CHAPTER
'the not so great day of truths'
TWO

When getting up and getting ready for school the next day, Helaena couldn't help but drag herself along. Not wanting to go to school and deal with the people that resided there.

Helaena drug herself out of her bed as she began to look at herself in the mirror of her room. Letting out a yawn before she began to stretch, causing a loud pop of her back.

"Are you up?" A knock tapped against her bedroom door, signaling that Charlie Swan was awake and at home as well.

"I'm up," Helaena's voice was groggy, a clear indication that she had just gotten up.

A huff came from the other side of the door. It wasn't anything to be angry about, it was often her father's response. He was not the most talkative person despite being Police Chief.

Helaena looked over at her discarded clothes on the floor before walking over to her closet, and peering through it, and trying to figure out what she would wear for yet another day in the hell that was Forks High.

The most boring place ever.

Helaena sighed before looking around in her closet and dropping off her bed clothes she had managed to put on before crawling back in her head the night prior, hands reaching for the clothes that rested, hanging, on the top shelf of her closet.

Helaena ended up getting down a black skirt and one of her white tops, pausing for a moment as she adjusted them within her grip before grabbing down a mesh sweater and a leather jacket. Walking over and placed them on her bed as she moved to grab a pair of black tights.

It didn't take her long to get changed, it was the mere fact she had zero clue what shoes she wanted to wear. So, what did she do? Call the only person she had ever trusted to help make the decisions on what she should wear, Thomas.

"Black gogo boots or converse?" Helaena did not give him any time to ask what she was wearing as her question slipped passed her lips once the ringing ended.

"What if this was a voicemail, Helaena?" Thomas' was wide awake and by the tone of his voice, clearly amused, "Signature black gogo boots for sure."

"Thank you, love you, goodbye," Helaena was not in the time stamp for conversation and it was morning, she never talked in the mornings.

So she was quick to hang up the phone and flip it back into her jacket pocket before she moved to put on her black gogo boots. Looking in the mirror as she let out a small groan before she brushed through her strawberry hair and tying it into a high ponytail.

She didn't bother much with makeup. Doing a simple eyeliner look and putting a dab of lipstick on before she hauled herself down the stairs of the Swan residence. She swung herself around the banister of the stairs as she grinned at her father.

"Morning," She tried her best not to let her morning bitch tone seep through her words.

Charlie looked up from his newspaper, his eyes scanning over her momentarily before he gave a nod, "Morning."

She grabbed a piece of toast before she grabbed her bookbag and headed out the door. Eating the bread as she got into her vehicle. Sliding her bag into the passenger seat as she began to watch the roadways as she drove.

He has absolutely no clue, Helaena had absolutely no clue why she found that as amusing as she did. Something about the fact her father knew that she was one of the kids racing down at the strip just did something. Was it the fact it gave her something to do that wasn't in the house?

Or the fact that she wasn't the girl most people thought that she was?

To her, it really could play out either way. There were so many stereotypes for her. First of all, she was the girl who lost her birth parents at a young age in some sort of tragic accident, one in which, only she knew what happened.

And no one ever got it out of her.

Then there was the part where she was the Chief of Police's adopted daughter. Meaning that if anyone even looked at her a wrong way and she went back to him, they were completely and utterly fucked.

Or maybe it was the completely shy and quiet facade. Well, it wasn't a facade per say. She was actually a pretty anxious person, but she died down and would get wilder depending on how comfortable she was. Most people learned this over time, well by most, meaning the people she hung out with religiously.

Pulling into the school parking lot, Helaena looked around, scanning for a certain someone. Trying to see if she could catch sight of Thomas and his mystery girl, or one of the Cullen's.

In her defense, the entire family had some good ass genetics.

Helaena pulled into her parking spot before grabbing her bag and her mp3 player and putting one headphone in her ear. Putting on a few of Metallica's older songs before she grabbed her bag and got out of her car.

"Helaena!" Nova popped out of her car, the other girl being parked in front of her friend, "Have you heard the rumor?"

Helaena's eyebrows furrowed as curiosity got the best of her, "What rumor?"

Another rumor was going around. Rumors were never a good thing. Helaena had so much bad come from them. During her freshman year, she was considered a prostitute and many of the elder guys came after her before Thomas and Matteo were quick to keep her together and safe.

Then there was the rumor that a girl named Lauren was dating Thomas and he cheated on Lauren with Helaena, spread by Lauren herself. The girl even tried to fist fight Helaena over this but it was easily put a stop to once Helaena lost control of her anger and punched a brick wall.

Helaena watched as the Cullen's pulled into a parking spot not even two down from the two while Nova practically yelled, "Apparently Alice Cullen and Thomas are a thing!"

Helaena wanted to sink into her skin as every one of the Cullen's heads whipped in their direction. Helaena's anxiety began to go through the roof. Her fingers tapped in a rhythmic pattern against the strap of her bag as her body looked frozen.

"Shit, I was loud, wasn't I? Hey, you're good," Nova immediately recognized what the girl was doing, "Don't care about others looking."

"But it's them," Helaena muttered under her breath, the words almost inaudible to her friend, "Who told you?"

Nova noticed how she was trying to shift the conversation, "They were out late last night walking around. Must've been after he left your place from the Strip," Nova placed her hands on her hips as she grinned.

How come this little fuckers been with a Cullen and hasn't said shit? Helaena wasn't really mad at him per say, but she was definitely a bit annoyed. Yeah, no secrets, Tommy. No secrets at all.

"You're still mad at him for breaking the no secrets rule, aren't you?" Nova found herself asking as she watched the girl's fingers begin to tap quicker.

Helaena simply rolled her eyes at that, "I don't give a damn what he does. It's not like I've been his friend, for what? Over 10 years?"

It was clearly something that bothered Helaena, though she was too stubborn to admit it.

"Well, I am one of his exes," Nova made a face as she placed her hands on her hips.

"You're also Suki's ex. Cheated on her with him, he didn't know at the time you two were a thing, then you two dated after that breakup and he dated her after yours," Helaena couldn't help but quip as her head slowly turned to look in the other direction, feeling a gaze on her, "And look at all of us now. Besties."

"Not me and Matteo, you know I think he's an arrogant asshole," Nova was quick to point her finger, "I can't see how you stand him."

"I don't see how you stand Karris, but here we are," Helaena quipped in return before making eye contact with one of the Hale twins before her gaze went sharply back to Nova.

Karris Sink. One of the most insufferable girls that Helaena Swan knew. In the beginning of their story, they had been pretty good friends. Karris was nice to Helaena and respected her and Helaena was nice in return.

It wasn't until Karris had a messy breakup which caused a lot of drama before she went to take the girl down with her. Making numerous comments about her appearance, her past troubles with eating disorders, and the death of her family.

Helaena Swan did not let that one slide.

Nor would she ever, it would stick with her till her grave.

"We've got class," Helaena spoke shortly, deciding it would be best to end the conversation here, "I'll catch you later."

"Don't worry about anything," Nova called out as Helaena turned on her heels to leave.

I worry about everything, Helaena could not help but think. Telling the female not to worry was like telling a person that breathing would kill them, complete bullshit.

Helaena held onto her bag with a tight grip as she maneuvered her way through the teenagers of Forks, Washington. The sky outside of the school still held that gloom that made everyone's moods drop.

In a way, everyone in the town had grown used to it, but on occasion, the weather seemed to affect their moods as well.

Helaena managed to slip in through the door of her first-period classroom undetected, moving back to her desk before taking her seat as she blew one of her curls from her face. A few stares fell back on the girl once it was brought to their attention that she was within the classroom's walls.

And that's when he slipped into the classroom.

Jasper Hale, twin brother of Rosalie Hale, and the most attractive guy that Helaena Swan had ever seen.

He was her desk mate.

He had been for most of the school year so far. The two shared quite a few classes as well. Though, the two had never actually spoken. He seemed as nervous as she did, so, neither ever said a word.

Helaena wasn't one to just up and date people. Her crushes were never something that anyone but Thomas knew about, even then it was really quiet. No one knew who or when she had a crush, it was almost as if it did not affect her.

But, oh how it did.

The first thing that had ever hooked Helaena onto Jasper Hale was the day she realized he enjoyed reading, as she did. He was once reading one of her favorite pieces of classic literature within their English class.

Then there was his gentleness. Even without speaking, he was clearly a well-mannered guy. He often motioned for her to go first or he handed her something that she had managed to leave behind or something she needed without her even asking.

But then there was his voice...

God, to her his voice was as sweet as honey. His thick southern drawl that rolled off his tongue so effortlessly when he answered a teacher's question. It was heavenly.

Enough fangirling, I need to focus, Helaena had to remind herself as she composed her consciousness to get ready for the class that was History with Dr. Pope.

Helaena leaned back in her seat. Doing her best to keep staring forward as her leg started to bounce up and down. Her eyes scanned over the board as Dr. Pope walked in to give yet another lecture on the great American wars.

"Can anyone tell me what year the treaty of Versailles was signed? And by how many people it was signed?" Dr. Pope asked his first question as he now stood at his small wooden podium, his shirt clearly newly ironed as it clung to his bigger frame.

No one raised their hands.

Except, for two people.

"Ah, my breadwinners of this classroom," Dr. Pope seemed happy that the two never stopped answering his questions as his head tilted to the side, "Why don't you answer one question each?"

Helaena nodded as she absolutely refused to look back at Jasper, knowing her face was definitely getting a new color added, but she knew that she had to. When she did, she watched as he motioned his hand. His usual signal for her to take the first grab.

Helaena gave him a shy smile before quickly removing her gaze, though, she felt herself begin to calm down which felt heavenly, "It was signed June 28, 1919."

"Sixty-six representatives from thirty-six countries signed the treaty," Jasper always had trouble getting his words out, but that never made Helaena feel any less for him.

"Correct again," Dr. Pope was clearly proud of the two as he nodded before he began to pace back and forth at the top of the classroom, "I have decided to be kind, you all are going to have a duo project."

"I WANT HELAENA!" A few students began immediately yelling, knowing they'd get an easy A because she would simply do all of the work and not say anything.

Dr. Pope made a face as his hands placed down flat against a desk, "Ms. Swan already has a designated partner. One that I know will not use her for a grade."

Helaena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she tilted her head as if asking, 'What?' She did not like the idea of being placed with some random person. Especially, someone, she did not know.

"Helaena, you will be paired with Mr. Hale," Dr. Pope motioned to her desk partner causing Helaena's jaw to drop to the floor.

It seemed that she was not the only one in shock. Everyone in the class seemed clearly caught off guard by this. Even Jasper himself.

"Excuse me?" Helaena's tone got really soft, still as calm as ever, how am I so calm? I haven't taken anything yet and I know my meds did not kick in like that.

"You two could easily work with each other, instead of you being the complete float of the project. Which will be a four-page paper and presentation of a war of your choosing!" Dr. Pope turned on his heel as his dress shoes left a streak on the floor, "Find your partner and start discussing."

Well, that wouldn't be hard for Helaena since her partner wasn't even a foot away from her at the current moment. There was a slight complication though, Helaena had never spoken a word to Jasper Hale just as he had never spoken a word to her.

Helaena sat there as she began to tap her fingers in a rhythm while staring forward until she heard a sigh from beside her and a hand slowly and hesitantly touching her shoulder before it quickly retracted.

The girl slowly turned to look at the boy beside her. Looking like a deer in the headlights as her eyes began to go back and forth as if scanning around to make sure that it was actually him who had just touched her.

And it was.

The two were clearly very uncomfortable and Helaena practically sprinted come the bell rang. She felt a little bit of remorse, feeling as if she had made it seem like she was afraid of him or did not like him which caused her to smack herself in the face.

"What's wrong, Kermit?" And god forbid that Thomas wouldn't figure it out.

"Nothing," Helaena spoke simply as she began to weave through different groups that had managed to block off the groups within the hall.

Thomas let out a small laugh before shaking his head, "Nothing my ass. I can tell by your body language you aren't nervous, you look a bit... off guard. I can't really..."

"Uncomfortable," Helaena responded as she looked at him, "Or astonished? Stunned? Basic English words are not that hard to come by, Tommy."

"Woah there," Thomas snapped his fingers bringing her back, "No need to go all nerdy on me there. I don't like using such big or descriptive words."

"I know," Helaena mumbled as she blew a piece of her hair from her eyes.

Thomas' eyes narrowed as he looked down at her before the two slipped into their Calculus classroom, "Was it a guy?"

Helaena scoffed before shaking her head, but before she had done that her eyes widened, she knew it gave it away, "Pfft - no."

"I know you way too well to know that is far from true. So, it was a guy. Who is this guy?" Thomas asked as the two sat down in their desks, "Have you told me about him? I don't think so, why not?"

"Why should I tell you everything when you didn't tell me about you and Alice Cullen?" was her snappy response as her head turned to look at him, noticing the look that flashed over his face.

"Who told you? Scratch that, how did anyone..." Thomas was clearly not caught up within what was going on around the school, "You were going to find out, I promise."

Helaena scoffed and shook her head, "Just drop it. Now," She gave him a sharp look before grabbing her books from her bag as she exhaled harshly.

So far, her day was a complete bust. So much was happening that she swore she couldn't even process it straight anymore. The first curveball, Thomas and Alice. The second curveball, she had a project with Jasper Hale.

The third curveball, both things caused her emotions to go completely haywire.

"Kermit, Helaena," Thomas poked her continuously throughout the two learning about slopes and curves, "Lannaaa."

She didn't make any motion or act as if she heard him at all which only made him continue. Helaena's eyes didn't move away from the board in which she was copying her notes from and the notebook in which she was writing the notes down on.

"Come on, please talk to me," Thomas was clearly getting upset over this as well, "Please?"

"Just give me some time," Helaena huffed out, sounding angrier than she had actually intended.

"Ms. Swan!" And here was the icing on the cake, "Is everything alright? Or is there something you'd like to share with the class?"

"Nothing, Mrs. Murray," Helaena shook her head as she felt her blood boil, despite her anger she was clearly embarrassed.

"Then I suggest you get yourself under control before I take action," She pointed her ruler at the girl with a stern glare.

What a wonderful day.