Time After Time - 1998 - 2000: The People We Become - Part 4
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 4
Their friendly competition comes to an end, and both teams are beat and resting up in the lounge.
“I got to say, you were impressive on the field, Regina,” Mike compliments. “I especially love how when Auggie tackles you back, you shrug it off and smile.”
“I was hit by a school bus once,” Regina states in a light manner. “I think I can handle a football game.”
“You were really hit by a bus?” one of Regina’s team-mates asks.
“I was and managed to recover in time to compete for Spring Fling queen,” she says proudly of the last sentence.
“Damn girl,” the same guy remarks.
“I thought you were training these guys, Katherine?” Scott remarks to his team.
“Hey maybe if you covered me more, we could’ve scored more points,” Auggie fires back. “Aren’t you suppose to be some great football player?”
“Yeah,” Scott answers coldly. “But it’s hard to win games when the team is filled with losers.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Mike blurts out to them. “Holly was better than I expected.”
“Thanks, Mike,” Holly says from the recliner chair she’s seated on.
“I was surprised our two rich girls didn’t mind dirtying their designer clothes,” Shelby remarks. A death glare is the only response Holly gives Shelby.
Regina sees Peter and a question enters her head. She gets off the couch and approaches him. “Excuse me, Peter, you mind if I ask you something?”
“Not at all, Regina. What do you have on your mind?”
“I remember Mike mentioning something called the X-Challenge race. What’s that about?”
“The X-Challenge race is when schools just like ours around the area all gather up to compete in a team race through the wilderness,” Peter answers.
“So everyone in the school is going to compete?” Regina continues.
“Ah no, we’re only allowed to pick one group to represent the school.”
“So which of those two groups did you choose?”
“The Cliffhangers.”
“Which one is that?”
“The group your team won against.”
Regina gets the feeling Peter picked the wrong group. “What’s the name of group I played with?”
“You were with the Trackers,” Peter answers.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you pick the Cliffhangers?”
“I thought they needed the teamwork.”
“Good luck to them then, Peter,” Regina finishes.
“Thanks.”
Ezra, one of the least athletic members of the Cliffhangers, walks to where Holly is. He pulls out a chair and sits beside her. “I’ve noticed the stares you gave Shelby both during and after the game,” he says to Holly. “Don’t take her comments too hard; she's like that to everyone.”
“I figured,” Holly remarks.
“It’s all just an act though,” Ezra adds. “Deep down there’s a good person underneath.”
Holly spins her chair to the side and looks at Ezra, “How would you know that?”
Ezra begins to whisper. They are a good distance away from the other students and Ezra doesn’t want anyone to overhear, “Can you keep a secret?” Holly nods. “A couple of weeks ago, a little girl went missing and we had to search for her. Not only was Shelby the one to find her, she actually climbed up the side of a cliff to rescue her. It was one of the most heroic things I’ve ever seen.”
Holly raises an eyebrow. “For real?”
“Yeah, but she didn’t want anyone to know about it,” Ezra answers. “So she gave me the child, told me to say I found her, and ordered me not to say anything about it. I guess she doesn’t like people to know she has a sweet side.”
“So, why are you telling me this?”
“I just can’t keep this to myself. And I figure since you’re not a student here, I could tell you. You’re not going to tell anyone, are you?”
“I promise,” Holly reassures him.
“Good.” Ezra smiles and nods. “Also, I asked Peter about you and your tough, but pretty hot friend. Since you’re going to be coming back here to visit Mike, I thought you should know she isn’t all bad. She’s actually quite a lot of great things,” he says the last part almost hesitantly. He isn’t hiding the bashfulness very well.
Holly gives Ezra a sly look. “You have a crush on her, don’t you?”
“What? Me?” Ezra tries to look uninterested. “Yeah,” he admits. “But look at her. You can’t say she isn’t one of the prettier girls here.”
“That she is,” Holly agrees. “Though as they say, looks can be deceiving.”
*****
Peter chats with the two visitors while they start to leave the camp ground and head back to their car. “Jeff tells me that Mike really looks forward to your visits Holly, and that your visits are what’s helping him settle in. I’m grateful that you’re dropping by here,” Peter informs her.
“Anything to help a friend,” she replies back.
“See you again next week?”
“You bet,” Holly answers.
Peter looks over to Regina. “How about you? You have any plans to return?”
“We’ll see,” she tells him with a straight face.
“Alright, I’ll be getting back to the camp now,” says Peter. “You two girls take care.”
“By the way, Peter, I really meant it when I said good luck with the X-Challenge race,” adds Regina.
“Thanks,” Peter finishes before dashing off towards campus.
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