The Samantha Project Read Free

ready. We’re gonna eat soon.”
    We always got pizza on the night before Thanksgiving so Dad wouldn’t have to make dinner while trying to prep all the food for the next day.  
    I went up to my room to put my school stuff away. We lived in a 100-year-old house that wasn’t big, but I loved it because I was sure it had an interesting story. I liked imagining all the people who had lived there before us. The rooms were small and the ceilings were low and the wood floors squeaked all the time. But I still loved it.  
    Mom let me do whatever I wanted with my room, but I kept it simple. A basic wooden dresser was on one wall and an old desk and chair was on the other wall, next to my nightstand and bed. And I had a soft and comfy bright green chair near my closet that I liked to sit and read in.
    “Sam, come on. Dinner’s ready,” Dad called from downstairs.  
    I went down and sat at the table, where my parents were waiting.
    “How was school?” Dad asked. “You know, I can’t believe I won’t be able to ask you that in a few weeks. You’re gonna be done soon. My little girl, all grown up and graduating high school.”
    “I can’t believe it either,” Mom said. “Seems like just yesterday we dropped her off at kindergarten. Time goes way too fast.”
    “I’m ready to be done. I’ve had enough of high school.”
    “Oh, Sam. You’re not going to miss any of it?” Mom asked.
    “Well, sure, I’ll miss some things. But I’m excited to go to college.”
    Dad got up quickly from the table. “Oh! That reminds me. We have a surprise.”
    “What is it?” I asked, unsure what type of surprise he could have.
    He came back and dropped a large envelope on the table. I turned it over. It was from Stanford.  
    “Dad! Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Did it just arrive?”
    “I got the mail right before you came home. Open it!”
    I ripped open the top of the envelope and pulled out the first sheet of paper.  
    “What does it say, Samantha? Read it!” Mom said.
    “On behalf of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, we are pleased to offer you admission to Stanford Univer…”
    Before I could finish, they ran over and hugged me, nearly knocking me off my chair.
    “Sam, we’re so happy for you,” Mom said.  
    “Congratulations, honey. That’s a big accomplishment.” Dad was beaming from ear to ear. He, too, had gone to Stanford.
    The news really was a surprise because I didn’t think I’d get in. School had always been pretty easy for me, so I took the hardest classes and got straight A’s. But so did lots of other people my age. There were thousands of people just like me. So I couldn’t believe that I got in. Maybe Jessica was right. I did have a perfect life.

CHAPTER TWO
Thanksgiving
    “I have to go call Colin!” I said, getting up from the table.
    “Don’t you want to finish dinner?” Mom asked.
    “Later. I’ve got to tell him now. I can’t wait!” I ran upstairs to my room to phone Colin. He answered right away.
    “Hey, Sam. Change your mind about tonight? Cause I can come . . .”
    “I got in! To Stanford!”
    “That’s awesome! I knew you would.”
    “I didn’t. I thought for sure I wouldn’t get in.”
    “You’re crazy! You’ve got perfect grades. Great test scores.”
    “Yeah, and so do thousands of other kids. But I did it! I got in!”
    “I’m coming over and congratulating you in person.”
    “You don’t have to do that. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
    “No, I’m coming over now. Your house is on the way to Braden’s anyway. I’ll see ya soon.”
    I put the phone down and did a happy dance in my room.  
    I ran back downstairs to find Mom clearing the table. “Did you want any more pizza?”
    “No, I’m done. Colin’s stopping by in a few minutes. Oh, I need to call Allie.”
    Mom laughed. “You can’t call her. She’s flying home today, remember? She’s probably somewhere over the Atlantic right now.”
    “That’s right. I’m all