Chapter 36
SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK, ENGLAND
"Chloe! It's been three days! Don't you have plans to check out Slade College? I remember you mentioning that you want to check it out." Aubrey jumped out of bed to jumpstart their day.
Aubrey and Chloe had been spending so much time being tourists for the past three days, causing them to set aside Chloe's plans to see Slade College. They had been taking pictures of all their adventures, but Aubrey decided not to post anything yet on social media, just because.
"I don't think I want to check it out anymore, Bree." Chloe casually said without even looking up from the magazine she was reading.
"What do you mean you don't want to check it out anymore?" Aubrey questioned.
"I always wanted to go to Royal College." Chloe stated. "That's where my heart belongs."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Absolutely sure." Chloe nodded in agreement. "The first time I stepped in there, I knew that I was meant to be there."
"Oh, Chloe." Aubrey rushed to her best friend's side and hugged her. "I am so happy for you."
"Thank you, Bree." Chloe smiled in return. "I guess it's the start of something new, huh?"
"Yup." Aubrey gave her best friend a sad smile which Chloe knew no matter how hard Aubrey would try to cover it up.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.
"I guess you won't be needing this anymore, huh?" Aubrey handed Chloe her remaining ticket.
Chloe's eyes were fixed on the ticket for quite a while before she spoke up. "I guess so. I will have to stay longer to settle things here." She sighed.
Chloe and Aubrey's moment was disturbed by an incoming phone call. Aubrey checked the caller ID, and was surprised to see Beca's number flashing on the screen. Chloe started to become uncomfortable upon seeing Beca's name-she knew that she had to talk to Beca about what she has decided to do.
Aubrey smiled at Chloe and took in a deep breath before talking to the brunette. "Hey, Beca." She tried to act like there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Chloe, on the other hand, had to think of something to say. Fast.
BARDEN UNIVERSITY QUADRANGLE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Stacie, Beca, Benji and Jesse were all hanging out under their favorite tree when Beca finally remembered that Chloe and Aubrey's return trip was the next day. She hasn't heard from Aubrey, and it worried her.
She tried asking Stacie about the blonde, but Stacie had been rambling about not being able to talk to Aubrey too. Stacie had mentioned that she wanted to give Chloe and Aubrey the quality time they deserve that's why she wouldn't call the latter.
Since there was no information from Stacie, Beca decided to give the blonde a call no matter how scared she was.
"Hey, Aubrey!" Beca greeted. "I haven't heard from you!"
"I'm sorry, Beca. We just went around London, and we had so much fun…"
"Hey. Hey. Calm down." Beca giggled. "I don't need any explanation, I was just worried. Can I talk to Chloe?" Beca asked.
"Yeah. Sure..." Aubrey replied. "Wait."
Beca could sense how Aubrey tensed. She could just imagine the blonde talking to her as calm as possible, with her eyes closed, and and her hand on her waist.
"Hey, Beca." Chloe tried to be her usual bubbly self as soon as she reached for the phone.
"How are you? How's London?" Beca asked. "Is it treating you well?"
"Yeah! I love it! The museums were amazing, the food, and everything else!"
Beca giggled since she could just imagine how Chloe was. She was happy for Chloe since she was able to experience London first-hand.
"I'm happy for you, Chloe." Beca replied.
"I couldn't imagine how you lived here, Beca!" Chloe chuckled.
It was unusual for Beca to be quiet on the other end since she was the one who initiated the call. "Beca? You still there?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah. I'm here… So…" Beca took in a deep breath, before finally speaking again. "What's it going to be, Red?"
Beca's heart was racing as soon as she asked Chloe. Of course, she knew that she was going to be out of the picture since Chloe was now, a step closer to her dreams. She expected it, but she wasn't ready to hear it yet.
"Beca, listen…" Chloe sighed.
"Based on your opening sentence, it looks like you made your choice." Beca immediately blurted out.
Upon hearing Beca's reply, Stacie, Benji and Jesse turned to face her with their eyes wide. They were waiting for Beca's reaction, and they were completely ready to reach out no matter what happens.
Stacie was ready to sit beside her, but Beca raised her index finger at Stacie-signifying that the taller blonde should discontinue with what she had in mind.
"I'm sorry. I wish I already told you before I left, but I couldn't."
"I don't know if Aubrey told you, but I sort of knew. I knew all along." Beca swallowed hard and tried compose herself. "I'm happy for you, though. So, what's it going to be, Royal or Slade?" Beca attempted to keep the conversation light, but the awkwardness was really evident.
"Royal." Chloe replied.
"That's good. You're meant to be there. You deserve to be there." Beca replied.
"Beca…"
"Uhm… Chloe, I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to go." Beca wanted to escape the conversation they were currently having, and even if she missed Chloe's voice, it was also hurting her at the same time.
"Are we going to talk later? We both know you and I will have to talk."
"Yeah." Beca replied. "I'll call you later. Bye."
As soon as Beca hit the end button, she couldn't stop the tears from falling. Jesse, Stacie, and Benji immediately rushed to her side to comfort her. There was no need to ask what happened, because they, themselves knew, that Chloe had made her decision. It was London for her.
"I was prepared for this, you know?' Beca turned to her friends, while she wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "I thought I was going to be brave and all when Chloe would tell me, but I was wrong. We all knew that London was going to be her choice, but it still hurts, and it sucks."
"Hey, munchkin." Stacie hugged her cousin. "It's going to be alright. You and Chloe could work it out, you know? FaceTime exists!" Beca shook her head at her cousin's proposal. "Wait. What? Don't tell me you're going to…"
"I'm ending things with Chloe." Beca stated.
"No way!" Benji and Jesse said in surprise.
"Beca, you know that you're not supposed to make decisions if you're in an emotional state." Stacie tried to reason with her cousin, and hoped that Beca would snap out of her thoughts.
"I thought of this even before Chloe made her decision. There's no turning back." Beca replied. "We'll only be fooling ourselves if we try so hard doing long distance. She'll be busy with school, and I'll sort myself out. You know, self love." Beca shrugged and played it cool.
"Are you really sure about this?" Jesse asked.
"Yes, I am." Beca stood up and gathered her things.
"Wait. Where are you going? You don't have a class!" Benji held Beca's arm. "C'mon, Beca, don't shut us out."
"I won't. I just need my space." Beca stated as she walked away.
SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK, ENGLAND
"Is everything alright?" Aubrey asked as soon as Chloe returned her phone. "How is Beca? How did she take it?"
"Well, she said that she'll call me back later." Chloe sighed. "I don't know if that's a good sign."
"Tell me honestly, Chloe, do you still want things to work out with Beca?" Aubrey squeezed her best friend's hand for comfort since it was a sensitive topic.
"Yeah. I do, but…"
"But? What's holding you back?"
"I don't know if I could do long distance, Bree. Plus, you know how busy we both are, it seems like it won't work." Chloe replied.
"You could at least try." Aubrey reasoned. "It's all up to you, though."
"I'll just wait for Beca's call. She knows that we really have to talk." Chloe stated. "While waiting, I'll think things through."
BARDEN UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Beca was in the auditorium for a long time now, and it was no surprise when her phone was beeping every after a second.
Stacie, Benji and Jesse were all looking for her-they were worried, and she couldn't blame them. Not wanting to be distracted with all her thoughts, Beca switched her phone to silent mode and continued to play notes on the piano.
She loves Chloe, she really does.
It's just that she couldn't compete with Chloe's dreams.
Because of that fact, she finally decided to push through with what she had in mind all along.
After silently counting to three, Beca closed her eyes as she dialed Chloe's number. She wished that the universe wouldn't let her call through, and it would be a sign for her to discontinue her plan if that would be the case.
But, she was wrong. Beca was wrong- it was not after three rings that Chloe instantly picked up.
"Hey." Beca made it sound like she was more than okay. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier."
"It's alright." Chloe replied. "Are you ready to talk now?"
"Yeah. Go ahead. I'm listening."
"I've been thinking about us. You know, since I'll be here and stuff like that…"
"I know where this is leading, Chloe." Beca cut the redhead off. "And, I know how difficult it is for you to speak up in moments like these…"
"I'm sorry. I just don't know what to say…" Chloe sighed. "But, you know that I want to, it's just that…"
"Chloe, I'm going to put you on loud speaker, alright?" Beca put her phone down on top of the piano. "And please listen to every word, since you're hard up with speaking your mind out, I guess it's better if I do it…"
Beca didn't give Chloe the chance to respond. She immediately started to play the piano, and fixed her phone properly while doing so-just so Chloe could listen to every word.
You and me, we used to be together
Every day together, always
I really feel that I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe this could be the end
It looks as though you're letting go
And if it's real, well I don't want to know
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Our memories, they can be inviting
But some are altogether mighty frightening
As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands, I sit and cry
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, no, no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are
You and me
I can see us dying, are we?
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, no, no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't speak, don't speak, don't speak, oh
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons.
The tears on Beca's eyes could stop falling, and she was indeed, grateful that Chloe wasn't personally with her. It would be more difficult to push through with her plan since one look at Chloe's blue eyes could make her retract her decision.
"That was painful." Chloe broke the silence, causing Beca to focus on the situation.
"But accurate." Beca sighed. "It's true though, isn't it? We don't have to pretend that we're going to be all good from here."
"I thought you said that you won't break up with me." Chloe stated.
"I'm not. I'm just helping you out." Beca replied. "That's why, I'm letting you do the honor."
"I don't think I could do this." Chloe was sobbing, and Beca hoped that Aubrey was currently beside the redhead to console her.
"But you have to, right? It's for the best?" Beca asked in between sobs.
"Yeah." Chloe replied. "I am so sorry, Beca. I really am. You should know how difficult this is for me."
"You can manage. C'mon, I'll take it, don't worry." Beca assured the redhead that she'll be alright, even though it was far from the truth at that moment. "So, what's it going to be?"
"I love you, Beca. You know that."
"I know."
"But, I guess this is the time that we have to let go. It was tough, and difficult, but I'm surrendering… I'll continue to believe in the saying that what's meant to be will find its way back." Chloe stated. "So, Beca Mitchell, will you do the same thing? Will you surrender?"
"Because I love you too much…" Beca was crying, but still spoke enough for Chloe to completely understand her. "I will."
SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK, ENGLAND
Chloe didn't want to end the phone call, but talking to Beca slowly tore her apart, but she had to be strong for herself as well.
Aubrey walked in on her silently crying in the corner of the bedroom, and in instant, Aubrey knew what just happened upon seeing Beca's name on Chloe's screen.
"Chloe… I am so sorry." It was all that Aubrey could say to the redhead.
"It's alright, Bree. I just couldn't handle the thought of Beca hanging around, and I don't want to pretend that we'll eventually be okay. We just faced the truth." Chloe replied. "And it sucks because it hurts so much."
"You and Beca will find your way back to each other, Chloe. I am sure of that." Aubrey kissed Chloe's temple while allowing the redhead to cry it all out. "It's just that you both need the perfect timing."
BARDEN UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
"Have you seen her yet?" Benji met up with Stacie and Jesse in front of the University Library.
Since Beca was not responsive, they decided to split up to look for her around campus. Stacie and Jesse knew that Beca is different when she's not emotionally stable, and they wanted to be there for her. Benji didn't know how fragile Beca was until that day, and he was utterly concerned about her too.
"Try calling her one more time." Jesse turned to Stacie, who did what was told.
"C'mon, Beca. Pick up." Stacie mumbled. "Pick up."
After several attempts, there was still no response. It all went to voicemail.
"Hold it!" Stacie suddenly exclaimed. "There was one place in campus where we haven't searched yet."
"Where is that?" Benji asked.
"The Auditorium!" Stacie pulled Benji's hand, as she walked towards the auditorium. "Let's go."
"What would Beca be doing in the Auditorium?" Benji asked while being dragged by the tall brunette.
"We'll tell you later. Just move." Jesse snickered. "I hope she's still there."
Jesse, Stacie and Benjie ran as fast as they could to get to the Auditorium. Luckily enough, when they got there, the lights were still on, which meant that there was someone in there.
"I hope it's her." Stacie whispered while she slowly opened the door.
With just one look at the person who was on stage by the piano, they knew it was her.
It was Beca.
Beca was crying-it was such a heartbreaking sight.
Stacie, Jesse and Benji all ran up to the brunette and enveloped her in a hug.
There were no questions needed to be asked; they just wanted to be by Beca's side at that very moment.
Beca acknowledged their presence, and looked at each one of them in the eye. "We're over. Chloe and I are done."
It was difficult to believe, and indeed, there were pending questions waiting to be asked, most especially WHY?, but Stacie, Jesse and Benji put it all on hold until Beca was ready to talk things out.
Despite of being in shock, due to Beca's revelation, Stacie did her best to console her cousin. She hugged Beca as tight as she could, and even assured her to accompany her for the rest of the week, but Beca declined.
"Where are you going to stay, Beca?" Stacie asked in concern. "Aubrey's not home yet, and I'm sure you don't want to be in the apartment."
"I know." Beca replied. "That's why, I'm going home."
"Am I hearing you right? You're going home?" Benji interrupted, causing Stacie to glare at him.
"Woah there. Sorry." Benji backed off. "You're like Aubrey now."
"This is no time for jokes, Benji." Stacie replied. "But yeah, going back… Are you sure? We could book you a hotel or something." Stacie suggested.
"Yes. I'm absolutely sure." Beca assured her cousin. "I think it's time anyway. You know, Chloe and I broke up, and maybe it's a step I have to take to figure myself out…"
"You don't have to do this immediately, Beca." Jesse jumped in the conversation. "I mean, if you aren't ready…"
"Jesse, I'm ready…" Beca smiled at the boy, and then turned to Stacie, "Trust me. I will be alright."
"Alright. Because I have so much faith in you, I'll let you do what you want." Stacie sighed. "Is that what you really want to do now?"
"Yes. I think I'm going to need my mom, anyway. You know, I have a broken heart, and mothers know best." Beca stated. "So, yeah, which one of you is going to drive me home?" Beca managed to say despite her heavy heart.
MITCHELL ESTATE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
"Hey. We're here." Stacie unbuckled her seatbelt. "We can still drive away, you know. I can still reverse this thing." She joked.
"I appreciate the concern, Stace. But, yeah, I just wanna be home." Beca sighed. "It's been a while, and I miss this place."
"I'm sure everyone in there misses you too." Stacie replied. "Just call me if anything goes wrong, okay?"
"I will. Don't worry." Beca hugged Stacie before getting out of her car. "Drive safe."
Stacie waved back while backing her car away from the Mitchell's driveway. "Love you, Beca!" She shouted before fully driving away.
Beca's heart was racing while she was on her way to their doorstep.
Everything felt foreign, but she did hope that she would still be welcome as soon as the doors open for her.
Her hands were trembling while she pressed their door bell. How she wished that it would be easy, but her anxiety was making it difficult for her.
She wanted to run away and back out-but, she needed to be home.
Chloe used to be her home-but they were over. They were done.
"Rebecca? Is it really you?" Cynthia came face to face with her daughter, and was teary eyed upon seeing Beca before her.
Beca's face lit up when her mother wasn't looking at her in disgust.
Instead, her mother suddenly welcomed her with open arms and hugged her tightly even when Beca didn't say anything yet. "I was hoping for this day to arrive." Cynthia said.
"I'm sorry for everything, Mom." Beca replied while she hugged her mother back. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too, honey. For everything." Cynthia wiped Beca's tears on her cheeks. "If only you'd allow me to make it up to you every single day, I would."
"It's alright, Mom. Don't bother." Beca sobbed. "I just need my mother right now."
Beca lingered on her mother's hug, and to say that she missed it was an understatement.
"I missed you, so much." Cynthia stated while caressing her daughter's locks. "I'm sorry for my mistakes, honey. And I just want to let you know that you're my daughter, and nothing can change that. No matter who you are, or what you aspire to become, know that I will be supporting you every step of the way."
"Aw, Mom. Thank you so much. You don't know how much that means to me. I promise not to let you down." Beca sobbed.
"You never did, honey. You always made me proud." Cynthia kissed her daughter and hugged her once again.
Beca thought that she would be expecting the worst once she would set foot in their premises once again. But, she was wrong.
What happened was the complete opposite- her mother was asking for forgiveness, which was something rare. Not that she was complaining, but it felt like Beca's heart was relieved of an emotional burden. Finally, her mother accepted her.
"Cynthia,dear. I have to leave for New York..." Warren stepped in the picture, completely unaware of the moment shared between his wife and his daughter.
Upon seeing his daughter up close, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks. "Rebecca." He blurted out.
Hearing her father's voice startled Beca. She couldn't get anything out of her mouth as soon as she met her father eye to eye.
"Rebecca, honey..." Warren stepped forward to approach his daughter. "Is everything alright?" His voice was filled with concern, and Beca couldn't help but cry all the more.
Cynthia loosened her hold on her daughter, so she could give her husband and her daughter some space, but still, there was no response from Beca.
"Are you alright, dear?" Warren asked once more as he moved closer to raise Beca's chin up. Warren examined his daughter's face, and no matter what they went through, he was still able to read his daughter's eyes. "You are my daughter, and no matter how much you keep things from me, I will always know how you feel. I can see it in your eyes, Rebecca. You are definitely not okay." Warren stated.
Beca looked away. She hated how much her father knows her.
"I'm sorry, Rebecca." Warren swallowed hard. "For the pain I caused you. It was unbecoming of a father, and I know I failed you in that aspect. But, please honey, I'm asking for another chance to let me be your father again. We'll start over, and from now on, we'll make things right. You see, I neglected you. I disregarded your feelings, and I admit, I may have done things just to lure you back home. I completely understand if it would even take you how many years just to forgive me, but, I'm willing to suffer for what I have done."
Beca couldn't believe what she was currently hearing. Her father was apologizing, and indeed, was crying.
She hated how her heart was not entirely made of stone. And no matter how much she wanted to be angry at her father, seeing the latter vulnerable was one thing that Beca never saw in her whole life.
"I promise to be a better father, Rebecca. And, I just want to let you know that you will always be my one and only-no matter who you are." Warren added. "Don't worry, I'll understand if you don't want to speak to me again, but I'm willing to earn your trust..."
"Dad..."
"I'm sorry, Rebecca. I really am." Warren was a mess, and it shocked Beca and Cynthia. It looked like Warren was really affected with Beca's leaving in the first place after all. He was just so excellent in putting up a mask, but deep inside, he feared how he lost his daughter.
"Oh, dad. You don't have to wait for how many years..." Beca hugged her father in an instant, and it felt good. "Everything you said meant a lot. Your acceptance was the greatest of all. So, thank you so much."
Beca knew that she had the right to be angry at her father, but hearing that he finally accepted her made everything change in an instant. It was what Beca wanted ever since day one-to be accepted by her parents.
"You're my princess." Warren smirked. "It feels good to have you around again."
"I didn't expect that this day would come." Beca smiled in return.
"Your father and I will be here to welcome you home, honey." Cynthia stated. "Always."
"Thank you, Mom." Beca hugged her mother. "I just realized that it feels good to leave home, but it also feels better to come back."
Warren was happy that his daughter was back-he was indeed, serious in starting over. And, it definitely looks like that Beca was willing to do the same thing-they could leave that dark chapter behind to create better ones. They were on the same page.
He knew that he was not the perfect father to Beca, but he was going to make up for it. No matter what.
"Rebecca..." Warren called his daughter's attention.
"Yes, dad?" Beca looked back, excusing herself from her mother.
"Nothing." Warren stared at his daughter-Beca really did look like him. "I just want to thank you for giving me another chance. And also, welcome home."
A/N: What do you think of the idea of Beca reconciling with her parents?
I'm sorry that they had to reconcile-they can't go on with their fight forever. And family is important. Always.
Also, what about Chloe? Do you think she could make it in London on her own?
I'm also planning to do a time jump for the next chapter. Would it be better if it would be for a year or two maybe? Or is 3 years a little too late?
And lastly, to those asking me via PM- I don't know how many Chapters this is going to be, but since you're enjoying it, why would I end it in 40 Chapters, right? So never fear, I can assure you there'll be more than 40. x