It doesn't take very long for Beck to decide that he loves Chicago.
Northwestern University isn't in the city itself but in Evanston, a suburb about half an hour north. The school itself is still right on Lake Michigan and is only a short train ride away from the downtown area of the city. Living in Illinois feels like a mix between living in California and living in Canada. The winters are cold and the summers are hot, he can hang out in the city or drive a little ways west and be surrounded by nature. There's plenty to do, nightlife, tourism, sporting events, even beaches. Yes, Chicago will do just fine for him.
Another great thing about college? Women. All kinds of them. He doesn't go crazy, he doesn't sleep around, but he does hook up with a few different girls during his first semester. It's refreshing to have the opportunity to do so. By the end of high school he had spent four years with the same, rather small, group of students. It's nice to meet new people, new people who are interested in different things as well. It adds variety to his life.
It's not all fun and games though. Beck knows that if he really wants to benefit from all the school has to offer, then he will need to take his studies seriously. College classes are much different than high school ones, he's being taught by the best in the industry. Not to mention he had to work hard to earn his place here, as did his peers. If he wants to stay, he will have to continue to work hard to make sure he doesn't fall short of the expectations his program set for him. He takes great pride in earning a 4.0 grade point average in his first semester, as do his parents.
During his second semester of his freshman year, he takes a film class. As an actor he figures it can't hurt him to learn more about the filmmaking process, because he will only be a small part in what helps it come to life in the end. On the first day of class his professor distributes a list of all of the films they will be examining over the course of the next sixteen weeks. Beck is impressed with himself, because he recognizes so many of them right away. They're separated by genre, and when his eyes scan the 'Horror' section...he thinks of Jade West for the first time in a long while.
'The Scissoring' is at the top of the list, which makes sense. It's one of the greatest horror movies ever made. He'll probably be able to skip that day and still get an A on whatever assignment accompanies it. He and Jade watched it together so many times it doesn't even scare him anymore, he knows exactly what is going to happen and when. It was her favorite movie.
"S'a long list, huh?" The person next to him says
As soon as Beck looks up to see who had spoken, any thoughts of his ex-girlfriend immediately vacate his mind. The voice belongs to a girl, a beautiful girl, sitting a few empty seats away from him. She has chestnut hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, and brown eyes that are a similar shade to his own. Her outfit indicates that she's either coming from or on her way to a dance class, an idea that is strengthened by the studio bag sitting at her feet.
"Well, uh..." Beck stumbles to find his words at first "I mean, two classes a week for sixteen weeks...I'm sure we'll have time for it all."
"You seen any of 'em?" She asks
"Yeah, quite a few actually." Beck nods "I'm a theater major though. I kinda like movies a little bit."
"Gotcha." The girl smirks "You have a name, Mr. Theater Major?"
"Uh, Beck." He tells her "Beck Oliver. You?"
"Bianca Thompson." She responds "Dance major."
"I would have never guessed." Beck chuckles, gesturing to her outfit "What's a dance major doing in a film class?"
"I needed a fine arts credit outside of dance." Bianca shrugs "This counts, figured it was more my speed than pottery making."
"I get that." Beck laughs "That wouldn't be my speed either."
They start off as friends, but it doesn't take very long for them to become much more than that. By midterms, Beck and Bianca are exclusively dating and by the end of the semester Beck is spending more nights in her dorm room than his own.
Bianca is so different from Jade, and Beck only compares the two because Jade is really the only other girl he's ever seriously dated. There's no guessing with Bianca, she's straightforward and open about her feelings. She's kind and open-hearted to everyone she encounters, and she isn't quick to judge at all. As their freshman year of college draws to a close, Beck finds himself dreading having to spend the summer away from her.
Bianca is from St. Louis, so not only would there be distance between them anyway, but Beck has also signed up to study abroad for the summer. Northwestern has a partnership with The British American Drama Academy in London, and only about fifteen students are given the opportunity to go each year. He considers giving up his spot so he has the opportunity to travel to see his girlfriend whenever he can, but she talks him out of it. It's too amazing of an opportunity to give up just for her. It's only six weeks, they can survive six weeks.
Those six weeks feel momentary and like an eternity all at once. Beck has a lot of fun, and he learns so much...but he misses Bianca. He can't ever remember feeling this kind of...well, puppy love...for Jade ever. Bianca is different. Bianca is special. He can tell that already after only six months of dating.
The rest of college feels like a whirlwind. They start coordinating trips home to meet the other's schedule. Beck goes to St. Louis for Thanksgiving, Bianca goes to Canada with him for Christmas and back to Los Angeles for New Year's. The summer between their sophomore and junior years they decide to rent an apartment near campus rather than going home to their respective cities. It's a cramped studio with barely enough room for the young couple, but they couldn't be happier because they're together.
Junior year brings a real career high. Beck lands a role on a network show that shoots in the city. He was originally only booked for an arc of two or three episodes, but the viewers responded so well to him that his character is upped to a regular supporting role the following season. Despite his busy filming schedule, he manages to keep up with his classes. He graduates on time and with honors, as does Bianca.
Beck tells his girlfriend that he wants to take her to dinner in the city to celebrate their graduation, but that isn't the only intention for doing so. That night, in front of a restaurant full of strangers, he gets down on one knee and asks Bianca to marry him. Of course, she says yes. The following September, they exchange vows and say 'I do' in front of only fifty of their closest friends and family members at the Art Institute in Chicago. Andre Harris and Tori Vega are in attendance. Cat Valentine and Robbie Shapiro had been invited but had to decline, Cat was on tour and had a concert scheduled for that night, and as her boyfriend, Robbie wanted to be there with her. Jade West hadn't been invited.
Beck and Bianca continue to call Chicago home until Beck's television show films its series finale. At that point, they decide that it would be best for them to relocate to LA...there are more career opportunities there and Bianca has been doing a lot of flying back and forth anyway. She spent some time touring as a backup dancer for a few different artists but works mostly as a choreographer now, and LA is where her biggest clients will be.
"To a new chapter." Bianca grins, raising her flute of champagne to toast with her husband "New city, new home, new opportunities."
"To that..." Beck nods as their glasses touch "And to my beautiful wife."
They're sitting on the patio beside the pool in the backyard of their new home. A Spanish-style villa in Beverly Hills with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a home theater and personal gym. At only 27 years old, they're quite proud to call it their own.
"This is just as much a new chapter for you as it is for me." Bianca reminds him
"I recognize that." Beck assures her "But I can't pass up an opportunity to praise you. You are without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me, and the most important thing in my life, Bianca Thompson."
"Bianca Thompson Oliver." Bianca smirks as she leans over to kiss him "Can't forget that last part. It's pretty important."
"You're right." A smile forms on his lips as he kisses her back "How could I forget?"
"Want to head inside?" She suggests "Maybe break in that new mattress?"
"It's like you read my mind."