Beca makes it through auditions but still refuses to believe in soulmates. How long will it take her to give in to the inevitable, or will she spend the rest of her life alone?


Because Chloe had been stressed about one of the girls auditioning being her soulmate, Aubrey relented. They added one additional option on the score sheet for the soulmate's ring. "Now, Chloe. The ring will not be used to determine if someone should be a Bella. We have a tradition to uphold."

Being the only two Bellas remaining from the previous year, Chloe and Aubrey set up in the theatre on the first row of seats to judge each participant. After each person auditioned, Aubrey would look at Chloe to see if she'd gotten a look at the girl's ring. Each time, Chloe shook her head no.

"Jessica Smith? You're up." Tommy called out. A dark blonde woman began to sing her selection. Suddenly, Chloe nudged Aubrey in the ribs with her elbow.

"Look, Bree. Her ring…"

Aubrey pursed her lips and furrowed her eyebrows. "Chloe," she admonished. "The audition?"

Chloe began studying Jessica up and down. Cute? Check. Voice? Check. Range? Check. Ring? Definitely platinum. Chloe circled that on her score sheet and eyed Jessica as she walked off-screen.

"Next. Ashley Jones?" Tommy ushered a curly-haired brunette on stage.

She was about the same height as Jessica, which worked well for arrangements. Her voice would definitely work with the Bellas, and her application stated she had previous a capella experience. She kept her hands clasped behind her back, so Chloe couldn't see her ring. However, when she turned to walk away, the co-captain caught a flash of silver.

"Aubrey! Did you see that? Did you?" Chloe whispered. Her ring. Platinum. We have two!"

Aubrey rolled her eyes as she saw Ashley run right into Jessica's arms as they gave each other congratulatory kisses. "See, Chloe," Aubrey said. "You should never assume. They know who their soulmates are."

Tommy looked at his clipboard, ensuring he hadn't missed anyone, then announced, "Okay, that's everybody."

Chloe saw some movement behind the stage curtains. A petite girl awkwardly peered out. Something about her moved Chloe. After a brief pause, she called out, "Wait, there's one more."

The brunette walked across the stage towards the co-captain table. "I didn't know we had to prepare that song," she said.

Chloe's smile was broad as she said, "That's okay. Just sing anything."

Aubrey was looking over this newcomer and wasn't happy. First, she was late. Second, the audition song was mandatory. All the flyers made that clear. And third, the girl was way too alternative-looking with her ear monstrosities.

The girl kneeled at the front of the stage and reached for Chloe's yellow cup filled with pens. "May I," she inquired.

Aubrey looked at the girl oddly as she dumped the pens out on the table.


"B! That was awesome," Stacie ran out the stage backdoor with Beca and wrapped one arm around her shoulder. "I thought you couldn't sing."

"That's not what I said," Beca grumbled. "I said I didn't sing."

"That thing you did with the cup… that was cool. Teach me?" Stacie was so giddy that Beca was almost sad for her.

"Dude. Grow up. We're in college now," Beca teased.

Stacie stuck her tongue out at her roommate. "So. Was she there?"

"Was who there?" Beca wouldn't tell Stacie that she thought she'd found the person who caused her ring to turn platinum. Stacie elbowed her. "Stacie," she sighed. "I'm not sure. And if even if she was, I still don't believe in soulmates."


When the petite brunette finished her performance, Chloe smiled sweetly at her then snuck a look at Aubrey's sheet. Aubrey had drawn a huge X from corner to corner and written DEFINITE NO across the face. Chloe's heart sank. Her mind immediately began to spin plans to convince Aubrey to let this girl join the Bellas.

Once the theatre was cleaned up, the co-captains headed home to go over the scorecards. Only a few had shown up, so Aubrey and Chloe's choices were limited if they wanted a full set of Bellas at ten, the traditional number for the group.


"Absolutely not," Aubrey insisted. She pushed back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. Aubrey and Chloe compared score sheets as they sorted the performers into three groups. "Chloe, she's a little too… alternative. Besides, she was late to auditions and didn't have the correct song prepared." Aubrey put Beca's score sheet in the NO pile.

Chloe reached over, plucked the paper off the NO pile, and placed it on the YES pile. Aubrey rolled her eyes and pushed it to the MAYBE pile. "Let's get through the rest of these." By the time they'd finished, there were seven in the YES pile, three in the MAYBE, and five in the NO. Chloe read off the NO list. "So we agree on these, right?" Aubrey nodded, and Chloe pushed them aside.

"And these seven are good, right?" Aubrey stacked up those score sheets. Then she spread out the remaining papers. "That leaves us one slot and three candidates. Lilly, Fat Amy, and Beca. You know how I feel about Beca, so my vote is Lilly."

"We could barely hear Lilly, so I want Beca." When Aubrey rolled her eyes, Chloe continued. "Bree, admit it, she can sing. You just don't like the way she looks. She doesn't fit with your Bella ideal image."

Aubrey angrily shoved back from the table and stomped over to the refrigerator for a water bottle. "Well, if you are so unconcerned about our reputation, how about we accept all three?"

"Okay," Chloe chirped, knowing Aubrey's response had been sarcastic, but now she had her friend backed into a corner.

"But… wait, umm, that gives us twelve. The Bellas have always been a group of ten," Aubrey's frustration. "This… isn't tradition."

Chloe shrugged as she gathered the papers, trying not to show how happy she'd gotten her way. When she'd seen Beca staring at her from the wings, Chloe's stomach fluttered. As Beca had reached out for her yellow cup of pens, Chloe's gaze immediately went to her ring. Platinum.

Chloe's eyes were riveted on Beca's ring during the entire routine. Of course, she listened to her singing enough to know her voice was exactly what the Bellas needed. When the brunette was done, she shyly smiled at Chloe before leaving.

The redhead's heart sank when she saw her co-captain's rejection notes. She didn't have the nerve to tell Aubrey the connection she felt with Beca. Nor did she even mention Beca's ring. Maybe Aubrey would ease up on the tiny singer if she didn't make a big deal out of it.


"Seriously," Stacie said, "You went to scout out soulmate rings. What did you see?"

"Two of the girls auditioning had platinum rings - the one with short, curly dark hair and the taller blonde. But they ended up being pretty chummy, so that's a match."

"And…?"

"I didn't see anyone else with a platinum ring," Beca honestly said because, in truth, she hadn't seen the judge's ring. Stacie asked her why she decided to audition. "You sounded awesome, roomie." Beca changed the subject. "My dad wants me to get involved in at least one group. So, I might as well see if the Bellas will accept me, right?" Beca wasn't about to tell Stacie about her connection to the redheaded judge. Her roommate would never let it go.

Stacie pulled out her phone and checked her calendar. "Tomorrow, the Deaf Jews have a meeting and that weird Harry Potter club flying around on brooms. We'll see if any of their rings turned during the Activities Fair."


Both Stacie and Beca received a mysterious text to show up at an old gym across campus at seven sharp. Several other girls were there as well. One by one, either the redhead or the blonde would come out with a yellow hood for a girl's head and lead her inside.

Then Aubrey began to pull off each hood as she announced each name. "The Sopranos: Jessica, Mary Elise, Lilly. The Mezzos: Cynthia Rose, Stacie, Kori. And our Altos: Fat Amy, Denise, Ashley, and... Beca."

Beca shook her hair free of the static electricity and looked around the room filled with a dangerous number of lit candles. The redhead, whose name she now knew to be Chloe, gave them each a chalice of red liquid as Aubrey stated they would start by drinking the blood of the sisters that came before them.

A horrified look crossed Beca's face. "Dude, no," she said.

"Don't worry, it's Boone's Farm," Chloe said as she winked at the brunette, handing her the chalice, making sure her soulmate ring was in full view.

Beca took the glass, chugging the cheap wine, wishing she had more. Especially when they were presented with yellow silk scarves with blue patterns and had to repeat some foolish oath. She didn't even have the faintest idea what a Treblemaker was but stated the vows anyway.

After the fire hazards had been safely extinguished, Aubrey led her new group of Bellas to an outdoor amphitheater for aca-initiation night where all the a capella groups on campus came together to party in harmony.

Despite being several drinks ahead of her, Beca let an annoying Jesse go off searching for a beverage for her. No sooner did he leave did Chloe walk up. "Hi," Chloe said as she grasped both of Beca's and pulled towards her. As Chloe's fingertips brushed across her skin, electricity shot through Beca's arms.

"Oh," Beca exclaimed as she tried to not stumble over the back of the row she was standing in.

Chloe's face was so close that Beca could smell the alcohol on her breath. "I'm so glad I met you." Beca was struggling to not close the gap between their mouths.

"Blame my roomie; it's a long story."

"Well, I'm going to get a drink," Chloe exclaimed as she turned to go back down the steps. "This ginger needs her jiggle juice." All Beca could do was watch as Chloe slapped her own ass and left.

Beca wasn't sure how long she stood there until she felt someone standing next to her. Stacie. "Stare much, Becs?" She handed Beca a red solo cup since Jesse had apparently gotten lost somewhere. "I juuuuuuuuust so happened to see her ring. Did you?" Beca downed the acrid alcohol in the cup.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" She wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her shirt. "I don't believe in soulmates." Beca crossed her arms and scowled at her roommate, unsure what to think of her first college party.

Stacie rolled her eyes. "Just keep telling yourself that. I see you, Becs." She pointed to her eyes, then to Beca's, laughed, and walked off.


"Why do I feel you aren't telling me something, Chloe?" Aubrey questioned as she readied to shower to wash the grunge of the night off her body.

"Mmm," Chloe said absentmindedly from the couch. She was flipping through pictures that she'd snuck of Beca that night.

"Chloe?"

Startled, the redhead quickly locked her phone and looked up at her friend. "Yeah, I agree about Kori. Stripping her scarf on the spot was the right choice."

"That's not what I was talking about. What's going on with you, Chloe? Are you upset about not finding your soulmate at auditions?" Aubrey sat on the arm of the couch next to Chloe.

"No, no. I'm okay. Just tired. Go shower."

When Aubrey had left, Chloe pulled out her phone and looked through the pictures again. Chloe had tried to get as clear of pictures as possible. Beca had talked to two people most of the night - Jesse, a new Treblemaker, and Stacie, a new Bella. One of these could very well be Beca's soulmate.

She first zoomed in on Jesse's ring and was relieved to see that it was a blueish-green color. Holding her breath, she found a good shot of Stacie and pinched her fingers out to take a closer look. An odd brown. Chloe's breath whooshed out in relief.

Rings could be a touchy subject. Chloe knew she could outright ask Beca about her ring, but that didn't seem right somehow. Her parents had told her that some people frown upon asking about someone's ring - that if they want you to know, they'd tell you.

Chloe's freshman roommate had a horrific Spring semester when her ring turned black and dissolved into dust before they'd ever found each other. Chloe knew she'd be utterly heartbroken if her soulmate died, especially before she had a chance to meet them.


At their first practice, Bellas had lost a second new recruit to Trebleboning, so the group was down to ten. Chloe tried not to give Aubrey the 'I told you so' speech but was secretly glad they had the group they did. The new singers were rough, to say the least, but gutsy. Not only did they have to learn vocal arrangements but choreography as well.

Aubrey had them practicing for two hours every day of the week. Chloe knew that her co-captain could be a little uptight. She went out of her way to make sure she stayed positive and participated right alongside the other girls - leading by example.

Chloe had noticed that Stacie and Beca always showed up together and always left together. So she made a special note to check out Stacie's ring again. After she was sure Stacie's ring was not platinum, she learned they were roommates which explained why they were always together.

As the semester progressed, Chloe and Beca danced around each other at Bellas' practices. The redhead took every advantage to work with Beca, especially on choreography where she could be hands-on with the woman she was convinced was her soulmate.


Despite being a co-captain, Beca noticed that Chloe seemed to play a supporting role against Aubrey's Type A personality. No matter how demanding or gruff Aubrey was, Chloe kept a smile and participated right along with the new girls. She got a kick of how Chloe was often tasked with the responsibility of getting Stacie to keep her hands off herself when she sang. Beca asked her roommate why she made everything so sexual. Stacie said she had more fun singing that way.

One particular move in one section always gave Beca trouble. She got frustrated that she couldn't make a simple rectangle with her hands. One practice, Chloe unexpectedly stepped in behind her and grabbed her arms. All of Beca's strength was taken to not freeze up as Chloe moved her limbs through the motions. After what seemed like forever, Chloe stepped back to let Beca try the moves independently. The moment the music stopped, Beca grabbed her towel and ran outside to calm down so nobody would see her shaking hands.

Aubrey had wrapped up practice for the afternoon when Beca came back in and announced that night was Bellas bonding night. "Movie night at Chloe's and my house," the blonde co-captain said.

Beca groaned. "Maybe we could do something else like talk about our feelings or go to the gynecologist?"

"You don't like movies?" Chloe questioned in amazement.

"It's just they're so predictable." Beca stopped, not giving any more explanation. Chloe was staring at her, and she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. She knew if she kept talking, everyone would be able to see right through her, see the emotions she'd been holding in the past two weeks being around Chloe.

"Whatever," Beca huffed as she grabbed her bag and headed to the door.

"It's mandatory," Aubrey called out after her.


Chloe and Aubrey were getting their house ready for the Bellas. During their three previous years, the captains had not exactly made them feel welcome as a part of the group. Aubrey and Chloe had promised each other that this year would be different. The Bellas would become as much a part of each other's lives as Chloe and Aubrey were a part of each others.

"It's her, isn't it?" Aubrey asked nonchalantly, trying to catch her friend.

"Who's her," Chloe replied. She went into her room to bring in an armful of pillows to make the floor more comfortable.

"Beca. You think she's your soulmate," Aubrey announced. When Chloe didn't speak, she continued. "You're wrong, you know. She's not. I heard her talking to Stacie the other day. Beca doesn't believe in soulmates." Still no response from the redhead co-captain. "Besides, haven't you noticed that she flinches every time you touch her?"

Chloe turned around, tears brimming in her eyes. "You're just jealous, Bree. Your ring is always changing into those weird colors that nobody has ever seen before, and my ring turned platinum. And yes, I think my soulmate is Beca. We have a … connection. She may not be ready yet, and I'm sure she has her reasons. But I'll wait for her, Aubrey. As long as it takes."

Air puffed out of Aubrey's mouth as she pursed her lips together. When she realized her friend was close to crying, the blonde's face softened, and she approached Chloe, putting her arms around her. "I just don't want to see you hurt."


After movie night, Stacie and Beca walked back to the dorm. "I saw, you know," Stacie said to her roommate. "Snuggles up next to Chloe, all secret like. You don't like to be touched."

"Whatever," Beca chuckled, rolling her eyes. "I was cold. Chloe's like a furnace."

"Becs, we've had Bellas' practice for weeks. I'm not blind. Chloe's ring is platinum. She never talks about a partner. And she always gives you special attention. She's perpetually chipper despite Aubrey. So… she checks all the boxes."

"All circumstantial evidence, Stacie. Besides, let's talk about your ring. Always stuck on that weird brown color."

Stacie held her hand up to examine her ring. "Meh, it's a work in progress."

"Besides, you know that I…"

"... don't believe in soulmates," Stacie finished.

The friends were quiet the rest of the way back to their dorm room. When Beca returned from the shower, she asked Stacie if she'd braid her hair. "I didn't have any friends who were girls growing up," she admitted. She took a deep breath. "You're right, Stace. As much as I don't like to admit it, you're right."

Stacie chuckled. "We all see it, Beca."

The shorter brunette whipped her head around. "What do you mean? Who sees it?"

"The Bellas. The chemistry between you is unreal. Plus, everyone's noticed the rings. All the freshmen Bellas are grilling me about why you two haven't gotten together yet."

"Hmpft," Beca grunted as she turned around so Stacie could finish her hair. "That's none of their business."

"And that's exactly what I tell them. So now tell me, Becs, now that you've admitted it, what are you going to do about it?"


A week had passed since Bellas bonding night, and practices continued normally. Now that Chloe had admitted to Aubrey that Beca was most likely her soulmate, she felt a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She also was hyper-aware of how Beca responded to her touch and verbal instructions. Once, she caught Stacie mouthing something to Beca that Chloe couldn't quite make out.

"She texted you?" Aubrey's voice was incredulous. Chloe nodded, beaming rays of sunshine through her pores. "And she wants to meet you? After practice?"

Chloe kept nodding as she began bouncing up and down. "Can't we cancel practice, Aubrey? Just this once? I don't think I can concentrate long enough to make it through knowing that Beca wants to finally meet up outside the group." Aubrey agreed to cancel Bellas' practice after quite a bit of cajoling and a promise to do the dishes for the next month.

"Just this one time," Aubrey frowned. "And if she hurts you, I'll rip out her vocal cords."

Excited, Chloe clapped and ran off to her bedroom to pick out the perfect outfit. She'd seen Beca around campus and knew how she regularly dressed, so Chloe didn't want to dress up too much. But she still wanted to make an impression on what might just be her first date with her soulmate.


"Simple, Becs. Don't change your style. Cool, and easy." Stacie dug around Beca's wardrobe and tossed some clothes on her bed. "There."

Beca wrinkled her lip as she looked at the jeans, plain white tee, faded jeans, and brown leather bomber jacket. "Are you sure?"

Stacie nodded. "Definitely hot. Get changed, and we'll do your hair."

"What if she doesn't like where I take her?"

Stacie rolled her eyes. "Do you think Chloe will not like any place you take her? I'm just glad you finally asked her out on a date."

"This is not a date," Beca protested. "I just want to … talk."

"Suck it up, Mitchell. She's your soulmate." Beca started to speak when Stacie cut her off. "I know, I know. You don't believe in soulmates." With a few more tugs of Beca's hair, Stacie declared her job done and pushed Beca out the door.


Beca nervously rang the door to Chloe's house and stood, shuffling back and forth on her feet. When the door opened, her knees almost buckled at the sight of the redhead. Chloe had a black, low-cut, v-neck button-up shirt over dark orange pants tucked into zip-up boots. Beca swallowed, trying to regain her composure. "Wow. You look nice. I mean, beautiful actually."

"I like this look on you, Beca," Chloe replied as she blushed. They both stood there a while before realizing neither was speaking.

"Oh, I brought you these." Beca handed her a small bunch of wildflowers. "Cheesy, I know. But I didn't want to show up empty-handed." She knew Stacie would tease her mercilessly if word got back to her that she'd brought their co-captain flowers.

"They're gorgeous," Chloe beamed. "I'll just…" she motioned behind her. "Come in right quick while I put them in water." Beca nervously took a few steps inside the door, hoping Aubrey wouldn't be around. "Where are we going?" The redhead called out.

"Umm, my dad said there's this new Thai place on the other side of campus that's supposed to be pretty good. Is that… ummm… okay?"

"Sure, I love Thai." Chloe was all smiles when she came back.

Conversation between the pair was simple as they walked to the restaurant. Mostly they talked about where they grew up and their families. "You were born in Seattle?" Chloe asked. "No way! Portland here. Of course, my dad got a job in Florida when I was young. But just think, we were just one state away from each other at one point.

Beca nervously chuckled. "Yeah, and look at us now." At one point, the backs of their hands brushed against each other. Sparks went up Beca's arm. She jerked her hand away and tucked both hands into the pockets of her jacket. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of disappointment cross Chloe's face.


Dinner was pleasant. Neither could decide what to order, so the pair got several entrees to share so they could also take some back home to their respective roommates. The longer Beca talked with Chloe, the less she wanted the night to end. Finally, she steeled her nerves and asked the redhead if she'd like to extend the evening and go for coffee.

Chloe ordered for them and came back with two cups to go. "Come on; I have a place I want to show you." They walked a bit away from campus into one of the local parks. Sprawling oak trees lined the jogging trails and were scattered around the grassy field. Chloe sat beneath one of the trees and motioned for Beca to sit next to her. Unable to resist the redhead's pull, Beca scooted close enough to Chloe where their knees were touching. Despite the tingles now running up her legs, Beca reveled in the touch.

"I love this park. Not many students come here, usually only joggers or parents with their kids in strollers or older kids playing in the grass. But at night, it's peaceful." Chloe lay down on her back and looked up at the gnarled oak branches stretching above them. Unsure what to do, Beca did the same, her feet facing the opposite direction. "Things have a different perspective this way, don't you think?" Chloe's voice was soft, pensive.

After enjoying the solitude a bit, Beca sat back up cross-legged while Chloe pushed herself up on one elbow. "Why did you ask me out tonight, Beca?" The brunette couldn't find the right words and stayed silent. "I know, you know," Chloe announced.

"What do you know," Beca whispered.

"That you know," Chloe repeated. She scooted over until her head was in Beca's lap. When the younger girl didn't flinch or move away, Chloe reached for Beca's hand, pulled it towards her mouth, and kissed the brunette's ring.

"Tell me about last year."

Beca relented and told her how her senior year of high school was the total pits. Her parents' divorce had been finalized, and her dad had moved to Barden and immediately started dating someone. "You can't tell me he wasn't cheating on Mom."

Beca was struggling to fight back the tears. Chloe's heart ached for Beca as she remembered all the color changes her own ring had gone through during that period. Of course, Beca was angry. All sorts of emotions had coursed through her body during her senior year. This made everything click into place.

"How could I believe," Beca sniffed. "My parents' rings turned platinum when they met right out of high school, and they didn't even make it to their twentieth anniversary. How the hell does anyone expect me to believe in soulmates? I still think it's bullshit."

"No, you don't think it's bullshit. Or you wouldn't have asked me out," Chloe chirped as she goosed Beca's sides, tickling her.

"God, Chlo, are you ever not happy?" Beca laughed at Chloe's antics.

"I'm pretty much 'what you see is what you get,'" Chloe replied.

"Well, that's another reason I never believed in soulmates; my ring was incessantly yellow."

The girls kept talking about anything and everything. Beca played with Chloe's hair as she lay in her lap, and Chloe laughed at all of Beca's stories. Well, most of them.

Beca had avoided the story about the summer before she came to Barden until Chloe outright asked her. "Beca. You don't have to tell me, but I've been curious to know what happened to you in June?"

She told Chloe about the car accident and how she almost didn't make it. "You have no idea how much pain I was in, Chloe. It was awful. My arm was shattered in multiple places. And the entire right side of my body was one solid bruise. You can't imagine." By now, Beca was lying down next to Chloe, face to face.

Chloe's expression turned serious as she ran her fingers across Beca's brow. "Here's the thing; I can imagine, Beca. I watched it. I watched it all unfold in the colors of my ring. My heart was breaking because I had no idea who you were nor what I could do to make it better. Aubrey kept telling me to wait until we met, then I could fill your life with sunshine and rainbows."

Beca chuckled. "Is that what you're going to do, Chlo? Fill my life with sunshine and rainbows?"

Chloe bit her lower lip as she nodded her head. "Yeah," she whispered. Her eyes dropped to Beca's mouth. "But right now, I'm going to kiss you."

The pair moved towards each other, lips softly connecting. Despite the shocks that ran through Beca's body, she didn't flinch or pull away this time. Instead, she melted into Chloe's touch. The kiss was brief as they broke apart. Beca pressed her forehead against Chloe's and gave a small smile.

"I guess I might believe in soulmates after all."