The Luna Choosing Game

I continued to hold Susie’s hand as we were led into the staged area for the ceremony. The 14 of us that

were left were lined up into three rows.

Camera crews were setting up in front of us. On the other side, three small stages were arranged side by side, each with their own set of stairs. A throne was arranged at the far end of the room for the King and

Queen.

Sometime after we arrived, the royal family came in together. I tried to catch Julian’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at me. He didn’t look at any of the candidates. His typical bored façade was in place.

I worried about him for a moment. Just what had the King wanted to talk to him about?

But then I saw Nicholas and all other thoughts flew straight out of my head. I hadn’t seen him since our

kiss in the hallway outside Julian’s door, when I’d lost myself and wanted to be ravaged.

He wasn’t looking at me either, but this one, I understood. I only hoped he didn’t regret it. Our

relationship was… complicated. Impossible, probably. But the way he held me in that moment… I wouldn’t

trade it away.

The King and Queen moved to their thrones. The producers then directed the princes up onto the

stages. Each had their own.

Nathan stood in front of us and explained, “If your name is called, move up the stairs of the stage

belonging to the prince who selected you. You will be expected to thank them personally.”

The girls all nodded. I did too.

When the cameras were set up, the producers nodded to Nathan. We waited a few minutes until the

clock hit 7pm, then the camera lights turned red.

My heart was in my throat.

The elimination ceremony was about to begin.

Nathan turned on his 1000–watt smile and faced the cameras, his microphone in hand.

“Welcome to the main event, ladies and gentleman. Tonight, your three princes will each select three ladies of their choice to stay through the elimination. This will bring our count down from 14 to 9! Who

about to find

all smiled. The other cameras zoomed in on each of the princes. Joyce looked bored. Julian

Nathan, he continued to explain the rules. The princes would submit their three names and then one by one, the chosen candidates would

They each wrote their selections and handed them in to waiting

to commercial, and no sooner, one of the producers started yelling at

other.

only 8

hushed the first. “Think of the drama, man. This is going to make

are they talking about?” Susie whispered

know,” I whispered back. Only 8 names? Could that mean only 8

be? Didn’t it break the rules?

Nathan, he immediately

the King,” he started to say, but

in 3… 2… 1…” They

names of their selections, one at a time. Prince Nicholas, we will begin with you. If you could please say the name of one of your selections.”

I held my

“Lilliana.”

”

exhale. I wasn’t surprised,

reaction. She crossed the floor, walked up the stairs in front of Nicholas, and said, “Thank

she moved to stand

nice,” Nathan said. “Prince Julian, you are next.”

was it. This was the moment. If Julian didn’t

but it wasn’t my name that came

at me for reaction. The

Inside, my heart was breaking. How much time would they give me to pack my bags? Would Elva have time to say goodbye to Nicholas,

the night like we’d never been

selected Jessica. For his second round, Nicholas picked Olivia. Julian and Joyce picked girls who clapped in

final round, Susie and I looked at each other. We

were numbered here, and soon we’d be sent home.

quickly to

round, we’d like to change things up and

on camera.

remaining girls. Then his

“Susie.”

looked at me. I smiled and nodded, urging her forward.

even as my heart was breaking for myself. Joyce had saved her for another few weeks, and in those weeks, she could be