AN: So i wrote this story on here a long time ago called "Pitch Speed". It was 100,000 words long and by the time i got round to writing the sequel i just became totally unmotivated to continue writing the story. But i still think about the world every single day because i had the whole story planned out so i wanted to come back to it and changed a good few things from the first time. I'm not the best writer in the world but hopefully this time i can be a little better than i was previously.
This next section of the authors notes is mainly for fans of racing or F1 i highly doubt there is any of you but just encase read this if you are.
While this is set in 2012 (the year of the first Pitch Perfect) the 2012 F1 season in this universe will be the 2001 season so everything in F1 has been set back 11 years basically. Also i changed the history of F1 so the last person to win a F1 title who was British to James Hunt in 1976 or in this world 1987. So that means Nigel Mansell didn't win the title in 1992 in this world 2003 or Damon Hill didn't win the title in 1996 or in this world 2007.
Apologises for the lack of Jesse + Beca in this chapter in advance.
Disclaimer- I don't own Pitch Perfect
July England Greater Manchester 2012, A 17 boy named Jesse Morris walked the hills of his town until he reached the peak where there was a little bench which Jesse would sit on everyday a look on at his not so perfect city.
Life was hard for Jesse he lived in a poor working class town without a father but a big dream to become a Formula 1 racing driver. Everybody laughed at Jesse and they had a reason too. Jesse's racing career in the amateur categories was not very good. Jesse raced for 'Atkins Racing' he had only managed to sign for them due to he knew Mr Atkins from watching Football at the same pub. Mr Atkins was a great man he was kind and caring and always looked out for Jesse, he was almost the father Jesse never had. As great as Mr Atkins was he didn't have the slightest idea how to build or set up a race car, out of all of his races Jesse had taken part in the car had broken down in 75% of those races. The 25% of the races he did take part in the car was a slow deathtrap and Jesse was rarely able to show the ability he believed he possesses. But last year the team shut down completely after Mr Atkins had experienced a death in the family and couldn't continue to run the team so Jesse hopes of becoming a racing driver were almost impossible. Jesse's Mum Stella had through the very little money they had at Jesse's racing career and it hadn't worked out and he felt like he let his family down. Jesse still had good grades in high school and college but not enough money to have any further education so chances of his second ambition film scoring was really low so he would take part-time jobs just to help out in the short-term while Jesse would wait for some sort of miracle that would save his career and most importantly make his mum proud.
Jesse continued to admire the sunset while thinking about what was a big night ahead of him. But Jesse's thoughts were interrupted when he heard calls of his voice behind him.
"Jesse" Two soft voices called.
Jesse removed his headphones and turned around to see two of his best friends Molly Pepper and Joseph Chandler. Molly was a plain girl with dark hair who was successfully going down a career path that would make her a Doctor and Joe was a very socially awkward boy with serious obsessive compulsive disorder issues who had a fantastic opportunity to become a police officer due to his uncle being a high-ranking officer. But they both kind and sweet and together they made each other better.
"Your Back!" Molly and Joe had been on the end of year college trip to America that Jesse Couldn't afford. Jesse Ran up and embraced them into a rather awkward hug.
"So then how was it, America?" Jesse asked his two friends when the hug was over.
"It was very-" Molly began but was cut off by Joe.
"American"
"Well thank's guys very insightful" All three of the friends chuckled.
"Have You guys seen Tony?" Jesse asked the pair in front of him,
Tony was the unofficial 4th member of the group. Tony was American and moved over to England when he was 10 years old. Like Joe he was two years older than Molly and Jesse. He was one of the popular kids at college who drove a classic 1970's Chevrolet but always looked out for the trio.
"Not since we got off the bus" Joe replied.
Before Jesse had chance to reply Molly butted in.
"Do you want to come back to my house we could watch some TV we missed and we can meet Tony then" Molly asked sweetly.
"Oh i'd love to but i have a show later tonight"
"A Show?"
Tony was walking around his house whilst on the phone to Molly.
"A show?" Tony asked into the phone in pure confusion.
"Yeah a show we are here now at the Della Me, Joe and the rest of Jesse's family"
Tony continued pacing up and down his home hoping Jesse wasn't about to do anything stupid. "When you say show do you mean like doing back flips naked or what?"
"Well there is a microphone on stage and his family is filming and i just don't want it to get out and everyone will start picking on him again" Tony knew that Molly always felt angry when Jesse was being picked on in school and would sometimes come out of her little shell to do it, but she sometimes needs to have a little confidence in him.
"Okay i'm on my way"
Tony pulled up and raced inside the sports and social club's function room to see Jesse's family hovering in the middle which consisted of his Mother Stella, Brother Ben, Sister Emma and her boyfriend Sunil, Karl who was Stella's Ex husband and father to Ben and Emma, Jesse's Uncle Dai and Auntie Paula. Little Alan who was Ben's best friend and his father Big Alan. Tony also spotted Joe and Molly over in the far corner with Joe looking really uncomfortable trying to avoid the dirty surfaces of a pub.
"Did I make it in time?" Tony Asked when he arrived next to Molly and Joe.
The lights began to dim and Dai Davies the chairman of the club appeared on the stage.
"I think you made it just in time" Molly Whispered to Tony as everybody clapped the chairman onto the stage.
"Right I'm Dai Davies and I'm here to introduce not only the best racing driver in the world but apparently the best singer in the world now it's Jesse Morris"
Dai Davies exited the stage and the Jesse's family roared the centre of the stage. While Tony, Molly and Joe gave a soft slow clap in the corner still confused and unsure to just what was about to happen.
"Can your brother actually sing?" Little Alan asked Ben
"I Don't know i just think he is having us on.
Jesse appeared on the stage messing around with his hands clearly nervous despite only performing to close family and friends.
"Erm hi everyone, if you have known me for even a second you would know if i could sing one song in the world it would be this one" Jesse looked down at the floor for one last moment and then slowly raised his head to face the crowd and began to sing.
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ohhh...
Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby
Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out and
Love's strange so real in the dark
Think of the tender things that we were working on
Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, baby
Don't you forget about me
Don't don't don't don't
Don't you forget about me
Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down
Will you recognise me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ohhhh...
Don't you try to pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security
Don't you forget about me
I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby
Going to take you apart
I'll put us back together at heart, baby
Don't you forget about me
Don't don't don't don't
Don't you forget about me
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
When you walk away
Oh will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on, call my name
Will you call my name?
I say:
La la la...
Jesse felt like he was the king of the world when he stood on the stage and everybody beneath him was clapping and cheering his name. Even though it was people who would go to hell and back for him it now gave Jesse the confidence to do this everyday of the week.
Jesse's mum then pulled him from the stage and began to plant kisses all over his face "Jesse Morris that was bloody brilliant!" Stella then embraced her son into a huge embrace "I'm so proud of you" it warmed Jesse's heart so much when he could make his mother proud considering the tough life she had been through.
"Hey Jesse" Jesse heard the sound of a familiar voice, it was Tony.
"Tony!" Jesse embraced his best friend.
"So you can sing" Tony said after the short embrace was finished
"Apparently so yeah".
"Listen you did well so i got you a present".
Jesse stared at Tony a little confused "You got me a present in advance how is that even possible are you a time traveller?"
Tony chuckled, one of the best things about being around Jesse was his sense of humour. "No you dumb ass i got it anyway from America"
"Oh right it better not be a bear because when Karl went to America last year he brought me a massive cuddly bear for some reason and we could barely get it through the front door" Jesse explained.
Tony pulled out the present from us pocket and placed it in Jesse's hands, it was a form asking all sorts of personal questions like what's your height and weight. "What's this then?"
"Do you know the Manor Racing Team"
Jesse paused for a moment trying to think. "Are they that Formula 3 team who moved over to America for some reason".
"That's the one, well recently they have been heavily criticised for loosing their British identity because they have only two British people employed, so they have a race seat open this year and they making it exclusive for British drivers so they're hosting a race in a few weeks at Oulton Park and the winner gets the seat for the next America National Championship season.
Jesse Sighed heavily "Tony this is all well and good but i can't do this, you know i can't do this i don't even have 1 percent of the money required to live in America and race in an amateur championship like that"
Tony Smirked at Jesse "Well That's the thing Manor are willing to pay for accommodation and any necessary education"
Jesse stared at the form and watched as a tear dropped onto the paper his dream was well and truly back on.
"America" He whispered.
"Bloody America, that's fantastic Jesse, i'm going to really miss you" Stella told Jesse whilst he was making his cereal .
"Mum you do know i have to win the race first" Jesse explained.
"But i know you're gonna do it, all 20 drivers in equal cars not that pile of crap you had to drive for Mr Atkins for all those years" Jesse was about to defend Mr Atkins but Ben jumped in before he could respond to his mother.
"So you know Joe and Molly who were there last night are they together?" The 13 Year old asked
Emma laughed "Don't be silly man, Joe's gay like Tony"
"Wooow" Jesse reacted and began to set the facts straight "Tony is gay yes, Joe is not sometimes boys and girls can just be friends"
Ben pulled his face in disgust "That's weird"
Jesse just laughed at his little brother headed up the stairs with 15-year-old Emma following up behind.
"Your gonna miss all that when you're in America" Stella said to her son whilst chuckling
America, Atlanta
Steven Mitchell pulled up outside his mother's house in his new Mercedes, all the 5'6 dark-haired American knew was racing cars, how to drive them and how to set them up. What he knew absolutely nothing about was how to introduce his new girlfriend to his parents. His parents were all supposed to be in the same room today which was a rare. The occasion being his Dad taking his younger sister by two years Beca to his home before she starts university. Steven will never forget the look on his sisters face the moment she was told.
The girl Steven would be introducing was Mary. Steven had never had a girlfriend before he never had the time but this one blonde changed all that. Mary was sweet, kind, beautiful and even had an interest in racing. they met in the most cliche way possible, Mary worked at the Burger King at the local shopping mall and when Steven visited sometime over the past summer she decided to spill someones meal all over his nice new shirt. Steven wasn't bothered about the shirt he was bothered about the manager who was ranting and raving in Mary's face. Steven tried his best to convince the manager that it wasn't Mary's fault but his. But the manager fired her anyway. Steven comforted her in her hour of need and took her home. Steven kissed her on the cheek and left his number and they hit it off from their.
It had only been just over a month but Steven was sure she was the one so it felt right to introduce to his parents. Steven opened the door for her and intertwined his fingers with hers and walked towards the doorway of his mother's house.
Steven was instantly able to see the nerves bubbling up within her. "Are you okay"
She didn't respond. She had always been rather quiet so it wasn't unnatural to Steven but he was still concerned. "Their not gonna bite your head off it's going to be okay"
Mary chuckled "Okay" and Steven kissed on the cheek before opening the door to absolute chaos. Steven instantly recognised several voices his Mother, his father and his fathers wife Sheila or as his sister poetically named her 'The Stepmonster'.
"There was no reason to bring that Bitch here!" Steven's mother Janice roared. Steven immediately turned to face his girlfriend who looked scared.
Steven could make out that from behind the wall that separated the three that his Father had to hold his wife back from attacking his Mother. "Listen Janice there is no reason to call her a bitch two wrongs don't make a right you know!"
"So you do admit it was WRONG to bring her here!"
"That's not what i meant Janice" His father roared. Steven heard the door open from behind him it was Beca with her headphones as always wrapped firmly round her neck. She didn't even seem to pay attention to the fact her brother was holding hands with a blonde girl, she paid attention only to the screams of the trio in the other room. She already wanted to leave the house a second after arriving as she was sick of the same old shit as soon as she walked through the door but she could her the mention of her name this time.
"Where is Beca anyway?" Her father asked calmly.
"Probably out with her friends" Janice respond.
"Bullshit, that girl doesn't have any friends, she's just hiding away from you" Shelia responded and that was enough for Beca. Just as she stormed out of the house she could hear her father yell "SHEILA!" then she slammed the door behind her.
Beca's slamming of the door finally got the attention of the three in the kitchen. Steven left the mortified Mary alone in the hallway as he opened the door and jogged after his only sister.
"Beca!" Steven grabbed his sister's arm to stop her from walking out of the garden.
"Let go off me Steven" Beca responded aggressively.
Steven did let go of her arm but wouldn't give up his pursuit. "Beca you can't just keep running away, families are dysfunctional and we have to try and live with that anyway we can"
Beca scoffed at her brother "But Steven it's gone way to far now, i'd even rather be one of those families in movies who get pissed on with gold and love every two seconds and you know i hate movies"
Beca walked away and as she did Steven whispered "I know you do"
"BECS!" Ron Mitchell shouted to his daughter from the doorway as she walked across the walk path and only responded with "Don't call me that!"
Steven rushed back to Mary's side who was now facing Steven's Mother, Father and Sheila. "Hey everyone this is Mary she's my girlfriend and I'm sure she has learnt all about you already, come on Mary we have a race to watch i get to find out who my teammate is next year" Steven led Mary up the stairs and shut his door firmly tight.
Jesse along with his family and friends were sat on the bus on the way to the Oulton Park race circuit and Jesse was extremely nervous as this was the race of his life a real make or break for his career. He had studied the track constantly every apex, every line to take, every overtaking opportunity but still his heart was beating 10 times faster than it should have been.
Tony came and sat next to him on the bus in what Jesse thought was an effort to relax him. "Hey Jesse, iv'e been meaning to tell you this for a while now"
Jesse turned to face his friend intrigued "Okay"
"If you win this thing today I'd like to come with you to America, you would want to go to Barden Uni if you win that's right isn't it"
"Yeah that's right"
"Well that place suits me a lot and i loved being back their for the end of year trip and it's not to far from my folks so it would great to see them now and again, would that be okay with you?"
"Yeah why wouldn't it be" Tony smiled wildly as Jesse did the same knowing he wouldn't be alone out there, if he won...
"Right everyone we are here" Big Alan shouted from the driver's seat of the coach as they pulled up outside the race track Jesse took a big deep breath and Tony patted him on the shoulder "You got this"
Jesse and the 19 other drivers headed into the drivers meeting where they introduced to the only British members and the leaders of Manor Racing, John Booth and Graeme Lowdon. they ran over the rules. 40 laps, 1 pit stop has to be made any form of dirty racing would be an instant disqualification and they had supplied a pit crew for each driver but no race engineer so you had to bring your own Jesse turned to Tony and smiled at this point as he would be in Jesse's ear for the whole race. The final information is that the starting order of the race had been decided on previous racing reputation so Jesse naturally due to his appalling racing record was in last place, but he had prepared for this eventuality. So when the drivers meeting was over Jesse went straight to Tony.
"Right so for this race we have gone with strategy F"
"What the hell is strategy F?" A confused Tony asked.
"Strategy were fucked"
Before the race began Jesse went and hugged every single person who had come as a part as his team as they wished him good luck and the last was his mother who grabbed him by the cheeks and peppered kisses all over his face once again "You are going to do brilliant sweetheart were all behind you!"
Everyone clapped and cheered to boost him. Jesse put his helmet on as he sat in the car. The helmet was mix of red white and blue obviously the colours of his flag Great Britain and for Optimus Prime for his love of the Transformers franchise he liked the Bay films but he adored the 1980's series and film, probably not the best thing for him to be thinking about before his life changing race.
COMMENTATOR 1: Well here we are ladies and gentleman for this precursor to the 2012-2013 American Amateur National Racing Championship as these boys try to impress the bosses of Manor Racing.
COMMENTATOR 2: Yes of course giving them the opportunity to become team mates to Steven Mitchell, the best racing talent America has produced for a very long time of course he had offers to rise up the racing lader but he turned those opportunities down as he claims he won't rise up to the racing lader until he was won this championship after half way through last season he had won every race but picked up an injury after collision with newcomer Harry Oakley which broke Mitchell's leg Oakley who joined halfway through the last season went on to win all the races after his ban finishing 4th in the championship showing similar speed to Mitchell. Should be great to see those go head to head in this upcoming season.
Steven sat at home looked down at where his injury had taken place and thinking about his hatred for Harry Oakley thankfully Mary distracted him from the situation.
"You have to feel bad for the guys at the back they have almost no chance i know it's 40 laps but the circuit isn't massive"
"That's the beauty about sport, anything can happen"
COMMENTATOR 1: It's 1,2,3,4,5 red lights and away we go!
When the race got underway Jesse knew his plan strategy F in this race was to stay at the back drive only to conserve the tyres saving them for later in the race.
COMMENTATOR 1: At the halfway point of this race everybody has pitted for fresh new rubber that will increase their speed expect for Jesse Morris the man who started last in this race stuck in traffic throughout is about to set his first lap in free air and he is WOW, a full 1 second a lap faster than anyone this race and on worn tyres where has this speed come from?
COMMENTATOR 2: Important to remember while he does lead this race he has to make another pit stop and the time to make a pit stop is about 25 seconds here and Jesse only has a 7 second to the car behind so if he wants to stay in first he has to build that gap
Jesse continued to push, putting in fastest lap after fastest lap until his tyres had enough with two laps to he came into the pit lane.
When the tyres were changed and Jesse returned onto the track he heard Tony's voice over the radio "Okay Jesse only 2 laps to you're in 4th the 3 guys in front are fighting like crazy your going to catch them"
COMMENTATOR 2: Onto the final lap now and the front three are still going at it, but look who has joined the party now it's Jesse Morris he has a different set of tyres on the only problem for him is that he has 3 cars in front of him, BUT LOOK AT THE SPEED HE'S GOT HE'S GONNA TRY AND PASS ALL THREE OF THEM IN ONE CORNER IS HE GONNA RISK IT?
COMMENTATOR 1: OH MY WORD JESSE MORRIS HAS JUST PASSED THREE CARS IN ONE CORNER THAT IS SENSATIONAL AT ANY LEVEL OF RACING!"
Steven actually stood up and applauded when this Jesse kid made the overtake he had never seen guts like that in a racing driver for a very long time.
COMMENTATOR 1: And he rounds the final corner a shock win here and calming a drive next season Jesse Morris WINS AT OULTON PARK!"
When Jesse crossed the line it was pure relief rather than celebration it was his first ever win in any form since go karting but Jesse knew it was just the start of a long journey. But when he parked up and got out of his car and he saw his family cheering his name he couldn't help but letting out all his emotion with them they lifted him up in the air and Jesse had never felt better.
Two weeks later
"Jesse it's your birthday next week and you still haven't told me what you want to do yet, i was thinking maybe a party down the Della last time everybody will see you before you go to Hollywood land" Stella told her son whilst they were eating their morning cereal.
"Mum i was thinking i just want to go and see Luke"
Luke was Jesse's twin brother older by 7 minutes but sometimes Jesse felt like Luke was older by a few years. Like Tony Luke was always on the look out for Jesse always stopping the bullies from the constantly name calling or sometimes physical violence. But nearly 2 years ago that all changed it was Luke who was the immature one as he was caught stealing cars with his mates. Luke was sentenced to three years in prison. Luke wasn't a nasty person he had just made a mistake, a mistake that hurt a lot of people. Mostly Jesse, Luke was really important to Jesse he was constantly looking up to him for guidance and they shared the same experience of never having a father.
When arriving in prison the first thing Jesse did was wish his twin a happy birthday obviously but then went on to rant and rave about the race in every detail.
"America for free, can't go wrong can you"
Jesse couldn't even respond, it had been two weeks but he was still so overjoyed with the situation and Luke could see that and was so proud of his brother.
"Look has mum said anything about our dad, just i thought she might have mentioned something considering you're going away to America" Both Luke and Jesse respected the fact that their mother wanted to keep their father's identity secret but sometimes they just couldn't help wanting to know.
Jesse just shook his head and tried to change the conversation as quickly as possible. "How's Bonfire Dave doing?" Bonfire Dave was both the man who was a few seats down from Luke on the visiting chairs, he was the same age as Luke and Jesse but had a massive beard and looked 40.
"Still fancies me, still prefers you though"
"Only because I'm cuter"
"No you're not!"
Both Jesse and Luke chuckled as the hour for visiting was over.
"Good luck in America Jess"
Jesse started to tear up as he hated the limited time he was allowed to see his brother and it was just about to get worse.
"Hey come here" Luke pulled Jesse into a hug and they stayed embraced for as long as possible before the guards decided that was enough.
Mid August
Today was the day Jesse was leaving, he spent forever saying goodbye to each person who had come to see him off.
"Jesse considering were really late for this flight i think you should drive the car" Tony threw Jesse the keys to the Chevrolet.
Jesse looked down at the keys "Tony i can't drive this I'm not insured to"
"Well for a late birthday present i decided to get you insured on the car"
Jesse was in complete shock Tony's kind gestures just kept coming and coming "Tony i don't know what to say.."
"How about thank you #" Stella said as she appeared by her son's side. "You look after him Tony won't you"
"Of Course Mrs Morris" Tony smiled at Jesse's mother as he got in the passenger door.
Stella turned to Jesse, she really couldn't believe it would be nearly a year before they would see each other "Come here you" Stella pulled Jesse into the tightest of embraces never wanting to let go. "You call me the moment you land"
Jesse smiled back at his mother and hoped into the Chevrolet. He immediately turned to Tony "America here we come" Jesse turned the key in ignition and set off to the airport.
