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

a lovable personality…”

me. “He will

and the gleam in his eye is

up into my cheeks as the crowd applauds. The announcer

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

what has

audience, to the sea of faces that seem

signs with my name now thanks to

a hole

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

Her eyes are just as wide and bright as ever,

tiny hand, a grin spread

lump in my throat, but I push through…

even if I

I’m here for her.

my voice surprisingly steady, “has been

As a female chef in this incredible,

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

stand toe to toe with the

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

inspire others. That future female chefs will

skills—and our

also respected.”

ripple through the crowd, a murmur of

just the sound of anticipation

results.

announcer’s voice then

winner is…” His eyes flick to the

of his

Logan’s eyes lock

even blink. Instead, his head

and my world seems to tilt for what feels like the millionth

looks on with a

my eyes for the briefest of

head inclining toward me in a

been a trick of

at Daniel, can’t afford to see the

I find the little girl in

strength from her innocence,

for

though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And