A/N: Please don't hate me, I know I promised I'd update regularly, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't quite get things to sound right...but here it is finally...Also I made some slight changes to the ending of the last chapter. I looked it over after some of you mentioned that they weren't to happy with it and I totally agree, the second time around I saw that it was lacking something.
I appreciate all the reviews from all the regular and the guest reviewees (is that even a word? okay it's not...it's reviewers, sorry my bad... i must get more sleep) and I am sending lots of consoling hugs and my heartfelt apology to everyone... for stomping on your hearts and causing some tears and other things, I'm sorry if I'm dragging things along to slow or something...but I promise everyone it will all be worth it in the end...also someone asked when I planned to end this and well I'm really not sure cos I still see a lot of things happening between the two...
Beca is the one that finds you much later, shrouded in the darkness of one of the storage rooms.
"Chloe?" she ventures out tentatively, hesitating at the doorway, letting the light temporarily flood in.
You quickly dab at your eyes and start to get to your feet, to open your mouth, but you push down your normal impulse at going to her and remain silent.
You're tempted to say 'Go Away" but instead you curl further into yourself, wishing that you could disappear, needing desperately to be left alone so you could wallow in self-pity. Perhaps Beca would leave in a bit, she was probably just checking. It's not like she knew you were in there.
"Chloe, I know you're in here..." You still, stopping yourself from reacting to how she had seemingly answered your thoughts. "Chloe... I don't really care about what she said...and you shouldn't either... so don't be embarrassed. You know what's true and what's not...true."
Beca seems to make up her mind after a moments pause and finally steps inside, letting the door close loudly behind her.
"Shit it's dark..." she mutters, "yeah way to go captain obvious" she then says, answering herself.
You hear some things clatter as Beca starts stumbling about in the dark."What the hell? Where's the switch?" You can hear her scrambling looking for one, but she isn't successful in finding one after slapping around the length of the wall for a couple of seconds. She quickly pulls out her phone, making do with the small light serving to guide her.
"Chloe...So we took care of Barb. And don't worry about the footage. " She says not letting up with her talking, even as the seconds of her seemingly talking to herself drags on."The beauty of having editors is that we can keep messing up but they can fix everything - you don't have to tape it again won't have to face Barb, well to put it simply, she can no longer show her face or come back to audition again, ever. I had wanted to be nice, but after you left, she was still talking smack about you, so I couldn't help giving her the treatment she deserved..." Beca says, all the while she keeps moving, getting closer and closer, until pushing some racks out of the way, she sees you hiding in the corner.
She looks into the darkness, squinting at your figure, perhaps not sure what she was seeing until she raises her phone and your eyes finally meet "Shit!" she says as she jumps back, putting a hand to her chest."Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Jesus...Chloe what are you doing sulking in the corner?"
Normally you'd find this sort of thing amusing but at the mere mention of Barb's name you feel the same wave of shame, the same pang of embarrassment wash over you.
You shrug, the pain at the back of your throat intensifies, and you swallow back your tears. You're a total mess. Everything had been getting to you as of late. The pressure kept building, and you were only so strong to keep it together for so long. You hate feeling like the victim though. You can't let something as small as a stupid comment get to you, you've been crying enough as it is. Get over yourself Chloe...
You're thankful for the semi-darkness hiding your tears, you see it wasn't just Beca who had issues with showing weakness and for some reason or another you just hated Beca seeing you as such, as being portrayed as a weakling cry-baby even though at the moment it was true.
"So we've graduated from toilets to storage rooms now?" she says, trying to make light of the situation.
She approaches you, crouches to your level on the floor, leaning at the back of her heels, facing you "Uh..." she flounders for a few seconds, awkwardly trying to find more words to comfort you. You save her the effort.
"How did you find me?" You're glad your voice sounds steady.
"It was surprisingly easy. I followed the spatters of tears on the floor and it led me here… No, I just had to ask if they had seen an inconsolable running red-head. I just asked which direction you went..." Beca says drolly, her head tilting as she tries to meet your eyes, once she does she flashes a wide silly grin, distorting her face purposely to make you laugh.
You chuckle a bit, but you stop it quickly turning serious once again. You break your eye contact and duck your head.
"You want to talk about it... or something?" she asks, finally allows herself to sit down properly, with an accompanying sigh and a little grunt, seeing that you wanted to remain miserable.
"No, it's fine. I've already forgotten it." you say though it's quite the opposite. Personally, you don't think you sound convincing but Beca just nods her head, and voices out her approval .
"You should, Barb was way out of line there and you worked your way to be here, just like every one of them."
You really have no choice, before you know it you're raising your head wanting to hear more, wanting to believe her.
"You have talent, grace and unlike Barbara Thomas you also have poise... And, you take criticism humbly." You deserve to be here Chloe." Beca says earnestly, her eyes holding yours, her hands resting on your arms.
"Thanks," you mumble, wishing that what she said was enough, wishing it would erase what was now imprinted in your memory. You let it go for the time being, no use getting upset over spilt milk and all that.
"So, are you better? 'Cos that's all I've got, but if you want anything..."
"Yes, I'd like you to stop trying to make me feel better... " Beca let's out a gasp of shock, and you hurry in explaining yourself, not wanting to sound ungrateful "I mean thanks, but let's face it the comforting part isn't really your forte..."
"Yeah...sorry..." she says, apologizing awkwardly.
"Don't worry, we can work on it, but it's okay. What I need..." you pause, thinking of all the things you need that she can't really give your right now, and so you settle on "I just need a distraction...I need... to get out of here." you say,
"I'm glad you said that; we are going out clubbing." Beca says clapping her hands and you feel the sudden return of her enthusiasm as she gets to her feet, and you feel a slight jump of hope for the night, her excitement infectious." You're missing your own party, by the way. Well technically it's for all the contestants who are in the top 4, but you're the one they're all anxiously waiting for. So is that okay-is that a sufficient enough distraction for you?"
"Okay..."
"Okay?"
"Okay!" You roll your eyes at the smile she brings back to your face.
"Okay... Here." She offers her hand out to you and you take it. She pulls you up and the momentum causes you to stumble, so you're in close proximity with her. You swear to God this situation doesn't get old...you're feeling hazy as you feel her arms steadying you, her breath on your face, your chests pressed tightly together,
"Hey, whoa. Steady there... You sure you're okay?" her voice low, your eyes meet and for a second you feel that crackle of energy flowing between the two of you. But you break it first, feeling out of sorts, nervous, feeling inexplicably scared instead of being comforted and reveling in it. You cough, before you laugh trying to recover, straightening yourself up.
"My hero," you say, smiling widely hoping to mask your sudden apprehension, She looks away, shyly. Is she blushing?
"Are you blushing?" you ask her aloud.
"No." Beca scoffs rolling her eyes,
"You so are..." you say, content in teasing her, trying to push away any trace of suddenly weird feelings you were getting.
"How would you know it's dark." she says, moving her phone away, it was no use you had seen her.
"I have excellent night-vision..." you bite back.
"You don't have goggles." she says raising her eyebrow.
"I don't need them, I can see in dark..I have this thing in my eyes, the same as the nocturnal animals that allows me to see in the dark."
She actually stops at that seemingly mulling it over...and you start laughing,
"You don't actually believe me, do you?"
"Of course not...I was merely struck at how silly your retort was..."
"It could be true..." you say defensively, and Beca just stares you down until you finally say "Fine...It can't, and whatever we both know you were blushing." She doesn't comment on it further only letting a sly smile peek out, before she changes the subject.
"C'mon, let's just go. We'll pass by your place. I'll just get ready there if you don't mind?" she says rather than asks, but you don't really mind, I mean who would?
"Yeah sure... Um do we have to stop by somewhere else for your clothes?" you inquire first, trying to think of everything.
"Don't worry about me I have some spare things in the car..." she answers , and you both shuffle a bit...and you look around before asking
"Wait, this is the right way out? We're going the right way?" you question suddenly just to be sure.
"Uh yeah..." Beca says hesitatingly. It sounded more like a question that.
"You don't sound so sure."
"I am." she says more firmly this time.
"What're you waiting for? " you ask, gently pushing her to urge her keep moving.
"For me to get my bearing...alright, okay. I remember now." she says reaching out to grab your hand, "C'mon then... God, this place is so dusty," she says coughing as she moves ahead, pushing some boxes here and there, seeming to find it harder making her way back out.
"I didn't really have a choice. It was the first door I saw that was unlocked." you say, still wondering at how you'd navigated so easily and gotten so far into the room, you guess you hadn't really minded all that mess the first time around.
Upon finally finding the door, you wrench it open as quickly as possible and race outside.
"Yeah, I'll be needing to use your shower." Beca says after a few more minutes, after several seconds of gasping and coughing.
"My... shower?" You say slowly, blanking out at the thought... Beca Mitchel in your shower. So many happy wet dreams you've had, and now it's going to happen for real.
"Yeah, the enclosure in which a person stays under a spray of water to wash, where you go to get cleaned, where you sing? Ring any bells?" she says dusting herself off, looking sweaty and dirty and exhausted but she still manages that smile of hers.
You'd give anything to be the dirt, or the sweat sticking to her body...or even the water that would be cascading, touching her everywhere intimately.
"Yes, shower- sure..." You nod your head quickly after that, C'mon you were anything but accommodating.
"Yeah we both really need one, You especially, you look like Bert the chimney sweep from Mary Poppins." she says getting in a last insult.
"Yeah well you look like the kids on Oliver, or Annie before they were adopted or something..." you reply and the two of you just smile and sigh, too tired to continue.
"Hey look the switch was outside..." you comment, noticing it only after you had walked a few steps.
"Figures." Beca just says.
"Come on..." and the two of you start making way out of the building.
Aubrey sent you a text, saying she was going back home for the weekend.
Yeah we have this NBC event tonight.
Okay where will it be?
Some night scene in LA.
Ooh will you be rubbing against major celebrities?
I think it's pretty private... Just the voice people - contestants mostly...
Okay, have fun with Beca... Try not to get too drunk. You know how you get. I'd be worried if I where her. Kidding aside take care. Make sure you have a way to get back home safely. Text me when you do. Love you hon, see you when I get back!
Miss ya already Bree
"We don't have enough time, so you better get ready quick." she says as you both exit the car what was she talking about? You had gotten to your place in record time with plenty of minutes to rush to your closet and take out two of your sexy club ensembles. You bring them out, holding them up for Beca to choose; one a Two toned Metallic halter dress, and the other this off-shoulder black mini-dress.
"That one," she points, smiling approvingly.
Good choice the halter dress was new, you'd loved it as soon as you'd spotted it and it didn't hurt that it flattered your figure perfectly; making your legs look longer, your waist smaller.
"So um do you want to go first or...?" Or at the same time you ask, finishing the question in your head.
"You can go first. I don't take long anyway..." she offers, before she hunts for something to sit on as to not dirty anything.
"Okay..." You let out a weird giggle. Beca gestures for you to go on and you quickly close the bathroom door.
You undress slowly, conscious for the first time in your own house. You don't know why you're afraid to speak, to make any sound really, like in doing so, she could somehow see or hear your nakedness.
You turn the heat up, almost to scalding and that's when you step in, feeling the heat, the water the steam cleansing you all over, before you know it you've started humming a tune that had always served in unwinding you in the past ridding you of all the stress and making you forget everything for a mere moment.
That was until sometime later, when two strong knocks bring you back to reality. You'd been standing there, no longer scrubbing, shampooing or soaping.
"You done yet?"
"Uh huh, I'm done!" you say, frantically shutting of the shower, grabbing for your towel and haphazardly wrapping it about you.
You quickly pull open the door and hurriedly step out and are surprised by Beca tumbling in, slipping, trying to grab at anything, you feel a strong yank and you manage, despite all of the flailing, to catch her.
"Are you okay?" you worriedly ask her. It's funny how the two of you keep falling for each other, falling all over each other, falling for the other to be ready to catch you mean. The thought makes you smile despite yourself.
"Ow, um yeah. Uh Chloe, your, um you're…" Beca says. Her face is a bit red, not looking at you for some reason. You glance down and turn red as well. What with all that commotion, you hadn't realized your towel had come loose. Uh Shit.
So much for being ashamed, it's all out for Beca to see. What can you do? Exactly you can't rewind anything instead, you push away your discomfort, like it wasn't a big deal.
"What where you doing listening in on me showering?" you ask, tucking in the towel snugly and crossing your arms in front of you, sounding angry, but in reality you're just freaked by what had happened.
She laughs, sounding nervous as well, incredulous. Okay, yes that was your paranoia being shown there.
Beca doesn't say anything further, seeming rather shaken (you don't say?)
"Earth to Beca...Beca?..." you try, she doesn't respond,
"BECA!" you finally shout, jolting her out of her stupor.
"What were you doing, where you going all titanium?" she fires back at you. You blush heavily, you were singing but you weren't-not when she was outside that was just all kinds of kinky that you two weren't quite ready for...yet.
"I wasn't...So you were listening!" you don't know why you're sounding so defensive, you just feel mortified, rankled, all shook up.
"I was just...trying to determine when you'd be done." she says quickly, looking uncomfortable, still not glancing directly at you.
The two of you are blundering mess-both red faced and sputtering. You save each other further torture, stepping out of the washroom. "I'm done alright? I'll get changed. There are towels in the closet just there. I'll be leaving you to have your turn in the shower."
"Okay, you better be dressed and ready by the time I get out... Hey, the company car will be here in ten minutes." she says, giving the necessary jolt reminding you that you had to be somewhere else.
You sigh when she closes the door. She had taken her red dress in with her, so there would be no chance of Beca returning the favour, and you slap your hand to your head as you cringe, thinking about what had just happened. You can't believe that just... happened, you can't believe you traumatized Beca that way, springing them out like that.
Come on it wasn't your fault.
Of course she'd get to see your girls someday, but not like that...Not with her looking scared of them.
You shimmy into your outfit and when you walk to stand in front of your full-length mirror, you're feeling a sliver better, loving how good it makes you look. Maybe the night may just be salvageable, and it could turn towards the best.
You take great care in applying your make-up. You don't do much, just a little blush for a natural tint on your cheeks, some pink nude lipstick, but you really play up the eyes using sheer purple and some cream as a palette, and outline with turquoise and dark blue eye pencils, and lastly, some mascara.
You're brushing, blow-drying, finishing off some kinks in your hair when Beca appears, her towel wrapped around on her head...make-up less, she stops by your doorway.
"Is this okay?" you ask tentatively, straightening up giving a little twirl, feeling nervous as her eyes appraises you. You can't help thinking she saw you naked...Beca's seen you naked.
You expect a quip from her but, "you look...beautiful," she says seriously, and you look up at the tone of her voice. Its low, velvety quality, and your body reacts accordingly, jolting somewhere between your navel and much lower region. She's staring hard at you, blinking slowly and then her eyes narrow.
"Wait you have something just there-" Beca then says,
"Wh-where?" you stutter,
"Just by your forehead...Some eye makeup got scattered" and you turn to look in the mirror once more,
"What I don't see anything."
"Let me do it!" Beca says, walking straight into your bubble. She leans close to you and uses her thumb to rub at it, her fingers, her whole hand feels warm, caressing your face.
"You got it?" you venture out slowly.
"Yeah, there now you're perfect," she says, smiling, looking directly into your eyes.
"What about you...Uh do you need any help with your...with anything?" you ask, trying to control your nerves, feeling hot everywhere.
Just then car pulls up into your driveway.
"No...I'm fine." Beca says before she glances at her phone, "C'mon you have to go..." Just you? What happened to we? Something smells fishy here.
You clean up haphazardly, turn off the lights all in a flurry, as she hurries you out of your apartment and pushes you into the company car-"You go ahead," she says before she starts closing the door. Okay what was going on here?
"Uh...do you plan to be going somewhere else or something?" you wonder aloud while you're pushing, more like forcing the door back open.
"No, I'm going to the party..." she says soothingly, " but... I think it's best we get there in separate cars." she explains.
You nod in understanding though your heart drops somewhat.
She taps the car, which starts it moving.
You roll down the window. "I can't leave you standing out here...You still have the towel on your head by the way." She feels her head before she laughs.
"Don't worry... my hair and make-up artist people Jean and Claude are in the other car, the one that's coming. They still have a lot to do. I'll follow. See yah, Chloe," she says before you speed off you turn and watch her as she gets into her own car.
The party is way underway when you arrive. There are flashes of cameras as you exit the car. You stumble, having to reorient yourself for a second, having to recover the light still dancing behind your eyes, until you see Stacie who was engaged in a conversation with Fat Amy quickly waves you over, you are engulfed in their group hug.
"Hey, I'm glad you made it..." Stacie says rubbing your shoulder, stepping back after the normal amount of hugging time is done, while Amy on the other hand, doesn't.
"Amy, you can let go now..." you say your voice muffled as Fat Amy's grip tightens for a second before she lets go.
"Sorry, when I give hugs I go all out. You look like you could use a great big Fat Amy sized one."
"You had us worried for a second there." Stacie says,
"Baloney Barb's a sore, stuck up loser. Your performance was better than hers," Cynthia Rose says joining your huddle.
"Her performance was as baloney as her tits," Fat Amy says, and the four of you start laughing.
"Where's Kori?" you ask, glancing about.
"She's inside with the rest of Team Adam..." Stacie shrugs, in an 'what did you expect' manner. Yeah your friend wasn't really to keen when it came to Kori.
"What're you guys doing out here?" you question amused, knowing that these girls loved to party- partied harder than most people you know.
"Well, we were waiting for someone special..." Stacie says after sharing a look with the other two.
"Aw... guys Thank-" You begin to say, feeling touched.
"Yeah, we can't quite party without Coach Mitchell." Fat Amy says interrupting you. Your smile quickly turns into a frown. Fat Amy laughs and so does Stacie, and Cynthia Rose.
"We're kidding. The least we could do is wait for our Beca, seeing as she was the one who went out to find said special person." Cynthia Rose says her voice gruff after clearing her throat,
"Aw, guys," you say again, and you pull them into another group hug.
"Wow, this already looks promising," Beca murmurs from behind you.
The group hug breaks up quickly as you all turn and okay...she changed into something else. Shit, she looks so, forgive the language, so fuckable. Her sheer silver dress leaving little to the imagination.
"Damn coach!" They all say running to Beca.
"See, this is what I was waiting for. I wanted to walk in with the hottest coach hands down on my arm..." Fat Amy says. Your friends are lucky that you agree with them, so you don't get offended that they've all but forgotten you with their short attention spans.
But you however, are a tad bit confused. The way she was dressed now didn't give any indication that she was attached, not even a little, much less that she was engaged to another man. So who was she showing off for? You hope against hopes that it's for you.
"The pleasures all mine, ladies," she says, holding out her arms as you and Stacie link with hers, and Fat Amy links with yours, and Cynthia Rose links with Stacie.
"And the party don't start till I walk in," she murmurs, as she waltzes pass the bouncers.
"Miss Mitchell, girls," they greet, opening the doors, the waves of sound drifting outside.
"Seems pretty wild." you shout as to be heard over the din of noise.
"Woot!" Cynthia Rose hollers, and you laugh as Fat Amy starts making noises as well.
"Just how I like it." Stacie all but purrs, smirking glancing around with an almost hungry gaze, as if by instinct getting her sexy on.
"I was born in the wild." Fat Amy shouts,
"What are you waiting for let's go party animals!" Beca shouts.
You make your way directly to the reserved section, greeting, making small talk with the rest of the contestants. Most of them have a comforting word to say to you. While some, Bumper and his boys, now knowing that you liked girls as well were just crass with their innuendos that you'd much rather not think about. You ignore them, all you wanted... was to let loose and have fun even for a few moments with your girls.
The whole celebration takes an all new turn into the dangerous when they bring out the alcohol. The younger ones could stay and enjoy it, but couldn't drink. It didn't stop them from having fun though. Beca might've secretly given leeway or slipped them something...
The girls have gone ahead to the dance floor, you stick behind with Beca, still nursing your first drink; a rum and coke, planning to head off as well as soon as you finish it.
"Let's dance!" you say, pulling on her arm, trying to convince her to go with you.
"I don't dance dude." she says adamantly, shaking her arm loose.
"What do you mean, you dance all the time in your music videos." you say, a single eyebrow raised.
"It's called production value, I just stand there look pretty and moving on occasion, while the dancers move around me." Beca spreads her arms in a 'what can you do' motion. You roll your eyes before you stand up.
"C'mon, you're such a buzzkill, live a little…don't tell me Beca hasn't got the moves." you say challengingly, trying to get a rise out of her,
"And you're going to tell me you do." she says meeting your gaze dead on, before crossing her arms, refusing to budge, looking content in staying there all night.
"Yeah I got plenty, especially when I get a little jiggle juice into my system…You better watch out. I'm a very affectionate, needy drunk, so after a few more of these you'll see an all new side of Chloe." You stand there, still waiting for her to break.
"How can you get even more affectionate, that's not even possible?"
"Watch me." You smile in reply, before you throw back your drink and turn to make your way to the crowded dance floor.
A couple of moments, several, no, plenty of drinks later you show her just how possible it is... You can still Beca sitting in the VIP area, watching on as the rest of you are still dancing around. Stacie, Cynthia Rose and Fat Amy are with you in the centre of the dance floor. Your sweat heated bodies aren't tired yet, enjoying the bass of the the music reverberating feeling it, the thrum of energy, as you move about mindlessly, a couple of the boys are trying to get around you girls. You dance with Luke, but you don't allow him to get too close and you oh so casually sidestep and shoot down his attempts of getting his hands on your body.
You're taking everything in semi-consciousness. You're only slightly buzzed, but you are feeling the tell-tale signs of your slipping into it. The first stage where you're only half aware, everything seems to register much slower through your fogged state...You feel your head lolling forward, feel a pair of arms around your waist, pulling you close. You start to half-heartedly push away then you realize who it is.
"It's me, I think you should sit down," says her mouth, close to your ear. You feel yourself involuntarily shiver.
Everyone all around you cheer and you look up at Beca trying to lead you away.
"No, I want to dance!" you insist, resisting her pull.
"C'mon Becks, let's dance," Stacie says, and they surround the two of you, dancing, cheering as Lorde's Royal plays, jumping widely around. You move along with the beat. Beca smiles amused, shakes her head and stays, but only sways from side to side, keeping an arm around your waist and her watchful eyes trained on you.
Song after song plays and Beca remains by your side, dutifully keeping watch, swaying, jumping along with Stacie and Fat Amy when they encourage her to.
Another cheer goes up when Usher arrives, joining the throng, then Adam, stopping to chat.
Speaking of chatting, you've gone into the stage two; the chatty Chloe Beale drunk phase... you talk and talk about anything and everything all the while Beca's just there patiently humoring you. You finally stop, feeling thirsty, making your way with Beca to the Bar.
"Let's do some shots!" You order, catching the attention of the bartender. He lays out several shots in front of the two of you.
"What do you want, I've always quite liked jello shots...I mean who doesn't like jello...it's wriggly and yummy...you know like that flubber character...which I don't think is yummy at all..." "Hey, I've been wondering... Are you planning to score tonight?" you don't quite know how the latter part slipped out, you shake your head trying to clear it you're worried a lot more might slip out. You look at your shot glass and automatically bring it to your mouth.
"Okay...No more shots for you..." Beca just as quickly takes the glass from you, remarkably not spilling a drop.
"Hey, give it back!" you protest, and you reach over to take it back, for every move you make to take it, Beca in turns moves it away trying to keep it out of your reach. The whole process you find so amusing, didn't she know how much longer your limbs where, she seems to realize this soon and quickly drinks it herself.
"You can't keep drinking for me, though I admit I'd love to get you drunk." you say, and you can feel yourself getting your flirt on as you lean in closer to Beca.
"Yeah...I have a higher tolerance than most, so good luck with that." Beca says calmly, before ordering you a glass of water.
"You suck..." you say, expressing your disappointment aloud.
"No, I'm just a total badass..."she says and back is that smirk of hers, "So Why're you asking me?"
"Nothing, it's just you're dressed for it..."
"Uh, thanks? Can't I look hot just because I want to, for no one at all? "she asks too casual, averting her eyes, when you look hard at her.
"You don't fool me," you say, laughing as she takes another shot. You're smile growing as you know it's for you after all.
"My beautiful ladies, how you doing? Usher says as he approaches the two of you and you visibly pull back from the other. Darn.
"Can I get you any drinks?" Usher says sliding in between the two of you.
"We've got it covered thanks, Ush," Beca says after he gives her a hug, and offers his hand to you, before he pulls you in giving you a pat in the back and he looks into your eyes.
"Chloe, I just want to tell you sorry about the Barb thing, You didn't deserve that. Don't let it get to you, you're amazingly talented. You know how hard I fought for you..."
"Thanks, Ush," you say weakly, as he pulls away from you.
"Even though I'm still stinging from the fact that you chose Mitchell here over me," he says, laughing.
"So Mitchell, where's Swanson at? That boys been working too hard, he should get to play a little. Look at what he's missing, You shouldn't leave a fine looking woman all by her lonesome."
"Yeah... Hey, don't worry about us. There are plenty of fine looking ladies in need of your awesome dance skills back there on the dance floor." Beca says, smiling mockingly, pushing him on his way back to the dancefloor.
You don't miss her deflection to his question. You're wondering what it the situation with Jesse and her right now, and she's pretty closed up on him and their relationship these days.
"Yeah, I'm going, I'm going..." he says, jumping back into the fray, emitting more wild cheers from the crowd as OMG starts playing.
"So, where is Jesse anyway?" you ask, hoping she'll give in and answer you.
"Jesse's supposed to be arriving tonight. He's supposed to be at this party actually..." Okay, you weren't expecting that.
"HE'S HERE?" You shout feeling shocked and nervous and just plain scared, you're heart beating faster, there's a throbbing somewhere in your head, and for a second, everybody stops to look at you. Okay, that was quite loud...
"I mean...LET"S HEAR IT FOR THE VOICE TOP 16!" you shout, trying to cover up for it and everyone starts chanting, "TOP 16 woot!"
Before Bumper starts his own chant "TEAM USHER FOR THE WIN!" causing others to start chanting as well.
"TEAM ADAM LEVINE!"
"TEAM BLAKE four-peat!"
"TEAM BECA!" Stacie and Cynthia Rose holler. There's a great deal of commotion that follows, more people start swarming all around, crowding up the bar.
"Uh god." Your head's not reacting well to the noise, or anything, from the lights to the fog all the people surrounding you... It's too much, making you suddenly trapped, claustrophobic, suffocating you. You need air.
"What's wrong?" Beca asks, concerned.
Okay the alcohol in your system didn't help either, amping up, heightening your tendencies of paranoia. Jesse could be watching the two of you right now. What if he was? You stand up looking around frantically trying to make out Jesse Swanson's figure, was that him by the table there, No. That guy in blue was of similar build but it wasn't him. You jump when someone passes by you, and before you know it you're hyperventilating, feeling woozy, faint.
"C'mon let's get you out of here." Beca leads you back to the secluded VIP area, which is empty. You collapse on the cushioned couch, breathing in slowly, your eyes squeezed tight.
"Are you okay, Chloe? What happened back there?" she asks, laying her hand on your forehead. You feel the weight start to lift, the wave of panic slowly ebbing away.
"Chloe open your eyes! Are you okay?" You open them and she looks so worried.
"Sorry...I'm okay... Overexcited, I guess..." you gasp out, between you steady gulps for air.
"Dude, you looked like you were having a heart attack. I thought for a second you were having a seizure because of all the strobe lights... Don't scare me like that!" her eyes are wide, huge in their helplessness, and concern.
She watches you closely as little by little you feel slowly reaching normalcy.
"So... Jesse's here, right now?" you say far more calmly than you are actually feeling. So she dressed up for him. You internally heave a sigh.
"Well, he's on the list of sure to attend. He confirmed weeks ago, but he hasn't been answering my calls, so I'm not sure if he caught the last flight or not..."
Okay she wasn't so sure. All that stress, being worried for nothing. He just might be here, or he could still be on his way or not be coming at all. You wanna keep your fingers crossed for the latter.
She's talking, and even with your current all-over-the-place state you manage to notice that she's still leaning over you. Your eyes start following her mouth's every movement, but your ears are no longer paying attention to what she's saying. Your whole energy concentrated on how she looks, how gorgeous she is. You feel her warmth, her weight on you.
You're feeling nervous once again, but this time it feels like a good kind of nervous, with the alcohol you're feeling so much more, all the way down to your stomach(the butterflies have gone wild, amped up as well) you almost feel nauseous like you want to vomit. Not actual vomit, word vomit.
You can't stop to think, you just had to blurt it out.
"Shush you, I want to say something," you slur. You suddenly put up a finger, stilling those lips of hers. In the back of your mind, you're wondering at how soft they were, wondering how good it'll feel against your own lips...
"I just want to say...that I want to kiss you."
There's a pause, a flicker in her eyes before she laughs.
"Wow, you are so wasted. I thought you'd sobered up some." she says as she pulls away from your semi-embrace of earlier. "I should've known you'd be quite the funny drunk. So the whole time that was just the alcohol talking." she concludes,
"I'm not that drunk..." You get on your feet to demonstrate. "See, I'm totally walking straight... But, the ground just keeps tilting from side to side. Whoa, I feel like I'm in zero gravity...I'm Sandra Bullock, watch me..." you say slowly, bouncing from one foot to another, imitating the astronauts, walking on the moon.
"Yeah, alright Chloe," she says, pulling you to sit back down. "Trust me, there's gravity here and it'll hurt like hell if you slip and fall, and as your coach I need to ensure your wellness in every aspect."
"Okay uh a kiss would make me feel better, you know kissing burns away calories, almost as much as undressing, massaging and having sex..." you say smoothly,
"Okay, good to know... Chloe, you're too loud keep your voice down." she says chancing a glance around. "I think we better get you home... Is Aubrey there? Will she be able to look after you in case you have to puke?"
"No, she's out for the weekend. Hey, hey, wanna sleepover and not sleep?" you say, trying to play that line straight, trying to make it come-off as sexy but you snort, ruining it. Beca laughs in spite of herself,
"Sounds tempting, but I'll have to pass. Besides, you're totally wasted. I'm sure you'll just black out as soon as you get in your bed."
"Hey, hey c'mon. We're veering far from the topic here... Don't you feel it, because I do... I want you. I want to kiss you so bad..."
"You don't really want to do that." you hate the almost patronizing tone, the look she has...sure you were trashed, but you were trying to tell her something serious here and she wasn't really listening, hearing, or paying attention to what exactly it is you were trying to convey to her.
"Bitch, don't tell me what I want!" you shout angrily, snapping your fingers for emphasis as you are overcome suddenly with frustration. Beca looks stunned, actually backing away before you burst into laughter. You just gots your black on it was rubbing off on you courtesy of Kori and Cynthia Rose,
"Chloe, I'm flattered, but…I can't." She looks sad for a moment, but you know she's never really that serious, so you can't be sure if it's genuine.
"Why not? I thought you...loved me. Don't you even liked me?" You always get like this when drunk - emotional and needy and a little frisky. You realize you just might regret this in the morning.
"C'mon Chloe." She's actually smiling at you, with that insanely tender look on her face, almost affectionate –the minx. "Of course I love you, you're my friend."
"God, why don't you just stab me in the heart, why don't you?" You hear her laughing hysterically. Okay, maybe she's not as sober as you thought either, but you think it's also because you're not quite sure if what you're saying is what you are thinking or the other way around.
You're jolted awake. You had planned to close your eyes for a mere moment but only once you open it again do you realize that you had fallen asleep-that you had been sleeping for nearly thirty minutes, you glance around you.
The club is electric and the scene is just getting started, with people going at it way into the morning.
But all around, the rest of the voice artists have all collapsed on some of the other couches, worn out. Some of the network executives had come by earlier to congratulate everyone for the excellent shows. You had all been instructed to take it easy, and not to party too hard and you did... until all the suits left. You're surprisingly the last, or was it the first one standing, you're probably the only one who can. After Beca and you had calmed down a bit you'd started drinking water trying to sober up. You're not quite sober just yet, but you're almost there...slightly there.
You can't speak for everyone else however.
Beca's beside you, drinking a bottle of tequila, her head resting heavily on the table. As the night progressed more and more did she keep glancing at the doorway, checking her phone, each time she did so seemingly more determined more desperate than the last. She finally left to take a call, and when she came back she'd started pouring herself drink after drink.
"Hey." You nudge her. "Where's Jesse?"
Jesse-smesse..." you watch her smile lazily at you, and you push past the daze of the alcohol... apparently it was now your turn to watch over her
"I think he'd want to know where you are, and that you got home safely..." ,"Should I phone someone to help you home or something?"
"Screw Jesse...No wait, don't screw him. That's just yuck."
You laugh.
"No, I'm so tired of him and his constant guilt-trips. I don't...care about him, I just want y- to enjoy tonight here with you...C'mon okay, you talked me into it let's dance!"
You weren't quite sure what she mean exactly, or how much she meant what she was saying. She was plastered right now, but you allow her to drag you to the middle of the dance floor.
You know you should be more worried... that you should be asking more about what she had just revealed to you, but right now with Beca and you slow dancing to Zedd's Stay the Night (you manage to comfortably and successfully keep Beca upright) her arms around your neck, yours spanning her waist her face tucked in the crook of your neck, You can't really find it in your heart to.
Beca sighs happily in your arms, "You're the best, I love you Chloe." she mumbles, you close your eyes and try to believe for a second that she really means it,
"I love you more." you reply
It's three in the morning. You're fully sober now, but still oh so tired, feeling spent, just spent. You're taking in the scenery, watching as the car drives along Hollywood Hills, on the way to Beca's home. Beca was passed out, you had made sure every one of those people yes even Bumper had a way home, spending time getting cabs( pairing the ones who were going in the same direction) as the voice company cars that were left were limited mostly for the coaches only.
You had made a decision to ride along with Beca to her house in the car, Hank her usual driver got behind the wheel, then to hail a cab going back in the opposite direction back to your place. You finally pull up to her reasonably sized Hollywood estate. You remember seeing the pictures, looking at Google maps, but seeing the real thing… Let's just say the pictures didn't really give it justice.
You look around, wondering how to get in...
"Hank, do I get out?"
"No, I'll take care of it..." He takes out his phone, speaks for a few seconds, "the hummingbirds at its nest, it brought a worm to eat." you suppose Beca was the Hummingbird and that makes you the worm...that she wanted to eat...hmm was it just you or did that sound a tad bit suggestive.
The gate opens, and he drives for a few seconds before there's a guard house, where he needs to show ID before they let him pass. When you pull up to the actual house, after a few more stops of Id-checking later a middle-aged lady comes running out. You stiffen not knowing who she is, not knowing how to explain the situation. Who was she, was she a relative of Beca's that you would have to impress?
"Hank. How is she?" she asks, running up tot the car she addresses Hank but her eyes appraise you curiously. Okay this woman looked rather intimidating, and strict someone that you didn't want to mess with unless you wanted to be disciplined.
"Uh, she's passed out." Hank answers hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head in consternation. The lady's eyebrow shoot us almost disappearing into her hair, she quickly glances inside to confirm it
"Beca never gets drunk." she says wandering aloud, sounding worried.
"Yeah...I'm sorry about that, I didn't really stop her." you finally speak, finding your words after initially being tongue-tied. She finally smiles and she doesn't look so foreboding anymore.
"It's alright dear, you're not her keeper, that would be me, I'm Marie her housekeeper." she says warmly,
"Hey Marie I'm-" you say in turn introducing yourself,
"You're Chloe Beale, of course I know you." she smiles brightly, she accepts your offered hand wholly with two of her own.
"Oh you watch the show?" her eyes are twinkling with unbridled excitement,
"Regularly and faithfully. Do I watch the show what kind of question is that? Little Becky is there of course I do, but no, I know you from Beca's tales about you. She really is fond of you, but yes I am a fan."
"I teared up at your Blind Auditions piece. That was beautiful. Could you sign something for me?"
Aw, Beca's housekeeper was a fan, and Beca talked to her about you...interesting...you wonder what Marie may know about you. you wonder what Beca says to her. Oh yeah, how could you almost forget Beca who was passed out and needed to get to her bed.
"Um of course I would and thanks Marie but uh...Beca..." you say gently reminding Marie,
She opens the door, at Beca's side and crouches low. "How're you feeling Becky...Can you walk up to your room?"
Beca only groans,"Jello wriggly" and rolls over, the three of you sport common amused looks.
"Oh yes, she won't be moving for a while. Hank would you be a dear...I know she's a tad bit heavier."
"No problem, Miss Marie," Frank crouches low, gently eases Beca into a sitting position and coaches her "C'mon Miss Mitchell" to put her arms around his neck while he lifts her body, Beca tucks her head into his shoulder, they make their way into the house. You see Marie disarming several complicated looking security systems before the door opens, and they step in. You however hesitate by the doorway, feeling very much like a vampire awaiting permission to go in.
Marie quickly notices you.
"Chloe, I mean Miss Beale, sorry I'm so used to Beca calling you that.
"No it's okay you can call me Chloe, Marie."
"Okay then Chloe, Beca's not conscious to welcome you but please come in, kindly make yourself at home..."
"Wow our little girls all grown up. I remember I used to carry her in when she was thirteen, exhausted from her acting auditions, and her trying to start her music producer career..." Hank comments as they ascend the stairs. You settle on one of the sofas in the wide receiving room. You only hear their voices as it echoes before muffling as they reach the second floor.
"She's been working so hard for so long..."
"Yeah for now there's nothing a good rest can't cure...and probably a little less drama in her life, she's had enough,"
Marie comes down after a few minutes, "She's fine...sleeping soundly as a baby."
"So Chloe, you look like you could use a nice pick me up...Coffee, tea, cocoa?"
"Sure. For the road."
You chat for a while about your family, The Voice and working with Beca, as you ready the drinks.
The two of you are finishing your Swiss miss cocoa's in comfortable silence, after all the talking. Marie had such a calming, wise way about her, she reminded you so much of your Grande. She had told you little titbits here and there about Beca that you didn't know yet: that the Marie from Beca's name was from her, because she had also been Beca's mothers housekeeper, like how Beca still needed a nightlight before she could sleep, as she was still afraid of the dark, and how Beca used to have a stutter, which they finally fixed by getting her to read Shakespeare, which had in turn sparked her interest for plays.
You're laughing at another Beca childhood story, when you get a glimpse of the time, and you think of how Marie was probably too nice to hint that you should be going, you quickly cut the conversation to start saying your farewell,
"Marie, that was wonderful, thanks ... for everything, um I'm sorry I've imposed on your hospitality...I didn't realize how late it was. Can you tell Beca once she wakes up to call me?" You get to your feet, and hug the dear old lady.
"You weren't a bother dear, I can see why Becky enjoys your company so much." she says stepping back, and your cheeks are tinged pink at the double compliment.
"May I ask how do I get a cab from here?"
"You'll be taking a cab at this time?"
"Yes I live on the other side of town...I can't let Hank drive out at this hour when he's already here."
"Nonsense. You know, I think it's best you slept over. It's late. I know I shouldn't be speaking for Beca, but I'm pretty sure, no I'm sure she'd be okay with it..."
"Uh I'm not sure... "
"I insist!"
"Marie, I don't think it'd be appropriate... She's my coach, you see, and we have to be cautious about what people will think about our non-professional relationship... Well, Beca's always been concerned, and I didn't quite understand it's relevance... until now."
"There's a time and place for everything. I don't think there's anything wrong if you can separate the professional relationship and the personal relationship when needed be. You can keep your friendship separate from the work. But from what I see you two work good together equally well whether it be as two friends or as Mentor and Mentee." exactly that's what you used to believe.
"People are saying that Beca's only keeping me in the competition because we've become close." you say softly,
"Nonsense! You're in there because you're the best of the best. Beca would never do that, she's been playing this game a long time, and she's one of the few who still plays fair...
You hear a slight buzzing noise,
"Wait uh that's Beca's calling though the intercom." Marie talks into the phone for a few seconds till she smiles.
"See, Beca agrees. She's up, and she wants to see you."
"Go on ahead dear, I'll clean up... Take the stairs, second door on your left. It's the one with earphones sticker on it..."
You mill about for a second, watching Marie move about the kitchen.
"Don't be afraid dear, Beca's waiting for you..."
You follow her instructions, climbing up the stairs several at a time, you find Beca's door...you're wondering what she remembers. You cringe at the memory.
You knock softly.
"Chloe?" her voice sound scratchy,
"Yeah it's me..." you whisper, not knowing why, the moment seems to call for it.
"Come in..." she says, you open the door and step in,
"Okay... I'm in..."
"Come close and sit." Beca says sitting up, from her queen-sized bed all the way in the end, you can see her because of the 'Marie' Aristocats nightlight that's plugged in.
"I'm coming close and sitting." you say, moving nervously.
"Stop narrating the actions and just do them and get over here..." she says patting at the bed.
You allow yourself to finally go to her, you notice her dress is on one of the chairs, so it's off... you're wondering what she's got on (if she's got anything on), you can't see too well 'cos she's half covered by her comforter.
She pulls it up only to reveal t-shit and shorts, okay she was inviting you to get into the Bes and under the sheets with her. Ooh la la, ooh this was nice not too firm, not too soft...just right.
"What's up?" you say haltingly, the first thing you think of to say, playing for time, you roll your eyes at yourself. From non-stop chatterbox to this. You're fiddling with the comforter twisting it about, smiling awkwardly.
Beca just smiles wanly back, you almost chuckle at how weird the two of you were being and how long the silence seems to stretch on, and before you know it you both open your mouths and everything just starts spewing out.
"Sorry about my behaviour..."Beca hurriedly says,
"Sorry about mine..." you reply and you can't wait any longer you just go straight to the point..."So...Do you remember...?"
"The twenty first night of September..." she quips.
You both smile at that, though the nerves are jumping about again, "Yeah I remember everything..." she answers, settling burrowing deeper under the sheets
You await nervously, what will she do? Has everything changed? If so, was it for the better, or for the worse? What will she do now? Will she hate you, or will she admit her own feelings?
"Are we okay?" you prod gently after several seconds pass. She slowly peeks out from under the blankets, You take it as a good sign that her smile is still intact.
"Of course we're okay, don't worry about us. We're a sure thing." she says genially.
You're not sure if her words comfort you. It doesn't really give you anything.
"So what's wrong? Is it Jesse?" and immediately her face drops, of course it was Jesse, what did he do to her now. Seriously the guy stood her up, he doesn't deserve her.
"Jesse's out... He says he wants to call everything off...He's here in L.A but he's leaving again at the end of the week, he said he didn't want to see me during his stay." she recites, emotionless.
What? You feel yourself get livened up pretty quickly at that...
"Why?" you ask, your curiosity getting the best of you, feeling genuinely concerned.
"He keeps saying we should just maybe call it off, cos, you know, apparently I'm a selfish bitch, who never makes an effort. I never make...oh yeah past tense made enough time for him." her face remains the same but her hard voice has a tremor towards the end.
"You're doing the best you can..." you say feeling defensive for her sake.
"Yeah," she says agreeing, her eyes drifting closed. You sigh. Finally, she's resting peacefully...
"No...But he's sort of right. I haven't really been that good of a girl...I've been a little wee bit distracted lately." she continues,
"That's not your fault."
"Yeah it's your fault," she says, before laughing inanely. Okay...
"Sorry?"
"No. I am sorry...I know that thy all want something, but once again I can't be the one to give it." Beca says, vaguely. making absolutely no more sense than before.
"I'm not enough and I guess I never will be..." There she was again with the self-pity, when had Beca Mitchell ever not been enough...and who was she addressing the statement to?,
"I don't understand..." you say, helplessly hoping for an explanation. She closes her eyes again, looking as though she was in pain like she might cry...
"Can we just be, you and me ...like this right now...Chloe I'm just so exhausted. Let's just go to bed." she says resting her head on her pillow.
"Okay, where do I sleep...where's the guest room?" you ask, reluctantly leaving the comfy bed, as you get to your feet.
"What's wrong with this bed?" Beca inquires, looking up at you, and seriously you must be dreaming Beca did not just ask you to sleep with her...in the same bed.
"Nothing...?"
"So get in here." she orders you,"Wait there's a clean shirt that you can use it's in that drawer in the bathroom over there. You can get cleaned up like the basics you can worry about an actual shower tomorrow morning." You quickly change into it, wash your face and gargle thrice with her mouthwash.
"Okay...I'm done "
You comply wasting no more time in settling in. There's enough space for three people but the two of you are at the middle of the bed. You think your bodies remember, automatically gravitating towards each other, that it craves for the comfort of that familiar contact.
You feel your bare legs touching hers, your sides pressed lightly to the others,
"The comforter is too thin. I'm feeling cold," Beca says, noncommittally.
You smile at her, shaking your head knowing she would never upfront ask for you to snuggle her so, you just give her what she wants.
"Night, Chloe," she sighs happily.
"Night Becky!"
"Arg, that stupid pet name."
"I think it's cute..."
"Yeah only Marie can get away with using it, so don't you dare tell anyone else?"
"I keep your secrets right..."
"Yeah...you're my secret girl."
