I climbed across the mountain tops

Swam all across the ocean blue

I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules

But baby I broke them all for you

Because even when I was flat broke

You made me feel like a million bucks

You do and I was made for you

Chloe was rushing me off the stage, her arms wrapped tightly around me. She stood with me in the locked bathroom. "It's okay, honey," she whispered in my ear as I knelt over the toilet. "I won't let them touch you." We stayed there for maybe ten minutes, but nothing else came out. I stood up on quivering legs, letting Chloe balance me with her tender hand. "You okay?" she asked.

I nodded weakly. "Thanks, Chloe."

She smiled and took a strip of toilet paper and gently wiped away all the traces of vomit from my face. She lingered for a moment and my breath caught. She blinked. The illusion was lost. "Come on, let's go."

Her hand was so close to mine as she slowly pushed the door open. I wanted nothing more than to reach for her hand – that flawless hand, the one I knew would fit so perfectly in mine. But I didn't. Chloe was someone I could never have.

I stepped out, chin up, ready to face the Bellas. Alice was the first to pounce. "What the hell, Aubrey!" she shrieked. "You just lost us the championship!" She slapped me across the face. Hard.

I touched a hand to the stinging red handprint that was surely there. I cleared my throat. "I sometimes have a hard time choking it down under pressure," I explained coldly and calmly. "I'm going now. Enjoy graduation, aca-bitches." I brushed past the Bellas, Chloe trotting behind me.

She linked her arm through mine. "We won't run the Bellas like her next year," she said confidently.

I kicked off my shiny black stilettos and left them there in the hallway of the auditorium. Suddenly, Chloe and I were the same height. We'd never been the same height before; I'd always been taller. I glanced at her face. Her mouth was smiling, but her pale blue eyes were sad. I nodded. "For sure."

I was standing beside Fat Amy at aca-initiation night. She leaned closer. "You know, there's like ten of us, right," she began, "which means one of us is probably a lesbian."

My breath caught. Did she know? "W-who do you think it is?" I asked, hoping I sounded casual.

"My money's on Black Beauty," she replied, looking at where Cynthia Rose was talking to Stacie. I held in my sigh of relief. My secret was safe. For now, at least. I glanced up the bleachers where Beca was standing. Chloe was talking to her. She leaned close to Beca's face and whispered something. The younger girl winked. I felt rage boiling deep inside of me. Keep your hands off my girl, I thought. I was about to go up there and break it up when Chloe walked off with a little hip wiggle. I ground my teeth as Fat Amy rambled on about some sort of hairstyle.

"Yeah, that's great," I said absently as I made my way over to Chloe. "Having fun?" I flirted. Crap, was I actually flirting? "How's Beca?"

She giggled. "What do you mean, 'how's Beca?'" I shrugged. "Adorable," she gushed.

My chest ached. I'd known that Chloe was bi since our freshman year, and I thought that gave me a chance. I guess I was wrong. "Yeah, she's okay I guess."

Chloe leaned in close and whispered in my ear. "I'm thinking about asking her out." She giggled again.

I nodded. "Is she… like us?"

She shrugged. "Seems like she is. She acted interested anyway. And then there was that whole shower thing." She winked.

I forced myself to swallow the bile rising in my throat. "That's, um, that's great." I glanced over at where Stacie was standing with one of the Trebles. They seemed to be getting pretty close. "I'd better go make sure Stacie's okay," I muttered. I murmured a few words to Stacie, causing the brunette to leave the Treble alone. I sat down in the bleachers, barely holding onto my drink. I didn't let my tears come out. I wouldn't cry. Not tonight.

By the next day, we were down to twelve. It was a small group of girls with… questionable talent. I sighed. "Let's get down to business." I passed out the song lists. "Now you'll notice we only perform songs made famous by women."

"There's nothing from this century on here," the short alternative girl in the back protested. She was the one with the strange audition. Beca, I remembered.

"Because we don't stray from tradition," I replied, my fake smile beginning to wear off. I began to explain our practice schedule, combatting various protests from the girls, mainly Beca. I felt the bile rising in my throat. I turned away, letting Chloe hold me and whisper in my ear

"Shhh, it'll be okay," she soothed. I melted into her arms. I never wanted her to let go. "It's okay, just calm down." I took a deep breath and swallowed it down.

"Thanks," I whispered.

She grinned. "We'll be okay. These girls have a lot of potential."

"You'd better fucking hope so," I sighed.

"I can see your toner through those jeans!" I yelled as Beca left.

She turned. "That's my dick," she replied. She stormed out.

I collapsed into my chair, head in my hands. I pulled out a tissue and caught the small bit of vomit that escaped. I felt the tears coming hot and fast. The Bellas were my second love, my family, and these girls – particularly Beca – were tearing it apart. I felt someone sitting beside me. I looked up to see Chloe sliding her arm around my shoulder and rubbing my back. I burst into tears. This year might well be my last with Chloe. I had to make it count. I met her eyes, realizing how close our faces were. Should I move in? My heartbeat sped up and my breath was shallow. Chloe tucked a lock of her beautiful red hair behind her ear and blinked a few times. She gave me a sheepish smile.

Was it a signal? Did she want me to make a move? Or was that just wishful thinking? I hesitated. "Chloe?" I whispered.

She touched a finger to my lips. "Don't ruin this." She leaned an inch closer. Before I knew it, her lips were brushing mine.

My breath caught in my throat. "Are you sure you want this?"

She offered a sad smile. "I'm never sure when it comes to you, Aubrey." She kissed me with all the passion and force she could muster, wrapping her arm around my neck.

Unable to resist, I kissed her back, encircling her waist with my leg. She was pushing me against the piano. She obviously wanted to be the dominant one. And to my surprise, I was okay with that. I let her lay on top of me, covering my face and neck with little kisses before returning for the prize. I don't know how long we stayed there, enveloped in each other's warmth, lips pressed together. But Chloe's phone alarm buzzed and she had to break away. "I really don't want to go to class," she pouted. "I'd much rather stay here with you." She stepped close and started playing with my sleek blonde hair.

I rested a hand on her arm. "Chloe, I need to know. Is this what you want or was that a 'college girl experiment?'"

She clasped her hands around my neck and pulled my head down to hers. "You don't know how long I've wanted this, Aubrey Posen. How long I've wanted you."

I took her hand. "Then why don't we do this properly? Let's see a movie on Friday."

"But what about Bellas rehearsal?"

"Screw it. You're more important than the ICCA's." I placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Now go to class. I'll see you tonight."

Chloe pecked my cheek before skipping off joyfully. I waited until she was long gone. I screamed as loud as I could. I'd done it. I'd won Chloe Beale.

I hurried back to the apartment clouded in guilt. Beca was waiting outside. "Well?" she said impatiently.

I sighed. "She is. She admitted it flat out. She even said I was more important than the ICCA's," I explained.

"Damn. Aubrey is really in love with you, Chloe. Maybe we shouldn't have done this to her." She trailed off, running a hand through her hair.

I ducked my head. "I feel so bad."

Beca pulled out her wallet and handed me $300 in cash. "Here. I'm giving you double, don't protest. Tell me about the breakup."

I opened the door and she followed me inside. I explained my plan to her. "I hate this, Beca. Why did you even want me to do this?"

She stared into my eyes. "I've seen the way Aubrey looks at you. I know that look. I wanted to know for sure."

"But why?"

"My reasons. You're really amazing for doing this, Chloe. Thanks a bunch." She pulled me into a tight hug. She checked her watch. "I'd better go. My dad will be on the prowl. Good luck!" She left the house.

I gently touched a hand to my lips where Aubrey's touch still lingered. I had kissed Aubrey Posen. And I had liked it. She was a mad good kisser and she let me be on top. Tom never let me be on top. I sighed. This breakup wouldn't be easy.

I shut the door behind me, smelling the bouquet of lilies I'd bought for Chloe. I heard muffled noises coming from the bedroom. I slowly opened the door to find a half-naked guy in Chloe's bed smothering my Chloe under his lips. Her fingers were entangled in his hair. She was making little noises of pleasure.

"Aca-scuse me?" I forced myself to keep my voice casual through the pain I was feeling. "If you could leave a note or something next time that would be great."

Chloe looked up. She pushed Tom off of her. "You should probably go home, babe." She pecked his cheek, just as she'd done to me earlier that same day. Without realizing it, I found my fingertips brushing my own cheek. "See you tomorrow." Tom grabbed his shirt and hurried out. Chloe turned to me, awkwardly adjusting her shirt and blushing hard. "Hey, Aubrey," she greeted me breathlessly. She took a step forward.

I put my hand up to stop her. "Just don't." I threw the lilies at her feet and stormed out. I ran to the rehearsal room and collapsed in a chair. I buried my head in my hands. I should have known it was too good to be true. Chloe Beale was never mine to love and she never would be. I sobbed loudly, not caring if anyone heard. The door opened and someone came in.

She sat down beside me. "Aubrey?" Beca asked.

I looked up, my mascara making black lines down my face. "What do you want?" I snapped.

"I forgot my jacket. What's wrong?" I shook my head. She squeezed my knee comfortingly. "Is it Chloe?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you know about Chloe?"

She sighed. "I can see your toner for her through those jeans."

I smiled through my tears. "That's my dick." I paused. "And you – you're not weirded out by this or anything?"

She tilted her head. "What, the lesbian thing? Why would that freak me out?"

I buried my face in my knees. "My father is going to disown me when he finds out," I sobbed. "He's never liked us as a group."

Beca rested a hand on my shoulder. "It'll be okay, Aubrey. Your dad sounds like an asshat anyway."

"He is. But he's my father and I only have one. I don't want to lose him just yet."

"Believe it or not, I'm here for you. Even after all you've done to me." She hugged me. "I've never seen this side of you."

"Chloe's the only one that has. Posens keep this side hidden at all costs," I explained. I stood up. "None of this even matters. Chloe's with Tom. Not me. I just need to move on."

Beca stood as well. "I'll be right there with you. You can trust me." She took my hand. "You can always trust me."

I looked into her eyes and saw a bit of myself reflected there. I saw the part of me that loved Chloe. "Beca?" I said uncertainly. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

She dropped my hand abruptly. "No, nothing. I have to go meet Jesse." She grabbed her jacket off the piano bench and jogged away.