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

side, but…” He shakes

“I was here instead.”

asks, his posture stiff. I glance

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

cards for him; not today, and maybe not

“I’m dropping out.”

words hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m at a loss for words,

my mouth agape.

Thompson speaks up, his usually jovial demeanor masked by

very sorry to see you go, Bryan,”

free to go; we’ll

Daniel blurts out, that glint in his eyes

apparent.

his hands clasped behind his back, a sure

his professional mode.

Abby

eyes narrow. “But

of the second round will not be taken into account,”

Daniel a warning look. “Regardless of scores, you

the two remaining finalists.”

feel a bitter sense of relief

of my bitter

on Bryan, whose

I start, taking a few steps toward him, my

“I… If

as I speak,

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

unexpected—especially from me, to

in an odd way, I know he needs this

just been slapped. But then,

to relax. His arms tentatively wrap around my

embrace, as he

from one of his

for a few moments, locked in this embrace. The room

Daniel’s eyes boring holes into the back of

shoulders tremble,