Chapter 1- Backstory

At 12 years old Beca Mitchell's entire life did a 180, everything she had known and grown accustomed to came to an end. Her happy family broke apart and she ended up having her to try her best to pick up the pieces. After her dad packed up and left she was left to look after and take care of her mother who has always suffered from depression and drinking. After years of trying to help her, Beca's father had grown tired and impatient and decided enough was enough and left. Now she had understood his reasons but the fact that he left without his own daughter was what really pissed her off and hurt the most. At 12 she was left with a full time job of trying to keep her mom a float.

Beca really relied on her best friend, the one person who she knew without a shadow of a doubt will always be there for her, Stacie Conrad. Stacie became Beca's shoulder to lean on and the only person she would show any real emotion to let alone talk to. Seeing her best friends life crash and her emotions completely broke Stacie's heart and wanted nothing more than to take away her pain. Every month Beca would receive a post card or a simple note from her dad explaining what was going on in his life and how much he misses her. However after 2 years the letters and all contact for that matter just stopped.

Shortly after the contact stopped just when Beca thought her life couldn't get worse, it took a real nose dive. Beca's 15th birthday was two short months away when she was told the worst news possible. She was in homeroom talking with Stacie about her birthday when she gets called over the intercom to head towards the office. After exchanging a confused look with Stacie she had this feeling in her gut that something had happened. When she was told they found her mom with a pill bottle she completely shut down only saying one word "Stacie". The principal immediately knew what she meant and called for Stacie, after calling Stacie's parents the two girls went to the Conrad house.

After that everything was a blur, she was surrounded by people wearing a mixture of black clothing, their individual faces stained by tears. A lot of things had happened this day, it was her mothers funeral and also the first day she had seen her father in almost 3 years. Once the funeral was over she was leaning on Stacie, who hadn't left her side since that day at school, her father came up to Beca.

"Hey Beca, when you are ready we have to go pack up your stuff, you will be living with me ok" He said softly

She just remembers nodding her head, luckily for her he only lived 30 minutes away so she didn't have to change schools and will still be able to be around Stacie. The next thing she remembers is being sat in the passenger seat of her fathers red BMW, rain was streaking the windows. She had no idea how she had got into the car or how she was surrounded by all of her belongings, nothing felt real anymore. She was waiting to wake up from this nightmare.

After finally getting back on her feet somewhat and creating a stronger bond with Stacie, if that was even possible. Stacie was a brunette just like Beca but she was tall and just drop dead gorgeous, she was funny, genius and everyone loved her, but more importantly she understood Beca. She was Beca's anchor who was always there when her father wasn't and treated her like she was blood. She was just a year older than Beca and that helped the situation always protecting her like she was the most important and precious thing in the world.

Beca had always struggled at school, she was the weird little alt-girl with the tragic background. Girls would call her names, and boys would push her around. But she didn't care about any of that because at the end of the day she had Stacie and that was enough. Stacie was her outlet, without her in Beca's life it would be unlikely that she would still be here. Which is why it was harder for her to leave.

Now at 17 years old and entering her senior year of high school, Stacie was heading for her first year of college. Due to her grades and parents money Stacie pretty much got into Barden University easily. Today was the day both were dreading, the day Stacie would be leaving.

"Bec's I'm going to mis you so much" she wrapped her arms around the small brunettes neck trying her hardest to hold back the tears.

"Don't worry, Barden's not far away we can still see each other a lot" She squeezed the taller brunette tight and stepped backwards.

"Yeah yeah I know. It's just we wont be in the same school anymore or same area, I'll be staying there and wont be able to see you all the time" she pouted.

"Well I'll come visit you all the time and we'll talk on the phone and stuff. Now get in that car and become the greatest scientist known to man" She smiled pulling her sister in for a hug once again.

"I love you shorty, take care of yourself okay?" she kissed the brunette on the forehead and climbed into her car.

"I love you too Godzilla and don't get knocked up!" Stacie just smiled knowing how rare it is for Beca to say "I love you" and drove off.

After a few months of Stacie being at college it was obvious they wouldn't have that much time for each other. She obviously understood why she had no time, but not being able to see her best friend meant that everything else became that much harder, Stacie was her light at the end of a tunnel. School became a lot harder to bare, the antagonistic beating became more and more ruthless when Stacie wasn't there to protect her, she was alone once again. A little part of Beca disappeared when her parents divorced and mother died but Stacie was able to fill it, but now without her those cracks were now once again visible, her smile and light was gone.

Stacie came back for a few days to visit her family and for Beca's graduation, but when she saw Beca it wasn't what she had expected. The light inside of her was gone, she had no spark, no nothing. She was just there looking like she was on auto pilot.

"BECA! shorty, I've missed you so much. I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to talk or visit you as often as I'd hoped" She flung her arms around the brunette who stiffened up at the contact and Stacie realized she felt a lot thinner than she could remember, Beca kept her arms down, usually she would hug back tightly, but she didn't.

"You've been busy Stace" Beca replied emotionless.

"Are you okay Becs?" Beca soften up at Stacie's tone and gave a small smile in return.

"I've just fucking missed you legs, I'm gonna get ready for dinner bye" Beca said with a nod

Stacie just smiled not convinced at all but didn't want to push "Okay B same here"

Over the course of the next few days Stacie noticed how different Beca was now then when she left. She noticed Beca always wearing baggy clothes or how her smile always seems forced or how she is around Warren and Shiela, her dad and step mom, not to mention her eating habits. Stacie couldn't believe what she was looking at her, she couldn't imagine what happened when she was away that caused all this. It was like all the progress she had made over the past few years was erased and they were back at square one.

A few more weeks had passed and Stacie had finally finished her first year at Barden, which meant that in a few months it would be Beca's turn to start at Barden. Beca wanted none of that but her father believed that she needed it and to be happy that she was getting an education "A free one at that". So in September she'd be starting at Barden. Stacie loved her first year at the college she had made a few friends and experienced her fair share of parties plus established a great reputation there, the one thing she was however looking forward to though the most was having Beca there. She had really missed her best friend over the year and couldn't wait to show her around, and the good thing about now being in her 2nd year meant that she could choose her new roommate. Who better than your other half.

"This is gonna be SO much fun Becs! aren't you happy to be my roommate!?" Stacie said bouncing up and down from excitement.

"Of course I am Stace what kind of stupid question is that, it'll just be weird though won't it? like if you bring guys over and... what not" Beca blushed at the comment she had made but it was true.

"Don't be silly B I never bring them back to my or our room now . At least while you were in there" She winked "And hey it's you we'll have to worry about" Stacie laughed and nudged the brunette in the shoulder.

"Oh yes, me and my many sexual encounters... I'm a real sex fiend" Beca replied with as much sarcasm as possible.

" Drop the sarcasm here, plus rooming with me means that you wont get stuck with any freaks" Stacie replied smiling.

"OMG Thank you so much for helping me avoid weirdo's." Beca said while rolling her eyes.

Stacie punched Beca on the arm "Hey! less sarcasm bitch and just be happy that you get to share a room with me" Beca laughed.

So in just two weeks Beca would be moving to Barden University with Stacie, she admits that she was in fact ecstatic to stay with Stacie, however there were still a lot of demons Beca had that would now be a lot harder to hide. Maybe this will be good for her.