Perhaps foolishly, I gave him my real one.
“Kahlen?” he read off his skin.
I nodded.
“That’s pretty. Nice to meet you.”
I gave him a thin smile, still uncomfortable. I didn’t know how to do small talk.
“That’s really cool that you’re going to a traditional school even though you use sign language. I thought I was brave just getting out of state.” He laughed at himself.
Even with how uneasy I was feeling, I admired his effort to keep the conversation going. It was more than most people would do in his situation. He pointed at the books again. “So, uh, if you ever have that party and need some help with your cake, I swear I could get my act together long enough not to ruin everything.”
I raised one eyebrow at him.
“I’m serious!” He laughed like I’d told a joke. “Anyway, good luck with that. See you around.”
He waved sheepishly, then continued pushing his cart down the aisle. I watched him go. I knew I’d remember his hair, a mess that looked windswept even in stillness, and the kindness in his eyes. And I’d hate myself for holding on to those details if he ever crossed my path on one of those dark days, days like those on which Kerry or Warner had encountered me.
Still, I was grateful. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d felt so human.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PHOTO BY ROBBIE POFF
KIERA CASS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Selection series, as well as the self-published fantasy novel The Siren. She is a graduate of Radford University and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, with her family. Kiera has kissed approximately fourteen boys in her life. None of them were princes. You can learn more about Kiera’s books, videos, and love of cake online at www.kieracass.com.
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BOOKS BY KIERA CASS
The Selection
The Elite
The One
The Heir
The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard
The Queen & The Favorite
Happily Ever After: Companion to the Selection Series
The Selection Series Sampler
The Selection Series 3-Book Collection
The Selection Series 4-Book Collection
The Siren
COPYRIGHT
THE FAVORITE. Copyright © 2015 by Kiera Cass. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition © September 2015 ISBN 9780062351210
ISBN 978-0-06-235121-0
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FIRST EDITION
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