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 true winner today

than just a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting

me. “He will

gleam in his eye is sharp,

into my cheeks as

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

us, what has this experience meant

lifts to the audience, to the sea of faces that

There are fewer signs with my name

leaves a hole in my

little girl in the third row

as wide and bright as ever, and she still holds

hand, a grin spread

feel the lump in my throat, but I push through… because I’m

even if I

I’m here for her.

competition,” I start, my voice surprisingly

female chef in

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

toe

the air tasting thick. “And maybe, just

others. That future female chefs will

our skills—and our voices—are

also respected.”

crowd, a

Or maybe it’s just the sound of anticipation as everyone

results.

then cuts through the

flick to the judges as he pulls a small

out of

breath catches. Logan’s eyes lock onto mine, his

even blink. Instead, his head

tilt for what feels like

now looks on with a

eyes for the briefest of moments before she leans toward

her head inclining toward me in a nod so slight

trick

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

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

her

The pause hangs for what feels like an eternity

out for