Aunthor's Note: Hello lovelies! Here's the next chapter, couldn't keep you guys waiting.

Hope you like it :D


Chap 12

To say that dinner between the three of you was awkward was possibly one of the biggest understatements of the year. Aubrey didn't make it easy; torn between her duties as your friend, wanting you to be happy, as well as you protector. She was also equal parts your mother, what with all the embarrassing stories she could tell about you.

"You know, Chloe's been simply obsessed since we were kids. I remember that she used to act out scenes from the movies you starred in. She would memorise them from start to finish, word for word. She usually played the part of your love interest…"

"Yeah… Or so I heard."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Well, I don't mind…I'm quite a big fan of hers as well. I just don't go all extreme."

"Extreme… Yeah that's Chloe whenever she really sets her eye on something...Or someone…" Aubrey says, smiling when you send death glares her way, just enjoying watching you squirm.

"She actually did this video, well we were drunk when we made it. She danced in her underwear with one of those cardboard figures of you that she has... It was so hilarious!" Oh. no. she. did-n't, You can't believe she would mention cardboard Beca to Beca.

"You're lying. No such video exists," you assure Beca. To Aubrey however, you pull closer. "I thought we deleted that?"

"No. You told me to when we were still buzzed. I woke up in the morning and saw it. It was too good to delete, so I saved it for future use... For something like this..."

Trust Aubrey to keep something like that over your head...

She should talk. Extreme is exactly how Aubrey was being with the non-stop constant interrogation.

"What happened to your hand? Did you uh hurt it, or over-exert it in someway? Were you guys busy this afternoon?" Aubrey says, poker faced. Your eyes narrow as the corner of her mouth twitches.

"No-I burnt it...Stupidly. I was trying to get donuts out of the oven," Beca answers oblivious. You are frowning, less than amused at Aubrey's look and tone of fake concern that you can totally see right though.

"You should definitely have it checked, you wouldn't want to completely lose it's function. I'm sure it's worth a lot to some people-to Ch-" You swiftly kick her shin underneath the table. You're smiling widely, hoping Beca didn't notice the table shake, or Aubrey muttering "That hurt Bitch."

"What?" Beca asks, glancing at the both of you. So much for not being obvious.

"My knee really itches- My knee's twitching," you say, eyes wide as Beca looks at you with concern. Inwardly you're shaking your head at yourself. 'My knee itches? Who says that?'

"I said uh, how is it? Did Chloe take care of it?"

"Yeah. She acted really quickly-I hardly feel any pain. She took very good care of me."

"I'm sure... So, do you guys hang out a lot?"

"You could say that. We don't really have a lot of choice," Beca kids, still in a politely happy way. As she winks at you, you stick your tongue back out at her, which momentarily lightens things.

Aubrey, however, is quick to fire another question.

"Is this the first time Beca's been over?" She's aiming the question at you but it's Beca who answers.

"Yes."

"For coffee, you're the one who insisted she stay for dinner. Not the Spanish Inquisition." you say bitingly, through your smile.

"Well, this is us entertaining her, getting know her; it's dinner talk, polite conversation. You don't mind do you Beca?" Aubrey says shifting her practiced, manipulative smile at Beca.

"Uh, yes, I mean no... It's quite alright." She's too well-groomed, too nice to say anything but cracks are starting to show. Beca had had a long day and you know she was looking forward to a nice relaxing evening. You thought you'd be able to provide that, something nice. Beca-Chloe together alone time, some coffee, some more cutesy, almost moments. Maybe this time fate would be on your side and something would happen. Something had to happen. But no, Aubrey had to show up... You had been too caught up with Beca that you hadn't thought to...warn, no maybe force Aubrey to stay away.

But you couldn't do that to her, even if right now you wish you had... She was taking her role as protective older sister way too seriously.

"So Beca, where's your fiancée? I heard he left the country to tour with one of the up and coming artists on your label."

"Yeah, it's for promotions. And some live shows to get our new talents on the label out there. It's nothing big yet...But yeah, he'll be gone for two-three more weeks it depends if they push through to go out of the country, to London I think."

"So... All the make-up, the tattoos, the ear monstrosities. I was wondering, is that an image thing? Like your brand and like for alt music, or is that really you? I mean-you're a professional now and that look would've been okay like in high school to college, but… I'm just wondering, how do people take you seriously when you look just like a collegiate alt chick?"

"Aubrey!" you hiss; that one was too much, even for her.

"Uh..."

"You don't really need to answer that." you say quickly, you're a bit embarrassed to look Beca in the eye after that.

"No I'm used to all kinds of silly questions. But yes. I'm sorry if it offends you, but I don't let other people dictate how I look, how I act or who I am." Beca says her tone curt.

You really should have found a way to cut Aubrey off before she had gotten over her mild starstruck-ness, you could have avoided all the questions which had steadily become even more invasive and probing, all together-the downside of having a lawyer for a best friend.

Interrogation, the ability to make a person feel ill at ease, was what she was good at. What she was paid to do. You could safely assume that Beca wouldn't be coming over again anytime soon.

You gave Aubrey a good talking to afterwards- while you were cleaning up, but she remained adamant and unapologetic about how she had acted.

"So what was your plan? To scare her away?" you can't even muster enough strength to convey how pissed you are at her, the evening had taken a lot out of you.

"No... She handled herself pretty well actually." God you could totally lose it at how calm, casual and unaffected Aubrey sounds briskly carrying out her task of putting away the clean dishes while you dry them.

"And...what...what does that even mean? Do you like her now?" You say, barely containing the annoyance, the frustration showing in your voice.

"Meh, she isn't the completely overrated musician air-head I thought her to be. What does it matter what I think of her anyhow? You're the one who has to be around her all the time." Aubrey says completely dismissing your concerns. You really want to throw the last plate at her.

"You're my best friend and I really wanted you to like her for me. And that's it? That's all you have after you grilled her for hours?" you almost shout already at the end of your rope,

"We barely spent five minutes alone with each other to actually get to know each other... Anywho, I'm beat. See you in the morning." Aubrey says leaving the room, leaving you with no place to direct your anger, you kick at the nearest object- the rubbish bin just to get everything out.

This evening, you sort of expected it to be a bust what with Aubrey showing up early and getting in between your alone-at-home time with Beca. But you thought you could turn it around, enjoy being around the two girls who meant the world to you. It kinda sucked that it ended with neither girl warming up to each other at all. You really do want them getting along. Was it too much to ask for them to be able to get along?

Aubrey was right, they barely spent time alone to actually like each other. You're sure they did have something in common. I mean, they had you right?

And out of nowhere, a plan hatches in your mind.

Thanks Aubrey. She really was a smart one.


Three days later...

You're leaning against the ledge of the second floor of the office building, overlooking the entrance. You're glancing every other second at your wristwatch, when right on time, "Hey Chloe!" Beca runs up to you as soon as she exits the elevator and spots you.

"Hi-someone's excited. Did ya miss me?" you laugh.

"Nah.." she replies, much less enthusiastic, schooling her features to appear as if it was so. It almost looked convincing. You swat at her and she dodges it, laughing. "Dude stop fishing...Yeah, I missed you! Happy?"

"Ecstatic," you say grinning widely, to which Beca rolls her eyes. And it's true: it never gets old. You still feel the giddy, overly happy. Ecstatic could barely describe the ever present sensation you get whenever you're around her.

Beca's still shaking her head when she stops and her attention gets pulled away, when she starts looking, focusing on something behind you...

"Oh, she's here-Audrey, your blonde friend's here..."

"Aubrey?" You turn around quickly and see Aubrey looking around. You're contemplating either texting her or just calling her attention, as she hadn't spotted the two of you yet.

"Oh Yeah...She texted me saying she was free from work. She wanted to come see my practice session. Is that alright?"

"Huh? Yeah..." Beca's frowning, her eyes still locked on Aubrey's figure.

Wait, what? Is she checking Aubrey out? No, that's stupid. The whole interaction between them the last night was full of tension... Sexual tension. You really are paranoid Chloe…

"When you guys hang out, do you ever get the comment that you're like ketchup and mustard?" she says all of a sudden causing you to laugh lightly.

"And you say I'm the random one."

"Hmm it's pretty appropriate if you think. Ketchup's yummy and kinda sweet, whilst mustard's sour and a little spicy - not for everyones taste."

"Okay... Why do you say that?"

"Well, your friend-"

"Aubrey..." you supply, wondering where this is going.

"The first time we met, well it wasn't the most, uh, usual reaction I get from people. She gave me this look of a dismissive elevator; up and down, like she was scrutinizing me. And her inquisition- did I pass her test? Can I still hang around you?" Beca turns to you smirking, with her usual uncaring attitude, but you know it to be an act- at the question towards the end- you're sure you heard a slight peek of nerves.

"Sorry about her. She's usually...better than how she was. You'll get used to her." you say consolingly, patting her arm.

"Why do I have to get used to her?" Beca says all whiny, pouting slightly. And she calls herself a bad ass? She should see herself right now.

"Well she's my best friend. You'll run into each other often."

"Okay yeah, so I'll just be okay with her and her blatant dislike of me and my whole appearance. She said something about my ear monstrosities?"

"Yeah, she's not really a fan of the wholebody art either..."

"What is her deal?"

"Ah...I think you can realate to her actually. Daddy issues-her dad was in the military and he grilled her all her life. I remember one thing that he said to Aubrey that's really stuck with her and I. Something like 'If at first you don't succeed, pack your bags.'"

"Wow, harsh. I can't say I like her as of now, but I will try for you... Hey blondie!" Beca calls out, cupping her hands around her mouth. It works in effectively catching Aubrey's attention.

"Aubrey," you correct. You're waving Aubrey over. She disappears from your view as she opts to skip waiting for the elevator and climbs the stairs instead to get to where the two of you are.

"Yeah I know..." Beca says laughing.

"So I'll take it she's allowed?..." you ask, riding on her good mood.

"Yeah...I'm giving you what you asked for. I'll let her hang around and maybe I'll find out why is it that she's your best friend." she says drolly.

"Yay!" you exclaim, jumping and down-you're hugging her before you know it.

"Now who's all excited?" Beca says, patting your back before she pulls away.

"I am...okay..Oh wait," you glance at your phone as if you just received a message. "I need get back to group rehearsals. You mind entertaining her? Only for a little while."

"Uh, sure," she smiles, not looking particularly happy about it. She puts on a brave face. "Yeah of course."

"Of course what?" Aubrey asks, hearing the end of your conversation.

"We'll be hanging out since I'm not really doing anything important. I'll be happy to show you around." Beca says, adopting a strangely formal tone.

"Where's Chloe going?"

"Do you ever stop asking questions?" Beca snaps, annoyance evident, quickly breaking out of her resolve to try liking Aubrey.

"Do you ever give a straight answer?" Aubrey fires back quickly.

"Yes...She has group practice, they'll be doing blocking and practising on the main stage in a bit. We can watch them from here..." Beca says as she leads the two of you to the voice studio entrance. From the second floor to where some of the audience get to sit.

"What song will they be doing?" Aubrey asks Beca, while she takes in the surroundings.

"Since You've Been Gone, My Life Would Suck Without You and Stronger. It's a Kelly Clarkson Medley." Beca responds for the two of you. You are no longer participating in the conversation, content to be silently observing the both of them.

"It's a nice idea. Who came up with it?"

"I did actually..."

"Like I said, a nice idea."

"Thanks? For a second there I thought you would withdraw the compliment..."

"Well there's no contesting your talent Beca, so no, I wouldn't dare... But it better sound awesome."

"Are you implying that I would ever come up with something that was anything but?"

"Well we all have different tastes in music."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Uh guys, I have to go..." It's pretty pointless- they've stopped paying attention to you as soon as they'd launched into their argument. You have a feeling this would drag on too long. It almost makes you doubt your genius idea.

"Yeah see you Chloe."

"See ya Clo."


You run to the dance studios where most of the girls are gathered... Stacie's stretching in front of the mirror. Yeah she was quite flexible, a fact that Cynthia Rose seemed to largely appreciate, as she was watching her from the other side of the room. You see the some of the other girls, Kori and Fat Amy run through what you'd been practising for almost a week.

"What's up C? We've been waiting for you..." Cynthia Rose says finally noticing you when she manages to pull her attention away from Stacie's but.

"Sorry bathroom break took longer than planned."

"Ah..." All the girls nod understandingly and start offering cures, possible remedies randomly.

"Need a tamp? Anti-itch cream? Insecticide cream?"

"I could teach you a few yoga poses to alleviate cramps..." Stacie says, checking out the contents of her bag.

"Birth control? Hormone pills? I have all kind of medication- What? I'm prepared for anything."

"I've got chocolate...If you're hungry." Kori says,

"Anything at all, we've got ya covered." Fat Amy nods even though she didn't offer anything. "I've got the moral support down. You wanna talk about it?"

"Uh, Thanks guys. No, um I'm okay...let's just...practice."

You run through the Kelly Clarkson number a few more times and then you guys are asked to head out to the stage.

"Who's the other blonde?" Fat Amy asks, looking interestedly at the stands to where Beca and Aubrey are hanging.

"And why is she with Coach Beca?" Cynthia Rose asks, "Is she somebody famous? Blondie's hot."

"Sorry what?...I'm the hottest blonde here." Fat Amy says scoffing.

You tune out their other speculations as you watch your two friends, trying to weigh out the situation from afar. They actually seemed to be hitting it of. Seems like you don't need to step in and break them up at all...

Almost like they can sense you staring, they turn. Beca first then Aubrey. They both start waving wildly, jokingly at you.

The girls look at you questioningly. "Yeah that's my friend Aubrey. She skipped work to watch me today...Beca was nice enough to, uh offer to keep her entertained for a bit."

The boys are done with their group session. They practised 'Please Don't' Stop the Music'. You hate that they sound so good. They definitely have all the teenage girls votes. They look so smug when they make way for you girls onstage, hooting and jumping about. Bumper most of all. He even stops to talk to everyone before he leaves "You girls are awesome...ly horrible. I hate you. Kill yourselves. Girl power! Sisters before misters!"

"Bite me..." Fat Amy says stepping up to him. The rest of you are flanking her, ready to jump in whenever, or if ever, she needs it.

"Wouldn't want to get sick on your mediocrity." Bumper grins and smoothly walks away. Then, bouncing and hollering, he shouts "Boys rule girls drool."

"It's not me who you have to worry about..You're the one whose whole being absolutely reeks of it." Fat Amy shouts after him. There's a joint effort to have to hold her back. "That No-hoper's all yabber." Fat Amy mutters once she calms down "Who wouldn't want a piece of this?"

"With guy's like him existing in this world? And people wonder why I'm gay," Cynthia Rose says.

"Let's show him. Prove him wrong," you say before you run through the performance...


"Okay that was great girls!" Beca says, coming down to the stage once you finish.

"Yeah that was pretty impressive," Aubrey agrees. "You girls are aca-amazing, way better than any of the boys."

"I like you already. She's a smart one, Chloe's friend." Fat Amy says, resting her arm over Aubrey's shoulder. The rest of the girls cheer in agreement.

"Like the great Beyoncé once said, 'Who run the world? That's right girls'," Kori says snapping her fingers.

"Lemme hear that again. Who run the world?" Fat Amy hollers.

"Girls!" Even Beca and Aubrey join in. You're in a circle, jumping up and down so hyped in the moment.

"Wait, can Chloe and I try something? Back in our a cappella days, we used to do like sound-offs like vocalising before we performed. I think this moment calls for one..."

You nod excitedly, whilst the other girls just shrug their shoulders, looking to Beca for an answer. You're practically begging with your eyes and are on full-out pout mode.

"Uh doesn't sound too bad." Beca finally says.

"Okay-how does this go?" Cynthia Rose asks.

"Okay, count to three. Like one, two, ahhhh," Aubrey and you demonstrate.

"One two uh-ahhh?" Fat Amy vocalises extending the note far longer than needed, then pauses for air and continues. "Ahhhhhh." The whole time, she is waving her hands. She ends it with a flourish.

"Wait um on three or after three?" Stacie asks...

"We have to get this right...It's not that hard." Beca says

You demonstrate it a couple more times until finally:

"One..two.." Aubrey counts,"Ahhhh." You harmonise beautifully. At the end, you are all looking at each other's faces in awe.

"Oh my god. That was amazing!" You shout unable to express your excitement any ther way.

"Aca-amazing!" Aubrey says, unable to pull away from her aca-habit of putting aca infront of aca-everything.

"Yeah-it was! It felt awesome." Beca says, equally amped.

"Woah-You know it's weird, but I feel like in another life we were meant to be competing with each other not against each other..." Stacie says seriously.

"You guys would've been amazing Bellas." You say warmly.

"Yeah," Aubrey nods.

"Yeah..but we're missing something. The most random thing I could think of...A beat-boxing asian just so we can be ethnically-diverse?" Fat Amy says seriously, nodding to herself.

"Hmm..." You guys ponder everything that's been said silently.

"So I'll see you girls for taping the day after tomorrow?" Beca says, finally breaking up the moment and everyone starts to depart.

Kori leaves ahead, "Bye girls!"

"See ya Coach." Cynthia Rose grabs Beca's hand and pats her back.

"See yah Cynth"

"Bye Coach..."

"Stacie."

"See ya aca-bitches! This has been aca-fun, I'll keep aca-doing it." Fat Amy calls out as she leaves.

Beca goes to have a word with one of the music-directors.

"Uh you don't know what you just started." You say to Aubrey after you both stop giggling.

"So, how was your day together?" you ask the two of them, once Beca makes her way back to the two of you and everyone starts walking together.

"It was aca-horrible," they say at the same time, but they laugh afterwards. Okay, should you be worried that they're sharing laughs, or have they really driven each other crazy?

"You really wanna know?"

"Yeah of course I want to know." You smile somewhat uncertainly not sure what they might say-what violent reactions they'll give.

They share a look and Beca nods.

"Okay, first we argued over who was better Christina or Brittany." Beca says "-And she was like...Britany was more popular. She could in all her glory days show Christina up. She was always the popular one in the Mickey Mouse Club days. She dated JT..." Aubrey's nodding her head, ticking each reason off on her fingers.

"I said Christina had the vocals, and...she never once went through a major downslide." Beca continues.

"Well Brittany managed to pick herself up and is doing much better nowadays. She staged a succeful comeback," says Aubrey cutting across.

"And then we got into an argument of old friends versus new friends. "

You don't know whether to take them seriously or not. They're overexaggerating their voices, stating things off-handedly.

"She was like old friends are irreplaceable-the time and the bond doesn't disappear over time. I was like it's crazy old friends like her that make people crave for new friends."

"And then I said I'd had enough and we decided to deal with our dislike for each other in a completely different way." Aubrey says dramatically, oddly sounding like she was doing a voice over for a movie trailer.

"We were facing off...Beca looked at me and I at her-" Your holding your breath-involved in their story inspite of yourself.

Then Aubrey and Beca turn to face each other, their faces impassive, giving away nothing.

"- And then a tumbleweed passed by and Aubrey was like- 'If you're looking for trouble...'" You're thrown when Beca starts singing,

"Tene tenne tenee," Aubrey mimicks the instrumentals of the familiar song Trouble by the king of Rock and Roll

"You came to the right place" Beca continued, adapting an Elvis Presley tone.

"Tenee tneee"

"If you're looking for trouble"

"Just look right in my face"

And they break up laughing... Okay...

"So you two are okay?" You say slowly making sure, still puzzled.

"Yeah, we survived your whole covert trying to get us to like each other plan." Beca shrugs, smiling slightly.

"You knew?" They both nod,

"Yeah honestly Chloe-I can see through you every time..." Aubrey's scoffing, "But this was nice. I don't mind. Taking a break from work and watching this... It really made me miss our college days-and A cappella... Just performing in general. Thank you for bringing me here." Aubrey says, taking your hand and squeezing it.

"Yeah you didn't sound half-bad. You could've joined in the competition. You'd get through." Beca says coughing, looking mildly uncomfortable at giving Aubrey a compliment.

"Nah," Aubrey says brushing off the compliment, looking flatterd against her will "-I suck under-pressure..I just meant I missed performing with people, missed being a part of a group."

"Who knows, you could all form like a girl band some day. Be the next Spice Girls or something." Beca says casually throwing an idea into the wind, but it makes the three of you pause for a second-seriously considering it.

"Yeah groups are doing really well these days. Little Mix, Fifth Harmony..." Aubrey says excitedly.

"We'll have to come up with a pretty kick-ass name..." you say enthused, and you are struck by a sudden revelation, you throw in an even wilder idea.

"Beca could join us-" you say, looking at the two of them for approval...

"Maybe I'd just be your manager, or music consultant or something..." Beca says instead, you feel a little disappointed at that but bounce back quickly.

"You'll have to deal with all of us. Can you imagine all us girls in the group? It's a crazy combination." you say giggling at the scenarios, the possibilities forming in your head.

"I'm sure we would make it work in the end." Aubrey says.

The three of you are happily chattering along when Mr. Mitchell comes storming, almost marching, up to Beca with a not-so-pleased expression on his face.

"Beca! where have you been? We have been waiting for you in the conference room..." He falters, hesitates for a second. Perhaps realising that this conversation wasn't meant for the present company.

"Miss Mitchell I need to have a word with you-" he goes on to say.

"What you ned to say, you can say in front of my friends." Beca ever the difficult one says,

"Privately..." Cameron says between gritted teeth. The change on Beca's face is instantaneous, becoming serious, cautious, her smile completely disappearing when she was still joking around and in a good mood just a second ago.

She turns to the two of you, "Okay Aubrey, Chloe I guess I'll see you around." She makes an attempt at a smile, then turns and starts to walk away, followed by her father. You watch helplessly as she is marched into one of the nearest conference rooms.

Shit; Beca was in trouble and you can't help feeling as though it was entirely your fault…