Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

We exit hair and makeup, and I can’t help but feel like an impostor beneath this

mask of perfectly-caked makeup. Just like yesterday, it feels like an

uncomfortable facade, a porcelain mask covering the real Abby. I can’t help but

wonder to myself: why is this amount of makeup necessary for a cooking show?

Shouldn’t my abilities be judged, not my face?

I glance over at Karl as we walk out of the hair and makeup room. He’s still

wearing his blue surgical mask, but the makeup that I can see on his face is

much lighter than mine.

“Geez, Abby,” he says as he looks at me. “You like like a…”

Enter title…

“Don’t,” I hiss. I don’t want to think about it, not now. Instead, I focus my

fabric is stiff and a little itchy

through to look ‘camera-perfect’, much

worn down after years

offers, his own jacket already perfectly

got it,” I snap, my nerves

maybe I don’t ‘got it’. Please

moves to button my jacket with a precision that borders on

he says, stepping back to examine his

feel perfect; I feel like I’m about to come apart at the

minutes!” a production assistant yells from down the

clipboard frantically.

the entire morning—the mad dash,

the last-minute change in sous

my heart is pounding,

too stiff and

body

do this, Karl,” I say, my voice quivering.

with my station yet like everyone else.

to compete?”

says, taking my