Samantha "Sam" Montgomery once had a happy life with her kind, yet loving father, Hal Montgomery, who owns a popular diner. But her life changes when her father marries Fiona, a spoiled yet vain woman, who becomes her wicked step-mother. To make matters worse, Sam also has to put up with her vile step-sisters Brianna and Gabriella. One fateful night, Hal is killed during an earthquake in 1994, causing Sam to become heartbroken over losing her father. Eight years later, Sam is determined to escape her abusive step family by working at the diner, which is supposedly owned by Fiona, in order to make enough money to go to Princeton, her dream college. Sam's high school life is a living nightmare for her, she is constantly bullied by Shelby Cummings and her two friends and her only friend is Carter Farrell. Sam establishes a mysterious online relationship with Nomad, who is actually Austin Ames, a star quarterback at North Valley High, who also dreams of going to Princeton and he wants to escape his father's high expectations. Austin and Sam decide to meet each other in person at the Halloween Dance, but Fiona forbids Sam from attending the dance. Rhonda, Sam's mother figure and close friend, encourages Sam to go the Halloween Dance, so that she can meet Nomad in person. Sam finally meets her prince and the two share their first dance together. Before Sam can reveal her identity to Austin, she realizes that it's almost midnight and she must go back to the diner before Fiona finds out that she left, but she loses her cellphone. Austin finds Sam's cellphone and he becomes determined to find his princess. Will Austin finally have the courage to stand up to his father and be with the girl he loves? Will Sam finally get the happily ever after she rightfully deserves?—dawsonpersi