This chapter comes from my own brain. Just a little something fun.
"Please, Becs," Chloe begged. "I'll be your best friend."
"According to you," Beca said without looking up from her computer. "You've been my best friend since hood night. And, why are you asking me now? Kind of short notice don't you think?"
"I know, but I didn't know who to ask," Chloe said. "I'm sorry about the short notice. But, we have three days before we have to leave." Beca just looks at her and Chloe gets down on her knees. "Beca, I'm begging you to go with me."
"Why do you even need someone to go with you?," Beca asked. "It's just your family."
"Beeccccaaaa," Chloe whined. "There are several reasons why I need someone to go with me. First, I can't leave until Saturday morning and have to be back on Sunday because I have a big test on Monday. It's like six and half to seven hours each way and I need someone to help with the driving. Second, it's not only my grandmother's ninetieth birthday, but it's also Valentine's Day. Everyone else has plans and since you and Jesse broke up I thought, you know, that you might want to be away from Barden to escape all the couples that will be around."
"You mean so I won't have to see Jesse and Mary Elise all over each other," Beca said.
"Yes," Chloe said quickly and continued from where she left off. "And, third, my ex-girlfriend will be at the party with her family and she's always hitting on me and trying to get me to take her back."
"Ex-girlfriend?," Beca said sitting up suddenly interested. "How do I not know about this? Are you expecting me to pretend to be your girlfriend? Because, I am not sure I'm comfortable with that."
"No, I'm not expecting you to be anything but my best friend," Chloe said. "I just figure if I show up with someone she'll leave me alone. We don't have to do anything but be friends like we are here."
"It might be kind of nice to get away for a weekend," Beca finally admits. "But, I still want to know why this ex-girlfriend has never been mentioned before."
"She's ancient history and not worth mentioning," Chloe said and Beca looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Fine. We dated in my freshman and sophomore years. I was here and she was still in Tampa. We only saw each other during holidays and weekends when I didn't have a Friday class. She cheated on me, numerous times, and I finally broke it off. Now every time I go home she comes around trying to get me back. I don't have any feelings for her and she doesn't take no for an answer. It's been two years, she needs to let it go."
"Alright, I'll go," Beca said after a few minutes. "What do I need to pack?"
"Thank you, so much, Beca," Chloe said standing up. "You won't have to pay for anything either. I'll take care of it. It's the least I can do. As for packing. Make sure to bring one nice outfit, preferably a dress. My grandma's party is at a fancy hotel and everyone will be dressing up. The rest will just be casual stuff so whatever you normally wear. It's Tampa so it will be hot."
"Go through my closet and find something 'dressy' for me to wear to the party," Beca tells Chloe causing the redhead's eyes to brighten. "I know you're dying to."
Chloe enters Beca's closet and starts looking through her clothes. "Oh, my God, Beca!," Chloe exclaims coming of the closet holding a dress. "You actually have a plaid dress. How have I not see this before?"
"It's called a 'shirt dress'," Beca tells her. "I only wear it when I'm forced to attend dinner at my dad's. He wants me to dress more like a girl, so I wear the dress for him. The plaid is for me, so win-win."
"Unbelievable," Chloe mutters as she puts the dress back and starts looking through the rack again.. "Well, well, well, what have we here. You actually own a little black dress. This will be perfect." Chloe carries the dress out and lays it on Beca's bed. "You can just wear your Bellas pumps with it. You'll look great."
"Mmhmm," Beca said.
"Now, we have to leave no later than 7:00 am on Saturday," Chloe tells Beca. "So, make sure you're all packed by Friday. You can sleep in the car until we stop for breakfast."
"Got it," Beca said.
"Thanks for doing this, Beca," Chloe said. "I have to get back or Brey will be sending out a search party. Good night, Beca."
"Good night," Beca said as Chloe leaves.
Beca runs her hands through her hair and wonders what she just got herself into. She's had a mad crush on Chloe for a while now, maybe even when she was with Jesse. It's probably why she wasn't upset when they broke it off. She took a deep breath and let it out. It was less than 48 hours. She could rein in her feeling for 48 hours, right?
"I am so screwed," Beca said as she flopped back on her bed.
~/~/~/~/~/~/~
The next day, Aubrey is talking to Chloe on her choice of travel companion.
"Do you really think it's a good idea having Beca pretend to be your girlfriend?," Aubrey asked.
"She's not pretending to be my girlfriend," Chloe said. "She's just going as a buffer between me and Karen."
"Just be careful," Aubrey said. "I know how you feel about Beca and I don't want to see you getting hurt."
"It's okay, Brey," Chloe said. "Beca is single now and if anything should happen, I'm not going to be to upset about it. Maybe I'll even find a way to tell her how I feel about her." Chloe chews on her bottom lip, deep in thought. "I'm going to have her sleep here on Friday night. To make sure we get on the road by 7:00."
Chloe texts Beca and tells her to plan to spend Friday night at her place. Beca reluctantly agrees. Before Beca knows it Friday is here and she is dragging her suitcase to the apartment Chloe's shares with Aubrey.
Chloe wakes Beca up at 6:30 the next morning on Saturday morning. Beca stumbles her way through getting dressed and brushing her teeth. Chloe pushes her out the door and out to the car at 6:55. Beca helps load their bags and climbs into the passenger seat where she is asleep before Chloe even pulls out of the parking lot. Chloe drives with the radio turned on low and glances over at the sleeping brunette several times as she's making her way south to Tampa. It's almost 10:00 when Chloe has to stop for gas. She wakes Beca up by shaking her and saying "Happy Valentine's Day, sunshine." Beca grumbles until Chloe suggests they grab breakfast at a pancake place next to the gas station.
They are back on the road and Beca is driving now. She and Chloe sang with the radio and just chatted about Chloe's family. Chloe directs Beca to her parents house and they pull into their driveway around 2:30. Chloe's mother comes running out to greet her. She is an older version of Chloe and just as bubbly.
"Mom, this is Beca," Chloe said by way of introduction.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Beale," Beca said holding out her hand.
"Call me Charlotte. And, seriously?," Mrs. Beale says looking at Beca's outstretched hand. "We Beales don't shake hands." Beca drops her hand with a quiet, "Oh." She is grabbed up into a hug as Mrs. Beale says, "We hug."
Chloe looks at Beca with a big smile. "Now you now where I get it from."
Mrs. Beale lets Beca go and they go inside. "Chloe, show Beca up to your room. You two are sharing."
Chloe leads Beca upstairs and into her room. Beca stops as soon as she steps through the doorway. She looks around and then looks at Chloe.
"I was expecting a lot more pink," Beca said.
Before Chloe can say anything, the door is thrown fully open, causing Beca to jump to the side. Two bodies come crashing into the room, both grabbing Chloe causing all three to fall onto the bed in a heap.
"Get off me, you monsters," Chloe can be heard from the bottom of the pile.
"Come on, Chlo," the boy said. "We missed you."
"Get off me," Chloe says again pushing at the two. She finally manages to get them to sit up. The boy is the first to notice Beca standing there. He gets a big smile on his face and stands up.
"Well, hello," he says. "And who might you be?"
"This is Beca," Chloe says. "My friend from Barden. Beca, this is Kyle, my brother, and Kayla, my sister. I know they don't really look it, but they're twins."
"Hi," Beca says with a small wave.
"How old are you?," Kyle asks stepping closer to Beca. Kayla walks over to meet Beca as well.
"Kyle, you don't ask a woman her age," Kayla says and smacks him on the arm. "It's nice to meet you, Beca. And, I apologize for my idiot brother."
"It's okay," Beca says to Kayla. "I'm 18," she tells Kyle.
"I'll be 18 in a few months," Kyle says. "Maybe I can show you around Tampa before you have to leave tomorrow."
"Um," Beca said looking at Kyle and then at Chloe. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Down the hall and second door on the right," Chloe says.
"Thanks," Beca says and hurries out the door.
"Kyle, leave her alone and stop flirting with her," Chloe said. "We're only here for grandma's party and then we're leaving early tomorrow."
"What's the matter, Chlo? Jealous?," Kyle asks before he sits on the bed next to Chloe.
Chloe doesn't say anything. She just looks at her hands and tries not to look at Kyle.
"Oh, my gosh," Kayla says. "You so are!"
"I am not," Chloe said. "It just feels weird to have my brother hitting on my friend. He doesn't do that with Aubrey."
"That's because Aubrey scares him shitless," Kayla says.
"She's not wrong about that," Kyle says and shudders. "You do like her, though. I can tell."
"Look," Chloe says. "You can't say anything but, yes, I really like her. She's straight and I'm trying to keep my feelings for her to myself. We may not be together but it still hurts to see her with someone else, especially my own brother. So, would you just leave her alone. Please?"
"Sorry, Chlo," Kyle said. "I didn't realize you felt that way. I'll stop. But, if she comes after me, I won't hold back."
"You're an ass," Chloe says with a laugh and shoves him.
"Are you sure she's straight?," Kayla asked Chloe.
"Yeah, pretty sure," Chloe said. "She had a boyfriend up until like two months ago."
"That doesn't mean she's straight," Kayla said. "You thought you were until Karen came along. She could be bi like you."
Chloe looked at Kayla and wondered if she might be right. Was Beca bi? Would she like Chloe like Chloe likes her? Chloe was brought out of her musings by the sound of Beca's raised voice.
"Dude, no," she hears Beca say. "I'm not interested."
"Why not?," a male voice asks. "Are you Chloe's girlfriend?"
Chloe, Kyle, and Kayla are just coming out the door when they hear Beca say, "Yes. I'm Chloe's girlfriend. So, if you don't mind-. Oh, Chloe. I, um, didn't see you there."
"It's okay, babe," Chloe said putting her arm around Beca's waist and smiling at her. "I see you've met my cousin, James. James Beale, this is my girlfriend, Beca Mitchell."
"What?," Beca says. "I mean, yeah, my girlfriend. So, get over yourself, dude. I'm already with someone."
Chloe bites her lip to keep from laughing at the look on James' face.
"Fine," James says. "But, I'm not giving up. I am James Beale and all the ladies love me."
"Except all those who don't," Kayla says and laughs. "Come on, Kyle, we need to go get ready for the party. Dad wants us to help with the centerpieces for the tables. Come on, lover boy. You can help, too."
"Hey," James and Kyle say as Kayla drags the both down the hall.
Beca looks at Chloe and they both start laughing. Beca follows Chloe into her bedroom.
"We should get changed, too," Chloe says. "My dad will expect me to help. And, I expect my girlfriend to help as well."
"About that," Beca says a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I'm sorry. He started hitting on me before I even went into the bathroom. Then he actually waited for me to come out and started right back up again. Saying I was your girlfriend is the only thing that got him to stop."
"It's okay, Becs," Chloe said. "I caught on quick, hence me calling you 'babe' and putting my arm around you. Made it more believable."
"Yeah," Beca said and started to unpack.
Chloe used the shower in her parents room so Beca could use the one in the hallway. Beca took her shower and hurried back to Chloe's room to get dressed. Chloe dressed in her parents room to give Beca some privacy. They were both ready and walked out of their respective rooms. Beca looked up and saw Chloe and her breath caught in her throat. Chloe was wearing a sleeveless dark blue dress that somehow made her eyes more blue than before. The dressed hugged her curves and ended mid-thigh. Her hair was curled and pulled to one side. Chloe felt Beca looking at her and raised her head, a blush on her cheeks.
"Wow, Chloe," Beca finally managed to say. "You look. . .beautiful."
"Thank you, Beca," Chloe said and stared at Beca. "You look beautiful, too."
The two girls stood there looking at each other. "Come on, you two," Kayla says causing the two girls to break eye contact. "Quit eye fucking each other and let's go. Chloe, can I ride with you and Beca?"
"Um, sure," Chloe said, her mouth suddenly dry. "Come on, Becs."
"If Kayla gets to ride with you, so do I," Kyle yells as he runs to catch up with them.
"Me, too," James says.
"Fine," Chloe says. "Just behave."
Kyle looks offended. "I always behave," he says causing Kayla to snort.
"Shotgun," Beca yells as she hurries to the front passenger side door.
The party is in full swing and Beca stays close to Chloe. Mainly to avoid James who still insists on hitting on her even though she's Chloe's 'girlfriend.' Chloe is talking to one of her uncles when Beca decides to get a drink. She walks over to the bar and orders a ginger ale. Chloe's grandmother comes up beside her.
"So, you're the girl who's stolen my Chlo-bear's heart," Grandma Beale says causing Beca to choke on her ginger ale.
"I'm sorry," Beca said wiping her mouth with an napkin. "What?"
"I see the way she looks at you," Grandma Beale says. "And, I also see the way you look at her. I think you're good for each other. I've only just met you and I can tell you are way better for her than that Karen girl was."
Beca just stares at the woman, unblinking. She can't mean that Chloe really likes her can she? She looks over at Chloe who gives her a smile when she sees her.
"You think Chloe really likes me?," Beca asked. "I mean, like likes me."
"I know she does," Grandma Beale tells her. She looks over to the door and Beca hears an "oh, shit" come from the woman.
"Something wrong?," Beca asked.
"It's that girl Karen," Grandma Beale says. "She never leaves Chloe alone. She can't seem to take the hint that Chloe wants nothing to do with her anymore."
Beca looks to see who the woman was talking about. She sees a very attractive blonde girl standing at the door with an older couple.
"That's Karen?," Beca asks. "Wow, she's really pretty."
"That's Karen," Grandma Beale says. "And, don't worry. You much prettier than she is in so many ways."
"Don't look now," Kayla says coming up to Chloe. "Karen's here and I think she's looking for you."
Chloe looks around and sees Karen at the door at the same time she spots Chloe. Karen smiles and starts walking over to Chloe. Beca watches all this and decides to intervene.
"Wish me luck," Beca says to Grandma Beale and starts walking over to Chloe. The older woman gives her a bright smile.
"Hey, Chlo," Karen says as she reaches Chloe. "You look as beautiful as ever."
"Go away, Karen," Kayla says.
Karen just looks at Kayla and then moves her eyes back to Chloe. Before she can say another word, Beca swoops in and grabs Chloe from behind, wrapping her arms around Chloe's waist, surprising her.
"Hey, pretty lady," Beca says before kissing Chloe's neck.
"Um, hey, Becs," Chloe said blushing. The kiss on her neck doing strange things to her.
"Excuse me," Kaen says coldly. "But, we were talking."
Kayla is standing there grinning at Beca and Chloe. Beca moves to Chloe's side and puts her arm around her waist and tucks Chloe into her side.
"Oh, sorry," Beca said holding out her hand. "I'm Beca Mitchell. Chloe's girlfriend. And you are?"
Karen looks at Chloe, who is looking at Beca with a big smile on her face, and then back at Beca. She glances down at Beca's outstretched hand and turns her attention back to Chloe. Beca drops her hand with a shrug and a smirk towards Karen.
"I thought maybe we could talk," Karen says and then looks at Beca. "Alone."
"Before you do that," Beca says and turns Chloe to face her. "I need to do something."
Chloe looks at her confused and Beca leans in and captures Chloe's lips in a kiss. Chloe's eyes widen in surprise and it only takes her a second before she's returning the kiss. Kayla is smiling and Karen is fuming as they both watch the kiss progress. Beca finally pulls back from the kiss and laughs as Chloe chases after her lips to pull her into another one. They finally pull back and Beca pulls Chloe into a hug.
"Just so you know," Beca whispers. "I'm not pretending."
Chloe pulls back and stares are Beca. Beca give her another quick kiss and grabs Chloe's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"You have two minutes before I come get her," Beca says to Karen. "Because I plan to do a whole lot more of that."
Chloe blinks a couple of times, totally forgetting that Karen was still standing there. Beca gives Chloe a wink and walks back over to the bar where Grandma Beale is standing. She smiles at Beca and Beca adds a little more swagger to her walk.
"Nicely played," Grandma Beals says raising her drink to Beca. "Welcome to the family."
Karen clears her throat and Kayla and Chloe both turn to look at her. "I gotta go," Chloe says and hurries over to Beca. She smiles at Beca and pulls her into another kiss.
"Give it up, Karen," Kayla says with a laugh. "You never stood a chance."
"Happy Valentine's Day, Chlo," Beca says.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Becs," Chloe says and kisses her again.
Chloe pulls back from the kiss and realizes her grandmother is still standing there.
"Oh, sorry, Gran," Chloe says.
"Don't be," Gran says. "She's a keeper."
"Yeah, I am," Beca says and pulls Chloe in for another kiss.
