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.

chair. Then there was silence again. Prince Joyce didn’t seem to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me

competition so far?” I

okay,” he

glanced at Susie.

are going to select for the elimination ceremony?”

perked up, eager for the answer. Meanwhile Susie seemed a bit downtrodden. My heart went out to her. If

honestly,” Joyce said. He quickly covered a yawn with his hand. “If it were up to me, we

no?” I asked.

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

that no one cares about you,” Jessica said

seem to hear

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

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

ideal situation for love to spring from, but imagine if it

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

had gone unnoticed. She took a breath, maybe to muster her courage, and said too

noticed, her face went