"I didn't tell her so much as she busted in here looking for you and catching me red handed, much like your shower singing."

"You know about that?!" Chloe asked Toby but looked to Beca with the best glare the always happy girl could muster.

"Sorry. It kind of came out one night."

Chloe just smiled and let it go. Jesse jumped in and started asking Toby about her guitar. He couldn't play but was always fascinated with them. While Toby talked with him she didn't notice Beca and Chloe slip into the hall.

…

The impromptu jam session was like an epiphany for Toby. She had accepted her feelings for Chloe weeks before but that night was the proof she needed. Proof might not have been the right word so much as the push she needed to say something to Chloe about her feelings.

Her friends pushed her too. Which resulted in Toby's captain deciding to throw a jersey party during an Atlanta Hawks' games. Now it was Toby's turn to beg Beca to go.

"You owe me." Toby stated as Beca walked into their dorm.

"Well hello to you too, Toby. I had a great day. Thanks for asking." Beca shot. Toby rolled her eyes. "How do I owe you?"

Beca tossed her bag on her bed and walked over to her laptop and equipment. Toby waited until she was seated to answer Beca's question and start the attack.

"I went to the finals party. You asked, I went. So you owe me. I had a paper due the next day that I almost didn't finish."

"It was one page! It's not my fault you wanted to sleep in!"

Toby looked at Beca until she relented.

"Okay, fine! I owe you. What do you want?"

"There's a party tonight."

"Nope. Not going."

"Yes, you are! You owe me! Come ooonnn, Beca! Please!" Toby knew she was whining but she needed Beca to go. Toby was given the same rules as Beca was about bringing people. "It's at the apartments again. Your Bella's will be there. I promise. I can invite Jesse too. As long as he brings Benji Aubrey won't care! Plus Luke is going to be there. You can ask him more about your mixes!"

"Why is Luke going to be there?" Confusion temporarily derailing the small DJ.

"Chloe didn't tell you? He and Aubrey are sort of a thing. Like not dating yet but they've been hanging out."

"Oh god, she's going to ruin this for me." Beca put her hands to her temples.

"No, she won't. Aubrey's not vindictive enough to mess with your life outside of the Bella's." Beca started to argue but Toby cut her off. "Not the point! You've gotta come! Please, Bec. If you do I'll owe you. I'll do whatever you want!"

Beca thought for a minute before she got up and looked in her closet. Toby waited knowing she wasn't ignoring her. Beca wasn't petty like that, not with Toby. After what felt like forever she pulled out a jersey. It was a white and green pinstripe button-up baseball jersey that read Greenjackets across the front.

"You're lucky I brought this. I wasn't going to go if I didn't!"

Toby beamed at her. "What are the Greenjackets?"

"A minor league team in my home town. My cousin plays for them."

"Seriously? That's sick, Beca! That his number?" Toby motioned at the seven on the jersey.

"Yep."

"Sweet! We're probably going to match, you alright with that? I was planning on wearing an Indians jersey."

"No worries. I just won't stand next to you all night like I was originally planning to." She smirked and Toby stuck her tongue out. Toby recently started resorting to childlike comebacks since Beca always had another snarky remark on the heels of her own. It was the only way to win.

The roommates hung out until it was time to get ready and leave. Then they met up with their normal group of party-goers, with the addition of Jesse and Benji, and headed towards the upperclasssmen's apartments.

The jersey party was much more out of control than the last. This one was on a Saturday night. Both the basketball team and the Bella's had the next day off. A win meant that the team was unquestionably in party mode. The men's team had won as well and showed up in a similar state.

There were the random people that lived in the complex that Toby still didn't know along with their friends at the party but Toby preferred that there was a variety of people. Things didn't get boring.

Some of the other residents had come out too. The Hawks' game was playing on a few TVs that the residents must have drug out. There was loud music playing and two kegs. No bird bath ice holder like last time. Obviously, Aubrey didn't plan this party. A few chairs were scattered in front of the different TVs and the two beer pong tables were out again but nothing fancy like the Bella's co-captain would have had.

The group of freshmen walked in and directly into an already drunk Maddie, Katie, and Chloe. Toby raised her eyebrows at the three. It was only 9pm. Toby then scanned the party for Charlotte and found her sitting with Aubrey; Toby was always sure to find the snooty captain when she entered a party environment. The two captains were sipping delicately on what Toby assumed was beer while talking with Luke and a few others. The three drunks greeted the newcomers enthusiastically.

Maddie and Katie gave Toby a quick hug before doing the same to the rest of the group, a fist bump from each for Beca. Chloe jumped on Toby as soon as she noticed we arrived, a good minute after Maddie and Katie, and effectively breaking off a conversation with a kid I didn't recognize.

"Hi! I'm so happy you came!"

"Hey Chlo. Me too." Toby hugged her back.

Chloe held on longer and Toby started to feel awkward with so many people around. Toby gently let go of the girl knowing her cheeks were tinted pink. Chloe giggled at Toby as she turned her attention to everyone else.

The group dispersed into the party. Jesse and Benji wondered over to Aubrey and Luke, Stacie and Amy to the pong tables with Grace and Rachel. Beca talked with Maddie and Katie for a short while before making her way to Jesse. Toby saw her register who Jesse was with before changing direction to a keg. Toby laughed quietly to herself.

Toby stayed to talk with Maddie and Katie but Chloe wandered away. The tall brunette looked for her once she noticed Chloe was gone. Toby spotted her in the middle of, what could only be assumed was, the dance floor. Toby had a slight frown on her face which prompt Maddie to explain as she followed Toby's eyes.

"The girl likes to dance when she gets drunk. Don't worry about it." She grabbed Toby's arm and led her away from the redhead. Maddie got a beer for Toby then the two went to watch the game. Toby wasn't a Hawks fan but she was a fan of good basketball. She could watch any team as long as the game was good.

That was not tonight's case. Toby got bored in the fourth quarter with the Hawks in coast mode as they had a 15-point lead and scanned the party again for Chloe. Toby found her still on the dance floor and dancing with some guy a little too close for Toby's liking.

Toby's a jealous person. She wouldn't lie and when she's drunk it gets amplified a bit. Tonight Toby was more than a little drunk. Maddie had been keeping a beer in her hand so Toby would take a drink every few minutes purely on reflex. Before she knew it, Maddie was telling Toby she wouldn't get her any more beer unless Toby slowed down. That was after beer seven within three quarters and a halftime of basketball.

Toby got up and made her way to Chloe. She ignored the looks she got for pushing her way straight through the dancing drunks. Chloe spotted her while Toby was still a few feet away. Toby thought she saw Chloe smile a little but the redhead didn't stop dancing. Her partner didn't see Toby coming. The tall brunette tapped him on the shoulder and as he turned she had already taken Chloe's hand, pulling her away.

"Hey! What are you doing?" was yelled after the two girls.

Toby didn't go back the way she came. Instead, she directed them out of the archway entrance. Chloe didn't question where they were going. She just followed with her hand in Toby's.

It wasn't until the two were outside of the courtyard that Toby realized she didn't think this far ahead. But, she just kept walking. As they neared the edge of the building Chloe tugged Toby to a stop/

"What's up?" She didn't sound mad that Toby just dragged her away from her good time or even surprised. Toby just looked at her and shrugged.

"I dunno. I just didn't want to be in there anymore." It wasn't really a lie. Toby just didn't say why she didn't want to be in there. She smiled but didn't press Toby's answer.

"Anywhere else in mind or were you just gonna drag me around?" Toby scrunched her face up with a half-smile in admittance. "So that's a no then." Chloe laughed.

Chloe tugged on Toby's hand again as she started walking, turning her palm to lace their fingers. Instead of staying on the main road they turned and followed the path around the building. Chloe singing along with the music was the only noise between the two.

"Maybe after a quick lap you'll be good to go back in. How much did you drink?"

"Maddie kept handing me drinks as soon as mine was empty so I don't really know. Then she cut me off. Why? And how come you're not more drunk? You were drunk when we got here."

"Well you aren't walking so straight, my friend. I think it's safe to say you may have had too many." Chloe giggled and moved from holding Toby's hand to latching onto her arm. "I slowed down right before you guys got here. I didn't want to be passed out before midnight!"

They continued on in silence until they stopped in front of the archway again. Chloe untangled herself from Toby's arm and stood in front of her. Toby's hand itched to reach out for hers again.

"Ready to go back in?"

"Are you gonna go back and dance?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow at the question then looked Toby straight in the eye as she answered. "Not if you don't want me to."

"Okay, I don't. Let's go back in." Toby answered easily as she took Chloe's hand again and started towards the party. Toby missed the smile that flashed across Chloe's face as she let herself be led back to the party.

They made their way over to where their friends were sitting. This time there were plenty of chairs but Chloe still ended up in Toby's lap with her hand in Toby's hair. Drunk Toby is not observant at all so she missed the look exchanged by Aubrey and Chloe or the low five between Maddie and Rachel. Toby also missed Beca whisper something to Amy as the Aussie laughed and passed it on to Stacie.

Around 1:30am the cops showed up to shut the party down. They didn't bother carding anyone. They just asked everyone to go home quietly and waited while the partiers did just that. Toby had every intention of saying something to Chloe about the way she felt but her teammates didn't give her a chance to even say goodbye to the redhead.

"Oh no, champ. Not tonight." Rachel said as she grabbed Toby's arm, redirecting her from her path towards Chloe and the cops. "You're going to want to be sober for that conversation."

Toby's argument was cut off by Grace and Maddie voicing their agreement. Then Beca, Amy, and Stacie walked up so Toby shut her mouth. She wanted to be the one to tell Chloe and didn't trust Amy not to blab.

Once the boys joined the girls, they headed for the dorms. The walk was cold and long. The group chatted as they walked but Toby kept quiet, lost in thought. Her drunk mind was fumbling for a plan to talk to Chloe. Twice, she turned around to get it over with but each time she walked right into the human blockade of Rachel and Grace. Sober Toby would have thanked them.

…

A week after guitar time with Chloe, which Rachel and Grace about died over because it was so cute and perfect and romantic. Their exact words which caused Toby to roll her eyes every time, and a week after the jersey party Toby noticed her mom acting funny.

She put off their Skype dates and was short with Toby on the phone. She also cancelled coming to Toby's game on Saturday with the excuse that she couldn't get work off. That woman hadn't taken a day off in two years. She had the vacation days to spare.

Saturday morning, all of Friday and Thursday night too, Toby avoided any contact with the people in her life. She even avoided the old gym knowing Chloe or Maddie would look for her there. Toby was pissed at her mom for bailing and she didn't want to deal with it.

Coach had pulled Toby from the starting line-up too. She had been starting in the previous two games and was playing well. It was out of nowhere.

Toby sat in the training room with a heating pad on her back, hood up and head phones on in between shoot around and the game. She kept my headphones on in the locker room as she changed and as she sat at the end of the bench waiting for warm-ups to start, watching her teammates get extra shots up.

During warm-ups Toby did her best to get out of her funk. She knew being pissy going into a game never ended well. Her mom once told her 'fake it til you make it' knowing Toby was prone to bad moods. So Toby pretended she was game ready by obnoxiously cheering and being loud, going out of her way for high fives and being a little silly.

After warmups, Toby stood in her usual spot in line with her head down as she waited for the national anthem to start. She looked up as the announcer started things off a little differently.

"May I ask that we all rise for the playing of our great country's national anthem? Many dedicated individuals sacrifice day in and day out so that we have the ability to live life the way we do. Those in the military give up much of their lives, and sometimes all of it, for our benefit. We thank them for that but who we don't often think to give gratitude to is the friends and family of those in the military. They sacrifice just as much."

Toby smiled but was still confused. What brought this on? Rachel clapped her on the back and Toby heard a whispered "Thanks, Tobs." After the anthem, the announcer continued with his speech.

"Today we would like to thank two individuals in particular. Our Barden's own #31, Tobin Wright who has not only one loved one dedicated to this country's protection but a father and two brothers as well as numerous grandparents who previously served. Thank you Tobin!"

The crowd cheered and more teammates followed Rachel's act of saying thank you.

"We would also like to thank Navy SEAL Carter Wright who-"

Toby stopped listening as she whipped her head around scanning the crowd. It took her less than three seconds as she watched her brother walk toward center court waving to the crowd as they applauded him. Even without him stepping out he would be easy to spot in his uniform.

Toby looked to Coach to make sure it was okay. At her nod, she sprinted across the court and jumped onto her brother. She locked her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He took a step to steady them so they didn't fall but Toby wouldn't have cared if they did. At 6'1 Carter's 6'4 self is the only person she can spider monkey, she always took full advantage of it. Toby felt the tears start pouring down her cheeks so she buried her head in his shoulder.

"Hey kid." He chuckled but held Toby tight instead of putting her down. The siblings stayed like that for a few moments as Toby got a hold of herself. She let her legs drop and he followed that as a sign to put his little sister down. Toby wiped her face and punched him in the chest.

"You're a jerk." Toby laughed at him before giving him another hug. She looked slightly behind him and found their mom. She pulled the woman into a quick hug and kissed her cheek. "You're a jerk too!"

"I know but surprising you is so worth it!"

"Tobin, we would love to let the reunion continue but it is game time!" The announcer boomed over the sound system. Toby looked back and nodded with a thumbs up. She hugged Carter again.

"Go get'em, baby sister. You're gonna do great." He smiled at Toby with hands on her shoulders. Carter squeezed before letting her go. Toby took a few steps back toward the bench but turned for another quick hug. It had been almost a year since she saw her big brother. The game could wait a few minutes.

Toby jogged back to the lineup. She looked for Chloe as she turned to face the flag. Chloe must have been waiting because as soon as their eyes met she gave Toby a warm smile. Toby returned it before dropping her head in her familiar pregame routine.

As the announcer called the other team's starters Coach Bruno pulled Toby aside.

"That's why you aren't starting" She started nodding her head toward the stands. "Your mom called me earlier this week about it and I didn't want to overwhelm you. I wanted to make sure you were okay before throwing you into a game after seeing him. Your mom said it's been almost a year?"

"Yea. It's been awhile." Toby smiled and looked over to find Carter and her mom surrounded by the Bella's, Jesse, and Benji. "Thanks Coach."

"Anytime. If you're ready, you'll be my first sub, okay?"

"Yea, I'm good!"

The game was a blowout from the start. Barden went up by 10 in the first five minutes. Toby went in as the first sub just as Coach said. With her brother in the stands Toby felt a little more confident than usual. She took a few more chances than normal and it paid off. In the first half, Toby had three 3's and four layups. She also forced three turnovers and grabbed six boards.

Coming back from half the scoreboard read 54-31 in Barden's favor. Unfortunately, the Lady Knights let the other team go on a 14 to two run which brought it to 56-45 early in the second half. Toby walked back out on the court with Taylor to sub out Grace and Anna.

Toby's first play out was an and one as she got fouled hard in transition. She shot up with a yell and a giant fist pump across her body as the ref motioned to count the basket. Toby laughed at herself as Taylor half body slammed/half hugged her and Rachel jumped onto her back. Charlotte met Toby at the foul line with a low ten and a head nod while Julia hit Toby's shoulder as she passed to line up for the foul shot.

Barden climbed back up to an 83-57 win by the time the final buzzer sounded. Thankfully Coach Bruno kept the postgame speech short and Coach Schmitt only agreed with Bruno to cut the time even more. Toby didn't bother showering. She changed quickly, threw her stuff in the baskets they belonged in and charged out of the locker room.

Toby jumped onto Carter again as soon as she saw him. This time she hung onto his back trying to get him in a choke hold. He laughed and detached her, just like he's done since Toby was a kid, as he turned to face his little sister.

"24 points and 13 rebounds? Have you been practicing baby sister?" He slung an arm around Toby's shoulders and kissed her cheek. Toby looked up to him with a giant smile as she nodded. "That's great. You played out of your mind!"

"Thanks! How long are you home?" Toby slid out from under his arm to give their mom a tight hug and another kiss.

"Just until tomorrow. I got in yesterday. We need to leave here tomorrow morning to make it back in time for me to leave."

"Oh." Toby felt her face drop knowing just how little time she had with him but it was better than nothing so she forced the smile out again. "And Dad?"

"He's still out there. He's got another team going." Toby glanced at her mom from the corner of her eye to gauge how she was taking this. Toby saw something when Carter said it but she shook it off.

"Your friends are interesting. I talked to a few of them." She quickly changed the subject.

"Oh yea!" Toby turned, scanning the lobby for the Bella's. It didn't take long since the group stuck out in the midst of parents and siblings. "Come on."

"Mom, Carter. These are the Bella's. That singing group I told you about. And that's Jesse and Benji. They sing too."

"This is them? Oh, I wish I would've known during the game! We could have talked music!"

"Mom, you're supposed to be focused on your baby girl during the game. And didn't you hear them sing the anthem?" Toby shook her head at the older woman. She pointed to each friend as she introduced them. "This is Beca, my roommate, Amy and Stacie who we hang out with a lot, and this is Chloe. And that's Aubrey." Toby added, knowing the senior would be mad if she didn't. The two weren't exactly friends but they weren't not friends either. Toby blame Chloe for the confusion. "Friends, this is my mom, Mia, and my brother, Carter."

Mia jumped into music talk with the girls as Carter put his arm around Toby in a half hug.

"Looks like you're all set here, Tobs. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks. I miss you. A lot. It was great seeing Pete for Christmas and talking to you and Dad but I wish you guys could've been home."

"I know, kid, but you know how it goes. I can't control it. I got to see you play a college game though! That's great, right?" Toby nodded at her brother. "They gave me sometime before we get sent out again. I'm just happy the time fell when a game did. You were awesome."

Toby dropped her eyes to the ground clinging a little tighter with the hand she had around his waist. Despite Carter's attempt to sandwich the bad news between positive things Toby didn't miss that he was leaving soon. She hated that Carter couldn't tell the family where he was headed or why. It added to the worry.

"Hey." Toby looked up at Carter. "It'll be fine. You'll be so busy with all of this," he waved a hand at Toby's friends, "that you won't even notice I'm gone."

"Yea, right. You know that's not true. Maybe I'll just go hang out with Pete. He's my favorite anyways." Toby shoved him off of her with a smile. She didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Toby looked back to the group to find Chloe looking at her. The redhead gave her a comforting smile, concern showing through blue eyes, letting Toby know she noticed the mood change. Toby flashed a smile her way.

Carter told their mom that they needed to leave to make the reservation he made for dinner. As her family said bye to Toby's friends she quickly did the same. Her day had turned from shitty to amazing in the matter of seconds when she saw her brother step onto the court. She was still buzzing with excitement as we walked towards the car.

"I'll meet you guys at the car." Toby threw over her shoulder as she turned around. She jogged past the windows of the lobby, searching. Then she turned her attention towards the expanse of campus in front of her. Not too far off was the group she was looking for.

"Hey!" Toby shouted. They didn't stop so she tried again, louder this time and more specific. "Chloe!"

This time it worked so Toby picked up her pace as her friends turned to see who was yelling across campus like a maniac. As Toby neared, Chloe shooed away their friends. Beca gave her roommate a questioning look before Stacie pulled her away. Toby slowed for the last few feet between her and the redhead.

"Hey. Shouldn't you be with your family?" As always Chloe had a smile on her face but Toby could see the confusion too. It was clear she hadn't expected to hear from Toby while her family was here, let alone see her.

Toby bent down with her hands on her knees. She laughed at the athlete in front of her as Toby caught her breath.

"I thought you were a collegiate athlete, Toby?"

"A collegiate athlete that just played in a game! Excuse me for being a tad bit winded."

"You seem fine now. What brought you running after me? Other than the fact that you can't keep away." She winked.

"Yea, so," Toby stood up and looked Chloe in the eye, ignoring her joke. "I was uh, wondering if you wanted to go out tomorrow, like just with me, to dinner or something?"

Toby refused to look anywhere but the girl in front of her. She watched as a smile grew on Chloe's face.

"Sure. I'd like that." Chloe answered after a moment.

"Really?" Toby started. "I mean cool. So, I'll text you tonight with some…details. I gotta get back to my family though!"

"Okay! I look forward to it." Chloe flashed a bigger smile and turned to catch up with their friends. Toby waited for her to get to them before turning to leave.

"So what was so important that you had to meet us here?" Carter asked as Toby climbed into the back seat of their mom's car.

"Nothing. Just had to ask Chloe something." Toby was thankful for the dark as she felt her face get hot.

"Uh huh. That must have been some question to have you running across campus to catch her."

"You watched me?!" She slapped Carter from around the seat as he just laughed, holding up his arms in defense.

…

How does dinner at JoJo's sound? I'll pick you up at 6?

And by pick you up I mean walk over to your place to walk you to the diner

Sounds perfect! Maybe 6:30 tho? Bellas is til 5:30. That gives me an hour to get ready

Alright, that's fine. A half hour doesn't mess up my plans

You have plans?! :) :) :)

Nothing that warrants 3 smileys but yes I do

This is exciting! I'm really excited Tobs! And everything warrants 3 smileys :) :) :)

You do realize this is a date? Like you agreed to go on a date with me. I didn't actually say that so just making sure

Yes Tobin. I realize what you were asking and what I agreed to. This convo is officially over! If you're going to be awkward about it I'll just talk to you tomorrow when you get here!

That's prob a good idea…Let me mentally prepare for a whole night with just you

You'll need it ;)

NOT WHAT I MEANT