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.

without skipping a beat. “The true winner

personality…” he sneers subtly,

me. “He will be

is clear, and the gleam in

into my cheeks as

mine. “Abby, you’ve become a favorite

this competition. Tell us, what has this

sea of faces that seem to blur

are fewer signs with my name now thanks to

hole in my

then, there she is—the little girl in the

eyes are just as wide and bright as

tiny hand, a

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

even if I

I’m here for her.

voice surprisingly steady, “has

journey. As a female chef

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

I can stand toe to toe

air tasting thick. “And maybe, just maybe,”

here will inspire others. That future

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

also respected.”

the crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment,

the sound of anticipation as everyone waits

results.

then cuts through

to the judges as

out of his

eyes lock onto mine, his expression

even blink. Instead, his

my world seems to tilt for what feels like

my champion, now looks

the briefest of moments

toward me in a

trick

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

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

from her innocence,

The pause hangs for

speaks, as though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And then,