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

personality…”

will

the gleam

into my cheeks as the crowd applauds.

meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve

us, what has

sea

are fewer signs with my name now

leaves a hole

there she is—the little girl in the third row with her chef’s hat falling

eyes. Her eyes are just as wide and bright as

hand, a grin

the lump in my throat, but I push

I’m here, even

I’m here for her.

voice

chef in this

have been here. To show that we—” I

can stand toe to toe

thick. “And maybe, just maybe,”

here will inspire others. That

our skills—and our

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur of

it’s just the sound

results.

then cuts

the winner is…” His eyes flick to the judges

out of

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

He doesn’t smile, doesn’t even blink. Instead,

shakes, and my world seems to tilt for what

now looks on with

of moments before she leans toward

her head inclining toward me in a nod so

trick of the

look at

there. Instead, I find the little girl in the

draw strength from her innocence, her belief

the winner is…” The pause hangs for what

drawing it out for dramatic