Best Christmas Ever

Chapter 4

A Second Invitation

Resting her eyes, Beca spun in her chair with her head lolling back on the head rest. She had been at her desk for a couple hours now. Hovering over her laptop and her mix-board, she was trying to put together the sound that would silence the cacophony in her head. Beca had been at it for just over three hours, starting as soon as Chloe had dropped her off at her dorm with a hug goodbye. Literally Beca had dove straight into one of her mixes the minute she entered her room. The young musician hoped the task would distract her from the lingering thoughts she had from the rehearsal hall and the diner.

Ever since the bubbly redhead had invited her to go home with her for Christmas, Beca's mind had been running a hundred miles a minute. Her plan to quiet her racing thoughts had succeeded for the most part, only breaching the forefront of her brain when she took a break to eat or relieve herself. Of course, in those moments her mind would drift back to all she had admitted to Chloe. She thought about how vulnerable and exposed she felt speaking about her past, about her mom―albeit briefly. She thought about the fear she had, hoping that the redhead wouldn't reject her after discovering how broken she was inside. She thought about the tightness in her chest and the wave of relief that crashed over her body when she felt the older girl embrace her. But mostly, she thought about the feeling that encompassed her whole body when she realized in that moment she could trust Chloe with her most personal secrets.

It was that epiphany that was causing Beca the most distress, the reason she was trying to distract herself the most right now. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of this feeling. Beca hasn't been able or willing to open up to anyone about her parents for the last five years, and yet this ball of energy that is Chloe Beale managed to quickly maneuver her way into Beca's life and unlock some of her most private secrets.

Maybe this is what it's like to have a best friend? Is that what this is?

Beca couldn't help the questions she was asking herself.

I mean, it couldn't possibly be because… No, no it can't be because of that.

Her whole life, Beca hasn't really had a lot of friends. Any friends she had managed to make, she wouldn't necessarily call them 'close' by any means. Her closest one would have to have been Kyle when she was in high school. He was a sweet guy, kind of quiet and aloof like her, but not in an angry, rebellious way. He was artsy, loved to draw, and could be consumed by his art for hours on end, just like Beca could be with her music. Maybe that's what attracted her to Kyle, the shared bond of expressing their emotions through a creative outlet.

But even when the status of their friendship changed into boyfriend/girlfriend, she never felt comfortable fully opening up to him. They would talk about art, music, food; the future, what their goals in life were. But they never talked about anything truly personal―not her fears, not her family, not the past―and Beca liked it that way. She didn't need nor want more than that. What they shared physically and creatively between them, it was enough, and she was content for the six months they'd been together. Of course, she managed to completely screw that relationship up. Beca didn't completely blame herself... she wasn't the only party involved, and she certainly didn't initiate anything. But hormones can be a real bitch when you're a teenager; when you're not completely sure of who or what you are; and when you suddenly find yourself questioning your feelings towards those of the same sex. And when she found herself at a party one night their junior year, a few beers consumed and Kyle off somewhere else, it was Kyle's twin sister Kelly sauntering up to Beca as she sat on the couch, avoiding interacting with anyone. Part of her found the other girl attractive, and if she was being honest with herself, occasionally found other girls at school attractive. At the time, Beca hadn't been willing to admit to herself those feelings actually meant anything. She played them off as if it was one of those competitive girly things… comparing the way she looked to other girls. Now, of course, she has no problem admitting that it was in fact, physical attraction.

Kelly had clearly been intoxicated, Beca well on her way to getting there, and when Beca felt a weight land next to her on the couch and lips press against her own, she chose not to question what was happening. She relished in the embrace, allowed their lips and tongues to fight against each other, hands to wander carelessly. Beca barely registered someone yelling out angrily before she could feel Kelly being unceremoniously pulled away from her and up from the couch. She looked upward toward the figures in front of her, setting her gaze on Kyle's angered and devastated expression. She remembers the guilt and the fear she felt from her actions, the overwhelming confusion.

But she'll always remember the friendship that she lost that day. The close connection that was severed because she couldn't keep her feelings in check.

As Beca sits at her desk, practically staring through her computer screen while a low beat hums through the headphones suspended around her neck, she contemplates her short time at Barden and the enigma that is Chloe Beale.

Beca has never been one to gravitate towards a personality like Chloe's, bubbly and cheerful; essentially like staring into the sun while experiencing a sugar high twenty-four seven. Beca doesn't hate people, but they do often let her down, and usually annoy her. She is often especially annoyed by people who live their lives like everything is unicorns and rainbows, where boundaries are non-existent, and personal details are shared and prodded like it's an elementary school sleepover. If it were anyone else, Beca is sure she'd have some choice expletives and a middle finger to throw their way if they came anywhere near the moody girl. But with Chloe, she doesn't mind any of those qualities. In fact, she finds each and every aspect of the older girl endearing and adorable―two words she'd never say out loud, of course.

If she were to look back on it, Beca could confidently say the activities fair is the day her whole life changed. To the casual observer, meeting the two Bella captains that day doesn't seem like it would have had any kind of significant impact… However, if she really thought about it, she believes her snark and resistance to the concept of acapella as a whole that day was what likely fueled Chloe's determination in recruiting the freshman. The shower incident, as she dubbed it, is simply what cemented the altering of her life.

Nevermind the fact that a gorgeous and very naked woman walked into her shower stall practically demanding she sing the song said girl masturbates to. And despite how awkward and embarrassed Beca felt, that was certainly something she took notice of and burned into her brain. But it was the experience of harmonizing together that really caught Beca's attention. Their voices fit so perfectly together, and as the final note rang out between them, Beca knew in that moment this woman was special and she wanted to know her.

So if she were being honest, her dad's offer of helping her move to LA was not her only motivation for attending those auditions. It might have sort of, maybe, mostly been because she wanted to see the redhead again, if even for a few minutes. There was something about her that Beca couldn't put her finger on, something that drew her to the other girl. The way their voices intermingled in the shower that day, how their eyes met with shy smiles; they connected on a level that was far more intimate to Beca than she'd ever experienced before. A level that goes beyond physical, mental or even emotional. She and Chloe connected musically, and for Beca, that is something special. Because Beca is music. She lives and breathes each and every lyric and beat the world has to offer. And in that moment in the shower stall, Beca had found a kindred spirit, and they were one.

It is since that very naked meeting that Beca has not been able to get the redhead out of her mind. Seeing her every day at practice certainly hasn't helped. And from day one, surprisingly to Beca, Chloe dove head first into befriending the prickly DJ. They would spend time together outside of Bellas, hangouts almost always initiated by the redhead, with moderate protestations from the younger girl. But over the last couple months, Beca gradually found herself only protesting to tease the other girl and keep up appearances that she didn't care or want to engage in fun with Chloe. Secretly, she loved it; loved every second she got with the redhead. They were compatible on so many levels despite being so different in personality, but it worked for them. They fit together so effortlessly.

Sometimes they'd get adventurous with their activities, but most of the time it was simply hanging out in one of their bedrooms, usually Chloe's, studying or reading, often with the night seeing Beca working on her mixes, while Chloe finished some paper she had due. They would talk; about the Bellas, about school, about random things, the newest cat video Chloe found online, the latest mix Beca was working through. Their conversations were never stilted or awkward, it just came easily to them. And with that easy conversation came jokes and banter, innuendoes and flirtations―mostly from Chloe, as Beca would just splutter when it happened, but occasionally she'd get one in and catch Chloe off guard. It also brought the occasional more personal conversations―family, past relationships and friendships; hopes, dreams, fears, ambitions, desires. Again, it was mostly Chloe sharing, but the older Bella managed to squeeze a few details from the closed off deejay.

Not since Kyle had anyone been able to worm their way into Beca's life and routine so easily―admittedly, even more than Kyle had―and it seems as if the redhead has made it her mission from the beginning to tear down her walls bit by bit. This afternoon's confession only strengthens that suspicion. Briefly straying her thoughts from the redhead, Beca thinks about the small group of misfits she's found herself immersed in. She's not sure if she'd call them all friends, but they're friendly. She really does like all the girls, well, except for Aubrey. Beca couldn't help it, but she really likes to push the uptight blonde's buttons, that's for sure. But all the others have their quirks that make them tolerable enough for Beca to hang around them almost every day. But to say that the bubbly redhead was one of her closest friends on campus would not be a stretch. Beca has exactly two people she'd ever consider confiding in, not that she does this that often, or ever, really, and Chloe was certainly on that list. A fact that causes the brunette great discomfort and anxiety due to her rapidly growing feelings for the senior Bella. Beca's been burned in the past before by letting her emotions and attraction get the best of her, and what she's come to learn and accept is that Chloe is far too important to her life to throw their friendship away because of her feelings.

Which is why Beca is burying herself in her mixes, something she finds herself doing even more frequently since accepting her attraction to Chloe. Music is the only thing that helps Beca channel her emotions; the only thing that calms her, that can push all of the frustrations and fears and doubts to the back of her mind, and give her moments of clarity and peace.

Having regained her focus moments ago, Beca is fine-tuning the tail end of her latest mix when she senses something behind her. She looks over her shoulder as she takes off her headphones and hears another knock at her door.

Perplexed, she idly wonders if it's Chloe.

Opening the door, Beca sighed in slight disappointment as she saw it was Jesse. He was leaning against the door frame with a book bag over his shoulder, and a mischievous smirk gracing his face. The petite freshman forced a smile as she greeted him. Jesse smiled down at her but it fell as he noted her lack of enthusiasm. He said, "You don't seem happy to see me."

Trying to maintain a positive demeanor she said in an overly positive voice, "What are you talking about Jesse, of course I'm happy to see you... Why would you think I'm not happy to see you?"

"Hmmm," Jesse studied her for a moment, before he decided to accept her words as genuine. "Okay, umm-so can I come in?"

"Oh-uhh-yeah," Beca stepped aside and let him come into her room.

"Your roommate already left for break?" Jesse asked as he nodded to the impeccably left half of the dorm room. He dropped his bag on the floor and plopped down on Beca's more lived-in looking bed.

"Uhh-yeah, she actually left about four days ago, right after her last final," Beca answered. "I'm actually surprised you're still around. I thought you left after the Trebles Christmas party."

"Oh, I did leave, three days ago," Jesse replied with that impish grin that Beca's sure he thinks is endearing.

She takes a seat in the swivel chair at her desk, and frowns. "If you left three days ago, what are you doing here?"

He gave her his full on boyish grin as he answered, "Well we really haven't talked much since that night…"

"You called my dad when I was wrongly arrested," Beca finished his statement. "Yes, I remember." Her words take on an icey tone.

Recognizing the tone, and not looking to relitigate that night, Jesse quickly cut back in, "Yeah, sorry about that. Thought I was doing the right thing."

After she had cooled down, Beca had realized that she might have been a bit unfair to Jesse that night. She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, as she pushed her annoyance from that night aside. She really didn't want to relive that evening.

"I really didn't mean to cause a split between you and your dad," Jesse continued.

"It's okay Jesse, that split was already there," Beca said as she opened her eyes. She refocused on her fellow freshman. "That doesn't explain you being here, if you already left."

The softer tone Beca said ' okay ' lifted Jesse's spirits, and his natural exuberance began to creep through. "Well I had been thinking a lot about that night, and you," he gave her a soft look as he talked, "and I realized things might still be tough with your dad, so I came back…"

"But how did you know I was still here?" Beca asked.

"Oh, umm-I have a business management class with Holly Stewart who lives…"

"Across the hall, I know Holly," Beca cut in. The girl was fine, but she was a bit of a gossip, and seemed keen on knowing everyone's business.

"Yeah, well, we were talking after our final, and she mentioned you were staying in the dorm through the holiday break," he said with a grin.

"Exactly how does my plans for break come up in casual conversation?" Beca asked as she sat back.

There was a trace of challenge in Beca's voice, so Jesse tampered his enthusiasm as he answered, "Ummm-it might have come up that she is your neighbor, and I may have inquired every now and then about how you're doing?"

"Creeper," Beca said, but with a hint of a smirk.

"No!"

"You've had my neighbor spying on me," Beca pointed out.

"No," Jesse said as he looked at his hands, "I just asked after you, see if she knew you were doing okay." He looked up into her eyes. "We weren't talking, but I wanted to make sure you were, you know, okay."

Beca studied him for a moment, "Okay, so you knew from Holly, I would be here, but that doesn't exactly tell me why you're here."

"Well I came back to make sure you're okay, and to invite you to come back home with me."

He smiled that boyish grin that Beca had come to recognize as his go-to charm. He had definitely directed it her way. She scrunched her brows, and asked, "You want me to go home with you?"

"Yeah!" He said excitedly. "It's not that far, just about three hours to Savanna. Come home with me, Beca, it'll be a blast."

"Ummm…"

"Think about it. Home cooked meals, Christmas cookies eaten with hot chocolates around a Christmas tree, while we take in all the Holiday specials," Jesse's excitement grew with each word.

"Specials?" Beca was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"You know, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, A Christmas Story, Elf!"

"So movies…" the lack of enthusiasm was easily heard in Beca's words.

Jesse was undeterred, he was on a roll. "Well movies and television specials."

"Jesse…"

"Think about it, we could start your moviecation with a holiday movie marathon…"

"Jesse…"

"Even you have to like Christmas movies…"

"Jesse!" Beca finally shouted. It had the desired effect of breaking Jesse's stream of words. Beca took a deep breath and said, "I appreciate the invitation…"

"I asked my parents and they are all onboard, they would love to have you," Jesse offered quickly.

This caught Beca off guard. "Why?"

Now it was Jesse's turn to be caught flatfooted. "Why?"

With a nod, Beca asked, "Umm-yeah, why would your parents be excited to have me? They don't know me."

Now Jesse sat back, and looked a bit bashful as he admitted, "Well I may have talked about you a bit…"

"A bit?"

"Well a lot…"

"A lot?"

"Maybe all the time…" Jesse really looked sheepish now.

"Jesse…" Beca sighed.

"What? Of course I've spoken about you. We work at the radio station, we're both a cappella nerds…"

"I'm not an a cappella nerd…" Beca cut in.

Now it was Jesse who gave her a look. "Excuse me," he said over her. "Were you not at Hood night? Were you not at the Riff-off? Did I not see you dressed like a flight attendant?"

"You did NOT tell them about me being in that uniform!" Beca shouted.

"No! Of course not," Jesse said. "I showed them a video I took…"

"You what?!" Beca leapt to her feet.

Holding his hands up in surrender, Jesse defended himself. "What? They thought you were adorable…"

Beca smacked his hands with her own, as she shouted, "I am not ' adorable ' I'm a badass!"

"Ow, ow, ow," Jesse said, though his laughter betrayed what he really thought of the smacking Beca was delivering. "Geeze, abusive much." This did nothing to dissuade Beca from continuing to smack Jesse's hands. Finally he relented, "Okay! Okay! I give! You're not adorable, you're a badass!"

With one more smack to Jesse's hand, Beca pointed at him, as she said, "And don't you forget it."

"So opposite the Christmas spirit," Jesse observed. "Which is why you need to come home with me, so you can be exposed to the joy of the holiday," Jesse paused, then continued, "and have a moviecation."

Beca rubbed her face as she sighed, "You really need to stop using that… I mean it's not even a word."

"But it's a good idea," Jesse countered.

Realizing there was no point in arguing with her fellow freshman, Beca decided to end it. "Look Jesse, thanks for the offer, but I can't…"

"But you can," Jesse immediately cut in.

Beca held her hand up signaling Jesse to stop. "No Jesse I really can't. I appreciate the offer, but I can't."

"But why can't you?" Jesse asked.

With a sigh Beca answered, "Because I'm going home with Chloe."

Jesse's face fell, "What?"

"Umm-I'm going to go with Chloe to her home for Christmas," Beca said as she fiddled with her hands. For some reason she couldn't look Jesse in the eyes. She wasn't sure why she was bashful about these plans, but for some reason she realized she hadn't wanted to share it.

"You're going home with Chloe?" Jesse asked. He seemed to physically deflate at this news.

"Yeah," Beca answered with a nod. She lifted her eyes and answered more confidently, "Yes, I'm being treated to a Beale family Christmas."

"Maybe you could get out of it?" Jesse asked hopefully.

"Why would I want to do that?" Beca was truly mystified by Jesse's question.

"So you could spend it with me," answered Jesse. He then quickly added, "And my family; you know-with me and my family."

"That's sweet Jesse," Beca said, trying hard to convey how much she appreciated the offer, while also respectfully turning it down. There was literally no way Beca was going to choose going home with Jesse over Chloe. "I really appreciate the offer, but I've already told Chloe I would go home with her."

"Just tell her that you no longer need her," Jesse said.

"Jesse…" Beca sighed.

"I drove over three hours to come back for you," Jesse desperately started reaching for any argument.

"And I appreciate it, but that wouldn't be fair to Chloe," Beca said gently.

"So you're really going to go home with Chloe, and not me?" Jesse was so depressed.

With a soft smile and a shrug l, Beca nodded, "Yeah-I really am."

"And nothing I can say is going to convince you otherwise?" Jesse tried to produce puppy dog eyes. He really did, but he just couldn't match the redhead's natural blue eyes.

"I'm afraid not," Beca answered.

Jesse released a deep sigh. "I knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to convince you to come home with me." He unzipped his bag, and pulled out a DVD case. "So, I think you have to watch at least one holiday movie with me."

"Really?"

"Yeah really," Jesse said, "and I won't take no for an answer."

Beca looked at Jesse, taking in his earnest sincerity. She also recognized that he had made a long drive, so the least she could do is throw him a bone. With a sigh of surrender, Beca conceded, "Fine!" She held up her index finger, "One. One movie, I'll give you one movie." She then gave him a look, "What movie did I just agree to?"

Jesse flashed the cover, "Scrooged," he said excitedly. "Bill Murray playing Scrooge; it's hilarious. Hey do you have popcorn?"

Beca rolled her eyes as she mumbled, "What have I gotten myself into?..."

-~Merry Pitchmas 2021~-