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.

can scrounge the

then?" the producer

idea that she could be

went up

still struggled to believe. Everyone was

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

because I didn't recognize her either. She

done. Elva busied herself with her crayons, not seeming to pay anyone

argument you'll find around here is whether or not she should select Prince Nicholas

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

has my bet," she said with

I was popular in the competition. But it was very different to be told you were popular and to actually be

Like I was living

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

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

might say that she doesn't have

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. She's a real

us!" someone

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

warm filled me, listening to his words. Susie had

want to let any of them down. They all

up to it?

someone else would be

Someone other than Bridget.

Gods, there was no good answer to my

the camera crews left us for the night. Elva fell asleep. And Anna

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 I back away from the competition and throw my

of the kingdom, he had