Chapter 80

"My name is Adele Wilson…and I'm a good person. That's why Nadine was my friend…and not yours!" That ‘sparking ember' flickering in her eyes has now become fully ablaze. A group of stunned onlookers begin to gather around and watch in amazement as a ‘re-born' Adele Wilson continues to stand up to the school bully. "And you bumped into me. You owe me the apology…so, you say that you're sorry." Frankie's taken aback; and looking a bit unnerved as well. Nobody had ever stood up to him before; especially someone perceived to be as weak as Adele. For the first time ever, Frankie actually has some respect for her; and is even beginning to feel somewhat remorseful over his latest attempted shenanigan against her. He's momentarily speechless as he shamefully looks to the floor. He slowly looks back up to her. "I'm…sorry…Adele." Adele looks at him for a brief moment; not saying a word. Satisfied in knowing that she had fulfilled her promise to Nadine…and now wanting to honor her Grandpa Joe's memory by being the good person that he always wanted her to be…Adele refrains from further chastising Frankie; and decides to take ‘the high road'. "I accept your apology." She closes her locker and begins to walk down the hall; while the congregated spectators make way for her to pass by. Frankie calls out to her, "Hey; Adele." Adele stops and turns around to face him. Frankie rubs his hand behind his head and neck as he tells her, "Look…I just wanted to say…well…sorry to hear about Nadine." "Thank you." She turns back around and continues down the hall. As she passes by, Principal Davis repeatedly curls his index finger back and forth; gesturing for her as he calls her over… "Ms. Wilson." Adele walks over to the principal; who quickly looks up the hall, then back at Adele. "That was quite the show you put on." "Principal Davis; I'm sorry, but…" He sharply raises his hand up and cuts Adele off. "Ahh…" Then leans in towards her. "Good for you." He smiles at her. She smiles back; then continues down the hall. Principal Davis looks back up the hallway and calls out… "Mr. Kowalski…my office…five minutes." Frankie guiltily nods. As she passes by his room, Mr. Trudeaux…who'd been standing in the doorway drinking his Earl Grey tea while taking delight witnessing the previous showdown…calls out, "Ms. Wilson." "Yes, Mr. Trudeaux?" He assures her, "I don't think you should fret over being by yourself now…I truly believe that you'll be just fine, Adele. Just fine." Mr. Trudeaux gives her a quick wink. Adele remains silent for a moment, looking as if she were considering what he'd just told her, before telling him with total conviction… "You're right, Mr. Trudeaux, sir…I'm gonna be fine. But I'm not by myself…" She places her hand on her chest over her heart and smiles. "Because Nadine will always be right here with me." Mr. Trudeaux smiles at her and nods. "Yes…yes she will. Ms. Wilson." With that having been said, Adele triumphantly walks down the hallway heading for the main entrance doors with her head held up high. Adele had just set two records at school this afternoon. First, she was the first student ever to receive an apology from Frankie Kowalski. Second, word of their confrontation was the fastest travelling ‘buzz' in the history of all Roosevelt High gossip. By the time she exited the building, more than half of the student body and faculty had heard about the ‘David versus Goliath' showdown. She's halfway down the walkway when Sarah, Trish and Janice come running out of the school after her. Sarah shouts… "Adele; wait up!" Adele stops and waits for them to catch up to her. Sarah asks, "Are you alright?" "Yeah…why?" "We just heard what happened." Trish praises, "Way to go, girl…sticking up to Frankie like that. Everyone's already talking about it." Janice informs her, "For real…you're a celebrity here now, Adele." Adele appears baffled. "Why?" Janice explains, "Because you put that jerk Frankie in his place." Sarah tells her, "Nadine would really be proud of you, Adele. Not that she already wasn't…but she would've loved this." The girls become silent for a brief moment, as they think of Nadine; trying to picture how she might have looked watching Adele tell off Frankie. Meanwhile, Adele looks to the ground and smiles. Then she looks back up to Sarah and asks… "You think so?" "No…I know so."