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.

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

enjoying the competition so far?” I

okay,” he said.

glanced at Susie. She shrugged.

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

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

haven’t given it much thought, honestly,” Joyce said. He quickly covered a yawn with his hand. “If

I asked.

ne anyway. They didn’t before the contest, and they won’t after. I have no hope of wearing the King’s

that no one cares about you,” Jessica said

seem to

I just

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

situation for love to spring from, but imagine if

wouldn’t even bother with

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

noticed, her face went as