Page 4 of Our Little Moments

Of course you want it back, but there’s also that fear of things changing. What if my career isn’t the same anymore? Who amI if not the winner everyone praises? One of the most powerful figures the city has ever seen? What if I can’t get back to the life, the victories, the growth I’ve had for years and am left disappointed in myself?

But, at the same time, if I don’t fight to get my life back, then what do I do? I never had a backup plan. It was a given: I either succeeded or I would die trying.

What am I supposed to be doing?

Wrapping my hands around my cup, I glance outside, watching as people walk with smiles on their faces on this rare sunny day.

As I watch every one of them, a smile kicks at the corner of my mouth. I can practically feel their joy from here.

When was the last time you smiled like that?

I know I haven’t since I lost my abilities but . . . what about before then? When I can’t remember, a dull headache starts pounding at the base of my skull.

Derek’s still waiting for a reply, and for the first time, I’m indecisive.

I don’tknowwhat to do.

God, I haven’t felt like this in more than a decade.

“I’ll definitely think about it,” I finally say as I take a sip of my coffee.

“Good.” He gives me a tight smile, and I can so clearly read what he’s thinking.

I wish I could do more to help you. I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying.

I glance back outside, and hope starts to bloom as I make a decision.

I need to figure out what I’m doing wrong—why I’m a mess. Yes, mylifeis a mess, but I’ve handled worse and managed to keep myself together.

I’m Stella Brookstone. I’ve always got a plan. I’m never a mess.

“Stella?” Derek’s shoe nudges mine under the table. “You okay?”

Crap, I’m all over the place today.

I need stronger coffee and a five-day nap.

“I think I need a break.” The words slip out of my mouth with a sigh—a thought I’d meant to keep to myself. My friend’s eyes widen with surprise, but he waits for me to elaborate.

As my words settle between the two of us, they gain strength. I think I’m on the right track. “I’m going to take a break—from all of this. I think that’s what I should have done on the first day.”

He eyes me with confusion. “But you’ll keep training, right?”

I know why he’s asking. We both know the next tournament is in less than a month. If I don’t participate, then everything I’ve worked for will have been for nothing. The city, the tournament, the fans, they’ll all move on, andI’ll be left behind.

Despite all of that, I shrug, trying to look unbothered. “I haven’t really thought about it yet.”

His eyes sparkle with laughter.You? Not thinking about your future? Not thinking an idea through? Who is this woman?

But completely ignoring training for a couple of weeks sounds amazing. I grab my phone out of my purse, ready to look up places to go to take a break, but instead, I land on a picture I took last week.

Something about it captures my attention, and I look more closely.

It’s the poster I saw on my way back from dinner with my parents, about a small town.

Westwood Spring.

There are a lot of small towns away from the city, but this one is well-known because everyone who lives there has magical abilities.

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