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

personality…”

will be a

gleam in his eye is sharp, almost

into my cheeks as the crowd applauds.

his eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve become

what

lifts to the audience, to the sea of faces that seem to

There are fewer signs with my name now thanks to my failures,

a hole in my

is—the little girl in the third row

are just as wide and bright as ever, and she still holds up

in her tiny hand, a grin spread across

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

I’m here, even if

I’m here for her.

competition,” I start, my voice surprisingly steady, “has been

female chef in

have been here. To show that

“—that I can stand toe to toe

the air tasting thick. “And maybe, just maybe,” I continue,

others. That future female chefs will

skills—and our voices—are not only

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment,

it’s just the sound of anticipation

results.

then cuts through the

the winner is…” His eyes flick to

of

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

blink. Instead,

tilt for what feels like the millionth

once my champion, now looks on with

for the briefest of moments before she leans

me in

a trick of

at Daniel, can’t afford

girl in the

draw strength from her innocence, her belief

hangs for what feels like

though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And