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

her side, but…” He shakes his head

“I was here instead.”

Daniel asks, his posture

something telling me that

now. Empathy isn’t in the cards for him; not today,

“I’m dropping out.”

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

my mouth agape.

Thompson speaks up, his usually

regret and urgency. “We’re very sorry to see

choice. Feel free to go; we’ll handle

Daniel blurts out,

apparent.

Thompson turns, his hands clasped behind his back, a

professional mode. “The final round

two, Abby and

narrow.

round will not be taken

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

the two remaining finalists.”

where I feel a bitter sense of relief mingled with guilt,

than that of my bitter tiramisu.

on Bryan, whose world has

start, taking a few steps toward

small now. “I…

tremble slightly as I

I’m moving on autopilot, I step

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

odd way, I know he

stiffens, like he’s just been slapped.

arms tentatively wrap around my

surprise in his embrace, as he was no

from one

a few moments, locked in this embrace. The

boring holes into the back of my head—but

feel Bryan’s shoulders tremble, a silent