Chapter 14 Her Royal Highness Helena Wells
Myka wasn't surprised that she beat the carriage to the school given how her anger pushed her foot on the pedal. But what she hadn't planned on was the damn thing taking a detour. As was customary, Charlie and HG stopped at a friend's house where several of the lacrosse players had gathered. What was not customary was each of the boys asking to take a prom picture with Helena. This didn't sit well with the prom dates.
"Aren't you a little old to be going to the prom?" one particularly upset girl asked.
"Indeed, I am," Helena agreed.
"Then what are you doing here?" another asked.
"Well, when a lady is asked to attend such an auspicious occasion as this, she does not turn it down," was all HG could think of. It left many of the girls with blank stares on their faces.
"Yeah, well tell Tracy that," the ring leader said to HG.
"All right, which one is she?" HG asked not picking up on the sarcasm.
"She's the girl Charlie shoulda asked to the prom but didn't cause of you," she said. Helena couldn't stand it anymore.
"You do know it's should have, don't you?" she asked exasperated by the lack of English spoken here.
"So how come if you know it too, you came with him?" one replied.
"I had no idea there was another girl. I don't really know how this works. I'm not from here, you know," Helena said and was this close to expanding on that.
"Really?" the leader said sarcastically. "Well, Tracy's heartbroken about it." This was getting complicated.
"Well, why don't I speak to Charles and perhaps we can patch things up?" HG asked as if there had to be a simple solution to this teenage problem. Then Helena reflected on what Leena told her.
Back in the carriage on the way to the dance, Helena spoke to Charlie. Yes, there was a girl he wanted to ask but that was all before he met Helena. As soon as he met her, he knew there was no one else for him. He liked Tracy and they have been friends a long time but he picked HG to go to the dance. In Helena's day, if a man showed interest to a woman it was interpreted as a bond that he did not easily break. It seemed to her that now a day's one could change their minds quickly and do whatever suited them.
When they got to the school, the entrance and gym had been transformed into a wonderland. HG marveled at the mirrored ball on the ceiling that reflected light into different directions. She took in the sound of the music which seemed very loud to her. The attendees were busy trying to find their tables and when HG finally sat down she realized she had not seen Myka on the way in. She was about to get up when the broadcast was made for everyone to take their seats for a special announcement. The votes had been counted and the Prom King and Queen would be announced. Helena paid little attention to it as she was busy looking for Myka. She took out her cell phone and texted her.
"This year's Prom King is Charlie Connolly!" came the announcement and the room erupted into cheers.
Charlie left HG's side at the table and went up on the dance floor to accept his crown. HG kept looking at her phone.
"And the Prom Queen is our guest of honor, Helena Wells!"
HG sat in her chair unfazed by the announcement. 'Where is Myka?' is the only thing on her mind. Finally, one of the lacrosse players grabbed her arm.
"Hey, Helena – go up and get your crown. You got all the guys' votes," he said.
Helena looked up and saw that they were looking at her. Then she saw a man standing by Charlie holding a crown. This was a detail Claudia had left out because she never gave it a thought that HG might have to deal with this. One of the girls at the table pulled Helena to stand up and move forward. The room burst into cheers and HG walked to Charlie's side where the man placed the crown on her head.
"And now our new Prom King and Queen will dance their first dance," the announcer said and Charlie took HG to the middle of the floor. Blinded by the spotlight, Helena searched the room from this vantage point for Myka. She placed her hand of Charlie's shoulder and he took her hand as they slowly danced to 'A Thousand Years'. Bursts of lights went off from cameras and blinded Helena. Charlie skillfully moved HG around the floor and it was only because she was so distracted did she follow. The dance ended and people applauded.
"This is very sweet, Charles but I must find Myka," HG said and Charlie felt disappointed at HG's distraction.
Myka had arrived earlier than the carriage and went inside to announce her attendance. The administration already knew she would be there and said they were pleased to have the extra staff for the event.
"You'll find this hard to believe but many of our older teachers do not want to chaperone because of the loud music and shenanigans," the principal shared with her.
"Great! Shenanigans," Myka said thinking this was a babysitting job and Mrs. Frederic was to blame.
She waited for the kids to start coming and finally saw the carriage pull up. She was in the back when HG and her date arrived and wanted to go up to her but lost her in the crowd. She wasn't as taken aback as Helena was by the sights and sounds of the place. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room and she wasn't distracted by the beams of light shooting from the ceiling. She didn't find HG in the crowded room until she heard her name announced. She watched as the young man moved around the dance floor with her partner and kept reminding herself that they were there on assignment. "It's just a job," she said. She was grateful that Helena was off the floor before they kissed because although she had a perfect line of sight, she didn't want to have to use the Tesla so early in the evening.
She stood there searching the crowd when HG snuck up beside her.
"Agent Bering, it is good to see you," HG said with a twinkle in her eye that Charlie could only dream of ever seeing.
"Helena," Myka said smiling at the sight of her friend.
"I have been crowned," the Brit said proudly, hoping to impress Myka.
"I see that. Will we have to call you 'your majesty' from now on?" Myka teased because HG was there beside her and all was right with the world.
"Yes, of course Myka. It comes with the territory," HG smiled. "I dare say someone will have to break it to Elizabeth though."
"Myka, speaking of duty. I believe I have fulfilled mine. I came, I danced, and I was crowned. When can I leave?" HG asked.
Myka liked that HG wanted to leave already but she knew they were there on a good- will endeavor and leaving an hour after the start of the dance would be frowned upon.
"I think you will have to stay through dinner at least, Helena," Myka suggested and HG all but pouted.
"Fine but I do not think this is any way to treat a Queen. It's no wonder you do not have a monarchy here," HG replied. "I will miss you," HG said as she left her partner's side to return to the table. Myka watched her friend and smiled, shaking her head.
Charlie asked HG to take a walk outside after dinner and she was happy to get away from the noise and commotion. They stepped outside into the night's warm air.
"Winter will be here soon," he started the conversation. "Then it will be lacrosse season. I hope you'll come to the games, Helena," he said nervously.
"Oh yes, that would be nice," HG said absent mindedly because she had other things to discuss. Charlie was greatly encouraged by her agreeing though.
"Charles, I am honored that you asked me this dance. And I appreciate all the trouble you went to," HG started as Charlie stared down at her mouth as she spoke.
"It was no trouble," he said slowly.
"Well, I do appreciate everything – the flowers, the carriage. That was lovely. But I believe there is another young lady, Charles that would appreciate this night with you even more than I," HG said and spoiled the moment for him.
"Tracy? Come on, Helena. She'll never mean the same to me as you," he blurted out.
"You are a very sweet boy. I believe that you will make a fine boyfriend to the right girl. And if that is Tracy or some other girl, they will be most fortunate," HG said softly.
"But I want that girl to be you," Charlie confessed his heart filled with emotion for the woman who stood before him.
"Charles, your sentiment is very sweet but you and I cannot be," HG said sympathetically.
"Is it because of your age because that doesn't bother me at all," he gushed.
"No darling, it is not your age. Charles, I am at a different place in life and you are just beginning your journey into the world," the Time Traveler said.
"I want to go where you go," the infatuated date said.
"Charles, our paths may cross again someday but for now, we are destined to be on different ones," HG said to him.
"But I will wait for you," he promised.
"I have enjoyed my time with you for reasons I cannot even begin to explain but my heart belongs to someone else – someone I love very much," HG said slowly because she knew it would hurt. And it did. Charlie was smart enough to know there was little possibility of this woman and he being together but his heart ached to be with her.
"You have your whole life ahead of you to engage all kinds of women until you find the one that is right for you. Do not settle, Charles until you find the one you are most deserving of. I do not know if it this Tracy – but I suggest you reach out to her and if she will have you after all this, see where that takes you," HG said.
It should have hurt a lot more than it did Charlie noted but there was something in the way Helena said things that eased that pain. Maybe it was her sultry voice or her accent because even though she was rejecting him, there was still something soothing about the way she put it. He took in what Helena said. Maybe he would find Tracy and ask her to dance. They had been friends a long time.
"Are you leaving now?" he asked Helena and she said yes, that she would leave soon.
"Do you promise to come to one of the lacrosse games?" he asked and she agreed that she would.
Then the young man who felt caught between two worlds – the one he found himself in with this mysterious woman - and his life as the Prom King – bent down and kissed his date. Wild sensations of energy spread throughout his body as he pressed into those lips. Helena, who had been surprised by the action, put her hand on his jaw and pulled away gently.
"Take care of yourself, Charles. It has been my honor to be your date."
It took him a full minute to regain control of his limbs but when he did, he turned and walked back inside. HG waited a few minutes but when she did go to follow him inside, the door was locked. She knocked but with the noise, no one heard her. So she made her way around to another door. This was at the end of a long hallway but it was opened. She could hear the muffled sound of the music on the other side of the building. She started to make her way there when something caught her attention. "HG WELLS – THE TIME TRAVELER" was written in block letters on the bulletin board outside a classroom. There on display were the various papers that the students had written. HG stopped to read some of the lines on the first pages; "Often called the father of the science fiction genre," and "Literary genius who wrote about the concept of time travel," were just some of the lines that caught her attention. Suddenly, the classroom door opened and out stepped a middle aged man from the classroom. HG's brilliant mind put it together very quickly.
"Mr. Edwards, I presume?" she said extending her hand out to the teacher. Startled that there was anyone there, let alone someone who knew him, the man jumped back.
"Yes, and you are?" he asked nervously.
"Mr. Edwards, I am the person who is going to convince you to alter your teaching methods," HG said slowly and confidently.
The teacher would have called out for security if he weren't so taken by the look in the woman's eyes that held him in her stare.
"I am not sure what you mean," he all but stammered.
"Your job is to inspire these children, Mr. Edwards, not to repeatedly inform them that they are not measuring up to your imaginary standards – ones that I fear even you do not measure up to," HG said as if she knew the man all her life.
"What?" he asked and wanted to protest but found that he simply could not.
"You've been given a great opportunity to share what insights you have with them, Mr. Edwards. But that does not mean they do not have insights of their own. Ones that you could benefit from. I applaud your progressiveness to write such provocative questions such as 'What if HG Wells were a woman?' she almost whispered in his ear and he actually closed his eyes at the sound of her voice.
"Don't punish them, Mr. Edwards for your failings," HG said and his eyes shot opened.
"What do you mean? I don't…," he protested.
"Is there a novel written but never finished somewhere in your life?" she asked and his wide eyed expression was confirmation.
"Put you energies into finishing it, Mr. Edwards. But do not prevent the next generation from expressing themselves because you are struggling with you own," HG instructed more than asked.
"Do we understand each other?" Helena said and now her voice didn't sound so friendly. But he could not argue with anything this total stranger said to him. He did love teaching but lately found that he was constantly frustrated with the students. And with his own writing.
"Yes," was all he said because she had given him plenty of things to think about.
"Who are you?" he asked trying to figure it out. Too old for a student, too young to be a parent.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she smiled devilishly. She bowed her head and left. The teacher fell back against the door and thought about the strange event. Then he went back into the classroom and took out the papers from his briefcase that he had spent the night marking, and started to reread them.
Helena felt good about her fortuitous meeting with the English teacher. But she lost her way down the myriad of hallways when she was not paying attention. She texted Myka but when she didn't get a response, she figured it was because of all the noise. She rushed down the hallway when she thought the noise was getting closer and turned a corner too quickly. She hit something very hard and the next thing she knew she was on top of a solidly built man who had broken her fall by holding onto her ass.
It was a sight Myka had actually seen before. Except this time she was armed.
Helena picked up her head only to see something very familiar. Jake's lips. She would recognize them anywhere. She was amazed that she felt no compunction to kiss them. In the seconds that followed the fall, this is what distracted her so much that she did not feel his hands on her rear. But she did hear the whirling sound of the Tesla warming up. She put her hands up to push herself off of Jake and suddenly felt the pull of someone helping her up. It was Myka but she had the Tesla aimed at the man who remained on the ground.
"Mr. Connolly, what brings you to the empty halls of high school?" Myka asked none too calmly.
"I am chaperoning. We check the halls to make sure none of the kids are off drinking or anything," he said not moving.
"Get up," Myka said in a tone that surprised even HG.
"Mr. Connolly, you have a habit of running into my partner and grabbing her ass," Myka said bluntly.
"She ran into me," he protested but Myka's expression silenced him.
"Yes and you always manage to brace her fall by touching her," Myka said. "If I ever see you put a hand on her – anywhere – ever again, I will use this, Mr. Connolly, I promise," Myka said. She put the Tesla back in her bag and Jake backed down the hallway until he could make a quick escape.
"It has been a rough night for the Connolly men," Helena said to Myka.
When Helena walked out of the school, her last glance at the prom floor was Charlie dancing with a smiling young girl whom she hoped was his friend, Tracy.
Myka walked HG out to the front but when she started to walk to the SUV, Myka stopped her.
"Helena, I asked the driver to take us home. He'll be back in plenty of time to take Charlie and his date home," she said as the carriage approached. The man got down and opened the door and helped the two agents into the back.
"Did you have fun at your first prom?" Myka asked HG sitting next to her.
"It was a learning experience. One I hope never to repeat," HG confessed.
"You never told me what your prom was like, Myka" HG inquired.
"Yeah, well it started out OK. I went with a guy I really liked. I spent weeks picking out the right dress, the right shoes. I went and had my hair and nails done. He picked me up and we went to the dance. It was great for a while," Myka said and looked out the window. Helena reached out and put her hand on Myka's.
"What happened, Myka?" she asked concerned about the tone in Myka's voice.
"We, uh, left the dance and everyone was going to an after party. A lot of the kids were drinking and my date got pretty drunk. He asked me to go outside and I did and he ….," Myka said and stopped.
Helena's mind raced with thoughts. She squeezed Myka's hand.
"Did he hurt you?" Helena asked planning the man's demise whoever he was.
"No, no Helena. He tried to push himself on me but no, I pushed him away and he stopped. It was just really upsetting. He was a nice guy I thought and a friend," Myka said and HG pulled her to her. But it was Helena whose breathing was rapid and shallow. The idea that someone would hurt Myka was making her go on emotional overload.
"He didn't touch you or hurt you, Myka? You can tell me, darling," HG said and tried to control her breathing. But Myka's head was against her chest and she could hear the rapid beating of HG's heart.
"No, I promise, Helena. He didn't do anything. He was drunk. He went unconscious after I pushed him off me," Myka assured her.
Helena held onto to Myka and although Myka was OK, she didn't leave that spot that felt so incredibly safe to her. Helena held onto her friend until they reached the B&B. The driver helped them out of the carriage and they made their way to the house. Helena stopped short of opening the door and turned to Myka.
"I will always try to protect you, Myka," Helena said.
"Thank you, Helena. It was a long time ago. Nothing happened, I promise you. I am ok with it now. I just wanted you to know," Myka said.
They walked into the house where the other agents were waiting for them.
"God, you guys are back early. What is it past your bedtime?" Pete asked.
"How did it go, HG?" Claudia asked.
"I successfully completed my assignment. I have learned a great deal about your generation and their celebratory events. Oh, and I was crowned the Queen!" HG said.
"Whoa!" Claudia yelled and gave HG the high five which she returned.
"See I taught her that," Pete said taking a deep breath. "Queen, eh? Oh now she's going to be just unbearable," he added.
"I beg your pardon," HG said pretending to be insulted.
"Oh geez and she's got the accent and everything," Pete lamented.
Helena's crowning was just another excuse for Pete to whip up a congratulatory snack. He and Claudia went into the kitchen to raid the refrigerator.
"What a night! I'm glad to be off duty I can tell you that," Myka said truthfully.
"Oh darling, I am afraid you are not relieved of duty just yet," the Brit smiled.
"Oh really? Now what would you have me do?" Myka asked knowing HG was up to something.
"Well, as the Queen I believe it is your duty to assist me in retiring for bed," HG said.
"You want me to assist you how, Helena?" Myka asked suspiciously.
"By undressing me and taking me to bed," the Brit said unabashedly.
"You want me to put you to bed?" Myka asked confused by the suggestion.
"You Americans really do not understand the English language. We should have retrieved it when you severed your relationship with us. The monarchy should have insisted that you speak French so you could butcher some other language," HG ranted and Myka couldn't tell if she was kidding.
"Your point, your Highness?" Myka teased.
"I did not say put me to bed, Myka. I said – take. Those are two different words completely," HG said sure that her point had been made.
"Oooh," Myka said getting the point. She followed Helena up the stairs.
"You know, the Queen has no jurisdiction over here. When we stopped reporting to the monarchy, we pretty much told her to take a hike," Myka said.
"Is that so?" the Brit said unfazed. "Well, I have it on very good authority that the Queen is about to stage a coup and take back what rightfully belongs to her."
And then she stopped in front of her bedroom door and looked directly into Myka's eyes. "And she will not stop until she had gained complete control," she laughed and opened the door for Myka.
"We're tough, you know. We'll fight back," Myka shot back.
"Darling, you are about to surrender willingly. I promise you," Helena said slowly into Myka's ear.
Downstairs, Claudia looked at a message on her phone. 'Find me the name of the boy who took Myka to the prom' was what the text read.
"Now what does her Highness want with that?" Claudia wondered.