Chloe took a deep breath and then said, "I'd forgotten how it felt when somebody really cared about me." "Chloe…", Beca started, her voice hoarse with emotion. This was crushing her heart. Chloe deserved it so much to be cared about. "Shhh, let me explain that before you say anything", the redhead said, feeling she needed to explain her statement before Beca got scared off or freaked out by Chloe being too emotional. Beca nodded and listened as Chloe told her story. "Look, I know that this sounds crazy because I have such a great relationship with my family and I do love them and I know they love me and care about me. But I'm talking about a different kind of care – the care and concern that comes with friendship and love." She hesitated for a moment, gauging Beca's reaction and because the DJ's eyes were still filled with loving care, she continued. "When I was with John, I felt like what we had was perfect. He was kind and gentle, funny and protective and everything I had ever dreamed. I thought that was it – that was true love and we'd spend our lives together. But then…then it was all over in a flash and…"

Chloe's voice cracked and Beca's heart broke again at the sight of her friend's pain. The DJ resumed the caressing of the redhead's hands in her lap but remained quiet. Chloe took a moment to steady herself but then finished her sentence, "and the worst of it was that for him I was just another girl. I'd really cared about him but he'd never felt the same. And my best friend had gone behind my back and betrayed me too – without regret."

Although saying this out loud lifted a huge weight off Chloe's shoulders, it also brought fresh tears to her eyes which streamed rapidly down her cheeks. Again the redhead felt her insecurity spike but also realized that Beca was still looking at her with the same affection as before and that the DJ's cheeks were also wet. Before Chloe could react in any way other than feel her heartbeat quicken, Beca reached up and wiped away the tears from the redhead's face, "I'm so sorry, Chloe", she whispered, "That was a horrible thing they did to you. You deserve so much better", Beca said before she could stop herself. It was not like she had tried particularly hard but she was surprised by how fast her reluctance to express emotions had seemingly disappeared. "Thank you, Beca", Chloe said, "For listening and for…for caring and…and not being freaked out", she choked as she now brushed away a stray tear from the DJ's face. Beca's heart instantly skipped. Chloe's words and her gesture had left her speechless for a moment. "Always, Chloe, always and…and thank you for trusting me. I…it means a lot to me…more than I can actually say", the DJ stammered and was overjoyed when her words put a smile on her friend's face. After a moment of silence Chloe pulled Beca into another hug.

When the two broke apart, Chloe bounded off the bed and ran over to the window. "Beca?" "Yes?" the DJ replied. Turning around with a huge smile on her face, the redhead said enthusiastically, "What do you think about taking a walk? I just love the fresh snow and the air will be fantastic." Beca was very comfortable right where she was in the warm room on the soft bed and would happily have stayed in but she couldn't help but give in considering her friend's face which was shining with excitement. She was so happy that Chloe was apparently feeling better after confiding in Beca and the DJ would just do about anything to keep it that way. So she got off the bed too and walked over to her closet, "Well, if that's what will make you happy, that's what we'll do, right? she said with a smile. Chloe's heart jumped for joy at her friend's words and that feeling of pure gratitude and happiness was only strengthened by the kind and honest smile on the DJ's face as she held out Chloe's coat to the redhead. "Come on, Red! Get dressed and let's go before I reconsider", Beca teased with a smirk. "Alright, alright, Becs, coming!" Chloe said and bounded forward, taking her coat from Beca so that the DJ could get dressed herself.

A few moments later the two friends found themselves outside in the relatively empty campus grounds. Many of their fellow students seemed to have gone home over the weekend or preferred to stay inside on a Saturday afternoon with light snowfall. Chloe Beale was definitely not one of these people. This realization came to Beca the instant they stepped outside into the untouched snow and her friend practically started skipping through it instead of just walking. Normally, Beca would have found such behavior a bit ridiculous and childish but, yet again, in Chloe's case she perceived it as adorable and funny. "Come on, Becs, get a move on", the redhead called from a few meters ahead, turning around to see where her friend had gone. "I wanna show you something", she said and extended a hand as an invitation for the DJ to catch up with her. Beca was immediately intrigued and, against any of her usual instincts, jogged up to Chloe and grabbed her hand. Seeing Beca approach and feeling her take her hand Chloe experienced a rush of excitement that the DJ had actually done what the redhead had invited her to do. She had not really been sure that Beca's walls would have cracked enough yet. Deciding not to push her luck, the redhead gave a quick but gentle pull on her friend's hand, pulling her after her but then released her.

Despite being fully aware that she'd just acted like a little child being offered a fancy reward, Beca somehow regretted that Chloe had let go of her hand. Then again, it was most likely better that way because running hand in hand across campus with her friend might be a bit too cheesy for two adults, she thought. So the DJ jogged after the redhead, "Where are we going?" Without breaking stride or turning, Chloe chimed, "You'll see, just follow me."

To be continued…