CHAPTER
' exchanged numbers and lock-in '
THREE

Helaena's annoyance did not die down at all since her math class. Maybe it was the fact that only an hour had passed, or maybe it was the fact that it nagged her during second period even more.

Why did it nag her more? Well, maybe because Alice Cullen happened to be with her in that class and if it weren't for Jasper Hale being her desk mate, in yet another class, Helaena would've either said something or thrown something.

All her anxiety aside, her anger was in far more control.

The girl listened to the lecture that yet another teacher happened to give. One of the more boring classes that Helaena usually spent time reading in. Though, today Helaena was not in a reading mood.

The entire class, Helaena felt like someone's eyes were just stuck on her and it only added to her emotions. She began to shift in her seat after a while and nearly fell.

Key word, nearly.

Helaena felt as if her body completely froze once she had realized who had a grasp on her body. It only made sense that it was him, seeing as he was the only person near her, but that didn't make it any less shocking.

Once she managed to get back fully seated with his help, Helaena just sat there.

Her anger was now seemingly forgotten for the moment.

Helaena didn't utter a single word as she looked at Jasper Hale with wide eyes due to his actions. Sure, she knew he was a gentleman but never in her life expected... that.

"Thanks," Helaena's voice was barely above a whisper as she fixed herself in her seat once more.

Jasper gave a slight nod uttering out a, "Your welcome," before the silence fell back over the two as the lecture continued.

So, in conclusion, Helaena Swan was utterly baffled. Everything on that day happened to be really strange. Nothing that Helaena had expected.

It continued to stay silent as Helaena's discomfort subsided. Looking at the teacher before practically waiting for the bell to ring. It wasn't until she felt yet another tap on her shoulder right before the bell rang that she paused.

When Helaena turned, she caught the sight of Jasper Hale who was now accompanied by Alice Cullen. Alice looking at her with a wide smile while Jasper clearly looked like he wanted to run away from the scene as soon as possible.

"Need something?" Helaena questioned, not letting her anger get the best of her as she tilted her head, "I'm..."

"Helaena," Jasper's voice was low as he spoke, the sound of her name leaving his lips caused her stomach to do a twirl.

"Yeah," Helaena began to tap the same rhythm with her fingers.

It went silent once more, until Alice shook her head with a wide grin as she tilted her head, "Go on. Ask her."

Ask me? What? Helaena found herself growing confused at Alice's words before remembering they had a project together. Fuck. That's probably what it's about.

Jasper looked beyond uncomfortable as he looked from Alice to Helaena before gripping his bag tightly, "May I have your number so we can go over the project?" He asked, his eyes now being trained on the girl as if she was going to run at any moment.

And she probably would've.

Helaena gave a quick nod before she began to fumble to get her phone before she flipped it open and handed it to Jasper as he handed her his, "Just put your number in and I'll put mine in."

I'm getting Jasper Hale's phone number. Jasper Hale is getting my phone number. Holy shit, holy shit. Helaena's mind was going nearly four hundred miles per hour as she typed in her number before handing it back to Jasper, getting her phone back at the same time.

"See! That wasn't so hard," Alice beamed with a bright smile before looking at Helaena, "I'm Alice, and I am so sorry for everything. I was going to tell you myself if Thomas waited any longer but it seems..."

Helaena shook her head as she slipped her phone back into her bag, "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry for being nosey."

No, I am not. Helaena couldn't help but think. Of course, she was nosey! It was payback for Thomas being involved in every little thing that happened within Helaena's barely existent love life.

The second bell rang causing the trio to look at the source of the noise before Helaena gave a smile, trying to remain calm, "I'll see you two around."

And with that she disappeared.

Helaena managed to get through two more classes without any disruptions before she ended up at lunch. Making her way through the halls as she ignored the whispers that followed as she passed. No doubt coming up with some story about Thomas.

"Did you hear? Swan's talking to a Hale!"

"Maybe it's her way of getting back at Cullen for taking Thomas!"

And Helaena stood correct. For the most part at least. She weaved through the crowds before ending up at the lunch room a bit later than everyone else. Her grasp on her bag was much tighter as she walked over to her designated table.

Matteo, Nova, and Suki were already seated at the table. Thomas was talking with Alice at the doors as Helaena made her quick escape to her seat as she placed her head in her hands. She remembered why she stayed close to such a small group.

The gossip.

Gossip and rumors were the soul thing that made Helaena want to take out as many people as she could. If every rumor about her was true, she would be one of the pettiest and sneakiest bitches in Forks. Well, besides Jessica Stanley.

"So, anything you want to tell us?" Suki questioned as her eyebrows raised, "I heard a little something about..."

"Just shut up," Helaena's head rose from her hands as she shook her head, "I don't want to talk about anything right now. Okay? There's nothing going on."

Suki looked taken aback by Helaena's tone before she settled back in her seat as she went back to looking at Nova. The girl looked slightly worried seeing Helaena's expression.

"You can't let them get to you, L," Nova leaned up as she placed her hands on top of Helaena's, "They have nothing better to do with their lives."

And then two more seats began to get taken at the table, causing Helaena to slip back and go silent.

Ruth and Henry had taken their seats. Both had their hands all over each other while Henry had a wide smile on his lips. Ruth looked as miserable as ever. It wasn't a new thing, Ruth made it very apparent how she felt from the beginning.

"So, you all went to the strip last night?" Henry asked as he began to get his lunch out of the bag, "I thought we were too old for that."

Ruth's raven hair was tied back in a messy bun as her pale skin shined in the lights of the school. She was almost blinding to look at but then there was her boyfriend, Henry. He generally kept himself looking well. His blonde hair was always styled and the slight scruff on his face was kept to a minimum.

"No one's ever too old for a good race," was Suki's response as she made a face, "Aren't you two a little too old to be that touchy? Oh wait, this is a public space not a sex dungeon."

Helaena faked a gag causing Matteo to laugh as he leaned back into his seat. His eyebrows moved to make some sort of suggestive comment while Helaena went back to fiddling with her fingers.

"So, Thomas is with Cullen?" Ruth questioned as her eyes fell on Helaena, "Why didn't you tell anyone? I thought you two were hooking up and dating."

And here it was. The moment that Lana had been waiting for. Ruth had a thing since she first met Lana that she was screwing Thomas in some sort of way. Never letting go of it even as the years passed and lovers came and went with the pair. It was maddening.

Helaena made a face of pure disgust as she shook her head, "He's like a brother. I've told you that since freshman year, I don't actually screw Thomas."

"Except that one time," Matteo pointed out before Helaena gave him a harsh glare, "Not helping... sorry."

"We were drunk. Now, look. I have my own life and I don't put it on display like you do. I didn't know and even if I did wouldn't have told anyone if he wanted to keep it quiet," Helaena explained as she let her head fall back.

It was true. There had been one incident between the pair. The two had gotten a little too much to drink after one race and one thing led to another. Neither resented the other for the moment, nor did they care.

If anything they just labeled it as one time where they needed to let loose.

"Someone's jealous," Henry found himself saying with a small laugh, "Rumor has it..."

Now that made her blood boil. Helaena couldn't help that the comment sent her over the edge but she was tired of hearing about those damn rumors. Her day was already shit, couldn't people see that? Why could they not just leave her alone for a few sane moments?

Was that too much to ask for?

"ENOUGH WITH THE RUMORS!" Helaena yelled causing everyone in the lunch room to look at her which only made it worse, "Fuck this."

"Helaena," Matteo got up with the girl as she grabbed her bag once more.

"Just stay here," Helaena shook her head before tugging herself away from the table, leaving the lunch room with a bright red face as she practically ran due to feeling everyone's lurking gazes.

"Yo! Helaena, wait!" Thomas called out as he looked over in the direction of the door.

Helaena did not respond as she was quick to shut the door of the cafeteria. The girl letting out a sigh as she placed her hands on her face while walking under the awnings of the building. Why the hell can't people just mind their business?

I can't with these fucking people. Why can't they keep their eyes to themselves? Or their comments? I didn't fucking ask, Helaena's only sanity was the curse words that filled her mind. Letting her anger and aggression out in her mind despite letting it out physically.

The rest of Helaena's day did not go any better. The constant looks, the whispers. It was like someone was just waiting for something. It drove her mad but she never said or did anything. Simply going about her day while ignoring everyone.

Even her friends.

It only got worse as she walked into another building. Heads immediately shot in her direction as those damned whispers started up yet again. Helaena had to stop herself from physically hitting someone. Until, that nagging voice caught her ears.

"Yeah! Helaena's screwing Hale, are you all really that surprised? She's soooo lonely it's not funny!" Karris fucking Sink.

Maybe hitting someone won't be that bad, Helaena was rethinking over every action as her eyes narrowed. Karris' gaze catching her own. It was this never-ending cycle of anger between these two. Helaena had never done anything to her though, which only made it harder for her to continue to keep her cool.

"And speaking of the girl, there she is! Ms. Helaena Swan! Hide your boyfriends, everyone," Karris let out a laugh.

"Says you, you can't shut your fucking mouth, can you?" All jokes aside, Helaena really was about to lay it on her in that moment.

It was either let it out now or later. So, why not now?

"What was that?" Karris acted shocked as she placed her hand over her heart, "What did you say to me?"

"Don't play dumb. Or did that hair dye finally seep through to your brain and ruin whatever brain cell you had left? Or did you even have any in the beginning?" Helaena retorted as her shyness slipped away.

"You did not," Karris moved forward before the sound of running footsteps approached.

"Oh I did and I will again," Helaena now stood tall over Karris.

There wasn't even that much of a height difference between the two. Helaena was five-five while Karris was four-ten. Well, there was a bit of a difference but you understand the picture.

"Helaena! Don't!" Here was Thomas, trying to save Helaena yet another regret.

"Don't what?" Helaena whipped her head back in Thomas' direction, her face nearly as red as her hair, "I have every right to say something."

Noting that there were quite a few people now standing with him. Their entire friend group stood there, plus Ruth and Henry. Along with a few of the Cullen's. Of course, he had to drag them here.

"Ohh, listen to Thomas. He knows what's best for you," Karris faked a pout as she tilted her head, "Since you can't be independent."

And that is when everything went to hell.

"Aww, me? I can be independent. Do I make someone else say something for me or am I cowardly enough to speak about you behind your back? Even with anxiety I say that shit to your ugly ass face," Helaena retorted as she huffed, "Least my mirror didn't shatter when I passed it."

Karris launched at Helaena. Trying to grab her hair as she threw a lousy punch causing Helaena to roughly shove her to the ground before throwing her bag and getting on top as she started to beat against Karris' arms, landing a few punches to her face.

"I told you!" Alice yelled over the ruckus of the girl's fighting.

"Helaena," Matteo tried to get ahold of the girl and get her off but she was not moving.

The fight continued, someone occasionally tried to get ahold of one of the girls as they hit one another before backing away. It wasn't until Karris managed to flip Helaena, before Helaena grabbed her by her shoulders and roughly shoved her into a locker.

Karris' face was bleeding. Helaena's cheek was bleeding.

Maybe that's what caused a bit more of a situation than intended.

"Alice," Thomas looked over at the others before Helaena was grabbed by someone who was way stronger than her before being handed over to Matteo and Thomas as the Cullen's disappeared.

"What the hell?" Helaena looked confused by what had just happened.

"Jasper managed to end that fight. Be glad he did," Matteo responded shortly, though, he seemed just as confused.

Helaena and Karris both glared at each other until they noticed the principal standing right in front of them, causing a groan to leave Helaena's lips as they were being dragged into the office. Matteo and Thomas are left with their other friends in the halls.

Yet another thing that Helaena would have to deal with. What would her father say? Shit, I'm really in for it. Helaena sat herself down in one of the chairs in front of the principal's desk and crossed her arms tightly over her chest, finding all of this very shitty. Though, she should've known better.

"Do you two have any idea what you have done?" The principal asked with a stern expression, clearly not happy with the situation, "Explain yourselves."

"She hit me first!" Karris yelled as she began to wail.

Helaena looked over at the girl as her eyes narrowed before she looked back at the principal, "She was starting rumors about me so I talked to her about it and she got all physical with me. If you don't believe me ask Matteo Mathers, Thomas Tozier, or even the Cullen kids!"

The bickering like this went back and forth for what seemed like an hour, the principal listening to both sides of the story before he inevitably played in favor of Helaena and let her off with a warning since she pleaded self-defense.

"You shouldn't have hit her back," The principal was very adamant on this statement.

"So if she whipped out a gun on me I shouldn't do the same? You're breeding this generation to get killed!" Helaena grumbled before she adjusted herself in her seat, "Just call my dad already."

And he did.

He did not hesitate to call her father which only made it worse. Though, she could hear her father's tone on the other end of the line. He was clearly not happy at all about the situation but she knew he would get over it in time. If not, then that was his problem.

"You two are free to leave."

And Helaena did, she left rather quickly. Ignoring the looks that immediately went her way as she practically stormed out of the school, going through the halls with a scowl and not looking at anyone. Not waving or being polite as she usually did.

She was just ready to get the fuck out of there.

Helaena was one of the first students to pull out of the parking lot. Ready to just get home and relax for a bit. That's all she wanted. She needed something to cool down and at home, she could easily do that. Though, she was grounded as soon as she got home and she knew that from Charlie's voice over the phone.

Helaena pulled her car to a stop in the driveway as she placed her head on the steering wheel. Letting out a sigh of annoyance before pulling down her mirror and looking at the cut on her cheek before she went to deal with the madness of the world.

At most, she'd be grounded for a week. No going in or out of the home unless it's for school. But she knew her ways around that. She couldn't go out but Charlie was gone so much that did not mean that no one could come in.

And when he came home Helaena nearly screamed.

"What were you thinking?" Charlie was not yelling at her but he was clearly not happy.

"She wouldn't stop talking about me," Helaena explained trying to remain as calm as possible.

Charlie pinched the bridge of his nose, "You know what's going to happen."

She did know.

And as mad as she was about it, she wasn't fighting it.