OH MY GOSH, guys I'm so sorry that I kind of disappeared ): I lost my writing book where I write all of my stories before I type them, luckily, someone turned it in to the lost and found at school. I was legitimately flipping out. I'm so so so sorry! Also, I'm starting a new story, I know, I'm starting a new story when I hardly have time for this one, but I start spring break at the end of this week so I'll have lots of time since I have no social life. Boo hoo. ;D
ANYWHO.
I'm introducing a new pairing in this chapter, but if you don't agree with it then…suck it up (x no I'm kidding but yeah. This chapter is somewhat heartfelt, Jesse and Benji bromance moment ahead! So I have the rest of the story set, this chapter, then Finals, then wedding. Maybe even an epilogue? Alright, get to reading ;)
Enjoy!
Beca's POV
I have Bellas practice in half an hour, so I thought I'd just work on some mixes and perfecting our Finals mix. I hear an impressively loud knock through my bulky earphones and I assume it's one of the girls so I brush them off, I'll be at practice when I want. What I wasn't expecting, was the eager voice of a certain red-head.
"Beca Mitchell, open up this damn door!" I jumped up and a wide smile spreads across my face. I almost tripped over the legs of my best chair as I ran to the door and flew it open, bringing me face to face with blue eyes and fiery red hair.
"Chloe!" I threw my arms around her neck and she squealed when she hugged my back tightly, "I can't believe you're here! How's New York?" Before she could answer, a tall blonde cleared her throat and scooted from behind the red-head and stood beside her, "New York is great…Beca." The blonde said coldly, "Aubrey." I responded equally while looking her up and down. Chloe looked between us, horrified, and we couldn't keep straight faces for much longer, Aubrey and I burst out laughing, "Your…face!" I said between laughs and gasps. Chloe shot us both a death glare, I composed myself, still snickering a little and turned to Aubrey – shaking her hand awkwardly. We're both not one for physical invasion of personal space, especially with each other, but hell, I haven't seen her in forever. I smile broke out on my face, "screw it." I threw my arms around the taller woman and pulled her into a hug, she reluctantly hugged me back.
"So how are you guys?" I asked, pulling away from Aubrey.
"We're great." Aubrey smiled as she wrapped her arm around Chloe's waist and pulled her closer, my eyes widened. "You guys are…?" I let the question trail off and they both nodded happily.
"Well fina-fucking-lly!" I exclaimed. We all laughed together and caught up. Aubrey opened her own dance studio and Chloe was a third grade elementary school teacher. She had auditioned for a few Broadway shows but hasn't been called back yet; Aubrey assured her that her time would come. They told me about their apartment that they shared, along with their Pomeranian, Remi, and how happy they were.
I started to think of me and Jesse's future together, after college – our plans. Would we be as happy as Chloe and Aubrey were? Would we be successful in our dream job, or in any line of work? Or would we be living paycheck to paycheck? I've never really thought about it before, I always assumed out life would be perfect as long as we had each other…what if we didn't make it? Snap out of it Beca. Jesse loves you and you love Jesse, you'll be fine. You've made it through worse.
"So Beca, need help with wedding planning?" Chloe let a smug smile spread across her face. I rolled my eyes at her; this is not the topic you want to get in with Chloe Beale.
I groaned, "Chlooeeee." I whined.
"Oh stop being a party pooper Beca!" She nudged my shoulder. "You have to start planning your wedding!"
I nudged her back, "After Bellas practice, I'm sure the girls would be happy to see you." I looked at my phone to check the time, "Shit! Practice started 15 minutes ago, let's go!" I grabbed my jacket and scrambled out the door, the two older women trailing closely behind.
When we arrived everyone pounced on the two former Bellas, I clapped my hands to get their attention, "alright aca-bitches, let's show these two how far we've come from singing Mariah Carey chart toppers."
Jesse's POV
Beca had Bella practice today and the guys went to get lunch. I wasn't really hungry so I stayed behind with Benji. He didn't like going out much with the guys, although Benji is quite an awkward man-child, he doesn't like how immature the guys act – horsing around and swearing at the top of their lungs in public places.
I was sitting on the couch downstairs watching Up in the Air when a loud thump sounded throughout the house. I jolted a little at the sudden noise that broke the silence (well except for the movie) in the room. "Sorry Jesse, nothing's broken, don't worry!" Benji yelled from upstairs, probably referring to both his body and objects in the house. He was probably practicing some new magic tricks, some of them can be a little dangerous, one time I found him passed out in his fake sword magic box thing. I laughed at the memory, I have the weirdest best friend ever; he's also probably the best, best friend in the world.
Benji was my first friend in college, he might've caught on as a little weird, but hell – he was a nice guy. He really grew on me and he's always there for me when I need him, loyal and open-minded. He'd be my designated driver whenever we went to parties because he never drank, he'd lug me home from nearby parties when I'm drunk and practically passed out on his shoulder muttering different types of food I'd eat. He'd bring me pain killers and make breakfast when Beca wasn't there to help me get over my hangovers. Heck, he even helped me (still helps me) with my Beca problems, he's always there to tell me that everything was going to be okay. Whenever Beca and I fought and didn't talk for days or weeks at a time, I didn't talk to anyone, but Benji was there, waiting patiently for me to calm down enough to talk about it. Sometimes he'd be a messenger for Beca and me when we didn't have the balls to talk to each other face to face; he'd even go there to talk to Beca when I didn't ask him to.
Benji completes me almost as much as Beca does. Jeez, it sounds like I'm in love with the guy. I'm not, but I do love him; he's my brother basically, and the best damn friend I've ever had.
Another thud came from upstairs, I laughed and shook my head; I better go check on him before he hurts himself…again. Right now would be the best time as any to ask him. Don't get me wrong, Donald's a great friend too and he means a lot, but he's not Benji. I jogged upstairs to the corridor of rooms; I walked down the hall and stepped in front of Benji's door. I pressed my ear to it to make sure I was interrupting one of his tricks, because if you do – thing can go really wrong. I could hear him singing softly to himself.
I've got the magic in me,
Every time I touch that track it turns into gold…
I pulled away slightly and knocked on the door. "Hey Benj, you alright in there?" He stopped singing and I could hear him shift on his bed.
"Yeah Jess, you can come in." He said through the door. I turned the doorknob and pushed it open slowly, "Hey," I greeted him with a smile. He smiled back, "Hey, what's up?" He was sitting cross-legged on his bed playing with a deck of cards.
"I wanted to make sure you were still alive for one," I grinned, "and also, I need to ask you something." An overwhelming amount to nervousness hit me like a ton of bricks, I was about to ask him to stand by my side when I started my new life with Beca. I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly. It was usually so easy to talk to Benji and now I can barely utter a word. He smiled warmly at me, "shoot."
I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, fidgeting with my fingers, "how about we go get some lunch?" I know I said I wasn't hungry, but I didn't want to do this in a quiet room, it felt uncomfortable. "Yeah, sure." He replied.
We walked to the café, talking about our lives and the Trebles and magic. We bought sandwiches and sodas, then went to sit outside on one of the concrete picnic tables. We told jokes and acted how best friends do. It was when we were finishing up our drinks when I decided to tell him. "So about earlier back at the Treble house, I wanted to ask you something." He nodded his head, telling me to continue.
"You've always been there for me, man, from day one when I met you in all your caped glory." We both laughed at the memory of our first time meeting, he had just finished putting up his "May the force be with you" flag. "Like I was saying, you've been there for me, you're my best friend, my brother Benj. You've been by my side for three years, and I want you to be by my side when Beca walks down the aisle." Benji was silent for a moment, soaking in all the new information; it finally hit him and his eyes lit up like streetlights. "You want me to…?" He let his question trail off, and I nodded my head, smiling, "Yes, I want you to be my best man." A huge smile spread across his face, "Jesse, I'd be more than honored to." We stood up and hugged; a very manly hug if I may add.
"Thanks man." I patted his back, "now let's go pick up some Bellas." We started walking to the Bella's practice area because they were probably finishing up rehearsals by now. I've got good news for Beca.
Beca's POV
"I think we're ready to kick some Treble ass, ladies!" I said to the girls who were scrambling to reach for their water bottles. Our dance routine can really knock the wind out of you, especially when you practice it non-stop for an hour and a half.
Amy is spread out flat on the floor; her arms and legs sprawled in different directions, "you really like you work us hard huh, flat butt?" She said breathlessly.
I shrugged, "hey, Stacie's our choreographer; you have complaints, take it up with her. I just perfect you guys a bit." Stacie shot a glare at me when Amy threw her water bottle at her; I stifled a laugh and gave her a smirk instead.
"Trebles entering Treble territory! Hold your fire, we come in peace." I rolled my eyes at the corniness of my boy – I mean, fiancé. God, that word sent shivers down my spine (in a good way). I watched as he emerged from the hallway with his hands above his head in mock surrender; Benji following close behind.
Stacie picked up Amy's water bottle and hurled it at Jesse with impressive speed. He dodged it smoothly but Benji wasn't so agile, the bottle hit him square in the shin. "Ow! He said hold your fire." Benji grumbled as he rubbed his leg trying to sooth the pain.
"Sorry Benji!" Stacie said apologetically, "that wasn't meant for you." He half smiled at her, "it's alright." He said as her waved his hand dismissively to brush off the accident, "I'm fine."
Lilly stepped up and kissed Benji on cheek, he blushed and smiled adoringly, "Hey Benny." Lilly greeted Benji with a nickname that made him wince, but he told me that he only allowed Lilly to call him that. "Hey Lillypad." He responded. Benji kissed her head sweetly and wrapped his arm around her waist, making everyone in the room "awe." Except for Amy.
"Come on guys, you're almost as bad as these two imbeciles." She gestured to Jesse and I.
"Imbeciles? That's a big word Amy, I'm impressed." I said sarcastically.
"You bet your ass, it's on my 'word of the day' calendar." She retorted. Amy and I could go at it forever, but now's not the time. Jesse's expression told me that he had something important to tell me, so I brushed Amy off by sticking my tongue out at her.
Jesse made his way to me and stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my mid-section and kissed my temple. "Hey beautiful," He whispered in my ear.
"Hey yourself." A smile crept to my face as I settled my arms on his. "So nerd, I know you've got something to tell me, so spill."
He smiled widely, kissing the crown of my head before he rested his chin on it. "I asked Benji to be my best man."
I turned around to wrap my arms around his neck, "that's great Jess," I kissed his jaw and turned to Benji, "congratulations Benji." He smiled warmly at me, "Thank you Beca, anything for my favorite 'aca-couple.'" He put air quotes around the ridiculous word.
"Ready for us to kick your asses next week?" I smiled at him.
"Oh believe me Beca, I'm prepared. The Trebles are prepped and ready for go time." He winked.
"So Beca," We turned to watch Chloe eye me and everyone in the room mischievously, "who's your Maid of Honor?"
My face paled, "shit." as ten full-grown girls practically leapt on me.
I'm seriously really sorry it took me so long to update. I feel like an ass, you have every right to hate me right now. I promise I'll try harder to post sooner. How'd you like the Jesse/Benji interaction? I have no idea is guys are that mushy with the whole best man ordeal, but oh well.
NOW, who's the Maid of Honor? PM me or Review on your thoughts on who it should be, I really value your guys' opinion (:
Oh, I'm getting my wisdoms pulled on Thursday, so plenty of time to write more, even if my mouth hurts like hell.
Much love,
Oreo xoxo