The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0616

Elva and I dressed in our frumpiest clothes. Elva wore a hat with covers that went down over the ears. I tied my hair up and wore one of Anna's wigs. It was darker than my own hair color, with bangs that hid most of my face.

I barely recognized myself in the mirror. I doubted anyone else would be able to.

Dressed in our disguises, Anna led us toward a familiar restaurant - the one I used to work at. I side-eyed her as we walked.

"I really don't know about this," I said.

I knew this event wasn't being broadcast live. They had yet to even air the idea about the homecoming, so as to garner the biggest surprise, and the biggest reaction, of the unsuspecting being visited.

Even now, after Anna had revealed her plan, the camera crew asked for time to get to the restaurant first and develop a type of cover story for their presence. That way, the spotlight would not be shone on our mysterious arrival and identities.

The cover story? The camera crews were just trying to interview people about Piper at the restaurant where she used to work.

When we entered the restaurant, people were in a long line to talk to the camera crews. They didn't notice our entrance at all, nor the second camera that was trained on us the moment we entered. The cover story and distraction appeared to be working.

Most of the tables were full, but we found a free booth nearer the kitchen.

"I've never seen the place this full," I said. "Well, except during the lunch and dinner rushes." It was late now, just after dinner. There shouldn't be so many people.

"It's always like this now," Anna said. "Especially on nights were the competition is on TV,"

I didn't understand. "Why?"

Anna smiled slyly. "Listen to some of those interviews, and you'll get it."

I was confused, but did as she said, tuming my attention to where the producer was interviewing some restaurant patrons.

once a week," the woman currently being interviewed was saying, "Sometimes more, if I can scrounge the money together, Anything to be here, where Piper worked and lived. She's going to be our next Queen,

then?" the producer

she could

cheers went up around the

I still struggled to believe.

become something of a fan club home base for you," Anna said. "Everyone

must have started after I left, because I didn't recognize her either. She brought a coloring

relief when the encounter was done. Elva busied herself with her crayons, not seeming to pay

man being interviewed now. "The only argument you'll find around here is

Nicholas's name, while the other half spoke Julian's. This, it seemed, was a point of contention among the regulars and

her voice. "Prince Nicholas has my

that I was popular in the competition. But

felt... surreal. Like I was living someone else's

of the room again. To the man, he asked, "What would you do if Piper dropped out of the

said with disbelief. "Why in the world would she do

head. "Some might say that she doesn't have the proper experience

chimed in their discontent as well. "Piper would be the best queen. She's the only one over there who knows anything about what life's really like. She wasn't raised with some silver

of us!" someone

struggle. She can actually advocate for us

to his words. Susie had said

want to let any of them down. They all put so much stock

up to it?

would be a safer

Someone other than Bridget.

there was no

us for the night.

the abridged version of what happened, leaving out none of it, not even about Jane, or the oracle, or Bridget's terribleness. An hour or two later, I wrapped up by telling her about the King's demand that

the kingdom,