CHAPTER 21

POV- Beca

Turns out we snagged first place at the Semi's, giving us a definite spot in the finals. So, we've got to practice hard for the next six weeks. That is, if we plan to bring home the gold again. But, with the way practices have been going, I have faith that the girls will do just that. The only thing that bothers me is the tension in the auditorium. (Most of it coming from Chloe, and totally my fault so I can't blame her.)

It's been over two weeks since the Semi-Finals and Chloe has yet to speak to me outside of rehearsal. She doesn't even look at me anymore. She just kind of, calls my name and starts talking… And it really sucks. I find myself longing for those occasional smiles, she used to flash my way whenever the girls were doing a good job… Or her laugh.

God, I miss all of that. I just miss HER.

I'd give anything just for her to smile at me again. Just to LOOK at me again. To talk TO me and not "at" me or near me.

It's gotten to the point where it takes everything in me not to tear up at Bruno Mars or David Guetta. It's absolutely ridiculous… But I'm not ashamed, at all. Not anymore, at least. I've made subtle attempts to tell her how I feel on the radio show. Everything short of saying her name and literally begging her to forgive me for being such a dick… Saying things like, "This song is dedicated to someone that means the world to me, I hope she knows who she is," or playing songs I know she loves (you know, any and every song that's as cute as she is, like "All The Small Things," by Blink 182, "Nothing On You" by B.o.B and Bruno Mars, or "Smile" by Lily Allan).

Although, I'm not sure if she even still listens to the show.

Another week goes by and I try something a little bolder. I decide to change the set list to Rihanna's "We Found Love" mashed up with The Proclaimers' "500 Miles" making a point to look at her whenever I sing, hoping she'll catch on, but she never does…

So, here I am sitting in front of my computer after hours of mixing… Only to realize that all of my mixes are about Chloe in one way or another…

I sampled James Blunt's "Your Beautiful" and put in under "Titanium" (which should've been a dead give-away), I made a dub-step of Nirvana's "About a Girl"…

This has got to stop.

I pull my phone out and slide my thumb across the glass to unlock it, poking and prodding through my contact list until I come to Chloe's number.

I want to call her and fix all this, but I'm not sure what I would even say. "Hey, sorry for being an ass, but I love you. Wanna go out?"

Uhh, yeah… I'll get right on that.

My eyes fall on the number directly above hers. (Which I lovingly added as "Aca-Bitch"). We didn't always see eye to eye, but we got much closer once I apologized and came back to the Bellas last year. And one thing we have in common is that we both love Chloe…

After a small pep-talk, I swallow my pride and decide that it couldn't hurt to call. After the third ring, I start to lose hope and pull the phone away from my face. Just as I'm about to end the call, I hear her.

"Hello?" Aubrey's clear voice comes through the receiver.

Silence.

I lose track of time as I try to figure out how to go about this. Not realizing how long I actually keep Aubrey waiting.

I can hear the irritation in her voice when she finally speaks again," I know about the fight, Beca. If you're calling because you want my help, the answer is n-…"

"I… I love her…" I interrupt, not wanting her to reject me just yet. Because I really don't know who else to turn to. And I really don't want to lose Chloe.

"You- You THINK you do? Or, you KNOW you do? Because, all you've done is play games with her since hood night last year!" Aubrey's tone much like a mother chastising her child." I'm not going to help you if you're just going to hurt her every time you get scared."

I don't realize I'm crying until my gaze falls to the desk and I see the small puddle I've left. Because it's true. Everything Aubrey's saying is true and I can't even deny it.

"She finally told me about what happened that night after my graduation party… ," Aubrey continues," I always had a feeling something happened. She was so out of it the next day. Not like, CRYING or anything… but definitely out of it."

I let my head fall into my free hand as I get the mental image of Chloe… Waking up after a seemingly perfect night… alone. The tears only come harder. At this point, I don't even care if Aubrey can hear it. I'm bawling.

"She told me how special it was to her… How it was different being with you, as opposed to anyone else she'd ever slept with… how she felt so connected to you and how she knew you felt it too because of the way your eyes twinkled… then she told me how you ditched her the next day. Shrugging it off as if it was no big deal!" Aubrey's voice now full of anger. "Then, you YELL at her for trying to reunite you and your mother?"

Shit! I really am an ass… I don't deserve to be with Chloe. Maybe this is actually for the best.

Aubrey exhales, calmer now that she's finished ripping me a new one. "And… for some strange reason, she still loves you."

What?

"What?" I manage, speaking for the second time since I called.

"She does." Aubrey adds softly.

Maybe I still have a chance?

"Now... I'm GOING to help you. I just wanted to establish that you were an Aca-Bitch and that you CAN NOT screw this up, understand?"

"I understand," I choke out, realizing the seriousness of her words.

"Good… because if you hurt her again, so help me GOD-,"

"I won't. I promise." I cut her off, making sure she can hear the sincerity in my voice. Because I want her to know how much Chloe means to me. (And because I really don't want to know what was going to be at the end of that sentence.)

"Okay," Aubrey starts. "Here's what we're gonna do…"

A/N: I do not own any of these songs. I am WELL aware of this. Please don't sue me? You'll find that I am dirt poor.

But, anywhoo… please leave reviews. Thanks to everyone who has been, so far. Everybody else, I'm assuming, either REALLY likes it or REALLY don't.