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 in my

are you enjoying the competition so far?” I

okay,” he said.

glanced at Susie. She

are going to

answer. Meanwhile Susie seemed a bit downtrodden. My heart went out to her. If only Mark could make a

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

no?” I asked.

a popularity contest? No one cares about ne anyway. They didn’t before the contest, and they won’t

that no one cares about you,” Jessica said

didn’t seem to hear her.

my two brothers fight over it. I just want to

the way 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 imagine if it did.”

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 put in appearances.”

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 courage, and

to look at her. When she noticed, her face went as red

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255