Chapter 4
Greetings Mortals, I'm back!
To all of those lovely people out there who favorited, followed, or left reviews, you're all officially my favorite people now. To those that just read and not leave a review, thanks for reading, but ya know, the box to leave a review is RIGHT underneath the story ... I promise that I read every review and take all suggestions into consideration.
So y'all still on board for Mitchsen? If not, and you hate me now, I'm sorry, kinda, not really, but any shit ... this is my story. I write for all of you, but I feel like Beca and Aubrey make a better couple, and Chloe would be a better friend. If you still hate me, or disagree, feel free to tell me. I'm a big girl, criticism helps :) NOT HATE THOUGH! If you want to rant and tell me I suck at writing; then go suck a dick.
I am however throwing around some Chaubrey and Staubrey stories right now, but I won't start them until I finish this ... or not. It depends on what all of you aca-bitches want.
Thank you to my lovely Beta Becky Astin-Camp. She makes sure my writing isn't total shit and is a wonderful writer herself.
I know there wasn't too much Beca/Aubrey interaction, but patience grasshoppers! Good things come to those who wait, and come on people, its Beca and Aubrey. Love at first sight, really? More like love after first fight! Now I'm done this really long author's note.
As we all know, I own nothing, not Pitch Perfect, nor its wonderful amazing characters.
Two weeks. 14 whole days.
That's how long Aubrey had been at Barden, and she had yet to make any sort of progress. She never spoke during group, and despite Chloe's best efforts, Aubrey refused to even acknowledge that something bad had even happened to her.
The only improvement with Aubrey was that everyone now knew not to touch her, so she didn't go bat shit crazy, and sprint all over the damn place anymore. However, that wasn't what intrigued Chloe. It was how Aubrey acted. No improvement wasn't usually all that uncommon, however, the way that Aubrey acted was.
At a glance, you couldn't ever tell that there was even something wrong with Aubrey. She ate her meals, took her medication without complaint and did whatever was asked of her. She didn't hurt herself, she didn't talk to walls or entertain strange disillusions, and would talk to the nurses when asked to. However, if you looked closer, then you could see the cracks in the façade.
Aubrey usually sat away from the other patients. She maintained an invisible boundary of at least six feet around her at all times, hugging a wall or ducking around a corner if someone came too close. If contact was made, she'd flinch and begin to tremble and if physical touch did occur, all hell would break loose.
She was always uneasy around groups of people of any size. If there were more than two people within her perimeter, she'd clam up immediate and become exceedingly anxious. She was also petrified of men. Years of men using her as a mere sex object, a tool for their own personal gain had given her an unhealthy distrust of the male race. And the doctors of Barden found this out during the fourth day she was there.
A male orderly, a mature and upbeat fellow had brought some bathroom supplies to Aubrey's room. Without thinking, he had half closed the door and was surprised to see Aubrey looking as fearful as she did, clearly wanting to curl up into a ball and cry.
Instead, desperately trying to retain her composure, she just moved to the other side of the room and refused to say or do anything until the man had left. A note was placed in her file that wherever possible, she would only have contact with the female employees of Barden for the time being.
However, the clearest indication that something was wrong, was simply held in her eyes. There was simply nothing there, no sign of life, of emotion, no spark, no stir, no maniacal glint or anything other than the green hue of her irises.
They were just ... empty.
The only time Chloe ever saw anything in those eyes was when fear; all consuming, mind numbing fear over took the blonde. Every time Chloe saw those eyes, her heart just broke a little more for the newcomer.
Private sessions with Aubrey were both heartbreaking and infuriating. Aubrey had no problem making small talk, she had been taught well over the years. She'd politely answer questions about how she was settling in, she'd talk about the weather and ask how Chloe's day was, but the moment Chloe asked anything even remotely personal, Aubrey would immediately stop talking and would retreat into her own mind, shutting down before the doctor's very eyes. She refused to say anything about herself, or her past. Chloe didn't even know Aubrey's favorite color.
However, trying to get Aubrey to even acknowledge that something bad had happened to her was impossible. Should Aubrey's father's name even be brought up, she'd start to cry and beg to not have to see him. Aubrey wouldn't even say what had happened to her. Everything that Chloe knew about Aubrey came from the file that she'd received when Aubrey was admitted. Never once did Aubrey ever say anything about what she'd been through, and as the two week mark passed, Chloe was worried that Aubrey would never become able to pick up the shattered pieces of her life ... at least until one day she walked into the lounge room and saw something rather interesting.
Maybe Aubrey still had a spark left in her.
Aubrey hated Barden.
She hated the overly friendly staff. She hated having people trying to pry into her mind, her feelings and her thoughts. She hated that no one would just let her be. She hated the pitying, prying stares she got from the nurses and other patients. Most of all however, she hated Chloe.
God fucking damn Dr. Chloe Beale.
The damn red head just couldn't leave Aubrey alone. She insisted on trying to get Aubrey to talk about her 'feelings' and shit like that. Feelings were for the weak, and of all the things Aubrey was, all the flaws Aubrey had, she would not be weak. No sir, Aubrey was a Posen, and one was not a Posen if one was weak (never mind the fact she was here; that was enough shame as it was, no need to make it worse, thank you).
However, the thing Aubrey hated the most about Chloe was that she was just so damn hard to dislike. She was always happy, it seemed like she genuinely cared, and was just one of those people. You know, those people, no matter how annoying, how intrusive, and how just irritating they may seem, you just can't not like them?
Well, Aubrey wouldn't fall for that. Friends and feelings. Two things no Posen had ever needed. With a sigh, Aubrey got out of bed. What she really wanted to do was go for a run out by the lake, but to do that, she'd need clearance from her psychiatrist that she was okay to go outside. This meant that she'd actually have to talk to Chloe. This, of course, would happen just as soon as hell would freeze over.
Instead, Aubrey opted to go into the lounge. In her two weeks here, she hadn't been yet, and she might as well go, she had nothing better to do. At least she'd be able to watch the news there.
Add the lounge to the list of things Aubrey hated about Barden. It was loud, there were stupid cartoons playing on the one TV (apparently, the news was too 'troubling'), and there were just too many people there.
"Hey beautiful" The approach of the tall brunette broke Aubrey out of her state of daze.
"Good afternoon" Aubrey replied in her usual clipped tone. No matter what might have happened to her, a life time of good manners and breeding and 'Posen' stock was not something one lost easily.
"Sooo ... what's your deal baby green?" The tall brunette asked.
"Pardon?"
"You know, why you are here? What mental fuck up do you have?" Stacie continued, oblivious to her blonde counterpart's obvious discomfort.
"That is not something you need to know." Aubrey replied icily, her inner bitch rearing its ugly head. "My personal life and personal problems are none of your business."
"Whoa chill bitch." Stacie said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "I was actually just trying to make a conversation. I'm going to be here until Brad can come get me, and I feel like you're going to be here for quite some time, so I just thought that I'd ask. You never speak at group you know, and the only thing any of us know about you is to not touch you unless we want to unleash a fucking banshee."
"Well, I don't need to tell you anything" Aubrey replied in her usual clipped tone. "It matters not to you as to why I am here. I'm pretty sure my presence does not affect you or your recovery, so I will politely ask you to leave me alone now."
"Oh baby, you have NO idea how you're affecting me right now" Stacie said with a predatory wink.
All of a sudden, Aubrey's mind flashed back to her appointments, the strange men and occasional women, her father, and so many other things she desperately wished to forget. Aubrey jumped out of seat, her arms and legs splaying everywhere; only to collide into one rather short and now quite irate brunette.
"What the fuck man? What the hell is your problem?" Beca shouted angrily.
"I- I'm sorry" Aubrey stammered out. "It was an accident."
"You need to watch where the fuck you're going whore" Beca shouted angrily. "Don't fucking mess with me."
"Excuse me?" Aubrey said, her voice dangerously low. "You don't know jack squat about me you little shit. Do not start something you do not want to finish."
With that said, Aubrey spun away and stormed back to her room, leaving the rest of the patients in a stunned silence.
"Damn!" Fat Amy finally said, breaking the awkward silence. "Who knew that twig bitch blondie had it in her."
Director Kendrick was a no nonsense type of woman. She had her masters in business as well as a PhD in psychology, and was perhaps one of the most qualified people to run Barden Psychiatric Treatment Center, which she did exceedingly well.
However, that is not to say that she did not care about her staff and patients, because she did, she really did. She just wasn't the type of person any sane human being would ever intentionally provoke or bother.
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on who you talked to, Chloe Beale's sanity was somewhat, on occasion, debatable.
""BRIIIIITTTTT!" Chloe shouted as she came bounding into Director Kendrick's office "I SAW THE SPARK!"
"First of all ..." Director Kendrick said without even looking up from whatever paper she was reading. " ... don't call me Britt. It's either Director Kendrick, Dr. Kendrick, or if we are in an informal setting, which we are not at the moment, Brittany. Secondly, have you ever heard of knocking? It's this wonderful new age thing that people are doing these days."
"Oh blah, blah, blah DOCTOR KENDRICK" Chloe said deliberately pronouncing each word. "SOMEBODY'S a bit grumpy today!"
"No, I simply do not appreciate people barging into my office and then calling me something other than my name." Director Kendrick said dryly. "Now is there something that you need, or are you just here to pester me, because I really do not have the time. We have a board inspection coming up in two weeks, and I'd like to be ready for it."
"Oh bah Britt" Chloe said "We always ace those inspections. Between your crazy efficiency and the staff's kick ass skill set; we've never had a problem with inspections."
"Just because we've never had a problem with inspections before doesn't mean we should become lax in our standards." Director Kendrick chided lightly. "Now I repeat myself once again. What do you want Dr. Beale?"
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" Chloe said happily. "I saw the spark!"
"I got that." Director Kendrick deadpanned. "Now care to elaborate so that I may understand?"
"Well you know that new patient, Aubrey Posen?" Chloe began, twitching on her toes with excitement.
"Of course I do" Director Kendrick said, nodding. "I read her case file. It is such a shame that such a nice girl had to go through such awful things."
"See, the thing is, prior to today, Aubrey was totally broken." Chloe continued. "It seemed like she had absolutely no chance of recovery. She was just so sad, so wrecked, that she was just devoid of anything but fear."
Director Kendrick nodded along with Chloe's words, agreeing with her statement.
"But today..." Chloe couldn't help but to squirm about in excitement as she spoke. "I saw the spark return to her, just like ten minutes ago in the lounge. She usually can't stand to be within like 3 feet of anyone, but today I saw her get within like 2 inches of another patient's face. And I saw a spark in her eyes Britt! She's still got some fight left in her!"
"So let me get this straight," Director Kendrick said slowly. "You want me to be happy that one of our more unstable patients is showing aggressive tendencies? Pray, tell me how this is a good thing."
"It's not, well it is, but you see ... DAMN IT! I need to think these things through more. I've got to stop being so impulsive every now and then!" Chloe laughed.
"Really?" Director Kendrick said, her voice laced with cynicism. "I'd never have thought that YOU of all people would EVER need to stop and think!"
"Sarcasm really Britt?" Chloe said rolling her eyes. "But no, I think I know how to get to Aubrey now. I just need a teensy weensy little favor from you ..."
"Oh God Dr. Beale. The last time you called in a favor, one of the patients almost burned the damn place down. PLEASE tell me that this is not one of you harebrained schemes that will end up with me having to cover your ass ... again!"
"I am HURT!" Chloe said in mock indignation. "And for the record, said patient DID eventually make a recovery ... there was just a minor mishap with a lighter and some curtains. Any who, nothing REALLY bad happened that time!"
"Right, that time." Director Kendrick said. "Now are you going to ask me for this favor, or are you just going to waste more of my time?"
"Well see, the thing is ..." Chloe began nervously before blurting out the rest. "I kindawanttyourpermissiontoroomAubreywithsomeone."
"What?" Director Kendrick asked "Speak slower so that I can actually hear what you're saying."
Chloe took a deep breath.
"I want you to give me the go ahead to allow me to room Aubrey with another patient." She spoke clearly.
"Which patient?" Director Kendrick asked, begging to whatever God was out there that her suspicions weren't true.
"Um... aahhh ... well, you see, funny story ..." Chloe said.
"No! No way. Not happening! Nada!" Director Kendrick said, cutting her off. "Not a chance in hell am I going to give you the okay for this. ESPECIALLY with inspections coming up!"
"But BIIIIIIIIITTTTTT!" Chloe whined. "You didn't even hear me out! Just consider it! This'll work, I know it!"
"First, do. Not. Call. Me. Britt. Second, no."
"But-"
"-Nope."
"What if-"
"-Not happening."
"Maybe-"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"BRITTANY!" Chloe shouted. She knew what needed to be done and God be dammed, it was going to happen. "I KNOW this will work. I think that this might be our only chance to really get to the girl. Do you want Aubrey to have a chance, a true chance to get better, or should I just start setting her up in ward 6?"
Director Kendrick sighed. She hated it when Chloe got like this, and the shitty thing was, she was usually right about stuff like this.
"Fine." Director Kendrick said.
"YES! YES! YES! Thank you so-" Chloe said excitedly.
"-BUT!" Director Kendrick said holding a hand up, cutting of the rest of Chloe's thank you squeals. "It has to be AFTER inspections. I cannot afford to have there be some major mishap. After all, there's no point in moving a patient on a whim, if said whim ends up getting this place closed, right?"
"Fiiiiiiiinnnnne" Chloe said. "But I'm going to hold you to this Britt!"
"DON'T CALL ME BRITT!" Director Kendrick yelled, however, Chloe had already skipped out the door, flicking a hand
"God dammit!" Director Kendrick said to her office "What the fuck am I going to do with that girl?"
Aubrey sat down on her bed. Everything was wrong, all wrong. How could she let that stupid alt girl get to her? How?
"Pull it together Posen" She muttered to herself.
Try as she might though, she couldn't help but to feel a little flutter in her chest when she though about the brown haired girl that infuriated and yet intrigued her so much. However she wrote it of as just anger. No way in hell did she like that girl. Nope, she hated her too. It just wasn't happening.
Too bad Aubrey was terrible at lying to herself.
A/N: So what do y'all think, terrible, awesome, what? And who wants Beca to be Aubrey's room mate? I haven't decided yet. I trust that you all will for me, because we all know I suck at making decisions like that! Leave a review telling me what you think ... you know that magical little box underneath this is your portal to tell me what you think!
