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.

says without skipping a beat.

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

at me. “He will

is clear, and the gleam

creeps up into my cheeks as the crowd applauds. The

to me, his eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve become a favorite for

competition. Tell us, what has this

lifts to the audience, to the sea of faces

fewer signs with my name now

leaves a hole

in the third

and bright as

sign in her tiny hand,

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

here, even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

my voice surprisingly steady,

female chef in this incredible, challenging field,

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

stand toe to toe

thick. “And

here will inspire others. That future female chefs will push

our skills—and our voices—are not

also respected.”

ripple through the crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment,

it’s just the sound of

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through

is…” His eyes flick to the judges as he pulls a

out of his

lock onto mine, his

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

seems to tilt for what feels like

champion, now looks

for the briefest of moments before she leans toward

head inclining toward me

been a trick of

can’t look at

I find the little girl

I draw strength from her innocence,

winner is…” The pause hangs for what feels like an eternity

drawing it out for dramatic effect. And then,