Bechloe Week 2018
Day 2
Jealousy
[High School AU]
Chloe Beale stood at her locker with her best friends, Aubrey Posen and Stacie Conrad. They were all seniors at Barden High and the main topic, again, was Senior Prom. It was Friday and Chloe was so grateful to have the next two days free from school and talk of the prom.
"Uni asked me to prom yesterday," Aubrey said with a smile. "He's renting us a limousine. You guys should come with us. It will be fun."
"I don't think I'm going," Chloe told her. She glanced across the hall when she saw Beca Mitchell walk up to her locker.
"What?," Aubrey practically screeches causing several of the students to look at them. "You and Beca have been dating for over a year. Didn't she ask you yet?"
Chloe chanced another look at Beca and saw Beca looking back at her, her face impassive. As soon as she caught Beca's eye, Beca looked away from her. Chloe sighed and continued to get her books from her locker.
"We're kind of not talking right now," Chloe said.
"Why?," Aubrey and Stacie both asked. "What happened?"
"I accused her of cheating on me," Chloe said.
"Did she?," Stacie asked. "Or do you think she did?"
"I'm not sure," Chloe said. "I saw her with Jenna Michaels, and they looked cozy. Really cozy. I got upset and accused her of hooking up with Jenna. She got angry and stormed off, and we haven't spoken since."
"You know she wouldn't cheat on you, right?," Stacie asked.
"You can't be sure she didn't," Aubrey said. "You know her reputation."
"Oh, my God, Brey," Stacie said. "We both know that rumors are not truths. What do you have against her anyway? You ignore her when she's with Chloe. You call her names like hobbit and alt-girl. What is your actual problem with her?"
"I just don't like her," Aubrey responded.
"You mean you're jealous of her," Chloe said. "No matter what you do, she always seems to one-up you. You get a 98 on a test; she gets 100. It's been that way since Freshman Year."
"She never studies," Aubrey said her voice high. "I've worked my whole school career to be Valedictorian and that little-"
"Watch it, Brey," Chloe said warningly. "We may be having a problem right now, but she is still my girlfriend."
"Whatever," Aubrey said. "Let's go, or we'll be late for class."
The three girls walk into their first-period class. Chloe's eyes immediately find Beca. Beca frowns when Chloe catches her eye. Chloe gives her a small smile before sitting near Aubrey and Stacie.
"Attention students and faculty," a voice comes over the school speakers.
"Settle down everyone," the teacher, Mr. Sullivan, called out.
The announcement continued. "Would Aubrey Posen please report to the Principal's Office. Aubrey Posen, please report to the Principal's Office."
Aubrey sat there a bit stunned. She's never been called to the Principal's office.
"Miss Posen?," Mr. Sullivan said, snapping Aubrey out of her thoughts. "I think they mean today."
Aubrey blushed bright red as the students laughed. She gathered her things and hurried out the door. When she got to the Principal's office, the secretary told her to have a seat. She sat and waited until Mr. Smith, the Principal, came out of his office.
"Miss Posen," he called out and stood aside to allow Aubrey to enter his office. He followed in behind her. "Please have a seat."
Aubrey sat down, and Mr. Smith sat behind his desk. He opened a folder sitting on the desk in front of him.
"I've called you in here today to congratulate you," Mr. Smith said. "And to inform you…"
"Oh, my God," Aubrey thought as her face brightened and she sat straight up in her chair. This is it; this is what she's been working for since the first day she stepped into her Kindergarten class. Since Mr. Smith only called her into the office must mean she is Valedictorian of her graduating class.
"That you are this year's,' Mr. Smith continued, "Salutatorian."
Aubrey's face blanched. Her ears must be playing tricks on her. Salutatorian? How could that be? She snapped out of it when she realized Mr. Smith was still talking.
"...speech should be ready by May 1 so it can be reviewed by the Superintendent's office," Mr. Smith concluded.
"I'm sorry," Aubrey said as she stood and leaned over the desk to get in Mr. Smith's face. "But did you say I'm the Salutatorian?"
"Yes, that's right," Mr. Smith said.
"May I ask who the Valedictorian is?," Aubrey asked through clenched teeth.
"I can't say as yet," Mr. Smith said. "I have to notify them first before I can say anything more."
Aubrey thought for a moment, and her eyes widened at a sudden realization.
"It's Beca Mitchell isn't it?," Aubrey said her voice rising. "She's always taking things that I deserve to have." Aubrey runs a hand through her hair. "There is no way that alt-girl, overly-mascaraed hobbit, wannabe badass, deserves to be our Valedictorian!"
"Sit down, Miss Posen," Mr. said calmly. "I assure you, we have checked and rechecked everything. The Board of Education and the Superintendent's office has gone over both your records with a fine-toothed comb. You are the Salutatorian."
Aubrey finally comes out of Mr. Smith's office. Her movements are slow, almost robot like. She returns to her class and glares at Beca. Beca isn't surprised at the animosity Aubrey is directing toward her, she is always glaring at her about something. Aubrey sits by her two worried best friends and shakes her head at them when they ask her what's wrong.
The school PA system comes to life with another announcement.
"Attention Students and Faculty," the voice comes over the speakers. "Would Rebeca Mitchell please report to the Principal's Office. Rebeca Mitchell, please report to the Principal's Office."
"What did you do, Beca?," Jesse Swanson asked, and Fat Amy laughed.
"Shut it, Swanson," Beca responded as she gathered up her stuff to head to the Principal's Office.
Beca is gone about fifteen minutes before she returns to class. She doesn't say anything. She just goes to her seat and sits down. Chloe looked back at her with a furrowed brow, but Beca was staring down at her desk.
"Attention Students and Faculty," Mr. Smith's voice comes over the speakers. "I am honored to announce this year's Salutatorian and Valedictorian for the Class of 2018. Your Salutatorian is Rebeca Mitchell." Aubrey's head jerks back to look at Beca who just looks back at her with an unreadable expression. "And your Valedictorian is Aubrey Posen. Congratulations to you both."
"Congratulations, Miss Posen," Mr. Sullivan said. "And to you as well, Miss Mitchell."
"Way to go, Beca," Jesse Swanson and Fat Amy yelled across the room to their best friend. A few others start congratulating the two.
Chloe and Stacie were both squealing and gave Aubrey congratulatory hugs.
"Alright, alright," Mr. Sullivan said. "Let's settle down. There are just a few minutes left so just quietly do your own thing until the bell rings."
"Beca Mitchell as Salutatorian," Stacie said. "Wow."
"Beca's very smart," Chloe said. "She's the reason I was able to pass Calculus last year."
"What?," Aubrey said. "You said you got a tutor and that's why you passed."
"Yeah, I did," Chloe said quietly. "Beca was my tutor. Mrs. Spalding recommended her."
"You never told me that," Aubrey said.
"That's how we got together, remember?," Chloe said.
Chloe was very proud that Beca was Salutatorian. She had to figure out a way to apologize for being jealous and congratulate her for being Salutatorian. For now, she had to be Aubrey's best friend and help her celebrate being Valedictorian.
*0*0*0*0*0*
Beca was sitting alone eating her lunch when Aubrey sat down in the seat across from her. Aubrey looked at Beca and Beca looked back at her.
"Something I can do for you, Posen?," Beca asked.
"I know I'm not the real Valedictorian," Aubrey said while still looking at Beca. "Why did you do it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Posen," Beca said. "When I went to the office Mr. Smith said he had informed you that you were Salutatorian. He then told me he made a mistake and you're really the Valedictorian. That's it."
"No, that's not it," Aubrey said. "I don't get it. Why would you decline being named Valedictorian?"
Beca squirmed in her seat. Aubrey sitting and talking with her had a few people staring over at them. She looked around the room to find Chloe's eyes burrowing into her as if it was trying to reach in and expose her very soul.
"Because you want it and I don't," Beca finally replied, playing with her fingers. "It means nothing to me but everything to you. So, I thought you should have it."
"You know I've always been kind of jealous of you," Aubrey said, causing Beca to raise an eyebrow. "I know, kind of confused me, too." Aubrey chuckled, earning a smile from Beca.
"You've got nothing to be jealous of," Beca said.
"I do, or thought I did," Aubrey said. "I was jealous of you because you're smart, popular, and you've won several awards that I really wanted to win."
"Like what?," Beca asked.
"Perfect attendance for one," Aubrey said. "Remember when you were the only one last year who got the perfect attendance award? For a while, I was more upset that I didn't get one, too, than I was about the reason why I didn't get one."
At Beca's questioning stare, Aubrey said, "I missed two days when my grandma passed away."
"Oh," Beca said. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Aubrey said. "I think my jealousy of you started in Freshman Year when you came here in the middle of track season and became the darling of the track team. I had always won most of the races and had set all the school records. And then you came along with your short legs and unbelievable speed, and I became the second best runner on the team after you broke all my records. I hated you for that."
"Is that why you didn't try out for the team Sophomore year?," Beca asked.
"Yeah," Aubrey said. "My jealousy kept me from doing something I really loved." Aubrey ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch to you the past few years. And I'm sorry that you and Chloe aren't speaking. For what it's worth, she knows that you and Jenna didn't hook up. She does trust you, Beca."
Chloe couldn't take it anymore. She got up and stormed over to Beca and Aubrey.
"What's going on here?," Chloe demanded. "First Jenna, and now my best friend? I can't believe you."
"You were saying?," Beca asked Aubrey, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Chloe, it's not what it looks like," Aubrey said, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Then what is it?," Chloe demanded.
Aubrey looked at Beca and Beca shook her head as if to say you don't have to tell her. Chloe saw the look that passed between them and stormed off.
"So much for her trusting me," Beca said.
"Beca, I'm sorry," Aubrey said. "I'll talk to her."
"You don't have to," Beca said. "She obviously doesn't trust me, and I don't know if I can continue to be with someone who doesn't."
Beca grabbed her lunch trash and left Aubrey sitting there. Aubrey got up and walked over to where Chloe and Stacie were sitting. Stacie had her arm around a crying Chloe.
"Chloe, we need to talk," Aubrey said.
Chloe looked up and wiped away her tears. "What? Are you going to tell me that you two are dating now?"
"God, Chloe," Aubrey said. "I would never do that to you. Beca would never do that to you."
"What about Jenna?," Chloe asked. "I saw them, Brey. She was flirting and practically hooking up with her and you right in front of me. She doesn't even consider my feelings. She's so selfish."
"Let me stop you right there," Aubrey said, getting angry. "Beca is the least selfish person I know."
"You two are hooking up!," Stacie said. "Why else would you suddenly be defending her?"
"We are not hooking up," Aubrey said. "God, you both need to just shut up and listen."
Chloe and Stacie both looked at Aubrey and waited for her to continue. Aubrey took a deep breath and said, "Beca is the real class Valedictorian."
Both Chloe and Stacie's eyes widened, and they stared at Aubrey, stunned by what she just said.
"That's right," Aubrey said. "Beca beat me out but she knew how much I wanted it and she told Mr. Smith to give it to me. I wouldn't call that being selfish, would you?"
"Beca really did that?," Chloe asked.
"Yes, Beca really did that," Aubrey said. "And Beca hasn't been hooking up with anyone else. You want to know how I know?"
"How?," Chloe asked quietly.
"Because she told me," Aubrey said. "And I trust her. The question is, do you?"
Chloe wiped at another tear that had fallen. "I do," she replied. "But I don't know if I can fix us. I let my stupid jealousy cloud my thinking. And, now, Beca probably doesn't want to ever speak to me again."
"Leave it to me," Aubrey said. "I have an idea."
*0*0*0*0*0*
Monday morning found Beca at her locker gathering her books for class when Jenna Michaels walked up to her.
"So, is it true?," Jenna asked. "Did you and Chloe break up?"
"No, yes, I don't know," Beca said leaning against her locker. "She's so frustrating. I don't know why she suddenly thinks I'm hooking up with you and Aubrey behind her back."
"She does know I'm straight, right?," Jenna asked.
"Somehow I don't think she's thinking straight right now," Beca said causing Jenna to chuckle. "I thought she trusted me; now I'm not so sure."
"Jealousy can be an ugly thing," Jenna said. "If you want I can talk to her for you. Let her know we're just friends."
"Thanks, but I want her to trust me without having everyone else speak for me," Beca said. "She's it for me, and I maybe I need to figure out a way to show her that."
"Good luck," Jenna said and walked away.
Chloe wouldn't look at Beca during their first-period class. Aubrey gave Beca a small smile when the class was over. Chloe walked out with Aubrey and Stacie. Beca sighed and left the room.
The rest of Beca's morning was spent in a fog as she kept thinking about how she could fix things with Chloe. How she can prove to Chloe that she can trust Beca. She stopped at her locker and grabbed her lunch before heading to the cafeteria. She was so out of it that she wasn't paying any attention to what was going on around her.
"Beca?," she heard a voice say. She looked up to see Jesse handing her a rose.
"What's this?," Beca asked.
"You'll see," Jesse said.
Suddenly another rose was being handed to her by Jenna who just smiled and winked at her. Then another rose was handed to her by Fat Amy. She kept walking, and roses were handed to her by several people she knew, the last two being Stacie and Aubrey.
Beca was seriously confused by what was happening. Stacie and Aubrey were standing side-by-side and handed her their roses, making it an even dozen. They stepped apart and revealed Chloe standing behind them holding out a bouquet of another dozen roses.
"These are for you," Chloe said softly.
"Chloe?," Beca said taking the roses. "What's going on?"
"I'm apologizing to you for being a jealous idiot," Chloe said. "I trust you, Beca. I really do. And I know that you'd never cheat on me. I'm sorry for getting upset and saying you did."
"You know you could've just said that without doing all this," Beca said with a smile. "And I forgive you."
"Well the apology is not all that this is about," Chloe said. She looks over at Aubrey and Stacie who both smile and nod their heads. Chloe took a deep breath and said, "Beca Mitchell, will you please go to the prom with me?"
"Oh, my God," Beca said with a laugh. "This is a promposal?"
"Yeah," Chloe said, face turning pink.
Beca hands the roses to Aubrey and Stacie and turns back to Chloe, taking her hands and looking into her eyes. "This is the dorkiest thing anyone has ever done for me," Beca said. "I love it. And I love you, too, and would love to go to prom with you."
Chloe's face lights up, and she pulls Beca into a kiss. The cafeteria erupts in applause and cheering.
"I love you, too," Chloe whispered in Beca's ear as their friends came over to congratulate them.