A/N: Hey guys! Here's chapter 10 featuring Amy and Stacie's continued investigations, a brief chat with Beca and Luke (hey Luke's back!), and a confession?!
I don't own pitch perfect.
Nothing makes sense.
Stacie and Amy have spent weeks – weeks! – trying to come up with a reason, any explanation at all, for the weird glowing thing that appeared on Beca's hand that night they accidentally spied on her and Chloe.
They've even employed Lilly's help, and nothing. Lilly has offered her specialties from a twenty four hour surveillance of Beca's every movement to a possible exorcism ritual because Amy has had Lilly convinced that maybe Beca's possessed or something.
But again nothing.
Every midnight, as the clock strikes twelve, the glowing lights appear on Beca's right hand. The high resolution images that Lily magically produced showed bands showed the eleven original ribbons they first saw on the pictures become ten, with the Roman numeral numbers in the middle of each. The last band on her arm always hand numerals that kept changing every fricking night.
What in the aca-hell was that about anyways?! Stacie thought to herself as she rubbed her temples. They were at yet another party, this time hosted by one of the frats friends with the Bellas. The speakers were blaring the right kind of music, the drinks kept flowing, and all Stacie could think about was the weirdness that was the glowing tattoo on Beca's hand.
It didn't help that she caught a glimpse f said hand tattoo-free as Chloe dragged her out of the Bellas house earlier to join them. Yep, it was because of that. Now Stacie couldn't take her mind off of it.
The tattoo, when it appears, apparently causes her pain too. And when it's about to appear, Beca tries to dodge company, which makes it painfully obvious that she's keeping whatever the deal behind that was a secret.
Which makes sense, Conrad. If that ever happens to you, would you ever want to let the Bellas know? Stacieonce thought.
It made sense for Beca to keep it a secret.
But to Stacie, it didn't.
Because yes, she would want the Bellas to know.
Which made her understand Beca even more. She didn't have anyone like the Bellas, who would she run to and ask for help or something?
Amy provided the answer one afternoon, after admitting she set Lilly loose after Jesse Swanson.
Stacie went to apologize that evening after tracking down Jesse. He looked quite traumatized but apparently no mater whatever the hell it was that Lilly did, he barely budged – so kudos to him, she guessed. Amy was rather impressed. And of course Lilly started to respect him more.
The only information that Jesse did give was that if they wanted to know what was going on, ask Beca directly. But knowing that would be futile effort, he also provided Emily as a possible source of information.
Stacie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She scanned the room she was in as she looked for Beca and Chloe but the two have disappeared from her sight. Checking her phone, she saw a message from Amy saying that they were all by the pool outside.
Which meant that Stacie was free to keep an eye out on Emily and maybe find an opening. Because yes, they really do want to get to the bottom of things, preferably fast. As much as Stacie wants to be wary of Beca, well, she was making it very hard to do so.
Amy's resolve was already crumbling itself. Apparently the two of them shared an "epic roomie moment" and that they were now on their way to being BFFs. They already knew about her internship, at least Amy, Lilly, and Stacie herself did, and Amy said that Beca kid of opened up a little bit to her the other night, and bit more just yesterday. Amy was still unsure how to go about asking Beca the question about her glowing hand because "What if she says she's an alien or something, cappy? I don't think my awesomeness can handle that." or so Amy worried.
So far, Legacy was sticking with the too-nice-to-be-a-Treble kid, Benji. Stacie started moving, following them out the front porch after something – by his reaction of waving a hand, Stacie would guess it was more of a someone – caught his attention and he grabbed an anxious Emily by the hand to lead the way out.
Stacie lost sight of her and Benji though as she kept running into a bunch of other college kids.
What she did find, however, was an old familiar face. One of Chloe's – and by extension Aubrey's, though she refuses to admit it – college friends, Luke.
Stacie felt for her phone again and shot a quick message, this time to Lilly.
Lilly was quick with a response in the form of a live audio feed of their chatter. The line was a bit choppy, but somehow the image of Lilly in a tree-top somewhere trying to record everything made Stacie remember she should just be thankful she didn't have to do it herself.
Words like "reaper" and "tests" were popping up, and without the full context, she really couldn't make any sense of it.
"Hey Stacie, saw you leaving, what's the plan?" Amy then said, out of breath as she suddenly caught up with her. Stacie turned to give her a questioning look.
"I thought I told you to keep an eye out on Beca and Chloe?"
"Chloe jumped into the pool again, Beca and CR helped her out and took the shortcut back to the house. When I saw you leave, I figured you might need someone exactly with my skill sets."
"I… well… just come follow me… long story, but here." Stacie mumbled as she quickly attached a pair of earphones to her phone, handing one to Amy. "Lilly shared her location so we should be able to catch up with them."
"With who now?"
"Legacy, Benji and Luke."
"Tall, yummy, and still needs to be mine Luke?"
"Yeah, one and only." Stacie replied with a chuckle. "I thought you had a steady thing going with Bumper." she then commented.
"Bumper understands that momma's a Rolling Stone." was Amy's quick response as they hurried on over to where Lilly was.
They were still on a mission after all.
And one way or another, they were going to get their answers tonight.
Emily was having a crisis, she really couldn't get things out of her head, hence why Benji called Luke to help calm her down and make a plan to deal with the Kommissar when she pops up again.
Because yes, Emily is most definitely a neophyte in all of this and this is her first mission. She also really does care for Beca. So yeah, failing wasn't an option.
With the difficult task at hand – considering Beca's brief encounters with the Kommissar too – Emily and her two cohorts decided that it would be best to let Beca into the loop of things.
No, they still really can't tell her what her test was all about but the official guardian angels rulebook didn't say anything about warning Beca of reapers after her soul. They're not allowed to say who though, at the end of the day, Beca needs to make life decisions based on her own will. The rules were annoying, sure, especially at times like this, but Emily had to adhere them. Vague warnings might not mean much but her goal right then was to guide Beca, and this fell into the realms of guiding her.
Hence why after Emily tracked Beca down at the Bellas house, she ushered her outside to meet Luke and Benji by the lakeside and let her know about the reapers.
Beca looked both curious and amused when she saw Luke cheerfully greet her. As soon as they started talking about the reapers though, the amusement disappeared. Beca's brows were deeply knotted together and Emily couldn't get a read on her thoughts.
"So let me get this straight." Beca then said, once Luke was done with his explaining. "After living a life that apparently amounted to close to nothing despite the success I gained because my soul can't be judged, I'm stuck here on earth reliving a moment in my life I've let slipped to undergo a test – a test whose nature I don't know – so that my soul can be judged. I go through the same daily routine of fighting every urge to overthink and just 'live' – because apparently that's all Emily can say to help me – and not worry that I'm heading down the same path or worse with each and every decision I make. I go through every night in the same maddening existence, trying to escape people's company to hide the fact that I have a literal timer on my hand that only conveniently appears at midnight telling me when I'll finally run out of time. By the way, it hurts like hell each time it appears, just so we're clear. And now you're telling me there are so-called reaper things who are going to try and steal my soul and drag me to literal hell."
"Yep, pretty much that." Luke replied unfazed of Beca's rising temper. "You can be flip all you want, Beca, but we're telling you this because if they get to you, you fail your trial and that's it. You get a one way ticket to hell."
"And none of this seem unfair to you? Not the fact that you can't tell me who the reapers are, nope? You have Emily here telling me to open up to people and now you're telling me I need to be wary? Dude, trust me, flip is the least thing I am right now 'cause I've had about enough of your vague warnings or nudges."
"I'm really am sorry we can't tell you much Beca…" Benji then started to but in before Beca shushed him with a glare. Emily was a little thankful it wasn't directed to her, that was her little bit of relief.
But mostly she was still struggling with all of it too. The need to help Beca, the desire to pull her first mission off with a success. If people think angels don't get tested to, they're so wrong.
It's just their trials are a little bit different. They're all internal.
And mostly personal.
"If we directly influence any of your decisions, Beca, then you fail too. The only reason why we're giving you a head's up is because the enemy does not play fair by the rules of engagement. They'll try everything to steal your soul. I know it's frustrating, all the mixed signals, but it is what it is. You just have to trust your gut."
"Ugh, you're not helping! Would you just stop messing with my head already?" Beca then said, throwing her hands up in the air before rubbing her temples together as she tried to calm herself down. Emily watch her start pacing – stomping really – back and forth, shaking.
And there was nothing more that Emily wanted to do but tell her it's going to be okay.
But Beca needs to process this on her own.
"I hate this. I hate all of this. What if I end up trusting the wrong person?" she asked, looking up and addressing Emily this time.
And it was then at that moment, upon meeting Beca's stare, that Emily truly felt like she was Beca's guardian angel.
Her glassy-eyed look telling Emily that the burden of her fears and thoughts were too much, that brief flash of a look that tells her that Beca was seeking her guidance, that's when she knew.
Emily took a deep breath and fought back all her own fears too. Her charge needed her.
"You won't Beca. You've got good instincts, trust them. And if you can't, I'm here remember, trust me. I promise, I'll do everything I can not to let you down. I know it's confusing and tough, but I'm here." Emily then replied. "We just don't want you in danger, that's all. Be mindful, but don't overthink. I know right now it doesn't make any sense why I keep saying 'just live' but I'm hoping when the time comes you will. You've found something in the Bellas, haven't you?"
Beca took a deep breath and looked away. The heartbroken look on her face was enough for Emily as an answer.
Yes, she most definitely has.
And Emily could tell that Beca wasn't sure how to feel about it.
"Listen Beca, I know it's trying but the point of the trial is figuring it out. We're here to give you options, be the voice of reason, and point things out. But sometimes, even if you follow all the rules, you still completely miss the point and no good will come of it. Tell you what, all I'm saying is live your life, make the most of the time you have left. Think about what lessons you're supposed to learn, what life's all about and all those fun things." Luke then said.
"What Luke's saying is that we're sorry we can't give concrete answers, but we are here if you need us Beca. We just wanted you to know what you're up against." Emily then summarized.
Beca nodded with a huff as a response.
"And if you need to talk about anything…" Emily started to say, sensing that Beca had a few things he needed to get off her chest but she simply shook her head.
"Thanks, I guess. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I kinda need to go." Beca then said before quickly making her way back to the house.
Emily wanted to run after her, but Luke stopped her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Let her have some time to process. We want to help her Ems, but we can't suffocate her. Besides, you should have a moment too. Breathe and relax and don't over think. The Kommissar is after her but we have time. She doesn't exactly have a good reason to keep popping up around Beca. That would make her suspicious. Which means that if the occasion doesn't arise, all we have to do is prepare for the inevitable run in at the Worlds." Luke said. "And if you need help Benji's here. I think I'll stick around too. Got that?"
Emily took a deep breath and nodded.
And that was that, meeting adjourned, they could all go back to their own corners and focus on the whole task at hand.
It would be the case for Benji who went back to the party and Luke who promised to be back after making a report about the reapers as he disappeared into a soft glow of light.
But most definitely not for Emily who, halfway back towards the Bellas house, was cornered by a teary-eyed Stacie and Amy, with Lilly sticking around behind them.
"Wh-what's going on?" Emily asked, unsure.
"We heard everything." was Stacie and Amy's chorused reply.
Emily looked at them confused before realizing that they meant the talk about Beca.
"I-I…" Emily begun to say, searching for any reason, any sort of explanation, for the things they might have overheard.
"We also have a video of everything so don't try to deny it!" Amy then argued. "That and a mountain of evidence collected by Lilly! Right Lilly?"
Lilly nodded.
"Which means you also have to start telling the truth to us Emily. We care about what's happening here, especially to Beca. We saw Luke disappear into some weird light, we've seen the mark on her hand. What's going on?" Stacie then said.
Emily gulped. Between the serious look on Stacie's face, the frantic one on Amy's, and the almost threatening look on Lilly's, she felt like she had no other choice.
Emily knew the whole thing was never going to be easy, but somehow, Beca's case and her mission had just reached multiple new levels of complicated.
She was so going to get a scolding from St. Peter.
Her head was hurting from all of the thinking. From everything that's happened to her since the day she met St. Peter, Beca was basically just trying to keep the overwhelming feelings threatening to swallow her whole at bay.
Ad now she has to worry about her soul because of so called reapers.
The timer's gone off, another day gone, and the stinging feeling left on her arm was a good enough distraction from the thoughts that haunt her when she's alone at night.
Talking with Chloe helped. With the insanity that was the Bellas prepping for the Worlds, the two found themselves sharing the couch together past midnight, just talking. About the competition, about the Bellas, about everything. But with the party that night and Chloe's deeply inebriated state, Beca knew there wouldn't be any late night talks to distract her.
To distract her from starting to care about the Bellas, about wanting to win the Worlds, or about making Chloe smile.
To distract her from the truth that she found something to care about just as she was counting the days before saying goodbye.
Beca placed her hand on the doorknob, hesitating for a minute to get out of the bathroom in her shared attic room with Amy. A part of her had wanted to just simply hide away there, another part figured that maybe having the possible company of Amy for the night might not be so bad. With that in mind, she took a deep breath and opened the door to reveal the strange sight before her. Stacie and Amy were both sitting by the foot of Amy's bed looking rather emotional, Lilly stood silently by the corner of the room, and Emily hung out by the door, rubbing the back of her neck.
Beca looked at Emily confused, "They figured stuff out." she admitted and Beca nodded before being swept off by a bawling Amy off her feet.
"Oh Shorty! We're sorry!" she cried out before all but diving into Beca's bed, with her full weight on top of her.
It didn't help that Stacie joined in, diving towards where the two were messily sprawled on the bed, holding onto Beca. "Just don't think much of it now, okay Beca? You're a Bella now. You're not alone in this anymore." she then added before feeling another bit weight on top of her, Lilly joining in.
Beca absolutely was not a fan of hugs – well, maybe except Chloe's for some reason – but for that moment, she welcomed it.
Something about what Stacie said reminded her of what Jesse said the night he found out too. She wasn't alone anymore.
But now, it felt different. When Jesse said it after that night, she knew she could count on her best friend whenever she asked for his help.
Now Beca was understanding what Chloe meant when she said the Bellas were a family. Because now, ask for their help or not, she knew the Bellas have her back and never leave Beca alone.
Because now, Beca has found her unexpected family.
And she couldn't help but think that perhaps this was the silver lining in her trials. That she gets to live at least a year having a family like the Bellas.
A/N Pt 2: Hey! So, last update on the sched for sure! It'll be Tues and Sun. I'm adjusting things based on the demands of my workload but I think this one's the winner and most reasonable/reliable one. Anyways, thanks for the continuous support guys, you keep me going. The notes, comments, reviews, and messages are all deeply appreciated. You've been awesome readers from the start and you still are!
UPNEXT: Aftermaths of unsuccessful performances! Bechloe! And Beca starts to realize something?