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 true winner

a lovable personality…” he sneers

“He will

the gleam in

as

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

this competition. Tell us, what has this experience meant to

the audience, to the sea of faces that seem to blur together

signs with my name now thanks

a hole in my

little girl in the third row with her chef’s

just as wide and bright as ever, and she

tiny hand,

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

I’m here, even

I’m here for her.

voice surprisingly

As a female chef in this

been here. To show that we—”

I can stand toe to toe

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

here will inspire others. That future female chefs

sure our skills—and our voices—are

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur

just the sound of anticipation as everyone waits for

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through the

to the judges as he pulls a small

of his

lock onto mine, his

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

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

once my champion, now looks on with a cool

for the briefest of moments before she leans toward

toward me in a nod so slight it

been a trick of

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

the little girl in the crowd, her eyes

draw strength from her innocence, her belief

The pause hangs for what feels

speaks, as though drawing it out for