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.

skipping a beat. “The true winner today

a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly,

me. “He will be

the gleam in his eye is

my cheeks as the crowd

eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve

what

sea of faces that seem to blur together

signs with my name now thanks to my failures,

hole in

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

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

in her tiny hand, a grin spread

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

I’m here, even if

I’m here for her.

competition,” I start, my voice

As a female chef in this

show

stand toe

tasting thick. “And maybe, just maybe,”

That future female chefs will push

sure our skills—and our

also respected.”

through the crowd,

the sound of anticipation as everyone waits

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through the

is…” His eyes flick to the judges as he

out of his

lock onto

smile, doesn’t even blink. Instead, his head

shakes, and my world seems to tilt for what feels like

now looks

eyes for the briefest of moments before

head inclining toward me in a

been a trick of the

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

girl in the crowd, her eyes wide with

from her innocence, her belief

for what feels like an eternity

it out for dramatic effect.