The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0015

“Nicholas.”

I was dreaming. I must have been close to waking up to be so lucid.

I stood in my old room at the Academy. Nicholas had his back to me, his hand on the door handle. A

familiar curl of dread was growing in my stomach. A dull, physical ache rested behind my ribs.

This was the moment I had broken up with him.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Save it.” His voice was rough. I’d hurt him, but he didn’t want to admit it. He wouldn’t let me see.

“Nick, please –”

“Don’t call me that.” He pulled the handle and the door swung open. The light of the hall was blinding.

compared to the dimness of the room.

I had wanted to stop him. I wanted to take back everything, and bring him into my arms again.

But I couldn’t.

the loss

forced myself to

that day. I’d hid my pain in

to know what I’d done, and what

into the night, before I pulled myself together, left the Academy, and

looked back.

silk canopy above my borrowed bed.

half–pressed into the

as I pressed the memories back into the past

belonged.

on the door, and the two maids entered.

the day of the candidates‘ first public appearance. We had to

derfdat

I wouldn’t win the final selection, but I had decided

three full meals a day again. I was already regaining some of

now I could at least last a full day without being

exhausted.

gowns with faux wildflowers stitched into the skirt. Elva wanted to wear a flower crown to

Susie had made for

thanked the maids for their help, then, holding Elva’s hand, I led her to the parlor room where the other girls