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.

a beat. “The

than just a lovable personality…” he sneers

will be

and the gleam in his eye is sharp,

creeps up into my cheeks as the crowd applauds. The announcer

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

us, what has this experience meant to

the audience, to the sea of faces

There are fewer signs with my name now thanks

leaves a hole in

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

as wide and bright as

tiny hand, a grin spread across her

throat, but I push through… because I’m reminded

here, even

I’m here for her.

voice surprisingly steady, “has

As a female chef in

here. To show that we—” I pause, my

can stand toe to toe with the

thick. “And maybe, just maybe,” I

here will inspire others. That future female chefs

skills—and our voices—are not only

also respected.”

through the crowd,

just the sound of anticipation as everyone

results.

voice then

to the judges as he pulls a

of his

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

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

seems to tilt for what feels

looks on with a cool

my eyes for the briefest of

inclining toward me in a nod

been a trick of the

are trembling. I can’t look at Daniel, can’t afford

the little girl in the crowd, her eyes wide

I draw strength from her

pause hangs for

drawing it out