"This is where you will be staying." The blonde woman hand us all a folded up map. As she places one in my hand, I roll my eyes and continue to hold it shut, not really caring about the whole situation we were in. Chloe snatches it out my hand then; opening it open in front of her so she can see the location.
"Could've just asked me without snatching..." I mutter so only the red head beside me could hear.
"I'm always the one who has the wait, thought I might try something different for once." Chloe whispers back, her voice sounding irritated.
"What the fuck does that suppose to mean?" I say as I fold my arms against myself, leaning my body more over towards Chloe, so no one would would be able to hear our conversation.
"Pfft, you know what it means."
I stare at her face now. Her forehead is creased, and her eyebrows look like they could easily kill someone. The expression on her face looks is like thunder; Usually I would be scared or even worried, but right now I'm just use to it.
"During the course of your time here, you and your partner will be working as a team, and will be involved in trust exercises with one another, along with some personal written exercises along the way. The goal for this is to work together, and try to fix back your relationship. I am Aubrey Posen, and it will be my pleasure to help you all." The cheerful blonde looks at all of us, her smile on display like she's already accomplished what she's setting her sights on. She hasn't stopped smiling since we all arrived, and it almost wasn't normal. I could tell she was the type of person who could get on your nerves quiet easily. Clearly, she's gotten onto my mine already.
"Aubrey Posen, it would be my pleasure for you to kiss my as-"
"Beca!" Chloe mutters back, as she hits me in the ribs with her elbow, which stops me from continuing.
"Calm down, she didn't hear me." I whisper to her.
"She easily could of."
Aubrey now turns to Chloe and I, and we now both stand in silence. "Everything okay here?"
"Yep!" Chloe says back happily. "Well, it will be." She says with a small laugh.
Aubrey nods her head twice in response. She gives me a quick look, but I just roll my eyes at her.
"Okay... Um, so on each of your maps, there's a cabin for each couple, in where both you and your partner will be staying. Now, to get there, one of you must be blind folded, and the other one will be guiding you with directions as you walk in front of them. The person with the blindfold must keep it on at all times, and they must be the one who unlocks the door."
"You have to be fucking joking!" I yell out as my hands go up in the air.
I could sense all the other couples looking at me and judging, but I simply didn't care. This was utterly ridiculous.
"Beca..." Chloe says my name, almost embarrassed for us both.
"Excuse me?" Aubrey looks at me now, almost like I've insulted her or something.
"How is this going to help us, exactly? This is like a pre-school game! We're not children anymore, we're adults here."
"This, is just a trust exercise. A simple, fun, exercise to start you off with. We're going to start from the bottom, and do whatever it takes until we reach our goal here. And yes, we are adults. Some more than others..."
"Are you insulting me?!" I say angrily at the blonde.
"Of course not. Now, here's your blindfolds..." The Aubrey women quickly says, as she picks up the blindfolds from the desk in front of her, and hands them to all of the other couples standing in the room.
My arms are folded when Aubrey reaches Chloe and I; and they continue to stay that way. Therefore, the blonde ends up giving the blindfold to Chloe, who happily accepts it without saying a word.
"You will also be needing these, of course." Aubrey picks up a key in her hand, and shows it around so everyone can see.
"Once you arrive at your cabin, your key will get you inside. But first, you must answer a riddle and crack the code. And once you are in, there will be a book of instructions on the kitchen table that you must read together. Understood?"
The room fills with "yep" and yeah's", while I continue to remain silent, whilst having my arms folded still.
"Okay! Let's get started then!" Aubrey says as she claps her hands together, her smile growing wider on her face.
I look around the room, to see all the couples legitimately participating in this activity. I couldn't believe they were actually listening to the blonde, I couldn't believe they thought this could actually solve all their problems, and live happily ever again once this is over.
"Okay, Chloe. Ready to put your blindfold on?" I say with a puff then.
"What makes you think I'm wearing it?" Chloe snaps at me.
"Are you serious? You think you're good at directions?" I snap at her back.
"Better than you? Yes."
I look at her with my mouth hanging open, catching flies. We only just got here, and I could feel yet another meaningless argument coming on.
"Just... Put the damn blindfold on, Chloe." I say as I rest my fingers on the bridge of my nose.
"Um, I actually want to get to the cabin, thank you."
I move my fingers away, to stare at Chloe's face. Her expression is serious, and I was not at all in the mood for this. "So do I, and I will get us there. So just-"
"No! I am serious. We're like the last people here now... So, put this God damn blindfold on, or so help me Beca, I will put it on for you." Chloe was angry, yes. But dammit if hearing her voice in that tone and her demand like that kinda turned me on. I would probably be even more turned on if she did in fact put the blindfold on for me. But I didn't want to be thinking about that right now, so I try to calm myself down.
I look around to see all of the others have gone, and are now walking in different directions to each of their cabins. They all look ridiculous with their blindfolds on, with their partners behind them with a map, telling them which way to go. It was laughable, really.
"You know what? Fine. Give me the damn blindfold then." I say to Chloe as I roll my eyes.
Chloe tilts her head at me, while a smirk appears across her face. She hands out the blindfold in front of her, and I take a step towards her to snatch it out of her hand. I turn myself around, and tie the blindfold around my head, fully covering my eyes so I couldn't see.
I let out a sigh then, and feel a sudden shiver move up my spine, as I feel Chloe's lips close to my earlobe. "Ah, still whipped." She whispers.
I shake my head, and hope she doesn't notice the goosebumps starting to appear on my arms from her whisper. "Just give me the directions."
I hear Chloe let out a giggle, and even though I'm mad at her right now, it's still the most cutest thing I will ever hear in my life time.
"Oh, I will be." Chloe says cheekily, and I just know this is going to be a long exercise.
After walking in straight lines, zig zagged directions, and jumping over things I didn't know if were really there or not, we were almost in our destination, and I couldn't feel any more relived.
"Okay Beca, take five big steps to your left now."
I follow Chloe's instructions, and walk to my left. As I do, I could feel my feet start to slip slightly, but manage to keep myself up straight. I take another step, and feel a dampness start to occur around my ankles. I then end up completely slipping, and falling onto my ass. As my body moves to the ground, I end up splashing in what must be - and felt like - a mud puddle. "I did not just..."
"Opps, sorry Becs. I totes meant your other left." Chloe says as she starts to burst into a fit of laughter.
I could feel the anger raging throughout my body. I could almost feel the blood pumping with rage, ready to explode at any chance it gets. "You so fucking did that on purpose!" I say as my hands move to the back of my head, ready to untie the blindfold.
"Beca, no! Keep it on. Rules are rules." Chloe manages to say, within her laughter still.
"Whatever." I say back, as I try to push myself up from the muddy ground. Once I am up, I move myself to the right, and I'm back onto dry land now.
"Okay... Take five big steps in front of you. When you count to five, mind your step because you're right in front of the cabin now..." Chloe says, her voice somewhat in a caring tone.
I do what Chloe says, and I stop - I'm guessing - right in the front of the cabin. I then hear Chloe clap her hands in delight. "Yay! We did it! Okay now try to find the keyhole with your hands."
I couldn't help but laugh at Chloe's words. I don't care how immature I was being, it was just funny hearing her say something like that. "Oh, Chloe..." I say as I shake my head.
"Ugh, Beca. I'm not trying to be funny here."
I let out a laugh, and eventually find the keyhole, without any more help from Chloe. I attempt to unlock the door with the key, but the passcode button starts to make a noise. I move my hands around the back of my head, and untie the blindfold. I blink my eyes a few times, getting used to seeing light again. I then look at the flashing button on the door. As I press down on it, it starts to speak.
"It's no use to one's self,
Yet blissful enough for two.
It's a four letter word,
but a mouthful for me and you.
Do it, do it, it's a must to do.
Break, oh, break the curse,
if you don't, things might get worse."
"Kiss!" Chloe shouts. "It's kiss. The answer is kiss."
"I knew that." I say, clearly lying.
"I think they're telling us to kiss..." Chloe says now, her face turning a shade of red.
I roll my eyes and lick my lips, before taking a step towards Chloe, meeting her soft lips with my own for only a second, before pulling away completely. Even if we fight, kissing always manages to calm me down. And I hated how much that was accurate, even now.
I enter in the four digit code with my index finger, and press enter. The door now opens for us, and Chloe walks in first.
As I walk in behind her, the first thing I notice is our bags in the center of the room. "Aw, how nice of them!" Chloe says happily.
"Yeah, nice. Now, where's the shower..." I say as I start to investigate around the cabin without a care in the world.
"Oh c'mon on, Beca!" Chloe shouts at me.
"Am I not allowed to shower now? I think I'll just stay covered in mud then. Because being covered in mud while being in this ridiculous shit whole of a place is my ideal way of spending my time."
I look at Chloe's face, and she has a sad expression. And it almost makes me regret my words, but it was no lie that I was still mad inside.
"It was just a bit of fun! All I'm doing is trying to help us, Beca. At least I'm trying to do something for us."
"Yep, whatever you say. How's that working for ya?"
"Pretty fucking shit, thanks."
"Mhmm." I say back. "Anyway, I'm going to hit the showers. Don't wait up for me." I say as I walk towards a door, hoping it would be the bathroom.
"Trust me, I won't be." I hear Chloe mutter.
I roll my eyes again, and slam the door behind me, loudly, on purpose.
After I've finished my shower, I wrap a towel around my body and open the door as quietly as I can. I peek my head out of the doorway, and spy Chloe on the couch, reading the booklet which Aubrey must of left for us to read.
I know how easily Chloe gets turned on. Out of all the things, I know she loves seeing me naked. She loves my body, as she keeps telling me so. And right now, I don't know as to why, but I just really wanted to tease her.
I walk out of the bathroom, and to the center of the room where our bags are still located. I could sense Chloe's eyes were on me, even though the booklet was still in between her hands. I bend my body over to unzip my bag, looking around for some clothing to change into. And as it happens, my towel slowly starts to slip down my body, making it's way to the ground, leaving my bare skin on view.
"Oh, oops." I say, still searching for clothes. I quickly glance over at Chloe, and she's biting down on her lip, hard. I smile to myself, knowing the affect I could have on her, even now.
I don't bother picking up the towel, as I now stand up straight with clothing in my hands. My back is faced to her, but I know she's looking, staring. I decide to stretch, raising my hands up into the air above me, while standing on my tippy toes. I tilt my head slightly to the side, and let out a soft groan.
I could hear a certain booklet getting tightly gripped around by two hands, and I couldn't help but smirk to myself now.
I then hear Chloe clear her throat, twice, before speaking. "Um... If you care to listen, this booklet says Aubrey will be meeting with us later for another exercise. She's coming around to everyone's cabin, and our time is scheduled after lunch."
"'Kay." Is all I reply back to her. I knew she was still looking at me, so I slowly start to get dressed right there and then, completely teasing her, but she doesn't say anything. I'm now currently in a shirt and my underwear, so I decide to turn around and face her. Her eyes quickly move from my body to the booklet, and I can't help my smirk as it grows wider. Chloe quickly finds something to read, completely ignoring me now. I bend down on purpose, to she is she'll look again, but this time she doesn't. I then decide to put my pants on, and sit myself down to the couch next to her, without saying a word as I feel my eyes roll.
"Knock knock!"
Chloe and I both look towards the door, as we see a blonde walk through. "Hello, ladies! Nice to see you again!" Aubrey says fully to Chloe, completely ignoring my existence.
"Nice to see you again too." Chloe says back to her.
Aubrey shows a smile, and then goes to sit down on the single seat next to us, by the couch. She places a folder down onto the table, and removes two pieces of paper from it, along with two markers.
"Today's other exercise is a writing one. On one side of your piece of paper, you are going to make a list of all the things you dislike about your partner. And on the other side, you will list down all the things that you love. After you've completed these tasks, you will fold up your pieces of paper, and keep them in your backpack. They must stay in your backpack everytime you exist your cabin, or when there is a new activity outside. Understood?"
I could easily face palm myself right now over how cheesy this whole thing is, but I didn't want to cause another scene again. So instead, I stay still, and completely silent, keeping my thoughts to myself this time.
"Yep, okay!" Chloe is the first - and only - one to talk.
"Start off by writing down the things you dislike. You have five minutes." Aubrey says as she looks at her watch. Oh, she is actually serious about this. I place the marker in my hand and place it over the paper, and begin to write, as I watch Chloe do the same.
It's night time now, and Chloe and I have finally settled in into our bed at the cabin. It wasn't too uncomfortable, but I sure am missing the bed at home. Actually, I'm missing everything at home.
I keep tossing and turning, and end up laying on back while staring at the ceiling, wide awake. Chloe keeps fidgeting under the sheets, I'm trying my hardest to fall sleep, but right now that's impossible. She rolls over, and while she does, she takes the blanket with her, leaving me without any.
"Really?" I mutter as I try to take back what she stole.
Chloe is in a deep sleep, and her hands are wrapped tightly around the sheets, leaving me with none still. Fuck.
"You hate me now, and I feel the same way. You love me now, and I feel the same way…" Chloe starts to sing now in her sleep.
I cover my ears with both my hands and shake my head left to right. This was an absolute night mare. All I wanted was to sleep. I decide to get up from the bed, and move out of the room. I do this quietly, not really knowing why, and carefully shut the door closed behind me, so it doesn't make too much noise.
I make my way to the couch, and lay down on it, stretching out my legs while getting as much comfortable as I possibly can, before closing my eyes, finally peaceful.
I swear I close my eyes for a total of two seconds, but now it's t's 6:30AM, and our exercise for the day is awaiting for us. My eyes are fighting to stay open, and my brain is still half asleep. I tie my hair up in a loose bun on top of my head, even though I feel and probably look like a zombie, I didn't much care.
"Come on grizzly ass." Chloe says as she walks towards the front door.
"Watch your mouth, princess." I say as I walk past her and out of the cabin.
Chloe locks the cabin behind her, and places the key into her backpack, as we start to make our way to the original cabin that we first met Aubrey in. We walk in silence for more than half of the way, and I was feeling completely comfortable with it.
"Well, this isn't awkward or anything..." Chloe suddenly blurts out.
I stop in my way, but she keeps on walking, not realizing that I've stopped. "What the fuck do you want me to say then?"
I watch as she turns around to look at me. "Right now, I don't even fucking know." Chloe pauses then. "Do you know you haven't said you love me in like what... A week? That hurts you know. It always hurts when you don't say it."
"You haven't said you love me in over a week either, dude. You hardly show it ether." I snitch.
Chloe's mouth hangs open, and once again, I regret my words. But it was the truth.
"Me?! I always show you love, always! It's you who never shows it. In fact, you never show me anything. It's a pain in my ass. Actually, you're starting to become a pain in my ass. Especially right now." Chloe's arms are now folded against herself, and the look in her eyes was starting to scare me.
"Well, guess what Chloe. You're the biggest pain in my ass. You're the biggest pain in my life, actually. Nothing I ever do is good enough for you, and I'm sick of it. I hate feeling like this. I hate feeling worthless, and it's all because of you, really."
"I... I can't believe you just said that. You... You can actually go fuck yourself, Beca."
"Go fuck yourself right back. I don't know why I've even been dating your lame ass for all these years anyway."
Chloe doesn't insult me back, instead, she turns around and walks away from me with a huff. I end up following her, but she's more faster than I am.
She stops suddenly in the middle of a road, and I stop and take a step back away from her. Chloe turns around to face me, and she looks more angry than I've ever seen her before.
"I am so fucking done with this. I am sick of us fighting all the time. Clearly you don't want to be with me anymore, and I don't want to have to put up with all this shit all the time! So, go find someone else's life to mess up, because... We're done here. We're done. We're over. And I'm telling Aubrey too."
"Go tell Aubrey. I don't give a shit!" I say as I raise my hands up in the air, feeling anger and frustration starting to hit me all at once.
"Trust me, I will be." Chloe turns her self back round and goes back to walking towards the cabin, which is now in our view.
"Oh, and you know what else-" Chloe beings to say as she walks back, but in a instant, everything begins to change. Everything starts to go in slow motion. Everything goes in slow motion, as I watch the car come out of no where. Everything goes in slow motion, as I watch the car ram straight into Chloe. Everything goes in slow motion, as I watch her helpless body get knocked to the ground. Everything goes in slow motion, as the only thing I could hear is my own voice screaming out in panic. It was silent, but loud, and my mind couldn't seem to register that it was me, my voice. Everything goes in slow motion, yet I could feel my heart beating hard and fast deep in my chest. Everything goes in slow motion, as I feel my body start to move, to run, towards Chloe's body, laid on the ground beneath her.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pitch Perfect, all rights to the owners.
So this is only part 1 (of 2) and the next part will be the next - and final - chapter.
I was listening to Rock Bottom by aca-child, I mean, Hailee Steinfeld, and was like "hm, what could I do with this?" and then yeah. This happened. I promise to update in the next few days.
x
