Disclaimer: Universal Pictures owns all rights of Pitch Perfect.
Title: Coming out of the Dark
Chapter 2 - Birthday Girl
Summary: Beca Mitchell endured something so horrific in her past, it altered the course of her life. As an adult she's found love and acceptance that will be jeopardized when buried memories threaten to surface. Two fandoms will be represented; beginning as Bechloe but endgame will be Jeca.
A/N: Warning! Content will include depictions of a violent act with references to substance abuse and suicide. M rated for language and mature subject matter.
Atlanta, GA - 2018
"Wake up sleepy head." Chloe was way too chipper in the morning for Beca's sake as the brunette pried her eyes open. "It's time to get up and smell the roses."
"Go away…" Beca yawned, hiding under the comforter. "Fuck the roses." she mumbled to herself. "I'm going back to sleep."
Chloe chuckled at her grumpy girlfriend. "C'mon, it's beautiful outside, and plus it's your birthday." the ginger went on. "I have so much planned for today."
"That's nice...it's Saturday fucking morning, so I'm sleeping in." Beca grumbled, shutting her eyes. "You can plan around that."
For as long as they knew each other Beca was not a morning person. During the week the petite girl was up early and had to report in to work by seven, so by the time the weekend rolled around it wouldn't be uncommon for her to sleep until the crack of noon.
"Oh no you don't!" Chloe insisted, pulling back the comforter to expose her lover's petite form. "If you don't get your cute little ass up, I'm just going to have to join you and...you won't be sleeping."
Beca turned away on her side and smirked, then pretended to go back to sleep. They had been together for five years and knew each other inside and out. They also had a very healthy sex life and knew what the other liked and how far to push the envelop. Removing her sports bra and matching shorts, Chloe slipped into bed and wrapped her limbs around her sleepy girl.
"One way or another you're waking up." she threatened lightheartedly, flipping her onto her back. "The sacrifices I have to make for you." she sighed, draping her body over her partner's as she fondled her cups. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Mmm…" Beca moaned, becoming more aroused as she received the first of several birthday gifts that morning. "Neither would I."
..ooOoo..
Sometime later they were enjoying a breakfast spread prepared by the redhead who loved to cook for her one true love. Since graduating from college, Chloe decided to pursue her passion of cooking and enrolled herself into the International Culinary Schools at the Arts Institute of Atlanta. Having graduated at the top of her class, she immediately landed the position as sous chef at Cakes & Ale which, was known to be one the best restaurants in the metropolitan area. Beca considered herself the luckiest woman on the planet because not only did she have a smoking hot girlfriend, she was treated to gourmet meals by a professionally trained chef.
With her iPhone in hand, Beca was scrolling through all the birthday wishes she received via Facebook and Twitter.
"Whatever happened to picking up the phone and actually having a conversation with someone on their birthday. I mean, don't get me wrong. it's great that so many people want to acknowledge the day I was hatched, but it's so impersonal."
"I know...right?" Chloe agreed, taking a sip of freshly squeezed orange juice as she checked her Tumblr feed. "It's such a different time we live in with social media dominating our lives and taking the place of relationships." she tossed back the rest of her drink then returned the glass to the table. "I wish I met you ten years ago. I would've loved to have known you as a teenager."
"I'm glad you didn't." Beca disagreed, finishing off her coffee. "I was such an asshole back then and even dated dudes. You would've hated me."
"I can't imagine you in a hetero relationship, you're so good in bed." she winked, making Beca's eyes roll. " So, what made you decide to switch teams?"
"Does that really matter?" the brunette came across a little too defensive. "Look, it was a long time ago. The friends I had back then were bad news. We drank a lot and experimented with sex and drugs. I fucked whomever I wanted and didn't give a shit what people thought of me."
"You must've been quite the badass."
"I was out of control."
"And then your father arranged for you to move here and go to Barden."
"Yes. My mom had enough of my shenanigans in the west and shipped me off to the south."
"Thank God they did that."
Beca nodded in agreement. "I resisted at first but after meeting the biggest weirdos in the universe; you and Jesse I might add, then being blackmailed into trying out for the Bellas, I realized there was more to life than just making myself numb."
Chloe frowned at her partner's comment. "Why do I have the feeling there's more to that story."
"There's not!" Beca snapped back with no hesitation. "Look...I don't mean to be rude but, can we please change the subject?"
"Okay." Chloe backed off. After years of experiencing her mood swings she recognized the signs and when it was time to abandon a line of questioning. "Because it's your birthday I'll let it go, but some day I want to hear more about 'out of control' Beca."
"No you don't!" Rising to her feet, Beca abruptly pushed her chair in. "That chapter in my life is closed." Then stormed out of the kitchen.
Entering their ensuite bath, Beca switched on the shower and began to undress. With the room filling up with steam she focused on her reflection in the mirror and blinked back memories of her eighteenth birthday.
..ooOoo..
Los Angeles, CA - 2011
Wearing her usual heavy black eyeliner and scary ear-spike Beca donned a low cut black tank and red push-up bra that emphasized her cleavage and tiny waist. With her skinny jeans and high heeled leather boots she had the illusion of height, and with her favorite black leather jacket on, she looked the part of a badass looking for trouble. Finishing off the look, she wore bright red lipstick and styled her wavy brown locks down. Turning to the side, the young adult was satisfied with her overall appearance and was ready to raise some hell for her milestone birthday. She didn't know what her crazy friends had in store for her but as usual, she went along with it.
"Here...take this." Terri, a tattooed covered significant other of Beca's offered a round tablet with a smiley face logo. Without questioning what the pill was, Beca took a sip from a long neck and tossed it back. "Good girl." she praised, yanking her hair down in back to kiss her full on the mouth. "Pretty soon you're not gonna give a shit about anything. C'mon, grab your fake ID and let's go."
As a teenager Beca was a free spirit. At age sixteen she fell into the wrong crowd who introduced her to raves where she had partaken in alcohol and substance abuse that normally resulted with her hooking up with a random person. Whether it was smoking a joint, popping pills, doing lines or just consuming massive quantities of alcohol; being under the influence meant her inhibitions were reduced and she was open to just about anything, including her first lesbian experience.
For the next twelve months Beca was sucked into an underground movement in the heart of Hollywood and was exposed to deviance at its worst. With readily available drugs and rooms designated for different levels of sin, this had become the hangout for Beca and her ragtag group of friends to indulge in whatever they felt that evening.
Club Fuque - Hollywood, CA
Already feeling the affects of the tiny pill, Beca stumbled her way to the front where her friends paid for her entry and secured a red plastic bracelet around her wrist.
"Red?" she slurred her question making her friends laugh at her fuzzy disposition. "What's this?"
"It's time to grow up, Beca. You're an adult now." Terri pointed out. "Let's get shit faced and find some trouble."
She was in no condition to question their group of young women who were seated at their usual booth. Within minutes a barmaid brought over a tray full of tequila shots, a salt shaker and lime wedges.
"Body shots!" somebody yelled and immediately Terri turned to Beca and gave a long languid lick from her cleavage to her neck. With salt on her exposed skin Beca felt the girl thoroughly collect the salt between her boobs, toss back a tequila shot then suck on a lime wedge. With some of the patrons cheering them on Beca was caught in the moment and reciprocated with a french kiss to Terri's lips. Their group repeated this process, doing body shots off each other until all shot glasses were empty and returned to the tray. By the time they finished, Beca had consumed two long necks and tossed back four tequila shots, and feeling quite loopy.
During the course of the evening her sense of self became more distorted as her intoxication mixed with the effects of the drug she had been given earlier had reached its peak. On the dance floor she liberated herself of her leather jacket and was surrounded by bodies grinding and rubbing up against hers. It was as though time had slowed down as she was nudged in the direction of the exclusive RED room located at the far end of the establishment which, was accessible to red bracelet wearers only.
Entering the room, the dim lighting had a reddish glow with music pumping loudly through the speakers masking the sounds of its inhabitants. The pleasant aroma of incense mixed with the musky scent of sex filled Beca's senses as she tried to focus on what was unfolding before her. She had seen this room as a voyeur from the other side of the glass but never thought she would become an active participant.
For the most part, participants were without clothing and connected in some sexual manner; they referred to this act as 'the chain' while its center consisted of a pile of intertwined sweaty bodies.
"This is the big leagues, Beca." Terri boasted as she and some of the others began to remove articles of clothing. "And tonight being your birthday, you're going to be the guest of honor."
With her pulse rate racing, Beca was given another pill that she washed down with a random drink that she didn't question. After several more shots of tequila she was fucked up beyond recognition. By the time she was brought to her feet, she had lost all sense of self along with the majority of her clothing; she was clad in her undergarments only and didn't seem to mind.
As they approached the giant circle, an opening in 'the chain' allowed them entry to its center and onto a fur lined surface. She was buzzing so hard she didn't know what was happening or even cared. It was nothing she experienced as men and women she had gotten to know began to pleasure her in ways she had only seen in porn until something caught her attention. A small crowd not too far from them had congregated around two young women who appeared to be out of it as men lined up to have their way with them. They were vessels for their entertainment with the group cheering them on.
Beca felt panic with a feeling of dread overcoming her as flashbacks depicting a violent scene were triggered. Shutting her eyes she held her head between her hands and screamed but the deafening sound of the music drowned her out. As more horrific images filled her mind, she was pulled into darkness and began to convulse.
"What's wrong?" Terri and their friends tried to bring her out of it but she was unresponsive. "What did you take?" Terri asked again but she couldn't get an answer. With her eyes rolled back and her body jerking, Beca was in the midst of having a Grand Mal seizure.
"Shit! She's ODing on us!" One of the nightclub's managers whipped out his cell phone to call for assistance and motioned for a bouncer to collect her. "Get her the fuck out of here!"
..ooOoo..
Cedars Sinai - Los Angeles, CA
"She's coming around." A female announced. "I'll notify the doctor."
"Beca, can you hear me?" Professor Mitchell asked as he and his estranged ex-wife stood over her. "Your mom is here with me. Do you know where you are?"
Shaking her head slowly, she was still in a fog.
"You're in the hospital at Cedars."
"You were drugged and God only knows what else." her mother's tone was filled with disappointment. "Those friends of yours nearly got you killed."
"How did I...get here?" Beca slurred her question. "How long-?"
"-Somebody must have called 9-1-1 because you arrived by ambulance." her mom cut her off as she filled in the blanks. "Do you have any idea what you put us through? Your father dropped everything to come out here after I told him what you did."
"Alex!" he snapped. "That's not important! Can't you just be happy that our daughter's back?" Returning his attention to the patient, he continued. "You had a major seizure and have been in a coma for almost two weeks." The professor solemnly answered. "Are you ok?"
When she didn't answer right away, her mother unloaded on her.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" she seethed. "Are you trying to follow Lindsay into her grave?"
"YOU LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS!" Beca's pulse rate skyrocketed as she became unglued. Like usual, her mom knew how to set her off. With her outburst she set off alarms that lit up her monitors like a Christmas tree.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset her." Alexandria Mitchell stepped back as a medical team rushed in. "Just tell us why you're doing this."
She shook her head and refused to answer.
Frank Mitchell gave his ex-wife a look of contempt while a sedative was added to his daughter's IV line. "What's the last thing you remember?"
"Um...there was a nightclub." Beca answered her dad without giving too much away. "I was pretty out of it."
"You can say that." her mother acknowledged her with pure sarcasm. "The toxicology report not only showed high levels of alcohol, there was ecstasy, cocaine and rohypnols in your system." she sighed with disbelief. "You're lucky to be alive."
"Rohyp-?"
"-Yes...the date rape drug. It was only a trace amount, but it was there." her mom interrupted. "It's no wonder you can remember anything which, is probably a good thing considering the state of dress you were in when you arrived." she scoffed. "This latest stunt of yours could've gotten you pregnant or worse."
Ignoring her mother's last comment, Beca sat up. "Where's Terri?"
"Who?" her mother asked. "Oh, you mean that dyke who left you for dead." she sighed. "Nobody's heard from her or any of those losers. Looks like they dropped you like a bad habit."
Beca was both angry and disappointed by her so-called friends who allowed this to happen. Since hanging out with this group she had become more irresponsible and self indulgent. Instead of putting the money she earned from her job in a savings account, she blew her paychecks on piercings, tattoos and drugs.
"Your mother and I have been talking. We want you to leave L.A. and move to Atlanta with me."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Yes you are. I can't watch you 24/7 and this has to stop." her mom began to sob. "I can't watch my only daughter ruin her life. Your father's position at Barden will grant you an all expenses paid college education but most importantly, it'll get you away from here."
"So, you're finally kicking me to the curb?"
"No, but we're giving you another chance." The professor added. "We also want you in a drug treatment program."
"Nice." she muttered to herself. "And if I don't go?"
"You're legally an adult now so your mother and I can't force you. However, if you don't get sober, you're on your own."
Standing under the hot spray Beca thought back to the inpatient drug rehabilitation center she checked herself into where she voluntarily gave up her rights and independence, submitting herself to random drug screenings, individual counseling and group therapy sessions. The program was grueling as she was forced to go stone cold sober and experience the harsh effects of substance abuse withdrawal.
It was during this time she developed an interest in music and began creating mash-ups of her favorite songs. Little did she know this solitude would later mold her into a musical genius. After months of hospitalization she had fully detoxed and vowed to stay clear of any and all drugs, including alcohol. After being released into the real world she successfully passed her high school proficiency exam then relocated to Atlanta to begin the next chapter of her life; college.
Stepping out of the shower she towel dried her hair then wrapped a towel around her body. Combing out her brown locks she blew dried the rest then entered the bedroom where Chloe was seated on their bed.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you." Beca sighed at the girl she loved and took a seat next to her. "I know you're weird about sharing personal stuff, I just wish you trusted me more."
"Chlo, it's not that. I've done things I'm not proud of," she exhaled. "If you knew some of the shit I did, you wouldn't want me."
"It can't be that bad."
Beca exhaled deeply. "Trust me...it is."
"Well...maybe if you talked about it your nightmares will go away."
"Chloe...please."
"Please what?" she was getting more frustrated. "I don't keep anything from you! Sometimes I wonder if you're as invested in this relationship as I am."
"Seriously? We're having this discussion now, on my birthday?" Beca snapped. "Is this an ultimatum?"
"No, of course not. It's just..." Chloe closed her eyes and conceded. Remembering that they were supposed to be celebrating her birthday, she decided it was best to back off. "Never mind. Just drop it. I'm sorry again for upsetting you."
Seeing how her actions were affecting her partner, Beca decided she had to do something to make things right. "Is it really that important to you?" Chloe locked eyes with her and nodded. "You really want to know how many chicks and dudes I banged or how ODing nearly killed me or describe what it was like going through withdrawals in rehab?"
"Yes! " Chloe answered, taking Beca's hand in hers. "We've been together for so long but I feel like I know so little about you." Wiping her eyes, she continued. "I love you, and nothing you say will ever change that."
"Oh yeah?" It came out as a challenge. "We'll see about that." Beca tightened the towel around her and took a deep breath. "I've had an abortion."
"What?" Chloe was stunned by her confession and tried not to let her disgust show. She was pro life and dead set against terminating a pregnancy regardless of the reason and here was her life partner going against everything she believed in. "You...you probably had good reason." she stammered, trying to leave any judgment out of her voice.
"Yeah, you're right. It's called I got knocked up." she deadpanned. "Can you picture me with an eight year old?"
"You were that young?" Beca nodded nonchalantly at her question. "Whatever happened to the father?"
"I don't know. I never knew who he was." she admitted without any emotion while her girlfriend tried to shake it off. "I told you, I wasn't very responsible."
"Jesus...maybe it's a good thing I didn't know you back then."
"Chlo, you have to understand, I'm not that person anymore. I'm rehabilitated and have done a complete one-eighty."
"Why were you like that?"
"I don't know, I just was."
The morning of her twenty-fifth birthday turned out to be a pivotal moment in their relationship, being the most Beca had ever divulged about her troublesome past. She elaborated more about her heavy partying and promiscuity during her teen years to experiencing her parents divorce and fallout of her childhood best friend's suicide. When Chloe asked more questions about Lindsay's death, she shut down again. What Beca had neglected to mention was, there was a period of time after she turned sixteen when she had no recollection of anything. It was as though pieces of her puzzle were missing and she didn't know why. To Chloe, this was the beginning of Beca finally opening up to her but also knew there was a lot more she wasn't saying. Deciding the birthday girl had enough interrogation for one day, she let it go.
"You better get yourself ready, Jesse will be here soon."
A/N: Tune in next time as Jesse takes Beca out for a birthday surprise. Thank you to everyone who left reviews. Your support is what drives this author to write.