The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0433

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The next day was the dress rehearsal for the performance event. All of the candidates, Nicholas, Julian, Elva, and I were in our costumes in the ballroom at the base of the stage, chatting and getting ready. Everyone’s spirits seemed to be high.

In our costumes, we made for a colorful bunch. Many of the choices were vibrant and bombastic. We’d surely catch a lot of strange looks if we had been anywhere other than on a theater stage. I wondered if every show was like this. I’d always been so busy and watchful of money, that I’d never been to a show.

I’d successfully managed to bottle most of my hurt, especially with Elva around.

Many times today, Nicholas tried to get me alone, but I’d always managed to deflect him, either by dragging Susie around with me, or sticking to Veronica and Tiffany like glue.

He must have noticed. I could practically feel his stare burning holes into the back of my head, but after the night before, I wasn’t ready to face him. There was still too much hurt between us. It took everything inside of me not to run to another closet to hide and cry. 1

The com

Elva needed me strong. The competition needed me strong. I wasn’t going to lose points and face early expulsion just because of my inner scars.

Elva needed to be here for her health, and I had to make sure she stayed for as long as possible.

Oddly, Julian also seemed to notice me avoiding Nicholas. Once, when Nicholas nearly caught me alone, Julian himself stepped in, draping his arm around my shoulders. I hadn’t. made a joke, but he laughed like I had.

As Nicholas went away again without saying a word, Julian leaned into me and whispered in my ear, “Stay close to me. I’ll keep him at bay.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

And Julian, true to his word, stayed near me.

I had thought it would be a temporary measure. I was sure that as soon as Bridget batted her eyelashes in his direction, that he would veer off and chase after her.

Bridget seemed so busy giving direction to Nathan, I hadn’t thought too much about it. I

herself came over, and, casting her

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while I stay back and

reply of my own, but, being conscious of Julian and his feelings,

It wasn’t my place to stand in his way. I would be disappointed, but I wouldn’t

can’t,” Julian said instead. His cool smile

didn’t think I’d ever heard him tell Bridget no before.

he said. His arm fell around my waist and he tugged me

several long minutes to recover, even with her supreme acting ability. “I’ll find someone else,” she said, and turned.

she’d gone did Julian’s smile dip, if just for a moment. Yet when

too much credit for that,” he

would I?” I said, smiling back at him. Inside, I was reeling. Maybe my lessons had taken with him after all. Was

dramatically, and I took the opportunity to lean in and kiss

that for?” he

didn’t have a good reason, really. “I guess I’m

He laughed.

Tiffany did everything that Bridget suggested, only for Bridget “Actually, it

to sau

but to no avail. I was going to pick her up and set her on my hip,

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the scenes

“Okay.”

say, Elva?” I prompted.

“Thank you, Jul–an.”

“You are

My