CHAPTER
EIGHT

Helaena had allowed Carlisle to finish mending the wounds on her torso, but since that night the Cullen's had a firm eye on her. Despite the avoidance of Jasper Hale, which Helaena tried to seem unbothered by, the girl prepared for the arrival of her sister in days' time.

The significance of what had happened within the old Hermes home had stuck with her. She knew it better not be forgotten, and she wouldn't allow it to be. After all, that would be rather foolish on her part. It has some significance when it comes down to what happened to her parents.

Helaena was rathered weirded out by the fact of what she had found though. She had been fighting with Thomas ever since he took the artifact - and her birth certificate - out of her grasp. Which caused tensions to arise between the two best friends.

She had found out that her birth-given name had been Rhaenyra. An odd name for someone of her generation but as was Helaena. That's a name that the girl had never heard around before, not in many years' time. She had done some research of her own in the time. Especially on the significance of the symbol that resided on the necklace of her attacker.

Winter break had finally arrived on December 22, and was set to end on January 14. Bella would arrive on the 16th and proceed to enroll and attend school alongside Helaena come the morning of the 17th.

Much had changed in Helaena over the span of minutes, hours, and days. It was like she had grown more stubborn, quicker to emotion, and quicker to get things done with no regard for anyone around her. It was almost as if Helaena had died, and someone was reborn in her skin.

The girl sat in her room, staring ahead at her reflection in the mirror. Rhaenyra. That had seemed to be her only thought whenever she looked at herself anymore. Not even recognizing Helaena. Only seeing Rhaenyra. Her mind settled on things that it shouldn't be, a myth that shouldn't be.

Her hair for the most part remained the same. Though, something about the red seemed different. It remained to her waist. Her features remained carved out and tanner than most within Forks, Washington. Her eyes... her eyes were filled with something that she had never seen before, something she would have to wait to discover.

Her outfits had even changed ever so slightly. Looking at herself almost made her sick. The black slip dress that clung to her body that etched out a few of her curves with lace, and the boots that rested on her feet over the fishnets. Not to mention the ruby ring that adorned her finger. 

Helaena made no change in treatment towards her father. Still doing their usual dinners and spending their quality time together. But it was no secret that she had changed. Charlie had even once asked her, simply to get an answer if she didn't know. And she didn't.

Helaena had seen the Cullen family over break, well, the break that she had managed to grasp onto. They all stared, but never once spoke a word. Distance. Something that seemed to follow everyone whenever Helaena was around. Not that she would've minded in the past, but now... now she did.

Helaena's thoughts were interrupted as her phone began to ring, her head whipping around as the long pieces of her hair fell back into place. She walked over to the device before picking up and holding onto it. Thomas. He had been calling her, but upon their conversations avoiding anything that she seemed significant.

Helaena answered the phone and pressed it up to her ear, "If there is something you wish to discuss, that would be of great interest to me then do it. If not, I will not allow you to waste my time anymore with this nonsense, Tommy. I have my priories."

"I know," Thomas spoke clearly as he sighed through the device, "There is a lot that will come with time, I understand what you are going through. I know exactly how you feel and we can work through this. Together. I just need you to back off the explanations for now."

"Back off of explanations for now? Are you mad? This is all I've wanted to know. And how would you know how I feel, Thomas? It's like, ever since everything I've lost myself. Became someone new. It's like - it's like I died," Helaena snapped as she ran her fingers through her hair, "I feel like I'm losing it."

"I felt the same way when this happened to me."

That's when she stopped. This had happened to him too? Why hasn't he said anything? Part of the girl had no clue how to respond but part of her was angry. Angry at the lack of communication that had been passed through the two.

"So this has happened to you as well?" Helaena's anger was laced through her words as she spoke.

"In a different situational time... yes."

"And you never bothered to bring this up? This entire time - you kept it hidden?" Helaena was trying to make herself understand that it wasn't an issue that he had kept this hidden but she couldn't help but find herself upset.

"Helaena, I understand you're upset..." 

Helaena didn't listen to anything he said further on as she hung up the phone call before placing her hands on her temple. She needed some sort of distraction, one that her father wouldn't approve of at the moment but she'd deal with that later.

The girl grabbed her keys before she began to speed down the steps of the home. Her father was at work, per usual, so she simply locked up the home behind her before she made her way to her car. Opening up the door before sitting herself in the front seat.

Helaena ran her hands over her face before she backed out of the driveway. That was, until she was stopped by someone she hadn't planned on seeing. The girl sighed and stopped her vehicle, placing it in park.

"Jacob, what the hell are you doing here?" Helaena forced herself to get out of her car as she leaned against the door.

Jacob looked at her as if expecting her to say something else, but when he realized that she wasn't going to he shook his head while remaining with a smile, "Helaena, I think that we need to talk."

"Talk?" Helaena asked, "I was going out - you know this really isn't a great time."

That's when Jacob paused, his lips pursed as he let out a sigh while his long hair shifted slightly with his movements, "It's important, Rhaenyra."

That caused Helaena's actions to freeze completely, her blood running cold as she acted confused while tilting her head to the side, "What?"

"We need to get inside, we'll be safer talking in there. Charlie isn't home anyway," Jacob motioned for her to follow after him as he made his way up the stairs that lead to the front door while Helaena let out a sigh and shut her door following after him.

"You know this meeting is really inconvenient, Jacob," Helaena got passed the native as she began to unlock the door before allowing him to enter first before following after and shutting the door once again, "How many times am I going to leave and have to come back before actually leaving?" 

"So, I take it you know about the Cullen's?" Jacob looked at her as he began to walk into her living room as if this was some type of regular conversation as he occasionally glanced back at her with an expectant look. 

Helaena leaned against one of the walls as her eyebrows furrowed, "I know that they aren't what they seem, but I don't intend to meddle on what they are. Not unless it ties into any importance of what I'm-"

"You're looking into it," Jacob sat down on the couch as he looked a little letdown, "You need to understand one thing, Helaena. Things aren't that easy here. I'm not supposed to talk about this - with anyone." 

Helaena lifted her head ever so slightly as she scoffed, "And so you come to me? To make a difference? How do you know about Rhaenyra?"

"I know about you," was Jacob's quick response as he looked at her, "Just as we know about Thomas. The Cullen's."

"And what about Thomas?" Helaena questioned before Jacob rose to his feet once again.

"You can't go looking into this, Helaena. If what is said to happen comes true, we won't be on the same side anymore. I won't be able to protect you," Jacob made his point as clear as he could which caused her blood to boil.

"Why can't you just tell me? Why is everyone treating me as if I cannot handle anything?" She began to fume as she went chest to chest with the boy, "If you're going to come here and use that name then I expect you to have the decency - no the balls to discuss these matters."

As Helaena seemingly lost her temper on Jacob, as she began to breathe harshly the boy inspected her. He seemingly could tell a change in her attitude as well. She wasn't sure what he thought of it nor did she really care, she just wanted to know what he was keeping from her as if it wasn't the reason he came to confront her.

"You can't let this take hold of you, Helaena," Jacob's words now seemed to come from the kindness of his heart, "I know it's going to change you and you're going to give in but you can't. Be who you are. Be the girl who got anxious, be the girl who stayed quiet, be the girl you were."

Helaena inhaled sharply before letting out a scoff, backing off of Jacob, "So that's what this is about? Change? Well, I'll be damned if I let some little boy who can't handle change have his opinion on my life change my path. What if I'm tired of being that girl, Jacob?" She shot back at him.

"No, you aren't," Jacob spoke firmly as he looked at her, "You aren't tired."

Helaena laughed, her eyes seemingly glassy, "But I am. I'm tired of being whispered about. I'm tired of letting other people affect me. I'm tired of being shunned and pushed down!" Her tone began to raise as she spoke, "I'm tired of being treated carefully and having information hidden as if it's something I cannot handle or understand. Now if one more person is to speak of this to me, then they better tell me something," Helaena shoved her finger harshly into Jacob's chest as she shook her head.

"It isn't my place to tell you," Jacob was trying to keep his cool, "We're just trying to protect you and those around you. This wouldn't be happening if they weren't around."

"If you're talking about who I think you are then you are wrong, they aren't around and I could care less about them," Helaena spoke firmly before she looked over at the door, "Is this all?"

"We both know that's a lie, Rhaenyra," Jacob's emotional roller coaster almost matched Helaena's, but the whirlwind of the girl's emotions seemed to be a part of Jacob's plan.

"Stop using that name," Helaena found herself saying firmly as she placed her hands on her temples as she felt as if her thoughts were getting louder, "How do you know that!"

"Some secrets aren't hidden far enough for someone not to find them," Jacob placed a hand on her shoulder only to be shoved harshly off, "You need to stay away from them just as they are staying away from you right now. It's the smartest thing for you and your future," Jacob's words made no sense to Helaena.

"Leave," Helaena spoke firmly, before noting how Jacob made absolutely no effort to move which caused her to look at him with pure anger, "I said leave. Now."

The boy simply stared at her as if reading her emotions. It was clear he had riled her up. Riled her up like no one had ever seen her before. Helaena felt as everything within her pulsed. Her vision was tainted red with anger. She couldn't help it. She didn't know what was happening or why it was happening. What she was becoming. 

"I know this is hurting you, despite how much you lash out, no matter how much you yell, I can see the pain in your eyes," Jacob gave her a small look of an acknowledgment as he moved back from her, "I just need you to keep trying to fight it. Don't let the emotions fuel you, that will be your downfall." 

"Why can't anyone tell me?" Helaena asked as she hit the wall harshly, causing Jacob to wince due to how hard her fist hit.

Jacob moved towards the door as he opened it once more, "Because everyone wants to protect you," were his final words to her before he left the home completely. 

Helaena leaned her back against the wall as she tried to collect herself. She didn't understand why any of this was happening and why it seemed to be happening to her. She had lost a grip on herself completely and look at what she had started to become.

How could she let herself fall this hard? 

Helaena once again left the home as she grabbed her keys. Locking the house before getting into her vehicle, not allowing anyone to stop her as she whipped out of the driveway before stepping on the gas as she began to drive. 

The day was cloudy, yet no rain had fallen. The roads were dry as the town remained dreary. Helaena's hands gripped the steering wheel harshly as she continued to speed around the roads in broad daylight. Not caring if a cop caught her or not, she deserved some sort of punishment. Whether it be from some kind of higher power or simply from her father.

Helaena pulled into Suki's driveway after her fiasco of driving like a maniac. Knowing damn well that her friend would have some sort of distraction for her. Whether it be smoking something that she dared not to ask what it was or whether it be drinking some sort of alcohol. But she noticed that there were other cars resting in her driveway.

Helaena did not give two shits who was over here at the moment as long as they did not do anything that provoked her in any way, which at the moment seemed to be rather easy. She took a few long strides before knocking on the door and entering the home.

"Helaena!" Matteo pulled the burning joint from his lips as his hands went into the air at the sight of his friend, "Look at you! Joining us!"

"Good girl," Suki joked as she winked at her friend, "I figured I'd see you soon. I know it's been a rather hard time for you recently."

Helaena let out a small laugh as she shut the door behind her, "Oh you've got no idea," Helaena walked over to hug her friend before inhaling sharply, "How long have you been here?" The question was directed at Matteo.

"Maybe half an hour? Twenty minutes?" Matteo began to throw out little spouts of time causing Helaena to roll her eyes.

"And it already smells like this? Damn, Teo," Helaena teased her friend as the smell of weed burned her nostrils, "That's impressive."

"I know," Suki placed a hand on her shoulder, "I was rather caught off guard by it as well. Well, I was more or so caught off guard when he jumped through a window and slept in my bathroom."

"What?" Helaena questioned as she looked genuinely concerned, "Matteo did that? What the hell?"

Suki patted Helaena's shoulder as she nodded, "Yeah, it was a rather weird fit of his. Said something happened." 

There was never a dull moment with Matteo. That was, to say the least. There could be times when some things he did were completely random. Sometimes they startled the group, everyone was surprised he had never been arrested. Especially when they'd find him in their houses and knowing they never let him in. But everyone stopped questioning after a while knowing how bad his family life was. 

Well, most of them did. Helaena never did and made sure he couldn't randomly burst into her house. She found that crossing quite a few lines. If he told her before hand or called her while he was on his way, sure. Out of random? Absolutely not. 

Helaena grabbed a bottle from Suki's fridge after moving to grab something, deciding that she did not want to smoke. She never fancied smoking. Something about the smell drew her away from it so she usually stuck to underage drinking. She wasn't sure which one was better as most alcohols tasted as bitter as weed smelled. 

The girl moved to sit on one of the bean bags in Suki's livingroom as the talking ensued. Well, Matteo's little self-talks ensued. Helaena was sure that the boy was living on cloud nine at the moment with some of the things he was saying. 

"You gotta be like duuuude look at me!"

"He's gone," Helaena looked at Suki as she laughed, "Like really gone."

"Aren't we all?" Suki joked as she rolled her head around to pop her neck, "I have a feeling that soon you will be too. Which is weird, it's rare you get like that."

"And for a good reason," Helaena answered simply, "I don't want an addiction and I'd rather not let my father figure out the things I participate in at times."

Suki nodded as she leaned her head to the side, "Fair enough. Though, I do require an explanation."

Helaena rolled her eyes as she sighed, "Boy trouble," She lied.

"Oh?" Suki questioned before motioning for her to continue.

"Thomas is with Alice, but he still feels entitled to play with my love life and my life. Trying to get Jasper Hale close with me but we got into a fight over a few things."

It was almost like a switch in Helaena had flipped as she came up with the story. The story that had seemingly entranced Suki and Matteo. The story that had unlocked something that no one would know.