The Luna Choosing Game

Seeing it hurt me in ways I couldn’t have imagined before.

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He’d kissed me in the hallway. He’d almost kissed me in self–defense practice.

I hadn’t considered he would be kissing other people too.

“Piper…” he said again, softer.

I couldn’t even bear to look at him. I turned my shoulder to him and dropped my gaze to the floor.”

Please go clean up. Then we can talk.”

He was rarely uncertain, but he shifted awkwardly on his feet now. “Very well. I’ll be right back.” He

turned toward the door, and I did not look up again until he had walked through it.

Both Mark and Charlotte were looking at me. I felt judged.

Charlotte glanced away but Mark didn’t. He didn’t say anything, didn’t even hold an expression, but I

his disapproval radiating off of him in waves,

in my heart, I understood

had been doing it with, he had dropped all of it to

and make sure I was okay. In order of his

Nicholas was only trying to make the best of a bad situation. I knew, maybe better than anyone, the amount of pressure he was under to find a Luna suitable for

been unkind

borrow your handkerchief?” I asked

then produced a soft blue folded bit of fabric. I

me a moment,” I said, and rushed out the door.

He was only a few steps down

sleeve, “Damn it all,”

said as I approached behind

sound of my voice, and quickly turned. His eyes met

I reached up with the handkerchief and wiped away the remaining smudges

lips and chin

still as

“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s not my place to keep you from the other girls.

are jealous,” Nicholas said. His voice was monotone. His face, impassive. He gave

half–wanted to deny it out of

want to keep you for myself,