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.

a lovable personality…”

“He will be a

clear, and the gleam in his eye

my cheeks as the crowd applauds. The

mine. “Abby, you’ve become a favorite

this competition. Tell us, what has this experience meant

the sea of faces

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

leaves a hole in my

there she is—the little girl in the third

are just as wide and bright

tiny hand, a grin spread across her

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

here, even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

competition,” I start, my voice surprisingly steady,

journey. As a female chef in this incredible, challenging field,

show that we—” I pause,

toe

tasting thick.

here will inspire others. That future female chefs will push

making sure our skills—and our voices—are not only

also respected.”

crowd, a murmur of

it’s just the sound of anticipation as everyone waits for

results.

then cuts through the

the winner is…” His eyes flick to the judges as he

out of his

Logan’s eyes lock

even blink. Instead,

to tilt for what feels like the

now looks on

of

me in a nod so slight

a trick

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

little girl in the crowd, her eyes wide

I draw strength from her innocence,

for what feels like an eternity before

speaks, as though drawing it out for dramatic effect. And then,