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 will

a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly,

will

and the gleam in his eye is sharp,

cheeks as

meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve

competition. Tell us, what has this

audience, to the sea of

There are fewer signs with my name now thanks to

leaves a hole

there she is—the little girl in the third row

wide and bright

in her tiny hand, a grin spread across

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

I’m here, even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

I start, my voice surprisingly steady,

As a female chef in this incredible, challenging

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

toe to toe with

thick. “And maybe, just maybe,”

others. That future female chefs will

skills—and our

also respected.”

the crowd, a murmur

maybe it’s just the sound of anticipation as everyone

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through the

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

out of his

lock onto mine, his expression

even blink. Instead,

tilt

looks on

briefest of moments before

something, her head inclining toward me in a nod so slight

trick of

trembling. I can’t look at

Instead, I find the little girl in

strength from her innocence, her

winner is…” The pause hangs for

it out