Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

Daniel and I fall silent as Bryan and Mr. Thompson suddenly walk into the room,

Daniel’s earlier remarks still ringing in my ears.

But as my eyes flick from Bryan, whose eyes are red-rimmed and swollen, to

Mr. Thompson, whose face is somber, I suddenly find myself forgetting all about

my argument with Daniel.

“Bryan, are you okay?” I ask, taking a step forward.

He looks up, his eyes full of an emotion that strikes me instantly. Bryan has

been the quiet sort throughout this entire competition, focused entirely on his

Enter title…

work. But now, he suddenly appears as though his very soul is slipping out from

him, like the rug was just ripped from beneath his feet.

“It’s private, Abby—” Mr. Thompson begins, but Bryan cuts him off.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Bryan says. “It’s just… um…” His voice quivers, and there’s a

pause before he finally takes a deep breath and speaks. “It’s… It’s my mom,” he

whispers, the words catching in his throat. “She passed away. Just now.”

The room tilts a little, my heart dropping to my stomach. The competition, the

rivalry, the argument with Daniel—all of it suddenly seems to fade into

nothingness.

“Oh, Bryan… I’m so sorry,” I murmur.

He nods. “She wasn’t doing so well, and has been in the hospital for a while. I

have been by her side, but…” He shakes his

“I was here instead.”

asks, his posture stiff. I

in his eyes, something telling me that he’s only thinking of

in the cards for him; not today, and

“I’m dropping out.”

of bricks. I’m at a loss for words,

my mouth agape.

usually jovial demeanor masked by

sorry to see you go, Bryan,” he says

it’s your choice. Feel free to go; we’ll handle

about the contest?” Daniel blurts out, that glint in

apparent.

his hands clasped behind

professional mode. “The final round will

Abby

eyes narrow.

second round will not

warning look. “Regardless of scores, you

the two remaining finalists.”

where I feel a bitter sense of relief mingled with

of my bitter tiramisu. But I push it

on Bryan, whose

I start, taking a few steps toward

now. “I…

I speak, and

As if I’m moving on autopilot, I step forward and wrap my

a hug. It’s awkward, unexpected—especially from me,

way, I know

like he’s just been slapped. But

arms tentatively wrap around

his embrace, as he

from one

few moments, locked in this embrace. The

can feel Daniel’s eyes boring holes into the

anything, I can feel Bryan’s shoulders tremble, a