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.

just a lovable personality…” he

at me. “He will be

gleam in his eye is sharp,

as

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

what has

gaze lifts to the audience, to the sea

my name

leaves a hole in my

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

eyes are just as wide and

tiny hand, a grin spread

can feel the lump in my throat, but

I’m here, even if

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly steady, “has been

chef in

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

stand toe to toe

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

here will inspire others. That future female chefs will

skills—and our voices—are not only

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur of

the sound of anticipation as everyone

results.

then cuts through

His eyes flick to the judges as he pulls a small

of

catches. Logan’s eyes lock

even blink. Instead, his head gives

seems to tilt for what

once my champion, now looks on with a

briefest of moments before she leans toward

me in a nod so slight

trick of the

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

girl in the crowd, her eyes wide

from her innocence, her

for what

as though drawing it out for dramatic effect.