A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the constant hiatus, I do apologize. I've been busy with work and the mental exhaustion from grad school is keeping me away from writing but I do promise I'll get back into things. That is, I'm slowly getting back into things ;) For sure once we hit chapter 10, I'll keep updates with this fic on the regular, and hopefully it would be back to my usual update speeds. I'm challenging myself to finish a different fic by Thanksgiving weekend and another by Christmas… let's see if I wrap this up before New Year's?
For now, here's chapter 4 featuring Emily Junk, an ambush to get on the right path, Chloe and Beca finally sharing a scene (although it's brief)! More Bechloe interactions will come, I'm just getting the characters together now…
I don't own pitch perfect.
"No." Beca had said almost in a daze as she stared at her. "Dude, just no." she then repeated. Emily believed that she was talking to Jesse for the most part of it – or perhaps to herself? – as she took in the information she was given. Information in the form of Emily Junk, the angel she met in heaven, currently explaining that good ol' uncle Pete was there to monitor her progress for her trial.
"It's kinda how it's supposed to be Beca." Emily replied as the two of them sat under the shade of a tree at the quad during lunch. Jesse looked at the two of them curiously before his eyes widened and fully grasped the situation.
"Wait a minute…" Jesse muttered. "Wait, wait, oh my gosh! You, you're, this part of the…" he started to ramble on as realization dawned upon him. Beca grunted and effectively shushed him as Emily also caught on to what Jesse knew that he wasn't supposed to know.
"You told him?!" she then exclaimed. Rule one was to keep this whole thing between them, no outsiders get dragged into things. She already figured that one or two people might end up finding things out eventually and Emily was prepared for that.
She was not, however, prepared to handle that said predicament rather soon as she made the wrong assumption that Beca closed-off-from-the-rest-of-the-world Mitchell would keep this to herself. She was clearly wrong about that.
Although Emily decided to take comfort in the fact that Beca would seek out a friend to deal with the troubling information she would undoubtedly have a hard time to process alone. To figure out what her trial is, to truly live and be alive, to find your purpose in life. In a way, this was also why senior year was what she argued for in deciding when to send Beca back. Freshman Beca would have been more closed off, senior Beca had been worn down by Jesse a little, they would have established a good enough relationship where they could talk about the strangest of things. That and Jesse would have by then accepted his fate as the faithful Friend A and he can focus on helping her.
So, perhaps, they were taking a step in the right direction after all?
Emily sighed. "Well, I don't suppose it hurts that you know since you're not my charge." Emily then replied as she tried to calm down a bit and focus on the important first step they needed to take.
Jesse then nodded as if seeing Emily's point. "I'm just glad you're here to help us. It sucks, like by a lot, to know what Beca needs to do in a year… to know… you know what, none of the heavy stuff right now. You're here to make sure Beca's heading to a better place. Let's focus on that. So, what's the plan?"
"Um, can you guys not talk among yourselves about me when I'm literally sitting between the two of you." Beca then interjected, taking control of the conversation. "You, stop getting him on board with all of this and talking like all of this happening here right now is normal." she went on, addressing Emily before turning to Jesse. "And you, stop talking to her like you've know her forever."
"I mean, I'm just befriending the only ally we have here." Jesse replied.
Beca looked like she was about to say something in response but Emily beat her to the punch. "Look, Beca, I'm sure you know by now that you have a timer here. I'm just here to make sure you go through this fairly, to sort of help you out with subtle nudges and hints, and to make sure you're safe."
"Safe from what?" Beca immediately asked.
Whoops.
"I… I mean… you know… make sure you don't get yourself in an accident that will endanger your life before your trial ends… stuff like that, yeah." Emily then quickly gave as a response because one, she wasn't even supposed to say that, and two, she really most definitely hoped she doesn't have to deal with them her with her first charge ever.
"Sure." Beca replied, sounding rather skeptical. Lucky for Emily, Jesse immediately jumped in with his theories of what Beca might have to do. For the most part Emily simply listened and smiled and shrugged along. She really cannot inform any of them about much of the specifics.
The day dragged on after that, with Emily constantly trying to get Beca to where she needed to be. However, the grumpy DJ did have her share of responsibilities that she needed to get done. After getting annoyed with Emily trailing her around, Beca promised to meet her up again later in the afternoon at her apartment.
Emily would protests but she figured Beca would need space to process the things that just kept popping up for her. The predicament they were in was already the definition of an out of the ordinary special kind of circumstance that she really can't blame her. Beca's mind was still catching up to what's actually happening around her. It looked like she already acknowledge and accepted it, which was good, but Emily does understand just how overwhelming everything must be.
Besides, she figured it was her time to do some digging and preparation.
She of course had her own version of a mission briefing before descending and assuming the human identity of Emily Junk. She decided to adopt one of the last names of a different guardian angel in disguise at Barden in the past to help establish her identity and possible connections. What she needed to do, however, was confirm the information they have gathered and made sure that nothing has changed from what should be with Beca's re-emersion to her past self.
Or at least, to what had been during the past that Beca was reliving now.
And not what was totally intended to happen by the forces above.
After the entirety of the afternoon was spent ensuring that everything was in place for things to happen naturally – her role here, after all, included setting things up to help Beca along and letting her decide what happens next once granted with the options she was given – Emily found herself promptly waiting for Beca in front of her apartment.
Beca gave her a wary look, clearly indicating how cautious she was acting around Emily. "You do know you can relax around me, right?"
"Yeah, but how do I know you're not her to tempt and confuse me? Draw out my inner darkness or something and then judge me?"
"Not what we do. Like I said before, I'm here to help you Beca. I do want you to get the best out of this experience, the best outcome too." Emily then said as she trailed after her once more, making their way to inside Beca's apartment. "Which is why we're totally gonna have you change into something a little less lazy alt-girl and more college senior who has an amazing future ahead of her."
"My future's rather bleak, wouldn't you say? We've already established I'm gonna die in five years." Beca then replied with a hint of sadness.
Emily took a deep breath, a little disappointed at how Beca's go to choice was grim realism. "You've been given a year Beca, you can either take this as a blessing or a curse, make the most out of this opportunity or just give up if that's what you really want."
"I am going to do that. I have an amazing internship that starts soon. I know I did well the first time around, but I figure maybe I can do better and –"
"I'm stopping you there right now." Emily then said with a sigh. "I can't tell you why you're reliving this exact year but I can tell you you're not given this chance just to go through the same mundane rituals you did before."
"Okay then, what should I do oh great and knowing guardian angel of mine?" Beca then sarcastically asked.
"Well first, like I said, go dress to impress. That's all I'm telling you." Emily then replied.
Beca simply stood in response, eying Emily suspiciously. At first Emily thought she might actually cave and tell her the rest but she fought hard to stand her ground. If she spilled the plan, Beca would say no and argue why it was a terrible plan and Emily didn't really want to waste any time on that. Emily also didn't want to let slip any reason that could influence Beca's decisions, so there was reason number two. Beca had to make her own decisions, she's only her to make sure she sees the options. So, Emily had to try. She was sure she wasn't entirely convincing as she mustered the best stern look she could have but Beca nevertheless relented to it.
Score one for Emily the hopeful self-proclaimed best guardian angel out there.
Beca, for her part, did her best to resist. She seemed grateful for the help, or at least she did express her gratitude just after Emily gave her approval for her look, but she most definitely wasn't entirely too trusting either. It was clear to Emily Beca didn't want to go to "the bad place", but old habits are hard to break and Beca was still a little bit lost as to what was the point in all of this.
And rightfully frustrated. Emily can't really blame her for that.
She's been asking her all day long what she needed to do, what her trial was, and all Emily could do was give sage advices and the vague non-explanations that comes with her job.
She really can't tell her anything, else she would fall from grace.
Of course it was natural to want the best for their charge, but to directly influence their lives to manipulate certain outcomes was a big no, no. It would challenge their free will. And at the end of it, whether Beca wants to live their life to the fullest or not was up to her. Emily could only do so much to help her. She can't force Beca to make the decisions Emily would hope she would make.
Otherwise, she won't learn anything from this.
Otherwise, she won't embrace her life and truly live it.
Beca kept asking her where they were going as they made their way through campus, the sun setting just behind them. "Please don't tell me we're going to a party. I don't want to go to a party. Or worse, not a blind date, please don't tell me this is what it is."
Emily chuckled and shook her head. "Not that Beca. You need to understand, the lives people live affect others too, in one way, shape, or form. Some people tend to be more influential in the sense that the things they do have greater ripple effects.
"Okay, so, are you saying I'm one of those people?" Beca then asked sounding confused.
"I'm saying you can't live a life of isolation and I'm pointing you to the right direction." Emily then replied. "Also, do know that the less you think about the technicalities of this, the better it would be for you. Think about the whole situation as a long drive to some destination. If all you think about is how you'll drive there, which roads to take and which stops you want to hit at a specified time point, where to eat, when the ideal time to stop is, then you'll end up annoyed and tired and miserable when you reach the destination. You won't enjoy it, you'll just be frustrated you didn't get to do everything as planned because of things that are entirely out of your hands.
"And the thing that is within your control? You end up letting slip away if you focus too much on the destination. Life's a journey Beca, a journey not meant to be on a tight schedule – ironic, I know, since you kind of are right now but that's beside the point. You're meant to enjoy the ride, stop and smell the roses, take pictures and stuff. Pay attention to the detours, the journey itself, because otherwise you'll miss what's right in front of you."
Beca simply nodded as she let that sink in. "Okay, but where on earth are we going?" she then asked, sounding a little less frustrated and wary than before. Emily would like to think she's finally getting through to her. That she was making progress herself.
Still, Emily chose not to give a reply to that. Instead she cheerfully dragged Beca across the main lawn towards their destination.
She figured the less time she had to think about things, the less she would freak out about it/
It was, after all, time to right the first of the many wrongs this life had taken.
Step one was underway.
It was time to join the Barden Bellas.
The girls had all been gathered in the living room of the Bellas house. They were still reeling from the latest of their misfortunes, including the last batch of death threats that Amy got in the mail after the little incident they had when they started to notice the ruckus coming from the outside.
Amy had volunteered to go get the door as Chloe settle in on the couch. The Bellas had been struggling a few years ago during her first senior year. It was only through some luck and accidental discovery of a midnight DJ segment at the school's radio station that got them through that year. It was like a reinvigoration of sort, a revival. They've been stuck in some old school rut when all of a sudden, during a long drawn out midnight discussion with Aubrey, her best friend and co-captain back then, that they accidentally heard a mash up on the radio that inspired them to greatness. Since then, the Bellas had been constantly changing their sound, trying to find their groove as they tried and successfully repeated the success they had found. Aubrey had left and Stacie, one of their new recruits back then, had replaced her role of co-captain of the Bellas. Chloe stayed behind, not entirely certain of what her next steps would be back then.
She still didn't. The only thing she was sure of was that she loved being a Bella, it was what made sense in her life the most. As if the music was calling out to her, trying to pull her into the right direction or something, Chloe's not really sure.
What she's sure of was that the Bellas might face their end, and they would need a miracle to get back the glory they had lost.
As it turns out, someone was listening to Chloe's prayers as a miracle came to them that night in the form of a tall young bubbly girl and a very grumpy but rather cute shorter brunette who was protesting under her breath as she stood behind her friend.
Chloe could hear the persistent arguments coming from the girl who called herself Emily as Amy repeatedly denied them a chance to join the Bellas, not that the adorable alt-girl Chloe swore she had seen around before was keen on joining like Emily was. Chloe was tempted to let them in and talk to them, explain the situation properly to them so they could understand, however, the fact that they were not allowed to accept new members that year still stung. With no one to inherit the legacy of the current Barden Bellas, it didn't matter if they won the World championships for acapella singing, something no American team had done before, they were still going to perish soon from the halls of Barden University.
"My mom was a Bella!" Emily then said out loud as Amy tried her best to shut the door once again.
"What did you say your name again was?" Chloe then said, finally getting up to approach their guests still fighting off Amy's attempts on closing the door on them.
"Junk. My name's Emily Junk." the girl replied with a huge grin.
And upon recognizing the name, Chloe did a complete one eight. They would get in trouble for this, she was sure, but then again Chloe was also sure that either she or Stacie could loophole their way out of it. Besides, Emily and her cute grumpy friend were the ones who sought them out and insisted on joining.
They did something sort of an impromptu audition in the living room with all the members gathered. Emily's enthusiasm and excitement shone through as she sang a song she said she wrote while the other girl who begrudgingly said her name was Beca awkwardly stood there in silence.
"Well, you at least can sing and knowing Chloe, she'll rig our voting process to let you in. But what about shorty over there?" Cynthia Rose asked.
"Oh, um, I don't sing." Beca immediately replied.
"Seems strange you'd want to join the Bellas if you don't sing." Amy then noted.
And that's when things clicked in Chloe's head. She had seen her before! She was the girl Aubrey definitely did not like during the activities fair of their senior year. The same girl Chloe tried to convince but said she didn't really sing.
Now that she thought about it, she'd seen her more than that one time. She was sure she hung out with Luke sometimes and his radio station pals, and then there was that one time at a record store before…
…but it was only now that Chloe knew her name.
Beca Mitchell.
"Oh, but she's a musical genius!" Emily then exclaimed before Beca could say anything. "She's a DJ at the campus radio who does a lot of mixes."
"Wait, you don't happen to be the DJ responsible for the 'Just a Dream'/'Just the Way You Are' mashup, were you?" Jessica then asked, awe clear in her tone.
After all, it was the mix that got Chloe and Aubrey to agree on a plan back then. It was the song on the radio that changed things up for the Bellas.
"Oh yeah, I played that freshman year." Beca then mumbled before blushing a little as Jessica and Ashley squealed. "You guys heard that?"
"We do have ears and radios, and good taste in music too." Ashley then replied.
Cynthia Rose shook her head and chuckled. "You're kind of our unnamed unsung hero. Every time we're in a rut we listen to the midnight program and look for inspiration."
Chloe then smiled as the girl before blushed a bit more, looking thankful but shy. "Um, thanks I guess?" she then said just as Emily beamed.
Stacie, who had been sitting next to Chloe filing her nails, then grinned. "No need to guess what the verdict will be then, I'm sure Chloe's already made up her mind."
"We're not under a dictatorship, you know." Chloe then retorted.
"Yes, but we need someone with Beca's skills, singing or no singing." Stacie then replied.
"Do we still have to vote? I'm pretty sure everyone agrees they're both in." Flo then said.
"Congratulations you two, welcome to the Barden Bellas!" Chloe then cheerfully said as she stood up. "Now I suppose we need to figure out living arrangements. Lilly doesn't have a roommate so I guess that means one of you would be with her."
"Wait, wait, I didn't say –" Beca then tried to interject with panic but her protests were drowned out when Amy instantly rushed to pick her up in a bear hug.
"Oh, I pick the Shortstack as my roomie! Us awesome girls need to stay together!" Amy said.
"Put me down! Wait! Where are you taking me?!" Beca then exclaimed as Amy carried her over in a rush towards the front door. "Onward to our next road to victory! Let's go celebrate pitches!" was Amy's response before disappearing out into the night
Emily looked worried but Stacie calmed her down, placing an arm around the tall girl as she ushered her out. "Come on, we have new members, there's an aca-initiation party at the Trebles, we have some partying to do." she then stated.
Emily nodded and all the girls soon all rushed out with renewed vigor.
Looks like the Bellas were back in action.
PS: I have a reason for not doing 'Cups' in this chapter. It will come up later on with the campfire scene so that's something to look forward to! I'll try to upload the next chapter by the end of the week.
UPNEXT: Beca and Chloe get up close and personal ;) Emily has her job cut out for her! And Amy and Stacie start noticing some of the weird things involving Emily and Beca's strange behaviors