Time After Time - 1998 - 2000: The People We Become - Part 2
Title: Time After Time
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the several dozen franchises and characters that I’ll be using throughout this story.
Summary: A love story spanning two decades, told through multiple parallel universes, and seen through the eyes of Rachel McAdams.
A/N: Well it looks like my love for Andrea Joy Cook and Katheryn Winnick has finally hit its peak, and this is the result.
A/N 2: Due to the fact this is a crossover, I’m going to have to alter some timelines and locations in order to make this work.
Story Arc Summary:
Title: 1998 - 2000: The People We Become
Fandom: Mean Girls/Student Bodies and Higher Ground
Pairing: Holly Benson/Shelby Merrick
Rating: G
Summary: Regina George moves out of Illinois and starts a new life in Canada. As she experiences her final high school years, Regina sees life both from the perspective of the quirkiness of Edison High to the troubled Mt. Horizon High School, located across the border in the Ontario wilderness.
A/N: For this story, let’s assume the events of Mean Girls, Higher Ground and season 2 of Student Bodies all took place around 1998 despite being released later. Also since Higher Ground was obviously filmed in British Columbia, we’re going to have to pretend Ontario has rocky mountains because Higher Ground without mountains wouldn’t even be called Higher Ground. I’m also pretty certain Mean Girls took place in the 11th grade, but let’s pretend it was the 10th.
A/N2: Both of these Canadian series carries a lot of sentimental value to me, and both ended unresolved. So now I feel like I have a lot of weight on my shoulders because I feel obliged to give both of these series a proper ending. Hope I do them justice. Just for anyone who’s unfamiliar with these two shows, Katheryn Winnick is Holly Benson and A.J. Cook is Shelby Merrick. Anyone curious to check out the series, both are up on Youtube. Here are the channels for Higher Ground and Student Bodies. Katheryn is in episodes 2.49, 3.51, 3.53, 3.54 and 3.59 while A.J. is in the entire series of Higher Ground. If I had to recommend one, then by all means watch Higher Ground.
A/N3: Thanks to all the betas that help review this chapter. There was so much that I’m sorry for not being able to remember all of you.
Part 2
The school week nears its end. The coach is right about Regina being on her way to team captain with the way she’s been dominating all the other girls. It’s even more convenient that the same coach, Coach Stam, turned out to be her P.E. teacher. She also finds herself quickly becoming a part of Holly Benson’s circle of friends.
*****
Lunch Time
“So you girls have plans for the weekend?” asks Regina.
“No can do,” replies Paula, “My boyfriend, Joe, wants me to go with him to the movies.”
“And I’m just going to stay home. You can drop by, Regina, you’re more than welcome,” Kim informs her.
“I’ll take you up on that offer,” Regina replies back then turns to face Holly. “What about you, Holly?
“Holly’s been doing the same thing every weekend ever since the school year began,” Paula remarks.
That gets Regina curious. “What might that be?”
“I have a friend named Mike who got into the wrong crowd and picked up some bad habits. So as sort of a last ditch effort, his parents placed him in Mount Horizon. It’s a school to try and help teenagers at risk,” Holly answers.
“Basically it’s a mix between a year round summer camp and a rehabilitation centre,” Kim tells her.
“Interesting,” Regina comments. “I wonder how his parents heard of the place?”
“I was the one who recommended it,” Holly informs, “A former teacher of mine told me about the place. He now works there. Mike’s parents still wanted to keep him in public school, so they made a deal with the school board that if he can return back to his old ways, he’ll be welcomed back.”
“Where is this place anyways?” Regina wonders.
“Right across the border and into the forests of Ontario,” Paula blurts out.
“That must be a long way to go and visit a friend,” says Regina.
“It’s part of a deal Mike and I made,” explains Holly. “If he agrees to go to Horizon, I promised him I’ll visit once every week. Seeing a familiar face helps him cope.”
“Sounds like you’ve been holding up your end of the deal,” comments Regina.
“When Holly makes a promise, she keeps it,” Kim tells the new student.
“Never make a promise you don’t plan on keeping,” replies Holly.
Regina looks at the girls and asks, “So is Horizon an exclusive place, or can anyone drop by?”
“It’s open to anyone, but do you really want to visit the place?” Holly asks curiously.
“I'm trying to get adjusted around here and see more of this country,” Regina answers. “I’m pretty certain I’ll be curious to see it eventually. So might as well visit now.”
“In that case, Regina, drop by my house in the morning tomorrow. I typically leave around one in the afternoon on Saturdays.”
“I’ll be there."
*****
Saturday Noon
Regina and Holly are in the driveway of Holly’s home, all set to go. They toss their small packs containing food and drinks into the back seat of the car. The two girls climb into the front seats.
“So how far is this place?” asks Regina as she fastens her seatbelt.
“About 75 miles from the city,” Holly answers. “It’s going to be a long trip.”
*****
Regina looks out the window as the afternoon sun shines through the wall of evergreen trees. She has pretty much been looking out the window the entire trip, gazing at the scenery. Quite a beautiful scenery. They’re now moving on a road that’s entirely surrounded by trees, as if a construction crew just ploughed its way through the forest to make a road. That’s most likely what they did.
“Okay we should be there any moment,” Holly says.
Regina can see a clearing ahead. Once the road began to curve ahead, the sight of a large cabin comes into view from behind the trees. The car eventually moves into a small gravel road. Regina spots the wooden sign with the words “MOUNT HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL” as Holly turns the car to the side. The trip finally comes to an end. The two girls step out of the car and make their way towards the double doors of the large cabin.
Inside the large cabin, they see it's the administration office. “Hello,” one of the staff at the front desk greets them.
“Hi,” Holly replies. “I’m here to visit a friend of mine. His name is Mike Callahan.”
“I’ll see if I can get someone to take you to him.”
Holly looks around the place and spots a familiar person passing by. “Jeff?” she calls out.
It grabs Jeff’s attention. “Holly?” He approaches the two girls. “Nice to see you again, Holly.”
“Nice to see you too, Jeff.” Holly greets at her former teacher. “Your leg has been healing nicely.”
“What happened to your leg?” wonders Regina.
Jeff turns to Regina. “Who’s your friend, Holly?”
“Jeff, I want you to meet Regina. She just moved into the country," Holly says by way of introduction.
Jeff shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you, Regina. How are you liking Canada so far?”
“It’s alright,” she answers.
He nods then suddenly remembers Regina’s question, “And to answer your question, I broke my leg during a 10 day camping experience we like to call a Quest. I insisted I join the other students and another councillor because I felt the need to get more in touch with nature. Needless to say I wasn’t in very good shape by the time we got back.”
Holly pats her former teacher on the back, “Don’t feel bad Jeff. Just give it more time and eventually city people like us will adapt to places like this.”
“I take it you’re here to see Mike and Regina isn’t going to be another student here?” Jeff jokes.
“Yes, we’re here for Mike,” Holly says with a smile.
“I’ll take you to him then.” Jeff leads the two girls out of the administration building.
Regina glances around the place as they enter the campus area. The camp ground is more impressive than she expects. The buildings are better than what she would expect from a summer camp or even a public school; on the outside anyway. All the walkways are neatly outlined by rocks and made out of either wood chips or gravel. Everything is neat and tidy. The grass is perfect, all even with a healthy green colour, no patches of weeds, dying grass or lack of grass in sight. She can't even spot litter or any kind of mess. Even the firewood is all properly stacked underneath the woodshed.
‘Damn, Canada really is as clean as they say. Their groundskeeper must get paid very well,’ Regina thinks to herself.
“The students usually hang around here.” Jeff takes them into one of the larger buildings.
Once through the doors, the initial room appears to be a lounge. A number of students are slumped on couches and love-seats. Paintings are hung on the wall and the interior is decorated with ornaments you would find in a living room.
“Oh, I see him right there.” Holly points to a table on the further end of the room. Mike is relaxing by himself, drinking a glass of orange juice.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Jeff gives them a smile before heading out. The two girls approach Holly’s friend.
It isn’t long before Mike looks forward and notices the person walking up to him. That lightens up his mood. “Oh, hey. Good to see you, Holly.”
Both Holly and Regina pull out a chair. “How is it going, Mike?” Holly asks.
“Not bad,” Mike answers. “Who’s your friend?”
“Regina,” she introduces herself.
“Nice to meet you,” Mike greets.
“So how are you getting along?” questions Holly.
“A few of the guys in my cabin are pretty cool.”
“Any mishaps?” Holly adds.
Mike thinks about it before deciding to answer. “Yeah. I got into a rivalry with a student from another group.”
“Who with?” Regina asks curiously.
“That little man over there.” Mike looks over to the couch. “The one in the tank top.”
“The Hispanic guy at the end?” Regina questions.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
Holly is disappointed in the news, but she tries not to show it much. “Is this rivalry still going on?”
“No, we worked it out.”
“That’s good to know,” Holly says in a more pleasant tone. “How did you guys work it out?”
“We went over to the lake to settle it. He allowed me to have a free shot at him since he sucker punched me a few times. He said he was sorry, so rather than hitting...” Mike pauses. “I pushed the runt in the lake instead and we had a water fight. Couple of other kids who were watching jumped in the lake too.”
“Way to go, Mike,” Holly says with a smile. “I’m proud of you.”
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