A/N Here guys another chapter, just because you all are so amazing! Your responses to this story have overwhelmed me-in a good way right from the start. So Thanks? I mean Thanks! from the bottom of my heart/ I'm sending out all my love hope ya'll can feel it!
Chap 10
"So..." Beca continues, her back resting on the desk-you've yet to say anything else. The two of you are grinning like fools, suddenly at a lost for words.
"So..." you say once again, only to break this weirdly drawn out moment and you giggle, suddenly excited, struck by a good kind of nervous, realising that this- the two of you together, alone - would become a regular thing now with one on one sessions for Knock out rounds and then for the top four positions.
Not that you ever needed an excuse to see her, but now, you have no choice but to be with each other as often and as long as you like, and you've never been happier. You are sure this wouldn't just be all work. There'd be some play, a lot of play, play time with Beca. Working into the late nights with Beca.
Did the room suddenly get hotter?
"Enough with the 'so's'. Okay Chloe, would you like to start our ultimate pairing by saying something, anything? A speech about how grateful you are yadda, yadda?" Beca says with a mock air about her, gesturing with her hand and offering it out to you, as if for you to kiss it. You smack it out of the way, not too roughly though your hands linger, tangle a bit and you feel a jolt.
Hands, touchin' hands Reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you…
You'd never thought something as little as two palms coming into contact could feel so intimate. You eventually drop your hand to your side and Beca joins hers together, rubbing them. It didn't seem as though she felt it, the electricity almost like magic, this current running between the two of you at all times.
It just can't be you feeling it, can it?
"Well...Thanks for choosing me this time," you finally get out. You take the seat while she continues to sit astride the desk.
"Of course, I do owe you that after being too boneheaded the first time..." She nudges you with her leg. You refrain from reacting, because even reaching a hand to push it away, to touch said shapely leg-it would be too much and you're already exercising extreme restraint- wanting to continue touching her. But, you think you won't be able to stop if you started, so you don't.
Why is everything affecting you? She isn't even doing anything, she doesn't have to, but with every little contact that she initiates-her wanting to reach out and touch you - it does things to you... It feels like something has changed, that she really is committed to this whole friend thing.
"Hey, you said it not me, so c'mon. I feel like I've told you everything about me...Why don't you say some stuff about yourself?"
"This isn't usually how it works."
"It's exactly how it works, besides aren't I supposed to trust my coach, have some sort of "bond"?"
"C'mon. We already have the bond... And, I'm actually not good at the opening up about myself part. I mean I can tell people stuff off the top of my head, but not the deep things, like feelings and mushy stuff. I don't really have that many girlfriends to talk about all the feelings with. I mean I do have friends that are girls, but they're all much older and are pretty much past the whole gossiping part of their lives. I mean I do talk to B about Blue Ivy and we do share thoughts and ideas for music with each other sometimes. And the celebrities my-our age… I can't really hang with most of their drama."
"Well now you have me and unfortunately, I like all of those things; feelings, mush. Hmm-just start with something random, ask anything at all, like the game we played that time..."
"The epic one day road trip! How could I forget? But, you're good at that, you're quite random yourself. So, you come up with it..."
"Okay, that's true, so I won't take offense for that...Uhm so... What do you-like what do you uh- sing in the shower?"
'Okay, what and where did that come from?' you think to youself, but whatever you'll go with it. Beca in the shower thoughts aren't really helping you in the not wanting to jump her area.
What's happening to you? It's like you can barely function.
Beca seemed to consider the question seriously, doing that adorable thing where she wrinkles her nose she absentmidedly brings up a hand mushes up her hair (I mean everyone does that, but on Beca, the simplest actions were the right mix of sexy and uber adorableness).
"Well, right now-I mean I do love Katy Perry's Roar. It's fun, but my go-to is the awesome mix Titanium. It still has the staying power. How about you?"
"Ohmygod-Jinx!"
"No really, you know David Guetta?"
"Have I been living under a rock? Of course! Why wouldn't I know him?"
"Nothing, sorry. I had you pegged as someone who liked the classics more. The Lettermen, Simon and Garfunkel, perhaps some Celine Dion, Whitney, some old school musicals, maybe disney-something light...less complex... From what I've seen and heard from you so far..."
"Hey! Just because I was part of an a cappella group! I'll have you know we have variety-We covered modern songs and classics. For me, it's just good music, but I love all kinds of music just in general. When I hear something playing anywhere and I like it, it's kinda like an inherent thing that I have to find out where it comes from-its source-almost to an obsessive capacity."
"I know what you mean. When I have a song in my head, or a tune, I just have to get it down. I'm always carrying around a piece of paper and a pen, even a recorder or my laptop, just in case I get inspired."
"So the bad ass Beca Mitchell sings in the shower... Maybe I'd join in- I could totally work the acoustics in a shower."
"For some reason, I can totally imagine you sneaking into someone's shower just to harmonize with them."
"Yeah I'll be doing more than singing in there, I mean that song is my jam, my lady jam."
"Okay..."Beca's expression changed. What had felt light and flirty had gone spiraling down fast. Oh God. You and your big mouth, of course she didn't want to hear that! Good job Chloe you scared the shit out of Beca.
"Um-er sorry. I dunno why I said that..." Quick is the apology to spill from your tongue. God never again.
"That's alright..." Beca says, her eyes are avoiding yours cheeks, a bright red, and it dawns on you; what had seemed like shock at first, actually became quite clear to show that she wasn't disgusted. She was shy and embarrassed for you, for herself, maybe both?
You try to gauge her reaction.
"So do you want to sing it?" you say with an accompanying smirk, wishing it was as effective and as disarming as Beca's own. You leave your seat and get up close to Beca, placing both arms on either side of her, effectively trapping her between your arms in uncharacteristically bold gesture.
"Chloe!" Cocky, confident Beca Mitchell was and always is a major turn on, but it's totally hot and downright adorable how flustered a suddenly shy Beca Mitchell becomes. It warms your heart as she stutters and gets nervous. You see her face become even brighter.
"Not for that reason!" You say pulling back, wanting to take it easy on her. No use scaring the girl off. Man she's so red right now, you're wondering if she's flushing everywhere.
"I am not going to sing that song with you!" She say adamantly as she crosses her arms to add to the effect.
"C'mon you totally want to..."
"Why would I, we're suppose to be rehearsing, you're the one who is supposed to be singing."
"I won't if you won't. Anyway, that's why we'll be doing it together, aren't you a bit curious-I'm sure we'll sound...magical."
You try pulling her to her feet- you play down the tingles you get from that brief contact.
An exasperated sigh leaves her lips but she stands up anyway and you then hear that beautiful voice starting the chorus...
I'm bulletproof nothing to lose
…and before you know it you're harmonising…
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
…and not only Beca is shocked by how amazing it sounds-how amazing her warm deep tone goes with your richer higher one, but her eyes can't stay still, darting between either of yours, nervous still not quite believing she's agreeing to this but her smile continues to grows by the second.
You shoot me down, but I won't fall
I am Titanium
There's a furrow in her brow.
You shoot me down, but I won't fall
I am Titanium
That last note was hauntingly beautiful, you can hardly believe it was the two of you. Well you and her making that beautiful sound.
You feel warmth traveling everywhere. That wasn't just two people singing. Right there and then she had connected with you. She had bared herself open to you the only way she knows how - through music.
Almost as if to break that intense overpowering state that you had once again gone into, Beca speaks first.
"Okay, that wasn't too bad." she says offhandedly, playing it off. You don't believe her for a second. She felt it you are sure of it, you've got all kinds of crazy chemistry going on, it even manifested in your singing together.
"Are you kidding me? That was more than good, that was tremendous. We should totally do more duets together-"
"You, Chloe Beale, are quite pushy."
"And you are quite the pushover."
And if that were true you believe one of theses days you could drag her to a washroom to try out the acoustics and maybe do the whole Titanium duet in there. But that will have to wait for some other time. This is enough for the day.
"Is that what you'll be singing for Knockout rounds? I mean it sounds amazing and all-"
"I know right?" you say sounding as ditzy as you can.
"I know you like making things personal, but I hardly think you want it to be that kind of personal when you peform on stage."
"Yeah, so what do you think? Any ideas?"
"What do you want to sing, maybe something recent?"
"I quite liked 'Wrecking Ball'-"
"Ah, yeah that song- it is a nice song...yeah okay I'll write that down as one of your choices we can practice that tomorrow."
Beca gets out her tablet,
"I'm putting you on top of my itinerary for tomorrow." She's placing you in her to do list, haha 'to do' list. Yes please. Do you really have to wait 'till tomorrow?
"Please don't tell me you want to stage it similarly to the music video."
"No, I won't be baring my lady bits amidst swinging on something or making out with a sledgehammer anytime soon-I'm not quite ready for that though I'm not saying I'm not confident with all of this, cos I totally am..."
"Yeah...you should be. "
You suppress the goofy grin and fight down the blush from that complement. You especially like how Beca gives it so breezily like it's just a normal truth.
"Okay thinking about it, it's an excellent choice, it's new, and it's got a lot of hype and when you get over the visuals, the actual message of the song its raw and emotional. I mean that's what she was trying to convey through the lyrics. " Beca say glancing at her watch.
"Since we are done for today, here's what I want you to do in preparation for when we meet two days from now. I want you to review the lyrics, you don't have to memorise it just yet, I just want you to maybe read it aloud. Then you can tell me what you think the lyrics are saying, it's meaning for you."
"Homework, really?"
"Yes-It'll help when you perform...You want theatrics, you want performance. I like it when you dedicate songs to people, but I want you to own that stage to emote, feel that song. I dunno. Make up a story or a scenario where that song Wrecking Ball applies. Draw from some previous, current heartbreak..." She's picking up things here and there tossing them into her bag, some papers, unplugging her laptop. I guess she's bringing work home, or home to work...Her office as well as her crib was such a beautiful mix of both.
"So it's late, do you have anything to do or anywhere else to go tonight?" she says finally straightening after giving up on zipping her bag shut.
"No, well I'm beat...Got to rest all of the excitement off, because now that I have a spot in your top 6, I can finally sleep peacefully."
"Hey you know... I could pass by your place on the way to where I'm going. I don't think it'll be too far off."
"Okay... wait. You know where I live?"
"Uh No...I meant you'll tell me where to go and since I don't have anything to do, it won't be a bother."
You find yourself in her beautiful refurbished classic car, she's prepared this time. She brought her own ipod. She starts the car, the music she had been playing previously comes on. You recognize the song from the intro.
You start to humm along till the lyrics come on Beca' singing the song under her breath.
I don't like walking around this old and empty house.
The next line comes and you sing along
So hold my hand, I'll walk with you my dear
Beca quickly glances your way. She looks pleasantly surprised. She doesn't say anything to you, which prompts you to say "Why are you always so surprised that I know the songs you like? I'd like to think I have excellent taste in music."
She scoffs "Justin Beiber?"
"He has nice songs!"
"They're all lame, unoriginal or inspired by old songs that he just modernized."
"What about One time? Baby? Love Me?"
"Like I said-exactly in that order One Time is his lamest song plus he sounded like a chipmunk, Baby was catchy but it has the unoriginal, least thought of lyrics, and Love me was a remake of the Cardigans 'Lovefool' I rest my case. " You don't reply, you're still musing over what she just said
"Chloe, I'm not insulting you or your taste in music. I don't wanna fight over him of all people, but I have my limit's. No Justin Beiber ever in this car or ever in my presence. I already gave in with the whole One Direction thing-let's just agree to disagree." She turns up the music.
Cause though the truth may vary
this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore.
"Come on...what use is our dynamic duet if you won't join in...See I'm singing loudly now, you just have to sing along. Sing with me Chloe!"
There's an old voice in my head
that's holding me back
Well tell her that I miss our little talks
"I miss you singing with me...C'mon you know you want to..."
You laugh at her antics trying to get you to sing with her, and you give in in a heartbeat.
Soon it will all be over, buried with our past
We used to play outside when we were young
and full of life and full of love.
Some days I feel like I'm wrong when I am right.
Your mind is playing tricks on you my dear.
Cause though the truth may vary
This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore
Hey!
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey!
The screams all sound the same.
Hey!
You finish the song and it fades into another one.
There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepia-toned loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together.
So true-You and Beca were always better together...
You think you fell asleep, 'cos before you know it, you're pulling up right outside your apartment.
"Chloe, Chlo-Wake up sleepyhead. We're here." She gently shakes you, quickly checking to see if you're awake. She leans in close, you're taking everything in in flashes as your eyes try to focus to remain wide open. Beca has this surprisingly tender look on her face "Hey there. I didn't want to have to wake you, but I think it'd be better to move to your more comfy bed-"
"Mff-" you mumble, too tired to form words. You start to move out of your seat.
"Let me." she says, reaching over to unbuckle your seat belt, then racing out of her car door.
"So I'll see you in two days time?" Beca says after she comes to a stop right outside your side of the car as she opens it for you. All that time you could've spent with Beca, lost. You just had to fall asleep...
You are still out of it. You blink, rub your fists over your eyes, glance around for a few more seconds, not quite ready to accept that you are really home.
You're surprised Beca didn't need much directing getting you there,
Guess she knew her way around the area. You don't even stop to wonder why though-you're too preoccupied with wanting to prolong your time before parting...'till suddenly a thought strikes you. She said she had nothing to do, it's worth giving it a try.
"Hey you want to comes upstairs?"
"Uh-I don't think that's a good idea, remember what happened last time...I have to be somewhere early tomorrow so-"Beca says, sounding sorry.
To you she seems unsure, her mind not quite made up, you just need to convince her to stay.
"I can't let you go back out in the road without at least drinking a coffee first, you brought me across town. The least I can do is say thank you and prepare a grateful coffee."
"Hey, It's no problem, you're my... my friend right?"
"Yeah." you tilt your head, give an accompanying pout and bat your eyes excessively. Which causes Beca to sigh,
"Yeah, so how's about that coffee?"
Sweet Caroline-Neil Diamond (briefly)
Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks but there's an awesome Julia Sheer & Jon D Cover
Jack Johnson-Better Together- just because I love the lines of this song :)
A/N This is a pretty light chapter-More to Come soon! Hopefully within the next couple of days. Keep reviewing- they make my heart sing like the whole Barden Bellas are in there-I mean they are...Pitch Perfect and all it's characters are in my heart, but there's still room-for your reviews...so yeah :))) Please review?
