Chapter 8
May 18th, 2015
Hey Chloe :)
So, this is just a short note so that you can send me your next letter. The address is on the envelope.
We've been here for a few days now and everything is pretty calm. One thing I can tell you about this place is that it's hot. It really is and I hate the way that I'm constantly sweating. It's gross but I can't do anything about it. Well, except for taking regular showers but that's not possible either. Water is kind of valuable here.
Well, I don't want to complain too much ;)
I hope to hear from you soon.
Beca
May 26th, 2015
Hey Beca!
I'm glad that everything seems to be going well over there.
First things first: Of course I want to talk to you on the phone! My number is 404–XXX-XXXX. Call anytime you want :)
For the sake of honesty I think I should tell you that I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk to you at first. Don't get me wrong I really like you and I consider you a good friend, but talking over the phone is a little different than writing letters. I love getting your letters and the fact that I can just go back and reread all of them. So I wasn't sure if that was a good idea, but then I thought that I'd really like to hear your voice. So please call me :D I'm waiting.
But that doesn't mean these letters will have to stop right? I'd like to continue writing and receiving them. I hope you want that too.
Well, I'm not exactly guarding your letters. It's just that I kinda want to keep them to myself? I don't know. My mother managed to 'convince' me to let her read them so they aren't exactly between the two of us anymore, but you know, I tried. And I won't let anybody else read them until you give your permission, so don't worry.
Why are you bad at first impressions? My first impression of you was rather good :) My mom loves you and I'm sure you will meet her one day. The thing I said a few paragraphs back? About not knowing if I wanted to take our friendship to the next level? (that sounded terrible. But you know what I mean!) I decided that I want to meet you someday. We are living in the same state, so it shouldn't be that difficult. Only if you want of course. But I'm awesome, so why wouldn't you want to ;D
A Capella IS cool! Don't hate it when you haven't done it before. I will make sure to show you once we'll meet. (See? You don't even have a choice anymore ;D)
I can already tell this letter is going to be veeeeery long. As to your questions, I don't sing in a band because it would kind of limit me to one thing. In a capella you learn to do a bit of everything. I can be the beatboxer (not as well as Lilly, but I can do a little bit. She's the beatboxer of the Bellas) or do some background harmony or be the lead singer. In a capella you have to be able to do everything (at least a little bit). I don't just want to be the lead singer or the drummer. It's hard to explain, I just love it. I'll show you when we meet :)
Aubrey was the captain of the Bellas and she mostly chose the songs. Before she took over as captain, things were a little difficult with the former captain. Well, I don't want to bore you so let's just say we only sang songs from the 80s which were performed by women for our competitions. But we sang other stuff in our free time.
We sadly never performed any mash ups. But now that you are suggesting it, it sounds like a great idea. Well, those times are over. We still meet up sometimes, but we aren't competing anymore. Everybody has stuff to do with their careers and some of them left Atlanta. But we are all good friends.
… It is really bad if my mom looks disapprovingly at me, you know? Don't make fun of it. But I took ten seconds out of my day and stood in a corner and thought about it, alright? Happy now? ;D
Tom. Well, I think I'm alright. I mean, of course it's hard. For both of us. But I do believe that it was the right decision. I don't regret it.
Do you want to tell me about your relationships in high school? I'm curious what kind of people you look for in a relationship. You seem like a hard person to get to know. I didn't have a problem connecting with you at all ;D
Venice is beautiful. You should definitely visit one day. The architecture is breathtaking. And the people are really friendly. Take me with you, okay? I want to go again!
I'm glad you told me Beca. But it really doesn't matter to me. I like you as a person. I don't judge people on their sexual orientation (would be pretty hypocritical of me, right ;D). We should totally exchange stories once we'll meet. I'm interested in how you deal with women. I've made the experience that women are a little more difficult to understand in relationships.
Question time! (I'll answer the one's from before, it's only fair, but I do have some new ones as well ;D)
My favorite color changes a lot. I had a phase where it was a bright pink and then a while where I likes a light green (the color of grass, not those washed out pastel tones). I think at the moment, my favorite color is a dark blue, like the ocean ;D
(I just noticed I use a LOT of emoticons. I'm sorry, just bear with me... I like to get my feelings across as well :D See? I don't even do it on purpose. They just appear at the end of a sentence!)
Hm, favorite music. I think I like Taylor Swift the best at the moment. But I do listen to a lot of other stuff as well. You'll have to show me some good music when we meet, alright? You seem like a person who knows what they are talking about.
Best childhood memory, well, I think it was the day my brother was born. I was seven and really excited to get a little brother. I had a phase where I thought that my parents will only care about the baby and not me anymore but that thought was quickly wiped away once I held him in my arms for the first time. He opened his small eyes a little and as soon as he saw me he smiled at me. I loved him instantly. I still cherish that moment today.
Now you have to tell me which movie you saw that made you want to go to Norway. I looked it up online and it looks breathtaking. My first thought was something like the Maldives because of the beaches and the translucent water, but I wouldn't mind going to Norway either.
Five possessions. Well, now I know what you mean. My questions were quite hard... Okay, so I would take my glasses as well, a photo album, you have a good point with the hair tie. It would come in handy, wouldn't it? I think I'll take that as well ;) And a bracelet Bree got me in elementary school. I've worn it everyday since. It means a lot to me. And lastly, something to write? I don't think I could live without a pen and paper. (I use a lot of my free time just writing down stuff that comes to my mind. Just little stories of my life that were interesting. It's not a diary exactly, just moments to remember... yeah, well, kinda childish, hmm?)
Next question!
I spend my free time mostly with my family and friends. And writing I guess. I still like to sing so I do that as well, but that's more of a thing I do simultaneously with writing or I get Stacie and Aubrey to sing one of our a capella songs with me. It's fun.
Your wandering sounds interesting. Have you seen interesting stuff when you did it? Want to tell me a little about that?
I'm sorry for asking such a hard question. I thought you would just answer snakes or spiders or something like that. But I'm glad you told me. You do know that I won't ever leave you alone now, right? And I like that you save people, but please be careful okay? Your life matters just as much as theirs does.
As for me, I have an irrationally big fear of clowns. I don't know why, maybe it was all those horror movies or the really bad make-up, but I just can't stand them. Come to think of it, I didn't like them as a child as well. I should probably ask my mom about that some time :D
Well, if you won't tell me your most embarrassing moment, I won't tell you mine either! ;D I'll give you a hint though, it was still during college and a LOT of alcohol was involved.
I really wouldn't want to be the president. So much responsibility, you know? But I think I would maybe do something for the poor? I don't know, I guess one can have pretty big ambitions, but if it were so easy to do it, it would have already been done. Maybe do something for children's education. I don't know.
World peace? You don't start small, huh? I like your hide and seek plan though. Maybe I'll bring my students and we'll all play? Sounds like a lot of fun.
Bubbly and dedicated. I guess loyal as well, but that was your answer. I already stole the glasses and hair tie ;D
The last picture I took was a selfie with Aubrey and Stacie. We make it a habit of doing one every few months. It's fun to see them next to each other after a few years. We started that in college and are still doing it.
Cats are not boring Beca. I think it's cute and really, it isn't your fault that you end up there every single time. They are just everywhere. You couldn't miss them if you tried. So not boring at all. I like them as well ;)
No I have never danced in the rain. But I'm sure to try it as soon as possible!
Aw, you would get stuck in an elevator with me? How cute! I would totally get stuck in an elevator with you too, Becs! But you do make a good point with the toilet. I think we should both prepare before being stuck in an elevator. I'll bring the snacks :D
I have to confess that I have a weird fascination with medical dramas. I would definitely want to be trapped in Grey's Anatomy! But not as a doctor or patient. Maybe an unimportant bystander that somehow always ends up where all the action is :) I definitely want to meet the cast though! Or well, the characters. Since if I would be trapped, I would have to interact with the characters and not the cast. I would definitely warn them about that damn plane if I'd arrived in a season before that happened. And I would definitely save George from that bus.
I think you probably never watched Grey's Anatomy, right? It's awesome, you should definitely try it.
Yes, I am very happy that you are wearing socks ;D I don't at the moment. Just so you know :)
Sooo, I finished all of them! (This letter is seriously turning out to be a novel)
I have some new questions. Not so many as last time, don't worry ;D
Do you feel like children should be sheltered from unhappiness?
What question do you hate to answer?
How do you start a conversation?
What did you do for your last birthday? And when is it? ;)
Have you ever taken dance lessons? Who would you want to dance with? (Just to let you know, I'm an excellent dancer)
Glass half full or half empty? Or is the glass just malformed?
What do you think Victoria's secret is?
Is it better to beg forgiveness or ask permission?
If you could read minds, whose would you want to read?
What do you believe I am thinking right now?
Sooo, I think that's enough for now ;)
Please stay safe and answer as fast as you can. Or just call me. I'm worried.
Chloe ;)
June 3rd , 2015
Chloe was enjoying the first few days of the summer holidays. She still had stuff to do but it was a little less stressful when she didn't have to prepare her classes.
She had just come home from a spontaneous ice-cream meeting with Stacie and Aubrey which was always fun. She thought about visiting her parents but after a look at the clock – it was 3.30 pm – she decided to wait until her parents were both home.
She was about to make herself comfortable on her couch and catch up with the book series she had been reading for the last three weeks when her cell phone rang.
She furrowed her brows at the unknown number but quickly got excited when she noticed that it was a call from out of the country.
It had been a few days since she had sent Beca her letter and she couldn't wait for the time when the other girl would call.
Chloe quickly snatched the phone from her couch table and answered.
"Hello?"
"Um, is this Chloe?"
Chloe beamed. She was sure it was Beca on the other line. "Yeah! And you're Beca, right?"
"Right."
Since Beca didn't seem to know what to say, Chloe took charge.
"Well, hello! I'm glad you called."
Chloe heard a small chuckle over the line. "Yeah, hello. Sorry about that. I just didn't really know what to say."
"It's okay. So, how are you? Everything going well over there?"
"I guess. It's still pretty hot but I'm starting to get used to it. Nobody got injured, so that's good as well. Oh, that reminds me, Luke told me to say hello to you. After kind of forcing me to finally call you."
Chloe laughed. "That sounds like him. Please say hello to him from me as well. Was there a reason you didn't want to call? It was kind of your idea."
Beca sighed. "Yeah, sorry. I wanted to talk to you. Still do. But as soon as your letter arrived two days ago, I suddenly didn't know what to say. I've been debating with myself a lot until Jesse and Luke just dialed your number and put the phone in my hand."
"Well, I'm glad they did. Does that mean they are listening in on our conversation?"
A muffled "Of course!" and an "Obviously." was heard through the phone and Chloe started to chuckle.
"Hello to you two then."
"Go away Jesse! You too Luke! This is my phone call!"
A short shuffling was heard and then Beca's voice could be heard over the phone again. "I don't care that you are the reason that I finally called, go away and let me speak with her!"
Half a minute later, Beca seemed to be back. "Sorry about that. I told them to go away. We can talk now."
"It sounds fun over there."
Beca groaned. "No it's not. They both are a pain in my ass. Anyway, enough talk about them. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine. The summer holidays have just started so I have a little more free time than during the school year. It's been relaxing."
"Sounds nice. So, Chloe, about the letters. I really don't want to stop writing them. So, how about we just keep writing them and talk occasionally over the phone?. You said so in your last letter, but I want to make sure."
"Of course. Oh that reminds me, can you maybe sent your next letter to my home address? I won't be in school every day over the summer and it would be easier if you just sent them to my home."
"Sure. The address was on your last envelope, right?"
"Yes. I'm sorry but I just have to ask. You have a lovely voice. Over the phone anyway. Please tell me that you use it for something different than barking orders? Singing maybe?"
"Everybody sounds terrible over the phone Chloe. And I definitely don't have a 'lovely' voice. And I don't really sing. Maybe a few tunes here and there but nothing big."
"No, your voice sounds really nice. Well you definitely have to sing for me once we'll meet."
Beca groaned. "I guess subtlety is not your strong point? I don't even know how many times you said 'once we'll meet' in your last letter. Pretty confident, huh?"
Chloe smiled. Beca sounded exactly like she wrote the letters. "Of course! We're friends, so of course we'll meet someday. I'll make sure of it. Unless you are totally opposed to the idea, then I won't force you."
Beca snorted. "Yeah right. I don't mind. I'd be happy if we could meet once I'm back in the states. You write awesome letters, sound nice over the phone, so I have to make sure you look as nice as you sound."
"I sure do! Just ask Jesse or Luke. Jesse was nosy so he asked Luke for a photo."
"WHAT?! Jesse! Get over here!"
Chloe laughed out loud as she heard a mumbled "But you just told me to go away..." through the line. She was content to sit back and listen to them argue.
"Do you have a photo of Chloe, Jesse?"
A muffled "Um, kinda." was his response.
"Why?"
"I wanted to know. And I knew that Luke knew her."
"And you haven't shown it to me?! Why?"
"You never asked?"
"That's not an excuse! Show me!"
Chloe thought it would be time to say something. Calls from over seas can't be cheap.
"Um, Beca?"
"Oh, sorry Chloe. What is it?"
"Maybe he can show you the photo later? This call can't be cheap and I don't want to cripple your bank account."
Beca laughed. "Don't worry, that won't happen so fast. But you are right. I'll have a talk with him later."
"You do that. How late is it over there anyway? The time difference must be a few hours."
"Yeah, 7 hours. So it's 10.42 at night. We wanted to wait until you were probably home to call."
"Thanks. But it is kind of late for you. I really don't want to keep you from sleeping."
"You aren't keeping me, I called you, remember? But yeah, I think we should wrap this up soon. I'll definitely call again. But I don't know when I'll have the time."
"Don't worry. Focus on your job so nobody will get hurt."
"I will. Thanks Chloe. So, it was nice talking to you."
Chloe chuckled. "Likewise. I hope I'll hear or read from you soon."
"You definitely will. Goodbye Chloe."
"Good night Beca. Oh, and by the way, you look so cute when you scowl into the camera."
".. what? I look cute when... JESSE!"
The redhead laughed loudly as the line went still.
Beca sounded like an awesome person. Chloe only hoped that everything went well overseas.
June 11th, 2015
Chloe woke up pretty early and decided to start the day with a good cup of coffee and the newspaper.
She put on her robe and started the coffee machine. She slipped on some slippers and made her way to her mail box.
She got the newspaper and a few letters. While she was walking up the stairs of her building, she flipped through the letters. Bill, Invitation, Bill, Bill, Letter from Beca!
Chloe's mood improved hugely and she walked a little faster up the stairs. She hadn't heard from Beca since the last phone call and was happy to receive the next letter.
The redhead closed her front door behind her and got her cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to start reading the letter.
Before she could do more than open the envelope, her phone rang next to her on the kitchen table.
It was another unknown number but the last call was from Beca, so she assumed it was her again.
"Hello?"
"Chloe?" That definitely didn't sound like Beca.
"Yes? Who's this?"
"It's Jesse..."
A/N: Finally finished the next chapter! Happy late new year, everyone! Things will get interesting from here on out, so I hope you'll stick with me :)
