Chasing His Kickass Luna Back
Chapter 0287

When it was time to present, I stood by my dish, my heart hammering against my ribcage, as Professor Hawthorne approached.

The silence stretched on for what felt like forever. I watched him closely, searching for any sign of approval.

Then he spoke, so quietly I almost didn't catch it.

"A+."

That was all he said before he moved on, leaving me feeling like I was lost in a void.

The other students glanced at me, their eyes wide, whispering. I had my A+, the recognition I had craved, but it came with a hollowness in my chest.

Why did his praise just feel like another form of punishment?

The room falls silent, save for the subtle sounds of spoons clicking against ceramic as the judges take their first bites. Karl and I sit beside each other, but I'm too nervous to try my own souffle.

This is the final moment, after all. This could be make-or-break; and with Logan's slow praise, I can't help but worry if Ill wind up catering the Alpha party at the end of it all.

Then, finally, Vanessa speaks.

"Abby... You were right.” She pauses, slowly setting down her spoon as a look of wonder crosses her features. “I haven't had a good souffle since I was a little girl. But you... you changed that.”

I nod, blinking quickly to dispel the tears of happiness that threaten to come. “Thank you so much, Vanessa,” I manage. “I'm glad it's to your liking.”

Across the table, Xavier's chuckle is warm and encouraging. “To our liking? My dear, you've outdone yourself. The balance, the texture—it's exceptional.”

My eyes drift to Karl, who is quiet; but his gaze says it all. Beneath the table, his leg moves almost imperceptibly, and his knee brushes mine. It sends a shock through my body.

But then, Logan's fork clinks against his plate, a sound that feels too loud in this space. I watch him from the corner of my eye. His face is inscrutable again.

Vanessa's smile is soft around the edges as she turns to me again. “Abby, where do you find your inspiration for these marvelous dishes?”

“My inspiration?” I manage, biting my lower lip. “Um... Everywhere, really. My friends, my family, the world around me.”

"And this dish in particular?” Xavier asks.

That's when I glance at Karl again. His gaze is as steady as a rock in a stream, unmoving, always there. It grounds me in a way that I needed, and I can't stop the words from tumbling out like the water that moves through the stream.

"Ken..." I use his pseudonym again, although his real name almost slips out on instinct. “He taught me how to make a phenomenal souffle. I owe it to him.”

Karl's eyes glint as I speak. I can tell that he's taken aback by my candidness. All I can do is smile at him, warmth emanating from my gaze.

“Well,” Vanessa chimes in, “Ken...” She raises her glass. “Thank you for introducing this dish to Abby."

I manage a tight-lipped smile, even as my gaze flicks to Logan again. He's still silent, unmoving, and hasn't taken more than one bite of his souffle.

"And Logan?” Vanessa prompts as though sensing the tension. “What are your thoughts on Abby's souffle? You've been quiet.”

All eyes shift to Logan. He stares down at the barely-touched souffle on his plate, and I wish that I could just crawl inside of his mind and figure out what he’s really thinking. But I can't.

All I can do is hold my breath... and wait.

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