The Bella's were leaving on Wednesday for Regionals. The basketball girls had a game in Tennessee they were leaving for that same day. Fat Amy was driving the singing group while the team took a bus.

Toby never understood how Aubrey was okay with Amy driving them. Amy was the most terrifying driver she'd ever been in the car with. In all honesty, Toby didn't mind much since she almost always found herself next to Chloe who ended up almost in her lap while crushing her hand or leg at every crazy turn the Aussie took. It was a little painful but the proximity to the redhead was something Toby would never complain about.

Beca and Toby, mostly Beca since Toby was still avoiding their friends talking to each other, decided that they should have "the group" over to hang out before they all left for break. Toby was shocked her little DJ wanted to have a social gathering and that she referred to their friends by a title. Her awkwardness about it made up for it though. Beca was obviously just as surprised.

Chloe was the first to arrive as she walked in with Beca right after their practice. They went to shower as Toby tidied up their room and waited for her teammates to show up. The pair came back and Chloe animatedly explained that she forgot to grab the drinks like she said she would before they rushed back out.

Toby was expecting her teammates next from their texts about snacks and for once in their lives Rachel and Grace managed to knock instead of just walking in. Toby's eyebrows shot up as she went to get the door. The answer to her silent question was given as she saw Maddie who smiled and explained that she made Rachel and Grace bring up the snacks from her car. The two girls were making their way down the hall with a couple grocery bags each.

"Jesus, guys. Get enough? There's only like eight of us! ...Okay, that sounds like more when I put an actual number to it."

"I'm PreMed remember, Tobs? I am good at math, thank you! I figured the snack to friend ratio out just fine."

Toby moved aside to let the older girl in and to help her fellow freshmen with their bags. Just as Toby was about to shut the door, she heard yelling from down the hall.

"Oi! String Bean! Hold the door!" The unmistakable Australian accent was followed up by Amy materializing in the doorway moments later.

"I'm not even that skinny, Amy?" Toby replied.

"Yea, but you're really tall and skinnier than me but you can't be a twig bitch coz you're right. That just leaves String Bean." She retorted with a grin.

"Do you have nicknames for everyone?"

"Oh yea. Beca has a few but mostly Shorty or Short Stack. Stacie here," she threw her thumb in the direction of the taller brunette, "also has a few but I won't share them. She gets mad…Okay, I can share Legs. That one's obvious."

Toby gave Stacie a quick greeting as Amy continued. "Cynthia Rose is Black Beauty, Aubrey is Nazi Commander Barbie but not to her face coz she scares me. Then Grace over there is Sunshine, Rachel's the goat, and uh…Maddie doesn't have one. Yet."

Amy narrowed her eyes at Maddie as the captain smirked at her. She loved that Amy couldn't think of a nickname for her. She did everything in her power to stump their unusual friend.

"Where's Beca and Chloe?" Stacie asked as she made herself comfortable on Beca's bed.

Amy had already started going through the snack bags with Rachel. Those girls loved to eat. They instantly bonded on it. Rachel was small but had an appetite to rival Amy's. That's how she got the goat as a title. Rachel will, and can, eat anything and everything.

"They went to grab the drinks. Chloe forgot I guess. Did you guys bring the games?"

Toby knew they didn't. Board games weren't something easily hidden so she immediately noticed that the two didn't have any with them. Toby was really okay with that.

"No. The store didn't have any good ones so I didn't want to waste the money. We can find something else to do or watch a movie."

"Beca is going to hate that idea." Grace tossed in from Toby's desk chair.

"We could play musical chairs with her mixes. She'll love that idea even more." Rachel replied with a smirk.

"Beca will just have to deal. It's not like there's much else to do." Stacie shrugged.

"I'll just have to deal with what?"

Beca and Chloe came walking into the room with two bags full of drinks. Chloe greeted everyone with a huge smile and enthusiastic hellos. Beca made her way to her bed with the bag she was carrying as Stacie explained the situation. That led to groaning and complaining. Chloe found her way to Toby's bed to sit next its owner. She tossed Toby a quick smile then started handing out the drinks.

Much to Toby's dismay it was mostly pop. Toby's mom never let her, or her siblings, have pop as kids. When she was little she would be jealous of other kids because she always thought it was a treat. Now she just doesn't like it very much.

Toby's face must have drawn into something that looked similar to disappointment because Chloe turned her way. "Don't worry! I didn't forget!"

She handed her a peach lemonade. Toby accepted the drink with a smile and thank you. She felt a sharp nudge in her ribs from Rachel who wore that same smug expression as she always did when they talked Chloe. Toby fixed her with the sternest teacher look she could muster and shook her head.

"So Chloe," Toby's soon-to-be-ex best friend began, "dating anyone?" The look obviously didn't work. I'm gonna have to step up my teacher game Toby thought absently as she tensed for Chloe's answer.

"And I grabbed you these." Chloe handed Toby a bag of gummy bears as she turned her attention to Rachel's question and cheerily answered. "Nope. School and the Bella's keep me pretty busy!"

"Interesting. I would have for sure pegged you for someone constantly fending off advances from guys."

"I never said I wasn't." She winked at Rachel which caused her smile to waver a little. Again with the winking? Seriously, who winks?!

Toby leaned against the shelves and watched as her friends dove into a heated discussion about what to do tonight, not caring as her mind jumped to having no chance with Chloe. Most were good with a movie but Beca was strongly opposed to the idea. Toby distractedly voiced a desire to do something else even though she really didn't care. She knew another voice with Beca's would make sure her opinion didn't get bulldozed.

"What do you want to do?" Chloe turned and asked Toby as the group continued arguing.

Toby shrugged. "I don't care. I just know Beca and if we can find something else she'll have a better time."

"That's sweet." Chloe smiled. "No ideas at all?"

"We have an N64 and a few controllers. We could play Mario Kart?"

"Video games, really? You two really are peas in a pod!" Chloe laughed then addressed the group. "Toby says we can play Mario Kart."

"I totally forgot about that! Hell yea, let's do that!" Beca got excited and shot up to turn the TV on.

"Ah yea! That's my game!" Amy shouted out. Rachel took that as the invitation to start the trash talk, aiming it at Amy, Beca, and Grace. Maddie jumped in as Stacie nodded in agreement.

"Looks like it's a plan! Go set it up because we both know I can't!"

"Nah, Beca's got it. Plus, Rach is already out of her seat with a controller. They can figure it out." Chloe giggled at their friends as she scooted farther up the bed to lean back against the wall next to Toby.

Toby caught Rachel and Grace's eyes different times throughout the night but ignored the faces they'd make at her. She was much too content talking with Chloe and laughing at their friends to be worried about those two. Not to mention, Toby was trying to distract herself from Chloe's earlier answer to Rachel's question.

What confused Toby was the smirk Beca would wear when Toby noticed Beca looking her way. Beca would just shake her head when their eyes met then turn back to whatever she was doing.

It was late as people started filing out for the night. Maddie ushered Grace and Rachel out since they had to be at the gym early the next morning. Amy and Stacie took that as a good time as any to leave too. Chloe stayed longer practicing her racing skills with Beca. Toby settled into bed knowing that Maddie had been right.

Toby was more than half asleep when she felt a hand on her shoulder and heard Chloe whisper a quiet good night. Toby gave a groggy, mumbled "Night" then heard the door softly click shut.

The next morning, Toby woke up to Beca already awake and dressed in her flight attendant/Bella's outfit.

"What time do you guys leave?" Toby asked as she sat up in bed.

"Not for another two hours. You know how Aubrey is though." Beca answered as she rolled her eyes. "Remember when Amy got to one of your games five minutes before we needed to sing? She was on the verge of up-chucking. You guys?"

"That was fucking hilarious." Toby laughed as she remembered the blonde's face before Amy got there and the look that replaced it as Amy waltzed into the gym like nothing was wrong. "I've got like two hours too. Coach decided we'd practice then leave. I still need to pack up my stuff in the gym so I gotta head over earlier than we actually need to be there."

"Well Chloe's coming over to walk with me to the rehearsal building." Beca started matter-of-factly then turned stern, "She was upset you fell asleep before she left last night, you can't leave before she gets here. She wants to say a real bye before break."

"Ooo-kay. I'll, uh, be here. But I'm gonna go brush my teeth and stuff. Is that okay, boss? I promise I'll come back." Toby said with her palms out in front of her. She was caught off guard by Beca's stern tone.

"Ha. Ha. Just hurry up."

Toby laughed quietly as she walked down to the bathroom to start getting ready. She rolled my shoulders back a couple of times as she looked in the mirror of the communal bathroom and stretched her neck from side to side. Today was going to be a long day.

They were playing a team in Memphis tomorrow. A six-hour drive which meant at least seven and a half in a bus, sharing a hotel bed with a teammate that night then up early for shoot around tomorrow followed by the actual game at 2pm. Not to mention Toby's body was already exhausted from their previous practices and games. It was mid-season and her body was starting to get worn out. The only thing getting her through is knowing her mom and one of her brothers were going to be at the game.

Chloe was sitting on Toby's bed singing along with Beca's music when Toby got back to her dorm. Chloe flashed a smile and a "Hi!" as she got up to wrap Toby in a hug. Toby snaked her arms around Chloe's waist as she started talking into the side of Toby's neck. Neither of them pulled away through the conversation.

"Good luck tomorrow! I expect an update after the game. Even if you're all upset because you guys lost! I'll be able to help if that's the case but I'm sure you guys will crush 'em!" Toby could feel Chloe's smile against her skin.

"Yea, you too. I mean I'm sure I'll talk to Beca about it but let me know. Beca sucks at communicating."

"Hey!" Beca shot from somewhere on her side of the room. Chloe laughed and Toby thought she could get used to the way it felt against her.

"You only have a week for Christmas right?"

"Yep. We gotta be back on the 29th for practice. We play on New Year's Eve."

Chloe pulled back a little bit with a grimace on her face. "That sucks! New Year's day off?"

"Yea, thankfully. The games in the afternoon too so no big deal."

"Well, break is over the 13th but we'll be back a few days before! Stinks you guys are up here by yourselves."

"The guy's team will be here, and the wrestlers and swimmers too."

"You don't hang out with them though." She gave Toby a look before nuzzling back into her.

"Yea, I guess if I get bored I'll just make you come hang out with me!"

"I can do that. It's only an hour."

Toby was kidding when she suggested Chloe coming back up to school but Chloe's answer sounded serious. Toby gave a lame 'ok' as a response. The two stood hugging for a few more moments before Chloe let go.

"We gotta go! Bree will kill me if I'm late!" She flashed a smile.

"Good luck tonight. Don't kill Aubrey or cause her to puke everywhere." Toby advised Beca as she lifted her hand to fist bump Beca, their version of hugging. "I'll talk to you but have a good break and all that. If you find yourself going crazy at home I'll let you back in here. The school won't even know."

"Wait, really? Thanks! I'll probably take you up on that. I can only promise so much with Aubrey though." That earned her a glare from Chloe. "Here." Beca handed Toby one of her old Ipods with a spare pair of over-the-ear headphones attached. "You complained about the bus ride being too long and I can only imagine how loud your team gets knowing Rachel, Grace, and Maddie. The Ipod has a bunch of music I think you'll like and some mixes." She shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Thanks Beca! This is perfect. I actually forgot to put new stuff on mine."

"No problem. I hope you like the music. Kick some ass tomorrow and have a good break too."

Chloe put her hand on Toby's arm as she passed to the door. "Bye!"

Toby waved with a smile as the door closed. She checked her bags one last time then lugged them to the gym. Toby packed for the game and for her week home. Coach okay'd Toby's mom's plan of taking her home after the game since TN was closer to OH and Toby didn't have a car at Barden.

The talk with Chloe took longer than Toby had planned and, not noticing, she took her times checking her bag. When Toby got to the gym most of her teammates were already dressed for practice. She quietly swore to herself as she rushed to get ready. She grabbed her socks, warm up, uniform and their bench towels and threw them in her bag. Luckily someone put most of Toby's things in front of her locker, making it easy to pack.

After practice, a few of the girls slipped into the swimming locker room to shower since their locker room showers were full. Coach had only given them 30 minutes between practice and leaving. Toby changed then threw her shoes and ankle braces into her bag. She tried not to think about them still being sweaty from practice.

Coach Bruno and Coach Schmitt passed out lunch and drinks in the lobby then the team filed onto the bus. The upper classmen were discussing what movie to watch as Toby slipped the headphones Beca lent her on. She hit shuffle and turned the volume up. Toby knew from their past away trips that she couldn't focus enough to enjoy whatever movie they put on. She snuggled against her pillow and the window as the music blocked out all the noise.

That's how the trip went. It turned out to be longer than the seven and a half hours Toby originally guessed. She slept a little but mostly listened to music and texted Chloe or Beca. Rachel would nudge her with one of her feet, which were resting on the empty seat next to Toby, every time she caught Toby smiling at her phone. She then proceeded to notify Grace and Maddie who both turned to smile at their texting teammate. Toby stopped fighting it. They would hopefully lose interest if she didn't react.

Sometime after a pit stop and after the sun had gone down, Toby gave up trying to look out the window. She let my eyelids shut even though she knew sleep wouldn't come. She felt someone move into the seat beside her, someone else lean on the back of her own seat and then a poke to her shoulder. Toby opened her eyes and slid the headphones off.

Maddie sat next to Toby, Grace behind her and Rachel had scooted into the aisle seat to be part of the conversation.

"So that phone's been a little quiet?" Maddie asked with a smile on her face.

"They're performing I think. Chloe said she'd text me after."

"Oh, did she now? That's actually perfect. Grace and Maddie told me that you had a thing for Chloe." Toby glared at the two as best as she could but didn't say anything. They only looked slightly guilty about it anyway. "So tell me about it."

"I'm sure they already told you word for word, right?" Maddie shrugged saying they basically did. Toby continued with a sigh. "Okay, well what else do you want to know then?"

"Well, why didn't you tell me?!"

"Oh. 'Cause you and Chloe are friends. I don't know. I just didn't want to make it seem like real or whatever? If I told you then you could shoot me down about it…"

"Chlo and I are friends, yea, but you're my teammate, Toby! And one of my little babies. I wouldn't choose her over you. I might have let you down easy, very easy, but I would never shoot you down. I don't think I have to anyway."

Toby was so caught up in Maddie admitting that she would actually let her down that she missed what Maddie was really saying.

"Wait. What?"

"You're on the right track. Just think about it." Rachel urged sarcastically from across the aisle. Toby ignored her and looked to Maddie.

"Please spell this out for me." She asked.

"Yea, I don't think I have to let you down easily at all. Chloe likes to flirt but she flirts with you."

Toby let a very small, slightly hopeful smile make itself at home on her face.

"So?" Maddie laughed at Toby.

"So I'm pretty sure Chloe likes you too."

The four spent the rest of the bus ride talking about Toby's options. She quickly shut down all offers and plans to help her. Toby needed to be absolutely sure before she made any moves. Not only was Chloe someone Toby considered a close friend but she was her roommate's best friend. Toby couldn't charge into this haphazardly. Too much could be messed up if it went poorly. Thankfully Toby's friends agreed with that.

Later that night, Toby heard her phone buzz but before she could check her messages it buzzed several more times. The lock screen showed a single text from Chloe and four from Beca. Then five as it buzzed again in her hand. Toby swiped across Beca's name realizing she needed the immediate attention.

This was fucking embarrassing.

Aubrey's fucking unbearable! Amy saved us and she told Amy to follow the routine! Seriously?!

She has us doing this ridiculous set with songs that weren't even released in any of our lifetimes. All for tradition! Is that a joke?

We could actually be really good if she would lighten up with the fucking tradition. If she would just let me do a set I could show her.

I know you said don't kill her but dude I might. She doesn't even realize she's ruining everything.

Toby could practically see Beca fuming. Her use of punctuation at the end of her texts showed just how pissed she was. Toby assumed they lost and their season was done.

Beca. Calm down. It'll be okay. Aubrey's a senior. She won't be here next year. You and Chloe can figure it all out and have all the rest of this year to do it

We got 2nd. Still going.

Oh. Still calm down! Calm down more actually. Talk to Chloe who can talk to Aubrey. You never know! You guys have weeks until the next stage right?

Toby went to check Chloe's text when Beca didn't respond right away.

We got 2nd! Aubrey was upset cuz Amy went off routine but I thought she did really well! She looked like she had a lot of fun :) It was really close tho so we have a lot to work on before semis!

Good! At least you guys are still going! Beca said Aubrey isn't budging with the set?

No, not at all. I hope she listens to Bec. I think we could use some updating! What we've done is great but the Trebles do something different every time and always do really well. It could really help us

Talk to Aubrey?

I'll try. She doesn't do change…

Change is good. You're pretty convincing. I'm sure she'll listen to you!

Idk tobs. I'll try tho!

Toby let the last text sit knowing that the Bella's were probably getting ready to leave and Chloe would text her again later. As Toby turned her attention from her phone and back to the room, Katie asked about the Bella's.

"They got 2nd so their season is still going."

"I bet Aubrey's pissed! Trebles get first?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask. Probably. They're really good aren't they?"

Mar nodded. She was dating one of the Treble sophomores. Before she could tell the room about it via his post-performance play by play, Mar's phone rang.

"Uh, Tobs?"

Toby's phone went off as Mar said her name. "What?" Tobu asked as she swiped across to check the notification that popped up.

"Beca got arrested…"

"What?!" Katie asked as her jaw dropped.

Toby looked down at her phone as the buzzing continued. She assumed it had to do with Beca. Sure enough, there were two texts from Chloe with the typing icon up as the redhead continued.

Beca got arrested

She got in a fight

Toby ignored the texts and called Chloe instead, walking out of the hotel room as she waited for the redhead to answer. It only took one ring. Toby didn't wait for a hello.

"What happened?"

"We came out of the auditorium the same time as the Trebles did. There was an older group of a capella guys who Bumper and Donald started talking trash to. They're idiots. I swear." Toby knew Chloe was shaking her head at the boys, gnawing on her bottom lip in concern over Beca. "The older guys got in their faces and Jesse tried to help. Then one of them was trying to fight Jesse. Beca saw and went down there. Bree told her not too and Amy followed."

Chloe paused there so Toby nudged her to speak again. "And?"

"And she went up to the guy and hit him. I don't know what she was thinking, Toby! She probably broke her hand! Then Amy was trying to hit some guy with a trophy but Beca stepped in. It broke and went flying through the window. There was a cop out there. God, this is so stupid! Everyone who was fighting started running but the cop saw Beca with the other part of the trophy. She didn't even try to get away, Toby."

Toby sighed and ran a hand down her face. Idiot. "What's going on now?"

"I don't know. We're on the bus going home and-"

"You left her?!" Toby cut off whatever Chloe was about to say.

"I wouldn't do that…" Chloe sounded hurt and even closer to tears than when she was explaining what happened. Toby immediately felt bad. Of course Chloe would never leave Beca like that. "Jesse said he would take care of it. We're going to go wait for her at her dorm. She gave me her key. That okay?"

"Of course." Toby tried to go on but it was Chloe's turn to cut her off, the hurt obvious in her voice.

"I gotta go. Aubrey doesn't like us being on our phones on the bus. Bye."

Toby pulled the phone from her ear and looked at the 'call ended' below Chloe's name. She hung up on me Toby thought. Chloe had said goodbye but it still felt like she hung up on Toby. The freshman went back to Chloe's text strand and started typing.

Chloe, I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't leave Beca. I just panicked and didn't think about who I was talking to

Seriously, I'm really sorry!

Toby waited for a few minutes. Just as she gave up hope that her apology would be accepted, Chloe answered.

It's okay. I shouldn't have hung up. I'm still worried about Beca

Me too

Told you I sucked at being a person

You do not! I said it was okay. Jesse told me he called Beca's dad…

She is going to HATE that. Poor kid doesn't know what he just did

She really is. I'm gonna try to nap. We'll prob be up late. You need to be asleep soon anyway right?

As of 10 mins ago

Then go to bed! Sweet dreams Toby :)

Night! Let me know what happens and that she's okay

Toby sighed and walked back into the room. The lights were off but she knew the two girls were waiting to hear what happened. Toby settled in bed before Katie asked. She explained briefly.

"Damn." Mar said from beside Toby. Katie agreed from the other bed.

"Yea. Seriously." Was all Toby said. Beca getting arrested was stressing her out. It took longer than usual as she worried about her roommate but eventually Toby fell asleep.

GOOD LUCK! Keep calm and picture my smiling face if you can't ;)

Toby smiled at the text as the team pulled up to the gym to get ready for the game; it was followed up with a picture of a smiling Chloe.

Beca's fine. Pissed Jesse called her dad but fine. I think having us all there made her feel better about the whole thing but don't worry about that! GAME DAY! WOO!

Thanks Chlo. I'll text you after.

Good luck dude! Kick some ass!

Beca's text followed Chloe's so Toby assumed the two were together. She sent a thank you with some emojis since Toby knew her small friend hated them. She avoided the jail talk until later. Beca wouldn't want to talk about it and Toby didn't have time, tip off was under two hours away.

We lost

Toby sent the two worded text to both Beca and Chloe from the back of her mom's car with her hood up, headphones on over it and forehead on the window so no one would talk to her. Toby always took losing hard.

Pete threw a look back at her and smiled as Toby glared at him. Their mom just hit his knee gently while saying something. It must have been leave her alone because Pete didn't try again.

That sucks. How bad?

72-65.

Damn. Close but not. How'd you play?

Like shit. Had 4 fouls and a bunch of turnovers

Sorry dude

Toby left Beca's text. She wasn't who Toby wanted to talk to anyways. Beca also wouldn't be offended if Toby let the conversation die. About a half hour later Toby got what she wanted.

I'm sorry! That really sucks. You okay?

Yea. I just played pretty bad

I'm sure you played just fine! What was the score?

72-65. We could've won

Toby, you're gonna lose every now and then. It's okay. Just get them next time! Are you with your mom and brother now?

How'd you know?

Beca mentioned they were getting you from the game. You better not be sulking and wasting the time with them!

I'm not…

Yes you are. God. You and Beca are just alike sometimes! Go talk to your family!

But I can talk to them all break. I'd rather whine to you :(

You can talk to me all year! Even all break if you want but I'm not talking to you anymore today! Let me know when you make it home. Bye! :)

Chloe was serious about not responding so Toby tucked her phone in her hoodie pocket. She pulled the headphones off and tugged down her hood. The Tobin Wright sign that it's okay to try communicating again. Toby waited for her family to notice. It didn't take long.

"Oh, look who decided to join us!" Pete teased while turning in his seat.

"Shut up. How long are you home for?"

"I gotta be back on base the 26th."

"What about Dad and Carter?" Toby turned her eyes to the back of her mom's head as she focused on the road.

"They won't make it home this year. They'll have a couple hours on Christmas and Christmas Eve so we can Skype them though." Her mom met her eyes in the rearview with a comforting smile. She knew that wasn't what Toby wanted to hear and Toby could see in her own eyes that it wasn't what she wanted either.