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 head now,

“I was here instead.”

his posture stiff.

telling me

cards for him; not today, and maybe not

“I’m dropping out.”

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

my mouth agape.

Thompson speaks up, his usually jovial demeanor

very sorry to see you go, Bryan,” he

your choice. Feel free to go;

about the contest?” Daniel blurts out, that

apparent.

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

into his professional mode. “The final round will proceed

two, Abby

eyes narrow. “But the

second round will not

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

the two remaining finalists.”

feel a bitter

that of my bitter

whose

steps toward him, my

small now. “I… If there’s

slightly as I speak, and I can’t

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

It’s awkward, unexpected—especially from me, to him,

odd way, I know he needs this right

slapped. But then,

to relax. His arms tentatively wrap around my shoulders,

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

hug from one

here for a few moments, locked

I can feel Daniel’s eyes boring holes into the back of

Bryan’s shoulders tremble, a silent sob quaking