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 today

personality…” he sneers subtly,

me. “He will be a skilled

message is clear, and the gleam in his eye is

into my cheeks as

me, his eyes meeting mine. “Abby,

us, what has

audience, to the sea of

my name now thanks to my failures, and

a hole

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

are just as wide and

hand, a

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

here, even

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly

female chef

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

stand toe to toe

thick.

That future female chefs will

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

also respected.”

the crowd,

Or maybe it’s just the sound of anticipation as everyone waits for

results.

announcer’s voice then

eyes flick to the judges

of

eyes lock

smile, doesn’t even blink. Instead,

tilt for

looks on

for the briefest of moments before she leans

something, her head inclining toward me in a nod so

a trick

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

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

draw strength from her innocence, her belief in

The pause hangs for what feels like

it out