Chapter 2 We've Only Just Begun

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talking it over just the two of us
Working together day to day
Together

And when the evening comes we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, We've just begun

-We've Only Just Begin; The Carpenters

May 1991; St. Louis, MO

It was the last song of the night and Beca was exhausted, having long ago reached her limit; her throat was sore and the soles of her feet burned from standing for most of the night. While Beca wasn't the type to often whine, she had a lot to whine about tonight. For one thing, it didn't help that she and Stacie had been forced to put effort into their wardrobe, being told they had to dress appropriately if they wanted to be paid for their services. Which led to her donning the burgundy gown swirling at her ankles, similar to what the bridesmaids were wearing. The fan on the far left of the stage was blowing hard and oscillating slowly, thus visions of a reenacting the Marilyn Monroe "up-skirt" moment plagued her all night (of course the dress was too damn long for that but she made sure to run her hand along her waist every few minutes to ensure the dress was still in place). Luckily, she'd been able to avoid the long heels the bride tried to force her into, and could hide a pair of black flats under the hem.

However, aside from the wardrobe and joint strain from standing, Beca was pissed before the reception even began. When they signed the contract to perform at the wedding reception, they were told they would be a solo gig, just Beca with her vocals and guitar, and Stacie at the piano, just as they'd always advertised themselves; but at the last minute the wedding planners brought in a supplementary cellist and saxophone player. Apparently, the blushing bride and groom couldn't afford the hotel's own band for the reception (not part of the pay packet, go figure) so they'd hired Beca and Stacie because they were so cheap, only charging $150. However, at the last minute they decided a singer and a pianist weren't enough for an entire wedding reception, so in came the two guys currently flanking her on stage.

To their credit, though, they facilitated the role of backups and didn't take over. The black guy on the saxophone had been in tune with Stacie but always followed her lead, and the cellist's effects worked well with Beca's vocals without overpowering them. The balance among the four musicians was impressive considering the two men were professions while Beca and Stacie were barely out of high school; but despite that these men had the decency to know that this was a shared gig and not a power play for the spotlight.

Their group consisted simply of herself and Stacie at the moment, a singer/guitarist and a pianist, a group that Stacie insisted had the protentional to be a band, "another band out of Seattle was signed. Another nirvana wannabe, Becs. We could do it. I know we could," but Beca didn't agree. It wasn't that she didn't think they were talented but Beca didn't have any lofty delusions of getting a record deal or any shit like that, she just wanted to perform and earn a little money doing so. She liked to perform. She liked to sing. Growing up, while the other kids listened to Madonna and Paula Abdul, Beca wanted to be like Suzi Quatro and Patti Smith. Then puberty hit and provided her with a deep, ashy voice that proved more soulful that expected.

During a brief two-minute break where they all took for a sip of water, Beca fingered through the song sheets. She and Stacie wrote their own songs but the groom had very specific requests, so they'd been performing cover songs all night and the last one was a Bonnie Tyler mix. It was Total Eclipse of the Heart, and if Beca was being honest she hated the song, but what she was singing was irrelevant, she just needed to do it well.

By the time Beca took to the mic again dessert and coffees were already being circulated around the tables. The cellist signaled her with a tap of his nose "ready?" and Beca's replied with a nod. He then nodded to the saxophone-player and Beca did the same to Stacie, so they could all start. Once she started striking keys in the fluid and effortless way she always did, Beca joined her;

She didn't really notice the brief ovation until the cellist came up behind her whispered, "Nice job, kid. Go have a rest" then took the microphone from her and declared to the wedding party, "How about it for our young talent here, huh?"

Their ovation peaked then. Stacie climbed off the stool she'd been sitting on and Beca pulled herself together, plucking at her bangs and wiping the sweat from her cheeks. As the cellist went on to explain what would be happening next (the instruments being moved from the luncheon hall to the dance floor next door where the newlyweds would have their first dance) Beca descended the stage with Stacie, cringing and hobbling on her sore feet to their corner table where a small folded card displayed their names. A sigh of relief was had when she finally sat down.

With a smile of gratitude when a waiter placed a glass of champagne in front of her, Beca looked around the room without a purpose until she spotted a girl in a dress similar to theirs with curly red hair probably around their age, smiling at her when their eyes met. Beca smiled back at her, feeling it was the least she could do for the girl not laughing at the cheesy set they just performed. Suddenly, the girl seemed to excuse herself from her table and started to walk towards her and Stacie. After making her way through the dancing couples, she finally reached their table.

"Uh... Hi. I just wanted to say that you were really good up there."

Stacie turned to look at her and gave her a friendly smile. "Ha, you're cute," she said, grinning even more when the redhead looked away with a blush. "That set was corny as all hell but we appreciate your kindness anyway."

The girl laughed lightly and ran her hand distractedly down her dress before clearing her throat. "Yeah, I guess that's all I wanted to say, you guys are awesome." She was about to turn away but for some reason Beca wanted her to stay and move to stop her but thankfully Stacie managed to do it faster.

"Hey, do you maybe wanna hang out with us? They gave us this whole table to ourselves so there's room."

The redhead seemed genuinely surprised by the offer, but soon a childish crooked grin made her entire face light up and Beca found herself smiling too. She glanced over to Stacie and the two made eye contact, communicating without speaking and Beca gave a conspicuous head shake not her. Something about the redhead's childish demeanor made Beca feel like a predator and it seemed Stacie thought the same thing although she did seem to sigh in disappointment. Beca hid a smirk behind her glass when she took another sip, relishing in the annoyed look on Stacie's fast that she wouldn't be getting laid tonight, even if it meant Beca herself would have to pass up the redhead as well.

"Yeah, I'd like that," the girl said and took a seat next to Stacie.

"By the way, what's your name?" Stacie asked.

"I'm Chloe."

Stacie extended her hand for Chloe to shake, "Nice to meet you. I'm Stacie." She nodded her head in Beca's direction, "that's Beca, but don't expect her to talk much, she's afraid of people."

Beca scoffed, "Fuck you, Stace, no I'm not!"

Stacie chuckled and Beca watched her lean over and whisper "she is" to Chloe, which made her laugh.

Beca flipped her off to which Stacie blew her a kiss making their guest laugh even more.

A waiter came by to refill their glasses and to hand Chloe a new one.

"So, what's the name of your band?"

Beca opened her mouth to answer that they weren't a band but was interrupted by Stacie's voice, "The Bellas."

Beca rolled her eyes but Chloe didn't seem to notice and instead looked genuinely impressed. "It's not a band," Beca said.

Stacie scoffed, "It so is a band."

Beca was in the middle of taking another sip of champagne when Stacie said that and released a displeased sound into her glass.

"How can it be a band if we're missing the key ingredients?"

"Like what?" Stacie shot back.

"A bassist and a drummer."

Stacie sucked her teeth before conceding she was right. "Ok, so maybe it's not a band, yet. But we've gotta start somewhere."

Chloe looked at them curiously and chuckled, "So not a band but you have name?"

"Of course," Stacie said, her face lighting up as if she was excited to have someone to entertain her thoughts of starting a band. "When we were like eleven, we agreed that was going to be the name no matter what. Even if we played Norwegian death metal, we were going to be The Bellas."

Beca grumbled, "I don't remember agreeing to that." She rolled her eyes and suggested that Chloe ignore the pianist but Stacie continued.

"Hey, do you play anything" Stacie questioned. "Maybe you can join our band and help me convince grumpy pants over here that we actually have a shot of being signed."

Chloe nodded, "Um, yeah I play the violin and saxophone. I've always wanted to learn the guitar but my parents didn't think it was a good investment so I have to save up for one."

Stacie smiled, "Well we work at GuitarWorld in the Blue Star mall. We could get you a killer discount if you want to stop by."

"That's in New Haven, right?" Chloe asked and Stacie nodded.

"Yeah." Beca said. "You from New Haven?"

Chloe shook her head, "No. Washington. So, not that far."

Beca wiggled her eyebrows as she said, "Ooh, a big city girl," and Chloe laughed at her sarcasm.

Stacie sat back in her seat and clapped her hands together, "Ohh, this will be great. Now we've got a rhythm guitarist possibly and now we just need the rest of the rhythm section. So, what do you say, Chloe, want to join our official/unofficial band?"

Beca opened her mouth to tell Chloe she didn't have to answer Stacie but was interrupted by Chloe's soft laugh as she looked at Stacie.

"I'd love to join your band."