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.

says without skipping a beat. “The true winner today

a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting

“He will be

the gleam in his eye is sharp,

as the crowd applauds. The announcer

me, his eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve become

what

audience, to the sea of faces that

There are fewer signs with my name now

a hole in

there she is—the little girl in the third row with her chef’s

as wide and bright as

her tiny hand,

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

I’m here, even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly

journey. As a female chef

have been here. To show that we—” I pause, my heart in

toe to toe

take a breath, the air tasting thick. “And

here will inspire others. That future female chefs will

our voices—are not

also respected.”

ripple through the crowd, a

sound of anticipation

results.

voice then cuts through the

flick to the

of his

lock onto mine, his expression

doesn’t even blink. Instead, his

seems to tilt for what feels like the millionth

looks

of moments before she

inclining toward me

been a trick

look at Daniel, can’t afford to

find the little girl in the crowd,

strength from her innocence, her

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

it out for dramatic