I'm pretty new at this writing thing, so any feedback is greatly appreciated!

The two women were so engrossed in their conversation that time nearly ceased to exist and their friends that they came here with were pushed to the back of their minds. Jesse and Stacie watched their friend interact with the unknown redhead and chose that it was best to leave them be. Beca looked happy but nervous, which was a strange sight for them both. She was using her hands more and the slight blush that crept on her cheeks when the woman would lean in closer didn't go unnoticed.

Chloe looked at the clock behind the bar , "Wow it's pretty late, I should probably look for Aubrey and head home"

"Aubrey?" the brunette curiously asked

"My best friend. She was the blonde who was sitting with me earlier" she picked up her phone stopping when Beca spoke up, "She left a little bit ago with another girl. She looked younger, brunette"

Oddly enough, she had a text from the blonde saying she and Emily were going back home for the night.

"Wow my friends just left me here" she laughed, not actually upset with them

"Do you want me to walk you home?"

A megawatt smile appears on Chloe's face, "That'd be great but I'm not done talking to you just yet. There's a small diner down the block that's open all night, so if you're interested it's a lot quieter there. Plus they're milkshakes are amazing"

Beca instantly stands up and offers her hand, "I'm definitely interested." She smirked, "You should have told me half an hour ago, I fucking love milkshakes"

Chloe lets out a childlike giggle at the other woman. She's so confident yet goofy and awkward at the same time. There's this wall that surrounds her, but she can already tell she's making a dent. Beca intrigues her. Sure, she's hot but she's adorable. When she gets flustered from her flirtations, or when she rambles awkwardly trying to recover from something she said, it all just makes the redhead more intrigued.

They make their way out of the bar, Beca giving Stacie and Jesse a nod on their way out.

The fresh air slapped both girls across their face "Shit, I think I got drunker" Chloe giggled

"Yea, drunker isn't a word, Red" she intertwines their hands as they slowly make their way to the diner. Beca knows exactly which place Chloe was talking about. It's her safe place. It's where she goes when she wants to be alone. The owner, Caroline, is a very kind woman who met Beca when she was a child. She has kept her secret for all these years and has treated the brunette as if she was family. Caroline now has silver hair, but she still radiates all this energy and happiness that not even Beca understands where it comes from. When Beca had to leave because she wasn't aging she told Caroline who hasn't uttered a word about it since.

"Have you ever been to MC's diner?"

"I'm friends with the owners actually—"

"You know Mark and Caroline" the redhead interrupted

Furrowing her brows, Beca asks, "Yea, uh, you know them?"

"Oh totes, my mom and Caroline were childhood friends. My family lived here before I was born but we would come back and visit pretty often"

Oh fuck. She remembers Caroline's best friend from when she was younger. They spent almost every minute together. Anastasia Beale. Same fiery red hair and blinding smile. Her eyes were a grey-blue instead of Chloe's piercing baby blues, but they were also stunning. Ana was 7 when she met Beca. But they weren't introduced to each other until she was 17. Beca merely played Caroline's older family friend. They went out together and had a blast. Obviously Beca's secret was never told and after 4 years of friendship, Beca had to leave and never contacted Ana since.

It's sad because Ana was an amazing friend. She was always sweet and full of love. Now she sees how much Chloe is like her. Chloe has more fire to her though. She's more straightforward and open. God, if she ever had to meet Ana again—what the fuck, Beca?! Her parents? You just met the girl!

"Beca!" Chloe tugged on her hand, "Did you hear me or are you that drunk?"

"Sorry, I kinda zoned out there" she catches Chloe in the corner of her eye smiling at her with that contagious grin

"How do you know Mark and Caroline?"

"Family friends. They are like the cool aunt and uncle I never had"

Chloe is practically beaming, "That's so sweet. My mom would always tell me stories about all the adventures her and Caroline had. M and C are actually my godparents believe it or not"

"That's cool. They're great people and since I have impeccable taste, you should try the oreo milkshake. A close second to sex"

"Mm, I don't know if I will agree with you on that. There are a lot of things that are almost as good as sex."

"Like what" the flirtatious tone returning in Beca's words

"I don't think I should share those secrets quite yet. A stranger like you wouldn't be able to handle it"

Without thinking, Beca casually slips out, "I'll get it out of you one day, Red"

Chloe doesn't flinch at the hint of them seeing each other more after tonight. If anything, her smile gets bigger at the possibility of getting to know the enigmatic woman who was currently running her thumb back and forth over her own. They walk up to the diner still bustling with patrons. It's a casual place so they seat themselves in a booth. Sitting across from each other, both girls take the opportunity to truly look at the other in the light. Chloe hadn't uttered a word, she was captivated by the brunette. Her chocolate brown locks falling below her shoulders in effortless waves. Her midnight blue eyes popping from the dark eye make up. Her black dress fitting her body, contrasting perfectly against her pale skin. Everything about her was beautiful.

"Do my eyes deceive me or is Beca Mitchell actually sitting in my diner?" the raspy voice of Caroline broke the trance of the two women, her smile getting bigger every passing second. Beca was quick to stand up and engulf the woman in a bear hug. She's definitely not one for affection, but Caroline has always been an exception.

After their embrace, Caroline finally looked at the brunette's guest. Her eyes widened with glee at the realization, "Oh my, Chloe you have truly grown up to become a sight for sore eyes. How have you been, darlin?"

The redhead stands to give her a hug as well, "It's so nice to see you again, Care. I forgot how much I loved your hugs"

"You're too sweet, how do you two know each other? I can't imagine Beca actually leaving her house"

Chloe being the epitome of conversing took the lead, which is something the brunette was extremey thankful for, "We actually just met each other tonight at a bar down the street. She finally gained the courage to approach me after stalking me for an hour"

"I was not stalking you!" Beca groaned, "I was simply... admiring…from afar"

Caroline chuckled, "You can't just watch people, that's stalking. I know Chloe's a very pretty girl, but I'm surprised she didn't call the cops on your ass"

"Well when she finally came up to me I figured I'd give her a chance since she so kindly offered me another drink" Chloe looked to Beca from the side and sent her a flirty wink that made the butterflies in the brunette's stomach flutter.

"That was your big first move" Caroline raised a brow, "Really?"

"Mark tried to bone you within the first hour that you two met. You have no say in how I choose to get women to like me"

"Who says I like you?" Chloe asks teasingly and Beca's smirk fell a little at the possibility of Chloe not liking her. Beca has known this woman for a few hours and already likes her way more than she'd admit

"Beca," the older woman says calmly, trying hard not to smile at the two, "Chloe is too kind to not talk to a stranger, even if that stranger is you. You're gonna have to try harder than that"

Chloe lets out a high pitched laugh, not hearing Beca mumble profanities under her breath.

"Can we please just order, I need a coffee"

"Fine, I'll leave you two be. Chloe, what would you like sweetheart"

"A cup of coffee and two oreo milkshakes"

Caroline nods as she writes the orders down before making her way back into the kitchen. They banter back and forth for a few minutes and Mark comes over with their coffee. Just after taking one sip both girls instantly feel less loopy from the alcohol. Beca learned that Chloe graduated from college last year and teaches English at the local high school. She has never met someone quite like her, nor has she had any interest in a person who was so optimistic and cheerful. Chloe was like the first breath one took when they came out of the water. She felt alive again. Chloe Beale might just be the one to save her from the endless drowning she has endured for 200 years.

Their milkshakes come and Beca has to hold herself back from pouncing on Chloe when she all but moans as she takes her first sip.

Keeping her composure, Beca smirks "Who knew you were so vocal, Red"

"Mm, you have no idea" she winks

"You're right, I don't. But I could think of a few things that would get a similar reaction"

"Are you trying to get in my pants, Bec?" Chloe isn't normally this bold, but she can't help it. This flirting banter between them two gives her a rush

Beca simply shrugs, "Maybe, maybe not"

"You might be sexy and mysterious, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you"

"You think I'm sexy?"

"I do"

"Hmm, I hate to ruin this moment we're having but it's getting pretty late. And pretty girls like yourself shouldn't be walking these streets so I'll walk you home"

"And here I thought we were just getting to the good part"

"I have to keep you interested somehow"

Squinting her eyes at the brunette, Chloe stands up, "What a tease"

Chloe doesn't live too far, so the walk isn't too bad. They flirt and banter the whole way and neither can deny the way their heart races with every glance and touch. Both women feel the pull and as they reach the redhead's building, they are sad to finally part ways

"Well, this is me. You shouldn't be walking by yourself this late"

"Don't worry about me, I can handle myself"

"I would feel better if you came inside and wait for a cab"

"Is that the only reason you want me to come inside" her signature smirk appearing again

"Yes"

"Liar"

"I am not!"

"You so are, but I'll be fine."

"Beca, please come inside, it's not safe"

Pulling out her phone, Beca opens her contacts list and clicks the add button, "Here, give me your number and I'll text you when I'm home safely okay?"

Typing her information, Chloe nods, "You promise?"

"I promise. Now go inside before your roommates starts wondering where you are"

"Be safe and text me, okay"

"You got it"

Leaning forward, Chloe kisses Beca on the cheek lingering longer than she had to and whispers goodnight to the brunette.

With a final wink, Chloe turns and walks into her building. Beca hears her footsteps and the keys jingling in the door. Now she knows Chloe is inside, not being able to stop her smile when she hears her roommates asking about 'the hot and mysterious brunette that she was fucking with her eyes'

Beca: I made it home safely. Maybe we could meet up again? I wasn't quite done getting to know you

Chloe: Okay good, now I don't have to worry. And I'd love to :)

Beca: Glad to know you care, I had a great time with you tonight.

Chloe: Me too. I can't wait to discover what's behind all those walls

Beca: We'll see ;)

Chloe: You truly are an enigma, Beca Mitchell. But I'll get through, something tells me you're worth knowing

Beca: Don't set your expectations too high, I'm not that great. You might end up hating me

Chloe: I beg to differ. I'm super tired so I'll talk to you later? Goodnight Beca

Beca: Goodnight Chloe, sweet dreams