Chapter 1 - Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

Hi my name is Katy. I know that writing with a pen and paper is old fashioned but since grandma gave me this diary with actual paper in it I thought I might as well use it. I’m 12 years old and I’m in the fifth grade. I have brown hair and blue eyes. I have a big sister named Nia. Nia is my best friend. We do everything together. I know that I must get on her nerves but she never shows it. She’s really popular and everyone likes her because she’s beautiful and treats everyone nice.

I live in an apartment in this tall building in the middle of the city. School is close by and so is the mall and the arcade. The arcade has this really cool virtual reality game where you can travel through time and change historical events. I really want to try it out but there’s an age limit. You have to be at least 16 years old. I’m almost 16 so I don’t see what the big deal is. A couple of friends want to sneak in and try to play it. I don’t know how that’s going to work out because the security is really tight.

My dad works in the city planners office. I’m not really sure what he does there but it has something to do with designing and organizing the city. My mom doesn’t work. She just does whatever she feels like doing. That’s the life I want to have. If I could do whatever I felt like doing I would go down to the arcade and play that virtual reality game everyone is talking about.

The only thing I have to do is go to school for a couple hours a day. When I get to school I have my own workstation. You put on this helmet that covers your whole head and it feeds information directly into your brain. It’s really crazy how it works because you learn stuff you’re not even aware that you know until you actually need to use the information. I learned that in the past they had actual people teaching you stuff. I can’t imagine that worked out too well.

I guess that’s it for now and if mom and dad are reading this, I am not going to try and sneak in and play that virtual reality game.

Love, Katy

I close my diary and store it in a drawer next to my bed. Then I walk over to the window and look out over the city. There are several high rise buildings that block what would be an amazing view of the courtryside. After a few minutes of looking at high rises I walk over to my closet and select an outfit to wear. Nia always takes forever to select an outfit but I just let the computer pick for me. The computer senses my mood and assembles an outfit to match. Why should I waste time doing that myself?

I walk to the kitchen. My egg and toast is waiting for me on a plate at the table. I sit down and start eating. Nia of course is nowhere to be found. She’s always late even though there is no reason to be. By the time Nia sits down to eat I have already finished my breakfast.

“Katy, you are so pretty!” Nia says between bites, “I love your outfit. How do you always know exactly what to wear?”

“I don’t. I let the computer pick my clothes.” I answer dryly.

“Really?” Nia asks not expecting an answer, “I had no idea the computer had any fashion sense.”

“Well, maybe you should try it sometime.” I offer.

“Maybe I will” Nia declares, “So have any boys noticed you?”

“Nia, there’s more to life than fashion and boys.” I say.

“You take that back!” Nia says laughing. I roll my eyes and head out the door to go to school.

I get to school and the couple of hours I spend there goes by in an instant. When school is over, several students head over to the food court at the mall for lunch. I head over there myself.

“So what are you in the mood for?” Maddie asks after she catches up with me.

“I don’t know. I’ve been eating salads all week. I think I might indulge in a corn dog or something.” I answer.

“Do you really want to risk adding to these thighs?” Maddie jokes poking my thighs.

“Very funny, you sound just like my sister. ‘Want to make sure the boys have something nice to stare at’” I mock, “Besides, I don’t think one little corn dog is going to ruin my figure.”

“Are you sure you want to take the chance?” Maddie jokes.

“Yeah, I think I’ll risk it.” I say sarcastically. Maddie stares at a group of boys who pass us by on their way to the food court. I pass my hand in front of her eyes to get her attention.

“What?” Maddie says irritated, “I’m just checking out the scenery.”

“Yeah, whatever” I shoot back, “So are you going to try and play that virtual reality game everyone’s been talking about?”

“I want to sooooooo baaaad.” Maddie admits, “But you know we’ll never get past security.”

“Or will we?” I ask holding up two data chips.

“Where did you get those?” Maddie asks astonished.

“Oh, I know a guy who knows a guy” I say playfully, “You ready to see what all the fuss is about?”

“Am I ever” Maddie says excitedly.