Princess Elementa returned to the Peterson home through the chimney to avoid being detected.  When she entered the living room, she started to cry.
     Harold walked up to her.  “Honey, what’s the matter?”
     “I wish…I could help Valerie be able to walk again.  She did not deserve this fate.”
     “I know, Ellie, but you can’t do everything.  You are a noble princess, but you can do only as much as you possibly can.”
     Rob nodded in agreement.  “Your dad’s right, Princess.  Don’t carry all the problems on your shoulders.  Val knows she’ll have to make adjustments in her life.  How did she react when she found out about Angel, Cassie, and Taneshia?”
     “She was very surprised about the three of them.  When I told her about Taneshia and Cassie, though, she did feel better and said she was getting used to not being able to use her legs.  Your mother said she will have to stay at least another four to six weeks for preliminary treatment.  I, too, must be able to adjust…and understand that I really cannot do more than what I am capable.”  After drying her eyes, Elementa said, “Robert, I believe we need to finish our review for the biology test.”
     “Okay, I’ll see you up there in a few.”  Rob then walked back upstairs to Ellie’s room.
     Elementa then said, “Nature Crystal, my work is now complete.  Please transform me back into my Earthly form.”
     The crystal shone brightly on her forehead, which created a light all around Elementa.  In mere seconds, she had reverted back to being Ellie Peterson again.
     “There,” said Ellie, glasses and all.  “Now, I’d better get back up there and make sure I’m ready for that test tomorrow.”  She then went up the stairs to join her friend.
     Harold just shook his head and smiled.  “King Argon and Queen Hydrana,” he whispered, “thank you for sending me a beautiful young woman…her beauty inside and out.  I will keep my promise of taking care of her as best I can.”
     When Ellie returned to her room, she immediately asked, “What’s the last thing we looked at?”
     “We were looking at photosynthesis, as well as the effects of foliage.”
     “Okay, then let’s get this finished so you can go home, and both of us get a good night’s sleep.”
     Just then, Harold entered the room.  “Pumpkin, I’ve got something I want you to wear tomorrow for Spirit Day.”  He then took a scarlet and gold sweat suit from behind his back.  “You can wear this to school and the game tomorrow night.”
     Ellie was in awe about the outfit.  “Dad, I love it!  Thank you!”  She then gave him a tight hug.
     “You’re welcome, Ellie.  How much longer on that review?”
     Rob said, “One more hour, and we’ll be done.”
     Sure enough, within an hour, the two friends felt they were more than ready for the test, and Rob had returned to his house for the evening.
     Later that night, Ellie had slight sleeping problems because of her newfound ability to hear nature’s essence.  “Those messages I got from the trees and the wind…it’s still so hard to believe.  My mother’s gift is a special one.  I wonder if they would speak to me now, with the danger passed.”
     She stepped out of bed and opened the window.  Despite the chill in the air, she felt warmer in her heart.  Ellie then closed her eyes and let herself be open to the heart of nature itself.  “They…will let me know…if danger should ever come again.  They know…I can connect with them.  We can help each other.  The trees…you’re welcome.  I’m glad I was able to help, and I appreciate the help you gave me this evening…to rescue Taneshia.  I understand Rob’s words much better now.  I hope this new power will be nothing less than beneficial.”  She opened her eyes once more and smiled.  “Thank you, Mother.  Thank you for giving me your gift from beyond.  I will use it wisely, I promise.”
     After closing the window, Ellie went back to sleep, feeling closer to her royal family than ever before.

     The next morning, local news told what had happened in the case of Valerie’s hit-and-run accident.  Even though the names could not be released due to their ages, the students of both Vagley High and Gurney High were completely surprised by the capture of the suspects by Princess Elementa.
     Sheriff Sanderson said to the press, “Thanks to the princess, the people who paralyzed Valerie Wilder have been brought to justice.  I should tell you right now that each of the pair has reacted differently.  The driver has shown no remorse while the front passenger has felt extremely ashamed for being involved.  The second did not want any plea agreement and said she would be more than happy to testify against the driver.  The witness who told about the car also came forward with the whole story.  She is not under arrest because we believe she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  She will also testify against the driver.
     “I can also tell you the people involved were all students from Vagley High School.  The plan was to turn this friendly rivalry into a gang war.  We discovered the driver as having a previous record of violence from her time in Los Angeles, California.  Her mother tried to get her away from there to help her daughter, but the young lady decided if she could not be part of the gang there, she would start one here.  However, Princess Elementa made sure that wouldn’t happen, protecting the witness from harm.  Hopefully now the Gurney-Vagley game will go off tonight without a hitch.”
     Ellie was on her bicycle going to school when she saw the same four guys who tried to harm her three days earlier.  This time, though, they had sad looks on their faces.
     “Is everything all right?” she asked as she put the brakes on her bike.
     “No, it’s not,” said one of them.  “We want to apologize to you for what we did on Tuesday.  We had no idea our own students were behind this one.”
     “It’s a shocker to all of us.  It probably was easy to assume that someone from another school would do it, but look what happened.”
     The second boy said, “Yeah, Princess Elementa got the truth out.  My question is, who are the Vagley students who did this?”
     “The only people to know that answer are Sheriff Sanderson and Princess Elementa.  The only way the age rule wouldn’t apply is when someone is murdered.  I’m just glad it didn’t come to that.”
     The boys all agreed.
     “So, I take it you guys can’t make it to the game tonight?”
     “Oh, no,” said the third boy.  “We’re barred from going to the game for our actions against you from Tuesday.  We can’t go to the Homecoming Dance either, but then we don’t have dates for it, so we don’t have to worry about that one.”
     “I don’t know if I’ll go at Gurney tomorrow night or not.  I’d better move.  I’ve got the big biology test today.”
     The boys all saw her off safely, and Ellie made it to school without a problem.
     When she got there, she noticed Misty’s face painted in the school colors.  “Whoa…you’re really into it today.”
     “Of course, Peterson.  Nice sweat suit.  Ever try face paint before?”
     “I’m a little nervous.  I don’t know if I’ll have some kind of reaction to it.”
     Misty understood.  “Sure, possible rash and the like.  It’s cool.  Least you’re all decked out in the school colors.  I can’t wait for the pep rally during 3rd period today.”
     “Me, too.  Oh, because everything was solved…is the lockdown lifted?”
     “Yeah, it is.  Stanton called everybody involved in the fair last night and said to work on getting the tents set up for this afternoon.  I hear everything in those tents should be ready within a couple of hours.”
     “Then things are back to normal finally,” Ellie said excitedly.
     “Oh, yeah.  You know what surprises me, though?  No one accused me of doing this.”
     “That’s because most people know even you wouldn’t stoop to this level.”
     “Guess so.  Hey, we have the biology test in 4th, right?”
     “Rob and I are seriously ready for it.  We had our own rigorous review session last night.”
     “I just hope I can do okay on it,” said a nervous Misty.  “My parents wouldn’t like me failing this one.”
     “Just remember things, and you’ll do fine.  I’m off to trig class.”
     “I can barely squeeze through algebra.”
     The two girls walked separately to their classes and were ready to enjoy the day.

     At Vagley High School, Tommy walked into the school’s front door and found Taneshia working on her locker.  “Hey, girlfriend.”
     “Oh, hi, Tommy.” She smiled nervously.
     “So, a couple of our own students ran Val down.  I hope they suffer to the fullest extent of the law.”
     “Tommy, hold on.  The passenger in the car has been remorseful about it.  She only wanted to get in good with the popular crowd.”
     “That’s no excuse, Tan.  Valerie can’t cheer ever again…let alone walk.  She didn’t deserve this.  I hope they both get life in prison.”
     Taneshia could not hold back tears.  “Stop it, Tommy.  You want to know who did it?  It was Angel and Cassie.  I…was in the back seat of the car.”
     “What…?  Our two cheerleading captains caused this, and you were a part of it!?”
     Mr. Cranston said, “No, Thomas.  Taneshia was not supposed to be involved.  She tried to stop Angel and Cassie, but to no avail.  They threatened to hurt her if she told anyone anything.  Taneshia, however, decided to take a stand and tell the truth.  She was the one who told me about the blue car and then went to the sheriff with the entire story.  As for Cassie, she really is ashamed for what she did, and she is going to testify against Angel.  One thing you’ve got to be able to do is give someone a chance.  Taneshia’s not in any trouble here because as the sheriff said, she was just an innocent bystander in the back seat of the car, and she’ll be cheering at the game tonight.  I will be speaking with Cassie and her parents about her role in this hit-and-run later this morning.  As for Angel, she has been suspended indefinitely and has been stripped of her duties as captain of the cheerleading team.”
     Thomas looked at his girlfriend.  “Is this all true?”
     “Yes, it is.  Cassie really is feeling bad about herself for going along with Angel in the first place.  I did everything I could to try to help Val, but Angel was determined not to allow that.”
     The football star shook his head sadly.  “Oh, Tan, I’m so sorry.  Since the names couldn’t be revealed, I guess I just wanted to be angry at someone.  I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
     “I understand, Tommy.  You know how it is with confidentiality.”
     “Mmm-hmm.  I’m just glad this whole mess is over, and spirit has been restored to both Vagley and Gurney.  Now maybe the game tonight will not feel so…scarred.”
     Cranston smiled with concurrence.  “Right.  Oh, and Mr. Stanton and I have come up with the appropriate community service project the students from the Wilbur’s food fight will have to do for the next four Saturdays.  I’ll make the announcement over the intercom during the morning news.”
     “Okay, and thanks for getting the pep rally back outside again.”
     “I’m happy that school spirit has been restored here and at Gurney.  The game tonight will go off well, but not before we observe one minute of silence for Valerie, as a gesture of support and love from both schools.”
     Taneshia liked that idea.  “She needs that right now, and this minute of silence will certainly help.”
     “Right,” said Cranston.  “Now, run along to class, kids.  I need to be ready for morning announcements.”
     When the homeroom bell rang, the principal got on the intercom.  “Good morning, students.  As you all know, tonight is our big football game against Gurney.  Most of the spirit this week was marred by Valerie Wilder’s accident along with the discovery of two of our own students causing it.  And, of course, we had the incident at Wilbur’s on Tuesday afternoon.  I have talked with Richard Stanton at Gurney High School, and this applies to the students involved in that food fight.  For the next four Saturdays, starting with tomorrow, you are to help build a home for a low-income family.  In addition, you must pay the $200 for damages within three weeks.  You are also not allowed at tonight’s game or tomorrow’s dance.”
     Almost all those students were happy to know that their punishment would end up helping someone else in need.  Some did gripe about not being permitted at the game or the dance, but most took it in stride because they felt they deserved it for what they had done on Tuesday.
     “The pep rally has been moved back outdoors again,” Cranston noted, “now that the lockdown has officially been lifted.  We will see all of you this afternoon in 6th period for the rally.  And for tonight, all players, cheerleaders, students, and parents from both schools will observe one minute of silence as a gesture of support for Valerie Wilder.  She will remain in the hospital at least four to six weeks, so let’s make sure we let her know we’re thinking about her and praying for her.  That’s all for morning announcements; have a good day, and let’s win it tonight!”
     The students cheered on in support, even the ones who were barred from the game.  School spirit had been restored at Vagley High.
     An hour later, Cassie Robbins sat in front of the principal with her parents sitting behind her.  She felt deep shame for her part in the hit-and-run accident.
     Cranston went straight to the point.  “Young lady, you know what you did was wrong.”
     “Yes, sir,” she said quietly.
     “You also feel very upset at yourself because you only wanted to be popular.”
     “Yes, sir, I do.”  She put her face down.  “I paid a high price for it…”
     “That may be true, but I know you’re sorry for your part in all this.  You just gave in to peer pressure, but you were able to find a way out of Angel’s trap by trusting yourself instead of Angel.  What I really admire you for is the fact you’re willing to testify against her under your own power…no plea bargain or anything.”
     She looked up and said, “Mr. Cranston, I don’t want any plea bargain.  I just want to do the right thing, and this is it.  I should’ve done this a long time ago.”
     “I understand.  Unfortunately, though, you were an accomplice to this crime.  The standard punishment would be indefinite suspension and possible expulsion.  Because of your remorse and wanting to testify against Angel, though, you are hereby suspended for only one week.  Also, I hate to do this, but I have to take away your title as co-captain of the cheerleading team, and you can’t be at the game tonight.”
     Her father Peter wanted to stand up and say something in protest, but she stopped him.  “No, Dad.  This is right.  I don’t deserve to be cheerleading co-captain after what I did.  I want a different title…human being.”
     He smiled at his daughter.  “Cassie, I’m so proud of you.  You’re willing to accept the punishment responsibly.”
     “Hey, I have to do that sooner or later, don’t I?”  She then turned to face the principal.  “Mr. Cranston, I did something really awful, but I am ready to take the consequences for my actions.  I agree to the punishment you’ve given me.  Besides, I’ll be bogged down with homework the whole week anyhow.”
     “Excellent, Cassie.  Perhaps all that homework can get your mind off the situation temporarily.  I admire your courage and your honesty.  This is only one mark on your record.  It won’t be the end of the world because of it.  I don’t want you to think that, okay?”
     “Yes, sir.  I’ve learned my lesson…a hard lesson.  I went with the wrong crowd, and I’ve lost most of my friends.”
     “Maybe not,” said her father.  “The true friends are the ones who will stick by you no matter what.  We’ve gotten calls from at least five of your old friends, all of them worried about you.”
     “Really?”
     “Really.  They miss you, a lot.”
     Cranston was satisfied with the outcome of this meeting.  “Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, thank you for coming here…and supporting your daughter.”
     Rebecca, her mother, stood up and said, “She may have to serve some time for this, but we’ll help her get through it together.”
     “If only the world had your kind of structure, we’d live in a better world right now.  Cassie, head back to class, but start getting all the assignments from your teachers, okay?”
     “I will, sir, and thank you for giving me a chance.”
     “I believe people are worthy of a second chance.  You’re one of them, Cassie.”
     She and her parents left his office together, which brought a smile to Cranston’s face.  “Maybe there is hope after all.”

     Over at Gurney High School, the pep rally was well under way when principal Richard Stanton took the microphone.  “Students, as you all know…a lot of school spirit had been lost this week because of what happened to Valerie Wilder on Monday.  Some of our students seemed to have been angry enough to believe Vagley would accuse us of causing this, but as the sheriff said, Vagley students did this to turn our proud tradition of a friendly rivalry into a senseless war between the two schools.  I am just happy that things have ended peacefully this week.  As for the students involved in the food fight Tuesday, and you know who you are, you are to assist the Vagley students in building a home for a low-income family for four Saturdays in a row, starting tomorrow.”
     Ellie and Rob looked at each other and smiled.
     “That’s awesome,” said Rob.  “Taking something bad and making something good out of it.”
     “Plus, I want to see the $200 payment for damages done within the next two to three weeks.  Now, even though those of you can’t go to the game tonight or the dance tomorrow night, don’t let this scar your life.  It was a mistake you made, and you can learn from that mistake.  It’s to make sure you don’t repeat it.  With that out of the way now, let’s get on with the pep rally!  Misty Ziegler, will you come down here please?”
     The bully came down to the floor to join the principal.  “Yes, sir?” she said with a little nervousness.
     “I want to make sure when you do beat up that pirate, you don’t hurt him too badly.”
     Misty smiled wickedly.  “Don’t worry about that, Mr. Stanton.  I’ll leave the real beating to the players!”
     That comment actually made the crowd scream and cheer very loudly.  They were feeling their own spirit coming back to them as well.  The drummers from the marching band started playing as loud as they possibly could to get the students riled and ready for the game that night.
     “I’d better be able to hear after this,” said Ellie to Rob.  “We have the test next period.”
     “We’re ready, remember?  We’ll do fine.”
     “Okay, sorry.”  Ellie laughed.  “I’m going to the game tonight, but I don’t know about the dance tomorrow night.”
     “It’s not recommended to go to the dance if you don’t have a date.”
     “A…date?”
     “I’ll have to explain that later.  Just trust me.”
     “I do trust you, Rob.”
     The two friends joined in the cheering and screaming in support of their team against Vagley later on.
     “And don’t forget about the fair this afternoon for 6th period,” added Stanton.  “I am happy to announce the tents are ready!”
     That announcement made certain that the spirit of friendly competition had been completely revitalized at both high schools, and by the time the game would happen, both schools were ready to fight to the end.

     That evening, people came to Vagley High’s football field to cheer for both teams in this huge game.  Just a few minutes before the game, the public address announcer spoke, “Ladies and gentlemen, we will all reserve one minute of silence in support of Valerie Wilder, who cannot be here this evening because of what happened to her on Monday.”
     That one minute almost felt like an eternity for some, but it was for the right reason…to let Valerie know they all cared about her very much.
     As the game progressed, Ellie and her father, along with Rob and his mother, all cheered for their Gurney players.
     “Come on, B.J.!” yelled Rob.  “Give it all you got, bro!”
     Ellie still did not quite comprehend the game of football just yet, but she was slowly learning.  “Okay, that was a tackle against the…quarterback?” she asked her father.
     “Right, pumpkin.  That’s called a sack.”
     “Got it.  I’ll figure out all these football terms yet.”
     “You think that’s fun, wait until basketball gets started.”
     “Oh, there are more sports to learn?  This is gonna take a while.”  In more ways than one.  Just how many sports are there on Earth?
     Too many to count, replied the Spirit.  The only sport we had on Naturia was the marathon, held every year on the anniversary of the king and queen’s marriage.
     Mother and Father…I wonder how they would take this game called football, or this concept known as Homecoming?
     They would also have trouble understanding many of Earth’s ways.  However, we both know some aspects of Earth are identical to those of Naturia.  You need only more time to learn.
     Yes, you’re right.  One day I’ll understand everything that happens on this planet.  In the meantime, though, I just want to enjoy the football game.
     Of course, Princess.  Take care.
     During halftime of the game, both schools announced their Homecoming Kings and Queens, making Ellie a little more confused.
     “Dad, do I have to go down there and kneel to them?”
     “Oh, no, sweetie.  Homecoming King and Queen is a distinctive honor in high school.  Normally, seniors are awarded the titles while juniors, sophomores, and freshmen make up the members of the Homecoming Court, like a royal court.”
     “Okay, it’s a royal court, but not really.”
     “Right.  It’s something that can go big for college admissions.”
     “I didn’t know that.”
     Harold smiled and said, “Who knows…maybe when you’re a senior, you could be Homecoming Queen.”
     Kim looked at her and said, “You know, Ellie, your dad could be right.  I can see you as queen.”
     Ellie joked, “Not with these wild glasses.”
     All four laughed at her joke, but the future remained to be seen.
     During the third quarter, Kim was forced to leave the game due to an unrelated emergency at the hospital.  She instructed Rob to go home with Ellie and her father.
     Rob said, “I’ll call you when I get home.”
     With that, she went to her car and left for the hospital.
     When the game came down to the final 14 seconds, Gurney had taken the ball all the way to Vagley’s 17-yard line.  The team was down by four points, so a three-point field goal would do no good in this situation.
     B.J. in the huddle said, “Okay, guys, let’s take it all the way.  We have to get a touchdown, or it’s over.  Let’s go for Halibut-2 on three.”
     When they got out of the huddle, they lined up accordingly, with B.J. calling the play.  “Hut, hut!”
     As soon as they made their move, B.J. found the open hole and ran in for the touchdown, giving Gurney the victory and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
     Afterward, the players and coaches from both teams shook hands with each other out of respect and good sportsmanship.  Both teams fought for the win, but only one could get that win.
     Ellie was thrilled at the end.  “Dad, this was a fantastic game!  Even though I don’t understand all the bits and pieces of football, I had a great time tonight.  Thanks for taking me, Dad.”
     “Glad I could do it, sweetie.  Say, are you considering going to the Homecoming Dance tomorrow night?”
     “Well, Rob said I shouldn’t go without a date…whatever that means.”
     “I have an idea.  How about I accompany you to the dance tomorrow night.”
     “You’d come with me?  I don’t know if they’ll—”
     Rob interrupted, “Mr. Peterson’s one of the chaperones at the dance.  I don’t think he’d want you to stay home by yourself.”
     “Uh, what’s a chaperone?”
     “A chaperone is an adult who looks after the welfare of the students, making sure nobody does anything stupid.”
     “I see.  Okay, I’ll go tomorrow night, since Dad is one of these…chaperones.”
     “But we need to get you a dress first,” said Harold.  “We’ll go to the clothing store tomorrow and hope we can find a dress at the last minute.”
     On their way out, Ellie saw Taneshia over near the water cooler.  “Taneshia!”
     The cheerleader saw her almost immediately.  “Hey, Ellie.”
     “I’m just glad the game went off without any problems, considering everything that happened this week.”
     “Yeah, I know…I’m just grateful Princess Elementa helped save my life…”
     Ellie knew the truth but did not want to compromise her double identity.  “Wait a second, Princess Elementa saved you?  Then that means you…”
     “I told Mr. Cranston about the car, and then the entire story to the sheriff.  I was…sitting in the back seat of the car that…you know.”
     “I had no idea,” Ellie gasped.  “I take it you needed a ride home and just took the wrong car?”
     “Yeah, that’s it.”
     Ellie then looked at the Vagley cheerleaders and noticed two missing.  “Tan, where are your captains?”
     “Both of them…couldn’t be here tonight due to unforeseen circumstances.”
     I know just what they are, too.  Don’t worry, Tan.  I know the whole story.  I won’t ask.  You’ve suffered enough this week.  “Tan, you have a Homecoming Dance at Vagley tomorrow night?”
     “Yeah, I do, but I don’t know if I should really go or not.  Even though the principal and the sheriff say I’m clear for telling the truth, I still feel very guilty for being in that car.”
     Ellie tried to comfort Taneshia as best as possible.  “Tan, even if you didn’t take the ride in that particular car, there was no way of knowing whether the hit-and-run would’ve happened or not, much less prevent it.  It’s not your fault, Tan.  There’s no need to carry this unwarranted guilt on yourself.”
     “She’s right, Tan,” said an approaching male voice.
     “Tommy?”
     “Yeah, baby.  Ellie’s telling the truth.  You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Anybody could’ve had that happen, even me.  You can’t bear this for the rest of your life.  It’ll just eat you up, like holding back that info was doing to you…to us.”
     “Was it getting that bad?” Taneshia asked with worry.
     “I was really worried about you, since you weren’t acting like your normal cheery self for most of the week.  I felt I was becoming…separated from you.”
     “Tommy, I’m sorry,” she said in tears.  “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
     He gave her a warm embrace.  “I know, Tan.  But just remember, you’ve got people who care about you: myself, your parents, and your friends.  You don’t have to face anything alone.  Some things you can talk to just friends, others you can talk to your parents, and when it’s really bad, you can talk to the principal.  Remember the saying, ‘The principal is a pal.’  Mr. Cranston is a pal, since he’s always looking out for us.”
     Ellie said, “Mr. Stanton’s the same way at Gurney.  Sometimes he’s easier to talk to than some of my closest friends.”
     Taneshia dried her eyes of her tears.  “Thank you, Tommy.  You, too, Ellie.  This is gonna be hard to deal with, but at least it won’t be alone.”
     Willis and Jerria smiled at their daughter when they walked up to her.
     “That’s right, hon,” said Jerria.  “We’ll be there for you whenever you need us.”
     Ellie then giggled, “Will you still go to the dance tomorrow night?”
     “Yeah,” Taneshia answered, “I will go to the dance.  After all, I have my date for it.”
     “Me, I’m going to the one at Gurney…only because Dad’s one of the chaperones.  He doesn’t want me to be home alone on a Saturday night.”
     Everyone laughed at Ellie’s joke, which was a great way to relieve the tension which had occurred for most of the week.
     Taneshia then said, “Mom, Dad…is it all right if I go see Val at the hospital?”
     “Of course,” said Willis.  “We were heading there anyhow.”
     When they arrived at the hospital to visit Valerie, they found a surprise visitor in their midst…Cassie.
     “Cassie,” said Taneshia, “what brings you here?”
     “I told Valerie everything, and as you came in I was going to ask her if she could ever forgive me for what I did in all this…”
     Valerie took Cassie’s hand.  “Cassie, I do forgive you.  You’ve got to forgive yourself.  So you’re not the co-captain anymore.  That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
     “You would…let me be your friend, even after—”
     “Cassie, I won’t forget it, but I will forgive.  If Mr. Cranston can give you a chance, I can, too.  I know you just wanted some popularity, and you learned how not to do that.”
     “Yeah,” Cassie giggled.  “You’re right.  And I am serious about testifying against Angel.  She’s not going to take me or Taneshia for the fall.  She will fall alone.”
     Valerie’s father Nathaniel then came up to her.  “Cassie, if you ever need anyone to talk to, you’ve already got a growing support group behind you, and that includes both Vanetta and myself.”
     “Thank you, Mr. Wilder, I appreciate that.  I’ll need that support when I have to go against her.  I’m just glad I’ve got my family and two other families helping me.”
     Rebecca Robbins said, “Sometimes it takes something like this to bring people together.  We’re all in this together now, and Mrs. Marrero.”
     Valerie said, “She dropped by here earlier by herself and was crying for forgiveness.  I told her that she wasn’t to blame for any of it.  Angel was the one who did the crime, so she’s going to end up doing the time.”
     Everyone in the room agreed, making their united friendship a reality despite everything that had happened just days earlier.

     The next day, Taneshia was putting the finishing touches on her dress when her phone rang.  “Hello?”
     “Hey, Tan, it’s Cassie.”
     “Cassie, hi.  How’re you holding up, girl?”
     “Pretty good, all things considered.  I was in front of Mr. Cranston yesterday.”
     “Oh…what’s your punishment?”
     “Mine is a one-week suspension and loss of my co-captain title from the cheerleading team.  I’m not really upset about it, though.  I deserved it.  Plus, I’ll probably have to serve some time and community service for my role in the crime.  It’s a lot better than what Angel’s already facing.”
     “What’s she got?”
     Cassie sighed and then said, “She gets an automatic indefinite suspension and possible expulsion.  Also, needless to say she’s already out as cheerleading captain.  And for her part in the crime, she’s facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident, vehicular assault, and…attempted vehicular homicide, the last two being major felonies.  I just feel sorry for Angel’s mom.  Mrs. Marrero wanted to get Angel away from the gang element, but the element couldn’t get away from Angel.  She really wanted to start trouble.”
     “And all because of one student from Vagley communicating with another from Gurney.  That is so lame.”
     “Yeah…and I almost helped her succeed.”
     “Cassie, stop.  You’re ashamed for going along with her, but you pulled out of her trap by trusting yourself.  When we testify against Angel, we’re gonna do it together.  Instead of you and her against me, it’ll be you and me against her.”
     That gave Cassie a reason to smile.  “Yeah, you’re right.  If Angel thinks she’s dragging us down with her, she’ll find that our one-two punch is more powerful.”  She then noticed her watch.  “Hey, I’ve got to run some errands with Mom.  You going to the dance tonight?”
     “Yeah, since I’ve got friends who want me to go.  I’ll see you back at school.”
     “When I’m off suspension, you’re the first person I want to see at Vagley.”
     “I’ll have you caught up in the gossip in no time.  And Cassie, thanks…for helping me.”
     “Isn’t that what real friends are for?  I’ll see you next Monday at school.”  She then put the receiver back in place and left with her mother.
     Taneshia felt as though something big had been lifted off her shoulders.  “Real friends.  That’s what I’ve got.”
     She then completed her outfit and was ready to go to her dance.

     Harold and Ellie went around town to find the perfect dress for that evening.  Down to the last store, Ellie spotted a dress that looked just right:  turquoise in a chiffon-style look.  “Dad, this is it!  I like this one.”
     “Hmm, maybe we can save this dress for prom later in the year, too.”
     “What is…prom?”
     “Sweetie, I’ll explain all that after the dance.  Now let’s get you home and make sure it fits you.”
     After she tried it and made certain it was a perfect fit, she then went on to the local hairstylist to get her a nice do for that evening.  Even though she had no date for the Homecoming Dance, she felt better being with her adopted father at the dance.
     That night, Harold drove Ellie in the truck and spotted Tommy and Taneshia in Tommy’s car.
     They pulled over to Wilbur’s parking lot for a quick talk.
     Ellie made proper introductions.  “Dad, this is my friend Taneshia Rogers and her boyfriend Thomas Bradley.”
     “Thomas.  You played a great ball game last night.”
     “Thank you, sir,” said Tommy as he shook Mr. Peterson’s hand.  “I wish we could’ve won the game, but in a way we all won because our lost spirit was restored thanks to Princess Elementa.  I still can’t believe Angel would want to start trouble.  I’m just happy for Cassie.”
     Ellie became curious.  “Really?”
     “I told him about that part,” Taneshia noted.  “Mr. Cranston is giving her just a week’s worth of suspension, but Angel is heading for indefinite suspension and even expulsion if she’s found guilty.  You also have to add the probable jail time she’ll get for that crime.  Cassie said she’ll testify against Angel willingly.  She didn’t have to ask for a plea bargain.”
     I’m grateful someone was willing to give Cassie a second chance, Ellie thought to herself.
     Most of the people here on Earth seem to have a policy of forgiveness, said the Spirit’s voice in Ellie’s mind.  Cassie felt deeply ashamed for what she had done, but her courage and honesty has led her to being given a second chance.  She also has friends and family to support her through this ordeal.
     Yes, she does.  Like I have my friends and family helping me cope with life here on Earth…without Mother and Father.  However, their love will always be with me, no matter where I go.
     Yes, Princess Elementa, your parents are still alive within your heart, which is what truly matters.
     Tommy then looked at his watch.  “Oh, boy, we’d better move or we’re all going to be late.”
     “And I can’t be late,” said Harold.  “I’m a chaperone for this evening.”
     The four said their goodbyes and went to the dances at their respective schools.
     At the Vagley High dance, Tommy and Taneshia walked in together, which made some people look at them curiously.
     When Taneshia grew nervous, Tommy said, “Baby, I don’t care what they think.  You are my date, and they’ll just have to live with it.”
     She smiled with a wide grin.  “Yeah, you’re right.  Let’s just forget about ‘em.”
     The two of them took to the dance floor and started enjoying their night with no worries.
     Harold and Ellie arrived safely at the Gurney High Dance.
     “Ready to have some fun, pumpkin?”
     “Sure thing, Dad.”  She then noticed Rob sitting by himself at a nearby table.  Walking up to him, she said, “Hi.”
     Rob noticed Ellie and was immediately stunned.  “Ellie…you look…beautiful in that dress.”
     “I do?”
     “Yeah.  You’ve got a bit of the princess’s real beauty showing right now.”
     Ellie blushed in a near strawberry-red face.  “Oh, you’re just saying that.”
     “No, really, I mean it.”  He then stood up.  “Ellie, even though this isn’t officially some kind of date or whatever, may I have the honor of dancing with you?”
     She then whispered, “Uh, can you show me how?  I never learned how to dance on Naturia.”
     “Of course,” Rob chuckled.  “Just watch me and do what I do.”
     Ellie followed Rob onto the dance floor and started doing some of the fast moves he did.  She followed his steps very closely and soon was able to dance on her own.
     Rob had a wide grin on his face.  “You got it, Ellie!  You’re dancing!”
     She liked the fast-paced music.  “This is so fun!  I hope I can keep this up for a while.”
     “We’ll sit down when the music slows down.  I’m not much of a slow dancer.”
     “You mean there’s a different set of dancing when the music is slower?”
     “Yeah, there is, and I’m not very good at it.”
     Harold looked at his daughter and her best friend and simply smiled.  “Ellie’s learning a lot about Earth already.  Some things very important…and other things that are fun.  It’s nice to see that even a princess of another planet can loosen up and enjoy herself.”
     Ellie thoroughly enjoyed herself during this night and knew she had discovered more about Earthly pop culture.

It’s amazing how a simple thing like a friendly football rivalry can almost become a chaotic war when just one incident takes place.  Angel wanted so badly to start her own dangerous gang that she was willing to harm a fellow student to create tensions between Gurney and Vagley.  Cassie nearly became Angel’s first gang member, but she opted to trust her instincts instead of someone she thought was a friend.  Taneshia knows she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, yet she found the courage to come forward and tell the truth.  As for Ellie, she has inherited a special gift from her mother and has a better understanding of the high school tradition known as Homecoming.

NOTE:  There will be a tag story following this called “Ellie’s Double Trouble Trial,” which will put Cassie and Taneshia against Angel when she goes on trial.  The only problem for Ellie…Princess Elementa will be needed to testify in the middle of the afternoon, and her alter ego is stuck in the middle of a huge test at school!  How will she get out of this?  You’ll just have to wait and see.  This story will be coming soon!

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