The Luna Choosing Game

“Everyone knows you are capable, especially Prince Nicholas. But wanting and needing are different,”

Susie said. “You are allowed to want things, Piper, even if you don’t need them. You are allowed to want

to be taken care of once in a while. No one should have to stand alone all the time.”

“I do,” I said, though listening to her words, I wondered what it would be like to let myself depend on

others, even just a little bit.

I had friends here and at home. Anna, Susie, Nicholas, Julian, and Mark. They were each dependable, in

their own ways. If I needed them, they would likely answer my call.

But that was just the problem. I couldn’t need them. I could let myself be weak enough to even want

their help.

I had to be able to stand on my own, as I always had.

“There has to be some way that I can prove to Nicholas that I can defend myself,” I said. “I’d feel better

then, I think, even if he still wants to protect me after. I don’t want him to think that he has to.”

Susie hummed as she considered it.

stuffed animals to look at me. “Do you need more tea,

lovely, Elva. Thank you.” I held up my teacup for her. She lifted the

pouring motion.

Elva

so I gently blew over

tea. “Delicious,”

Elva smiled.

was sneaking glances toward Mark standing at

while, they would lock eyes and smile at each

the two of

me an

“Mark,” I said.

the way ne

ed Mark.

expected me to address him. A bit of

call him out for looking at Susie? Never.

“Yes, Miss Piper?”

self–defense techniques?”

“I do.”

you thinking Pino

are you thinking, Piper?” Susie

asked Mark, “Do you think

seemed surprised. Susie did