Chapter 29-Tracking Skills 101

Jessie looked out from the diner and could see Chloe crying through the window of her car. He looked down one last time at his cell phone, after trying Beca's number and leaving the 20th message within the last hour, he decided to put it away. He asked for the check and headed towards Chloe's car. As he approached, he could see her reluctantly raise her eyes to meet him.

"Are you ok?" He handed her a tissue.

"I will be. Thanks Jessie. Any luck getting through to her?"

"No, I've left a ton of messages, but she hasn't answered."

The tears kept falling down her face, as she spoke. "I'm sorry Jessie, I think I just need to get back to camp, it's no use pushing her further away tonight."

"Are you sure Chloe? Beca has no idea what she's doing"

"She does, and she thinks this is for the best for everyone, that's what's so sad about it all. I can't be mad at her for this."

"How about if I drive you back, we can come back and get your car tomorrow afternoon."

"Aw, Jessie, I don't want to cause you anymore trouble tonight."

"Chloe, Beca would never forgive me if anything happened to you. I'm not letting you drive yourself anywhere in this condition. Now come on, my car is right here." He opened the door and helped her get seated.

"Thanks Jessie."

As they drove back to the camp in silence, just Chloe's sobs could be heard in the car. Jessie felt so bad, he couldn't help, and he was furious that Beca would not even bother to call back.

He parked his car and walked Chloe quietly back towards the staff house, as they made their way across the bridge, Aubrey ran down the path to meet them.

"So, where is she?" Aubrey curtly asked.

Chloe's tears were her only answer.

The ginger turned to give Jessie a hug, and then excused herself as she ran towards the staff house, eager to find a place she could be alone.

Jessie looked at Aubrey, not sure how to respond. "Follow me" Aubrey commanded, as she opened the door to the staff house. "You sit...I'll be back" She glared at him until he complied. Turning her attention to the sounds coming from the hall, she walked to find her best friend.

Aubrey knocked on the door of the bathroom and asked quietly "Chloe, are you ok?"

No answer returned to her.

Aubrey tapped on the door again "Chloe, let me in. You know I can't just leave you in here knowing your hurting."

Aubrey heard the door slowly unlock. She gently turned the handle and opened the door, to find her best friend sitting on the floor against the wall, sobbing. She positioned herself next to her and draped her arm around the broken red-head, who immediately dropped her head to her friend's shoulder, the sobs and wet tears hitting Aubrey like a lead weight.

"What happened Chlo?" Aubrey gently wiped the tears from the ginger's face.

"She's gone, she's leaving now because she can't handle the separation, and doesn't want to feel the pain of losing all of us, losing me..."

"But why tonight?"

"I don't know...I guess it gives her some control, isn't some Big Goodbye Production."

"But all our hard work... and you have worked so hard on the surprise for her birthday tomorrow at the concert." Aubrey didn't need to point out the obvious in this situation, but couldn't help herself.

Chloe pulled back and pressed a tissue Aubrey handed her to her wet face. "Yeah, I guess that was part of it" she sniffed "since I haven't been able to spend my free time with her, she came to her big realization...pretty ironic that I've been spending all my nights practicing something for her that now she'll never see." Chloe's tears unexpectedly flowed again. Taking a deep, emotionally exhausted breath, she spoke softly..."You know, if it's ok, I think I'll just go lie down. Can I stay in the staff house tonight Bree?"

"Of course Chlo, go jump in my bed."

"No, I can't take your.." her words were suddenly interrupted.

"Chloe stop, it's fine, I have some things to do tonight anyway. Go lie down. I'll see you in the morning." She helped the ginger stand and embraced her tightly before walking her to her own cot in the back bedroom. Aubrey paused making sure she was tucked in.."Chlo, you know your amazing...right?"

"She's the amazing one Bree." Chloe choked out and then rolled over, burying her sobs into a pillow. Aubrey turned the light switch off and closed the door behind her. Her anger building as she walked down the hall. Damn that little EMO shit, she thought as she caught Jessie's eye.

"So, is this how Beca treats all her girlfriends?" Aubrey spat as she glared at Jessie.

Jessie cleared his throat at the tone.."Erh, well this is Beca's first girlfriend as far as I know, and I get that she's messing up really bad, but I think she's just scared Aubrey."

"You think she's scared now, wait until I get done with her." Aubrey crossed the room to her files in her desk, searching through she pulled one out and opened it. She jotted down something on a piece of paper quickly. "Come on, follow me"

"What?"

"You heard me, you are taking me to get Chloe's car, and then you are taking me to find Beca."

"Wait, Aubrey..."

"WAIT NOTHING, let's go." Aubrey started a fast pace down the path towards the car park.

Jessie followed, trying his best to catch up. "So what's the plan here?"

"Well, I heard Chloe say something about Clayton earlier, Beca must be staying somewhere close to there..right?"

"Yeah, she told me she was meeting her Dad for brunch..."

"We'll head in that direction. Take me to the diner and we'll grab Chloe's car" Aubrey jingled her keys which happened to have an extra key to Chloe's Element.

Once in Chloe's car, they headed down the interstate towards Clayton, the drive only took about 30 minutes.

"Ok, now what?"

"Let's check out this Motel 6, do you see her car?" Aubrey asked ad they drove through the parking lot.

"No I don't see it. Geez, Aubrey, there must be like 40 hotels between here and camp, she could be anywhere."

"Hmm, you're right." Aubrey pulled the car over and set the parking break up. "You and Beca, you're like best friends right?"

"Yeah."

"So are you close, I mean, like she shares things with you she doesn't share with anyone?"

"Well, I guess so" Jessie looked at Aubrey confused by the question, "Like what do you mean?"

"Well, I'm Chloe's best friend, and I, for instance, have a key to her car and apartment. I could track her anywhere."

"Ok, well I don't have Beca's car keys if that's what you are thinking?"

"No, I was thinking that you may know something like her apple id?"

"Well actually, yeah, sure I do. She always has me log in for her when she is doing mixes at my house...why?"

"Perfect, let me have it..." Aubrey grabbed her iPad and logged into the Find My iPhone App with Beca's Id and password. She watched as the radar blipped on the screen, showing a red beacon light just 15 miles from their location. As she drove, Jessie held the iPad to direct them. "This is amazing Aubrey, you should like teach a class on Tracking Skills 101" Jessie tried to find a smile, but only a cool stare shot his way.

"There the Holiday Inn, just over to the right. Do you see her car?"

"Yep, there it is." Jessie smiled, raising his hand up for a high-five, but Aubrey just smirked back his way.

"It worked." Aubrey seemed proud of herself as she stopped the car suddenly.

"Cool, you park here, and I'll run and get her." Jessie suggested.

"No Jessie, with the way she is acting, I doubt we'll be able to get her to come if we just go barging in on her. Let's get you back to your car, I think I can handle it from here."

"Really, I mean what are you going to do...you and she...I mean you guys like are mortal enemies aren't you?"

Aubrey glared at the boy... "This isn't a marvel comic...Beca and I have come to an understanding. She'll hear me out."