Babysitter (Bechloe AU), by pretty-nervous

Chapter 1

Beca knew she wasn't going to make it in LA without a job. And she thought it was going to be easy, finding a bar or a record store to work at. I mean c'mon, it's LA! She didn't really know much about applying for jobs. Or working, really. But she knew she needed to earn money if she wanted to stay and pursue her dream of becoming a famous DJ. And she knew she had to find a job immidiately because she was so done with her father calling her every day to remind her that starting next month, she'll be paying her own bills.

She's been to five bars and two record stores, and none of them were short of staff. On the contrary, they were packed. Beca didn't know a record store needed more than five people to run it. What did they do all day? Pass each other some CDs? Talk about Lady Gaga? The store was basically empty.

It was her third week searching for a job and she's just spent five hours walking around town and being turned down by every single place she stepped into. Tired and hungry, she decided to try again in the nearest cafe. Cafes are like bars except better looking, right?

She went in and sat down at a table. She was too tired to walk over to the counter. The place was nice and quiet. After two minutes, she was approached by a waitress.

»Hello. What can I get you?«

»Hi, um, I'll have a glass of water and a blueberry muffin, please.«

»Sure thing.«

As she waited, she looked around. She could totally see herself working here. It was nice and tidy, and all the shelves were stacked with books. To her left, there was an open drawer filled with newspapers.

»Oh, you can totally take one if you want. They're just sitting there, waiting to be read.«

Beca looked up at the waitress after she placed the muffin and water in front of her.

»Thanks. Actually, I was just wondering, are you hiring?«

»Sadly, no. Not right now.« She looks around before sitting next to Beca,

»If I could, I would hire you right on the spot. This shit's really tiring when you work alone.«

Beca was surprised by the blonde's words and actions but she didn't really mind.

»Yeah, I bet. You know, I thought it was going to be easy to find a job in LA. And now here I am, three weeks and thirty-six rejections later.« The brunette giggled before taking a bite of her muffin.

»I can help you if you want.«

»Really? But aren't you busy?«

»Right now, you're my only costumer. There's nothing much to do. And you seem like you could really use some help.«

»I really could. I'm Beca, by the way.« Beca smiled at the blonde and she smiled back.

»Aubrey. So let's get started then.«

»Wait, how are we gonna do this?«

Aubrey took a newspaper out of the drawer and spread it on the table in front of them.

»I found my last job in a newspaper. There are some really good job adverts in here and who even reads newspaper these days?«

»Wow, you're right. I haven't thought of that.« Beca said as she started looking at a page full of advertisements.

A few minutes passed and all they've found were ads either looking for secretaries or mechanics.

»Hey what about this one?« Aubrey said and pointed at something on the next page.

Beca looked at it and scrunched up her nose.

»Yeah, I'm not that good with kids.«

»So? It's not that hard. Plus, I know this woman. She comes here every week with her kids and trust me, she could really use some help.« The blonde tapped her finger against a black and white picture of a girl.

»Wait, are you saying this is the mother? She looks about twenty! And it says here she has a six and a one year old?«

Beca saw Aubrey look at her guiltily.

»What?« Beca asked.

Aubrey sighed, »Okay, I'll tell you. But only if you promise you will help her out. Please?«

Beca squinted her eyes at that. She hated kids. But she was also very curious.

»Okay, I promise I'll call her.«

Aubrey turned to Beca and started talking.

»Well, this woman, her name is Chloe, comes by every week and asks me if I could keep an eye out for her kids while she goes out and has a few minutes to herself. One time, her kids were playing with Diego, my brother who came to pick me up. I was getting ready to leave but she wasn't back yet and I decided to go look for her. I walked a few blocks and I saw her on a bench. She was smoking a cigarette. Obviously, I didn't judge her. But as I walked closer, I realized she was shaking. And crying. I sat down next to her and she apologized. That's when she told me.«

Aubrey stopped talking and looked at Beca, who nodded for her to continue.

»Oh God, Beca. There is so much this woman has been through. She asked me not to tell anyone, ever. But I'll tell you this. She had a baby when she was 15. It wasn't her fault. You need to take this job, Beca. She needs someone right now. Hell, she needed someone her whole life. And she's all alone and she hasn't been around in two weeks and now I'm kind of worried.«

The blonde looked at the DJ with wide eyes and bit her lip. All Beca could do was nod.

A few minutes passed in silence.

»I will call her.«