Disclaimer: Universal owns all rights to Pitch Perfect.
Title: Solo Act
Chapter 1 - I Took a Pill in Ipiza
Summary: During their USO tour Beca gets discovered by a music executive then struggles with the idea of going solo and leaving her Bella's behind. This story is inspired by the leaked movie scripts and latest PP3 trailer. Possible spoilers if the leaked scripts are real. Please be kind, this is my first attempt at writing fan-fiction.
Having just finished their performance in Spain, the Bella's were still dressed in their sailor inspired outfits and being escorted to the hotel they were staying at by their new friends Chicago, an early twenties Army officer with the appearance of a male model and Theo, a sexy mid twenties music executive whose label represented supergroups such as Maroon 5 who were there to scout out new talent to accompany them on their world-wide concert tour.
Instead of going to their rooms the Bella's were offered a tour of a luxury suite being occupied by Adam Levine and his band mates, who were out for the evening. The girls noticed immediately that Chloe had become smitten by the handsome soldier, who purposely lagged behind to walk with her. To their amusement he was equally enamored with their ginger.
"So, are you ladies famous back in the states?" Chicago asked anyone within earshot.
"Sort of." Chloe answered. "We did play for President Obama once."
"Yah...um, don't google that." Beca warned, scrunching her nose. "It wasn't exactly our finest moment."
"You can say that again." Aubrey sighed, joining the conversation. "I can't tell you what it took to whip these girls into shape. Like my father always said, if you're too lazy to plow the fields, don't expect a harvest, and I think you all know what I mean."
"I don't." Fat Amy mumbled to herself while Flo and Lilly nodded in agreement.
"Well, from what I've seen so far you're all incredibly talented."
"Thank you, Chicago." the ginger batted her eyes at his compliment. "That was very thoughtful you."
The Bella's rolled their eyes at their former co-captain who was practically drooling over their military escort. As they continued their tour of the elaborate quarters, Beca noticed several guitars laid out in one of the many bedrooms.
"How cute, they have their own bed."
"Yes, this guitar collection is Adam's prized possession, he doesn't travel anywhere without them." Theo explained in his British accent to the leader of the all female a cappella group. "Some of these are worth a small fortune."
"Oh yeah?" Beca was officially impressed as she helped herself to a tan and brown acoustic guitar and began to quietly strum the strings. "If I'm not mistaken this is a 1939 C.F. Martin."
"You're absolutely right." The young executive was equally as impressed by her appreciation of fine crafted instruments. "The one you're holding is also Adam's favorite. It used to belong to Eric Clapton before it was auctioned off for nearly eight hundred thousand."
"Seriously?" Beca's jaw fell open as she gaped at her new friend who oozed of sex appeal. He wasn't her usual type but with his tanned skin, athletic build and well groomed beard, she felt herself becoming more attracted to him. "This thing is really worth that much?" She turned over the instrument to get a better look at its craftmanship. "It's beautiful."
"Just like you." Theo spoke softly under his breath but loud enough for her to hear. When his eyes dipped to her exposed cleavage she knew his thoughts of her were no longer platonic. Since performing for the troops earlier something had changed in the Englishman who'd become fascinated in the Bella's leader. When he saw her slight flush he knew he was having an affect on her. "Do you play?"
Beca couldn't contain the smirk forming on her lips as she slowly nodded and motioned with her thumb and index finger. "A little."
"You do?" Chloe asked, whipping her neck around and redirecting her attention to her closest friend. "Since when?"
"Um…" she gave it some thought. "Since I was like twelve."
"What the hell, Beca!" Aubrey became unglued. "After all these years, why didn't you tell us?"
"I don't know, it was just something I did back in the day to drown out my parents arguing." she explained, looking over at Theo. "I know it's silly but when I was a kid, I wanted to be a rockstar." and strummed the guitar's strings to emphasize her point.
"You know, there's still time for that." Theo smiled warmly at her. "Play something for us."
"No way, dude."
"Oh, c'mon." the girls jumped on the bandwagon and gathered around her.
"Let me get this straight." Amy started in. "You've kept this secret from your a cappella sisters and me, your college and current roommate?" she let out her breath. "The least you can do is indulge us a little."
"HELL NO!" Beca rapidly shook her head to reinforce her decision. "There's no fucking way I'm going to make an ass of myself!"
"Alright, calm down and give us one good reason why you shouldn't indulge us." Theo added, agreeing with the chubby Bella. "We're not going to let it go so you might as well get it over with."
"Dude, it's been like forever since I picked up a guitar." she sighed then ran her fingers through her hair. "And besides, after what we saw earlier with the other bands, I'm probably gonna suck by comparison."
"Beca, I seriously doubt you're capable of doing anything badly." his look had become intense as it bore into her soul. "There's something about you, and I'm going to find out what that is." Taken back by his tone Beca felt herself getting hot under the collar. She didn't anticipate meeting anyone but found herself drawn to this man who apparently had taken an interest in her. "Personally, I would love to hear you play."
"Yah Beca!" Cynthia Rose added her two cents looking between the two. "We all would."
"Fine!" She conceded, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I can't believe I'm about to do this." Grumbling to herself, she thought of a song to perform, accepted a guitar pick from Theo then began to strum chords to Mike Posner's 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza'.
I took a pill in Ibiza
To show Avicii I was cool
And when I finally got sober, felt ten years older
Ahh screw it, it was something to do
I'm living out in LA
I drive a sports car just to prove
I'm a real big baller 'cause I made a million dollars
And I spend it on girls and shoes
With a guitar in hand Beca performed the song flawlessly as though it was written for her. Picking up on how natural she was Theo took out his cell phone and secretly began to take video.
But you don't wanna be high like me
Never really knowing why like me
You don't ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
You don't wanna ride the bus like this
Never knowing who to trust like this
You don't wanna be stuck up on that stage singing
Stuck up on that stage singing
All I know are sad songs, sad songs
Darling, all I know are sad songs, sad songs
I'm just a singer who already blew his shot
I get along with old timers
'Cause my name's a reminder of a pop song people forgot
And I can't keep a girl, no
'Cause as soon as the sun comes up
I cut 'em all loose and work's my excuse
But the truth is I can't open up
Now you don't wanna be high like me
Never really knowing why like me
You don't ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
You don't wanna ride the bus like this
Never knowing who to trust like this
You don't wanna be stuck up on that stage singing
Stuck up on that stage singing
All I know are sad songs, sad songs
Darling, all I know are sad songs, sad songs.
As the song entered it's instrumental break Beca strummed the strings louder with more confidence as it was all coming back to her. Getting so absorbed in her playing she didn't realize the room had gone silent with all eyes and ears upon her. Feeling self conscience she bit her lower lip and stopped playing.
"And that's all folks." she spoke quietly then laid the guitar down on the bed while everyone continued to gawk at her with wonder.
"I knew it." Theo was all smiles as he broke the silence. "I was right about you."
"About what?"
"You think that's good," Chloe interrupted the moment. "You should see what she can do with a cup."
"Chlo!" Beca snapped at her best friend since her Freshman year in college, then returned her attention to her male admirer. "Um...ignore her. What were you saying?"
Laughing at their exchange he closed the gap between himself and Beca. "I was going to say that you're a real musician." he sighed and shook his head in amazement. "I've seen a lot of artists come alive while playing music, and you did just that. It's in your blood."
"Thanks...but I'm not a musician." she tried to convince him otherwise. "I'm just a singer who's part of an a cappella group."
"No Beca, you're not." he insisted, locking eyes with her. When he reached for her hand and began to massage her palm she was officially under his spell. "I know talent when I see it." he spoke softly. "You're much more than a singer."
Beca was so taken by his charm and high praise that she pulled her hand away and had to distance herself from him. Clearing her throat she turned around so nobody could see how emotionally compromised she was. She didn't know what to think or what to say while the handsome record executive showered her with compliments. It was his job to find untapped talent and here he was praising her abilities and she didn't know what to make of that or where things were headed. Approaching her side, Chloe noticed how hot and bothered she'd become.
"Oh, my god. You're actually blushing." the ginger whispered. "I haven't seen you react this way since Lincoln Center."
"Please don't bring that up." Beca whispered back. "And I'm not blushing, it's just a little warm in here."
"You know Beca, whatever happened between you and...what's-his-name, eventually you're going to have to talk about it so you can put it behind you and move on." she gave it a moment to let her words sink in. "You can tell me anything and I'll never judge-."
"I know that!" the Bella leader interrupted her. "It's just, I'm not good with sharing personal stuff like that, and plus...it still hurts." It was the first time Beca admitted that her breakup with Jesse had caused her distress.
With full concern for her friend Chloe placed a supportive hand on her bare shoulder. "What the hell happened between you two?"
Beca tried to laugh it off to hide her pain then backed away. "I really appreciate your concern but...I don't want to talk about it."
Recognizing when to back off, Chloe dropped her line of questioning. "Okay, I'll let it go for now, but you're not off the hook."
"Thanks a lot." Beca conceded because it was just a matter of time before some of the other Bella's got nosey. As far as anyone knew she was in a long-distance relationship who received a surprise visit from her boyfriend after she accepted a position at a record label in New York. After Jesse abruptly returned to Los Angeles they were no longer together and she refused to talk about it. Amy, her roommate in the Big Apple had tried to get her to open up, but as headstrong as Beca always was, her walls rose around her and she shut down. In the months that followed the breakup, she became disenchanted with her job and turned in her resignation. The USO gig that Aubrey got them involved with was the perfect distraction from her everyday life. "So what's up with you and GI Joe?"
Chloe chuckled because it was so like Beca to avoid answering questions when she felt threatened then change the subject so the attention was diverted to something or someone else. "I don't know. He's really cute but I'm not sure he's interested."
"Are you kidding?" Beca asked rhetorically. "Dude's been eye fucking you since our performance."
"Really?" the bubbly redhead had been clueless as she looked back at her G-man who was chatting up a storm with their other new friend. "Looks like Theo has a thing for you too."
"Ha! I don't think so. He's just being polite." Beca already knew there were sparks between them but refused to acknowledge it outloud. "Besides he's here in a professional capacity, you know to help Maroon 5 find an opening act when they go on tour."
"So what, he's totally into you and the last I heard, you were single."
Beca rolled her eyes but didn't deny her attraction for him. She also knew that Chloe was right. "Well, he is kind of hot."
"Yah he is, and he can't keep his eyes off of you, especially after your little solo just now." the ginger admitted. "You know Bec, we're here to support the troops, but there's nothing wrong with allowing yourself to have some fun."
"Is that what you're planning on doing with your little toy soldier?"
"Oh totes!"
Chloe's remark had them cracking up at the possibilities until Theo held his hand up to silence the room.
"Are you sure?" he spoke into his cell phone while looking over at the Bella's. "Alright mate, I'll ask them and get back with you."
"Ask us what?" Aubrey came forward. "Who was that?"
"Adam."
"As in Maroon 5, Adam?" Emily was full of enthusiasm as she sprung to her feet. "He's here?"
"The one and only." Theo answered the youngest Bella with a lopsided grin. "Adam and the guys are downstairs at the casino." then looked over at Beca. "They're hosting a party for the bands and would really like to meet you and the girls."
"Sure...we'll go." Beca looked to her friends to make sure they were all in agreement. "Is that cool with you guys?" It was unanimous as they responded with various affirmations. Beca redirected her attention to their host. "Um...we're gonna go to our rooms and change first. We'll be down in about ten minutes."
"Take your time ladies, I'll let them know you're coming." Theo leaned closer to whisper in Beca's ear. "I'm looking forward to seeing you later."
As he pulled away Beca smirked at the young man who made her pulse quicken. She prided herself with having self control and didn't go all Gaga like some of the other girls when an attractive man was around, but there was something about this music executive who left her weak in the knees. Watching him yank Chicago away from Chloe, Theo looked back and winked at her before making their way out the door. As soon as they were gone she and Chloe were surrounded.
"Alright you two." Aubrey crossed her arms in front of her chest while gawking at her closest friends. "Is there something you want to tell us?"
"Not now Bree, we've got a party to get ready for." Beca spoke on behalf of the group. "C'mon Bella's, let's go meet Maroon 5."
A/N: I hope my first effort wasn't too horrible. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this story but it's a start and I'm sure it'll come to me. Please let me know what you think so far and feel free to give me suggestions for the next chapter.