Northside Angel

Forty Nine

Adeline's P.O.V

Rehearsals have been going fine. We've nailed almost every single step and song lately. We had just finished the number, According to Chris, making everyone down at the seats clap.

"Okay, Veronica, I am obsessed with everything that just happened," Kevin said.

"Thank you, it helps to be off-book and in full costume," Veronica told him. Betty let out a chuckle making all of us look over.

"Here comes the drama," I told Toni and Ethel.

"Don't be so modest. You're the literal embodiment of Chris. Never has a role been so perfectly type-cast," Betty told Veronica.

"Betty..." Archie warned. Kevin let out a sigh while Veronica raised a finger at Archie to stop.

"What was that, Betty?" Veronica asked, stepping forward to her.

"I mean, think about it. Spoiled rich girl, check. Major daddy issues, check. Bad to the bone, trying to control everyone around her, including her boyfriend and best friend. Check, check, check."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was with dad and Archie as we were making props for the play. As we were working, I noticed Mr. Lodge walk inside.

"Afternoon, gentlemen and lady. I just came by to check on the progress of the show I'm producing, and lo and behold, Fred Andrews," Mr. Lodge said before tapping on the wood.

"Just donating my free time, Hiram," Dad told him.

"Has Archie taken you both for a spin yet?" Mr. Lodge asked dad and I.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Mr. Lodge..."

"In the new Firebird I bought him? For all the help he's given me and my family in the past few months,"Mr. Lodge said. I could tell that dad was disappointed. I looked over at Archie with a mad and upset look. Archie glanced over at me.

"That's, uh... It's a pretty smooth ride," Dad said calmly.

"Yeah. A young man never forgets his first car," Mr. Lodge said before walking away. Dad tossed his tool into the box before walking over to put his stuff away.

"I'm gonna go," Dad told me.

"I'll walk you out, dad," I told him before grabbing my jacket.

"Dad, it's just a car," Archie said as he followed us out to Dad's truck.

"Just a car? Did I raise you to be that spoiled?" Dad asked before letting out a sarcastic laugh.

"Seriously, this doesn't have to be a big deal, Dad," Archie told him.

"It is to me, son. I was planning on us going to the junkyard and picking out an old jalopy. We could've fixed it up, like me and Grandpa Artie did with my first car," Dad said.

When dad left, I looked over at Archie. I crossed my arms at him as he looked at me.

"Before you say anything-"

"I used to look up at you, Archie. Now I don't. I don't even know who you are," I told him before walking away.

"Adeline," Archie called out as I continued to walk away from him.