A/N: Hello. This is a week after the finals. Sorry, I didn't plan it well, but I haven't posted anything in a while. I thought this was acceptable enough to post. So enjoy!
"What?"
Stacie rolls her eyes at the smaller brunette. "Oh my God. Seriously? What do you mean what? I just said it like very clearly."
Beca exhales, annoyed. "I mean, why do I always have to be part of your little plans?"
"Because my plan will work with you." Stacie stares at Beca with expecting eyes.
"Do you even have a Plan B? A backup plan? What if it doesn't work?"
"It will work, Beca. If it doesn't, Plan B is... to improvise."
"Improvising is never good!" Beca yells. "Wha-"
"Which is why," Stacie cuts her off, "the first plan will have to work."
Beca takes a second to really think about what she's agreeing to. She sighs. "Run it by me again."
Stacie rolls her eyes. "Okay. We talk about going to a movie near Aubrey and the redhead-"
"Chloe," Beca informs.
"Okay. We talk about the movie near Aubrey and Chloe. I invite Aubrey. She'll be iffy about it, but then I ask Chloe, and Chloe will defs say yes. And-"
"Wait, how are you so sure she'll say yes?" Beca questions.
"She will." Stacie continues her plan but is interrupted by Beca again.
"And what if she doesn't?"
"She will," Stacie repeats, firmly. "She likes yo- movies." Stacie chuckles nervously then clears her throat, earning a skeptical look from Beca. "Didn't you know? Uh... it's a big Irish thing. Gingers love going out for movies."
Beca's eyes narrow. "No... actually. They don't. That's not a universal stereotype."
Stacie rolls her eyes. "Why do you always use the big words when you're arguing with me?"
Beca looks at Stacie in disbelief. "I don't- How did you even get into college? They weren't even big wor-" She cuts herself off and puts her hands on her forehead, frustrated. "Nevermind. Go on."
"Okay, thank you very much," Stacie says. "Well, Chloe is going to say yes. I am 100% sure. And when she does, Aubrey will say yes, too. Then, bam! Double date." Stacie ends with a large, proud grin.
"Wait, when did this turn into a date? It's just a movie. And I don't even like movies," Beca complains.
"Okay, whatever. It's just a movie. But still, I'll get to spend time with Aubrey, and you can friend it up with the ginger. And I thought you got over hating movies. Didn't your boyfriend make you love them?"
"Wow, Stacie. How are we even friends?"
"What?" Stacie asks, confused.
"Jesse and I broke up a week ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I would've bought you some ice cream or something if I knew." Stacie waves it off.
Beca slaps her head and laughs. "Well, you did know. And I broke up with him because- Oh my God, Stace. I told you this like last week."
"Why did you break up with him again?"
Beca sighs. "Because of the movies!" she yells, annoyed. "The constant movies. Every single fucking night! Sometimes we would watch multiple movies in a single day! Is that a couple thing? I don't know. I mean, I thought I had started to enjoy them, but he has- he's just made me hate them on a whole other level. And then, he got a little upset that I didn't want to watch them with him and then I got mad and then I said a few things that hurt his feelings I guess and I kinda just broke it off."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"Yeah."
Stacie bites the inside of her mouth. "So..." Stacie begins, making Beca narrow her eyes. "Since I'm your like most best friend in the world... you'll survive through one movie to help me hook up with a girl. Right?"
Beca sighs. "Just as long as it's not a chick flick."
Stacie flinches then gives Beca a weak grin.
"Wow. It's a chick flick," Beca states with a dead face.
"Look, I don't like them either! But it gets girls like Aubrey really in the mood, you know?"
"I don't think Aubrey's the type of girl that will just do sex with some random other girl."
"Beca, what do you take me for?" Stacie scoffs.
"A random girl that wants to get into Aubrey's panties."
"Well, I like Aubrey, and I'm not looking for a one night stand. Not this time."
"Wow. Stacie the sex freak is trying to settle down," Beca says, smiling.
"I'm not a sex freak. I just enjoy sex," Stacie simply states. "And I'm not 'trying' to settle down. I will settle down with none other than the beautiful barbie of the Bellas."
"Barbie?"
"Yeah, she's a... doll." Stacie laughs at herself. "I'm too good."
"Yeah. A true comedian," Beca says sarcastically.
"So you'll help me?"
Beca stares at Stacie who is expectant and helpless. She almost feels sorry for her. She knows that even though Stacie doesn't express it well, she is a good friend. And Beca, though she'll never admit it, has always thought that Stacie and Aubrey would make a good couple, even with their contrasting personalities. At least she'll get to spend time with the well known bubbly red head. They'll be watching a movie, though, so she won't be able to be amused with Chloe's interesting stories and words, and just her voice in general. Beca always had a thing for Chloe's voice. It's beautiful. Ever since their encounter in the shower.
"It's a funny chick flick, so there'll be a few jokes here and there. I think it's watchable, even for you," Stacie says, interrupting Beca's thoughts and making her jump a bit.
"Oh, um. Yeah. Sure," Beca says, automatically. "Just... uh... buy me some food some time." Beca mentally slaps her head. What did she just agree to? "Know that I'm doing it reluctantly, though."
"Reluctantly? Define reluctantly."
"As in I didn't want to, but I'll do it."
"Great, awesome!" Stacie cheers, lifting up off of her seat. "Yes, okay. Come on." Stacie begins to grab her things.
"Woah. Um, what?" Beca sits up, confused.
"We have to go right now."
Beca's eyes widen as she watches Stacie hurriedly pace around her room. "Why?"
Stacie brings Beca a red flannel, some skinny jeans, and boots from her closet. "Here. They're going to be at that coffee shop on campus in a bit, and they're free for the day."
"I can't just leave right now. I'm not ready."
"Oh, right." Stacie looks through Beca's dresser then throws Beca a few sticks of eyeliner. "Here. Come on. Put it on. Let's go," Stacie rushes.
"Okay, so eyeliner is supposed to make me instantly ready? I need to do my hair and actually pick my own outfit, and I haven't even taken a shower."
Stacie groans and sits down on Beca's bed. "Oh my God. Your hair's fine, this outfit screams you, and we need to leave right now! Why do you need to look nice?"
"I... uh... I have my reasons- I mean, I'm leaving my dorm. I have to at least look decent for the public."
"Oh, God. Who cares? It's not like you have anyone to impre- ugh... nevermind." Stacie rolls her eyes then sighs in defeat. "Go and take a shower. I want you back here in ten minutes."
"Aye aye, captain." Beca grabs a towel and hurries to the door.
Stacie puts her finger up, halting Beca. "I'll be saying that by the end of the night," she remarks, smirking.
Beca's eyebrows furrow, and her eyes widen. "Okay, I'm gonna go and pretend you didn't just say that."
"So have you been stalking Aubrey or something?" Beca asks Stacie as the pair walks towards the café.
Stacie looks up from her phone then makes a confused face. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, for one thing, you know which places she goes to on certain days, and you guys haven't had a genuine conversation that didn't concern the Bellas before."
"We've talked before," Stacie defends. "And no, I'm not stalking her."
"Then, how do you know her and Chloe have plans here at this moment and are free for the rest of the day?"
Stacie hesitates. "I'm... uh... getting info from a guy that I told to silently... look at what she does."
"So you're paying a guy to stalk her for you."
"No, I- no, it's different. It's not considered stalking."
Beca purses her lips. "Yeah. It kinda is," she says with a tight smirk.
Stacie rolls her eyes. "Whatever. Come on. Let's go inside."
They walk inside, and Beca immediately catches sight of a small booth occupied by a blonde and a breathtaking redhead. Her hair is a real bright red today.
"Woah," Beca and Stacie whisper at the same time. They look at each other and continue to speak in unison. "What? Nothing."
"Okay," Stacie says, overwhelmed. "Let's just order, and hopefully the red head will invite us over."
They walk to the counter and order some frappuccinos. While they wait for their order, Beca questions, "What makes you so sure she'll-"
"Beca?" a cheery voice yells across the café.
Beca immediately feels blood rush to her cheek. When Beca doesn't react, Stacie gives her a warning glare and lightly pushes her. She then turns around and tries to smile but looks like a deer caught in headlights. "Chloe!" She grins uncomfortably as she walks over to the red head slowly, Stacie eagerly following. "Aubrey. I didn't- uh- I didn't see you there," she says awkwardly.
"Well, here we are." Chloe flashes a big grin, and Beca can't help but give a warm smile back. "Hey, Stacie," Chloe says, welcoming.
"Hi," Stacie greets. She looks at Aubrey. "Hey, Aubrey."
Aubrey acknowledges Stacie with a smile. "Hello, Stacie and Beca."
Chloe looks at Aubrey before she says with an unusual smirk, "Hey, why don't you guys sit with us?"
Before they can reply, Chloe softly tugs on Beca's hand and makes her sit down. "Woah- okay," Beca yelps. Chloe then motions to the seat next to Aubrey for Stacie to sit down on.
When everyone is settled, Chloe tries to take some of the awkward away by starting a conversation. "So how have you guys been?"
"Great," Stacie answers.
"Good," Beca mumbles.
"Well, we were actually going to watch a movie... after we got our coffees," Stacie says with a confident smile.
"Oh, cool. Which one?" Aubrey asks. "Because Chloe and I were actually heading to the movies right now."
Stacie's eyebrows raise. Maybe this would be easier than it seemed. "I... uh... I forgot the name. Which one were you guys gonna see?"
"Well, I don't know. We were going to decide when we get there."
Chloe turns to Beca and puts her hand on hers. "Are you into movies now, Beca?"
Beca looks down at Chloe's hand and shakily sighs. "Well-"
"Well," Stacie interrupts, "I know she hates movies, but I wanted to watch a movie. And she... reluctantly agreed, so I took the chance I got." Stacie nods, grinning.
Chloe bites her lip then smirks. "You know, I really didn't want to go to the movies today either. Why don't you and Aubrey just go together, and I'll stay here with Beca?"
Beca's and Stacie's mouth open simultaneously, and Beca is about to say something before Aubrey interrupts, "Yeah. We can just go together, Stacie."
Stacie looks at Aubrey with wide eyes and doesn't hesitate to reply, "Yeah, okay." Aubrey smiles then quietly sips at her drink.
"Is that okay with you, Beca?" Chloe asks, her bright eyes staring directly into Beca's, making Beca's mind go blank.
"Of course." The words leave her mouth before she can think about it, and she mentally kicks herself for not being able to control her word vomit.
"Stacie! Beca!" the barista calls.
Beca blinks her eyes slowly. "Stacie, we should go and get our drinks," she says. Stacie looks at Beca weirdly before they stand up and walk to the counter. "Are you gonna just abandon me here? What the fuck?" Beca whispers.
"Yeah. This is the only chance I have. And I really think she's into me." Stacie smirks.
"And I have to stay with the ginger shower invader? Alone?"
Stacie laughs. "Her name is Chloe, remember? And relax. You love her. She's nice."
"And straight... and I'm- I'm not... interested."
Stacie furrows her eyebrows. "Hey, I never said anything about that. I meant like hanging out with her seems nice. And you can leave her once I leave with Aubrey."
"That's just mean."
"Then, don't do it."
"I thought we were going with your plan," Beca pushes out.
They grab their coffees and turn around with too-big-to-be-fake grins. "Well, it turns out Plan B is so much easier," Stacie chuckles. They arrive at the table with grins still plastered on their faces and sit down with their frappuccinos.
"Stacie, we should leave now before it gets late," Aubrey says.
Stacie immediately stands back up and grins eagerly. "Yeah, sure. After you." Aubrey stands up.
Beca opens her mouth to object but is interrupted by Aubrey. "Okay. Bye, Chloe. Beca, it was nice seeing you. We'll be leaving now. Bye!"
Before Beca can react, her best friend is gone, and she is left alone with none other than the one Chloe Beale. She turns around slowly and meets a bright smile and bright eyes gleaming at her. She guesses it won't be so bad. At least she has something pretty to look at. "So, Beca. What have you been up to?"
"Just broke up with Jesse." Beca's eyes widen. Did she really just say that? She flinches slightly as she mentally kicks herself.
Chloe's eyebrows furrow, and her smile disappears. "Oh. Oh my- Are you... okay? Are you okay?" Chloe puts her hand back on Beca's and stares at the brunette with complete concern.
Beca stares at Chloe's hand for a few seconds before she looks up again. "I- Yeah. I'm okay. I don't think we really... fit nice together."
Chloe releases Beca's hand, but she continues to lightly trace it with her fingers. "I don't understand. I thought you guys barely got together. Like a week ago, was it?"
"Yeah. It's just... we didn't click."
"You can tell me anything, Beca. I won't kill the boy if you don't want me to, though." Chloe chuckles.
Beca stares at Chloe's hand which is now delicately playing with her own fingers. It feels like warm, relaxing water is running through her fingers. Except it's not so relaxing. It feels good, but it makes Beca's hand sweat slightly and shake a bit. Her heart builds up pace, and she forgets how to breathe. Why is she acting like this? Is it the subject? She probably doesn't like talking about the breakup. But it truly didn't affect her. If anything, she had been waiting for it.
She was waiting for it? Did she even like Jesse? She loved him as a friend. Did she just friendzone him? Wait, he didn't claim her just because he was friendly. She wasn't obligated to be with him. Why did she even start anything with him? Why didn't she just try to hit on Chloe? Chloe's beautiful and nice. But she's straight. Wait, she never knew that for sure. What if she is gay? She did walk into her shower. Beca should surely get on that.
"Beca, are you sure you're okay?" Chloe asks as she sits up more and releases Beca's hand.
Beca takes a breath that she has been unknowingly holding for a while. Her face is red, and her mind is all over the place. "Yeah. It's just... the subject," she states, looking at her shaky hand.
"Oh," Chloe says, weakly smiling, "You should have just told me. Or... I should have known. I'm sorry. Breakups are always hard."
"But it wasn't hard at all," Beca says suddenly. She turns in her seat to face Chloe and look at her bright eyes.
Chloe's eyebrows raise. "No?"
"No. Not at all. It was- Okay, don't judge me, but-"
"Never," Chloe instantly says with a comforting smile.
Beca hesitates to continue as she makes a very, very slight gasp through her mouth. She, then, exhales quickly through her nose. "Okay."
Chloe watches her expectantly and urges her to go on.
Beca breathes out a chuckle. "Okay... uh. We kept watching... movies. And... it got really annoying."
It looks as if Chloe is holding back a laugh. "Did you break up with him because you don't like movies?"
"Well, I started to like them, but we watched them so constantly. It was so annoying. And cheesy. I wasn't aware it was a couple thing."
"Oh. Well, it is for a couple that likes to watch movies. You should have told him."
"I didn't tell him for a while, and when I did, a lot came out. And yeah. I think it's better if we just stay friends, though."
"I guess... if that's what you really want."
"It is."
Chloe smiles again before she turns to sip her coffee. "I wouldn't make you watch movies if you didn't like it."
Beca smiles to herself then turns to take a drink of her coffee before she hums in satisfaction and clears her throat. "So what have you been up to?"
"Trying to keep my grades up before I graduate."
"Oh... yeah."
"I'm staying in town, though. I'm going to look for jobs as a choral director. Like teaching kids how to sing... and stuff."
"Nice. You'll be a great teacher. You can even teach a men's choir with that low range," Beca says, smirking.
Chloe laughs. "Hey, do you wanna check out my new place?" she asks excitedly.
"You live in an apartment now?"
"Yeah, it's really huge. I share it with Tom."
Beca raises one eyebrow, confused.
"The shower guy." Chloe motions for Beca to leave the booth, and they both leave. "But don't worry. That was just a fling. We're just friends now."
"Oh, okay," Beca says. Why would she worry?
"Here we are," Chloe says once she opens her door.
"Wow," Beca marvels at how clean and big the place is. It's main color is white, and it looks like heaven. It surely has Chloe's touch.
"I know, right?" She closes the door and turns back around. "Tom?" she calls. "Are you home?"
A door opens, and a familiar face walks out of a room, smiling at his phone. "Yeah. Chlo, I can't believe you..." He trails off when he sees that Beca is there. He smiles charmingly and greets, "Hey, Beca!" He walks over and envelopes her in a warm hug, while Beca just awkwardly pats him on the back.
"Um... hey, uh, Tom."
"How- how are you?"
"Good. I... uh... never take public showers anymore."
"That's great," he laughs. "You never know when a horny redhead will invade your privacy and force you to sing with her. Am I right?" He nudges her arm, ignoring the glare he is receiving from Chloe.
Beca chuckles nervously. "Yeah."
"I mean, if I weren't there, she'd have probably fucked you hard against the shower wall." Beca's eyes widen, and she gulps loudly, not knowing how to respond.
"Tom, were you going somewhere?" Chloe grins at him.
"No- Yeah. I mean, yes. Actually. I have to go and... uh... do some class." He smiles, not knowing it was a Saturday. His eyes grow big as he suddenly realizes that it is Saturday. "I mean... uh... I mean, a cooking class that is taught on Saturdays. At the town cooking place. I'll just... go now before I'm late. Chef Ramsey's a hardass when it comes to being on time."
"Kay. Bye, Tom," Chloe says, lightly pushing Tom out.
He pauses by the door. "I'm probably going to stay for a while. This cooking business is real serious stuff. So I might just stay the night at some other friend's house, so... uh... don't wait up." He closes the door with a big smile, leaving Beca and Chloe awkwardly standing in the foyer of the apartment.
"So..." Chloe says. "I'll show you around."
Chloe leads Beca to the kitchen. It's white and clean and pristine. "Nice. Is Tom the big cook around here with all his serious cooking classes?" Beca asks with a smirk.
"No, I do. He just lied to leave us alone. He's a really bad liar," Chloe says plainly. She walks to the dining room, and Beca follows.
"I like this table," Beca comments referring to the small, beige table.
"Yeah, it's really sturdy," Chloe laughs, making Beca confused. "Over here is my living room. Very spacious for various activities." She points to a plain door and simply says, "That's Tom's room. You probably don't wanna go in there."
"Okay."
Then, she walks over to the next door and opens it revealing a clean, white restroom. "Woah, that shower is big."
"Big enough for a duet. Am I right?"
Beca chuckles nervously and nods before she walks out and into the next room. It's been painted a bright sky blue, and there is a huge white bed in the middle of it. "Is this yours?"
"Yes. I love it." Chloe smiles with big, proud eyes. She walks past Beca and sits down on her bed. "Come and try the bed. It's really comfortable." She pats the bed beside her, and Beca sits down with a smile, sinking into the fluffiness.
"It is comfortable." Beca softly bounces on the bed. "Nice."
"Yeah. Hey, did you know Stacie asked Tom to stalk Aubrey?"
Beca freezes and her eyes widen before she attempts to relax and laugh it off. "What?"
"Yeah. I guess she has a little crush on Aubrey, and your guys' little run in with us was planned." Chloe laughs.
"Really?" Beca feigns surprise.
"Mhm."
Beca gulps, not knowing how long she can hold it in anymore. She can't believe Stacie wasn't cautious enough to check her "worker's" background. Wait, she can believe that. Stacie is the one to make mistakes like that. Beca begins to wonder how long this stalking thing has went on and how long Chloe has known about it. She sighs shakily and turns to Chloe with a smile. "I... I actually knew about this."
Chloe's eyes open wider, and her eyebrows raise with interest. "Oh."
"I was part of her plan. I'm sorry. She thought that if I went, you would say yes and make Aubrey say yes and we could have this weird double date thi- I mean, she thought it would be a double date. It wouldn't have been a double date if it did go through the way she wanted it, though. I'm sorry. I-"
"It's fine, Beca. Really. I like this plan anyway." Chloe grins and waves it off.
Beca breathes out a laugh. "This actually wasn't the plan. It's Plan B."
"I like Plan B."
Beca smiles warmly at the grinning redhead.
"You know, Aubrey's had the hots for Stacie since she recruited her. She would have agreed to a date with Stacie in a heartbeat."
Beca reminds herself to punch Stacie later. She laughs it off. "She is so blind. Why didn't she see that? That means I didn't have to come today."
Chloe opens then closes her mouth. Her eyebrows furrow before she looks at Beca with her bright eyes. "You said that... Stacie said that if you went, then I would say yes. I don't understand how she was so sure that I would."
Beca purses her lips. "You know, me neither. She also said that gingers have a weird thing for movies."
They laugh before Chloe abruptly stops, making Beca freeze. "Does she think that I like you?"
Beca's eyes widen, and she looks at the floor with a confused expression. She begins to stutter, "I don't- I don't think- No. No, she just- I- No- She thought that it would... uh... be easier for Aubrey to agree if... it was a... a group thing-"
"Do you like me?"
Beca gulps, and she can feel her heart pulse quickly underneath her chest. Her eyebrows furrow, and her mouth opens as she looks for words. Then, she looks up at Chloe's bright eyes and expectant face, and the only words she can come up with are, "Of course."
Chloe smiles at her with those soft lips she's always had. Beca can't help but look down at them, distracted by how much she admires them. She looks up at the bright eyes in front of her, and she sees that Chloe is distracted by the same thing. She thinks that maybe this is a good time to just look at Chloe's lips again.
Maybe lean in for a better view.
Maybe get a little closer.
Maybe a bit more close.
Maybe even closer.
What the hell? She might as well close the gap in between their lips already.
So she does. And she doesn't mean to sound cheesy, but a fire sparks at her lips when they touch Chloe's and it jolts through her whole body. It's sensational. The feeling. As if she's had this craving for all of her life, and she barely found out what it is. And now she's fulfilling it. Life-changing.
Chloe pulls away much to Beca's disappointment. "I like you, too, Beca. So much," she tells Beca, and although Beca loves the sound of those words coming from Chloe's lips, Beca would much prefer the taste of Chloe's lips again, so she grabs the back of Chloe's head and pulls her in for another kiss. And it's not long before it escalates. And Beca couldn't help but love Plan B.
P.S. Hey, thanks for reading. I know it wasn't that exciting or even funny (I'm not a naturally funny person), but I hope you enjoyed it. And if you hate the ending, I do too. I'm so bad at endings. Anyway. Honest, critical reviews are always appreciated.