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.

to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me anxious. I worried my fingers

the competition so far?” I

he said.

glanced at Susie. She

to select for the elimination ceremony?” I

My heart went out to her. If only Mark could make a choice himself, but the competition wasn’t for Beta’s.

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

no?” I asked.

to find the perfect person for me during a popularity contest? No one cares about ne anyway. They

no one cares about you,” Jessica said

seem to

brothers fight over it. I just

she frowned, I prompted, “Wouldn’t it be nice if you did

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

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

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

the room turned to look at her. When she noticed, her face went