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.

skipping a beat.

just a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting a

me. “He will be a

message is clear, and the gleam in his eye

my cheeks as the

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

this competition. Tell us, what

gaze lifts to the audience, to the sea of

signs with my name now thanks to my

a hole in

there she is—the little girl in the third row

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

in her tiny hand, a grin spread

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

here, even if

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly

As a female chef in

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

stand toe to toe with the

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

That future

our skills—and our voices—are not only recognized,

also respected.”

through the crowd, a

the sound

results.

then cuts through the

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

of

Logan’s eyes lock onto mine,

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

world seems to tilt

once my champion, now looks

the briefest of

me in a nod so slight it

been a trick

trembling. I can’t look at Daniel, can’t afford to see

find the little girl

I draw strength from her innocence, her

hangs for what feels like an eternity

speaks, as though drawing it out