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

a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting a

at me. “He will be a

gleam in his eye is sharp, almost

creeps up into my cheeks as

me, his eyes meeting mine. “Abby,

what has this experience

audience, to the sea of

are fewer signs with my name now thanks to

a hole in my

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

eyes. Her eyes are just as wide and bright as ever,

in her tiny hand, a

my throat, but

here, even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

start, my voice surprisingly steady,

chef in this incredible,

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

can stand toe to toe

air tasting thick.

will inspire others. That future female chefs will push

our voices—are not

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment,

sound

results.

then cuts

eyes flick to the judges as he pulls

of

eyes lock onto mine, his expression an

doesn’t even blink. Instead,

and my world seems to tilt

once my champion, now looks on with

of moments

head inclining toward me in

trick

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

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

strength from her innocence, her

for what

out