A/N: for pdt-b - because of reasons :) And thanks for contributing the title, too.

They had texted on and off all day, Beca because she had nothing better to do and Jesse because he couldn't get enough of conversing with his new girlfriend. That's at least how he saw Beca in the scheme of his life, the Bella herself was a little less quick with such labels, she liked to take things slower. That was why she had refused to meet him all day, making herself scarce, and why she was now sitting in her dormroom (the aca-gods had smiled on her when she had scored a single for her second year at Barden) trying to study.

Only, studying was boring and she was rather unaccustomed to it and that was why she did as little of it as possible. But since no new ideas for mixes presented itself tonight and all the Bellas had other engagements she thought she might yet tell Jesse to come over so they could hang out - which would probably once again end in her dodging his attempts at being too intimate… it wasn't like she minded it that much, it was nice, like kissing and all that business but everything else? In truth, she felt overwhelmed by him, by his enthusiasm, by his cheerfulness - and his pouting if things weren't going his way. This was college, she didn't feel like making life-changing choices as to her significant other, she just wanted to have a good time, spend most of it with friends and good music (or even some bad music)… but Jesse wanted more. And she wasn't ready for a commitment at not even 20.

Still, having him come over would beat texting him all night and not doing anything besides. They could listen to music, or talk, whatever… and she just wanted to text and ask him to come over when there was a knock on the door. Beca half expected Jesse, it wouldn't be the first time he came over spontaneously, but when she called out to the person on the other side of the door to enter, a ginger poked her head in.

"Chloe!" Beca called out, happier than even she would have anticipated she would be at the sight of her best friend who had graduated from Barden and now lived in Memphis where she worked for a small music label.

"Hey, there, short stuff," the redhead said, smiling in that way she had - that Chloe-way, bright and happy. God, Beca had missed that.

"Who do you call short, here, Beale? It's not the outer package that shows greatness, it's a person's character," Beca lectured her friend and then hugged her for all she was worth. It was a tight one, they hadn't seen each other for three months and had missed each other and texted or talked almost every day. But it wasn't the same as those bone-crunching, I-just-need-to-feel-you-closely-hugs. Those were special - and had grown oh so rare.

"That's what guys usually say, isn't it?" Chloe answered Beca's words and grinned. The smaller woman just rolled her eyes. She led Chloe over to her bed and they very unceremoniously fell onto it, lounging next to each other - just like it used to be.

"What're you doing here, though. I didn't expect you to come visit for another month at least. Did you miss me?" Beca asked playfully and Chloe chuckled.

"Every inch of your great personality, believe me. Well, my folks were very generous for my birthday and so… I could afford a ticket… and I'm staying at CR and Jess's."

"You could have stayed here. I have been planning to buy some kind of impromptu second bed anyway," Beca said, pouting just a little.

"And where would you put that, into your closet? 'Cause, my friend, this here space you left to walk through your mess doesn't cut it," Chloe laughed while Beca now pouted in earnest. It was true, though, what little space was not occupied with Beca's bed and desk, had been taken over by books, cds, notebooks, and the odd dirty clothing.

"I would have cleaned up befo… oh," she was interrupted by her phone vibrating and now remembered that she never answered Jesse's last text. "Sorry," she said getting up and fetching her phone from her desk.

"Is it a Bella?" Chloe asked but Beca shook her head.

"Jesse," she answered automatically as she reaad his text:

Did u fall asleep over your history book? would like to c u - what say u we catch dinner and a movie. they're showing pirates of the c. at the arcade.

"Do you have plans with him? Sorry, I should have called…" and Chloe was about to get up off Beca's bed again.

"Sit down, you goof. I don't have plans with Jesse… just been texting when you came, is all." Beca told her friend who sat back down on Beca's bed. Beca joined her while she was texting Jesse:

Sorry, this history-thing got interesting for a second there. Also sorry cos today is a no-go, 2 much 2 read for monday. will probably spend most of the weekend locked up here or at library.

Beca felt bad lying to Jesse this way but she also knew he wouldn't understand her wanting to spend the whole weekend with Chloe and the Bellas, or he would want to come along and that wasn't how Beca pictured the short time she had with Chloe.

"It's okay if you've got plans with your boyfriend, Beca," Chloe now said.

"And I told you I don't. And Jesse's not technically my boyfriend."

"Have you told him that?" Chloe asked. She raised a copper eyebrow at her friend, knowing all too well how Jesse felt for her friend. And how could he not? Beca was amazing - she was also bad at commitment, another thing Chloe knew.

"We're cool," Beca said but it didn't sound convincing. She rolled her eyes and Chloe giggled.

"I take it you don't wanna talk about it?"

Beca shook her head.

"Let's talk about you… and your new job. Have you talked your boss into signing the Bellas, yet?" They laughed together but were once again interrupted by Beca's phone. The small brunette sighed.

How about I just pop up with tacos at some point 2morrow - just 2 make sure you don't work yoself to the bone?

Beca felt herself get annoyed at this text, she had told him how it was gonna be, why couldn't he leave well enough alone? But she knew why, she knew that he only wanted to cheer her up, be there for her, be with her. But she didn't want that just now - she wanted to spend time with Chloe.

Sorry, bro, but I really need to work this weekend. You know my dad, big scary literature professor? He'll have my hide if i'm not starting to get some grades - good or bad. Sorry. I'll make it up to you, promise.

Beca put her phone down, determined to not pick it up again tonight. She found Chloe look at her curiously when she turned back to her.

"Is everything all right with you guys?" She asked and Beca smiled.

"I told you we're cool. Now, tell me everything about Memphis," the Bellas captain teased. She did indeed ignore the next text that came and just concentrated on Chloe. They fell into that old banter that was part of their friendship. They laughed, they teased - before they knew it it was after midnight and morning came too soon after.

Beca didn't think about Jesse most of the weekend, she enjoyed her time with her best friend and the other Bellas as they had time.

Jesse didn't think of much besides Beca for most of the weekend and had to swallow his anger when he saw his girlfriend and some of her friends at the arcade on Sunday afternoon - leaving the movie theater after a showing of Bring It On.