Fifth-grader Star Bell has a date with Logan, a nosy best friend, and two very big secrets. Logan promises her secret adventures. His promise is broken when Crystal figures it out and wants to join in. Along the way, Star discovers that her other secret might change the world. Star, Logan, and Crystal explore a magical portal to make-believe realms of adventure, mystery, and danger. In a virtual world created by a secret book-reading research computer called SIMMER, they can participate in any storybook adventure they choose. From a turbulent flying carpet ride fleeing an evil magician, to swashbuckling sword fights with lusty pirates, to a frightening encounter with the ghost of an orbiting space station-it's a dream come true for the three friends. But their fun may come with a catch. Their adventures differ from the storybook versions, and Star suspects their make-believe actions might actually cause harm in the real world. The only way Star can persuade her friends of the potential gravity of their situation is to lead them on a daring adventure of her choice. Risking real harm if she is right, hoping she is wrong, will she reveal the one secret that may explain everything?
STAR OF THE FUTURE
By S.P. PeroneiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Sam P. Perone
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4502-6859-2Chapter One
CRYSTAL AND LOGAN
Star Bell had a secret.
No, not that BIG secret that she couldn't tell anyone ... ever ... not even her very best friend, Crystal.
Star kept the big secret by simply never thinking about it.
But she couldn't stop thinking about what Logan had whispered to her ...
Star had wanted more information. But Logan had donned his jet-shoes and scooted off to the Dome with the other sixth-grade boys on his Space Trooper team. Logan had shouted over his shoulder that the team had reached the world cyberspace semifinals.
Star couldn't have cared less.
But she did care about Logan—much more than any of the boys in her own fifth-grade study pod. Most boys were, well, annoying.
But not Logan.
He was ... what? Grown-up? Interesting?
Star didn't know.
She did know that Logan liked her. NO—not like that, she caught herself.
Logan was a friend—like Crystal—but a boy. Wasn't that okay?
Star suddenly remembered her homework. Her hands fluttered over the three-dimensional keyboard image floating on her lap. She leaned back against the bed's headboard and switched off her headset. Instantly, the homework questions vanished from her vision. She hadn't been paying attention anyway.
Star replayed Logan's whispered secret in her mind.
She smiled. This wasn't anything like the big secret. This was exciting. This would be fun.
But Logan had warned her—Don't tell anybody!
Surely he didn't mean she couldn't tell Crystal, she thought.
Star switched the headset back on. The homework images reappeared, but she quickly punched in Crystal's access code.
Crystal's big hazel eyes and curly black hair appeared. "Hi, Star!" Crystal exclaimed, exposing big white teeth in a broad smile. "Did you catch the Venus Dolls concert? They broadcast direct from New Mars City!"
"No, I was doing math," Star replied.
"Yucch!" Crystal made a face. Then she added, excitedly, "Barbie Ringo was so supernova! She wore that grandy silver outfit. So coool!"
"Crystal, I have to tell you something," Star blurted.
Crystal blinked, and her face showed concern. "What is it?"
Star shook her head. "It's nothing bad."
Crystal peered back, waiting for Star to speak.
"It's about Logan—" Star began.
"What?" Crystal interrupted. "When did you see him?" Her eyes narrowed.
Star didn't need to be reminded that Crystal didn't like Logan. Crystal didn't like any boys. Not that she could blame her. But Logan was different ...
"Crystal, cut it out," Star shot back. "Logan's nice."
"So, what did he do?"
"He didn't do anything," Star insisted. "It's what he's planning to do."
"Logan and his friends couldn't do anything I'd be interested in," Crystal sniffed.
"Don't be mean. He's doing something nice." Star glared at Crystal.
Crystal made a sour face and rolled her eyes.
Star reacted by angrily tearing off the headset and banishing Crystal's face. Crystal might beg her to tell, but Star would never, never, ever ...
* * *
Later that same evening, with her homework finished, Star received a call from Logan. She adjusted her headset, and Logan's ruddy face appeared. "Tomorrow, after school," Logan announced excitedly, "we can get into my dad's lab."
"How?" Star asked. "SysTech has a big fence and guards and everything."
"I'm talking about his home lab."
"He won't mind?" Star asked, remembering that her own father's study was always securely locked.
"He won't know," Logan declared. "My parents will be gone. And I know how to get in."
"I ... I don't know," said Star. "We'll get in trouble."
"Trust me," Logan insisted. "No one will ever find out."
"Have you done this before?" Star asked.
Logan passed a hand over his short black hair and looked away. When he looked back, his face had grown wrinkles between the pair of brown eyes. "Yeah ... I've done it."
"You mean you've gone—"
"Stop!" he shouted, and Star caught herself before blurting out the secret.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But I didn't know you had ... you know ..."
"I had to test it," Logan insisted.
"Oooh! What happened?" Star asked excitedly.
"You'll see ... tomorrow," Logan replied. "You're coming with me, aren't you?"
"Well ... yes," Star murmured. She couldn't let Logan know how scared she was.
"Good. See you after school ... and don't forget your book." Logan's big grin was the last image to vanish as he switched off.
Chapter Two
SECRET MEETING
Star hadn't been inside Logan's family apartment before. It was one of hundreds in a big skyscraper. But theirs was special. It was located on the 59th floor, the very top of the building. And it was extra large because of his dad's laboratory.
Carrying the book he had asked her to bring, Star followed Logan through the maze of rooms until they found themselves in front of a wide steel door. Only a large keypad, displaying the numbers 0 to 9, spoiled the smooth surface of the door.
Logan stepped up to the door and punched in a long series of numbers. After he entered the last number, they heard the whir of a small motor coming from inside the door. This was followed by a loud clank, and the door swung slowly into the dark laboratory.
Star peered into the darkness. There were no windows to let sunlight into the lab, but tiny little lights were spread about the room, like the beady eyes of frightening nighttime creatures. Clutching her book to her chest, Star took a step back.
"Come on, Star," Logan called over his shoulder, as he flipped a light switch and scurried into the lab.
With the spooky darkness gone, Star could now see the large collection of electronic gadgets whose tiny indicator lights had seemed so terrifying in the dark. But she was no less frightened.
In the center of the lab were four large reclining seats—like those in the dentist's office. Surrounding each recliner was a maze of wires. On each recliner was a large round plastic object that looked like a helmet. Dozens of wires—of different bright colors—reached from each helmet to the electronic gear stacked behind each recliner.
Star watched Logan head straight for the recliners. But she was frozen. Logan looked back and realized she had not entered the room.
"Come on, Star. We don't have much time," he called out.
Star took a deep breath and stepped into the laboratory—not knowing whether she would stay.
Chapter Three
SIMMER
Logan's fingers were flying over the keyboard in front of the main computer console. Star admired his ability to handle this awesome machinery—flipping switches, connecting cables, and watching the video display. She asked, "How do you know what to do?"
Logan replied without looking away from the computer display. "My dad's computer works just like mine."
Star wasn't surprised at Logan's computer skills. He had told her that his parents had selected science and math genes before he was born—just as Crystal had confided about her parents selecting...
