Maddy StarMist lived in JumpStart, an online game where every day was interesting. There was lots to do, like going to the movies or concerts. Even school was fun.

Well, it kinda had to be. That was the point. JumpStart was supposed to be a place for learning. The mayor, who everyone called Frankie (as he didn't seem to have a last name) established the town so that kids would have their own special place to learn. In fact, there weren't any adults in JumpStart.

Maddy's parents had lived in a different town, in a faraway land called 'The United States'. When she was born, her parents decided they wanted her to get a good education, so they decided that once she was three years old they would send her off to live in JumpStart. Three years old was the official age for children to go to JumpStart, as at this age they were ready to learn their letters and numbers in StoryLand, a part of JumpStart meant for Newbies, the little kids who had just arrived on the ships from other towns.

Arriving at JumpStart was Maddy's earliest memory. It was a bit dark when the ship stopped at Coney Island, JumpStart. Three-year-olds from all over the world looked over the ship's railings. Among them was little Maddy, looking a bit nervous, and clutching the handle of a tiny rolling suitcase. A man wearing a business suit walked onto the ship. He was carrying a clipboard.

Maddy was surprised when the man turned to look at her.

"What's your name?" he said.

"I'm Maddy," Maddy said in a tiny voice. Then it occurred to her that she should say her last name too. "Maddy Miller."

"Then you'll be Maddy StarMist," the man said, randomly choosing a middle and last name combination from the list on his clipboard.

"Maddy StarMist?" Maddy said, confused.

"It's your new name," the man said. "Off with you now." He gestured towards the ramp that led to the dock. Maddy quickly nodded, then walked down the ramp, her suitcase rolling behind her.

When Maddy stepped into JumpStart, she felt a strange sensation. It made her shudder. She sat down on a wooden box and soon saw her friend Grace run happily over to her. Maddy didn't understand how Grace could be so happy when they were so far away from their families.

"Hi Maddy!" said Grace. "I got the name Grace LuckyDragon! Aren't the names here weird?" Maddy nodded. "Hey, did you feel that weird thing when we got here?" Maddy nodded again. "I wonder what it was!"

"You mean Jumpification?" a voice said. Maddy and Grace looked up and saw a woman wearing a formal blue dress. "That's the process that turns Newbies into Jumpees."

"Jumpees?" said Maddy.

"Yup," said the woman. "Jumpees, unlike humans, don't need life necessities like food and water. They also have some special abilities, like being able to jump very high." Upon hearing this, Grace began to jump up and down.

"No food and water?" said Maddy, a bit upset.

The woman laughed. "You can eat if you choose; it's simply not necessary anymore. You will never get hungry, or thirsty."

"Can I tell my parents?" Maddy said suddenly.

The woman suddenly looked sympathetic. "Oh sweetie, surely you know communication with people outside of JumpStart is forbidden." She sighed, putting a hand on her chin. "I see there's a lot to go over. But don't worry; it'll all be covered in the tutorial. First, do you want to see your neighborhood?" Maddy and Grace nodded. Maddy stood up and the three of them left Coney Island. Maddy sadly gave the ship one last glance over her shoulder.

They walked down many sidewalks and across many streets on the way. They passed a zoo, a sushi restaurant, a picnic area, some place called the 'Enchanted Sanctuary', and many other places before reaching the neighborhood.

"Well, welcome to your neighborhood," the woman said. "There's your houses right there." She pointed at two identical houses side by side.

"We're neighbors!?" said Grace. "That's so cool!"

"We live all alone?" said Maddy.

"It's one Jumpee per house," said the woman. "Of course, you can still invite your friends over."

"Let's check out your house, Maddy!" said Grace. She grabbed Maddy's hand and pulled her over to the house in front of them, the one that had a sign which read, "Maddy StarMist's House". Grace tried the door, but it wouldn't open.

"It's stuck!" Grace cried out.

The woman burst into laughter. "It's locked, silly. Maddy, open the door."

Maddy looked confused. "But you said it was locked."

"It's your house, so you can open it. Just turn the doorknob."

Maddy did, and the door opened.

"Oh, only the owner of the house can open the door!" said Grace in realization.

"Yup," said the woman, nodding.

Maddy walked into her new house. It was very plain, with beige walls and matching carpet. Only one room too, though it was a quite large room. There was a plain bed and a plain dresser and a plain nightstand and a plain TV. Maddy put her suitcase down on the bed and started unpacking, shoving stuff into dresser drawers and her closet. She thought she was done, but then she realized there was one more thing in her suitcase. She pulled it out. It was a picture of her mom, dad, and big sister. When it occurred to her she wouldn't see them again until she was an adult, she started crying. Maddy rubbed the tears from her eyes and put the picture on her dresser. Then she heard Grace's voice from outside the house. "Hey Maddy, we're gonna go check out my house now! See ya!"

"Kay," Maddy said, not looking. She didn't want Grace to see her cry. She heard her best friend talking with the woman as they walked away. Maddy mumbled to herself, "I can't believe this is JumpStart," as she flopped down on her bed and sighed.