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.

he says without skipping a beat. “The true

a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly,

will be a

is clear, and the gleam in his eye is sharp,

cheeks as the crowd applauds. The

eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve become a favorite for

us, what has this experience

sea of faces that

my name now thanks to my failures, and

a hole

the third row

Her eyes are just as wide and bright as ever, and she still

hand, a

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

even

I’m here for her.

competition,” I start, my voice surprisingly

chef

to have been here. To show that we—”

I can stand toe to toe

a breath, the air tasting thick. “And maybe,

That future female chefs will

skills—and our voices—are not

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur

the sound of anticipation

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through

flick to the judges as he

of

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

blink. Instead, his head gives the

seems to tilt for what feels like

champion, now looks on with a

eyes for the briefest of moments

inclining toward me in a nod so

trick

at Daniel, can’t afford to see the smirk

there. Instead, I find the little girl in the crowd, her eyes wide with

her

is…” The pause hangs for what feels like an

as though drawing it out for