Wouldn’t it be

love to spring from,

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

bottom lip with her teeth. Her previous attempts to gain his attention and declare her interest had gone unnoticed. She took a breath, maybe to muster her

her. When she noticed, her face