Chapter 4 – Academian Challenge
The next day Sam is ready! The first challenge is Science. The contest will be held similar to a Jeopardy game, except there are four contestants instead of three. Once again the final four consists of Matt, Cliff, Mandy and Sam.
Cliff tries to use his sob story again. "Man, I really have to make the first team! I'll be grounded forever if I don't!" he says loud enough for Sam to hear. But she will not be dissuaded this time!
The Science challenge ends up being a battle between Matt and Sam. They have easily outdistanced Cliff and Mandy. It will come down to the final question! Sam has a 100 point lead on Matt and decides to wager her entire score on the final question. Unbeknownst to her, so does Matt. Cliff just wagers enough to finish ahead of Mandy. Mandy wagered zero, as she knew nothing about isotopes, the final category.
Cliff, Matt and Sam get the final answer correct! Sam wins! She is followed by Matt, Cliff and Mandy. The score now is: Matt 4, Cliff 7, Sam 8, and Mandy 11!
The final contest is Math. All participants are provided with a grueling 50-question exam! Cliff again tried his sob story, but Sam pays no attention.
It will take at least two hours to complete it! Students will only be allowed three hours total to finish it. Sam is the first to finish. She walks out of the exam room to where Clover and Alex are waiting.
"How did you do, girlfriend?" asks a concerned Alex.
"I think I did all right!" says Sam.
"That must have been one tough exam, Sam, if it took YOU two and a quarter hours to complete!" says Clover.
"It wasn't so much difficult, as a lot to do! I think I aced it!" says Sam confidently.
Because the exam was taken over the computer system, the grades are instantaneously available, after the last student finishes. The results show Sam winning, Matt in second, followed by Cliff and Mandy. The final Academian standings are posted: Matt 6, Sam 8, Cliff 10, and Mandy 15.
"YOU DID IT, SAMMY!" squeals Alex in joy as she hugs Sam's neck.
"YOU MADE THE TEAM!" chortles Clover in joy as she also hugs Sam by the neck.
Mandy is furious with Cliff. "You blew it, buddy! No date for you!" says Mandy angrily to Cliff. "That was one pathetic attempt to distract Sam!" she continues.
But Cliff responds, "Mandy, even if I had beaten Sam, you STILL wouldn't have made the team! You finished fourth!"
Now Mandy was REALLY mad! How could Cliff point out her failing in front of all these people? Doesn't he have ANY consideration for her feelings? Mandy throws one of her A-Plus-Plus tantrums, and storms away!
By virtue of his first place finish, Matt is awarded the Captain's Armband. He will get to choose the two contestants for the show. But Matt says, "We all know who really deserves to be Captain! She wasn't herself yesterday, but this is really Sam's!" With that, Matt gives the Captain's Armband to a slightly embarrassed Sam, as the rest of the class cheers.
"Thanks, Matt," says Sam "you really are a true friend!"
Sam then makes the decision as to who will be on the show. "I am going to use the actual order of finish to determine who should appear on the Academians, and who will be an alternate. Therefore, Matt and I will be on the show, with Cliff as alternate!"
Cliff congratulates Sam, and says, "Thanks, Sam! I'm sorry I tried to distract you so you'd lose! Thanks for giving me the alternate's spot!"
"You won it, Cliff! So you deserve it! Apology also accepted!" says Sam happily.
As the school day comes to a close, Matt approaches Sam.
"Hey, Sam. How about a little chess match before we go home tonight?" asks Matt happily.
"You're on!" says a happy Sam. "And this time, no mercy!"
"We can follow the game up with a movie, if you like," says a smiling Matt.
"Ok, and loser pays for a latte!!" exclaims Sam.
"It's a bet!" says Matt as they happily go off together to the Chess Club room.
Clover and Alex happily watch Sam and Matt go off for their chess battle.
"Well, Clover, it looks like only you and I for the Mall, tonight!"
"That's OK Alex. We may see them at the Mall, and maybe all four of us can get a latte together!"