Another month passed quickly. The end of basketball was always hectic. So many games were shoved into the last couple weeks and every game was important as records were taken into consideration as tournament time neared.
The Bella's were extremely busy as well. The semi-finals were around the corner. As in the end of the week. Aubrey and Chloe had the girls going nonstop with choreography and a steady, not over the top pace with the vocals.
Toby finally knew what nodes were after being told about them back at the beginning of the year. She also knew how painful all of this was for Chloe. But what she didn't know was how to help. So mostly Toby volunteered to grab ice cream on the way over or to massage wherever Chloe was sorest.
The women's basketball team managed to move their day off from Sunday to Thursday to go support the Bella's. All it took was two weeks of Toby, Rachel, Grace, Maddie, Katie, and even Charlotte bugging Coach about how it was only fair since the Bella's came to every home game of ours. It also included extra conditioning time, suggested by Rachel before she realized what she was putting on the table.
The Bella's left early on Thursday for an on-stage rehearsal and sound check before it was their version of game time. That left Toby and her teammates plenty of time to make signs. An attempt to even the score with the Bella's for all their support.
Semis were held in Columbia, SC, which was a decent drive. The girls were on later in the day too. That meant Toby and her friends didn't have to skip class and pray the coaches wouldn't check that day's attendance. The school allowed them to take a van since it was 'one school group in support of another so in principle it is a school function.' Charlotte's argument to the school.
Driving to Columbia was long but manageable after all the away trips the basketball team had been on. The auditorium the competition was held in was huge. There were also a lot of dorky looking people in attendance. Beca was right when she said it was kind of lame. Toby's band of seven, Mar came with to support her Treble boyfriend, made their way to their seats then waited for the Bella's to come on.
The girls made it just in time for the final three performances. The Trebles, who really were amazing like everyone said, a group called The Footnotes, also very good and not expected, and lastly the Bella's.
The small Barden section erupted in obnoxious cheering as the Bella's filed out onto stage. The Bella's fans jumped around getting louder and waving their signs until Aubrey blew into her pitch pipe. The silence fell over the auditorium.
Toby visibly cringed as they started. The atmosphere immediately felt stale. Toby watched her girlfriend sing but then looked around at the audience as Aubrey took over and found bored stares. Toby quickly returned her attention to the stage as she heard Beca start Bulletproof.
Toby's jaw dropped. She looked to Grace who looked equally shocked as Rachel and Maddie just looked impressed. Charlotte shook her head with a slight scowl. Katie sat with her eyebrows raised and Mar was whispering something to her.
The crowd was more into it but Amy had messed up a little on the routine. Toby knew Aubrey was going to be furious. Unless Beca got them into second Aubrey was going to blow up on her. The uptight captain would probably blow up on her regardless. It was a good possibility she would blow chunks too.
As the song ended, the Bella's fan section resumed their over the top cheering. Chloe threw a smile in their direction that was picked up by Stacie and Amy. All three looked worried. Both Beca and Aubrey stormed off stage.
"Come on." Toby urged her friends out of the auditorium. "I think we're going to need to be ready to leave now-ish."
Toby's guess was right as Beca stormed out of the hallway that led to the backstage area. Toby heard Benji yelling after her and took off herself. Beca was far in front of her which forced her into a jog.
"Hey! Bec, wait up." Toby grabbed for her arm to turn her around.
"What?" She snapped. Toby let go and help her hands up.
"Woah. Nothing. I just thought you could use a ride."
Beca looked away with a frown. She went silent then glanced behind Toby to her teammates.
"I'm not going with Charlotte. She's basically Aubrey. She'll lecture me the entire way back. If I wanted that I'd just go back with them."
"Okay." Toby nodded. "Let me go see what I can do. Just wait here, Beca. Please."
Toby turned and hoped Beca wouldn't bolt. She pleaded with Charlotte to go back with the Bella's. Toby knew Chloe would convince Aubrey that it was okay but Toby needed to convince Charlotte. Luckily Maddie stepped up and used her captain card to prove she could handle the responsibility of getting the team and Beca home safely. Charlotte gave one curt nod and left to find the Bella's.
Toby went back to get Beca then they all headed home. Toby's small roommate threw her headphones on immediately and stayed that way until Toby nudged her. It was late; most of the girls were asleep except for Katie who was driving and Grace in the front seat. Toby hoped the distance from the front and back, where the two sat, was enough to let Beca be honest with her.
"Hey." Toby waited until the headphones came off to continue. "What happened?"
"Aubrey fucking ruined everything. Then I got mad and made it worse." Beca looked away. "She said I was sleeping with Jesse. He stepped in. I yelled at him. I yelled at Chloe too."
Toby was quiet as she bit down the anger at Beca for snapping at Chloe. Toby knew it was Beca's defense when she was upset, that she didn't really mean it. Toby also knew that Chloe was probably just trying to help and Beca had been an asshole but Beca needed her friend right now not Chloe's girlfriend.
"She'll forgive you. You know how Chlo is." Toby waited for Beca to go on and when she didn't Toby started questioning again. "Beca, why didn't you go back on the bus with them? For basketball, we have to unless Coach gives us permission."
"I quit." And with that she pulled her headphones back on.
Toby looked at the back of her friend's head as she refused to look anywhere except out the window. Toby wanted to yell at her but that would never end well. She left Beca alone. Just like with snapping at Chloe, Toby knew this was Beca protecting herself. She was quitting before she could get kicked off. It would never happen but she wasn't going to take that chance.
…
Beca had been a hermit since the disaster at semis and Chloe had refused to come to the dorm. It was only a week since then but it felt like forever. Two staples in Toby's life were avoiding each other, Charlotte was giving Toby the cold shoulder at practice because, Toby guessed, her and Aubrey are so close. Not to mention, Chloe was really upset that the Bella's season was over.
Add on top of all of that, it was the last week of regular season basketball. Conference tournament was during spring break, next week, and if the Lady Knights won that they got a bid to go to the NCAA tournament regardless of their record.
In other words, Toby was stressed. Very, very stressed.
Practice had chilled a little bit though. It was one of the positives going on. Coach shortened them to try and keep the players' bodies from completely falling apart.
The Barden women's team was standing on the baseline during practice, listening to Coach Bruno talk about the upcoming games as the door to the gym opened. Dr. Archibald, the athletic director, motioned for Coach Bruno to join him. She nodded to Coach Schmitt after finishing her speech and before making her way over to the man.
"Alright, ladies! Let's scrimmage a little. Green vs. White." Schmitt started after finishing Coach Bruno's train of thought. "You guys are already in your teams. White take the ball up top to start. You're in man on a miss and 3-2 on a make. Point guards! Run what you want. We'll run the difference!"
The players moved to get into the drill as Coach Bruno walked back over.
"Toby, wait. Sam go in for her."
Toby redirected her path from the court to where Coach Bruno was standing. She motioned the freshman further towards half court and away from the subs waiting near the baseline.
"Is your roommate in your dorm?" Toby nodded, confused by her question. "Archie just got a call from your brother, Pete." She waited but Toby just stared blankly at her. No. "He and your mother were informed something went wrong while your father and brother were deployed. They," Coach Bruno paused, not sure how to break the news, "didn't make it, Toby."
Toby dropped her eyes from Coach's to the floor. Her mind was blissfully blank.
"You don't have to stay. I'll pull Rachel to take you back to your dorm. Okay?"
"No. It's fine." Toby finally found her voice after several minutes of silence. She walked out of the gym as coach quickly followed her. Coach Bruno grabbed her arm.
"Toby, wait. Just hang on, okay? You shouldn't go on your own. Just give me a few minutes to get someone to take you."
"Yea, okay. I'll just change and wait in the locker room." Toby replied as she brushed her coach off and kept walking.
Coach veered away. Toby walked right past the locker room and out the door. As the cold March air hit her skin, Toby broke into a run.
Beca jumped as Toby walked roughly into their room. Toby had been zoned out during her entire trek across campus and still was as she walked through the dorm to gather her shower stuff. Toby didn't notice the look Beca shot at her practice gear. Ankle braces, shoes, and lack of any kind of coat in late winter.
"Practice get out early?"
"No."
Toby walked out without another word.
She made it to a shower stall, turned the water on and managed to pull her practice jersey and shirt off. Toby even had both shoes and an ankle brace off and started on the other brace, sitting on the lip that kept the water from running across the floor, before she broke down.
Toby leaned into the wall as sobs wracked her body. Toby bit her hand to keep them quiet but didn't have much success.
"Toby? Hey. Tobs."
"Go away." Toby demanded weakly. She made no attempt to hide the tears from Rachel as she walked into the stall. Rachel stood in front of Toby, breathing heavy, still in her own practice gear.
"No. Coach told me what happened. You can't be alone, Tobs."
"GO AWAY!" Toby yelled. "I don't care what she told you. I. DON'T. WANT. YOU. HERE."
Toby knew in the back of her mind that Rachel was trying to be a good friend. She knew this was a normal thing someone did when their friend was upset but she didn't want it. She didn't want anyone else to acknowledge that this was actually happening. Toby just wanted to yell. It felt good to yell. Or as good as it could get for her at the moment.
Rachel tried to talk again but Toby yelled over her, her shout turning into a scream.
"LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE, RACHEL. JUST LEAVE. I DON'T WANT YOU HERE. I JUST WANT TO FUCKING BE ALONE."
Toby's voice cracked and caught on sobs as she screamed. The sobs becoming stronger, making breathing difficult. Toby heard Rachel's footsteps as she walked out. She didn't bother trying to hide her crying anymore.
Sometime later, Toby's sobs had quieted but didn't leave and she heard footsteps coming towards her. They didn't stop at the edge of the shower stall like Rachel's had but walked right in, stopping in front of Toby, ignoring normal shower etiquette.
Toby felt a hand on her chin trying to pull her attention to the person in front of her. Toby opened her eyes but wished she hadn't. Fresh, and stronger, tears tipped out as hazel met blue. The redhead was crouched in front of Toby, offering a sad smile.
"Hey baby." She began. "Come on."
Chloe pulled Toby up as she stood. Toby didn't fight her like she did with Rachel. Any resolve she had at wanting to suffer alone left when Chloe walked in.
Chloe wiped away some of the tears before starting to undress herself. She nudged Toby's hip to get her to do the same and she did, mechanically. Her body working off muscle memory and Chloe's direction.
Chloe put her hands on Toby's waist and gently pushed the devastated brunette under the steam of water.
"Just focus on me, Tobs. Don't think, okay? Look at me."
Toby did as Chloe asked. The tears were falling freely again, sobs bubbling out; Chloe took Toby's hands and put them around her waist then placed her own on the sides of Toby's face.
"I'm right here." Chloe kissed Toby's cheek then pulled her head to her shoulder and wrapped her arms around Toby's neck and continued to whisper reassurances.
Toby let herself cry into Chloe's hug. Her sobs were replaced by hiccups and once those subsided Chloe pulled away. She handed Toby her body wash.
"Here, do this while I go get another towel. Just focus on that and I'll be right back." Chloe ran her thumbs across Toby's cheeks to wipe away the tears and kissed them both before turning to leave.
Toby did as Chloe asked but she wasn't back when she finished. She felt the tears coming again. Toby squeezed her eyes shut and let the water run over her face to erase the new tears that came out. She stayed like that hoping it would help.
Then she felt arms wrap around her waist and kisses pressed to her shoulder.
"I brought you a towel and Beca is staying with Amy and Stacie tonight." Chloe explained quietly into her shoulder. "Let's go."
Toby nodded and let Chloe pull her out of the shower, wrap a towel around her and lead her down the hall towards her room. Toby was vaguely aware of the pile of clothes and shoes in Chloe's free hand as she dumped them in Toby's hamper.
Chloe dug through Toby's drawers pulling out something for each of them to sleep in. Toby found herself in shorts and a sports bra as Chloe tugged on one of Toby's t-shirts and a pair of Beca's PJ shorts.
Toby crawled in bed as her redhead flipped the lights off. Chloe sat on the edge of the bed and tucked wet hair behind Toby's ear.
"I'm so sorry, Toby."
Toby didn't say anything. She pulled Chloe into bed and buried herself into the redhead's arms. Toby thought she didn't have any tears left but they returned and stayed until Toby fell asleep. The entire time Chloe was whispering in her ear and rubbing circles on her back.
The next morning, Toby woke up to a door closing and itchy eyes. She untangled her arms from Chloe to rub at her eyes. She looked around the empty room.
"That was Beca. She forgot a book for class."
Toby looked beside me; she hadn't noticed that Chloe was awake.
"What do you want to do today?"
Toby shrugged then snuggled back into Chloe. She didn't want to do anything except lay bed with Chloe. No school. No basketball. No friends. No thoughts of her family.
"Okay. I just need to let Aubrey know."
If Toby wasn't so drained, she would've been amazed Chloe understood.
They stayed in bed all day. Beca only came into the dorm when Chloe texted her asking to pick the two up some food. Beca would offer her roommate a smile and grab anything she needed before retreating back out. Toby didn't eat much, or talk at all, but Chloe made sure she ate a few bites of whatever Beca brought them.
The next morning Toby was up and getting ready before Chloe. As she pulled a hoodie over her head, Toby heard a sleepy question come from her bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting ready. I got a call this morning from my dad's boss's secretary. I have to get on a conference call with him and some other Navy guys to discuss the funeral arrangements and wills." Toby's voice was scratchy from lack of use and all the crying she had done.
The call was the last thing she wanted to do. Toby cried herself to sleep two nights in a row. It was exhausting. Toby gave a very tired, very sad smile to her girlfriend as she explained further as Chloe struggled to put the right question together with her foggy morning brain.
"It isn't a good sign that Pete called and not my mom. Or that he called the AD instead of me directly." Toby shrugged, trying to play off the hurt. "I don't have anything from him on my phone. I checked after that call this morning." Toby ran a hand through her hair and let out a gush of air. "I took a day and some change but I can't be shut off from the world if they are, Chlo."
Chloe got up and hugged Toby, who leaned heavily into Chloe, her forehead on Chloe's shoulder. Toby's hands found Chloe's hips as she squeezed to ground herself with the concrete fact that Chloe was with her. Toby could feel the effects of being overwhelmed starting to set in.
"Do you want me to come for your call?"
"Yea. "Toby admitted quietly then added, "if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course not. When do you need to be there?"
"8:30am. Sharp."
"Give me a few minutes to get ready. If I'm not back in time leave without me. I'll meet you there."
Toby had no need to leave before Chloe was ready. The athletic offices were letting the two use their conference room for the call. Toby's leg bounced up and down as she tapped her fingers on the table. Chloe reached over and took Toby's hand but left her leg bouncing.
As the call came in, Toby answered after the first ring and was met by a very official greeting.
"Is this Tobin Wright?"
"Yes sir."
"Tobin, my dear, this is Vice Admiral Mark Armstrong. I apologize for your loss. Both your father and brother will be missed. There are two Naval officials with me who handle the wills and legal issues after a death. They will mostly listen but can answer questions if you have them."
"Thank you, sir. And I understand. Hello." Toby squeezed Chloe's hand. She had said she could keep it together and would but it was still hard to talk about what happening.
"We have a few…complications to discuss before we get into the meat of why we're talking."
"Okay. What are the complications, sir?"
"Have you spoken with your mother since hearing the news?"
"No sir. I haven't spoken with my mother, or brother. Pete called my athletic director while I was at practice. He informed my coach who told me. Have you?"
"No." Toby heard voices in the background but couldn't make out what they said. "Your mother is your father's main beneficiary in his will. If we don't hear from her in 48 hours that responsibility will pass to you."
"Wait. Why? Pete's older. Shouldn't it go to him?"
"It would, yes but your brother has declined." Toby shook her head. So Pete really is checking out. "Besides the few things your father left to your brother, everything in his will passes to you. Do you accept these terms if it comes to that?"
Toby had let go of Chloe's hand as the situation was explained to her. She leaned her head heavily into her hands, rubbing up and down her face. Toby shook her head. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.
"Yes. I do. What are the other complications?"
"There's more with the wills but we should stay on the topic of exchanged responsibilities. I am sorry you have to deal with this, Miss Wright. It's more than a college student should have to."
"Thank you, sir but it's out of either of our control. What do you need me to do?"
"The funeral is scheduled for this weekend. Can you attend?"
"Yes sir. Of course." Toby looked to Chloe with a silent question of her attending too. She nodded.
"Good. You will receive two flags in one ceremony. As family we decided we could combine them. Is that alright with you?"
"Yes sir. I think they'd like that actually."
"The ceremony will start at 9am. The caskets will be carried to their burial sites, next to each other of course, and then a small gathering with shots fired. I will have my secretary send you all the details. You'll need to sign some paperwork afterward. We'll keep it short for you, Miss Wright."
"Thank you, sir."
"Now onto your brother's will. Carter left you everything he owns."
Toby quirked an eyebrow at the statement.
"Miss Wright, did you hear me?"
"Yes, sir, I did. I just…he what?"
"He left you everything. You are the only one mentioned in his will and it simply says everything is left to 'my sister, Tobin A. Wright.' This means the weaponry he owns which we can't legally hand over to you but everything else is yours."
"Oh."
"I know that it is unusual to lose more than one family member in action. I also know that your situation is even more unusual with your age and your family leaving you alone with this. That said I, personally, am willing to help however I can along with a few other men who served with either your dad or brother. Both were good men. What would you need of us?"
"Thank you, sir." Toby paused and thought. "Mostly if you could just get Carter's stuff to my parents' house. I can deal with all of it once school is over."
"Consider it done. If something else comes up don't hesitate to contact me, Tobin."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral."
"Just call me Mark, dear. I will see you this weekend."
Toby sighed and leaned back in her chair. Chloe took her hand again.
"That was rough." Toby admitted.
"You did great, babe."
"Will you come this weekend? You nodded but I wasn't sure if you knew what I meant when I looked your way."
"Of course I will! I wouldn't let you go through that alone!"
"Are you sure? This is a lot. It's more than I'm sure you thought you signed up for."
"Toby, I didn't know what I was signing up for at all. Things happen and it's okay. I want to be there for you, and I'm sure I want to be there. Don't ask me again. Just let me be there for you."
"You're amazing." Toby gave a weak smile to the girl next to her. "I need to go talk to my coaches. This means I'm missing another practice and a game."
"You mean you're going to miss another couple practices and games?" Chloe looked at Toby sternly.
"No, babe. I mean one practice and one game. I can't sit around anymore. I need to do something and I should practice. We have at least one more game after Saturday."
"I don't think you should play so soon. Just wait until after Saturday?" Toby looked at her girlfriend as she thought it over. She relented knowing Chloe thought it was best for her.