Hi, everyone! This is an idea that's been brewing for a while and I finally got around to giving the story a shot. If you're familiar with shameless, you can get the general idea for the vibe of the story. But I'll leave it at that! I hope you enjoy the first chapter :)
"I cannot believe you dragged me here." Aubrey muttered as she vigorously wiped down their table with a napkin, her face grimacing before she tossed it to the side. The bar had character...with it's chipped walls and floors covered in peanut shells and spilled beer. The tv's played ESPN, showing the highlights of the Chicago Cubs while the men at the bar raised their glasses and talked loudly over the staticky speakers that the bartender occasionally slapped with the palm of her hand. Aubrey turned to her best friend in front of her, her eyes pleading that they get up and leave.
Chloe smirked as she sipped her margarita, "I'll admit we're a bit far from the dorms but it's way too cold to be standing outside. On the bright side," The redhead swirled her drink with the straw, "the drinks are pretty good."
Aubrey scoffed, "Well, enjoy your drink. I refuse to have my judgement impaired while we wait here. Has Tom texted back yet?"
Chloe cleared her throat and scrolled through her phone, shaking her head.
"No not yet. He gets off work at 10, though."
Aubrey nodded, glancing up at the clock above them that read 9:45pm. She brought her arms close to her chest when one of the men at the bar slammed his glass against the table, barking out a laugh.
"You should text him again."
Chloe rolled her eyes, "Bree, calm down." She squinted her eyes when Aubrey sunk into her seat, "I'm getting you a drink." Just as Aubrey was beginning to protest, insisting that one of them should be 100% sober, Chloe sprung up from their booth and walked over to the bar where the bartender was refilling the mens glasses with more beer.
"Thank you, Gail."
"No prob, Patrick." The blondes curls bounced against her shoulders when she turned to face Chloe who plopped down on the empty stool a few spots beside them. "What can I do for you, hon?"
"Can I get a margarita, please."
Gail smiled, "Absolutely."
"Thank you." Chloe smiled. She felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket, with an eye roll she glared over her shoulder at Aubrey.
Bree: I put your rape whistle in the right hand pocket of your purse
Chloe typed her reply before slipping her phone back into her pocket.
Me: Thanks, mom.
The creaky door swung open and a petite brunette walked inside, letting in the chill of the September night air. Her shoulders were arched up towards her ears as she shuffled inside.
Gail looked up and beamed, "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes. Beer?"
"Yeah, thanks." The brunette smiled and took the empty seat at the end of the bar, not noticing the redhead until Gail walked over with the margarita. Beca watched Chloe reach into her Louis Vuitton purse and the brunette smirked, raising her eyebrows.
"Keep the change." Chloe smiled.
Gail saluted Chloe before walking back towards the men who sent frustrated gestures towards the tv.
"Did you get lost or something?"
Chloe was just about to head back over to Aubrey when Beca spoke. She chuckled lightly and tilted her head with curiosity.
"'Scuse me?"
"I'm playin'. I've just never seen you around here." Beca laughed. She took a moment to take notice of the University of Chicago logo on Chloe's shirt that was peaking out from inside her jacket.
"Yeah, my friend and I just started at UC and figured we'd - "
"Tour the south side?" Beca asked with a raised eyebrow, "No, I don't blame you. Our drunks are a sight to see." She nodded towards Patrick who downed a shot and laughed at something his friend said while Gail took a swig of her beer, "Exhibit A."
Chloe turned around to look down the bar as Patrick pounded his chest and burped.
"Charming." Chloe mumbled, raising an eyebrow.
Gail approached them with Beca's drink, "Here you go, B." She winked at Beca, sending her a knowing look before looking over at Chloe, "How's the margarita, sweetie?"
Chloe blinked, suddenly remembering that she was supposed to give the drink to Aubrey.
"Oh, right. This is for my - my friend." Before Chloe left the bar, Beca leaned over with a small smile.
"Hey, college."
Chloe rolled her eyes but a smile soon snuck up on her face when Beca's eyes twinkled and her grin curved a little more. It was a small moment where Chloe just stood there, captivated - wondering what this stranger was going to ask her. In that moment she couldn't quite decipher what this unfamiliar feeling was that suddenly fluttered in her stomach...and that's all it took? A smug little grin?
"What's your name?"
"Chloe."
Beca nodded and raised her glass slightly off the counter, "Well, take care...college."
Chloe narrowed her eyes playfully, "You're not gonna tell me your name?"
"Why so you can look me up on Facebook?" Beca asked, faking offense with a look of disgust before hiding her smile behind the rim of her glass.
Chloe giggled, "Do you have Facebook?"
Beca scrunched her eyebrows, shaking her head and licking the beer from her lips, "Hell no. It's stupid. Like, I don't care about whose Friendiversary it is or whose dog just turned 2."
"So how else am I going to internet-stalk you?" Chloe joked.
"You see," Beca squinted her eyes, "I knew it."
Chloe chuckled and gave the brunette one last smile before walking back over to Aubrey who had been watching from their booth. Aubrey raised her eyebrow and once Chloe sat back down she glared, squinting her eyes suspiciously.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Chloe pulled her lips away from the straw of Aubrey's margarita and smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, right. Sorry. Here you go."
Aubrey glanced at the drink and shook her head, "No. I mean what're you doing talking to a stranger?"
"Aubrey." Chloe laughed. "She's harmless."
"Ted Bundy seemed harmless but look what he did." Aubrey leaned back and crossed her arms against her chest, raising her eyebrows suggestively - clearly she cracked the case and everyone was a threat! Guilty until proven innocent!
"You're ridiculous." Chloe whispered as she leaned forward, "But I love you. Can you please drink your margarita?"
Aubrey huffed and slid the drink in front of her, "Stop trying to get me drunk." She took a sip and rolled her eyes before taking another, it was pretty good.
"But I looove drunk Aubrey." Chloe cooed, "I miss her."
"Yeah, well, Drunk Aubrey is on time out." Aubrey muttered, "I'm never leaving Stacie in charge of the punch again."
"Are you kidding?" Chloe snickered, "She's always gonna be in charge of the punch."
Aubrey shook her head and soon her lips found the straw again. Over by the bar, Beca moved to join Patrick and Gail while she poured a row of shots in front of them.
"Where's wonderboy tonight?" Patrick asked before throwing his head back to take his shot.
Beca smirked, "I texted him to pass by. But I think he's home with Em."
"And your pops?" Ed asked who was sitting beside Patrick.
Beca laughed, "Either passed out under the L or handcuffed in the back of a police car, who the fuck knows."
Gail laughed, "The night is young. I'm sure Arthur will surface and grace us with his presence."
Beca shook her head, taking a swig of her beer as she leaned back against the bar, "Careful what you wish for." She looked over at the booth towards the far end of the bar and watched as Chloe and Aubrey finished their drinks and made their way towards the door. Beca placed her beer down and just as the blur of red hair disappeared behind the wooden door, Beca pushed herself off the bar and caught the door before it was shut. She winced when the cold air hit her exposed arms and with a grin she called out, ignoring the man stepping out of the BMW parked in front of the bar.
"Hey, college." Chloe turned around and smiled. Beca bit her lip, "My name's Beca."
Aubrey rolled her eyes and slid into the backseat while Tom stood next to his girlfriend, his hand rested on Chloe's lower back as he raised his eyebrow at the small brunette. Chloe held Beca's gaze as she slid into the passenger seat.
"Bye, Beca."
Later that night, Beca stepped into her house and was immediately greeted by the familiar smell of weed and beer. Tripping over a pair of boots as she stepped into the living room, Beca rolled her eyes and took a quick look around. The tv was on and there were bowls of cereal left abandoned on the coffee table, soggy flakes floating to the surface of the milk. Beca walked into the kitchen where she grabbed a beer from the fridge before leaning forward on the kitchen island. There was a faint thump coming from upstairs followed by a laugh and few curse words before two pairs of footsteps came running downstairs.
"You're such an asshole, Jesse." Emily, the youngest of the three, pushed her brother forward. Jesse laughed.
"He'll call back, calm down."
"Who? Benji?" Beca asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Emily looked between her older siblings and groaned, "You're both annoying."
Jesse laughed, swinging the fridge door open and grabbing a beer.
"You were at Gail's?" He asked, standing beside Beca who nodded.
"They were asking about you." Beca said, a grin slowly forming, "Wonderboy."
Jesse rolled his eyes, "Fucking Patrick."
Beca chuckled before walking around the island towards the dining table, suddenly taken aback when there was a body laid out on the floor. She poked Arthur's back with the tip of her sneaker and a low rumbling snore followed.
"Jesus, Arthur - when did he get in?"
Jesse and Emily leaned forward and shrugged nonchalantly at the sight of their father in his natural state. Wrinkled leather jacket, stained t-shirt with his scuffed jeans giving off the familiar aroma of alcohol. His hair tangled under the beanie that was shifted down, covering his baggy eyes.
"I don't even notice him anymore, to be honest with you." Emily said, shaking her head before gesturing towards the stairs, "I have to practice my solo for tomorrow so I'm turning in early. Night, guys!" Jesse and Beca waved over their shoulder before turning their attention back to their father.
"What should we do with him?" Jesse asked, lightly scratching his bare chest as a yawn forced its way out of his mouth.
Beca sighed. She shook her head and took a large gulp of her beer, finishing the bottle.
"Just leave him there. We'll lecture him tomorrow." Beca deadpanned.
"Cause his stubborn brain always registers what we have to say." Jesse quirked an eyebrow.
"This time it will." Beca said sternly, "Because he has one last chance before he's out."
If you've made it this far - yay! I hope you all liked the first chapter. Please leave me some feedback - this is my first attempt at a story so I'd love to hear from you guys!
Thanks for reading :)