Chapter 20 – Building Bridges

Beca was on her way home after school just thinking about today. After her meeting with Mr. Harris, she went to speak to both Mrs. Smith and Miss. Johnson and that went a lot longer than she thought it was going to be. She had a lesson with Chloe, but that was music and Beca wanted to talk to Chloe, just not in a class so she sat there with her headphones in working on her music assignment that she hadn't started. When it came to her lunch, she just asked her teacher to go to the music room so that she could work on her music. She didn't talk to any of her friends, she thought they all hated her.

Beca's mum had a meeting with Mr. Harris after school so Beca was on her own when she got in. Jordan couldn't get to school until half two so that left Beca on her own when school finished at three. She didn't know how long they were going to be talking.

Just as Beca was about to make a sandwich as she didn't eat at school today her phoned chimed.

Red (15:31) – If you don't want to talk to me, that's ok. I just wanted to know how you are. I saw Jordan heading to the principal's office. You don't have to reply but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about what happened in the hospital and everything else after that. I wanted to talk to you today, but I just didn't know if you wanted to talk to me or not, so I just left you alone. I still care Becs, I care about you a lot. If you want to talk or meet up, then let me know. – Chloe x

Beca read the text message over and over again in her head. She would rather talk to Chloe face to face then message her.

Did you fancy meeting at Starbuck's in an hour?

Chloe (15:40) – See you soon x

Beca was certain her mum would be back soon but just in case she wasn't she messaged her.

Hey Mum, not sure how long you're going to be, but I'm meeting Chloe in an hour at Starbucks. Love you x

Not long after Beca sent a message to her mum, she walked through the door.

"Beca?"

"Kitchen, Mum!" She called.

"Hey, you ok?"

Beca just shrugged and walked over to her mum to give her a hug.

"Come on, let's talk"

"How was school?"

"It was ok, quiet but ok. I spoke to Mrs. Smith and Miss. Johnson after having spoken to Mr. Harris for a long time. Then at lunch I just sat in the music room as there was a music piece we got given to look at last week and we have to describe how it makes us feel that's due next week, so at lunch I just worked on that"

"Did you talk to Chloe, or your friends? I saw her as I went to talk to Mr. Harris"

"No, I did send you a text, but you were obviously driving. I'm meeting Chloe at half four at Starbucks. I didn't know how to talk to her at school, so I just left her and everyone else alone"

"Ok, well Mr. Harris spoke to me about your English and how he's going to help and he's also going to contact your old school tomorrow about Aubrey. He also said that you were confronted by her last week and that you had an argument with her. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry, you're so busy with work and everything else, I didn't want to burden you with my problems. I wanted to deal with it myself"

"Becs, I'm your mother, you need to talk to me. Don't deal with problems yourself, ok? If you have a problem, then you and I will face it head on together. If there are any more problems at school, you message me and talk to Mr. Harris. Next time, please don't deal with it yourself, last time that happened you broke your wrist"

"Ok, ok, I got it mum. Did Harris say anything else to you?"

"He did say to me that if there's anymore problems and you don't talk then he will take action and suspend you, but he doesn't want to do that. He can see how hard you've been trying here"

"Yeah, he did say to me that looking at what NY put to what people here have seen that he is surprised. I guess he thought I'd be more trouble, which right now is true"

"True, but we're going to sort it and he's going to help you and figure out what the next steps are going to be. Who knew that one teacher could be this mean? I just don't get it"

As soon as Jordan said that Beca went numb. Mr. Harris must've not told her, god, she knew she should, but it wouldn't be fair on her mum. As much as it was killing Beca seeing the person who killed her dad every day, she couldn't tell her mum, not yet anyway.

"I knew" Beca mumbled.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"That, you mumbled something, and I didn't quite catch it?"

"Oh, I just said who knew. You know, in response to the whole one teacher thing?"

"Ok, anyway, what time are you meeting Chloe?"

"Half four, what's the time now?"

"Oh, sorry Beca, it's just gone quarter past now"

"Shit, I best go, I want to talk to her. I don't know when I'll be back, so I can sort out my own dinner if it's not too late"

"Do you want me to drive you?"

"No, that's ok, I'd rather cycle anyway"

"Are you sure? I don't feel comfortable with you riding your bike with your hand in a cast?"

"I'll be fine, you and I both know I never ride with both hands, plus it's like 10 minutes, I'll be careful"

"No, come on, I know you rode your bike today, but I didn't know you'd taken it. You said you were going to walk, so come on let me get my keys and I'll drop you off. No arguments"

"Can't I just walk then? I want to listen to music"

"Compromise, I'll drop you off and you can walk the last stretch? Least then I know you won't sneak back for your bike"

"Fine, ok. But, can you help me role? I can't do it with one hand"

"Yes, ok. Where is it?"

As Jordan was rolling Beca some cigarettes she got her phone out to message Chloe.

Sorry Chloe, I'm running late, I was talking to Mum, I'm just leaving now. I'll be there in the next 5 minutes, sorry again.

By the time Beca had gotten her bike from the back her phone had buzzed.

Chloe (16:31) – If it helps, you're not the only one running late, so don't apologize x

Beca – That does help a lot!

By the time Beca got to Starbucks Chloe was outside waiting for Beca.

"Hey, sorry, as you saw my Mum was in a meeting with Harris and not long after we messaged to meet up, she came in and we were talking"

"Don't worry, honestly. I was on the phone to Stacie"

"She ok?"

"She's good, but like the rest of us, we're all worried about you"

"Can we get a coffee and go and sit in the park or something? I don't want to talk where a bunch of strangers can hear"

"Sounds good, let's go"

"So, what did you want to talk about Beca?" Chloe put both her and Beca's coffees on the grass before helping Beca to sit down.

"I just wanted to apologize, I shouldn't have even dared to try to hit you, I was just angry and when I get angry I hit things as you know" Beca lifted her arm indicating about it being broken. "I just didn't want to talk and my anger got the better of me, I know I was fuming at the time, but looking back at it now, I am so glad Stacie pushed me out of the way when she did"

"Can you just tell me what's going on? I promise I won't say anything, I love you and I'm worried so much about you"

"Ok, but one condition, you cannot and I repeat cannot say it to anyone. Not even my Mum knows what I'm about to say, so until I get the strength to tell her you can't"

"I promise, I'll always be here for you. I know I walked out on you at the hospital but I was mad" Chloe put her hand on Beca's knee and squeezed it.

"I'm going to tell you exactly what I told Mr. Harris, but no one can know, please, Chloe, please"

"I promise, Becs, I promise"

By the time Beca had finished telling Chloe everything it was nearly 7pm and Chloe hadn't said anything since Beca started to tell her. She was so shocked by it all. She saw tears coming out of Beca's eyes, only a couple of people had seen her cry and in one day two people who had never seen her cry before saw her cry.

"Becs, why didn't you talk to someone?"

"I did, Mr. Harris and now you"

"No, before, you can't do this on your own babe. You do need to tell your mum. Yes, she'll be hurt, but she'll no doubt be more hurt that you've been hiding this away from her for a year"

"I'm scared Chloe, it's stupid but I am. How can I tell my mum about the affair and the car? She knows somethings about Aubrey, but not enough. She just knows she has some vendetta against me and that's why she down graded me. How Chlo, how can I tell her this? It's bad enough that she's my teacher" She curled her knees to her head and sobbed.

"Shh, shh, it's going to be ok. We'll sort it out, we'll get the help and it'll all be sorted, I promise. Yes, she's your teacher but you said Harris is going to look over your work whenever she grades it right?" Chloe pulled Beca towards her and just hugged her, stroking her head as she heard her sob.

"I'm sorry Chloe, I'm so sorry"

"Hey, hey, shh, it doesn't matter, ok? You've told me, I'm here and so will Stacie, Em and Amy"

"They can't know"

"They won't, until you say something, so for now, we'll just say you had issues with her before and now she's back. Is that ok?"

"They'll still ask"

"Let them, until you're ready to tell them, I'm here, but I'd rather you tell Jordan first, she needs to know"

"I will do soon, I need to sort somethings out at school and Harris is helping with that"

"Ok, and when you do, I'll be there for you, not literally because that's something between you and her, but when you do, message or call me and I'll be there. I've left you once, I'm not leaving you again, ok?"

"Thank you"

Chloe kissed the top of Beca's head and moved to that her head was on Beca's legs. Beca sparked up a cigarette. It was nice to finally have a cigarette but her mums rolling skills aren't the best.

"Becs what is that? I'm no smoker but I know how to role and that is dreadful"

"I can't roll so I asked my mum, it's shit but it's smokeable and that's all that matters"

"How's school been?"

"It's been ok, don't tell the girls this but it's been boring without you there"

"Aww, missing the little kisses and hand holding, are we?" She smirked.

"Oh, shut it"

"Just 'cause we both know I'm right. If it helps, I've missed you too"

"Are we ok now Becs?"

"We're more than ok, Red"

"So, girlfriends again?"

"Yeah"

Chloe and Beca kissed but before Beca could slip her tongue into Chloe's mouth, she felt Chloe pull away.

"Nu-uh, only pecks until your breath is smelling better, fag breath" Chloe winked.

Beca pouted.

"Rude, well no more kisses then"

"Stick a piece of gum in and you'll be allowed"

"Well do you have any? I don't want to stop kissing you"

"Such a charmer Mitchell, but no. So, drink some coffee and then I'll let you, but just this once" She winked again.

Barden Bitches

Mitchell (19:28) – With Chloe, sorted everything out, well as best as it can be. I am sorry about what happened the other day. Just Poison and I never got on, she made my life hell. Chlo and I are at the park, if you wanna come along. I don't want to lose you girls. I had friends, but they all left after everything with Poison. I'm not used to people actually caring about me, you know? If you can come that'd be great, otherwise, coffee on me tomorrow? I want to make it up to you guys. X

Fat Amy (19:29) – You only need to make it up to Chloe, and if you have, then I'm happy. I'll be there in a few minutes. We love you Shawshank, we were worried and want to help.

Conrad (19:30) – Em and I are on our way. We love you, Mitchell! Together we'll sort it and take her down when necessary 😉