A/N: I have been working on this story for some time but I had a really bad bout of writer's block and only recently got back on track. This story will be this prologue, eight chapters, and an epilogue. I hope you enjoy.

I hope to post once a week; hopefully every Friday or Saturday.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, Pitch Perfect, or any songs used.

Prologue: Same Old Me

Rachel was sitting on the couch in Puck's living room with her hands clasped in her lap; there was a drunk cheerio on her right, some dude making out with neck brace cheerio on her left and despite the situation she was currently in she was smiling and looking around at her friends.

Which was something she had only ever dreamed about when she started high school… having friends- real friends; and now she has them. She even left high school having had a high school sweetheart. And it was even okay that a week after graduating; she and Finn broke up.

For good this time.

Quinn's accident and almost death woke them both up out of the fairy tale they had been living in for most of their senior year.

Quinn was okay now, not only walking but dancing when they won nationals… finally.

She and Quinn had managed to finally and truly become friends over the summer and as it turned out she and her new best friend were going to the same college; Barden University.

Rachel had decided to go there because she didn't get into NYADA and instead of letting her Broadway dreams crash and burn she decided to go to a school that has a really good a capella choir. The Barden Bellas were the best all female group in the country.

She couldn't wait to join them.

As for Quinn, she wasn't too sure of Quinn's reasoning behind deciding to go to Barden but she was pretty sure it was the English Department.

At this moment, the girl in question was leaning against the door frame of the Puckerman's living room and looking at Rachel in awe. The amazing English Department was a huge draw for Quinn to not only apply to Barden but also her decision to go. And while that was ninety percent of the why she chose Barden the other ten percent was for a girl.

The girl.

Rachel.

She wasn't ready to say goodbye to her… not yet. Not when they have finally become close friends; and definitely not when Rachel and Finn had finally broken up.

Her mom was mad at Quinn- at first for not choosing Ivy League as was the Fabray tradition but she quickly got over it when she saw Barden's English and Business Departments. She agreed to let Quinn attend so long as Quinn took some business classes. Having wanted to do that anyway Quinn easily agreed.

"Hey Q… wipe your lips, you're drooling," Quinn rolled her eyes at the sound of Santana's voice. She may have also wiped her lip (just in case) and of course Santana laughed at that.

"So you're following Berry to college eh?"

"No," Quinn replied adamantly but both she and Santana knew it was a front. They both knew it always had been. "They have an amazing-"

"English Department," Santana cut in, finishing her sentence. "Yeah, yeah… heard that before."

"They also have-"

"A hot midget brunette that you've been obsessed with for four years," Santana cut in again and Quinn rolled her eyes again. "Just admit it Quinn, no one cares anymore."

"Whatever," Quinn said and then stepped away from Santana. Rachel looked as if she needed rescuing and she was just the girl for the job. She heard Santana cackling behind her but she didn't care as she stopped in front of the couch; her eyes landed on Rachel who had yet to see her and she grinned like a fool.

"Hey," she said and finally Rachel's eyes met hers. Quinn's smile widened.

"Hey you," Rachel beamed.

"Do you um," Quinn ran her fingers through her still short hair. "Do you want to get… some… some air?"

"Yes please," Rachel whispered. Quinn held her hand out, Rachel placed her hand into it, and then Quinn led her out of the loud house to the quiet of the backyard.

They walked- still hand in hand- across the yard to a swing set that must belong to Puck's sister. They each sat on a swing and began swinging.

It was quiet for a few moments and then Quinn spoke.

"Are you sad?"

"Sad?" Rachel repeated the question as a question but her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah to you know, be leaving…" Quinn continued to help Rachel's confusion.

"Oh," Rachel paused briefly. "Well I'll miss my dads and my friends but… no," Quinn couldn't fight the small smile that now graced her lips. "I mean I'm so ready to be in New York but I'll enjoy Barden and being part of the Bellas." She took a couple of breaths. "And who knows maybe in a year or two I can transfer to NYADA."

"Yeah," Quinn agreed nodding. She would love that for Rachel but not for herself. She'd miss her terribly but at the very worst she'd have Rachel for at least one year and she planned on making the most of it. Starting right now.

"Hey… do you want to get out of here?"

"And go where?"

"I don't know… anywhere," Quinn paused as she thought about where they could go; she didn't really have a plan in her head. "My house, or your house… we uhh… we can have one last movie marathon before we have to go to school again." Rachel's beaming smile was spread across her mouth and Quinn loved that recently she was always the one that put that smile there.

She wanted to always be the one that made Rachel happy. She just needed to get up the nerve to finally tell her.

Maybe tonight?

"I would like nothing more," Rachel said as she stopped swinging. Quinn watched her get to her feet and hold her hand out. Quinn dug her feet into the ground to stop the swing; then she popped to her feet, and took Rachel's offered hand.

Their fingers interlocked as they walked to the car. And Quinn hoped that maybe- just maybe- Rachel felt the same.

A girl could dream.

Beca was packing the last of her things and she was trying to get out of her house before her mom stopped her. She loved her mom and she definitely sided with her mom when her parents got divorced. Particularly when her dad got re-married but going to school at the school where her dad is a professor was the last thing she wanted to be doing. She didn't want this… she wanted to be in Los Angeles, paying her dues at a radio station… but for the first time since the divorce; her parents chose now to finally agree on something.

They chose this… her education.

She was tired of her mom trying to explain her reasons but she wasn't dumb; she knew their reasons. She knew their reasons were valid… but that didn't mean she had to like it.

She pulled her backpack onto her shoulders and snapped her headphones around her neck; the taxi was outside, already loaded with the rest of her bags. She grabbed her mixing board and headed out of her room.

She almost- almost- made it out the door and into the taxi before her mom got home but just as she opened the front; there her mom stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

"So you weren't going to say goodbye."

"I-I was trying not to," Beca admitted.

"Look Beca… I know you're upset with me for agreeing with your father on this but you have to understand-"

"Do I?" Beca crossed her arms over her chest. "And why do I have to understand that for years, you and dad have done nothing but disagree and argue over everything and now!" She shouted. "Now, you decide to finally put your own shit behind you and act like parents…"

"Bec-"

"Just in time to ruin my life," she finished.

"Oh c'mon Beca… it isn't that bad."

"Yes it is… I don't need college. I already know what I want to do with my life."

"Trust me…you'll change your mind."

"Why because you did… you got bored with dad and decided to ruin all of our lives?"

"Beca, stop being mean."

"Fine!" She turned on our heel. "I'll see you next summer," and with that she left the house. Her mom followed her.

"Beca," she called and Beca stopped just before she reached the door of the taxi; she turned with a huff and was surprised to see that her mom was standing right there.

"I'm sorry," her mom told her honestly. And for the first time since she had her dad had informed her that they were forcing her to go to college; Beca believed her. She nodded once but didn't let her defenses down. Beca's mom put one of her hands on each of Beca's upper arms and again Beca softened.

"Look baby… I loved college, I made friends that I am still friends with, I found your father," Beca rolled her eyes at that but didn't interrupt. "And even though that ended badly I wouldn't trade a moment of the time I spent with him; he is a great man Beca… it just wasn't meant to be for us," Beca felt a tear slide down her cheek. "But I'll always love him for giving me you."

"Mom-"

"No listen," she had to continue to get this all out before the girl left. "I know you're upset, but please… I need you to understand why I agreed to this."

"I'm listening."

"I want you to get to know him… to give him a chance to finally be a dad."

"But I don't-"

"I also," she cut Beca off again. "Want you to find lifelong friends… and who knows maybe you'll even find a girl that will love you the way you deserve," Beca nodded. She couldn't argue with her mom's good intentions.

And maybe college wouldn't be so bad.

"Okay mom," Beca agreed and then pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. It was so much easier to be mad at her mom when the woman wasn't standing in front of her. "Thanks… and I'm sorry but I've got to go or this taxi is going to cost even more of a fortune than it already is."

"Nah," she waved her off. "Just charge it to your dad," and Beca laughed at that. "But seriously… bye sweetie, I am going to miss you so much and I hope you come home to visit before next summer."

"I'll try."

"Okay," and then she pressed a kiss to Beca's cheek and opened the car door for her. Beca got inside and her mom closed it behind her. She told the driver to take her to the airport and as he drove away she waved to her mother.

Maybe she was right.

Maybe she would find something… or someone to make college worth it.

Chloe walked into the room where the Bellas rehearsed and she smiled at the memories of the previous three years. Memories she had shared with friends she had made in this room. She didn't want it to end but she knew it had to.

If it had to end… she was ready; and she hoped it ended with the Bellas finally winning the acapella finals at Lincoln Center. They had come so close last year but- she quickly shook those negative thoughts away.

She hadn't blamed Aubrey; and made her feel bad the way the other girls on the team had. Sure, she was disappointed but it's not like Aubrey did it on purpose. Also all of the graduating seniors the previous year were bitches; this year would be different. Because this year she and Aubrey were running the team; and they could hand pick girls that would help them become champions.

Suddenly she was very excited.

"Hey bitch," a familiar voice called out and she turned with a grin. "Are you ready?" Aubrey continued as she rushed over to Chloe.

"So ready," she promised just as she was engulfed in a hug by her best friend. After the hug ended Aubrey pulled away and shot Chloe a sad smile.

"Hey listen… I'm so sorry for-"

"Stop apologizing Aubrey," Chloe cut her off. "It's not like you planned it… or in any way did it on purpose."

"I know but-"

"Look, I'm not one of those bitches," Chloe cut her off again and Aubrey nodded because she knew that. She knew that Chloe was nothing like their former teammates- she was super sweet with a heart of gold.

"You're right."

"I know," Chloe teased arrogantly and Aubrey laughed.

"So… how have you been; how was your summer?" Chloe shrugged and Aubrey could tell something was wrong. "What… what happened?"

"Alex and I broke up," Chloe admitted and Aubrey sucked in a breath.

"Why?"

"She just… she um," Chloe shook the tears away that were threatening to escape. She didn't know why she was still upset by this; it's not like Alex was her true love or anything. They were barely a thing…. A college fling and nothing more. But Chloe figured that it hurt so much because of how the girl had dumped her. "She um… left me for her ex-boyfriend."

"Ew… gross," Aubrey said with a curled lip and Chloe couldn't help but grin. She was grateful because at least it made the threatening tears go away.

"It's fine… it's not like we were some epic romance or anything."

"You're right," Aubrey told her. "I agree with you completely, that bitch doesn't deserve you anyway."

"Thanks," Chloe giggled.

"For serious Chloe," and again Chloe smiled. "This is your year babe, and I hope you find a nice hottie that can hopefully sing because the Bellas will need all the help we can get," Chloe laughed again.

"I'll keep my eyes out for hotties who can sing," Chloe teased her friend; but she had to admit… she'd love to find a girl that could be a Bella so they'd have stuff in common. She and Alex had nothing in common; but then again Alex was merely a straight girl experimenting with a girl in college and every time Chloe thought about it she became angry that the girl had been playing her… and playing with her heart.

She shook her head and pushed the anger away.

"So what about you?" She asked her suddenly confused friend as she tried to change the subject.

"Huh?"

"Any epic romances on the horizon for you?"

"Ugh no," Aubrey answered with a curled lip. "I mean the only boys in this school that are even a little hot are usually Trebles… and the Trebles are off limits," Chloe laughed again and Aubrey crossed her arms over her chest. "What?"

"You do know that as the new leaders of the Bellas we have the power to get rid of that archaic rule?"

"Absolutely not… that was one of the rules those bitches came up with, that I actually agree with."

"Okay," Chloe held her hands up in defeat because of how adamant Aubrey was about this particular rule. "But just so you know if you find a boy in the Trebles that you want to break the rules for," Aubrey was shaking her head no. "I'm just saying… I won't judge."

"That is not why we are here Chloe," Aubrey continued in her bossy tone while Chloe just tried to hide her smile. "We are here to win the finals at Lincoln Center… once and for all."

"Okay."

"Which is why we need to get to work; choosing and prepping a song for auditions this year; and we need to get ready for the activities fair."

"Okay."

"And wipe that smirk off your face," Aubrey shouted before she stormed out of the room.

"Yes ma'am," Chloe agreed following her… but she still couldn't hide the smirk.

Rachel and Quinn were cuddled close on Rachel's bed as the movie they decided to watch- instead of staying at Puck's party- played in front of them. Quinn loved it whenever they watched scary movies because every time Rachel got scared she would cuddle closer to her; and she never moved back once the scary part was over.

As of this moment Rachel was so close that Quinn could feel her body pressed along her side.

Sometimes she wondered if Rachel did these things on purpose to get closer to her but then she remembers that Rachel wouldn't do that; because Rachel was straight… very straight. Which was one of the reasons that Quinn continued to struggle with coming out to her.

Quinn had found it easier to come out to her mom- which she thought would be a nightmare of epic proportion… but it wasn't. It had been relatively easy.

However, with Rachel… she just couldn't do it. Every single time she got even close to saying anything she would choke up; and today was no exception. She really wanted to tell Rachel the truth… she wanted to show Rachel her real self before they got to college so that she wouldn't have to hide back in the closet that she recently came out of.

She also wanted to tell Rachel that she has all of these feelings for her… but she needed to take it one step at a time. She needed to crawl before she could walk.

She felt her stomach tighten and her palms became sweaty as she once again tried to tell Rachel.

"Um… Rach."

"Yeah," Rachel said between bites of popcorn, her eyes were glued to the television. It was quiet for several moments- long enough for Rachel to lose interest in the movie and focus on whatever Quinn was struggling to tell her. This wasn't the first time Quinn had done this and Rachel internally hoped that this time Quinn would finally say the words.

Whatever they were.

All summer, as they had gotten closer and closer Rachel had begun to develop more than friendship feelings for Quinn… and what she had recently realized was that maybe these feelings for Quinn go even further back.

The first time she remembered feeling this way for Quinn was when Quinn left the glee club and dyed her hair pink at the beginning of their last year. She went after Quinn like she always had before- and always would- but this time when she found Quinn she felt differently. She was in denial about it for some time; only now fully accepting that she had a crush on Quinn Fabray.

A crush she would never tell Quinn about for fear of losing their friendship. Quinn was straight… she knew that.

She quickly shook those selfish thoughts away and focused on Quinn, because right now something was bothering her. It had been a minute or two of silence, so she did what she had always done and tried to help.

"What is it?" Quinn knew she had Rachel's full attention now and then she did what she always does… she hid.

"Never mind," she said softly and felt disappointment spread through her. Rachel smiled and patted Quinn's arm gently.

Maybe next time- they both thought.

A/N 2: The chapter title comes from the song I Feel Pretty/Unpretty by the Glee Cast.