CHAPTER
' the unlikely mystery gang, three dangers, and one anxious and fiery girl '
FIVE

That night stuck with Helaena. Even after Jasper and Thomas left. It was almost as if the entire time she had any free time, she was going over what she had found and old documents.

But she remained going to the Strip on Sunday nights with her friends.

It was now near the end of December and Helaena knew she needed to work quickly. She didn't need all of this around when her sister came back in town, not that she was afraid of Bella finding out.

She just didn't want her nose in somewhere it did not belong.

And with the holidays approaching and Bella's arrival coming, she knew that she needed to work quickly if she didn't want anyone to know. She needed to be careful about it too. The last thing she needed was for her father to find out what she was doing without him knowing.

As the girl flipped through her book on her bed, she lost track of time. She had been working since five in the morning, and haven woken up since she couldn't get herself to sleep. Fucking Insomnia. 

Helaena ran her fingers through her hair before she looked up at the time, she needed to get to school, now. She was about to run extremely late and she knew that would only make Charlie mad yet again and it would send up red flags to her friends since she never showed up late.

Helaena knew she was probably going to look like a wreck with how fast she was having to get ready. A pair of wide-legged jeans cling lowly to her hips as a white top covered her along with a flannel.

"Fuck, fuck," Helaena was practically running, sliding her converse on before grabbing her bag and sprinting.

She had jewelry in her car that she could wear and thankfully, she was off probation now. No longer grounded, not that she really followed the rules her father had put in place anyway.

She could go around freely and that was what she was going to do. She could hang out with whoever whenever and she could easily go racing again. Something that she absolutely loved doing. 

But then there was a lot more that she was going to be doing and there was a lot more that she had learned during the time she was told to stay within the grounds of her house.

She had determined two things during the time period that she was grounded.

One, is that the missing artifact was the l'ascesa della triade degli dei, or the rise of the triad of gods. An artifact that was sought after due to the fact it was rumored to be able to summon one of the three so-called gods or hexes as most knew them by in some sources of tales from mythology.

Two, that the Cullen family did not seem to like her very much. Besides Alice who would bubble up and try to start talking to her while Thomas was around or when she was talking to Jasper, the others kept their distance giving her looks as she passed.

Speaking of Jasper and Thomas, they were the only two that knew about the new mystery that Helaena had embarked on herself. Trying to find this artifact and find out what truly happened the night of her parents' deaths.

Helaena pulled into the school before quickly getting out of her car and making her way into one of the buildings and sliding into one of her classrooms just as the bell had rung. She was quickly making her way to the back of her math class as she gave a swift nod to Jasper.

"You were almost late," He forced out as he looked at her.

Helaena wasn't sure if Jasper was shy anymore. Just by the way he had to force out his words, maybe talking wasn't something he did? Helaena knew that not many people had ever actually heard him speak.

The girl gave a slight nod as she looked back at the board as she ignored his words. What else would she say to him? I need to keep this close. What if he lets word get out? Or Thomas?

Helaena was not having anyone help her embark on this new mystery that she would be going on. This mystery of what the actual hell happened to her family.

"These projects will be presented, so please stay aware of what you do."

Dr. Pope had been going on and on about the projects. Never letting anyone forget about what they needed to do or who their partners were. 

"We've got to proofread our writing. For the most part, it's finished," Jasper began to explain as he kept his eyes on the paper in his hands.

Not a moment went by that Helaena did not have a growing suspicion that there was more to meets the eye with Jasper and his family. Something just gave the girl an off vibe about him.

"Yeah," Helaena agreed as she chewed on her lip, "And how we want to present it."

Helaena did not have anything in particular that she wanted to do. She usually had all of the reigns when working but now that she had someone else, she didn't have to break her back to get everything done before the deadline and have it perfect.

"We'll figure that out," Jasper finished the conversation at that.

Helaena sighed before she pulled out her notebook from home. One in which she wasn't using for class. She was actually writing about what she could find on her parents and about the statue of the hexes. To Helaena, the statue sounded kinda lame.

Helaena kept to herself for the rest of class. Writing down her thoughts and different things that she could think of. Different outcomes or possibilities or just facts about the mythology that might've led her to some sort of clue. 

As soon as the bell rang, her notebook as shut before Jasper could peak back over into it and it was placed into her bag. She slung it over her shoulder before quickly leaving the classroom. Her grip on her bookbag was deadly as she walked through the crowds.

She absolutely hated the crowds.

Helaena blew a few pieces of her hair out of her face as she slipped into yet another classroom. Thomas managed to get caught up with her as he slipped into Calculus as well, noticing how as soon as she sat down how her face was pressed in her notebook.

And once she noticed him, that notebook was hidden from his gaze rather quickly. Helaena was giving him a look as she acted as if nothing had happened. Thomas looked rather annoyed by this action as he nudged her shoulder. Just giving you a taste of your own medicine. She couldn't help but think.

Helaena was definitely still salty over the whole Cullen family situation. 

"I'm not sure if that's safe for you to look into," Thomas whispered as he seemingly gathered some sort of idea of what Helaena was looking into.

Helaena ignored him as she leaned back into her seat, her eyes trained on the whiteboard, "I have no clue what you're talking about. I think it's okay to look at the math notes that we use for this class."

She acted as if she had no clue what he was talking about. Thankfully, she could easily lie. She just hated that she had to lie to Thomas.

"You can't lie, not to me," Thomas muttered as he kept his eyes forward, "Everyone's worried, Helaena."

"No one should be and what do you mean everyone? No one knows anything," Helaena tapped her fingers against the fabric of her jeans.

I swear, if this little cocksucker said anything... Helaena knew that Thomas always kept her words close. He never spread them around, but what if he did? LHelaenaana couldn't help the mistrust at this point. It was her anxiety talking.

Thomas shook his head as he copied down his notes, a sigh falling from his lips, "Kermit, please. If you're doing this let me help. I don't want you to go through this alone and be disappointed."

"My feelings are not anyone's concern," Helaena gave him a look as she followed after his actions.

It seemed that he wasn't going to let this drop and he didn't. The rest of class the two bickered back and forth under their breaths about what Helaena was doing. Thomas was clearly opposed to the idea while Helaena was trying to push him away. She did not want him involved.

But part of her did. 

Her mind was contradicting itself. She was worried for Thomas' safety if she did tell him because if there was a silver of a chance that her parents were killed? She wasn't putting that risk on Thomas. She wasn't risking his life. He was her family. 

The two got up once the bell rang as Helaena and Thomas both placed their things back into their bags. Thomas had gone silent for a few minutes as his eyes flickered between his belongings and Helaena's face. The girl didn't say much as she kept her eyes low. 

"Kermit," Thomas tried again as the two exited the room, "You've gotta listen to me. You're my sister, I'm trying to keep you safe," Thomas tried to explain as the two walked out the door.

"And not telling me about your relationship was keeping me safe?" Helaena retorted as she let her head hang low, "I'm not some little girl, Tommy."

Thomas sighed as he shook his head, looping his arm with hers, "You are anything but a little girl. Trust me, I know that. I've known that since the day I met you. Kermit, I just... what if it happens to you? There's a lot you don't know, things aren't what they seem. And the Cullen's... they aren't safe."

"And what if it happens to you too?" Helaena retorted, "Haven't you stopped to think about the fact I'm trying to keep you safe and how come they aren't safe? You are dating one and..."

"Helaena," Thomas gave her a warning look and Helaena noticed the eyes that had fallen on her at the end of the hall, the Cullen's.

"Is this what we've come to? Just lying to each other?" Helaena turned to look at him, "Because if so, I'm just going back on my own. I'll see you around."

"Wait," Thomas tried to grab her arm but she was already making her way to her next class.

Helaena knew that she was probably being unreasonable with her friend. After all, Thomas had been there since the beginning. Before anyone else was and this was how she was treating him.

Helaena found herself going into the bathroom as she dropped her bag at the door with the others. Walking over to the sink as she rubbed her head, leaning against one of the walls as she tried to think about how she could make this up to him yet make it unknown what she was doing.

Though, Thomas had always been able to see through what she was doing. No matter what she did, he knew.

"Look, I don't know what your problem is but don't go prying into my family," Rosalie Hale had come into the bathroom, causing Helaena's eyes to dart into her direction.

"I'm not trying to pry but Thomas was saying something and it just doesn't make any sense, please don't think I'm trying to pry," This was the last thing that Lana wanted to happen as her anxiety began to get worse.

"Keep telling yourself that. Stay away from my brother, I do not care what you two have in classes to work on together. He can do it or you can. You are not someone that can be near us," She grumbled as her amber eyes fell over the girl who was shaking.

Helaena practically ran around Rosalie to grab her bag and nearly fell trying to flee the bathroom.

"Wait," Rosalie came out after her, grabbing her arm while the rest of the family plus Thomas turned his head.

"Hey!" Thomas called out.

"I'm not trying to come off strong or scare you, I'm trying to keep you from getting hurt," Rosalie spoke firmly as she finally released her grip from Helaena, once she noticed the tears and the fear on the girl's face.

"Rosalie," This time it was Jasper, now standing near Helaena with a dark look on his features.

Helaena didn't hesitate to get the hell out of the hallway, not even waiting to see what Jasper was going to say to his sister. Practically running from the group who all shared similar looks while Thomas called after her. 

Helaena went through her next class practically clinging to herself. Not having much to say to anyone. And once she reached lunch? She wouldn't even sit at a table with her friends. Sitting to herself as she held her notebook, still shaking, and to the rest of the world, looking her usual nervous wreck of a self.

Helaena's eyes barely left the notebook as she heard the scrape of the chairs around her. It wasn't until her notebook was snatched away by Thomas that she even made any sort of movement. Even then, it was her arms going back to herself.

Three people had taken their seats at the table.

Two people Helaena was told were dangerous and one was the person she trusted more than anything.

"Helaena," Thomas kept his eyes on hers, "Breath."

"Everyone's looking," Helaena whispered out as her head slowly tilted down.

"No. That's just what your mind is telling you," Despite the amount of pain that fell over Jasper's eyes, he still tried to help even a little bit, "It's the anxiety. The only people that are looking at you are us, your friends."

Helaena didn't say anything as she adjusted herself in her seat. She never actually believed that he was her friend. School partner? Sure. Friend? Not so much. 

"Helaena, hey," Alice tried as she made Thomas move as she moved her chair to Helaena's side, Helaena didn't make any effort to move, "I know that you're upset and you are scared. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be. You have every right to be like that but guess what? We're gonna help."

"What about you all being dangerous," Helaena muttered under her breath as her eyes started to go over the tiles, as her mind started to count how many there were. 

Alice's eyes fell on the other two at the table, "There's a lot of danger everywhere. Just like the danger you're going to be in if you go looking at this mystery alone and no, Thomas didn't tell me. I found out myself because I went through old archives."

Archives? Helaena hadn't thought of going through the archives, but they were in the station. Holy shit, Alice Cullen broke into the fucking archives. Helaena did not expect that of the small girl. 

"You... okay," Helaena was not sure how else to respond but she knew she would figure it out eventually.

If not, she'd just go silent per usual. Everyone knew that. What was there to say? Helaena wasn't this highly talkative person. It took her time to even be herself around other people. She needed to be comfortable around someone. They had to have some sort of connection or understanding.

Helaena's fingers continued to tap a rhythm faster and faster on her leg. Her eyes fell over onto the book that was still in Thomas' hands. His eyes went over what she knew before she saw him halt. Looking up at her as his eyes narrowed.

"l'ascesa della triade degli dei?" Thomas questioned as he looked at Helaena, "That's what they found?"

The table went painfully silent. Now all eyes fell back onto Helaena before quickly moving away noticing how she got really anxious again. Helaena swallowed down whatever bit of her anxiety she could before she began to feel calm again.

She was trying to think of what she could say to them exactly without it being too much. 

"Yeah," was her simple response as she nodded her head, "That's what they found. That is what I think got them killed."

Helaena noticed the way that Thomas was quick to hand her the book back, not passing it to the other two as she moved to place it back into her bag. Noticing the expression that rested on Thomas' face. She knew damn well he knew about the story behind the artifact. For some reason, he had always been interested in it.

"I don't care what you say, we're working on this together," Thomas didn't give her any chance to oppose, "This is definitely something way bigger than all of us and I need you to understand that, Helaena," It was still odd to Helaena to hear Thomas call her by her name, "We're going to do this but we have to be careful."

"And we will be," Alice agreed as she looked at Helaena, "We're involved. No buts! It'll give us a great time to bond and work together and I think we may need a bit of that."

Helaena finally looked around at everyone, meeting their gazes. She noticed the look that rested on Jasper's face. He seemed to be stuck in his own mind.

"I guess our project is the least of our worries," Helaena tried to make a joke to see if Jasper would have any sort of response.

And he did.

He cracked the tiniest grin as his eyes went to the other table with the rest of their family before he looked back at Helaena, "Dr. Pope isn't goin' to stop until we show off what we've done."

Helaena chewed on her inner lip as she gave a slight nod before looking around the cafeteria, "I'm going to sneak into my parent's old home tonight. See if I can find anything," Helaena decided as she tilted her head.

"We'll be there," Jasper didn't waste a beat before talking.

"I was going to go alone," Helaena muttered.

"Nope," Thomas shook his head, "I'm with the cowboy."

"Cowboy?" Helaena asked confused, not knowing where this nickname came from.

"Long story that I'll tell you one day," Jasper had a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Helaena had the ghost of a smile dance on her lips as she looked back at the ground again, nodding as she let out a small laugh.