Starr Valentine

By Abigail Drake

Starr Valentine, the most popular cheerleader at Middleton High, has led a charmed life. But the day she is chosen as the youngest member ever of homecoming court, is also the day her parents reveal a secret more than a decade old: They are monarchs in exile from a mysterious planet called Vega, and it's time for all of them to return home.

While she likes the idea of being a princess, Starr realizes something is terribly wrong when they arrive on their new world. She's always been the best-looking girl in the room, but everyone is ignoring her and fawning over her frumpy older sister, Astra, and it doesn't make sense. Although Astra is the sweetest person around, she's never even had a date. So why is she now getting all the attention?

Starr soon figures out the awful truth. The standard of beauty on Vega is different, and Starr isn't pretty anymore. To make matters worse, everybody treats her like she's annoying and shallow, including an irritatingly handsome young duke named Julian. Can Starr find a way to get noticed again, or is this once beautiful swan doomed to remain an ugly duckling forever?

Cygnus Award for Science Fiction Finalist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abigail Drake
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201562847

Abigail Drake

Abigail Drake is the award-winning author of seventeen novels, but she didn't start her career in writing. She majored in Japanese and economics in college, and spent years traveling the world, collecting stories wherever she visited. She collected a husband from Istanbul on her travels, too, and he is her favorite souvenir. Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes contemporary romance, women's fiction, and young adult fiction, and has taught workshops for many different writing organizations. In her spare time, she blogs about her dog, Capone, and teaches writing classes for children at her local library. 

Book preview

Praise for Abigail Drake

Starr Valentine by Abigail Drake is a story with so much to offer its readers. I love, love, loved it! The book really sent out some good messages for all of us, and it did it without being boring. To me, this was the ideal young adult book, with everything I love from humor to romance. Starr Valentine was an otherworldly coming of age story with well-built characters who grew throughout the story as they learned more about love, friendship, and life. I was sad when it ended & wasn't ready to leave their world just yet!

What’s Beyond Forks?

I truly recommend this book to any fairy tale adaptation fans that love a good mix of romance, action, deception, self-growth, a spark of comedy, space traveling, and a heck of an adventure.

Romance Authors That Rock

Copyright © 2020 by Abigail Drake

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Chapter 1

I’ve never gotten mashed potatoes and gravy in my hair before, nor have I ever fainted at supper. But I couldn’t be blamed for the theatrics. Right after I’d heard I’d been chosen as the youngest member of homecoming court in the history of Middleton High School, I also found out the secret my parents had been hiding for more than a decade.

I didn’t even know they had a secret. Let’s be clear here. My parents are the most boring people possible. The news they imparted to my sister, Astra, and me over the dinner table had come as a bit of a shock to both of us. Astra somehow managed to remain calm, as always, and I panicked, as usual. I couldn’t help it. Which was why I passed out and face planted in my dinner.

After my parents decided I’d recovered from the shock, they let me run upstairs and take a shower. Getting the food out of my hair proved to be a challenge, but washing my hair soothed me, and so did drying it, styling it, and applying product. As my world crumbled apart, I consoled myself with one thing. At least I still had great hair.

I put away my brush and took a selfie. My phone case, personalized with bright pink jewels spelling out my name, Starr Valentine, sparkled down at me as I pouted seductively for the camera. After pausing a moment to admire the way my new highlights caught the glow from the fading sun, I headed back downstairs. I could look at my hair later. More important issues beckoned at the moment.

My family had cleaned up the dinner dishes by the time I returned, and they waited for me in the living room. My sister and my mother sat side by side on the couch, nearly identical in build and coloring. They had curly dark hair, dark eyes, and voluptuous bodies, but calling them voluptuous was kind of an understatement. Their curves bordered on unnatural. They never fit into normal clothing, even in the plus size department, and it made me feel really sorry for them. They didn’t seem to mind, but I still tried to help them improve their appearance, even if it was kind of a lost cause.

Fortunately, I took after my father. He was tall and blond, with bright blue eyes and chiseled features. I didn’t have his square jaw, but I had the rest, including his excellent metabolism, which was why I grabbed another plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes from the fridge before sitting beside them. I skipped the gravy, though. I couldn’t stomach it at the moment.

Tell me again, I said, between bites. And start from the beginning. I’m not sure how much I absorbed the first time you told me.

Of course. My mother folded her hands in her lap, her expression pensive. We came to Ohio nearly sixteen years ago under terrible circumstances. Starr, you were a baby at the time, and Astra, you were a toddler. Her gaze went from my face to my sister’s. We escaped with nothing but the clothes on our backs.

I got that part. And I also heard we’re moving, which is totally unacceptable. I’m on homecoming court, and Chad Kensington asked me to be his date. He’s the quarterback. I’m the head cheerleader. It’s like...destiny or something. I’m so sorry, but we can’t move now.  It doesn’t work for me.

Let Mom continue, Starr. Astra didn’t look at me as she spoke. She kept her eyes glued on our mother’s face, a little worried wrinkle between her brows.

I rolled my eyes. It didn’t surprise me Astra would be all kind and understanding about this. She was the most annoyingly sincere person I’d ever encountered. Living day in and day out with someone so perpetually nice could be such a challenge. I prided myself on adding balance to the mix.

Of course she can continue, dummy, I said. Why do you think we’re all sitting here? Please keep going, Mom.

Our mother gave each of us a shaky smile. At the sight of that smile, a small thread of worry began to weave through my heart.

You need to tell them, Vespa, said my father, his voice soft.

I know, Marcus. It’s harder than I thought it would be. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. Many years ago, we fled from our home during a terrible time of civil war. It forced us to leave behind everything and everyone we knew and loved, but the war is over now, and we can return. We must return. We have no choice.

Uh, wait a second. We always have choices. I looked to my sister for support, but she ignored me.

There is more, said my mother, placing her napkin next to her plate on the table. I think this is the part I explained right before you fainted, Starr. Are you feeling okay, darling?

You mean other than the fact that my life is falling apart in front of me right now? Why, yes, I’m perfectly fine. Please continue. I can’t wait to hear the rest.

Don’t be so dramatic, said my father, his expression stern. We’re political refugees. We’ve been in hiding all these years for our own protection.

What are you talking about? I asked, struggling to keep up. We’re normal people. Why would we need protection? None of this makes sense.

Well, that’s what we’ve been trying to tell you. The truth is, I’m not only a citizen of our homeland. I am the queen. My mother smiled the same soft, sweet smile she always did, but suddenly she looked more regal.

For a second, we sat in total silence. I felt a little dazed and bewildered as I processed her words. If my mother was a queen, it could mean only one thing.

I’m a princess. I knew it. I always knew it. I’m royalty. I jumped to my feet and danced around the room. This required the status update of all time. I grabbed my cell phone, about to text my entire contact list, when I noticed Astra looking at Mother.

Where is our home exactly? she asked.

Is it a little country? I bounced up and down like a frenzied blond jackrabbit. Like Monaco? Or the Vatican? I’d love to live in Europe. Please say it’s Europe. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.

My father looked like he might be getting a migraine. He rubbed his temples with his fingers and motioned for me to sit. I obeyed but still bounced a little in my chair.

It isn’t in Europe, he said, shooting me a pained glance. And it’s certainly not the Vatican.

I stopped bouncing. Then where on earth is it?

Well, said my mother with a little sigh. It’s funny you should use that particular phrase, darling, because it’s not technically a country. It’s actually a planet.

A planet? I asked. Like another planet? Like not Earth?

This had to be a joke. If not, my perfect, fabulous life was officially over, and nothing could make it right ever again.

Are you okay, Starr? asked Astra.

No, I’m not okay. I can’t believe you’re even asking me such a question.

I couldn't go to homecoming. I’d spent all my hard-earned babysitting money on a dress I would never wear. And that wasn’t even the biggest news. I was an extraterrestrial, and a princess. A royal princess. The daughter of Queen Vespa of...somewhere. I needed to find out. I didn’t even know the name of the stupid planet. This was a nightmare.

Chapter 2

W hat’s the name of this place exactly? I tried to keep the bitterness out of my voice and failed. And spell it, please. I want to make sure I get it right when I tell all my friends about how you’ve totally ruined my life.

We are not ruining your life— began my father, but my mom interrupted him.

You can’t tell your friends about this yet, but you will be able to soon. It’s called Vega, and it’s the most beautiful place in the universe.

Yeah, right. So we’re Vegans? Do we have to stop eating roast beef? I asked with a snort, but nobody laughed. 

Vegonians, answered my father, his voice curt.

My mom touched his hand. Marcus. Be patient. She’s suffered a shock.

You’re right, Vespa. I’m sorry. He turned and put a comforting hand over mine. I don’t mean to be short with you, Starr. You have so much to learn and so little time.

When do we start? I asked, removing my hand from his and folding my arms over my chest.

Now, said my mother. The sooner the better.

Over the next few days, I had a crash course in all things Vegonian. Thankfully, they spoke English on Vega, even if they called it Vegonian, so at least I wouldn’t have to learn a whole new language. As for the rest, my mother had piles of books about the planet squirreled away in the attic. They covered subjects from history to plant life, and Astra immediately leaped on them, devouring each page. I avoided them like the plague. Who cared about Vegonian botany anyway? I’d never even been interested in Earth botany.

I like surprises, I said when Astra asked why I wouldn’t look at the books. In truth, they terrified me. My life on Earth had been pretty perfect, but I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I had to leave. I had to go to Vega with my family.

I couldn’t decide if I was a tragic heroine, or if I’d won some crazy interplanetary lottery. Leaving my home would be awful, but being a princess had perks. It got even better when everyone else found out about it.

The Vegonians had lived on Earth under the supervision of the U.S. Government for many years, scattered across the country. No other Vegonians resided in Middleton, and that had been done purposely to better protect the queen (my mom), the royal consort (my dad) and the royal princesses (me, of course...and also Astra).

Life got even more exciting when Mother spoke on the evening news, telling the whole world about us. The people of Earth worked diligently to help us and keep us safe all these many years. We humbly and gratefully thank you for your kindness and hospitality during this difficult time.

She wore a giant crown covered with precious stones and gems and some outrageously large diamonds. I wondered if it had also been hidden in the attic. If so, I felt seriously cheated. I could have worn it to the winter formal last year. The crown would have been stunning with my magenta satin dress.

Astra, being the eldest, was technically the heir to the throne, but since I was the prettiest, I got the most attention. I had a whole month to bask in it before we left for Vega, and I planned to enjoy it.

Starr, Teen Glamour magazine called this morning, my mother said only a few days after the news became public. They want you to be their cover model this month. Are you interested?

Am I interested? Are you kidding me? It’s a dream come true. I love you, Mommy. I love you, love you, love you. I proceeded to give her loud kisses on both of her cheeks as she laughed.

Oh, Starr. May you always be as happy as you are today, she said, and I saw a flash of worry cross her eyes.

Is something wrong? I brushed a hand over her hair to flatten it a bit — it didn’t help. Like Astra, her dark mane flowed over her shoulders in a mass of unwieldy curls, although Mom’s hair was now peppered with grey. Soon I’d have to work on getting her to color it, another challenge.

You’ll have a lot to adjust to in the next few weeks. I hope it isn’t too overwhelming for you.

I’m fine. In fact, I’ve never been happier.

It was true. Although I could no longer ride to school with my two besties, fellow cheerleaders Brittany and Mandy, I did not mind. I now had a limo and a driver—for security reasons, of course, but it was easy getting used to these little luxuries. The limo even had a fridge inside. Not too shabby.

Brittany hadn’t handled my newfound royal-ness well, but she’d always been the jealous type. And Mandy did whatever Brittany told her to do, so she acted peeved as well. I didn’t care. I had more important things to occupy my time.

The driver and our security guards were all members of the president’s private security force. He’d lent them to us until we could leave for Vega. He told us about them when we met him for lunch at the White House right before our little family story became public news.

This was my life now; lunching with presidents, dining with queens (aka my mom), and shopping to my heart’s content. I’d thought my life was perfect before, but it had only gotten better. Now I almost looked forward to moving to Vega.

A few days before our departure, though, things got tricky. We’d been on The Today Show in New York City and went shopping at Saks. I secretly thought Saks Fifth Avenue should have been my home planet instead of Vega. I truly belonged there—or maybe at Nordstrom’s—it was a toss-up. The next day when I went to school, however, my happiness dimmed. Chad wasn’t waiting for me the way he usually did. Instead, he walked to class with Brittany.

I tapped him on his muscular, quarterback-of-the-football-team shoulder. He turned around to look at me, one eyebrow raised. Hey, Starr. What’s up?

Brittany watched me, a self-satisfied and smug little smile on her face. I was dying to tell her the red highlights she put in her hair looked fake under the school’s fluorescent lights, but I kept my mouth shut. She deserved to be brassy.

What’s up with me? I should be asking what’s up with you. I adjusted my purse. A brand-new Louis Vuitton. A real one. I could see Brittany’s eyes narrow as she registered the designer label. She didn’t even own an imitation.

Chad gave me a blank look, like he didn’t understand the reason for my irritation. Well, since you won’t be here for the dance, I thought I’d better ask someone else.

So you asked Brittany?

He responded slowly, still confused. Well, yeah.

And you agreed to go with him?

Brittany looped her arm through Chad’s. It’s only right the cheer captain goes with the quarterback.

She’d poured salt right into an open wound. All of my new duties meant I didn’t have time for any extracurricular activities. When I stepped down as cheer captain, Brittany jumped in right away to take my place. Before it even became officially official.

Well, I hope you have lots of fun together. You deserve each other. To my horror, tears welled up in my eyes as I stomped away. I had to hurry to the girls’ room to wipe them before ruining my mascara since my new Luis Vuitton couldn’t accommodate my makeup case. It only held lipstick and my student ID.

I told Astra about Brittany on the ride home from school, and she frowned, her mouth puckering in thought. She had the prettiest pink rosebud of a mouth, even without lipstick, and she also had long coal-black lashes. I would have killed for lashes like hers. My lashes were so pale I begged to get them dyed. Mother, of course, refused. Astra had been sympathetic, but she’d also given me literature on the dangers of permanent dyes. It was Astra’s way of handling me. Kind, but honest. Even so, her next question surprised me.

Was Brittany ever truly a friend to you?

What do you mean? I’d stopped tearing up but had a tissue handy just in case.

Well. She seemed to measure her words carefully. When has she ever treated you kindly?

Brittany has been my best friend since first grade. We cheered together, we hung out together, and we went to sleepovers together. We even dated the same people. Astra gave me a strange look, so I clarified. At different times, of course.

I seem to remember her sabotaging you at cheer tryouts, leaving you at the mall without a ride home because she wanted to hang with someone else, and soaking your bra in water and freezing it while you were at slumber parties together. Astra ticked off her fingers one by one as she spoke.

I frowned. Well, yes, Brittany did those things, but she never went after someone I liked. That’s lower than low. I sighed and looked out the window. I thought Chad Kensington might be the one. I thought he might be my soul mate. The orthodontist of my dreams.

The...what? Astra asked with a laugh.

Don’t judge me. This might sound strange, but I always imagined marrying an orthodontist. They make tons of money but don’t have the same difficult hours as doctors. Also, although this might seem shallow, I want children with perfect teeth.

She shook her head in disbelief. It might not be relevant to someone like Astra, but it was important to me, and I’d thought Chad, with his sun-streaked hair and gorgeous body, fit the role nicely. I imagined us spending our days sitting by the pool at the country club, our adorable children frolicking in the water, and all the other mothers jealous because I still looked great in a bikini.

I frowned as I realized I might have to amend my dream and make Chad a plastic surgeon instead. I should look into it.

Astra laughed out