This is the incomplete story that I am writing for a school project. Any emails with comments can go to c0mput3radd1ct@gmail.com  Thanks! 

Update: I am on what I think is Chapter Three. I need some feedback and comments about what could be changed.                                    

        Be sure to turn your speakers on for some awesome music!!

 My Immortal - Evanescance

 The Secret Diary

 Sydney stomped her foot on the kitchen floor in frustration. "But mom, I don't wanna move to Georgia! It's so far away from here!" Sydney begged. "Why do we have to move anyway?"  

"Honey, your father and I have told you that your great-aunt died, and her will left her mansion to your father. It's been in the family since your father was a child. He has to go settle the will, and we have to come. We can't sell it anyway. He doesn't want to." her mother explained. Sydney was an only child, an adventurous teen with straight black hair that flowed to her waist, and sparkling blue eyes that twinkled when she laughed. However, today they were clouded over. "Mom, I can't leave Wisconsin! My life is here! And what about Kali? And Pete! I couldn't just leave them! They're my best friends!" she shouted angrily. "Can't I just stay with them?"   

   Her mom gave an exasperated sigh. "Sydney, I'm sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. I know you're going to miss your friends, but that's just how it is.  

"But mom.." she pleaded,  although knowing it was pointless to argue. Her mother sighed again.

"No but's, Sydney. We're moving to Georgia and there's nothing you can say to change it." Seeing the disappointed look on her daughter's face, she said, "I know this is against my normal rules, but seeing the situation, if you want I'll let you ride Shining Star in the back before dinner. Just make sure you wash up extra good, and..." Her sentence was interrupted by a quick thanks, and a mad dash to the tack room.    

Sydney rushed out to Shining Star, a beautiful tan stallion with a shining black mane and long, flowing black tail. He had a bright white star on his forehead, and it stood out at night. She fastened the reins and saddle on and got on. He whinnied, and started walking. "Hey, Star, guess what? Mom says we have to move, and I really don't wanna. Wadda ya think?" He gave an affectionate whinny and broke into a trot, and she patted him. "But at least I can tell you everything. You understand." She continued riding, and telling him everything that had happened. As the sky grew darker, she looked up and saw the sun setting. She got off, put the equipment up, and hurried in. She was washing her hands when she heard the door open in the hall. Her dad put his coat in the closet, and she smiled. He was a lawyer who handled tough cases, but today he was cheerful. His dark curly hair was glowing, and he smiled when he saw her come in. Sydney raced across the floor to give him a hug.    

"Hey there, Syd, what's for dinner?" They both sat down at the table while her mother took the food off the stove. After a few minutes of swapping stories, her parents turned to her. "Sidney", her father began, after exchanging a glance with her mother, "There's something you should know."    

   "Whadda ya mean, I can't keep Shining Star?" she yelled at her parents.    

   "Sydney, please be reasonable. Listen..." her father started.  

   "I won't be reasonable! I love him, and I have to leave him, and I won't have any friends now!" she bellowed. She glared at her parents, and then slid away from the table. She got up and ran upstairs to her room, slamming every door she passed. The house resounded with loud banging noises. About ten minutes later, she heard a soft knock at her door. She glared at the door menacingly, as if it was an enemy. "Go away. I don't want to talk to you." she sulked. Her mother opened the door.    

"Well, whether you want me or not, I'm here." She sat on the soft blue bed next to Sydney. "I should have explained earlier. There isn't enough room in our new backyard for Shining Star, honey. He wouldn't like it. He couldn't run around. He would be cramped and bored. I know you love him, but sometimes you have to let go of what you love in order to keep it safe."   

 Sydney buried her face in her hands. "Mom, I don't wanna give him up. He just means so much, and... " Her sentence trailed off as she burst into tears. Her mother put her arm around her shoulder, and let Sydney lean into her arms, giving her a gentle hug.

    "I have an idea that might make you feel better, sweetie. How about you and I go and check out some places he might go to live, and you can pick the one you think he'll like the most. Does that sound good to you?" Sydney thought a while, and then nodded sadly. "Here, use this," she said, handing her a tissue. "I'll be waiting downstairs when you're ready to eat your food. Her mom left the room, shutting the door gently behind her. Sydney picked up a picture on her nightstand and looked at it. It was the picture her dad had taken when she had just gotten Shining Star. A five year old version of herself was smiling up at her, holding the reins proudly. She lovingly put the picture down and slid off her bed. She left the room and went downstairs to rejoin her parents.

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Chapter 2

    "Sydney, the school bus comes in five minutes! If you don't hurry, you're going to be late!" Her mother's voice echoed up to her room. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. As the room came into focus, her subconcious mind remembered part of her dream. It was something about a new school, but she couldn't remember the details.  

  "How could I forget today? It's the last day of school!" She jumped out of bed, and put on her outfit. It was a tan top, with a light gold vest, and blue jeans with tennishoes. She quickly brushed her teeth, put her hair in a long ponytail, and ran downstairs to the kitchen. She gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye mom!" she said as she swung her backpack over her shoulder and grabbed a cereal bar. She ran out the door to the bus stop. As she ate her breakfast, she was just in time to see the large blue and white bus open its doors. When she stepped inside it, she heard her name called repeatedly, and saw Pete and Kali calling her. Pete was a seventh grader who was a bit shorter than her, with pale skin and brown hair. Kali was one of her best friends in her class. She had dark brown hair, and glasses that obscured some of the freckles on her face. She had a tan from always being outside.  

    "Syd, over here! We saved you a seat!" called a breathless Pete, who was waving his arms excitedly. Sydney grinned when she saw them. Kali had a huge smile on her face, and she was laughing at Pete, who's arms were getting tired.

     Sydney grinned when she saw them, and made her way through the crowded and noisy bus to the three seats in the very back. "Okay, okay! Hold your horses!" she called back, and then suddenly remembered the conversation she had last night with her parents, and fell silent. She tossed her bookbag over the seat, and plopped down next to them. The bus had made its last stop, and started moving towards school. "Uh, guys, there's something I have to tell you. And I don't think you're going to like it." She took a deep breath and continued quickly, "I have to sell Shining Star. And that's not all." She explained about her moving.   

 "No! You...you just can't!" Kali shouted. "You can't leave!"

    Sydney sighed. "Sorry, but I told you, I have to move. I can't take Star with me, either. I hate it too."   

Pete looked upset, and asked, "So...when are you moving?"

    "A week from today. We have to pack as well as find a buyer for Star." The bus slowed to a stop in front of the school. The bus started emptying, and when Sydney got out she saw a huge blue sign hanging above the entrance to the gym that said in big red letters, "Have a Great Summer!" She looked at Pete, and said, "See ya at lunch!" She started walking with Kali to her classroom. As she walked down the hall to her room, she saw every door was covered in pictures about summer and bright banners filled the halls.    

  In the classroom, she was greeted with the usual "Hi Syd!" or "Hey Sydney!", but it was a bit of a blur until she got to her desk. Kali caught up to her, and said, "After school, wanna help me shred all my goal sheets? My dad says I can use the lighter if I'm careful!"   

  Sydney smiled at the idea, but said, "Sorry, I have to pack. And my mom and I are going to look at some places for my horse."    

  "Oops, I forgot. Sorry. But let's enjoy today! I know it's gonna be great!" She raced over to other friends and started chatting animatedly. Sydney started talking, and enjoyed the games that the teachers thought up.

    Just before dismissal, everyone counted down on the last minute, and the place was wild with a huge rush to the door, where everyone proceeded to throw papers and confetti in the air, and Sydney found herself enjoying everything immensely. When she got home, her mom greeted her with a hug, and said, "How was your day?" She told her mom about the day's events. When she was done, her mom handed her several papers with addresses on them, and said, "This is the list of the people who wanted to buy Shining Star. We're going to check them out while your father's at work."   

  When they arrived at home, her father greeted her with a hug. "Did you find any places you liked?"    

  She nodded. "There were three places that I think he would love. I want to see what you would pick from them." Her mom looked over the list, and decided on Three River Farms. Sydney thought, "If I have to give him away, at least I can make sure that he'll be happy with his new owners."   

The next day, she called Kali and invited her to help see Shining Star off to his new home. They arrived at the farm with the trailer and horse after lunch. She patted him on his neck, and bid him a tearful goodbye. Then they all went home, after saying thank you to Kali and her dad for coming, and began to pack up things in boxes. Sydney worked all through the night, and became quite tired. The next morning, after the last box had been put in the old green station wagon, she was getting into the car when she heard her name.

   "Sydney, wait up!" She turned around and saw Kali running towards her, with Pete not far behind. She gave Kali a huge bear hug. Then, turning to Pete, she quickly hugged him too. She heard the car motor start.
  
   "Come on Sydney. Everything's packed and ready." her mom called. She saw Kali and nodded. "Say bye before we leave."
  
    "Be there in a minute, mom!" she shouted back. She looked at her friends, and to her surprise, her eyes were getting watery. She hugged Kali again, and said, "Thanks you guys, that really made me feel better." As she turned around and walked to the car, she fought to keep the tears back, but finally gave up. She got in the back seat, and as the car left the driveway, she turned and waved to her friends until she couldn't see them. She finally sat down and went to sleep, her head resting against a bag of pillows and stuffed animals.

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Chapter 3

    "Honey, wake up." Her mom gently shook her until she woke. She slowly sat up and sleepily rubbed her eyes.

    "Are we there yet?" she said, her eyes adjusting to the bright sun shining through the window. Her mom smiled.
     
    "Not even close yet. Your dad just stopped to get some gas and food. Would you like anything to munch on?"
 
    "Uh, a bag of chips. The salsa flavored kind. And some limeade." she added, as her mom got out of the car. As her mom walked into the store, she looked around. She saw her gameboy, and turned it on, then remembered that the batteries were dead. Her dad came out and was pumping gas, so she rolled out her window and asked him if there was anything for her to do.
  
    "Yes, I think your book box is on the floor somewhere. You have some good books that you could read. I put a new one in there for you. You might like it." While she was moving things to look for it, her mom got in the car. She handed Sydney the bag of chips and the drink. Her dad finished with the gas and was getting in when he saw her food.
   
    "You have got the oddest taste for food, Syd." he chuckled. "You got it from your aunt June." He started the car and they went onto a long road.
  
     "Her?" Sydney almost choked on the limeade. "That stuffy old lady who used to send me itchy clothes every Christmas?"
   
      "The very same. We are moving to her old house. She loved odd food. That's probably how you got  your liking for wasabi."
 
     "Really?" Sydney's interest perked. "So, what was she like, anyway? I only met her, like, when I was about five."

     "Well," her dad began,  "She was about my height, with short light brown hair. She had dark blue eyes that twinkled when she smiled. Usually because she had played a prank on someone."

     "Really? She pulled pranks when she was my age? That's hard to believe."
   
    "And she had a sense of adventure too." Her dad smiled at her through the rear-view mirror. "She was always pretending she was a spy when we went into the secret rooms in the house."

    "There are secret rooms? Will you show me where they are?" She looked at him eagerly, and the excitement showed in her face.

   "Well, no, partly because I forgot where the entrances were and partly because it's more fun when you discover it on your own. Sydney didn't look too disappointed.

     The car rolled to a stop in a parking lot in front of a large two story building. "We're here, Sydney!" her mom told her. Sydney looked up at a sign on the building that said "The Louisville Family Lodge : Guaranteed a great time!" The building was white with red shingles, and as she walked up the steps to the patio, she saw a large, green field with a soccer goal. Her dad came over to her, and tossed her a blue and red soccer ball.

    "Thanks dad! How did you know?" she asked him as she tossed it up in the air a few times.

    He grinned. "Well, seeing as how your other one was deflated, and we were moving anyway, I figured you might want another one so we could play."

    She leaned up and hugged him. "Thanks! So, when could we play, anyways?"

    "We have to go in the hotel, first. And then get our room, and unpack. Maybe afterwards." her mother said, getting a suitcase out of the trunk.

     Sydney followed her parents into the hotel. When her dad walked over to the reception desk, she got a chance to look around. Beyond her was a dining hall and some sofas and chairs near it. Over on her right was a fireplace and some reclining chairs for reading. There were two halls past that, in opposite directions, and right before you got to there, there was a staircase that led to the upstairs, she guessed. Her dad came up behind her. She turned partway around and asked, "Are we upstairs or downstairs?"

     "Downstairs. Room 113. It is big enough for one night. Now get your suitcase so we can possibly have time to play soccer."

    "Oh, right!" She picked up her suitcase again, and walked forward until she came to the two halls. She hesitated, and looked at two small plaques on the wall. It said: "Room 50-100 <--" and "Room 101-151 -->" She turned to the right hallway, and followed it down a long corridor with many doors, passing the the ones with the wrong number. She saw a door that had a brass sign, with the number 113 on it.

    "Found it!" She called out. She jiggled the door knob, but it wouldn't turn. "Uh, it won't open!" Her dad went in front of her, swiping a card on the lock. The door beeped, and he turned the handle and opened the door.

    "You need one of these to unlock it, Sydney", he said, handing the card to her. "This one is yours, and your mother and I will share one. That way you won't get locked out."

    "Ok, thanks!" she replied. She went over to the single bed by the window and threw her suitcase on it. "Can I have this one?"

    Her mom looked up from unpacking, and said, "Sure, I was going to share the double anyway. It's ok by me."

    "Oh good! I love the sounds. There's a really good view of the moon." She unzipped her suitcase, laid out her pajamas and toothbrush, and hung up a change of clothes in the huge open closet . She also opened a bag and pulled out a couple of stuffed animals that she placed on her bed.

     Her dad saw her stuffed animals, and remarked, "So, you brought Lamb Chop and Mr. Monkey, huh? Aren't you a bit old for stuffed animals?" He looked at her quizzically, with the barest hint of a smile tugging at his face.

     "Oh come on! You know I haven't gone anywhere without them! Besides, Grandma got me them!" She saw his smile, and realized he was teasing her. "So I finished unpacking, can we go outside?"

    Her mom looked out the window. "It will get dark in about half an hour, so you have that much time to play soccer."

   "All right! Come on, dad!" She grabbed the ball and went towards the door, her dad not far behind.