Read Online From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot - Free Book Online Page A

never understand it. I think it would be an utter waste, and quite frankly a disaster.”
    â€œYour grandmother has a tendency to exaggerate,” Dad said, “as you’ll find out the more you get to know her.”
    â€œI suppose we could come to New Jersey to visit you,” Grandma said. She didn’t sound very enthusiastic about this last part. She said the words “New Jersey” like they were a disease she hoped not to catch. “But not Qalif. Rommel doesn’t take well to hot weather.”
    â€œRommel doesn’t take well to any weather,” Dad said, in a bitter voice.
    To me he said, “Why don’t you take some time to think it over? Want some more chocolate milk?”
    I shook my head. I was still in so much shock, I didn’t know what to think.
    So instead of thinking, I picked up the bagel Dad had made for me and sank my teeth into it. It had been so long since I’d last had bread, I’d almost forgotten how good it tasted.
    Then I remembered something, and after swallowing what was in my mouth, said, “Dad?”
    He had just taken a big bite of his bagel. “Hmm?” he said.
    â€œHow did you know I like cream cheese and smoked salmon on my bagels?” I asked.
    â€œOh, that’s easy,” Grandma said, while Dad struggled to chew before answering. “It’s his favorite, too.”
    I guess there’s more you can inherit from your family than just eye color and a talent for drawing. You can also inherit thrones, and a liking for smoked salmon.

 
    Wednesday, May 6
11:00 P.M.
The Plaza Hotel
    It’s way past my bedtime (which is nine thirty in Cranbrook), but I can’t sleep. I’m too excited!
    Plus, I’m sleeping in a strange place … the spare guest room in my grandmother’s penthouse suite in New York City!
    I’ve never slept in such a huge bed, under such an elegant canopy, between such comfortable sheets, in such nice pajamas (which my grandmother loaned to me. They’re made out of silk and have the letter “G” on them … for Genovia. They’re princess pajamas! Nishi would die of excitement).
    But none of these things are why I’ve made the decision I have:
    I’m moving to Genovia.
    Don’t get me wrong: It’s definitely lovely to sleep in silk pajamas and a canopy bed (with an adorable fluffy white poodle puppy next to me).
    It’s great to think that I’m not only going to have my own pony someday, but also a chance to get to go to art school, and not even on a scholarship.
    But to get a father, a grandmother, and a sister who actually care about me , on top of all that?
    Sorry. No contest.
    I don’t want to make Aunt Catherine feel bad by moving in with Dad and Grandma and Mia (who turns out to be a hugger. She hugged me so hard before she left to go back to her own apartment tonight I thought she was going to break my ribs. In a good way!).

    But I’m pretty sure Aunt Catherine will understand. She has her design business to worry about, and Uncle Rick and Sara and Justin, and the exciting new opportunities waiting for them all in Qalif. She’ll probably be relieved when she finds out I’m not going with them!
    I’m definitely going to miss Nishi, though. But Dad said I could have her come visit whenever I wanted!
    I can’t imagine how hard it’s going to be, starting over at a whole new middle school where I don’t know anyone, in a brand-new country, where they speak a whole different language (that I also happen to be a princess of).
    But at least in Genovia there won’t be the one thing from New Jersey I’ll DEFINITELY never miss: Annabelle Jenkins.
    This has truly been the greatest day of my life.
    Maybe that’s why I can’t sleep! I never want it to end.

 
    Thursday, May 7
11:24 A.M.
Bergdorf Goodman
    Normally at this time I’d be in French Class at Cranbrook Middle School.
    But