AN: I usually start these chapters apologising for the awfulness of my spelling and grammar. I won't this time because I damn well tried my best to edit on my ipad!
Shout out to Allicat606 from ArchiveOfOurOwn for proofreading. Blame her if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes... Kidding!
Check out her story there too!
It hasn't been that long of a day, but the two drove back home calling it as much. Beca parked in her designated spot across from her building and helped Chloe carry her belongings in.
"You Miss Beale, can shop anywhere!" Beca practically admired the girl and the several shopping bags they carried from the stores they passed.
"It helps to know fashion," Chloe winked and returned to the task of carrying her luggage from the trunk.
"It helps to have money," Beca retorted. The teacher wasn't exactly required to work. She did because of expectation, to have something to do, and something about giving back and feeling good. Her family was more than happy to support her for life, which explained how she could afford attending college for a few more years than most.
"That too," she giggled, not one to brag. Not that she hid her wealth either, but a show off, she was not. "You're not doing too badly for yourself I see," she managed to get the bag to the floor, before nodding her head at the apartment building, emphasising her earlier statementg they walked over to.
"Loans to be paid off, and abusing Stacie's celebrity status." Beca explained easily, dreading the repayments that loomed over her at the end of every month.
"You're doing alright though?" Chloe's concern was evident on her face, which Beca appreciated but simply laughed at.
"I'm good, no student loans remember." Beca didn't really want to talk about her father for too long, but he was the reason she had one less financial issue to worry about. "Besides, half the car's a present for sticking it out in Barden."
"He must be proud of you," Chloe smiled excitedly at her, happy to hear that Beca's father was supportive of this move.
"Proud, happy to get rid of me. Same thing right?" Beca's sarcasm was evident, and Chloe would usually let it slide, but didn't like how negative her little friend would be about her relationship with her father.
"Don't say that," Chloe wanted to add more but Beca stilled her efforts.
"It's fine," Beca was almost apologetic. "He's already visited with Sheila and they even said how happy they were to have a reason to visit the beach more often." She expressed easily, in hopes to relieve Chloe's role of being the friend who'd fix her relationship with her father.
"That's great. What about your mom?" She progressed the conversation along as they got in and out of the elevator.
"Mom said she'd try to fly out with her boyfriend for Thanksgiving," Beca explained. "Guess everyone would rather the warmth of the west coast."
Chloe laughed at that as Beca fished for her keys and opened the door to her apartment. The brunette held the door open for her friend and allowed her entry first, wheeling in her luggage behind her.
"You've traded up, Becs." Chloe admired the interior, looking around and taking it all in. Her home much less busy than the room Chloe's used to Beca living in. "Oh honey, you cleaned," she turned to the brunette, having noticed the occasional pizza box left over night, or pile of clothes in the background of their Skype calls.
"Of course, I wouldn't want you living in my filth," Beca laughed. "I don't think you could handle it as well as Fat Amy had did," she practically challenged as Chloe dug out out her phone and pulled Beca in for a selfie.
"Smile," Chloe looked at them, before turning her head to place a kiss on Beca's cheek, making her wince one eye closed. She inspected the photo and grinned, stating a quick "perfect," before sending it to their group.
Beca's phone buzzed in response, grabbing it to inspect Chloe's message.
Chloe: *photo* Our little DJ's all grown up and cleaning her own apartment!
Jessica: *heart*
Lily: (^3^)
Ashley: Miss you guys!
Fat Amy: BLOE!
Beca: She threatened me…
Chloe looked up from her phone at a grinning Beca. "I did not!" She grabbed the pillow off the bed behind her and ran after Beca, who made her way around the kitchen island. Chloe didn't hesitate to hurl the pillow, missing the brunette, before pursuing the DJ.
Once Chloe made it around the island, Beca ran to the bed, jumping onto the mattress in hopes of getting to the other side. Chloe was fast enough to grab her by the ankle, causing her to fall flat on the bed. The older girl tugged her leg, but she refused to give in without a fight, turning around in hopes of keeping the redhead at arm's length.
Chloe was now climbing over the brunette, who didn't stop squirming, until she grabbed her wrists, pinning them down on either side of above her head, and the rest of her body with hers.
"I Give! I Give!" Beca screamed with laughter as the added weight stilled her. Her breathing slowed as she looked up and realized how close Chloe's face is to hers right now. Beca's face must have turned red, as she felt heat rise from her toes. Then Chloe simply smiled, like it was the most normal thing, unaware of how badly Beca wanted to just…
"You're insanely cute when you're awkward" Chloe admitted, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek before getting off her, not wanting to discomfort her host too much.
"I can't believe you won't sleep in the same bed as me," Chloe whined as Beca settled into the couch.
"It's not exactly a big bed," Beca replied, while fluffing the spare pillow.
"It's the same size as the one back in the Bella house," Chloe challenged. She was right and it's not like Beca and Chloe haven't slept in the same bed, if not tighter spots, together. Beca just wasn't…
"I bought this couch to sleep on, and I damn well will, Beale!" Beca huffed in faux annoyance and plopped down on the couch that fit her size perfectly. She couldn't very well explain herself right now.
"Suit yourself, but don't you dare crawl into this bed later and maul me, Mitchell."
"You wish!" Beca turned away from Chloe, facing the back of the couch to sleep. She wasn't all too tired, where Chloe was asleep in no time after her flight and their day in the sun.
Beca's phone vibrated and Stacie's name flashed on the screen. She checked over her shoulder to see if Chloe was asleep before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hey. Having fun without me?"
"We had a good day, Chloe's really enjoying it here."
"I miss you… and I'm so horny."
"Stacie." Beca practically warned the model with her tone. "Chloe's asleep-"
"Then she won't hear you panting for me. Come on Beca~"
"I'm not going to do that."
"Why not? It's been over a week, you haven't found someone else have you?"
"I'm surprised you haven't."
"How could I, when all I can think about is you, using that toy I bought you to-"
"Good night Stacie." Beca hung up. It wasn't that she wanted to be rude, but after the Chloe confusion and now this. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't turned on and struggling.
It didn't take long for Stacie to send Beca a message either. The harder Beca pulled away, the faster Stacie sprung back. She opened the message to an Image of the model in a provocative outfit and stance that would put Victoria Secret models to shame. She had to bite her lip, hating how badly she wanted to touch Stacie's body. To let loose and dominate her over and over.
Chloe must have stirred or mumbled something, drawing Beca back from her fantasy. She almost forgot the redhead was even there. Her eyes now checking she hadn't woken her up, before landing on the bedside table with said toy hidden in the drawer. She made a mental note to hide that toy in a less obvious place. She could only imagine how disgusted Chloe would be. The thought alone made her feel bad, and she buried her head into the pillow, hoping she wouldn't have to deal with that conversation.
"You sure I can come?" Chloe asked for the hundredth time as Beca packed for her recording session with Ashton.
"For the love of god Chloe, yes. Stacie comes all the time," Beca admitted, picking up her laptop bag and purse before heading to the door. "Unless you want to go shop."
"Are you kidding? I get to see the inside of an actual recording studio. I'm not passing that up!" Chloe walked past Beca and out of the apartment.
"Just make sure to keep it all confidential, and don't worry about anything Ashton says," Beca forewarned, now used to her colleague/supervisor. He was such a softy, and she had leverage with Stacie as a friend.
"Can you stop bringing your friends to the booth?" Ashton whined as Beca walked ahead of him with Chloe.
"It's my scheduled time, meaning it's my choice who I can and can't bring with me." She challenged him to walk out on the only available slot they managed. "You didn't seem to mind when it was Stacie," Beca wasn't above dangling that string in front of him either.
"Fine, but you really need to start working as part of a team." Ashton practically coached her, playing his role of acting supervisor.
"Tolerating you is more than enough work," she teased back, and he feigned heartache as he grabbed at his chest.
"You hurt me."
Chloe watched the interaction bemused by Beca's comfort with her friend from work. From what the DJ had told her, it seemed that she had very few, and was glad that Ashton was a good guy. He kind of reminded her of Jesse even.
The two producers talked for a few minutes before Beca walked into the recording booth and started to sing the lyrics Ashton had rewrote. The same segment of the song replayed a few times as Beca sung the words in the different ways they'd discussed, accommodating to the song as needed. This went on for an hour.
"Live me or let me die?" Chloe interrupted after their last take, questioning the lyrics. She looked over to Beca who shrugged and pointed at Ashton.
"It's still a work-in-progress… It's either that or Leave me and let me die."
"Why so negative?" Chloe asked just as Beca returned from the booth.
"It's not exactly a happy song, Chlo'," Beca clarified briefly, knowing her friend had only heard maybe three or four lines. They were almost out of time for today to argue anymore, and Beca wasn't too happy with the progress, but if this is what helped Ashton to modify his lyrics, then she'd do it, for now.
"Haven't seen Stacie for a while…" Ashton stated, but was evidently curious of her whereabouts as Beca packed.
"Yeah, she's out in Miami for a photoshoot. She's back at the end of the week."
"Oh, when she's back… Do you think maybe you could put in a word for me? I'd kind of like to ask her out," Hope filled those teal eyes that even Chloe had to admit were beautiful against his tanned skin. His height also made him a pretty decent candidate for Stacie.
"Oh, I don't think she's available," Beca replied before she even knew what she was saying. This was Stacie. She's ALWAYS available.
Chloe turned and watched the younger girl skeptically, as Beca seemed apologetic to Ashton. She couldn't help the feeling that something was different now. Beca would never act as Stacie's filter. She's never frankly cared if Stacie slept with half the world. Maybe it was because she worked with Ashton. That must be it.
"Before I forget. This chick wants to be my publicist," Beca mentioned to Ashton, who hid his disappointment well.
"Publicists are tricky, but give her a shot before you hit your fame. It's a good opportunity to test her."
"You mean our fame," Beca offered kindly, genuinely feeling bad about keeping Stacie to herself, or whatever it was she was doing.
"There's the team spirit. See you Saturday?" He smiled, the kind of smile that would make everyone in the room smile, and they did.
"See you Saturday."
"It was nice meeting you," Chloe waved bye as they walked out.
Beca, having promised to pick Stacie up, waited with Chloe by the car as the model was escorted to them out of the airport terminal.
"Hey Pitches!" Stacie hugged the two girls as security stood nearby. "I've missed you!" She didn't hesitate to kiss the top of both their heads before turning to the bodyguard and waving him away.
"Missed you too, S." Beca replied, which made Chloe laugh. Partly because it sounded too Gossip Girl for Beca, and partly because Stacie was such a Serena* that it freakishly worked. Along with the obvious initial of Stacie's name, of course.
Beca got in the car, opening the trunk from the driver's seat for the airport staff to load up with a couple of Stacie's bags before tipping him.
"How've you been Chloe?" Stacie walked ahead and around the car, before turning to face the redhead.
"Great, it's been so good being under the sun," she reached for the passenger seat door and opened it.
"Thanks," Stacie smiled and got in next to Beca. Chloe stood surprised, only snapping out of it as Beca called for her to get in before the paparazzi caught up. Her brows furrowed in anger, she was no door man.
AN: So I've been asked to write longer chapters, and I have been trying to update more frequently regardless. Hope this kills two complaints with one update. Let me know what you guys think! I'd also like to hear your thoughts on Ashton's lyrics *cough* my lame attempts at writing lyrics. Which do you prefer of the two lines, if either, or if it's all shit. Let me hear it! =)
*Serena is a character from Gossip Girl, and I'm a weirdo who likes putting eastereggs in stories =D