Chapter 1
Beca's POV
Present Day
There she was...Chloe. I'm not sure when I started to see Chloe as something more than just a friend. We have spent so much time together in the last months...But something clicked, something changed, and now I don't know what to do...
September 2012
I have always been fine spending time on my own. An only child, I am comfortable in my own space, my own thoughts, my alone time. I was never a person who needed to be around others. However, moving to college and sharing my space with a roommate who obviously loathes my existence makes it difficult. I long for privacy, to be able to shut the world out. My father, was less than accommodating to my request for moving to a single room. There were options available, but he would not allow me to just withdrawal from the college experience, as I have done so many times in life.
To say I am a loner, is not accurate. I know how to be around others, I was even active in high school, although, for me it was less about social activities, as it was, an outlet for my creativity and a way to avoid being home with a new Step-Parent always present. I took classes in music, and theatre, so that I could gain more experience to follow my dream. I hated performances, and preferred to take roles that put me in the background, because after all, I want to be a director, not a player. However, my Catholic high school had very few opportunities for someone like me. I participated in the choir, and in musicals. Sometimes I provided my own arrangements and music when able, but heading to college, despite my protests, I thought was going to be finally different. No more school uniforms, no more stupid choir, I was finally going to be able to be myself. I was not going to be forced to conform to anything.
But now, it felt all too similar. I would have to conform...I would have to play the good daughter and follow my Dad's rules to get out of this...ok fine. If he needs me to participate, I know how to do that. If the interning at Radio Station isn't enough for him, I will just join that stupid a cappella thing. I did the choir in high school, this wouldn't be any different. Just show up, sing, feel stupid, but get the box checked on Dad's list, and then I'll be free.
So I grabbed my shower bucket, and headed to get ready. I was lost in music, Titanium was absolutely consuming my mind. I have a great mix I'm working on, and I can't stop running it through my head. As I sing, I don't notice the low sounds coming from the shower stall. I take off my robe and enter the shower...geez I hate public bathrooms!
"Bullet proof nothing to lose...fire away, fire away..."
Dude...
Wait, who does this? Who ever just enters another person's shower. WTF?
I can barely think...this discussion is ridiculous, but that girl is so engaging, so unfazed by the complete inappropriate situation. How is anyone this comfortable? Even when they look like she does. How is this possible?
Fine...if I sing, she'll leave, and I'll die if this situation does not go away. I can hardly breathe with my embarrassment.
She starts to sing, and it's incredible. I know I can sing. Perfect Pitch is something I have always been able to achieve. My range isn't large, but I can pick any note at any time. However, the sound coming out of this women is beyond beautiful. It matches my voice...perfectly. "See you at auditions"...she says as she leaves, and I am left, completely speechless, and ever changed. What the ...was that?
I had planned on the auditions...I know this is what I need to get to LA, but after that shower experience..I am nervous, like uncomfortably nervous.
I watch everyone else at the Auditions...god I hate American Idol, and really Kelly Clarkson? I will not sing that, its not me, and I can't pull that off. So when it was over, I actually think about leaving until the red-head from the shower sees me. My eyes lock to hers, and for someone reason...I go completely red. Why am I nervous...this is stupid. When I snap out of it I hear her say...wait there is another...Crap..I would have to go through with this...So I just wing it, if I am going to go down in flames, at least I'll go down my way!
After the audition...I head back to my dorm. The stupid a cappella thing was probably not a good idea anyway. I mean, how would I ever have time for my mixes and the Radio Station, oh yeah, and at least passing the stupid 12 hours of course work I have to do to get Dad to let me out of this college thing. Then it happens, there is a knock on my door, and a hood over my head. This is so stupid...
Ok and wait, this is not something I'm comfortable with...someone pulling me through stairs and down hallways. I try to stay calm, but hate every minute of this...whatever it is... When it finally stops, and I hear others in the room I know that nothing will ever be so stupid as what is about to happen.
Repeat after me... "Really?" I have to tell myself over, and over again, this will get me to LA, this will get me to LA.
I snap out of it...just in time to hear...it's time to drink the blood of our sisters, 'Wait what... the blood of What?" And then the redhead is before me, "Don't worry, it's Boone's Farm..." with a wink...ok fine, obviously this women can get me to do all sorts of embarrassing things,
"wait...how is that possible?" I tell myself..