crimsonguitar-blog - Hey bud! Here's another Bechloe prompt :) One where Chloe is a musical theater actress and Beca is a jazz pianist who at first dislike each other's preferred genre but then they have(or maybe asked, or tasked to? Up to you :3) to perform a duet. Up to you what happens next ;)
One shot 16
Aubrey watches her best friend pace around the room nervously. "You know I don't like her, why would you do this to me?" Aubrey lets out a sigh and gets up from her chair to make Chloe stop walking. "First of all please stop pacing, you are making me dizzy. Second, this can really help your career." Chloe stops abruptly and turns around to glare and her best friend and manager. "Aubrey I will work with anyone but just not with that stuck up, abusive bitch Beca Mitchell."
Aubrey rolls her eyes and shakes her head softly. "I have met Beca's manager and he explained what happened. Beca is not as bad as she is portrayed in the magazines." Chloe cuts the blond of with a sigh. "Why would Leila Manning lie about being hit? I've known her for years and she wouldn't do that." Aubrey wants to object but Chloe's too fast. "Don't even try to defend her Aubrey because you know I won't listen."
The two women stay quiet for a few moments, neither looking at the other. "I'll do it but the second she goes overboard I'm out and I couldn't care less what it does to my career." Aubrey nods slowly. She knows Chloe for as long as she can remember so she also knows that her best friend had a huge crush on the petite brunette for a long time. At least until the rumor came out that she had hit her ex-girlfriend Leila while they were dating. There was no proof whatsoever but Chloe's heart had shattered.
The two had never met but Beca was dating Leila and Chloe is very close with Leila and had worked with her before. She had been extremely jealous of the tall blonde when she announced that she was dating the pianist. She was very close to meeting her until she backed out because her friendship with Leila was more important than some stupid crush but Aubrey saw how much it hurt the redhead. That's why she never met Beca. Aubrey had and knows that Leila is lying but Chloe would only believe it if she would look into Beca's eyes while she told her herself.
"I'll set up a first meeting with Beca and her manager for tomorrow morning." Chloe lets out a long sigh. "Fine but I'm not going to pretend I'm happy about it. If she doesn't want to work with me then we'll leave and never look back." Aubrey just wants to scream from frustration but holds it in. "Sure but I want you to at least be at your best behavior." Chloe looks up and sees that it's no use to argue because Aubrey went into manager mode and no one could win that fight.
"So, Aubrey just called and they'll be in tomorrow morning. Don't be late." Beca lets out a grunt but shakes her head. "And why do I have to do this?" Jesse plops down on the only couch in the office and looks at his best friend. "Because you want to write more music and Chloe is willing to give you a chance." Beca scoffs. "Why the fuck would she even agree? He best friend is… You know…" Jesse's bright smile falters and turns into a sympathetic one instead.
"Everything written in that article is a lie. Only an idiot would actually believe any of it." Beca lets her head rest on her arms on top of her desk. "They always believe the 'victim' Jesse. She knew that, that's why she did it." Jesse gets up and walks over to the desk where Beca is moping. "But why would she do it in the first place?" Beca looks up and cracks her neck in process. "She found my old journal and read it, I was pissed that she went through my stuff so I broke up with her."
What Jesse didn't have to know is that she had written about Chloe in there because it was her crush for a very long time but she never told anyone. Because why would someone like Chloe be interested in someone like… well her. "I can't believe she did that." Jesse shakes his head. Beca's entire past is written in those journals and no one knows any of it. He knew about it because he had know her during that time. Opening up is very difficult for the brunette and any chance she does he takes it no questions asked.
"Do you want to get some drinks?" Jesse asks knowing that Beca might want to use one. "Dude, I've been sober for 3 years. I'm not going to start now." Jesse slowly nods his head. Sometimes he forgets how much Beca's past has changed her. He slowly makes his way to the little cabinet in the corner and opens it. The bottle of whiskey Beca had placed in there one year ago still hasn't been opened. She only put it there in case a client wanted to have something stronger than coffee.
"I'm proud of you, did you know that?" Beca laughs softly. "Well I made a decision and a promise and I'm not planning to break that promise." Beca gets up and walks over to the cabinet and points at the picture that Jesse somehow missed. "Every time I have an urge I will open it and see the picture, it stops me from making a bad decision." Jesse takes a breath and closes the cabinet again. "If you do decide to ever have a drink let me know. I'll make sure you get home safe."
"Get out you nerd." Beca pushes Jesse towards the door with a laugh. "I'm just saying Mitchell… so you're staying here tonight?" Beca nods. "Yeah, if I go home I'll probably oversleep and here I can work on some new stuff in peace." Jesse smile and leaves the office with a wave of his hand. Arguing with the brunette would never end well so he just leaves it be. Whenever Beca would be ready she would talk to him.
*Phone Call*
Leila: "Are you crazy? That woman is nuts, you can't work with her."
Chloe: "Tell that to Aubrey, she set this thing up. I'm just hoping that she backs out today."
Leila: "Don't let her scare you, and don't get too close. I don't want anything happening to you."
Chloe: "Aubrey will be there at all times."
Leila: "Yes until you're working alone and she attacks you…"
Chloe: "I made Aubrey promise me that there would always be a third person in the room at all times."
Leila: "Good…good. Well I have to go now, I have uhm something to do?"
Chloe: "Ok? I guess I'll talk to you later."
Leila: "Bye girlfriend!"
*End Phone Call*
Chloe stares at her phone with a frown. Leila has been acting really strange lately and right now her gut was telling her something is really off. Or maybe it's just the nerves of meeting Beca Mitchell for the first time. As much as she hated her she secretly still admired her work. But the way Leila was talking about her wasn't like she was afraid of her. Beca wouldn't just attack anyone, right?
"Hey Chlo, are you ready?" The redhead jumps up when Aubrey sneaks up to her. "Shit Aubrey how long have you been there?" The blonde snickers and rolls her eyes. "Long enough to see you jump, now come on we have a meeting to get too." Chloe follows her manager inside with doubt eating at her. What if Aubrey is right and Beca didn't do anything? And what if Leila did really lie to her. Why would she do that?
"Ah Aubrey Posen. On time like always." A tall, pretty handsome man walks up to us with a huge smile. "Jesse Swanson, we meet again." The two hug and Chloe shoots the a weird look. "Chloe Beale, huge fan." The tall guy starches out his hand and Chloe gladly accepts. "Beca is waiting for us in her office." He points at a door and lets the two women go first. Aubrey knock and the hear a soft 'come in'.
Jesse stops Aubrey from opening the door and does it himself so he can make sure Beca will behave. "Beca, misses Beale has arrived." Jesse announces before stepping aside so the women could go inside. "Misses Posen." The brunette says holding out her hand for Aubrey to shake. "Misses Beale." When Beca turns around to face Chloe her breathing actually stops for a moment. Chloe was even more beautiful than any of the pictures she had ever seen.
Beca quickly snaps out of it and shakes hands with the redhead before pointing at the seats in front of the desk. "Please take a seat, would you like some coffee? Or tea maybe?" The two women nod their heads. "Some coffee would be perfect thank you." Beca smiles awkwardly at the blonde before turning to speak to Jesse but he's already on it before she can react.
"I don't want to keep you longer than strictly necessary because I assume you have other projects to attend to?" Chloe watches in surprise. The woman she thought was the devil's sister seemed… sincere? But she won't let herself get distracted. "Thank you for your concern." Beca's lips curl up into a tiny smile but just as quick as it came it disappeared.
"Jesse mentioned that you wanted to write an original song? My question though is, why choose me if there are many others who can do the same thing?" Chloe detects something in the brunette's voice and it isn't anger or spite it's… uncertainty? "There are miss Mitchell but you have a more qualified resume. You have helped others find their sound without forcing your own hand on them…" Aubrey freezes when she realizes what she just said. "Miss Mitchell I'm so sorry I didn't mean to…"
Beca cuts Aubrey off with a small but sad sigh. "It's alright miss Posen, I read the tabloids too. Even though miss Beale clearly doesn't want to work with me because of what her dear friend accused me off I still believe I could help her. Jesse will set up a contract with you if you still want but I'm also giving you an out."
Chloe raises her brow while crossing her arms. "What out?" Beca leans back into her chair and looks directly at the redhead. "If you do decide to sign the contract and if at any time you don't feel comfortable working with me or simply don't like the way I work we can terminate it and no harm will be done. The work we might have made at that time will be yours and I won't look back at it and all rights go to you."
"What's the catch?" Beca takes a breath and slight leans forward. "There is no catch miss Beale. Whether you want to work with me is all up to you. I can see in your eyes that you're uncomfortable and don't trust me and that's fine. You want to be loyal to your best friend and that's perfectly understandable. All I'm asking is one day of your time to work with me if you don't want to resumes afterwards that's fine by me."
Beca's voice cracks a little at the end of her sentence and tries to cover it up with a cough. Sorry, I have a dry throat." Chloe looks at Aubrey is staring right back at her. "Miss Mitchell could I have a moment with miss Beale?" Beca gets up. "Of course, while you talk I'll go see if the coffee is ready." The two women follow the brunette with their eyes until the door shuts behind her.
"What should I do?" Chloe lets out a groan and her head falls into her hands. "That's up to you sweetie but if you let me ask you one thing." Chloe slightly lifts her head to look at Aubrey. "Do you really think she's capable of hurting anyone?" Chloe shrugs. "I don't know, Leila told me Beca was drunk and got angry." Aubrey squints her eyes. "Are you sure that's what she said?" Chloe nods.
"Chlo listen to me. Work with her one day, if you don't like it or she really freaks you out you call me and we get out." The redhead thinks about it but nods in agreement. "Fine but only one day."
Beca knocks on the door before walking into her own office. "There is a slight problem with the coffee maker so Jesse asked me to ask you your orders, he is going to the coffee shop down the street." Aubrey gently smiles. "A latte for me." Chloe takes a moment longer to decide and an adorable frown forms on her face. "I swear Posen if you judge I'll fire you." The blonde throws up her hands in defense. "A caramel latte with extra milk and sugar."
"I'll send Jesse right on it." Jesse sneaks up on Beca. "I got it." Beca lets out a dampened shriek while Chloe tries to hide her laughter. "Get out you weirdo." Beca punches Jesse in the arm with a laugh. "Watch it Mitchell or your order will come in wrong." Even though Beca is much shorter than Jesse she manages to ruffle his hair. "Whatever you say big guy."
Jesse finally leaves and Beca turns to the little audience watching the exchange. "I'm sorry about that. Uhm should I come back in a bit or have you made your decision?" Chloe notices that Beca gets a tiny bit nervous but tries to brush it off. "Before I sign the contract I would like to work with you for one day only. If it doesn't work out neither of us will mention this again." Beca nods her head. "Perfect, when can you start?"
"Tomorrow, or is that a problem?" Beca shakes her head. "No, no problem at all. We will be working here." Beca points at her extremely large office. There's a desk and a couch but and a royal piano and a little door leading to a bathroom. "Sounds good to me."
"Great, when Jesse comes back we can work out the details while having our delayed coffee."
The next day Beca is waiting in her office. Chloe would be arriving any moment so she double checks if everything is ready so they can start. She tuned the piano last night, sheet paper was ready to be used, pencils sharpened and coffee to start the day fresh.
A knock on the door catches her attention and shouts come in to whoever is behind it. A flash of red catches her eye and it makes her get up from her seat. "Miss Beale, welcome back." Beca holds out her hand which Chloe accepts with a soft smile. A genuine smile which surprises Beca to say the least.
"Uhm, so I was thinking we could sing through a few songs to warm up your voice?" The brunette points at the piano where everything is set up. "Do you have any preference of what we should sing?" Beca asks avoiding Chloe's gaze and sitting down behind the piano. "No, whatever you choose will be fine." Beca nods and points at some sheet music ready to be played.
"I was thinking since you are a Broadway star we could start with some Wicked? If you're up to it of course." Chloe does her best to hide her blush while walking over. This isn't the monster Leila or the media described, this is a sweet caring person who makes sure she feels comfortable. Chloe thinks to herself.
"Wicked is totes fine." Beca cocks her head to the right. "Did you just say totes?" A little laugh escapes the brunette. "I did, do we have a problem with that?" Beca throws up her hands in defense. "No, it's … different." Beca says staring a bit too long at the redhead.
"Anyway, do I count in or are you ok?" Chloe just nods so Beca counts from 1 to 3 and starts playing the music. When Chloe starts singing Beca face does something weird. It actually showed a smile, a genuine smile which doesn't happen often or actually is never happened.
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!
…
When the last note is played it stays quiet for a moment. Chloe had never felt so great with anyone accompanying her and Beca well she is just mesmerized. But she quickly snaps out of it and circles some things in the score and underlines others. "What are you doing?" Chloe asks watching the brunette do her thing. "Well uhm you see… In these three places you were a little flat and because of your breathing here and here you lose power in your voice."
Chloe's eyes widen. Part of her wants to be angry for being told what to do but in the other side she is impressed by the pianist's amazing hearing. "How would you know?" But of course pride always stands in the way. "I have worked with many singers and they make the same mistakes. I didn't meant to offend you." Chloe takes a breath. "Alright if you think you can improve me then help me out."
The next few hours Beca helps Chloe through the breathing problems and when they get fixed most of the intonation goes perfect. "Alright is you keep this up and don't fear this note you'll do just great." Beca smiles at the redhead and a content sigh comes from her lips. "What about a little break?" Chloe quickly agrees and sees a big thermos standing in the corner.
"Please tell me that's coffee?" Beca nods. "Yeah, it's all yours." Chloe all but runs to it and pours herself a cup. When the smell hits her she recognizes it immediately. "Wait, is this …. caramel?" Chloe's jaw drops in amazement and quickly takes a sip. "It is, you mentioned it yesterday and I thought I'd get you some." Beca says this while opening a bottle of water.
"So what did you want to write a song about?" Beca asks the redhead while taking her seat again behind the piano. "I haven't really thought of that." Beca shrugs "Ok no problem, do you have a melody?" Chloe shakes her head. "A chord?" again a no. "Ok do you mind me trying something and you tell me what you think?" This time Chloe nods. "Ok let's see…" Chloe watches in awe as the brunette effortlessly invents a new tune in a matter of minutes.
"What do you think?" Chloe completely zoned out and barely heard the melody and of course Beca noticed. "You know if you're bored you don't have to be here?" Chloe looks down at her with and angry expression. "I'm not bored and I was fine until you opened your mouth." Beca just scoffs. "You know whatever. I'll write down the melody and you do whatever you want with it." Beca takes a pencil and starts writing.
"I don't want your stupid melody." Beca gets up from her seat holding the pencil tight. "I'm trying to be nice but you're making it damn hard Beale." Now it's Chloe's turn to scoff. "Oh so now you're being 'nice' to me? You're the one that hit Leila you bitch." Chloe regretted her choice of words the second they came out. And the hurt expression on Beca's face was not helping it.
Beca steps back until her back touches the wall. "If that's what you really think of me without even knowing me or the truth for that matter you should go." Chloe tries to take a step forward but the flinch that comes from the brunette makes her stop. "I should have never agreed to this after that stupid e-mail, I want you to get out and never come near me again." Chloe is pretty confused about the e-mail part but she can see the hurt and anger in Beca's eyes so she turns around to grab her stuff and leave.
The redhead grabs the doorknob and turns it but the door remains closed. She tries again but nothing. "Uhm Beca?" Chloe turns around to look at the brunette who at this point has tears in her eyes but chokes them down quickly. "The door is locked." Beca lets out a sigh. "Can you step away from the door because I would want you to think that this bitch would hurt you, right?" Yeah that stung, really badly for Chloe.
Beca walks to the door and tries herself but again nothing happens. She goes to her desk and starts looking for something but she can't find it. "Dammit Jesse…" Beca grabs her phone and dials Jesse number. "Of course it goes straight to voicemail…" Chloe just looks at the now frustrated brunette. "Can you call your manager? Maybe she can reach Jesse?" Chloe takes her phone and tries but she also gets voicemail.
"I guess we're stuck here." Chloe's eyes widen. "What do you mean stuck?" Beca rolls her eyes in annoyance. "The door is locked and Jesse has my keys. The janitor isn't here today because it's a Sunday. We're stuck here until someone opens the door." Chloe groans loudly. "So what do we do?" Beca chuckles. "Do whatever you want but leave me alone, you said what you wanted to and I got the message."
Beca turns around and goes back to the piano. They sit in silence for a while until Chloe can't take it. "Is it ok if I take a nap on the couch?" At first there's no reaction but then suddenly the brunette turns around and nods. "Sure, let me get you something first." Beca walks to her desk and opens one of the drawers. "Hold this for a sec." She hands Chloe a pillow and a warm, soft blanket. The brunette opens up the couch and steps back. "I sleep here more often than I sleep at home." She says when she sees Chloe quirking an eyebrow up.
Beca goes back to the piano and places her fingers on the keys but doesn't play. "Don't mind me, if you want to play, play." Beca takes a deep breath and starts playing a melody but stops abruptly, jumping up and running to her desk taking some papers and running back. Chloe watches her write something until she suddenly stops. They stay like that for what seems a very long time.
"Why did you send me that mail and then want to work with me?" Beca's voice is soft and vulnerable, almost scared to know the answer. "I-I don't know about what mail you're talking about." Beca slowly gets up and grabs her laptop showing the mail to Chloe. The things written in it shock Chloe beyond anything. She takes a closer look because she doesn't remember writing it and then it clicks.
"That's not my e-mail address, mine is with an underscore not a dot." Beca rolls her eyes. "If you didn't than who did? Yeah I thought so." Beca places her laptop back on her desk and resumes her place at the piano once more. She starts playing the tune again and humming along with it. Chloe can't contain herself so she slowly gets up and walks over to the brunette.
She sits down next to her reading what the brunette wrote so enthusiastically not so long ago.
Beca
Each time the wind blows
I hear your voice so
I call your name
Whispers at morning
Our love is dawning
Heaven's glad you came
You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong
I'm so proud to say I love you
Your love's got me high
I long to get by
This time is forever
Love is the answer
Chloe
I hear your voice now
You are my choice now
The love you bring
Heaven's in my heart
At your call
I hear harps
And angels sing
You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong
I can't live my life without you
Beca
I just can't hold on
Chloe
I feel we belong
Beca
My life ain't worth living
If I can't be with you
Together
I just can't stop loving you
I just can't stop loving you
And if I stop
Then tell me just what will I do
Cause I just can't stop loving you
The last notes fade away and before either of them realizes what's going on their lips meet in the most magical kiss they ever shared with anyone.
Beca's eyes shoot opens and she pulls away from Chloe with a jolt and falls on the ground with a groan. "Are you alright?" Beca slowly registers Chloe's voice and looks up to meet her eyes. "I-I'm sorry I-I shouldn't have done that." The brunette scrambles to her feet and starts pacing. Chloe manages to catch up some of the mumbling Beca mutters. "I'm an idiot… she's straight… I'm gonna get killed… why?"
Chloe gets up and stops Beca from pacing any more. "You didn't kiss me, I kissed you. I liked it and honestly if I would be drunk right now I would have definitely gone further." Beca throws her eyes up to the ceiling. "Yeah if you were drunk I would not let you do anything and get you home so you could sleep it off." Chloe burst out in laughter. "Oh sure because the big Beca Mitchell doesn't drink." Beca crosses her arms and just looks at the redhead.
When Chloe finally stops laughing and sees the serious expression on Beca's face she straightens up. "And what did that mean?" Her tone is simple yet soothing for some reason. "Well Leila told me you were drunk when you hit her because you had a fight?" Beca growls in frustration. "That's not what happened, I have been sober for 3 years now. I haven't had a drink since… since my mom died."
Beca walks past Chloe to the cabinet and opens it. "I put this bottle in here three year ago and never touched it. Every time I would have an urge I will look at this picture and be reminded of how my mom died. My dad was an alcoholic and when my mom finally divorced him when I was ten things started looking up. Three years ago I got a phone call telling me my mom was in a crash, a drunk driver hit her… the driver was my dad."
Chloe takes the bottle and the picture from Beca and places them in their original spot before turning around and wrapping her arms around Beca's neck and hugging her tight. Surprisingly the brunette didn't flinch or pull away she just wrapped her own arms around the redhead's waist. "I broke up with Leila because she read my journal. She got mad at me because I've had a crush on you." Chloe breaks the hug to look Beca straight in the eyes in search of any type of lie but not finding anything.
"You had a crush on me?" It barely comes above a whisper but Beca catches it. "I still do actually." A bright smile forms on Chloe's face and leans forward to capture Beca's lips, again. "I have a crush on you too." She mumbles against Beca's lips.
A rustling of keys turning a lock make the two women jump apart. "Are you guys alright?" Jesse walks in with Aubrey right behind him. "Yeah uhm we're more than fine." Chloe says smile at the woman beside her. "We saw that you called and when we called back and you didn't answer we panicked." Aubrey says in one long breath. "Relax Bree and you can say I told you so…" The blonde crosses her arms. "I knew something was off about Leila's story, you have been sober for three years now right?" Beca nods.
"I remember reading an article where you mentioned it so it seemed strange." Chloe nods. "Why don't we all go out to dinner? It's on me." Beca says with a smile while taking Chloe's hand. Aubrey and Jesse's eyes shoot open but decide with mutual looks not to comment on it now, there's more than enough time to tease their friends.
Daaaaaammmmmnnnn ok this was not exactly what I thought would happen… this is the longest one shot I've ever written (4773+ words) this is like 10 pages in word…
I DO NOT OWN PITCH PERFECT!
FOLLOW ME ON TUMBLR FOR SNEEK PEAKS FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS – katelides
Let me know what you think, feedback is always fun to have :D