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.

didn’t seem to care for small talk. Meanwhile the quiet was making me anxious.

you enjoying the competition so far?” I asked him.

okay,” he

at Susie. She

to select for the elimination

seemed a bit downtrodden. My heart went out to her. If only Mark could

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

no?” I asked.

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

true that no one cares about you,”

seem to hear

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

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

an ideal situation for love

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

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

she noticed, her face went as red as a cherry tomato.