I meant to have this chapter up a couple of days ago in keeping with the weekly update but work got crazy and then I tried wall climbing for the first time and haven't been able to move my arms for a couple of days! This is the longest chapter I've ever written for a story and my favourite so far. Thank you to all who have favourited, followed and reviewed! If you're reading this story and have yet to review leave me a comment letting me know what you think, good or bad! You may have noticed as well that I changed the summary, because honestly the more I looked at the last one the more it bugged me how rubbish it was, so it was changed to better reflect the tone of the story.
The songs used in this chapter are Innocence and Dirty Minds by Halestorm, awesome songs so definitely check them out.
Enjoy!
You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
Chapter 3
Beca Mitchell doesn't do apologies. This practice has stretched back to her childhood, when a young Beca would stand resolutely in front of whichever parent had caught her, refusing to say the two little words.
I'm sorry.
These stand offs could last for hours, no matter how slight the offence. Until eventually either her parents, usually her father, would give up, throwing their hands up in the air, exasperated beyond measure. Or a mumbled apology would finally slip past the lips of the young girl, often spoken with contempt and she would dash up to her room.
As Beca had gotten older her aversion to apologies had softened somewhat, largely helped by the urging of her mother. Sarah Mitchell had impressed on her daughter that sorry wasn't necessarily a sign of weakness, that admitting to one's mistakes and making amends for them was not backing down, merely accepting responsibility as well as the acceptance of things she couldn't change. The words would come begrudgingly, but with more regularity and meaning during Beca's early teenage years.
Then her father had left.
When Benjamin had chosen to walk away, give up on his family and start his life again with her, Beca realised that everything her mother had told her had been wrong. Sorry wasn't about accepting when you were wrong, the words meant nothing, it was hollow. It was something people said to say they'd tried, tried to fix whatever it was they had broken, but not tried hard enough. Sorry meant giving up.
She had heard it more times in the hours before her father's departure than she ever wanted to hear again, it had been shouted, cried, begged, pleaded, softly spoken and eventually was the last word she heard before the door closed behind him and her mother had crumpled into a heap on the floor, sobs like Beca had never heard before wracking her body.
Sorry had done that.
Beca had never forgiven her father, not accepted the many apologies that had been thrown her way over the years. Even now she could see the words in his eyes every time he looked at her, still pleading with her to accept, to release him from the prison of guilt he had built himself. Even now after the incident, which had given birth to their deal she refused. He could rot in there for the rest of time for all she cared, she tolerated his presence enough to get what she wanted out of him and out of respect for her mother.
Her father had been a weak man, he had lacked the strength it took to stay and fight for his family and in Beca's mind his constant apologies were just the verbal proof of that weakness, and she vowed she would never allow herself to be that weak. So the young brunette stopped saying sorry. Unless she really had too.
No, Beca Mitchell didn't do apologies. But as she walked into the first Bella's practice the day after aca-initiation night she was preparing to say the two words she hated most in the world.
She was going to apologise to Chloe.
She hadn't been planning on it, but after the other girl had walked away Beca hadn't been able to get their conversation out of her mind, even when she was back home and in bed the words replayed again and again in her head, along with the image of Chloe's eyes, the way her face had dropped at Beca's biting words, and the sparkle in her eyes had dimmed. For the first time in a very long time Beca felt bad about the effect her words had caused on someone, and with that feeling came the grim realisation. She was going to have to say sorry.
The last time she had made a heartfelt apology had been the day after she had punched Jesse in the face, and even that had been more of a mumbled admission of guilt followed by a soft shove to the shoulder. She definitely hadn't obsessed about doing it, it had come to her as more of an afterthought the next day.
Beca had been stood in front of the door to rehearsals for the last five minutes, part of her reluctance to open the door was down to the fact that she was currently about to enter an a cappella rehearsal, she wanted to roll her eyes just thinking about it. But there was also the other thing, the thing that had kept her awake all night.
Get it together.
Steeling herself Beca pushed the door open, perhaps a little harder than she had intended, the door crashed into the wall as Beca walked through, doing the exact opposite of what she wanted. Drawing attention to her.
Every head in the room snapped up, it seemed that Beca was late as the entire Bella's team were already milling around in front of a blank whiteboard. Aubrey and Chloe were stood in front of everyone else, the blonde giving Beca her customary scowl as a greeting, Chloe as usual gave Beca a smile, but the brunette noticed immediately that the smile was strained, like the redhead had had to work extra hard to make her facial muscles work. Beca felt her guilt come back at this, because in the short time she had known the other girl she had realised very quickly that smiling came as easily as breathing to Chloe.
Moving forward into the room Beca ignored the glares that Aubrey was boring into the back of her head, instead keeping her eyes on Chloe.
"Can I have a word." Chloe hesitated for a moment before nodding and followed Beca over to the other side of the room, the other Bella's stared after them curiously, unsure of what to make of the sullen brunette. "Look, I just wanted to…you know…" Another reason Beca hated apologies was that frankly she had never been good at them, and she hated how her words stumbled out of her mouth. Chloe said nothing, instead she crossed her arms over her chest, an expectant look on her face. She wasn't going to make this easy.
"Last night, after the party, when you saw me outside that dorm." Chloe raised her eyebrows. "I was…" Beca paused again, determined to push the words out. "…out of line." It wasn't an apology but it was a start, not that Chloe was biting, the expression on her face hadn't changed. "I shouldn't have reacted like that; I tend to be grumpy." Chloe's eyebrows rose even higher and she barely hid a smirk, Beca soldiered on ignoring the look. "And that sometimes get worse when I drink, so I shouldn't have said the things I did. So I guess what I'm trying to say is…I'm sorry."
It was harder to say than she had anticipated and as she finished speaking she watched the redhead warily, Chloe looked like she was deep in thought but after a second her expression brightened and a beam broke out across her face.
"That's ok! I'd forgotten all about it!"
"Oh, good."
"So friends?" Chloe asked, Beca didn't really have much choice.
"Err yeah, sure." She muttered. "Friends." The word had barely made it out of her mouth before Chloe had pulled her into a hug. Beca stiffened immediately at the contact, fighting down the urge to pull away and put as much distance between herself and the other girl. Mercifully Chloe let go of her a few seconds later fixing her with another bright look.
"Come on, we'd better get back before Aubrey loses her patience."
"I'm not sure she ever found it." Beca grumbled as she begrudgingly allowed herself to be pulled back over to the group.
Chloe had been lying. She had not forgotten about the argument from the night before, in fact, the thought of it had kept her up for most of the night, and distracted for most of the day. She didn't know why fighting with Beca had had such an effect on her, she barely knew the girl. But Chloe wanted the chance, she knew there was more to Beca than met the eye, she just needed the other girl to let her in enough to find it.
Aubrey had lost count of the amount of times she'd had to repeat a question or a statement that day because whenever she looked up the redhead staring off into space, lost in her thoughts. Aubrey had asked again and again what was the matter and every time Chloe would shake her head and say it was nothing, but Aubrey was suspicious. She had never seen her best friend so…serious.
Now as Aubrey watched the interaction between the small brunette and the redhead her eyes narrowed, her suspicions flooding back. Beca Mitchell had done something; she was sure of it.
By the time practice had finished Beca was sorely tempted to throw in the towel, walk out of the gym and go and tell her father that she was done. That he could stuff his free college education, he could stuff his clubs and he could stuff his money. She would make it to LA on her own, she didn't need him for anything, especially if it meant having to do a cappella.
Practice had been, for want of a better word exhausting. First Aubrey had expelled two girls for 'fraternizing with the enemy', Beca had scoffed at Chloe's statement the previous evening that she was lucky that Aubrey hadn't seen her with the blonde a cappella girl, but as one of the girls had fled for the room as if a pack of wild wolves were snapping at her heels Beca was relieved that the captain didn't know, because she was sure that although the oath had specifically mentioned Trebles Aubrey wouldn't have any problems bending the rules for Beca. Chloe had caught Beca's eye during the rant and given her a quick wink, she was clearly remembering their conversation too.
After she had downed the team by two Aubrey had laid out her plans for the Bella's path back to the ICCA's with military precision, each point was made with a slap to the whiteboard that never failed to make the girls in the audience jump. Aubrey's gaze had drilled into each of them, daring them to challenge a word of what she had said.
Naturally Beca couldn't pass up such an opportunity.
"There's nothing from this century on here." She piped up, shaking the list of songs that Aubrey had just passed out.
"That's because we don't stray from tradition. Now this is how we will become champions." Aubrey had acted like Beca had barely spoken, but the flash in her eyes betrayed just what she thought of the brunette's interjection.
She had punished Beca with the running. Beca didn't usually mind physical exercise, she ran on occasion when she needed to clear her head, but that was nothing compared to what Aubrey put them through for the next two hours.
"My god!" Beca wheezed coming to a stop at the bottom of the steps for what felt like the hundredth time. "What were you in a past life?! A Roman General!" she placed her hands on her knees, trying desperately to get her breath back.
"Did I tell you to stop running Mitchell?" Aubrey asked coldly. Beca glared up at the captain.
"No, but my lungs are currently telling me to stop, if I want to you know? Not die!" Aubrey responded by blowing hard into the whistle that hung around her neck before stalking off to chastise Fat Amy for the third time about her 'horizontal running'. Beca felt a soft hand on her back, rubbing encouraging circles, and looking up saw Chloe standing next to her. The redhead looked like she was barely out of breath, but the beads of sweat that clung to her collar bones and neck gave away her fatigue and momentarily caused Beca's brain to short circuit. Putting it down to her lungs and brain being starved of oxygen Beca forced her legs to move, dislodging Chloe's hand as she ran up the stairs.
By the end of the session Aubrey and Beca had clashed a further five times, about anything and everything the brunette could think to argue about, Chloe knew she was doing it on purpose, that seeing Aubrey's vein pop in her forehead, threatening to burst gave Beca satisfaction, and unfortunately for her best friend, she rose to the bait every time.
"You know you could cut her some slack." Chloe said to Beca as practice finished and the girls were packing up to leave, all in varying stages of exhaustion.
"I could." Beca responded. "But where would be the fun in that?!" Beca gave Chloe a smirk.
"Beca, a word." Beca thought for a moment about ignoring the captain, but decided she had aggravated the blonde enough for one day and reluctantly trudged over.
"You know you'll have to take those ear monstrosities out for the Fall Mixer." Aubrey pointed at the earrings in Beca's ears, her expression telling the brunette that she wanted nothing more than to rip them out herself.
"You really don't like me do you?" Beca raised an eyebrow, deliberately ignoring the older girls statement.
"I don't like your attitude." Aubrey replied, choosing her words carefully.
"You don't even know me." Beca didn't know why she was trying to appeal to Aubrey, she didn't care if the girl liked her or not.
"I've heard more than enough about you to make my mind up." Aubrey sniffed. "And I know you have a toner for Jesse."
Beca laughed at this point. "A what?!"
"A tone. A musical boner." Aubrey explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I saw it at Hood Night."
"Ok, first of all that's not a thing, second of all, if you'd heard as much about me as you claim to then you would know that I have no interest whatsoever in Jesse." Beca leant forward. "In fact I'm far more likely to have a toner for you…but I don't go for uptight bitches." Aubrey's face flushed red angrily at Beca's words. "Thirdly, you're not the boss of me so…"
"You took an oath."
"An oath that's already cost you two girls, and doesn't include anything about a cappella girls." Beca shrugged.
"I'm more than willing to make an exception." Aubrey snarled.
"Face it blondie, you need me more than I need you." Beca smirked, walking away from the brunette and out the door.
"I do not!" Aubrey shouted after Beca's retreating back. Chloe came to stand next to her eyebrows raised.
"What was that about?"
"Beca being difficult." Aubrey muttered through gritted teeth. She rounded on her best friend, face still red. "You convinced me to let her join, so from now you are responsible for keeping her in line."
"And just how am I supposed to do that?" Chloe asked as Aubrey stomped away.
"I'm sure you'll think of something."
"Beca!"
"Look Red if you're here to have a go at me about being mean to your mate, then she started it."
"No, I know how Aubrey can get." Chloe stopped in front of Beca, slightly out of breath. "But she really, really wants to redeem the Bella's reputation this year and so she can get a little bit…"
"Psycho?" Beca offered helpfully.
"…controlling." Chloe finished. "She's good at what she does so maybe you could cut her a bit of slack? For me?"
"Why should I do anything for you?" Beca asked sharply, although there was a glint in her eyes that gave away she wasn't being completely serious.
"You're still trying to get back into my good books from last night?" Chloe replied with a grin.
"I don't generally try to get into anyone's good books. It's too much hassle." Beca snorted. "And that apology, one-time deal, never to be repeated."
"Ohh, if I'd known that I wouldn't have cashed it in for something as trivial as a drunken disagreement."
"You were the only one who was drunk."
"Even so, I wasn't aware of the rules so I think I should be allowed another apology, to be used as and when I see fit." Chloe beamed at the shorter girl.
Beca tried to keep her expression stony, but even she couldn't keep a smile from twitching her lips as Chloe continued to beam at her. "That's not how it works." She chuckled. "But I will think about." The words were added after Chloe's bottom lip looked dangerously close to pouting. Beca didn't know why she was hurrying to keep Chloe happy, it was not something she went out of her way to do, she shook it off by telling herself it was just because of their argument the night before.
"So you'll go easy on Aubrey?" Chloe asked again causing Beca to groan and roll her eyes.
"I will think about it." the brunette repeated. "Look I've got to go, I'm late for a shift at the station."
"Ok, well I'll see you at the next Bella's practice."
"Sure, when is that again?"
"Tomorrow."
"So soon?!" Beca mumbled in surprise.
"You weren't listening to Aubrey when she said we'd be practicing every day were you?"
"No." Was Beca's short reply. "Fine, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Chloe watched as Beca slouched away, her beam still in place.
"What's that smile about?" Beca's face dropped at the sound of Jesse's voice round the shelves. Looking up she saw the brown haired boy peering round the shelf, a smug smile on his face.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm not smiling." Beca replied flipping to the next page of her magazine.
"You so totally were." Jesse crowed coming round to stand next to her. "You were grinning to yourself, who were you thinking about?"
"Even if I was smiling, which I wasn't, what makes you think it was about someone."
"People in movies only smile like that when they're thinking about someone, a special someone." Jesse nudged her.
"We're not in a movie Jesse, this is real life. Nobody actually looks like that."
"They do." Jesse insisted. "My dad looked like that every day when he was thinking about my mum." Beca rolled her eyes, which was not unnoticed by Jesse but he let it slide. "So who is she?"
"There is no she!" Beca protested, although she knew it was pointless. Jesse had that far away misty look in his eyes that he only got when he was talking about movies.
"You'll tell me," Jesse said knowingly. "So why were you late today?"
Beca was happy for the change of subject. "First Bella's practice." She grunted.
"Ohh how was it?" Jesse asked eagerly. "If it was anything like the first Trebles practice than I'm willing to bet it was aca-awesome!" he sang the last word, grinning widely.
"Not you too!"
"But it's true! This year is going to be so amazing." Jesse was still grinning, even though he had agreed to audition for the Trebles to keep Beca company he really enjoyed the whole a cappella experience and Beca knew it.
"My god, you're insufferable." she grumbled.
"What did you guys do?"
"Lots of running."
"Running?!" Jesse looked confused.
"Yep, apparently we need excellent cardio if we're going to be good singers." Beca looked over at Jesse who was struggling to contain his giggles. "Shut up!" she muttered thumping him on the arm.
"One of these days we'll make it through an entire day without you abusing me in some way." He moaned.
"Grow the fuck up." Beca huffed before walking off.
"You're so rude!" Jesse called after her.
"Bite me!" the brunette growled from the booth, causing Jesse to laugh loudly.
By the time the weekend rolled around the Bella's had had three more practices and Beca was exhausted. In between classes, practice and her new overnight shifts at the radio station she wasn't finding much time to sleep, and when Beca was sleep deprived she was grumpy, grumpier than usual. This grumpiness was not unnoticed by the other Bella's who had learnt very quickly to give the brunette a wide berth, especially when her eyebrows knitted together in a frown, and her eyes flashed.
The only Bella not respecting the warning signs was Chloe, who found Beca's grumpiness a great source of amusement, the redhead took every opportunity she could to tease Beca despite the brunette's death glares she shot her way every time she poked Beca in the side or ruffled her hair.
"Will you quit it." Beca had growled at Chloe, running a hand through her hair after Chloe had mussed it up for the third time that practice.
"And miss the look on your face." Chloe chirped skipping away. "Never." Beca groaned and scowled after the redhead, she was being reminded forcibly why it was that she didn't like socialising with people.
A loud whistle blast right next to her ear caused her to wince, looking up she saw Aubrey standing over her, whistle dangling from her mouth and eyes flashing with annoyance. "We need to go over the choreography again, so when you're finished slacking off it'd be lovely if you could join us." She hissed.
"I didn't realise breathing was slacking off." Beca muttered under her breath, unfortunately for her Aubrey heard her.
"I think you need to do some laps Mitchell."
"You have got to be…
"Joking? No." Aubrey pointed at the stairs. "Go."
"Piss off Pukey." Beca mumbled, certain that Aubrey was out of earshot this time.
Choreography was Beca's second least favourite thing about practice, behind running, she didn't like being told how to move her body and like everything else that Aubrey asked her to do resisted heavily.
"Beca, you're not in time again!" Aubrey sighed, rubbing her eyes.
"My arms are tired from running." Beca replied.
"I don't care, everyone else is tired!" Beca opened her mouth to reply but Chloe placed a hand on her arm, sending the brunette a pointed look.
"I'll help her!" Chloe's words put a stop to anything that Aubrey might have had to say as well, allowing the captain to flounce off.
Chloe pressed up behind Beca as they started the routine again, hands sliding down her forearms so she could guide her hands through the motions, she didn't fail to notice that as soon as she had stepped up behind her Beca's body had stiffened, as she did whenever there was some unwanted contact. The brunette never seemed to tolerate close contact for more than a few seconds and sure enough less than a minute later Beca had squirmed away. "I got it thanks." she said, not looking at the redhead.
By the end of practice Beca could barely keep her eyes open and she still had a shift at the radio station to get through, Beca was mid yawn when Chloe bounced over to her and threw an arm round her shoulder, the smaller girl froze immediately mid yawn, but Chloe didn't seem to notice.
"Hey I have a great idea." The redhead grinned, getting the attention of the rest of the Bella's who were all in various stages of exhaustion and looking very relieved that practice was over. At Chloe's words the girl's looked up warily, worried that Chloe had some fresh physical exertion planned masquerading as a 'great idea'. "Let's all go out tomorrow night, as a team!"
"I don't think that's the best idea." Aubrey said stiffly.
"Oh come on Bree." Chloe said. "It would do us all some good to bond together outside of practice, we can go and do something fun."
Aubrey pursed her lips as she thought. "Ok fine." She relented finally. "But remember we have that Mixer next week and we need to be prepared."
"Yay!" Chloe squealed, her arm still round Beca's shoulder who was feeling so uncomfortable that she didn't quite know what to do with herself, so she kept her body rigid hoping that Chloe would get the hint and remove her arm. "So we'll meet up tomorrow night, head out into town?"
"You know; tomorrow night doesn't work for me." Beca spoke up suddenly, ducking out from Chloe's arm and scooping her bag up from the floor, she started towards the door. She had learnt quickly that the only way to get out of practice on time was to say goodbye whilst on the go.
"What?! Why not?" Chloe demanded.
"I have plans sorry. But you guys should all definitely go out and have fun, I'll hear all about it next week."
"Well I don't…" Chloe started.
"That's a shame! But we will thank you!" Aubrey interrupted her friend, shooting her a triumphant grin.
"Cool, right well I have to get going so enjoy your weekends!" Beca had made it to the door and with a sharp wave disappeared from sight before Chloe could protest anymore.
By the time the following evening night rolled Chloe couldn't wait to go out. Although Aubrey had suspended practice that day, albeit very reluctantly, she had insisted that Chloe spend most of the day going over Bella's strategy with her. Chloe had tried to point out that considering they were planning on using the same set that really their strategy, as usual she ended up regretting the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. Aubrey had puffed herself up, huffing angrily that yes they were using the same set, but they had different girls, and the girls they had needed a different approach. They needed moulding into Bella's.
The argument that had ensued still lingered by the time Chloe and Aubrey met up with the rest of the Bella's in town later that evening. Chloe attached herself to Stacie, engaging the taller girl in conversation about the night ahead, whilst Aubrey was left with Fat Amy who immediately launched into a long story about dingo wrestling, parts of which had Aubrey quite scared.
"Hey, isn't that Shortstack?" Fat Amy said suddenly.
"Who?" Aubrey asked, mystified.
"Shortstack?" Amy repeated with a 'duh' expression on her face. At Aubrey's still confused expression the other girl pointed up the road ahead of them. "Beca!"
At the sound of the brunette's name Chloe's head shot up, following Amy's finger. Sure enough up ahead leaning outside the wall of small bar was Beca's familiar silhouette. The brunette hadn't seen them and as the group headed up the street towards her she flicked the butt of the cigarette she had been smoking away from her into the dark and headed back inside.
"Oh no!" Aubrey grabbed Chloe's arm as she made to lead the girls into the bar. "We are NOT going in there."
"Awwww come on Bree, we need somewhere to go and drink." Aubrey shook her head fiercely even though the rest of the girls were nodding their agreement with Chloe. Looking up at the bar Aubrey's expression soured further, the outside was shabby with peeling paint and crumbling bricks. The sound of heavy bass was coming from inside and Lily was already inching towards the door, a look of macabre delight on her face.
"One drink." Aubrey pointed at Chloe. The redhead nodded, before taking Aubrey's hand and pulling her inside the bar.
The inside of the bar was just as shabby, if not more so than the outside. Low lighting made the place feel cramped and dark, even though the space was actually quite large. A long bar was stretched along the left hand side with a few battered stools scattered in front of it, at the back of the of the room was a small stage where a band was setting up some equipment. Aubrey chose not to look too closely at the stains on the walls as the Bella's moved through towards the bar.
There was no sign of Beca and the patrons that were in the bar were watching them closely, the Bella's were by far the youngest people in the bar, and made up majority of the women who were there. A couple of the men by the bar grinned at Aubrey as she passed by causing the brunette to quicken her pace to stick closer to Chloe.
Chloe stepped up to the bar to take drinks orders. The barman gave them all the once over, and after apparently deciding he couldn't be bothered ID'ing them shrugged and turned to get the drinks.
"I hope they have a nice Merlot." Aubrey muttered. Chloe laughed as she turned back to her best friend and pushed a bottle of beer into her hand.
"Think you're setting your sights a little high there Bree." She grinned clinking her own bottle Aubrey's. "Relax, try and have some fun!"
Whatever Aubrey had been about to say next was cut off by the sound of instruments coming from the other end of the room. Chloe grabbed Aubrey's hand and pulled her down towards the stage where the band had now set up and were finishing off their sound checks.
"Hi there." A deep voice boomed around the room, amplified by a microphone. The owner of the voice was a man in his early twenties wearing ripped jeans and a worn band t-shirt, his guitar was in his hands and he picked at the strings as he looked out at the crowd. "We are The Sickness…" Aubrey's nose wrinkled at the name. "…and we're gonna play a few songs for you tonight." There was a couple of cheers from the patrons of the bar, apparently The Sickness had played before.
"Now before we start, our usual singer, Haley, couldn't be with us tonight as she decided to start throwing up half an hour before we were due to go on." The man continued. "So, instead, we'd like to invite our sometimes guitar player and resident midget Beca to come and sing for us!"
All of the Bella's eyes widened as one when Beca stepped up from her place at the back of the stage, punching her bandmate in the arm as she went past, a smirk pulling at her lips.
Stopping in front of the microphone Beca's smirk dimmed a little when she looked out into the audience and saw the entirety of the Bella's staring back at her. Chloe grinned immediately and waved, her smile widening when she saw Beca roll her eyes slightly. "Hey there guys, I wouldn't usually sing but Mark and the guys were really in a bind so I can give you a couple of songs I guess." A look back to the band saw Mark blow a kiss her way before she turned her attention back to the crown. "Now we have some special guests in the audience today, you're very lucky to be in the presence of the Barden Bella's! So watch your language guys!" a ripple of laughter went round the patrons of the bar as all eyes fixed on the group of girls in front of the stage. Chloe heard a couple of people asking who the Barden Bella's were but a few were nodding their heads in recognition, it seemed a cappella was known even in a rock dive bar off campus, Chloe noted with a smile. Fat Amy gave a loud 'whoop!' and threw her hands into the air, causing Beca to shake her head as she continued to speak.
"So this song we're going to start off with is called 'Innocence'" Beca stepped back from the mic and started strumming her guitar, the intro filling the room as the drums kicked in.
You see it from the outside
You're running towards the wall
Swinging from your blind side
But you don't know me at all
I've been here too many times before
And your tears don't mean a
I only come when you scream
Beca's voice, amplified by the mic swelled round the room and Chloe knew that hers weren't the only eyebrows that were raised as the raw power of the brunette's voice was revealed, her voice was lower, huskier than any of the Bella's had heard in practice and it complemented the style of the music perfectly.
Child, don't follow me home
You're just too perfect for my hands to hold
If you choose to stay, you'll throw it all away
And I just want to take your innocence
Is this what you wanted
Did I make your dreams come true?
You're sitting in a corner
Wondering what you got into
And you ache for things you don't understand
That your tears don't mean a thing
I only come when you scream
Beca's presence had completely changed on stage, gone was the slouched grumpy figure that had become familiar to Chloe in rehearsals, now she stood upright, suddenly appearing much taller, dominating the stage, her hands dancing over her guitar. Her eyes sparkled with something that Chloe had never seen before, an inner fire that was infectious, it could be felt in the crowd, people who previously were on their feet were now standing cheering as the brunette belted out the lyrics with such power and emotion that Chloe felt a shiver shoot down her spine.
Child, don't follow me home
You're just too perfect for my hands to hold
If you choose to stay, you'll throw it all away
And I just want to take your innocence
There's no such thing as fate
Only yourself to blame, you never walked away
The song seemed quite sad as Chloe listened, she couldn't pinpoint why but there seemed to be something behind it, lingering just below the surface that wasn't immediately noticeable but as Beca moved to sing the chorus one last time the emotion rolled out into the crowd. Chloe couldn't work out if it was the lyrics, or the way Beca was singing, eyes drifting closed as she gave herself over to the music.
Child, don't follow me home
You're just too perfect for my hands to hold
If you choose to stay, you'll throw it all away
And I just want to take your innocence
Beca's eyes opened and met with Chloe's as she hit the last line and the brunette held the redheads gaze as she sang the last few words. There was something in the brunette's eyes that Chloe knew was just for her, a message that she couldn't decipher, but it was tinged with the same sadness that had run through the song. Then the song finished and Beca was looking away, her eyes scanning the crowd again as they roared their approval. Looking to the Bella's as her side Chloe saw they all had similar looks on their faces.
"Well that was unexpected." Cynthia-Rose commented. The other girls all voiced their agreement except Aubrey and Lily, Aubrey because looked like she still couldn't quite believe where she was, and Lily because nobody could hear her over the noise in the bar, that and she was examining one of the stains on the walls with a fascination that Chloe didn't know she was all that comfortable with.
The opening chords of a new song pulled the Bella's out of the discussion and their attention back to the stage where Beca had started playing again.
"This song is a little more fun." The brunette was saying, throwing a smile back to her band. "it's called 'Dirty Mind'" Aubrey's eyes rose at the name of the song and Chloe had a feeling her best friend wasn't going to like what was about to come.
She was right.
I just called to hear you breathe
Whisper in my ear
Tell me everything I need to hear
It seems like the love we make
Is just as good when you're away
Things you say I can feel
I don't need to have you here
To feel you crashing into me
I'm better of this way, yeah
Not hearing me complain
And I don't need to taste your lips
I've satisfied my appetite
Me and my dirty mind
Been working overtime
The song was lighter, more playful, and Beca's demeanour had changed to suit the change in tempo. Where before she had been stood in one space, as if the song had anchored her to the spot not letting her move, now she moved freely away from the mic between verses, fingers dancing over the strings of her guitar with impressive speed. Beca seemed to take genuine delight in the lyrics she was singing, her smirk was playful as her eyes roved over the people in the crowd.
I hear your voice on the phone
Imagine what you're wearing
To do something right gotta do it myself, yeah
You left me here all alone
I take matters into my own hands
I might just burn in hell, yeah
I don't need to have you here
To feel you crashing into me
I'm better off this way, yeah
Not hearing me complain
And I don't need to taste your lips
I've satisfied my appetite
Me and my dirty mind
Been working overtime.
Can you keep up? Is that all you got?
You're wasting all my precious time
Once again Beca's ocean blue eyes connected with Chloe's ice blue ones and the redhead found herself rooted to the spot, Beca smirked as she sang, seeming to realise the effect she was having on the other girl.
Don't need your permission
Turn the ignition, and I'll race you to
The finish line
The words came out almost like a purr, and the brunette accompanied them with a slow sultry wink, making sure Chloe looked at her the entire time, the wink seemed almost like a promise to Chloe, of what she wasn't sure but there was a part of her that really wanted to find out. The action caused a rush of desire to shoot through Chloe's body and for a moment she was sure that her knees were going to buckle, she knew without seeing it that her pupils had probably dilated and a red flush crept up her neck unbidden. If the widening of Beca's smirk was anything to go by the small brunette knew exactly what she was doing. A moment later she broke her gaze away from Chloe's, breaking the spell and releasing the redhead, Chloe took a deep shuddering breath and took a hurried gulp of her drink.
I don't need to have you here
To feel you crashing into me
I'm better of this way, yeah
Not hearing me complain
Still not quite recovered Chloe chanced another glance upwards, Beca wasn't looking at her anymore, her gaze was fixed elsewhere as the song wrapped up, following the line of her sight Chloe saw that the brunette had picked out another girl in the crowd, a slightly older woman with dirty blonde hair and appeared to be subjecting her to the same intense gaze that had held Chloe captivated mere seconds before. Sure enough the wink followed a moment later and Chloe saw the other woman colour visibly before biting her lip seductively.
And I don't need to taste your lips
I've satisfied my appetite
Me and my dirty mind
Been working overtime
Working overtime
As the song finished Chloe drained the last of her beer, feeling a little foolish. Of course Beca hadn't only been paying attention to her, she wasn't renowned as a womaniser for nothing and Chloe had seen first-hand the results of Beca's charms only a few nights previously at Hood Night. Trying not to identify the feeling in her stomach that was annoyingly close to disappointment Chloe pushed her way to the bar, determined to drink her way through it.
The redhead could see quite easily why so many girls' ended up in Beca Mitchell's bed, even when she was being grumpy, rude and aloof the brunette exuded an air of alluring mystery that made her seem unattainable, a challenge for anyone who wanted to change her.
But when Beca tried, when she turned on the charm, she was transformed. Her performance on the stage was hot and Chloe had no problem using that word, she had learnt to appreciate the female form a long time ago, it came in handy when looking for Aubrey's vision of a perfect Bella. And whilst Beca might not be the traditional image of sexy, at least in Aubrey's eyes, there was no denying that when she was on stage Beca commanded the attention of everyone in the room, no girl stood a chance.
"There you are!" Chloe was pulled from her admiration by Aubrey's relieved squawk. "You cannot leave me on my own in here!" the blonde hissed in Chloe's ear, her eyes darting furtively around the bar.
"It's not that bad!" Chloe accepted her beer over the bar and sipped at it whilst Aubrey fussed next to her. "Who knew that Beca would be in a band huh?"
"Yes, that is surprising." Aubrey inched closer to Chloe as a huge man covered in tattoos pushed his way to the bar next to her, shouting for the barman. "Although the fact that her band plays in a place like this doesn't surprise me in the least."
"I like it!" Chloe said brightly. "It's just got a certain charm to it."
"Yes, dark, dirty and creepy is very charming." Aubrey muttered.
"Lighten up Bree." Chloe nudged her friend with her shoulder before turning her attention back to the stage. "She's very talented." She remarked a moment later as they watched Beca finish another song, dragging out the last note to rapturous applause.
Aubrey grunted in response. "I suppose so. Doesn't change that she's difficult as hell."
"You do pick on her." Chloe pointed out.
"She goads me!" Aubrey replied haughtily.
"And you rise to the bait every single time." Chloe laughed. "If you ignored her once in a while, I'm sure she'd back off." Aubrey snorted and shot Chloe a disbelieving look. Even Chloe didn't quite believe it, Beca would not stop just because Aubrey ignored her, but she felt compelled to defend the brunette.
Beca sang three more songs before the bands set came to a close. All of the Bella's, bar Aubrey who had been outvoted in her decision to leave, had decided they liked the bar and had settled down into seats round a table and were all chatting animatedly, Chloe looked at them happily as she ordered another round of drinks with Aubrey at the bar, team bonding seemed to be working. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Beca hop down off the stage and saunter over towards them.
"Chloe, Pukey." She greeted them with a smirk.
"Aubrey." The blonde replied stiffly.
"Isn't that what I said?" Beca responded. Aubrey was clenching her teeth so tightly that Chloe worried that she was going to break some of them.
"I thought you were a DJ?" The redhead blurted out, partly out of curiosity and partly to stop Aubrey glaring at Beca like she was going to punch her.
"What?" Beca seemed unaffected by Aubrey's death glare and was leaning casually against the bar. She looked more relaxed that Chloe had seen her, limbs no longer awkwardly placed but propped on the bar with legs crossed, she had an easy confidence that Chloe couldn't help but think looked very good on her.
"I thought you were a DJ," she repeated as Aubrey stalked away, the Bella's drinks balancing on a tray. "I didn't know that you were in a band."
"There's a whole lot you don't know about me Beale." Beca said, her eyes flashing again, turning back to the bar she raised a hand, the barman nodded immediately and a few seconds later two shots of whiskey were placed on the bar in front of them. "I want to DJ for a living," the brunette carried on a second later. "The band is just some fun, I practice with them now and again and like tonight when they're down I fill in, but I like it, being up on stage and playing guitar there's something about it that's different to mixing, but just as fulfilling. I think being able to physically create the music you know, as well as manipulate it like I do with my mixes." It was the most personal thing Chloe had ever heard the brunette say, and for a moment she didn't quite know how to react.
"It looks good on you. Being up on stage, you seem…softer." Beca laughed sharply.
"Well we can't be having that, I'll have to rethink my stage persona." She shook her head and turned back to the bar, picking up one of the shots she handed it to Chloe.
"Are you even old enough to drink Miss Mitchell?" Chloe asked playfully, Beca raised an eyebrow and putting her hand in her pocket flashed her ID at the redhead long enough for her see the birthday, which showed Beca to be 22. "That's a very good fake."
"Yep so good it's real." Beca replied pushing the shot into Chloe's hand. "I started college a couple of years late."
"How comes?"
The sparkle dimmed in Beca's eyes and a dark expression flitted across her face at Chloe's question, but it was only there for a second before her face cleared and she smiled, albeit a little tightly. "Some stuff came up." Chloe could tell by the tone of her voice that that was the last thing she would say on the surface, so she didn't push the issue, although her curiosity had definitely been piqued.
Aubrey came back up to the bar as the two of them were downing their shots. "Whiskey Chlo?" the blonde wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"It's not that bad." Chloe coughed the liquor burning the back of her throat. Beca laughed at the redhead's obvious discomfort and signalled the barman again.
"Here you go blondie," Beca said passing a shot glass to Aubrey, who took it gingerly as if it was going to explode in her hand. "Loosen up a little."
"Err, thanks?" the words came out almost as question as if the blonde wasn't sure if she should say them.
"You're welcome."
"Look at you two bonding!" Chloe beamed throwing an arm round Aubrey and Beca's shoulder. "You're going to be totes amazing friends, I knew it!" Beca and Aubrey both looked to each other and then Chloe dubiously, when Chloe looked at Beca a moment later she saw a mischievous glint in her eyes, a mischievous glint that gave Chloe the feeling she wasn't going to like what the brunette had to say.
"So Red, you never showed me that tattoo of yours in the shower the other week." Chloe's mouth dropped open as Aubrey, who had just started to down her shot spat it back out, coughing harshly, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Chlo!" the blonde spluttered as Beca leant back, a smug smile on her face. "What the hell?!"
"Did she not tell you?" Beca smirked. Chloe looked to her best friend sheepishly as Aubrey's face turned steadily redder and redder.
"Tell me you didn't?!" Aubrey screeched. Chloe frowned, confused for a moment before apprehension dawned on her face.
"No! God no Bree! That's kinda…how I convinced her to come to auditions."
"Chloe! What have I told you…" Aubrey was trying to sound outraged but it wasn't helped by the coughing fit that doubled her over halfway through her sentence. "…told you about barging in on people when they're naked!" she recovered finally and turned a stern glare at her best friend.
"So you do this a lot?" Beca feigned a hurt look. "I thought I was special!"
"No! It's happened like once…" seeing the look on Aubrey's face Chloe hastily added. "…ok like three times, and it's not my fault people don't lock their doors!"
"I can't even!" Throwing her hands up in the air Aubrey stalked off, leaving Chloe and Beca alone at the bar again.
"Thanks for that, there's going to be hell to pay when I get home." Chloe pouted.
"That was for insinuating that Pukey and I are friends." Beca replied, unfazed by Chloe's puppy dog eyes.
Chloe pushed open the door to the bar and stepped outside into the cool night air, the mixture of alcohol and the hot stuffy air inside the bar had her head spinning. Leaning back against the wall Chloe tipped her head back, breathing deeply she savoured the feeling of the crisp night air rushing down her throat, helping to clear the fog from her brain.
The evening had been going very well Chloe thought as the sound of laughed drifted out of the bar, Fat Amy's voice and laugh louder than anyone else's. The bonding idea had been a good one, Chloe could already feel some of the tensions that had permeated their rehearsals starting to dissipate as the girl's got to know each other. Even Aubrey had loosened up enough to engage Stacie in an animated conversation about choreography.
The only Bella not involved in the bonding was, predictably, Beca. She had sat at the table for a while chatting to Fat Amy before she was dragged away by her band members. Chloe hadn't seen much of her after that but the glimpses she had seen of the brunette had shown that she had managed to find the woman she'd been flirting with in the crowd earlier. Chloe had stopped looking after that.
The sound of the door opening next to her pulled Chloe from her thoughts.
"Oh sorry," the man who'd just stumbled out of the door mumbled round the cigarette that dangled from his lips. "Didn't realise there was anyone out here."
"That's ok." Chloe replied with an easy smile. The man was young with mousey brown hair that fell forward over his face and a roughish good looks, he leant heavily against the wall, clearly very drunk, and pulling a lighter out of his pocket he flicked it on and tried unsuccessfully several times to ignite the end of his cigarette. After watching him for a few seconds Chloe stepped up and prised the lighter out of his hands, lighting it on the first time.
"Thanks." The guy muttered, he took along drag of the cigarette. "Do you want one?"
"Oh no, I don't smoke." Chloe waved him away with a flick of her hand. "I'm a singer, it would ruin my vocal chords." She tapped her throat for emphasis.
"A singer? You with that group in there then?" the man jerked his head back towards the bar.
Chloe nodded eagerly. "Yeah, the Barden Bella's."
"What kind of music do you sing?" the man asked, taking another pull of his cigarette and allowing the smoke to drift out of his mouth and up into the night air.
"Covers mostly. We're an a cappella group." Chloe said proudly, at the guys confused look she carried on. "We don't use any instruments, just our mouths."
"I see, so what you guys doing in a place like this? Doesn't seem like somewhere you'd usually hang out." The man grinned, moving a little closer along the wall towards her.
"One of our members is in the band, The Sickness?" Chloe responded as he took another step towards her.
"Ahhh yeah, the small one. She was pretty good." Chloe nodded her agreement. "I'm Brad by the way." Extending a hand Brad flashed her a charming lopsided grin.
"Chloe." The redhead replied shaking his hand, his fingers lingered on hers for a moment too long and Chloe pulled her hand away as subtly as she could.
"Nice to meet you Chloe." Brad regarded her from under his eye lashes, cigarette tucked in the corner of his mouth. Chloe gave a tight smile, a slight uneasiness creeping up on her as he looked at her, she attempted to move back towards the door but Brad pushed off the wall and placed himself between her and the door.
"You're not leaving are, you should stay, at least until I've finished my cigarette." He pouted, taking yet another slow drag. Chloe took a breath, plastering a bright fake smile on her face.
"I would but I should probably get back to my friends," she gestured at the bar.
"Awwww come on, don't be a spoilsport. Stay." Chloe stepped to the side but Brad moved with her, his smile widening.
"I really should…"
"You're pretty hot Chloe." Brad stepped forward, he was now less than a few feet away from her, his smile didn't look so charming anymore, more like a leer. "You and me could have some fun."
"No thank you." Chloe said firmly, "I really need to get back inside." Her next attempt to move past Brad was more determined, as was his attempt to stop her.
"Come on babe." he slurred, now that he was so close Chloe could see that his eyes were a little unfocused, and she could smell the alcohol rolling off of him.
"I said no thank you." She replied stiffly, still trying to be polite as possible. As Brad moved even closer she took a few steps back, panic starting to rise in her chest. This was it seemed the wrong move, as it gave Brad the chance to herd her away from the door and round a corner into an alley.
"Look I really need to go." Chloe couldn't help the shrillness in her voice as her back hit the wall and Brad closed in on her.
"You don't need to go anywhere," Brad pressed himself up against her, his mouth bumping clumsily against her jaw as his hands dug painfully into her hips. Chloe turned her head to the side, trying to get away from his lips that were seeking her own. "Why are you fighting this?" Brad murmured against her cheek.
"Please stop." Chloe whimpered, her heart was beating ten times faster than usual in her chest, feeling like it was about to explode out of her chest and the fear was coursing through her blood like molten lead.
"Oh come on, we're just having some fun." On the last word Brad grabbed her face with one hand and forced her to look at him before slamming his lips against her own. Chloe's scream was muffled by his mouth, his tongue thrusting past her lips roughly.
Chloe's instincts kicked in, permeating the cloud of fear that hung around her brain. She bit down on Brad's lower lip. Hard.
"Fucking hell." He grunted pulling his mouth away from hers, wiping the blood of his lips he looked back up at her, menace flashing through the drunken fog. "You bitch!" he growled, the hand that was holding her face pushed her hard into the wall, Chloe winced as she felt her cheek scrape against the wall, the rough brickwork drawing blood.
"Please!" she begged. "Stop."
Brad's only response was to bring his right hand up palming her breast roughly as his other hand fumbled haphazardly at her waist. The sound of his belt being unbuckled made Chloe's blood run cold and she intensified her efforts to get free.
"Help!" her cry was punished by a sharp slap to the face.
"Shut up!"
"HEY!"
At the sound of a new voice both Brad and Chloe looked to the entrance of the alleyway, a figure had emerged round the corner, Chloe recognised it immediately.
"Get the hell off of her!" Beca flung the cigarette she had been smoking away from her and charged up the alley. A frown crossed Brad's face as he took in the small brunette hurtling towards him, before he could react Beca had slammed into him, arms wrapping round his waist and tackling him to the floor away from Chloe.
Brad groaned loudly as all the breath was knocked from his lungs, Beca scrambled to her feet quickly as Brad stumbled to his, facing off against the small girl a smirk stretched his lips. "That was not a good idea."
"Oh yeah," Beca challenged, rearing up on the balls of her feet. "Prove it!" the words were barely out of her mouth when Brad charged forward, swinging wildly with his right fist. Beca ducked, but not quite quick enough, his fist glanced off the side of her head and she stumbled back, dazed. Pressing his advantage Brad surged forward again, grasping Beca by the shoulders he slammed her into the wall, sinking his fist into her stomach at the same time. Chloe gasped as Beca doubled over with a grunt, but a second later the brunette had lashed out with her foot catching him in the shin, causing him to hop away cursing loudly.
Beca's punch caught him square on the jaw and for the second time in less than a minute Brad hit the ground. He was back up again quickly though and Beca's triumphant expression faded as he glared at her, his eyes seeming sharper than they had mere moments before. Grabbing the front of her shirt Brad tugged the brunette towards him, his fist connecting with her face once, twice, and a third time. As he pulled back for a fourth punch Chloe's legs, which up until that point had been frozen in place urged her into action, leaping forward she wrapped her arms around Brad's outstretched fist and hung on for all she was worth. Brad scowled at the resistance and turning his head away from Beca flung Chloe away from him, the redhead crying out as she crashed into the brickwork, pain shooting up her elbow where it had clattered with the wall.
Beca used Brad's momentary distraction to swing her left elbow up into his nose, he howled as the bone crunched loudly. She followed up her first strike with another punch to the chin before delivering a swift kick between his legs. Brad doubled over with a low moan, his hands clutching his crotch, Beca delivered one last punch to the side of his head, knocking him against a bin, upending it into the alley.
Chloe pulled herself to her feet as Beca staggered over panting heavily, the smaller girl gripped Chloe's shoulder, her eyes peering at her worriedly.
"Are you ok?!" she demanded. Chloe couldn't speak, she was still too scared for her vocal chords to even think about working, so she settled for a curt nod, not trusting herself to open her mouth.
It was at that moment that half the Bella's and Beca's bandmates charged round the corner, someone had seen the fight in the alley and rushed into the bar, as soon as the Bella's and the band had heard about a small brunette 'beating the shit' out of some guy they had scrambled for the door, knowing exactly who was fighting.
Five minutes later and the barely conscious Brad was being carried away, none too gently by the members of Beca's band. The Bella's were crowded round their two members, all talking at once, Aubrey looked like she was about to have a heart attack and was breathing so erratically that Stacie had to take her away to get her a glass of water and a paper bag to breathe into.
Now that she was out of immediate danger Chloe realised that she was shaking, violent tremors that rocked her arms and legs, and had her teeth chattering loudly in her skull. She was having trouble wrapping her head around just what might have happened if Beca hadn't come round the corner, what Brad would have done. Bringing her arms up and across her chest, Chloe bit back the sob that rose in her throat and threated to tear out of her mouth in a fit of hysteria. She was losing the battle and knew that any moment the fear and panic that had gripped her for the past five minutes, although it seemed more like an eternity, was going to erupt. Suddenly a hand gripped her elbow, the one not damaged by the wall firmly, grounding her and pulling her back towards reality. Looking down Chloe saw Beca looking back up at her.
"Come on." The brunette's voice sounded faint, as if coming from a long way away, but Chloe allowed the other girl to lead her away through the girls, round the corner and back into the bar. Chloe walked, as if in a daze not seeing or hearing anything that was happening around her, focusing entirely of the feeling of the hand that clasped her own, pulling her forward. She was dimly aware of a door opening and Beca guiding her into a room before the door closed with a snap, pulling her back into the moment.
They were in an office, Chloe assumed the manager of the bar, Beca pulled a chair out from the desk and helped Chloe sit down before bobbing down in front of her, dark blue eyes swimming with concern. "Chloe." The redhead blinked at the sound of her name. "Chloe, I need you to focus, are you ok?"
"Yes." Chloe's voice sounded strange, so unlike her usual one, hoarse. Clearing her throat, she nodded to buy time. "I'm ok…just…shaken."
"Yeah, the shock will wear off." Beca's voice was low, softer than Chloe had heard it before and it was soothing, pushing down the waves of panic that still threated to break. It was now as the shock ebbed away that Chloe was able to look at Beca properly for the first time since the fight had stopped and she couldn't help the gasp that left her lips.
Blood caked the left hand side of Beca's face from a large gash above her eyebrow, there was another smaller cut on her right cheek under her eye, which was already starting to bruise. As the brunette straightened up she winced and clutched at her stomach briefly.
"Oh my god." Chloe murmured, her voice breaking slightly as she brought shaking fingers up to trace Beca's bruised face. The brunette hissed softly, her eyes drifting closed briefly. "We need to get you cleaned up." Chloe stood and casting her eyes around the room saw a tiny bathroom off the office and headed for it quickly, she reappeared a moment later with a damp towel clutched in her hands and gestured for Beca to take a seat, which the brunette did, slowly. It was Chloe's turn to bob down in front of her, bringing the towel up she pressed it gently against the cut above her eyebrow. Beca winced, a slow breath leaving her as Chloe probed the wound gently with soft hands, cleaning away the blood.
"Thank you." The redhead said after a few moments of silence. "That was a very brave thing you did."
Beca grunted in response, her left hand rested on her stomach where Brad had punched her. "Anyone would have done the same thing." She replied stiffly.
"No they wouldn't have, can you imagine Aubrey tackling someone to the ground like that?"
"Yes." Beca said immediately. "I worry she's going to do it sometimes to me in practice." Chloe chuckled throatily at her words.
"But still, I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't have come round the corner, so I am in your debt."
"Don't mention it." Beca mumbled, eyes flitting to the floor away from Chloe's intense stare. "What were you doing out there?" the question came a moment later.
"I needed some air." Chloe replied. "It was a bit stuffy in here."
"You shouldn't have been out there alone." Chloe's movements stilled at the brunette's words. "This place, it's not…" Beca sighed heavily and leant back in the chair. "…there are people here who will take advantage of nice girls like you, as you've seen first-hand." She leant forward until her face was a few inches away from Chloe, her eyes locked with the redheads staring intently as if searching for something. "When I came round that corner…" she trailed off again and shook her head, her right hand came up and cupped Chloe's cheek.
"I'm sorry." Chloe murmured.
"You don't have to be sorry. But fuck Chloe, this place isn't for people like you. Why were you here?" Beca asked desperately, her face moving an inch closer.
"I want to know you." Chloe whispered. "I want to know what's behind those walls." At her words something flashed in Beca's eyes, it looked like there was a war going on inside the brunette's head and she exhaled sharply as if she didn't know which side to listen too. Her eyes flitted to her hand on Chloe's cheek, as if realising for the first time what she was doing.
Clearing her throat Beca dropped her hand and stood up. "We should get you back out there. You need to go home"
"I still need to check your stomach." Chloe moved forward her hands coming to grip Beca's shirt so she could pull it up but the other girl's hands moved quicker than she could have anticipated, stilling her movements and shooting her a stern look.
"No, it's fine. Really, I'll deal with it when I get home."
"But…"
"No but's Chlo, I've had worse so it's fine. Come on." Beca's tone left no room for argument and Chloe was forced to nod, although her mind burned with questions about what else Beca could have gone through to be considered 'worse'. Crossing back to the bathroom she rinsed the towel out before coming back into the room, Beca had the door open and was waiting for her, eyes staring down at her shoes.
Beca looked up as Chloe came to a stop next to her. "Ready?"
"Yes." Chloe replied softly, but as Beca made to moved she put a hand on the brunette's shoulder pulling her into a gentle hug, being careful not to squeeze too hard. As she had predicted Beca stiffened immediately at the contact, standing rigid in Chloe's arms and allowed one hand to pat the redhead's back awkwardly. Chloe buried her face in the crook of the smaller girls neck, exhaling deeply. "Thank you." She mumbled into Beca's shirt before pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder.
Unseen by Chloe Beca's eyes squeezed shut as the taller girl continued to hug her, for a lot longer than she would usually tolerate contact, sensing that Chloe needed this she remained still, allowing the redhead the comfort she so clearly needed.
What am I doing? Shit.
As always leave me a review letting me know what you thought. Will try and get another chapter up next week but have one of my other stories that I really need to get a chapter done for. Until next time!
Pirate-x-Girls