A/N: Alright guys, pretty long chapter here, and I don't know what I was doing or anything I just wrote what came to mind. Im not particularly proud of this chapter, but I also am..if that makes sense… idk im sure you will tell me if it sucks lol! (though I hope it doesn't!) Well, read and review!
Stacie walked into the bathroom to find Beca standing in a towel, drying her hair after her shower. Her bare shoulders still had some slightly purple bruising, and she was taking care not to get to close to the stitches as she brushed her hair out.
"Becs?" she called over the sound of the hair dryer. She flipped it off and turned to Stacie.
She didn't say anything, just looked at her expectantly. She was having some mixed feelings toward the taller girl right now. She was grateful for her help, and for being there when she needed her. Though she couldn't help but feel as if Stacie had a serious problem with keeping her mouth closed. She forgave her for telling Chloe about what happened the night she showed up on her doorstep.
But, when she told her that morning about the nightmare—that she didn't want to talk about in the first place—she did it in confidence. She didn't understand why Stacie told Aubrey and Chloe, she said she was fine. They were already spending all their time worrying about her; they didn't need this burden too.
"I have some clothes here." She said holding up a pile of clothes for Beca. "They should fit you just fine, I'm sure you don't want to wear Aubrey's super long yoga pants and t-shirt tonight." She laughed.
Beca nodded and reached out taking the offered clothes. "Thanks." She said. "Could I use some make up?" She asked. "I look like death, and I want to cover some of these bruises she said looking in the mirror. She only had two still noticeable bruises on her face, one on her jaw and the other on the outside of her eye.
"You do not look like death." Stacie said. "But, yes I have make up. I will go grab it, let me know how those clothes fit." She said and walked out.
Beca reached over and closed the door before dressing. Stacie had given her a white tank top and a black open chested vest with dark blue jeans.
Not her usual skinny jeans, but they fit. Stacie was much taller than Beca so she wondered why she had such small jeans, but either way she was glad to be wearing actual clothes.
A few moments later, there was a knock on the door and she opened it to find Stacie holding a small make up bag.
"Oh you look great! They fit." She smiled passing over the bag.
Beca smirked. "Yeah, they are definitely not yours, why do you have such small jeans?" She asked taking the bag and digging through it grabbing the eyeliner.
"Don't get mad." Stacie said cautiously, causing Beca to stop and look at her.
"What? Why would I get mad?"
Stacie looked as if she were barely containing her smile. "Those are my sisters Jeans. She left them here the last time she came to visit."
Beca nodded. "Okay? I'm not mad, she's short, and that's helpful." She couldn't help but laugh at why Stacie thought she would be mad.
"My sister is ten." She said and took a step back.
Beca looked at her with wide eyes. "DAMMIT!" She exclaimed. Stacie laughed out loud.
"Sorry, Shorty." She said. "The girls will be here soon."
Beca nodded and began applying the eyeliner. Stacie noticed she was put it on a bit darker than she had been the past couple years. After freshman year, she adopted a lighter look, which Stacie knew had everything to do with Chloe and Aubrey. After she finished with the eyeliner she applied the mascara to her long lashes and then stood back as she grabbed the foundation.
"Do you want to try putting the concealer over the bruises first?" Stacie asked.
Beca looked at her through the reflection of the mirror. She could see the sadness in the deep blue eyes and it made her want to cry, or punch Jesse or both. Beca slowly nodded looking down and Stacie walked in grabbing the tube of concealer and gently tilting Becas chin with her finger.
"Don't be sad." She said and began to gently apply the concealer to the bruises. Beca let her eyes drop, not wanting to look at the anger in Stacie's. She was back and forth. She wanted to be mad at the girl for telling about her nightmare. At the same time, deep down, she knew Stacie was only trying to help her. She was so careful with her. She knew she trusted the girl, or she definitely wouldn't have asked her to sleep with her the night before, or cuddle with her.
She could feel how gentle she was being, covering the bruises, and before she knew it she was done. She looked into the mirror to find no trace of Jesse on her face, other than the stitches which she planned to cover with her hair.
"There." Stacie said.
Beca looked up at her. "Please don't tell them anything else that I tell you." She said. It wasn't a question and Stacie knew it.
"I-I'm sorry, Beca." She said. "You were so sacred last night, and I promised them I would let them know how you are doing."
Beca nodded. "I'm not there, I am here, and they don't need to worry about me. Neither do you. I'm sorry I scared you last night, but please Stacie. Just don't tell them anything else. I will tell them if and when I am ready and want to. I don't need you telling on me, I'm a big girl and don't need you watching me and reporting it."
Stacie looked hurt and stepped toward the door. "Sorry, Beca. They care about you, as do I. I want to see you get better, that's all. Don't worry. I won't interfere anymore." She said and walked out.
She could hear how upset Stacie was as she left, she could see the tears gathering in her eyes and she knew she was out of line. She didn't mean to hurt Stacie's feeling or make her feel bad, and in all honesty she had never seen Stacie look the way she just did. She knew the girl was a lot like her. She was dubbed the school slut in high school because she was proud of her body and wasn't scared to wear clothing that complimented her figure. Little did any of the people at her school know, she was a virgin until her senior year when she was so tired of the rumors spreading about her, and the constant name calling by her peers, that she gave up her virginity the night of her senior prom.
It was obvious after that night exactly how much Stacie liked sex, she wasn't afraid to admit it, but she wasn't a slut, and she used it to hide behind. She was labeled and no one ever gave her the chance to prove there was more to her than her body. Just like no one ever gave Beca the chance to prove that she was more than just dark make up and piercings. She guesses that's why she and Stacie are so close. She is like a sister to her. There problems followed them into college where Stacie was still called a slut by people who didn't take the time to know her. Beca was still the alt girl with the devil-may-care attitude.
They knew each other though, and that's why Beca wanted so badly to leave the bathroom and find Stacie, apologize for being a bitch. She knew she was only trying to help and she didn't know why she just said that to Stacie. She would talk to her before everyone arrived, she decided and reached for the brush fixing her curls so they were a little more presentable before brushing her teeth and finishing her make up.
"Bree?" Chloe called walking through the apartment looking for her blonde girlfriend.
She found her in the kitchen looking at something on her laptop.
"What are you doing?" she asked coming up behind her. "We were supposed to be there 45 minutes ago."
"Looking up ways to make sure Beca doesn't go overboard tonight, but doesn't realize it." She said.
"Melting butter into her drink?" Chloe asked with a disgusted look on her face.
Aubrey nodded. "Apparently it kills the alcohol, and she might just think she is getting drunk. Or we could dilute the alcohol with some water."
Chloe shook her head. "Or, we can just cut her off if anything seems to be going wrong. I will not hesitate to pin that girl down until she passes out." Chloe laughed lightly.
Aubrey nodded. "I don't like this, Chloe. I really don't. And I just got a text from Stacie saying to head over, that everyone is there, and Beca doesn't seem to be enjoying it."
Chloe grabbed the keys. "Well then let's go." She said as Aubrey stood up and closed her laptop.
They didn't bother knocking when they got back to Stacie's, instead just walked in. Not caring about what the others thought at this point they held hands as they entered the living room to find all of the Bella's standing around with drinks, music playing little top loudly and Stacie walked in holding more drinks in her hands.
"Oh, good you're here." She said setting the drinks down and pulling them toward the kitchen.
When they reached the kitchen they found it was empty except for Beca who stood leaning against the counter downing something in a red cup.
"She won't admit it, but she needs you." Stacie said before leaving them with the small and very tipsy looking brunette. They looked at each other before walking over to her.
"Hey Becs." Chloe said. She turned and they were a little surprised to see her eyes looking so bright and alert. Aside from the dark make up, she looked like her old self.
"Hey ladybug!" Beca said happily. Chloe smiled at the name.
Aubrey smirked a little as Beca pulled Chloe into a hug, then let go and grabbed Aubrey giving her a hug as well.
"How are you?" Aubrey asked. "Why aren't you out there?"
Becas smile faltered a bit. "I-uh. They just kept giving me these looks. Like they know what happened and they look at me like they don't even know me, they barely said anything to me." She said looking down.
Chloe reached over and tilted her chin. "They just don't know how to act; they probably don't want to say anything that might upset you."
"I just want them to treat me like they used to. Not like I might explode any second." They both heard the slight crack in her voice and knew she was trying to hold back tears. She was hurting, again. She wanted to see her friends and have a good night, and now here she was hiding in the kitchen because they didn't know how to act around her.
Aubrey was visibly angry. "Chloe stay here." She said and turned to leave.
"Bree, wait." Beca called. She turned back around. "What are you doing?"
Aubrey's angry glare softened. "I'm going to talk some sense into our dumb friends." She said and walked out before Beca could object. She looked at Chloe.
"Stacie is upset with me." She said shyly.
Chloe moved a strand of loose hair behind Becas ear. "Why do you say that?"
"I said some rude things to her, for telling you guys about the nightmare. She hasn't spoken to me since. I mess up everything." She said and poured another drink.
Chloe watched her pour it drink half then refill it. She knew what it was. Stacie made a drink that consisted of a bottle of wine a bottle of vodka and a few cups of lemonade. You couldn't taste the alcohol, and it was easy to get wasted drinking it.
"How many of those have you had, sweetie?" She asked. She shrugged.
"A few."
Chloe nodded. "Have you eaten today?"
Beca shrugged again.
With a sigh Chloe walked over to Stacie's fridge and opened it. After looking through t she pulled out an apple and then poured her a glass of water.
Aubrey entered the living room to see everyone standing around talking with each other. She walked to the other side of the room and lowered the music before turning to them.
"What the hell you guys?" She asked.
They all looked at her in confusion. "Beca wanted you guys to come over here, because she missed you and wanted to see you and you do this?" She asked.
"We weren't sure what to say to her…" Amy said her usual upbeat and joking tone gone, and full of seriousness.
"How about just talking to her like you usually would?" she asked. "Yeah, she went through some pretty bad stuff, and she isn't the same, but she needs you guys to be there for her. Not treat her like she's going to crack or something."
CR looked down. "Where is she?"
Aubrey looked toward the kitchen. "Feeling like shit in the kitchen." She said. "You made her uncomfortable, she didn't want to be out here." She said. Her eyes landed on Stacie.
She looked upset.
"I'm going to try and get her back out here." She said. "Don't fuck this up." She warned eyeing the Bellas.
She walked toward the kitchen and motioned Stacie to follow her. When they entered the kitchen Beca was sitting on the counter eating an apple with a glass of water in her hand and Chloe standing in front of her watching.
"Chlo?" Aubrey asked. She turned to look at the two entering.
"Yeah?"
Aubrey motioned to Beca. "What's this?"
"She didn't eat before drinking." She said and glared at Stacie who looked down.
Beca didn't look at anyone, especially Stacie.
"Beca." Aubrey sighed. "You know better than that."
Beca felt a flash of anger go through her. "Yeah, I know." She snapped. "You're not my fucking mother Aubrey; please don't treat me like I'm a child." This was the alcohol talking but Aubreys eyes grew momentarily before narrowing angrily.
Chloe closed her mouth and folded her arms. Knowing this wasn't going to end well.
"Then stop acting like one." She snapped back. Beca set the apple and water down and slid off of the counter wobbling a bit.
"Jesus between you and her," she motioned toward Stacie, "It's hard to be anything but a child! Beca make sure you eat, Beca take your medicine, Beca had a nightmare, Beca is sad, Beca is broken!" She yelled.
Aubrey stepped back slightly and Chloe slowly dropped her arms. "Yes, I am fucking broken Aubrey, and no you cannot fix me!"
"We are just trying to help you Beca-"
"Well don't! It's obviously not working!"
Aubrey stepped up to the smaller girl, having enough of this nonsense. "Beca lower your voice." She warned.
"Why?" She demanded as she stepped back a little, not liking Aubreys close proximity, stumbling a bit as the alcohol continued to taint her blood stream.
"Because there is a room full of people just outside the door-"
"So?" She asked. "It's not like it's a secret, you have all been so careful to let everyone know that I'm so fragile and that they need to be patient and treat me normally."
All the Bellas had gone quiet in the living room, hearing the yelling in the kitchen.
"Beca, please-" Chloe started and reached out touching Becas arm but she shrugged her off roughly. Chloe stepped back.
"You know what? Maybe this was a bad idea." She said.
"I could send everyone home and we could talk about-"
"No, not the party." Beca said, her voice calmer. "Everything. The bellas, Jesse. Staying here with Stacie. You two." She said the last part in a whisper as she looked down. Stacie stood a few feet away once again listening to Beca giving up.
She was hurt at how Beca treated her earlier, but she wasn't about to let Beca do this again. She knew Aubrey and Chloe would probably freak out, but she knew it was the only way to get the drunken girl under control. She walked across the room rather quickly, knowing it would startle the smaller girl.
Chloe's eyes grew and Aubrey looked a little worried as she stepped right up to her, her chest bumping into Beca knocking her slightly off balance then grasping her arms to stop her from falling.
"God damn it Beca KNOCK IT OFF!" She yelled. Beca looked up at her with wide eyes. All her anger drained out of her instantly as Stacie held onto her and glared down at her.
"Stacie, what the hell is wrong with you?!" Aubrey demanded stepping forward as the Bellas rushed into the kitchen after hearing Stacie yell.
Stacie shot her a look that said to trust her and Aubrey stopped.
The Bella's stood with open mouths and wide eyes at the sight of Chloe practically in tears, and Stacie holding onto Beca tightly.
"I know you are upset, and this night didn't turn out as you planned, but you will not treat those girls poorly, and you will not give up and try to run away from this!" Her voice was a little lower than yelling, but still loud.
"You are going to get help, and I was stupid to allow you to drink tonight, I should have known it was a bad idea. Aubrey and Chloe are trying to help you, and yes the Bella's went about this all wrong but, damn it Beca, you are going to get better! You are going to get passed this and you are going to STOP trying to push everyone away!" She said giving her small shake.
She watched as Becas eyes filled with tears and she started to struggle in her grasp. She held tighter, knowing how this was going to play out.
"Understand?" She demanded. Aubrey was holding herself back. She was in shock at what Stacie was doing. Beca looked terrified. Every trace of her previous anger was gone and her tears started to fall as she tried to get away from Stacie.
"Let me go." She gasped. Everyone in the room looked between Beca and Stacie not knowing what to do.
"Tell me you understand." Stacie demanded and pulled Beca closer restricting her struggles more.
"I understand, please let me go!" She cried and Stacie let her go, she stumbled backward and Chloe instantly reached out and caught her, she turned in Chloe's arms and fell into her, tucking her face into Chloe's neck and began sobbing uncontrollably.
Aubrey pushed passed Stacie and wrapped her arms around them both.
"I'm sorry." Beca gasped against Chloe's neck and she could feel her tears sliding down her chest.
"Shh, it's okay, you're okay." Chloe cooed while rocking her gently and Aubrey rubbed calming circles on her back.
"I-I'll get help, I'm sorry, I don't… I don't want to lose you." She cried. Then slowly looked up at Stacie and the Bellas. "Any of you."
"We're not going anywhere, Becs." Stacie said with a small smiled.
She turned toward the Bellas. "Alright ladies, I think we should call it a night." She said. They all nodded. And a chorus of "Bye, Becs" and "We'll always be here" could be heard from the Bellas.
Once the apartment was empty they lead Beca out of the kitchen and onto the couch where she instantly curled as tightly as she could into Chloe.
Aubrey took the space behind Beca, smiling as Beca grabbed her hand and wrapped the blondes arm around her waist.
After a few moments of silence Beca sniffled. "I'm so sorry about all of this." She said.
"It's okay, baby. We understand, and we are here for you." Aubrey said.
"Always and forever remember?" Chloe asked softly kissing her forehead.
Beca smiled lightly before looking shyly at Stacie.
"I'm sorry for what I said…" She said softly. Stacie smiled.
"It's okay Becs." She said. "I'm sorry that I grabbed you, I just needed to get your attention."
Aubrey and Chloe knew why Stacie did it, but still didn't particularly like her manhandling Beca.
"I know why you did." Beca said. "It's okay."
Aubrey looked at Stacie. "Just don't do it again." She said. Stacie's smile faltered a bit before she nodded.
Stacie's cell started ringing and she excused herself to answer it. A few moments later she came back to find the three still curled up on the couch.
"That was Detective Snow." She said. The three looked up at her.
"You're case will go to trial, and you may have to testify, but only because of lack of DNA evidence to prove he…" She trailed off.
Beca's face fell. "He would be in the same room?" She asked.
"I don't know, I don't think he has to be, your testimony would be going to the jury and the judge, not him." She said. "I could look into it."
Beca nodded.
"Are you okay?" Chloe asked. She nodded.
"Yeah, I just want this to be over. I know it's actually moving along quickly, but it still seems to be taking a life time. I just want to move on with my life." She said.
They nodded. "You will, baby, this will all be over soon." Aubrey said.
Stacie smiled at the three. "I'm glad you are feeling better." She said.
Beca nodded. "Me too."
She reached over and started playing with Chloe's bandaged hand her brow furrowed. A few moments later Aubrey let out a small chuckle.
"I can practically hear your wheels turning, Becs." She said.
Chloe moved some hair out of Baca's eyes. "What's going on inside that pretty little head of yours?" she asked.
It took a few moments but she finally took a breath and let it out slowly.
"I-uh… I was just wondering if," she trailed off and Aubrey gave her hand a squeeze telling her to go on.
She closed her eyes before asking,
"Can I come home?"
A/N: Alright there it is! I know it was a little… idk…weird. I think I tied it up okay? What do you think? Gonna have some happy times with our girls in the next chapters! As well as some other things ;) Hopefully update again tomorrow! Thank you awesome nerds! Much love! xoxo