Perfect 10One Step Away

by Holly Simpson

Title: One Step AwayAuthor: Holly SimpsonCopyright: December 1989Publishing Comp.: Ballantine BooksGenre: Women’s Issue

Monica Wright – a gymnast, and the main character in the story who was never sure of what she really wants.

Kyle Taylor – a singer and Monica’s leading man

Jo Mallory – a tall and slender gymnast and Monica’s best friend.

Casey Benson - a small and compact gymnast also Monica’s best friend.

Ms. McArdelle – school drama teacher

Ross Hartley – choreographer Chip Martin – her gymnast coachMr. and Mrs. Don Wright- Monica’s

ParentsDerek Stone – a good looking boy

with a huge crush on Monica

Monica hadn’t had the best year in gymnastics because her Coach Chip Marley told her that she was not yet ready for the Elite Team try out. She turns her attention elsewhere.

She imagined herself dancing as if she was the best dancer in Illinois.

When she realized that she was only daydreaming she found herself staring at the sign at the Bulletin Board. She found out that she loves dancing and decided to see Ms. McArdelle and won the Leading Lady part.

As she told her 2 best friends and her parents, they have the same reactions at first. They’re all unhappy and worried that Monica wouldn’t have enough time for gymnastics and for school but they still try to understand her.

When the rehearsals started she sacrifices a lot of things for it, her friends, her A Grades, her Family and her feelings for Derek. She doesn’t want to give up anything but the problem is she can’t handle and balance the time for her other duties. She hides her problems from her parents.

Eventually her parents knew about it, they were angry and doesn’t want her to be part of the show but she explained and insisted to. Besides the show will be in just a week. She promised to fix everything after the show.

On the last week of the rehearsal, Ross Hartley noticed that there was something bothering Monica. He told Monica to fix it so that she could be at her best performance and she did.

She talked to Derek and invite him to watch the show and be her date on the cast party. The day has come. Monica danced at her best.

Her two best friends, parents and Derek were very proud of her.

After the show her best friend gave her yellow roses to congratulate her, her parents hugged and praised her, Derek also gave her a bouquet of flowers.

Monica knew that she did her best and decided not to leave gymnastics.

Life is full of challenges. Sometimes we were confused of those things that made us truly happy. We shouldn't decide when we were at the peak of our emotion. We also should consider people around us. Also we should set limitations on ourselves and learn to prioritize.