Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

The stage lights feel even more blinding now from the tears in my eyes. A

makeup artist darts around, dabbing my face with powder to cover the streaks

from crying. In more ways than one, I’m glad this hell is almost over; right now,

I’m just looking forward to getting this damn makeup off.

Finally, the director counts down from three, and it feels as though we’ve done

this a million times before. The crowd cheers, the music plays, the announcer

struts across the stage. And me? I’m standing here like a statue, my smile just

as fake as my manicured eyelashes.

Enter title…

Daniel stands next to me, shoulder to shoulder, and I can feel the hatred

emanating off of him. He stands tall and proud, the perfect picture of arrogance.

He doesn’t say a word to me, because he doesn’t need to. He already said

everything he needed to say earlier. He got his digs in, made his sharp words

stab me to my core. There’s no point now.

I can sense the satisfaction coursing through his veins as he stands beside me,

the realization that he won—not just in the competition, but in life—washing over

both of us. In just a few minutes, he’ll get exactly what he wants. Not only a

trophy, but to beat a woman down to nothing.

The announcer turns to Daniel first, his voice echoing across the studio. “Daniel,

you’ve shown immense skill throughout this competition. As we come to a close,

how are you feeling about your performance?”

Daniel’s lips twist into a smile that doesn’t even come close to reaching his

eyes.

beat. “The true winner

just a lovable personality…”

will be

clear, and the gleam

my cheeks as the

eyes meeting mine.

this competition. Tell us, what has

sea of faces that seem to

signs with my name now thanks to my

hole

is—the little girl in the third row with

just as wide and bright as

sign in her tiny hand, a grin

feel the lump in my throat, but I push through… because

here, even if I

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly

journey. As a female chef in this incredible, challenging

show that we—” I pause, my heart in

can stand toe to toe with

breath, the air tasting thick. “And

inspire others. That future female

our voices—are not

also respected.”

the crowd, a

it’s just the sound of

results.

then cuts through

winner is…” His eyes flick to the judges as he pulls

out of

breath catches. Logan’s eyes lock onto mine, his

He doesn’t smile, doesn’t even blink. Instead, his head gives

and my world seems to tilt

looks on with a cool detachment.

briefest of moments before she leans

toward me in a nod

a trick of

at Daniel, can’t afford

little girl in

her

the winner is…” The pause hangs for what feels like

it out for dramatic effect. And