Time After Time - 1998 - 2000: The People We Become - Part 5
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 5
The next day Katherine is helping out at an old folks home. She wheels an elderly lady towards her friends who are playing a game of cards while enjoying the sunshine outside.
A blonde teenage girl recognizes Katherine. “Hey, Katherine, right?” Katherine recognizes the girl, too, and tries to ignore her by moving to another table to gather newspapers.
The blonde girl moves up to Katherine. “We met on the trail the other day, remember? It’s me, Michelle, from Lawrence Hastings.” Michelle notices Katherine is still trying to avoid eye contact. “I was visiting my grandma. Do you work here or something?”
“Three days a week,” the dark skinned girl answers abruptly while still avoiding eye contact. “I’m a falcon - I have privileges.”
Michelle laughs at the response. “A falcon? How totally summer camp.”
Katherine finally faces the other girl with a serious expression on her face. “It’s my status.” She waits a while before speaking up again. “Forget it.”
“I didn’t think they let you guys out.”
“It’s a school. You think it’s some kind of prison?” Katherine responds defensively.
“Sure. You’re the hoods in the woods. We’re the spoiled brats down by the lake,” Michelle answers. “That’s how everyone sees us both, right?” Katherine looks at Michelle and nods to her words. “Listen, I was gonna go meet some friends, just hang for a while. They’re all shrews like me, but you want to come along anyways?” she offers.
“I need to meet the van at 8:30.”
“You won’t be late. Come on, don’t you ever want to have fun?”
*****
Later that day, Katherine finds herself persuaded to hit the dance floor with Michelle and her Lawrence Hastings comrades.
*****
Late at night, Hannah is pacing around the lounge, wondering about their student’s whereabouts. The place is lit mainly by the flames in the fireplace. Peter enters the room. “She missed the bus. No one’s seen her.”
“It’s been two hours, Peter,” Hannah informs.
Then, surprisingly, Katherine runs into the room from another entrance.
*****
Katherine sits quietly on a recliner as Peter and Hannah stand beside the fireplace, discussing what should be done about the matter. “Dancing at Fabian’s,” Peter puts his fist against his forehead. “My head’s pounding.”
“It could be worse, Peter,” Hannah comments. “She could have been in a bar.”
Peter sticks his thumb out at Katherine. “You want to call her parents and tell them that, huh? Yes, it could’ve been worse, but there’s still consequences, and she knows that.” Peter walks away from Hannah and approaches the student. “Katherine...”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Still...”
“I said I was sorry, but I’m not,” Katherine adds. “I’m really not.” She leans forward and faces Peter as he takes a seat in front of her. “I just wanted to go dancing. I just wanted one normal night. Once, can’t you get that?”
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Peter agrees. “But you’re still responsible for being here, on time.” Peter thinks of an appropriate punishment, “You lose your town privileges for a week. You’re off the X-Challenge team, and you’re out of the race.”
“They’ll lose without me,” she comments.
“Then we lose. What do you want me to do? Make the easy choice? You know I can’t do that Kate.” Peter lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry. Go to your dorm.”
Katherine marches off the recliner. “Face it, Peter, this is really your race.”
*****
The following morning, the Cliffhangers are seated around a table in the cafeteria. The team captain is breaking the news to the others.
“Come on, don’t kick her off. Just put her on restriction or something,” suggests Juliet.
“Come on, Peter, be human just once,” Shelby insists.
Peter looks off to the side. “We need a new team captain. Scott, you’re it.”
Scott raises his head to the announcement. “What?”
“You’re it,” Peter repeats.
Scott gets off his seat, “No... no way, this team is a joke.”
“Then make them a good joke.” Peter gives him a sly look before exiting the room.
“Let’s see what you can do 3 time league champion,” Katherine says with her arms crossed and a smile on her face.
“Give him a chance,” Juliet defends.
“All right, first thing,” Scott begins. “Shelby and Juliet, you’re gonna shut up and stop complaining.”
“Scott,” Juliet says in a displeased tone.
Auggie points to the new team captain, “Hey, don’t you talk to her like that, meat.”
“Auggie, you’re going to drop the attitude,” Scott continues. “And figure out a way to get Ezra across the finish line alive.”
“You keep in my face, and I’ll show you attitude,” Auggie responds.
“I’ll camp in your face if I want to,” Scott fires back. It’s only been a few seconds, and already the team isn’t too fond of its new leader. Scott sighs and stares at all of them, “Now, check your gear, and, uh, look at your maps and try not to do anything too stupid.” Scott turns and walks away from them, still trying to take in the idea of being team captain.
for previous chapters:
the master list