The Voice
Chapter 26
Pairing: Beca/Chloe
Rating: T
Songs Used: Dreaming Alone - Against the Current ft. Taka
Maybe, Possibly - Megan and Liz
Burn - Ellie Goulding
Flashlight - Jesse J
Take Back the Night - TryHardNinja
The night of finals. The night that everyone on the show had been waiting for and preparing for. As the four artists took their places on stage to wait for the show to begin, Chloe started nervously chewing her bottom lip. Stacie, who happened to be standing next to her, took notice before poking the redhead in the ribs, hard.
"Ouch, what was that for?" Chloe hissed. Stacie rolled her eyes.
"You were going to make your lip bleed if you continued that. Stop it. You're making me nervous." Chloe looked up at her friend sheepishly.
"Sorry." Stacie shrugged.
"I get it, nerves. But seriously, you'll be fine." Before Chloe had the chance to respond, they all got word that it was premier time.
"Welcome to The Voice! Tonight, you will get to decide who is going home with a sweet recording deal and walk away as the voice of season nine!" The crowd clapped and cheered. Cutting to more pre-recorded clips that the artists and coaches had recorded, Chloe stood and watched as her face came up.
"It's been a real long ride. But totally worth it. I'm going to go out there tonight and sing like my life depended on it."
The clips cut around to different artists before ending, focusing the camera back to Carson. The rest of the artists had departed the stage, save Emily Junk who was singing first that night. "First up, the youngest of our four artists. She's been the underdog all season long, but she's made it this far and she's going to show you what she's got! Singing Story of My Life, Emily Junk!"
The applause and screaming for the young woman could be heard throughout the studio. As Chloe, Stacie and Jesse stood backstage, they watched her perform. She was good, especially for someone so young. All three of them were in their early to mid twenties, but Emily was only eighteen. And to have a voice that was so well tuned and developed was certainly something.
She was the underdog to be sure. But she wasn't to be underestimated.
As Emily finished her performance, Chloe was up next. She'd be singing her duet with Beca first, later on followed by her solo, then her original. As they cut to commercial to give the two artists time to get their instruments situated, Chloe waited up on stage while they moved a piano to the stage. Beca, guitar in hand, took her place behind the microphone stand set up next to Chloe. "You ready for this Chlo?" The redhead took a deep breath, but nodded.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Beca shot Chloe a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine." Chloe half heartedly shrugged.
"I know. I just.. Never dreamed I'd be performing with you. It's like one of the top things to do on my bucket list." Beca laughed.
"Well, I'm glad I'm able to help you complete that." Chloe smiled.
"So am I."
And then commercial break was over. The cameras focused back on Carson. "Welcome back everyone! Performing now, her duet with coach, Beca Mitchell; Chloe Beale!"
The lights lit up the stage. Beca began strumming her guitar as Chloe followed up with the correct piano chords.
The story starts laying in the dark with someone new
I'm feeling tired from all the time I spent on you
But I know I'm strong from all the trouble I've been through
The story starts where the story falls apart with you
Starting off strong, Chloe sang the well rehearsed lyrics. The two artists had chosen to alternate sections throughout the song, Chloe obviously taking the lead. The redhead had no idea what had drawn her to this song in particular. Perhaps it was the potential to turn it into a very strong acoustic version that she and Beca could do. Chloe really loved the sound of Beca playing guitar. If she was honest, she found it really sexy to watch too.
Don't lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see when you fall asleep?
Cause I know it's you I dream about every night
Giving me a feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I've never felt with another
Don't lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see?
Tell me I'm not dreaming alone
As Beca strummed the chords, she patiently waited for her turn. The two would be harmonizing towards the end. But now was Chloe's time to shine. And Beca was all for giving that to her girlfriend. The DJ was always captivated by the melodious soprano voice that the redhead possessed.
The story starts lying in the dark broken and bruised
I count the scars left in my heart from losing you
And I was wrong but let's be honest you were too
I miss the part where I was falling hard for you
Chloe continued to hit her piano chords as Beca sang the second verse. The alto belt of the DJ was a vast contrast to Chloe's higher voice, but they still managed to compliment each other very well. As the two sang, the audience was entranced by the performance. The two women were obviously very talented and it showed. There wasn't a peep from anyone in the room. They were all too busy listening to the music.
So don't lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see when you fall asleep?
Cause I know it's you I dream about every night
Giving me this feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I've never felt with another
Don't lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see?
Tell me I'm not dreaming alone
. As Chloe played, she also kept her eyes trained on Beca. The DJ's foot was tapping and her body bouncing to the beat of the song. Her head was even slightly bobbing as her eyes occasionally fluttered shut. Chloe couldn't help but find it cute. Beca got so into the music. One of the many things that Chloe loved about her girlfriend.
I can't take back the things I said
And I won't say that I regret
Any day that I was yours
Chloe came in on the first line, Beca on the second and harmonizing on the third. The transition was done flawlessly. The two smiled as they hit the bridge. It had probably been one of the hardest parts to get right during rehearsal. Picking up the cues and hints as to when to come in wasn't as easy as it looked. And it also set the speed for their harmonization on the last chorus.
Don't lie, bright eyes
I know it's me that you see when you fall asleep
And you know it's you I dream about every night
Giving me this feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I've never felt with any other
Don't lie, bright eyes
It'll always be you and me, so why are we dreaming alone?
Woah oh, woah oh, woah oh
It'll always be you and me, so why are we dreaming alone?
As the two finished the song, they were greeted by loud cheers and screams from the audience. Many people standing up from their seats to show their appreciation of the song. Beca allowed a small smile to grace her features as Chloe stood from the piano bench to wave at the audience, a wide grin on her face. Before heading back to her chair, Beca gave Chloe a subtle thumbs up. A job well done.
Chloe's solo performance was up next, but in between then, Jesse would be singing his solo and Stacie would be doing her original as well. She wished Jesse good luck as she passed him backstage.
"Thanks Chloe. Good stuff out there so far." He returned before heading out. Chloe wasn't all that interested in watching the performances, but as Carson announced the artist, she knew she'd at least be listening to him. The male had chosen to sing Magic, by BoB. A pretty upbeat track to follow up the more subdued track Beca and Chloe had just done. Probably a good decision. It was dreary to listen to two slow songs in a row.
Stacie sought out the redhead before she went on. "Wish me luck?" She said, approaching her friend.
"Of course! Best of luck Stace. I can't wait to hear your original." Stacie bit her lip.
"I hope it's good. Sometimes I feel like things I think are great, aren't actually any good." Stacie trailed off.
"Hey! I'm sure it's amazing! You're Stacie Conrad. You can do anything." The two laughed.
"Thanks Chlo. For everything." Chloe nodded.
"What good are friends if they're not super supportive?"
"I'll give you that one."
Before Chloe had the chance to reply, Stacie was called to the wings. Giving her friend a nervous look, she turned and walked off. Chloe made to follow her, so she could have a better view of her friend. She wasn't able to see much, but she did catch a few lyrics to Stacie's song, Maybe, Possibly.
That maybe, possibly I was the best I don't compare to the rest
And maybe, possibly you make me aware of everything I say and do
And maybe, possibly I still want you
The atmosphere of a breakup song was a little surprising to Chloe. Stacie never pegged her as the kind of person that regretted anything in relation to her love life. But she guessed that everyone had the one relationship that went sour. Even the redhead had that at one point. Although, she knew that her and Beca wouldn't. She knew that even if the two broke up somewhere down the line, it would never end in anger or regret. Or at least, she hoped it wouldn't.
Chloe was up after Stacie, so as the brunette came to the end of her song, Chloe was ushered backstage to wait to go on. As the tall brunette walked off stage, Chloe managed to briefly catch her by the arm, giving her approval of the song.
"Next up, singing Burn by Ellie Goulding, Chloe Beale everybody!" The crowd cheered for the redhead as she grabbed her microphone and walked out on stage. This was going to be her real, flash and wow factor song. The lights and sparks had been set up to go off on intervals during her performance, many of them on the chorus.
Beca had initially been unsure about the song, but trusted that Chloe would figure it out. And from what the DJ had heard in rehearsals, she did it quite well. It wasn't one hundred percent on point, but it was good none the less.
We, we don't have to worry 'bout nothing
'Cause we got the fire, and we're burning one hell of a something
They, they gonna see us from outer space, outer space
Light it up, like we're the stars of the human race, human race
Ellie's voice was certainly one that was not one to be replicated easily. The sort of willowy sound was hard to hit for anyone. So, Chloe didn't try. Instead, she took the beat and the lyrics and fit them to her own voice.
When the light started out they don't know what they heard
Strike the match, play it loud, giving love to the world
We'll be raising our hands, shining up to the sky
'Cause we got the fire, fire, fire
Yeah we got the fire, fire, fire
As Chloe entered the chorus, the lights went off around her, bright and flashing as they were. A few sparks ticked and sprayed. Chloe danced along with the song, bringing the energy necessary to pull this off.
And we gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn
We gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn
Gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn
We gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn
The meat of the chorus was really where Chloe let her performance skills speak for themselves. It was also the only part of the song where she could really let it go. The audience whistled, some waving their arms in the air as she sang. As she sang, Chloe knew that this wasn't her strongest performance, but she'd have to make the most of it. But she figured, that you win some, you lose some. But she still didn't regret her choice.
As she finished the song, the coaches clapped in their seats. They had a few comments, most of which entailed her 'firecracker' status still being intact, but her voice not really suited for the song. Which she agreed with. Then she scampered backstage to wait it out until it was her turn to go on for her original.
This was the most nerve wracking part for Chloe and consequently she didn't pay much attention to who was singing what. She thought she caught snippets of songs like Earned It by The Weeknd and Set Fire to The Rain by Adele. Although she couldn't really place who did what. Although, a single song did catch her attention. Emily's original.
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kickstart my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Chloe didn't know if it was the melody or the lyrics that she liked more. As she listened, she could hear the soul in Emily's voice and felt the emotions that must have gone into the song. Chloe had to admit, the young artist could really write.
And then it came Chloe's turn to bat. She had obviously forgone the piano for this since she and Beca had added in so much on the soundboard. She had also forgone the microphone stand, feeling that this song required a little bit more moving around than the stand gave her.
As she stood on stage, the fist pumping beat came over the room. She smiled as she could detect some people in the audience doing just that, pumping their fists in the air to the beat.
Closet full of secrets and skeletons awakes but nothing's true
I used to own a castle now it's boxes that I have to move
Right here in the darkness there's nothing left for me to do
It's easier to run away but today
Today we got to
Chloe had written this song a year or so ago when she was in a particularly bad place. She just needed to get her feelings out on paper. But she didn't get too far into the song before her life started looking up. As her feelings got more and more positive, so did the song.
Cast the shadows out from sight
A final stand a shouting cry
All the wrongs now turned to right
So fight the past
Take back the night
And call upon the torch tonight
To bring out all the ghosts to light
Because at last we have to go it's time
To take back the night
Chloe really felt the emotion with this song, so as she sang, she really belt out all the high and hard notes. The chorus had represented picking herself up off the ground and finding the power to go on. Life was hard, but with enough determination one could do anything.
Bridges burned and broken on different sides we start anew
Being chased by monsters to face head on or be consumed
Reaching out for something grasping on to nothing to lose
Paybacks left too long unpaid but today
Today we got to
Starting over was a huge thing for her too. Chloe had felt that the lyrics to this verse were pretty self explanatory.
Cast the shadows out from sight
A final stand a shouting cry
All the wrongs now turned to right
So fight the past
Take back the night
And call upon the torch tonight
To bring out all the ghosts to light
Because at last we have to go it's time
To take back the night
As Chloe finished her song, the crowd went wild. Even the judges were on their feet. Chloe felt a huge wave of relief come over her. She had hoped that her song wasn't complete crap, but this was more than she had hoped for. The redhead looked down at Beca, who was smiling brightly, clapping along with her fellow coaches. Chloe shot Beca a short, but wide grin before hightailing it off stage.
Where she was met by Emily Junk of all people. "I really liked your song Chloe." The redhead blushed a little. She thought that the young artist's song had blown hers out of the water. And to have that very artist compliment her own work was flattering.
"Thanks, but it was nothing compared to yours." Emily just waved her off.
"That's not true, but thank you. What's the title of yours?" Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"I'll tell you mine if you'll tell me yours." Emily laughed.
"Sure, mine's Flashlight. Simple enough, right?" Chloe nodded.
"Well, mine's Take Back the Night." Emily nodded.
"Empowering. I like it." The brunette beamed. "It's not everyday that you hear songs like that. Lucky audience tonight I guess." Chloe chuckled.
"I suppose they are. Well, best of luck tonight. You still have your solo to go, right?" Emily nodded.
"Yep. It's kind of crazy, isn't it? We're almost at the end. Like, it's all over tomorrow. At least, for three of us." Chloe had the agree with the young artist. It was an odd feeling. Now that Chloe's performances were all finished, all she had to do was wait. She and Beca had planned to spend some time together that night at Chloe's apartment, if they managed to avoid the paparazzi all night. Which Chloe dearly hoped they'd be able to. She hadn't really had much quality time with her girlfriend for the last couple of weeks.
It would also be nice to just relax a little bit before the biggest night of her life this far.
"For sure. Well, I won't keep you. Good luck tonight." Emily gave Chloe an appreciative look.
"Thanks Chloe, I'm probably going to need it."
A/N: I feel like.. this was really short for what it was supposed to be. But in all honesty, it's just a song filled chapter. I don't really know what I was expecting, but yeah. This is what you're getting. I had toyed with the idea of writing a section from each of the finalist's point of view; Emily, Jesse, Stacie and Chloe.
But then I figured. We're reading this story for Chloe really. I feel like if I wrote in other people, it would just be pointless fluff that no one really wants. So I just wrote from Chloe's point of view. Maybe when the story is all said and done, I might add on some little extras and stuff, just for fun.
But yeah, finals. Songs. Songs galore. To be honest, probably not an interesting chapter for those of you who just skip lyrics. But really, honestly, I encourage you to listen to the songs as you read. I find that reading the lyrics along with the song makes it a lot more engaging. And since the playlist is on my YouTube channel, they're all easy to find!
So before people mock me for using a Minecraft song for Chloe's original (and if you didn't know that, ignore what I just said). Hear me out. I like the song. Even though it's an original based on Minecraft, I feel like the song has a lot more meaning to it than that. Trust me, I spent a long time debating with myself to use it or not. Obviously, I decided to. As for the duet, based entirely off of the actual song, and there is actually an acoustic version out there. Beca takes Taka's part, Chloe takes Chrissy's. Simple. And Chloe's solo, use your imagination. Of all three performances, she definitely flubbed that one. Not to say she was bad, it just wasn't her best.
So yeah, next chapter might be the last one besides potentially an epilogue. Because really, all we have left is to find out who won. And what happens to Chloe, of course which is all dependant on if she wins you know. So, next chapter the reveal. Then probably an epilogue based a few months in the future. And then maybe some fun extras and stuff.
Crazy that at the beginning I hadn't planned for this to be over 100k words, and well, here we are. Completely nuts. But worth it. Thanks for all the follows over the last few months with this. It was definitely one of my favorite summer projects.
As per usual, all mistakes are mine and please leave a review if you want. Thanks again!
A Charmed Vampire