"To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs,

not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind."

-William Hazlitt

"Happy Birthday, Chlo!" She handed the girl a white rose, which she had been told represents innocence, purity, and true love. Three things that were firm bases of their relationship.

The taller girl smiled. "Thank you Beca. It's beautiful..." Chloe trailed off, looking down at the flower. A hand caught her chin and made her look up at the blue eyes she was so in love with. Soft lips caught hers in a slow sweet kiss, and her arms automatically wrapped around the shorter girl's neck. Beca's own arms found their way about Chloe's waist and held on tight, as if she were afraid if she held her too loosely, her lover and best friend, would disappear.

Even at the tender age of sixteen, the two girls knew they had found something special. Something that could never be replaced or even compared to. They had found love. The pair met at both their first classical orchestra concert at the age of 10 and soon became best friends.

Beca was always there to beat up any of the kids who would make fun of Chloe's hair color and Chloe was always there to defend her whenever someone made a snide comment about the tomboy's fashion style. Needless to say, they were to the two best friends that anyone could tell would end up being the perfect couple. Anyone who was comfortable with them being just two girls.

After three years of bonding, both girls soon developed strong feelings for the other, but their fear of rejection and loosing their friendship forever kept them from speaking their minds. Finally, on Chloe's fifteenth birthday, Beca mustered the courage to write her best friend a note, pouring out her entire heart along with it. She walked over the redhead's house that morning and slipped the note under the balcony door that led straight to her bedroom. Not wanting to be there when Chloe read the note and scared of what the girl's reaction would be, she fled right after.

Deciding to take a little detour before heading home, the brunette went to the one place she always felt at ease— the beach. She took the longer route, coming from the east so that way she had more time walking on the sandy shore. There was something about the sea breeze that could calm her frazzled nerves. Much to her surprise, when she reached her favorite spot on the beach, the rocky cliff that was about 15 feet above the surf, Chloe was there.

Slowly and a bit unsurely, Beca made her way up to the top where the girl sat; her feet hanging off the edge, swinging happily. The wind was blowing in the same direction to where Chloe was facing, making a cape of copper curls that hid everything but her serene, sapphire eyes.

Beca gulped unconsciously as she sat next to her friend. Not a word was spoken for a few minutes, only the sound of waves crashing against the jetting rocks filled the air.

"Chlo…e?" She broke the silence after some time.

"I love you."

Blue eyes widened. "Y-you do?"

"I have...for some time now. I-" The redhead turned to say something but Beca was quick in catching her in a surprise kiss.

It was the perfect first kiss. They were both a bit nervous but all the feelings that were kept at bay between the two girls were suddenly released and poured into that one single kiss.

And now, exactly one year later, the couple was enjoying two things. Chloe Beale was turning sixteen and Beca Mitchell was celebrating her one-year anniversary with the girl she loved more than anything else in the entire world.

"C'mon Chlo. We have a big day planned for us." She stood up and held her hand out to her girlfriend.

"Oh? We're not going to the studio are we?" Chloe asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Well..."

"Beca! You know we're not allowed in there when the artists are rehearsing! It's private!" She scolded but a few giggles escaped despite her self.

The brunette smirked. " That never stopped us before, you know."

"Yes, but that's because I didn't know it was a closed course! We just barely made it past the guards on the way out!'

"We did it once so we can do it again." She said simply.

Chloe frowned. "We're not really going there, are we?" Beca laughed and threw her arm over the girl's shoulder.

"Of course not, love. It's your birthday and I'm plan on making it the best. Plus, it's not everyday one gets to celebrate their one-year-anniversary with their girlfriend." Chloe blushed lightly at the wink Beca shot at her.

"So where are we going then?" She asked, changing the subject. She couldn't bare dealing with all of Beca's jokes; Chloe swore up and down that it had become a personal game for Beca to see how often she could get her to blush.

"We, my Chloe, are going to see the New York Philharmonic."

Chloe gasped.

"You got tickets?! Beca, I tried getting them myself but they sold out within minutes!"

Beca smiled and nodded, pleased that she was able to make her girlfriend so happy.

"Oh my god, Beca. Thank you!" The taller girl jumped onto the brunette and wrapped her arms around her neck. Beca took this chance to spin her around, both laughing happily. "This means I need a new outfit." Chloe said after her girlfriend set her down. She looked at her lover with wide eyes. "Can you come shopping with me?" She asked shyly, knowing how Beca hated shopping with a burning passion.

"Anything for thing for my birthday girl," Beca gave Chloe one of her heart melting, charming smiles, before racing ahead. "Well? Hurry up! We gotta get to the mall before the rush comes in!" She called, running across the street.

Chloe was about to say something cheeky in return about Beca stealing her excuse for getting the brunette to drive her to the mall but her attention was quickly diverted to the oncoming truck speeding straight toward her lover.

"Beca! Look out!" As fast as she could, Chloe bolted out and pushed her lover out of the way right before a searing pain filled her side and her world was cast into darkness.