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 winner today

lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting a

at me. “He will

and the gleam

as

his eyes meeting mine. “Abby,

this competition. Tell us, what has this experience meant

the audience, to the sea of faces

my name now

hole in my

little girl in the third row with her chef’s

and bright as

in her tiny hand, a grin spread across her

feel the lump in my throat, but I push

here, even

I’m here for her.

my voice surprisingly

female chef in this

To show that

“—that I can stand toe to toe

tasting thick. “And maybe, just maybe,” I continue,

will inspire others. That future female chefs will

skills—and our voices—are not only

also respected.”

through the crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment, of

the sound

results.

voice then

flick to the judges as

of

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

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

world seems to tilt

once my champion, now looks on with

my eyes for the briefest of moments before

head inclining toward me in

been a trick of the

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

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

draw strength from her innocence, her belief in

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

though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And