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.

he says without skipping a beat. “The true

lovable personality…” he

me. “He will

clear, and the gleam in his eye

my cheeks as the crowd applauds.

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

this competition. Tell us, what has this experience meant

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

fewer signs with my name

leaves a hole

in the third row with her

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

hand, a grin spread

in my throat, but I

here, even if I

I’m here for her.

I start, my voice surprisingly steady, “has

female chef in this

been here. To show that we—” I

can stand toe to

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

will inspire others. That future female

our

also respected.”

a ripple through the crowd,

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

results.

voice then cuts

flick to the judges as he pulls

of his

eyes lock onto mine, his expression an

even blink. Instead,

to tilt for what feels like the millionth

my champion, now looks on with a cool detachment.

briefest of moments before she

inclining toward me

trick of

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

find the little girl in

her innocence,

winner is…” The pause hangs for what

as though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And