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.

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, you

Piper, then?"

woman scoffed, like she was insulted by the idea that she could be supporting

cheers went up

and I still struggled to believe. Everyone was

a fan club home base for you," Anna

must have started after I left, because I didn't recognize her either. She brought a coloring book and crayons for Elva, took our order, and

exhaled in relief when the encounter was done. Elva busied herself with her crayons, not

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

while the other half spoke Julian's. This, it seemed, was a

has my bet," she said with a

to wrap my mind around. On one hand, I already knew through Charlotte and others that I was popular in the competition. But it was very different to be told you were popular and to actually be in a room full of people

was living someone else's life right

regained control of the room again. To the man, he asked, "What would you do if

out?" the man said with disbelief. "Why in the

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

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 spoon, with servants waiting on her every whim.

us!"

said the man. "She knows what it's like to struggle. She can actually advocate

to his words.

They all put so much stock in me. What if

up to it?

someone else would be

Someone other than Bridget.

there was no good answer to

left us for the night. Elva

told Anna 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,

sake of the kingdom,