The Luna Choosing Game

After gazing at the ocean for a time, Nicholas separated from us, saying he had to make the rounds. So Elva and I walked to where a couch was arranged on the deck. Julian and Veronica were already sitting on it. I sat on the open seat and Elva wedged in between me and Julian.

One of the wait staff brought me a fruity drink with an umbrella in it, and gave Elva a virgin lemonade with a curly straw. The straw amused Elva to no end. She was excited to see if she could get the lemonade stuck in one of the hoops.

“So, Piper,” Julian said, waggling his eyebrows as Elva was thoroughly distracted. “Things seem to be going

well with you and Nicholas.” [rolled my eyes at his teasing, “Aren’t you glad you decided to join us?” Julian continued, flashing a toothy grin. Beside him, Veronica remained silent, but I could see the humor in her eyes.

I'huff a soft laugh. They mean the teasing good-naturedly so I’m not put-off. “Iam,” I reply honestly.

Already this trip has felt something like a success. Things were still strained with Nicholas, but it felt good just being beside him. The ocean was beautiful. The drink was good. Elva was enjoying herself. Really, what could be better than this? All those good feelings went out the window the moment Bridget walked

closer to us.

“You all seem cozy over here,” she said. Her bright smile had returned since it had disappeared on the airplane. Her perfect facade was back in place on her face.

Yet as Bridget’s brightness shone, Julian’s dimmed. His toothy grin diminished into a humorless smirk. I missed it instantly, and wished Bridget would just go away, to whatever far corner of the world all her money would take her.

Maybe that was unkind. But I was tired of watching my friend be hurt just because of this woman’s proximity.

Veronica must have felt similar. The humor vanished from her eyes, though her expression didn’t otherwise I

a too-cool indifference. If Bridget noticed,

yourself. You must be so unaccustomed to places like this,” she

a fair assessment. I didn’t want to give her that kind of joy though, or let her know that her

sugar-sweet tone, “my inability to regularly visit places like this makes them

terrible it must feel to be so jaded that you can’t appreciate the beauty of nature all around

try to stop and see the small things,” Veronica said, adding to my veiled insult. “It’s essential to happy living.” Bridget’s smile went tight. “Yes,

for you, Piper, to enjoy yourself while you still can.” Her words stung more than I want to admit. Yet through the dull haze of pain, one thing struck

had been no mention from Nathan or any of the

talking out

she actually have evidence the next one was approaching? “Oh,” Bridget said and covered her mouth like she admitted something she hadn't meant to. The gesture was proven entirely dishonest, however, but the genuinely joyous smile she was now half-hiding with her fingers. “I’m

But of course, I get the inside scoop all the time, since the royal family and I go so far back. They are quite fond of me. The feeling is mutual, of

course,” Veronica

get very sad around here. For what purpose would Bridget mention the next elimination ceremony other than to bring down

looked at me again, though it was entirely dishonest juxtaposed to the smile still

task. He always gave such dedication focus

King. He would give everything to his

would have nothing