"Tell her a story / Tell her the honest truth / You treat her better / Make sure to see it through / Don't be just everything she wants / Be everything she needs / When she says she loves you / Tell her you love her, too"
-Tell Her You Love Her, Echosmith
It started on a Tuesday morning, which is odd because nothing starts on a Tuesday morning.
Chloe woke up to the sound of her phone screeching in her ear. She groggily picked her head off the pillow and yanked her phone off the dresser.
"Hello?" She said sounding like a grump.
"Chloe?"
"Mom?" She answered, very surprised.
"Oh that is you? I'm sorry it's just your voice sounds scratchy and you don't sound very happy. Is something the matter?" Judy, Chloe's mother, responded sounding concerned.
"Oh yeah. I'm fine. It's just that you woke me up. But what's up?" She said, her mood improving upon hearing her mothers voice.
"Well… As you know your brother has been engaged to Francesca for quite sometime now and just this past weekend they decided they weren't going to wait any longer. They're getting married this Sunday and we're all really hoping you can come."
"Of course! How could I miss my own brother's wedding? Where is it?" She asked, getting excited at the prospect of seeing her family.
"Well we're renting a big house down in Savannah right in the town you kids grew up in. It's right there by the ocean. Oh, it's just beautiful!" Her mother practically squealed.
"Oh that sounds amazing! When should I get there?"
"Well I think most people are getting there around Thursday afternoon. We're headed there now to start setting things up."
"But thats in two days, Mom!" Chloe shrieked. "How am I supposed to get them a present by then?"
"Oh don't worry about it, hun. They specifically said they didn't want any gifts. They just want your presence."
"Oh okay. Well then I'm very excited to see everyone!" Chloe said, already planning how she would get there. "I'll talk to you later then. See you soon."
"Okay sweetie. See you soon." As Chloe was about to hang up she heard her mother shriek into the phone. She raised it to her ear again quick enough to catch the words, "Oh! And you have to bring a date or else you'll have to spend the weekend with your creepy step-brother, Richard. Bye!" Before Chloe could say anything else the phone line went blank. Of course her mother would wait until the last possible second to say that. She knew how much Chloe hated Richard. He was a total creep and the douchiest douche bag that had ever walked the planet. She absolutely despised him. But she hadn't actually been in a real relationship since she broke up with Tom over a year ago. Being co-captain of the Bellas was hard work and barely left any time for dating. At least, thats what she told herself when she found herself alone at 2am listening to Celine Dion because Beca was out with Jesse. Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that the object of her affection was on a date with someone that wasn't her. Of course not. But thinking about that wasn't helping her find a date any sooner. So she set off to find someone to fill in as a date. And yes it was only 7:30am and she knew Beca was going to kill her but she hopped off her bed and ran over to Beca's room. Amy was out with Bumper for god know what reason so Beca was alone.
She took a minute to just look at Beca before doing anything. Which sounds totally creepy because who just stares at their friends when they're sleeping. But how could Chloe resist. Beca was just too adorable. Her whole body wrapped in her thick comforter with just her small nose poking out from under it. Even though it was the end of the school year and it incredibly hot out, Beca had the AC on the highest setting.
After her little moment, she walked over to Beca's bed swiftly and jumped right next to her. She didn't move a muscle. So Chloe tried to wake her again. "Beeeecaaaaaa. Wake up!" She whined. "It's really important. Puh-lease!" Her voice getting louder with every word she spoke. Beca didn't bat an eyelash. Time to bring out the big guns. Chloe swung her left leg over Beca's body, straddling her. She brought her face inches from Beca's left ear and said loudly, "There's a fire! Wake up!"
"Chloe." She groaned. "What is so important that you had to wake me up at the crack of dawn?"
"Beca, it's already 7:35 and I have an emergency." "What is it?" Beca asked still half asleep. As Chloe went on to explain her dilemma to Beca, she noticed the smaller girl dozing off again. "Beca." She whined again. She started peppering kisses on Beca's cheeks trying to get her to rise.
"Beale. What are doing to me?" She said actually waking up this time. As she took in her surroundings she realized something vital to the situation. "Why are you straddling me?" She asked sounding very alarmed.
"Oh." Chloe said, just then noticing their position. "I was trying to wake you up." She said trying to cover up how nervous she was.
"I'm up now." Beca squeaked.
"Oh yeah. Sorry." Chloe said, mentally punching herself in the face. She climbed off Beca being very careful not to hurt her. "Sorry." She said once again.
"You already said that." Beca replied, smirking. Seeing how calm Beca was being about it made her feel better. "It's not my fault you get me so flustered is it?" She giggled. Beca looked down and Chloe could see the tips of her ears turning red.
"So what is it you just couldn't wait to tell me?" Beca answered smoothly as she recovered quickly.
"Oh yeah! Well my brother is getting married this weekend and it is super duper important that I bring a date. So, I was wondering…"
"Oh?" Beca said curiously. "Chloe Beale! Are you asking me to be your date?"
"Um. Yes?" Chloe squeaked. "I'm only asking because this is so last minute and we're best friends! We've even seen each other naked."
"Don't remind me! Still can't get that out of my head."
"Hey! You say that like its such a bad thing!" Chloe teased.
"Thats not what I meant and you know it." Beca replied easily. "But yes. I suppose I could use a vacation from Atlanta for a little while. When do we leave?"
"Really?! Oh I'm so excited I thought it would take longer to convince you. We're leaving on Thursday get ready!" She said with the same enthusiasm as a 7 year old when you tell them they're going on a surprise trip to Disney World. She leapt off the bed and skipped towards the door. Just as she was about to exit, she heard Beca behind her.
"But don't tell anyone I caved so easily." She warned. "I don't want to lose my rep." Rolling her eyes, Chloe bounced out of the room almost crashing into Stacie who had heard the last part of the conversation held in Beca's bedroom.
"Oh! Hi Stacie. Sorry about that." She apologized, referring to bumping into her.
"It's fine. So I couldn't help but hear… But did you just ask Beca to a wedding as your date?" Stacie asked, eyebrows raised. "Because honestly I'm just surprised it took this long! You two have been eye fucking for the past three and a half years."
"What?" Chloe asked incredulously. "I mean, yeah, I asked her to be my date to the wedding but only because my Mom told me I had to bring someone. NOT because we're like in love or whatever."
"Huh. Well okay then. Sorry." She started to walk away.
"Wait!" Chloe called after her. "What do you mean Beca and I have been eye-fucking? We're just friends." She said defensively. "Besides, she's totally straight. And for that matter, so am I. I think. Maybe. That's not the point though." She paused for a moment. "Do you really think that? Because I mean, sometimes I guess I can't stop looking at her. But it's only because she's always so pretty. All the time. I can't help it." She groaned.
"Aha! I knew it!" Stacie shouted. "I knew you had a thing for her. I'm surprised it took you this long to admit it."
"Hey. I am not admitting to anything. I'm just asking, hypothetically, is it super obvious?" She asked genuinely nervous about it. Seeing this, Stacie softened up.
"Look. I'm not saying Beca knows. I'm just saying, pretty much everyone on campus thinks you two are a thing. Even the rest of us Bellas have bet going. But you two aren't supposed to know that so just forget I said that." She replied cringing at her mistake.
"Stacie." She groaned, deciding the ignore the previous comment. "What am I going to do? We're going to spend all weekend together and she's going to realize that I have major feelings for her and she's going to hate me. I don't want to lose my best friend." She asked, internally freaking out. Stacie leaned over to Chloe, wrapping her arms around her friend.
"I don't think you need to worry about that." She said easily. Almost as if she was positive. Chloe wrapped her arms around Stacie for this comment and took a deep breath in. "Just make sure to call me with updates, okay?" Stacie said.
"Haha okay. I promise I guess. Thanks, by the way. You're a pretty great friend."
Stacie laughed and before turning away said, "I know. You and Beca are so lucky you have me."
On Thursday morning, the wedding was all the Bella's could talk about. Throughout the entire house, jokes were being made about how Beca and Chloe finally got it together and started dating. Surprisingly, Beca handled it better than Chloe had expected. She laughed and blushed and even joined in on the jokes rather than become visibly uncomfortable. At one point she even referred to Chloe as her girlfriend, which then led to sickeningly adorable pet names, even going so far as to both of them looking up "cute pet names for significant other" and making it a contest to see who could out do the other.
"Hey babe, can you bring me my laptop from the desk?" Chloe would ask.
"Oh of course, darling." Beca would reply in the sweetest tone she could muster.
"Thanks, Bumpkin. You're just the sweetest!"
"No problem, Snookums." Beca would say, smiling wide.
And of course Chloe didn't mention how natural it felt to call Beca 'babe'. She didn't think she'd be able to live that one down.
This went on for a while until it came time for them to head off around noon. The Bellas gathered around them, smothering them with hugs. Amy mentioning something about how they should watch out for crocodiles in Savannah, Stacie mentioning a few nice places to stop along the way, Cynthia Rose adding on that the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed near a location they would be passing. They stood around their small blue rented toyota, wasting time talking with everyone until they really had to go. With their final goodbyes and the wink from Stacie, they started the engine and the music and started their journey East.
Before they even got on the highway, Beca lowered the music and turned to Chloe opening her mouth before shutting it immediately after. Looking slightly confused, she opened her mouth again and asked, "Why did Stacie wink at you when we were pulling out of the driveway?"
"Oh, heh. It's nothing really." Chloe replied, feeling nervous at the direction this conversation seemed to be heading in.
"Okay. I mean, I just want to make sure."
"Make sure of what?"
"That it's really me you want to bring with you to the wedding. Because if you and Stacie have a thing or something…" She trailed off.
At this, Chloe threw her head back and laughed until it was a danger to drive. She wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes with the back of her hand still trying to contain her laughter. Beca looked somewhat relieved and slightly amused.
"Oh my god, No!" She said. "There is nothing going on with me and Stacie, she just knows something I would rather not talk about. But don't worry. Definitely not a thing."
"I wasn't worried." Beca mumbled, jaw locked into position. Chloe glanced at her for a second before shifting her attention back to the road.
"Good. Because there is absolutely nothing to worry about." She assured Beca. Beca side eyed her.
"Just out of curiosity, what is it that she knows?" Chloe blushed and internally cursed her inability to keep things quiet.
"Nothing important." She tried to brush it off.
"What? Dude! Come on, I'm your best friend. How come Stacie gets to know?" She whined.
"Only because she found out by accident."
"Ugh. Dude. Seriously? You're not going to tell me?" She pleaded.
"Nope." Chloe said, popping the 'p'.
"Ever?" She whined again, turning her face towards Chloe using her best puppy dog eyes. "Please?"
"Oh my god, shut up! Maybe I'll tell you someday. In the very far off future." She answered playfully.
"Fine. But I'm remembering this forever so when we're old and grey and still hang out all the time you won't have a choice but to tell me." Beca smirked.
"Beca Mitchell, I promise, I will tell you one day." She replied as honestly as she could.