Chapter 7
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Chloe smiled as she walked into the bottom of the pool, followed by the rest of the Bellas…Tonight was the Riff-off. It should be a good one this year. She hand immediately attached herself to Beca's arm, bouncing up and down with excitement. Her wavy red hair bounced with her, matching her enthusiasm.
Everyone adorned warm fall clothes, seeing as it was pretty chilly out. Chloe looked around as a few of the Bellas grabbed drinks from nearby coolers. Beca looked disinterested in being there. Chloe couldn't help but smirk in her victory over getting the short girl to join the Bellas.
Chloe looked over to the Treblemakers, noticing how Jesse was talking to another guy with curly brown hair and ridiculously bushy side burns. Beca noticed her curiosity.
"That's Benji. He's a total nerd, but he's nice."
Chloe tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear, and shot Beca a raised eyebrow. Beca shrugged. "Jesse really likes him, and talks about him a lot. He introduced me a while back. They're roomies."
Chloe nodded, "Ahh."
Everyone was interrupted as Justin climbed down and stood in front of everyone. "Welcome to the Riff-ooooooooofffffff!" nearby, the Harmonics made a sound that faintly sounded like a siren.
Chloe felt her best friend, Aubrey stand next to her, rubbing her hands together. She smiled excitedly at Aubrey, who smiled back. Chloe looked around and noticed that Beca had slunk to the side and behind of the group. She secluded herself from the others, once again. Chloe frowned.
Justin continued, "The 17th annual singing competition, elimination style!"
Chloe nodded her head, already hearing this speech three times before. The large group of frat boys, nerds, geeks, and just straight up partygoers were on the edge of the pool and up on the balcony above the pool. This Riff-off was actually a pretty big deal in Barden University. Chloe looked around at the Bellas, many of them looked nervous.
Even Beca seemed to have some interest now in what was going on around her.
Justin held up a microphone, "The winners get the greatest prize of all, the microphone used by Hoobastank when they rocked out at the Schnee Performing Arts Centre!"
Loud cheers ran among the crowd and all of the a cappella groups, this was actually a pretty impressive trophy for a school founded competition. Chloe looked over at Aubrey, excitement tickling her stomach. Aubrey grinned right back at her.
Justin waved down the cheering people, trying to get them too quiet down. "To win, you must steal the song from the other group by picking off a word that they are singing and make it the first word of your song."
Chloe felt herself be pushed slightly as Cynthia Rose looked at Aubrey, she had a beer in her hand. "This is really intricate."
Aubrey smiled and lowered Black Beauty's drink for her, "It is, so pay attention."
Chloe looked over at Beca and notice the look of surprise on Beca's face. She could almost see that Beca finally realized that it was a little more challenging than just singing to another group.
"If you can't think of a song," Justin continued, "You are cut off. If you repeat a song, you are-" Everyone joined in and clapped with Justin. Chloe included, "-cut off."
Chloe looked at Beca who gave the rest of the Bellas an interesting look.
Justin started to yell again, "And most of all, if you suck you are cut off!" once again the people joined in with him saying cut off. Justin through his hands in the air. "Who's ready to get vocal!"
Cheers followed his statement, some from Chloe herself. Her girly squeal matched the rest of the Bellas cheer. Chloe looked across at the Treblemakers and notice that Jesse was mouthing something at Beca.
"I'm taking you down." He mouthed to the short girl.
Chloe looked over at Beca and saw her shake her head and throw her hands up, "I don't care." She mouthed back. Chloe frowned then looked back at Jesse once again.
"Fair enough." He mouthed at her with a small laugh at the end. Chloe looked over at Beca…there had to be a way to get her to care about this. It was kind of a big deal.
Justin whipped out his spinner…thing. He through the light up against the pool wall. "Let's see our first category is…"
Chloe nodded, waiting for the spinner to stop on something. Which it stopped. Justin turned to all of them. "Ladies of the 80's!"
Aubrey's face brightened up, "Oh!" she ran to the middle, Chloe looked at her surprised as she scurried to the spot light.
Unfortunately, Bumper and his crew beat the tall girl in boot heels. They started to clap and make a beat together.
Oh Mickey!
You're so fine!
You're so fine
You blow my mind
Hey Mickey!
Hey, hey
Hey Mickey!
Whoo!
Hey Mickey!
Oh Mickey you're so fine…
"You're so fine-"
Chloe blinked when she saw Baloney Barb cut Bumper off…When did she join the Harmonics?! Barb through her hair back
And you're mine.
I'll be yours
Till the end of time
'Cause you made me feel
The rest of the Harmonics joined in. Chloe rolled her eyes, of course they would sing a Madonna song…
Yeah, you made me feel
So shiny and new
Like a virgin
Touched for the very first time
Aubrey turned to her and started to whisper, "Ohh, Hit Me With Your Best shot."
Chloe nodded her head, "Yeah!"
Aubrey nodded "I'll go out there."
She went out as the Harmonics continued to sing.
Like a..
"Like the one in me." Aubrey picked off where they were at.
That's okay
Let's see how you do it
Chloe smiled and looked at the other girls, nodding her head to see if they got it. They all joined in with Aubrey.
Put up your dukes
Let's get down too it!
Hit me with your best shot!
Chloe watched as all the girls sang excitedly. She looked behind her as she gave a background tune, Beca was with them and singing, but hardly looked like she wanted to be there. Chloe looked forward again and noticed Fat Amy's enthusiasm to add a completely unnecessary guitar strumming sound.
She smiled as it worked with the song though.
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away…
"Away…" Chloe blinked as one of the stoners had jumped in. Singing a song by Roxanne. But she didn't really sing it, just kind of mumbled it to the crowd. Her stoned eyes laughed at her self.
"It must have been love! But it's over now. It's over right now." She laughed as Justin came up to her.
"The negative side affects of medical Marijuana, folks."
Chloe frowned, and walked back with the Bellas to where they were standing before. They joined in with Justin as he started, "You are…Cut off!"
Laughs and cheers went through the pool as the girl shrugged and walked back to her group, they were all laughing at her.
Justin pointed his spinner projector at the wall again, "Okay! Next category!"
Chloe felt someone tug on her arm, she turned to the person, and was pleasantly surprised to see Beca standing there, curiosity written on her face.
"So we just pick out any song that works?" Beca ran a hand through her hair.
Chloe smiled and nodded, "Yeah, any song."
Beca smirked, "And you just go with it?"
Chloe nodded her head again, looking Beca in her beautiful dark blue eyes. "Yeah, pretty much."
Beca looked across the people, she genuinely seemed interested now. "Nice."
Chloe winked at her before turning around. She focused on what category Justin's projector had stopped on.
It stopped and he turned to the three remaining groups. "Songs about sex."
Chloe blinked, songs about sex?! She looked at Aubrey and noticed her slight panicked face also. However, their hopes returned when Cynthia Rose, pushed past Chloe and Aubrey…again.
Na na na come on.
Na na na na na
Come on.
Chloe looked at Aubrey and started to sing a back up for them. She saw Stacie walk out with Cynthia Rose, singing along. The group smiled and walked forward too. Chloe looked over her shoulder when she heard Beca's voice, and sure enough, the girl was attempting to look over her shoulder as she song.
Chloe almost laughed, but continued to sing.
Come on, come on, come on
Stacie got up on that and started to grind with Black Beauty.
'Cause I may be bad,
but I'm perfectly good at it.
Sex in the air,
I don't care I like the smell of it.
Sticks and stones may brake my bones
But chains and whips excite me.
'Cause I may be bad,
but I'm perfectly good at it.
Sex…
"Sex, baby." Donald had jumped in and cut of Stacie, who got up with a raised eyebrow in his face.
Let's talk about you and me.
The rest of the Treblemakers joined in. All of them were grinning.
Let's talk about all the good things,
And all the bad things,
That may be.
Aubrey huffed, and went to pull Stacie back, she shook her head at the tall sex addict. They got half way back before Stacie held up a finger, and idea was sparkling in her eyes.
Let's talk about sex.
Alright.
Let's talk about sex,
Let's talk about sex.
A little bit a little bit.
Stacie walked up to them and threw her hair back.
Let's talk about sex, Baby…
"Baby," She continued where he left off.
All through the night
I'll make love to you.
Fat Amy jumped in to harmonize with Stacie,
Like you want me too
And I…
Everyone was surprised to see Jesse step in and cut her off, "And I guess it's just the woman in you…"
Chloe heard Fat Amy groan, as Stacie stepped back. She was disappointed.
That brings out the man in me.
The Treblemakers started to bring in a beat for Jesse as he smirked and pointed at something behind Chloe. She turned her head, with Aubrey, and they both saw that he pointed at Beca. Chloe felt her jaw drop and her brows knit together. She wasn't happy that he was singing a song to her. Chloe closed her mouth still angry.
What surprised her most was the entertained smile on Beca's face. Said short brunette rolled her eyes, but her smile stayed. Chloe bit her lip as Jesse continued.
I know I can't help myself.
You're all in the world to me.
Beca blew him a sardonic kiss. Chloe felt her heart sink with jealousy. Aubrey looked at her angrily, "Ohh that toner is going to get her in trouble."
Chloe didn't say anything, but listened as Jesse continued to sing to Beca.
It feels like the first time
It feels like the very first time
It feels like the first time!
It…
Chloe put her head in her hands, what where they going to do? Suddenly, a very familiar voice started to rap. Her head shot up, eyes wide.
"It's goin' down,
fade to Blackstreet
The homies got RB,
collab' creations."
Chloe felt herself blush as her jaw dropped, and she felt her self gasp a little. She heard all the other girls do pretty much the same thing. Chloe couldn't take her eyes off of Beca. She felt her cheeks burn. God… Why was Beca so god damn cool?
Beca scooted the Trebles back with nothing more than a flick of her wrist. She continued.
"Bump like acne,
No doubt.
I put it down,
Never slouch.
As long as my credit card can vouch
A dog couldn't catch me straight up
Tell me
Who can stop when Dre makin' moves
Attractin' honies like a magnet
Givin' 'em ear gasms,
With my mellow accent…"
Beca trailed off as she realized it was dead quiet in the pool, shocked faces were all around her. Chloe felt her shock root her in place. Her cheeks were flushed from Beca's awesomeness…the girl was oozing bad-assery.
Beca's eyes made contact with hers as the short girl tried to find some back up. She smiled awkwardly at all of them, attempting to see if anyone recognized the song. Nobody breathed.
Beca tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Still movin' the homies Blackstreet and Teddy…The original rump shakers…"
Chloe heard Aubrey mutter next to her, "Rump…shakers?"
Chloe had never been in this position before, so turned on by another girl doing nothing but rapping. Beca laughed a little in embarrassment. Chloe looked at the Trebles, Jesse had a disbelieving smile on his face but he nodded at Beca.
"Keep going."
Beca turned back around to the Bellas, and held up her hands expectedly. Chloe looked over at the rest of the girls. Fat Amy was replaying the words in her head, trying to see if she remembered them. And from the rest of the girls, Beca received nothing but blank stares.
Her eyes locked with Chloe's as she actually started to sing. Chloe shivered as the strangest sensation tickled all the way down her spine. Beca's voice was intoxicating.
Shorty get down, good lord.
Dark blue eyes continued to stare at light blue eyes. A few cheers went through the crowd as Beca sang.
Baby got 'em open all over town.
Beca turned to look at the Trebles, almost hoping someone would interrupt her, or start singing with her. Chloe almost jumped, being ripped from her thoughts as Fat Amy stepped forward. Harmonizing with the short brunette.
Strictly biz,
She don't play around.
Chloe watched Beca whirl around, a grateful smile on her face as Fat Amy grinned at her.
Cover much ground,
Got game by the pound.
Fat Amy smirked as she slapped her belly. Chloe looked behind her as Cynthia Rose made an 'ahh' noise. Seems like she recognized the song too. She started to make a beat for Beca and Fat Amy to sing too. Chloe whispered to Stacie.
"What song is this?"
Stacie shrugged, "I have no idea, but go along with it, right?"
Chloe nodded and stepped forward with the rest of the Bellas, hardly noticing that Aubrey didn't follow. Beca smirked at them, as the Bellas made background music for Beca to sing too.
Gettin' paid is her forte,
Each and everyday
True player way.
Fat Amy walked towards the Trebles, putting her hand in her jacket. Beca smiled as she turned to face the girls. Chloe felt her cheeks blush furiously when Beca looked directly into her eyes.
I can't get her outta my mind.
I think about the girl all the time.
Cynthia Rose added a short bit of singing, to add 'Blackness' to the song. Damn were they singing good. Beca turned and walked to the edge of the group. She smiled at the Trebles, it was a cocky smile
I like the way you work it
No diggity
I gotta bag it up, baby
I like the way you work it
No diggity
I gotta bat it up, baby
Chloe smiled as she heard the crowd join in on the song. It was a first time the crowd joined in with them. Her red head spun over to the side when she heard the Harmonics join in with the song too.
Beca started to circle the Bellas.
Heyo, Heyo, Heyo, Heyooo
The crowd continued their Heyo's while Beca sang, it was absolutely awesome. Chloe looked around her, her smile widening.
I like the way you work it
No diggity.
I gotta bag it up, baby
She walked over to the Harmonics and grinned at them when they started to sing with the Bellas. She high fived Barb and continued to walk around.
I like the way you work it
No diggity.
I gotta bag it up, baby.
No diggity.
Chloe watched Beca, unaware of Aubrey next to her, not singing or paying attention. Beca smiled and pointed to a group of girls dancing at the edge of the pool.
Chloe blinked when she was fairly certain she heard someone shout to Beca, "Call me!"
Beca walked around, continuously singing, she laughed with the High Notes.
I Like the way you work it
No diggity.
She separated the Bellas, and stopped next to Chloe, staring down the Treblemakers. Chloe could almost feel Beca's bad-assery rub off onto her, because she felt pretty awesome also. Beca held up her hands, indicating the last time she was going to sing.
I gotta bag it up, baby
We out.
Chloe raised herself behind, Beca and smirked at the short girl. She couldn't help but throw her hands in the air. She saw Aubrey next to her and grinned at the girl.
"Was that cool or what?"
Aubrey smiled, "Yeah that was actually pretty cool." The blonde girl laughed. Chloe laughed with her, and hugged Beca from behind, who was glaring victoriously at the Treblemakers who looked dumbfounded.
"I mean you're welcome!" Beca shouted at the other group.
Chloe laughed and kissed Beca's cheek, receiving a look of triumphant from the other girl. Stacie hugged Beca also, and quite tightly. Lilly seemed to be laughed as she gave a friendly shove to Beca. Chloe laughed when she saw Fat Amy making faces at the Trebles, or more specifically, Bumper.
Somehow Beca was pushed to the front of the group, being checked out by Cynthia Rose and Fat Amy had an arm around the girl.
Justin walked up to them. "It's a tough blow ladies."
The crowd quieted down, and looked at Justin. Beca's smile turned from a joyous one, to a disbelieving one. Chloe, herself, felt herself get angry.
Justin made an apologetic face. "The word you needed to match was 'it'…and you sang 'it's'."
Justin clapped his hands, "You are…Cut off!" The only people who joined Justin with that were the Treblemakers.
Chloe felt her jaw drop. Seriously?! She could feel hot tears sting her eyes as Justin obviously rigged the competition for the Treblemakers to win. He was hugging each on excitedly. She blinked them back. She looked at Beca who looked pissed. She glared at Justin, "Are you serious?!"
Aubrey glared at Justin also, not liking the fact that she didn't win, when they should have. "I've never heard that rule! Ladies, ladies, let's go back."
Chloe blinked and pushed through the Bellas, grabbing Beca's arms and pulled her away. Beca had her death glare turned on at Justin.
"You fat piece of shit! There's no fucking way I didn't match the word! There wouldn't be an 'It's' with out 'it'!"
Chloe pulled back Beca, who was obviously pissed beyond all belief, before the short girl could tear Justin's throat out. Beca grumbled the whole way back, and stood next to her, of course Chloe was disappointed. They should have won that. And it was stolen from them.
What Beca had did was the first of its kind. No one's ever gotten the entire crowd to join in with a group, much less…no one has done a rap song, simply because it's so hard to harmonize and pick up a good beat for it.
She sighed, and looked to her left as Fat Amy came up to Beca, "I'm going to melt that cabbage patch kid."
Chloe saw Beca smile, at least someone can cheer her up. She looked up at the group, and at Chloe, "Guys, what we just did was great right?"
Aubrey huffed, still annoyed with loosing. "Calm your pits Beca, we still lost."
Chloe looked over at Aubrey, then back at Beca, who's smile was fading.
"Yeah but it was spontaneous. It was awesome, we were actually listening to each other."
Chloe smiled at Beca, thinking to herself about how good of a leader Beca could really be one day. Stacie and the other girls nodded at Beca, agreeing.
Aubrey sighed, "Okay everybody, hands in."
Chloe felt her own smile fade as Beca rolled her eyes in frustration. Aubrey continued, " 'Ah' on three."
Stacie jumped in, "On three or after three?"
Chloe looked at Aubrey, who was clearly annoyed. Cynthia Rose answered for Aubrey, "ON three."
Chloe looked at Beca who looked just as frustrated as Chloe, but for a different reason. She heard someone else in the group say, "After three."
Aubrey spoke up, "That's not how we do it."
Stacie sighed and Beca looked up at the much taller girl, "Why can't we figure this out."
Aubrey shook her head, "Just put you hands in." They all put their hands in and attempted to do their little 'Ah' thing…it was a terrible failure. Aubrey massaged her temples and looked at Chloe.
"I'm just going to go back to the apartment."
Chloe nodded at her, and gave her a quick hug. "Of course, I'll see you there."
Aubrey walked away, heading to the exit of the pool. Chloe looked around and noticed many of the Bellas just grabbed some drinks and started to mingle into the crowd as the party part of the Riff-off took shape. Chloe looked around for the small brunette that had just wow'ed the crowd.
She found her, walking towards the exit, the same way Aubrey did just two minutes ago. She power walked to the girl, so desperately hoping nobody would get to her before she did. Her wish was not granted as two guys walked up to Beca, flirting and joking. They both handed her a slip of paper, which Chloe only assumed had their numbers on it.
She watched as Beca angrily through the paper over her shoulder, something that made Chloe smile. Chloe caught Jesse's eye as she walked towards Beca. Jesse raised an eyebrow. Chloe felt her own body give him a heated glare. Not only 'cause he's been chasing after Beca, but also because she was still sore about their win. Which they didn't deserve.
She caught up to Beca and put on her most dazzling smile. "Hey there hot stuff."
She blinked in surprise when Beca stopped and sighed heavily. "Oh my god, what do you want?"
She turned around, and angrily glared at Chloe, but she blinked in surprise seeing the ginger. Chloe smiled shyly at her, she was obviously thinking it was someone else.
"Oh! I'm sorry Chloe, I thought you were another drunk guy…" She ran a hand through her hair. Chloe felt her ears get warm. God she was so adorable.
Chloe shrugged, "It's ok, but if you wanted I could give you my number?"
Beca smiled at her, "You already have my number, Chica."
Chloe beamed at Beca, "And I'm so glad I do!" she linked arms with Beca, walking the shorter girl to the exit of the pool.
Beca chuckled and shook her head, obviously not bothered by Chloe's touch any longer. "Nerd."
Chloe smiled at Beca, "Need me to walk you home?"
Beca raised an eyebrow at her, and her eyes lingered back towards the partying college students. She look back at Chloe. "Oh? I thought you would have stayed to party. Being social is something you're really good at."
Chloe shrugged, "I don't feel like partying that much tonight." She said in all honesty. The loss they took tonight had really been a bummer.
Beca didn't say anything, just nodded. Her eyes were forward as they made their way to Beca's dorm. Chloe bit her lip and looked at Beca. She squeezed the short girls arm closer to her.
"You were awesome tonight." She blurted out. Beca looked at her in surprise.
"But we didn't win."
Chloe nodded, "True, but that doesn't mean that you weren't amazing!" She got excited recalling what Beca had done she grinned at Beca.
"I'm pretty sure nobody was able to do that since the start of the Riff-off!"
Beca blushed slightly and looked down, kicking a rock. "Well it was nothing really. I just went with a song that worked. Like you told me too."
Chloe laughed, "Even so. You did it with so much bad-assness that it was pretty hot." She admitted to the younger girl. This time, Beca was the one who laughed.
"I'm pretty sure that's not a word, dude."
Chloe stuck her tongue out at Beca, "Well it is now!"
Beca smiled at her, but Chloe pretended to give a thoughtful face, "Bad-ass Beca…has a ring too it, doesn't it?"
Beca stopped and stared at her, "Is that what people call me?"
Chloe looked at Beca, and winked. "Well, they could call you super sexy Beca. Like I call you."
Beca blushed, "You're so weird."
Chloe nudged Beca, getting her attention. She winked at her, "You love me. Admit it."
Beca just laughed, but didn't say anything. Chloe smiled to herself. Why was talking with Beca so much easier than most people. Everything just came natural. Sure she was a super bubbly person, and could hold a conversation with anyone, but she felt like she's known Beca for years…
It's just that air that Beca gives off. She can make anyone around her feel just as special and cool as the short brunette herself. That feeling was addictive.
"Aubrey really liked what you did also, you know."
Beca's head snapped to look at her, her eyebrow raised. "She certainly didn't act like it."
Chloe shrugged, not meeting Beca's intense blue eyes. "Well, it's hard for her to compliment people, simply because she never received that much praise growing up. And after wards, the only thing she could focus on was the fact that we lost…" Chloe looked at Beca, their eyes meeting. The ginger could almost feel sparks fly between them, and unconsciously she pulled Beca closer.
"She doesn't take loss very well." Chloe finished.
Beca smirked and huffed, "Yeah I can see that. You'd have to be blind to miss it."
Chloe smiled slightly. She sighed and walked with Beca in complete silence. It was a comfortable silence though. Nothing tense. Beca was lost in thought, and Chloe was trying not to think about Beca. It wasn't working.
Chloe unlinked their arms, and decided to hold Beca's hand instead. She felt her fingers tangle with Beca's. Beca blinked and looked at Chloe, who gave her an innocent look. Beca chuckled.
"You're going to be the death of me."
Chloe laughed, "Why's that?" She asked inoocently.
Beca shook her head, but squeezed Chloe's hand. Chloe felt her face flush in excitement. The girl didn't pull back, nor did she answer Chloe's question. Chloe smiled, she could feel her heart beat loudly in her chest, and she was hoping that Beca wasn't able to hear it.
Chloe dropped Beca off at her dorm building, and kissed the shorter girl on the head, goodnight. Beca blushed, and grumbled. Sending a wave to Chloe as she walked inside.
Chloe practically skipped home. She unlocked her apartment and went inside. Aubrey was nowhere insight so she figured that the tall blonde was couped up in her room. Chloe through her coat off on their coat rack and went into her own bedroom.
She stripped down and got into her pajamas, feeling fatigue wash over her. She looked at the clock. 1:13 a.m. She sighed. Oh well.
Chloe laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. Why did Beca make her feel this way? Sure the girl was talented, attractive, bad-ass, cool, snarky, had the most wonderfully blue eyes, the prettiest smile, and her hair was tousled to look like she rolled out of bed, but it was absolutely perfect to her.
She sighed and rolled on her side, deciding it would be best to sleep. As she closed her eyes, she ignored butterflies that made her way into her stomach. And the blush that expanded over her face.
She just couldn't get Beca's eyes out of her head, especially when Beca looked at her while singing 'No Diggity'.
I can't get her outta my mind.
I think about the girl all the time.
Chloe bit her lip. Why did Beca look at her and sing that? Is that what she thought?
Chloe groaned and put a pillow over her face. God this girl was frustrating. But that will have to wait for another day. Right now, this ginger need her sleep.
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Annnnnnnnd cut! I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! :]
