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…”

“I was here instead.”

asks, his posture stiff. I glance

eyes, something telling me

the cards for him; not today, and

“I’m dropping out.”

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

my mouth agape.

Thompson speaks up, his usually jovial demeanor masked

very sorry to see

choice. Feel free to go; we’ll handle

Daniel blurts

apparent.

Thompson turns, his hands clasped behind his back, a sure sign

professional mode.

Abby

eyes narrow. “But the

the second round will not

shooting Daniel a warning look. “Regardless of scores, you

the two remaining finalists.”

a moment where I feel a bitter sense of relief

my bitter tiramisu.

Bryan, whose world has

taking a few steps toward him, my own troubles

“I… If there’s

Bryan’s shoulders tremble slightly as I speak, and I can’t just

moving on autopilot, I step forward and

unexpected—especially from me, to him, this

way, I know

just been slapped.

to relax. His arms tentatively wrap around

sense of surprise in his embrace, as he was no doubt

one of

moments, locked in this embrace.

holes into the back of my head—but

feel Bryan’s shoulders tremble, a silent