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.

Prince Joyce didn’t seem to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me anxious. I worried my fingers together

are you enjoying the competition

okay,” he

at Susie. She

who you are going to select for the elimination ceremony?” I asked.

heart went out to her. If only Mark

honestly,” Joyce said. He quickly covered a yawn with his hand. “If

I asked.

contest? No one cares about ne anyway. They didn’t before the contest, and they won’t after. I have no

true that no one cares

seem to

brothers fight over it. I just want to be

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

not an ideal situation for love to spring from,

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

her teeth. Her previous attempts to gain his attention and declare her interest had gone unnoticed. She took a breath, maybe to muster her courage, and said too loudly,” I’m interested

she noticed, her face went as red as a