One More Step Novels & Stories

“Ignore them. That’s what they want—reaction.” Still, my jaw ached from biting back my anger. Later, after classes, Coach called me into his office. The small room smelled of old gloves and sweat. He didn’t waste time. “You held your ground last night,” he said flatly. “That’s good. But it’s not enough.” “I didn’t quit,” I replied. He studied me for a long moment. “Not quitting is step one. Winning is step two. Dominating is step three. You want to make it to the State Championship? You need step three.”

She would rather ruin herself than give someone else that much power over her. I forced my head back into the game and glanced at the three men in the cabin before announcing, "Step one is done." I paused, meeting their mused glare with my empty one before I added, "Time for step two." Time to up the game.

My wealth began to snowball, growing rapidly. … One year later. On an ordinary afternoon, I drove aimlessly through the city. By some twist of fate, I returned to that familiar intersection. I did not get out. I parked, peering through the tinted windows, quietly observing. Cars streamed by as crowds surged past. Students in uniforms walked across the crosswalk, laughing and teasing in small groups. Sunlight spilled over their young faces, filling them with hope and dreams for the future. I suddenly understood that the one who died in prison in my previous life was not truly my past self.

“Each shift depends on the one before it.” “Okay,” I say slowly. “So it’s like… steps.” “Yes.” “Steps to what.” Silence. Then— “We don’t know yet,” Ezra says. Of course we don’t. Why would we. I run a hand through my hair. “Alright. So we’ve got a mysterious point in space that’s teaching us a step-by-step pattern for something we don’t understand.” “Yes,” Aidan says. “And we’re just… following along.” “Yes.” I nod once.

“Give me one reason why I should trust you.” “You are the only person who knows who I am. No one is aware of the fact that Byron chase has a daughter except for you. I am not lying, you are the only one who can help me, please.” Stephanie begged. She did not care if she sounded desperate. Maybe because she really was. She wanted to get away from Britney, from their house, from the place where she was kept like a prisoner for years.

“The meeting will be commencing soon.” I glanced at Stephanie. She was adjusting the strap of her bag, her gaze fixed on the targets as if she were memorizing their patterns. “You just have to be perfect in level one,” I told her. “Once you master that, you’ll have a much higher chance of winning. Focus on that for now.” She nodded, her determination unwavering. “I will. Thank you.” Without another word, I turned and walked away, leaving her to her thoughts.

All except one. CHANGE: You don’t always need the labels because it makes one stiff and locks one into a box. If you like this person, then just find a way to be with him. Labels suck. A normal person would have taken that advice. “Fuck me,” I mutter to myself, before taking my helmet off. A normal person will march straight to where Theo stood with his arm wrapped around Tiffany’s waist, push the others away, and kiss those lips again until we’re one. But I don’t do that.

I pounded so hard on her and the feeling was so good. It was just when I had finished, I heard footsteps walking towards the kitchen door .I stood up quickly and composed myself ready to see who was coming. I felt goosebumps rising in my stomach. My heart skipped a beat for a while when Amanda come in.

"The sixth year. This is what it asks." He looked at me. "Then we do it," he said. "Yes," I said. "We do it." I looked at the hall. The work continuing. The path going. Always the next step becoming visible when you were close enough. This was the next step. Understanding the center function clearly enough to pass it forward. So the fire could keep tending itself. Beyond any one person. Including me.

he tips his head toward my dancing friends. I step back, walking a few steps backward before I finally turn from him, Okay, he said yes. Step one, complete.