AN: So this update might feel a bit different, I'm trying to make sure I keep everything timed properly, keep it all together if that makes sense. Let me know if I janked it up too much, yeah? I appreciate you!
3 Speedy
To say the next two weeks are difficult is an extreme understatement, I feel like I'm on the verge of passing out. Aubrey has pushed practices to another hour longer, which thirty minutes of that is straight cardio. We got into a huge fight about the set, well... I mean we always fight about it, but someone needed to take Chloe's solo and I said I only would if she allowed me to make a few changes. She then blew up and embarrassed me in front of the whole group, I left before the practice was over. Her attempt at talking to me later was futile, I was literally fuming, which only made her mad in turn, so she stormed off to her room after yelling at me again while I completely ignored her.
I brought hunting back with Lilly, which we now do every evening after my shift at the radio station. The first day was crazy, there were so many anomalies around the city, and thankfully she knows how to see them way before I can. She guides me and then helps me with destroying them, and while the first week the corrupted were easy to take on, they've progressively gotten more difficult. Of course, they are learning more every time we come into contact, so I make a point not to summon anyone else so they can only learn from Lilly and I, the others will remain a mystery. We had a particularly hard morning... coincidentally the same day Aubrey and I were going to kill each other. The anomalies had been showing up less and less throughout the second week, but then we came upon one that Lilly indicated was rather large. Upon crossing the threshold there at least ten corrupted balls buzzing around the grounds, their massive forms feeling like they look at me... but then back off. It was eery the way they rolled together while I formed my sword quickly. When they all mesh together they form this odd... marshmallowy... it was just weird, looking sharper, larger, and definitely more deadly in this new corrupted form. Together we sort of formed our own little sign language of sorts, it's short and sweet but works well compared to her trying to speak to me while we fight. She indicates that perhaps we should try chopping it to bits, and so we charge, it's largeness making it much slower.
*Be careful, one hit from that thing and we will be out for a week...* I hear in my ears, nodding firmly as I breathe out the new spell Cynthia Rose taught me. She claims I studied so much magic, but it has yet to come back to my mind, so instead, I asked her one day if I knew anything in particular that was helpful. She told me about this spell that set my blade on fire, the corrupted shrunk away from it whenever I used it... but she did warn that it sapped the energy from me quickly if I used it too long. So I keep that in mind as we both charge forward, my legs rapid enough to dodge the slower amalgamations swing. Slicing my sword along the corrupted's thick base it causes the monster to shriek out in pain, Lilly taking this as her turn slices the other side. She moves just in time so she isn't hit with the other sloshy arm. Every slash we take of the corrupted makes it smaller, as if every swing takes a piece of it and crushes it from existence. So we continue with dodging, slashing, moving, and just as it seems the corrupted has lost I drive my sword into the very middle of the thinned down ooze, whipping into a circle to jerk the flaming weapon all the way through. The monster shrieks again, writhing and bubbling as it puddles into a steamy mess of nothing, slowly seeping away. I whick the spell away from my blade, muscles suddenly tired and unwilling to cooperate as I plop on my rear. I hear Lilly laugh next to me, her breath coming in fast pants as she sits across from me,
"That was a big one... but we did it." I lift my hand and she slaps the high five with another laugh, my own chuckle reaching the air as well with the adrenaline from our victory. Looking down at her watch her eyes grow wide in shock,
"We are going to be late!" It sounds like a normal volumed person, she must be shouting at me... late? I jump up, the Rogue right next to me as we take off for practice.
School was also in the mix these two weeks... going to the classes I need to, doing the homework I have to, and making sure I ace the tests as they are given. Okay, maybe not ace... but I do my best and that's enough for passing grades. To top it all off I still have to show up at the internship with the radio station, though honestly, I've never been more thankful for Jesse. He took notice to my hectic schedule first, though he doesn't know exactly what I do, and now he sometimes lets me crash in the back, distracting Luke when it is necessary, or waking me up if I need to be. The last night before regionals we talk about what sets we are going to do, I know I'm not supposed to discuss this stuff with the competition but I find I'm far too frustrated to care. That and it doesn't really make a difference if they know we are doing the exact same set as last year, right?
The only reprieve I have is when I head to bed, Stacie and Chloe have been staying with me a while, talking to me about our past, or about their day in general. After all, they are going to school as well, and I like to know about how their lives are going. We've slowly grown closer, even with the simplicity of them staying the night in my room. When I wake the next day sometimes they aren't there, sometimes I have to unwind myself from one or the other. It's really nice... though I do find my heart pines for Aubrey some nights. I wish I could make it stop, Stacie and Chloe make assurances that she truly does love me... but she won't speak to me, she doesn't act like it. Still, she actively avoids me, even when I say good morning if I see her before practice, only for her to ignore me... it hurts if I'm being honest. It's gotten to the point where I don't speak to her if I see her, why would I put forth the effort for someone who isn't going to even bother with my existence? It must be bothering her though, the other night Chloe randomly asked if there was a reason I wasn't speaking to Aubrey. I told her I tried to speak to her and was ignored every time, so there was no point in putting forth the effort any longer. The next morning I swear I heard the blonde woman say something to me, but when I turned to look she was already out the door, oh well.
The day finally comes, standing backstage watching the Sockapella's sing their rendition of 'Fuck you' by Lilly Allen. It was good, the girls believe they were making a statement, it made the crowd chuckle and bob their heads. Aubrey, of course, was not having it, and I find my words of 'At least they're different' popping from between my lips before I can do anything to stop them. When we begin I can't help but feel my heart sink as the crowd seems completely uninterested, and I can see some of the other girls feeling it too. Amy's solo could not have come fast enough, and she completely crushed it, even had the crowd cheering for her by the end. As we filed off stage and the Trebles turn came up, Jesse made sure to reach out and grab my hand as I wish him good luck. You would have thought I leaned over and kissed him or something, the rage I see behind three sets of eyes... the tension is to thick one could cut through it. We have to sit with each other until the scoring is done, thankfully we make it to semi-finals. You would think that would make Aubrey cool her jets, but of course, she is rounding on what we did wrong... only for us to come out and into a fight between the Trebles, and an old a capella group called the Cliff Hangers. I spy Jesse being backed into a corner by one,
"I'm just gonna... I'm just gonna check on them..." I say loud enough for the Bellas to hear, pressing through the girls. I feel Amy right behind me, talking about a Kraken again... it's unleashed! I laugh as I approach the man fighting with Jesse, and he immediately gets in my face. I can't help the reaction as I slam my fist into his jaw, I'm pretty sure I broke it, but all he says is,
"That's fantastic!" What a creep... Suddenly Amy snatches the trophy from Jesse and is about to slam it into this dude's face before I get ahold of it. She knows she can't out-strength me, so she tries tugging me around a bit, distracted by kicking the guy, who is still on his knees from my punch, in the balls. I am about to laugh when I feel her tug on the trophy again, breaking it in pieces, and hers goes sailing right through the window. I hear everyone scattering, and I watch as a police officer heads towards the building. The last thing I hear before he comes to arrest me,
"Vertical running! I'm vertical running!" And even as the cuffs tighten around my wrists, I can't help but chuckle at her antics.
Taking a deep breath I rest my head against the wall of the cell, an odd woman looking me over a few times before she stands and comes to sit right beside me. Her wild eyes and her messy hair leads me to believe she has either been here a while, or she is on something that she shouldn't be,
"You ever been in the slammer before?" She asks suddenly, and I'm swift to shake my head. Her hand rests on my thigh... and in this skirt, it's super uncomfortable, "I can protect you, for the right price." I laugh awkwardly, her hand swinging out to smack the side of my head. I blink a few times before I feel my face morph into one of annoyance,
"Get away from me." I say softly, but I know she heard, her yellow teeth shining as she rests her hand on my thigh again,
"Ah, one that needs to be broken first." Her hand lifts and I can't stop myself from shoving it off, apparently surprising her into irritation, "Oh okay, if that's how you want to play." She stands and I do as well, only to be interrupted by a baton slamming against the bars,
"Come on tiny thing, someone posted bail and you're out." I flip the strange woman the bird, her hand coming out for me, only to be slapped away as I follow the officer out.
Stacie smiles as I push open the doors, running up to hug me tightly,
"Hey, Hilary Swank from million dollar baby." She states with a laugh, my head shaking immediately,
"Hey, you know you just have to say, "Hey, Million Dollard Baby." You don't have to reference the specific actress." She feigns hurt, pressing a hand to her chest before it reaches down to wrap warmly into mine,
"Damn, prison changed you." I can't stop the laughter, matching her own as we start walking home,
"Thanks for coming to get me..." I say softly, and she stops our walk by stepping up to face me,
"I would do anything for you Becs, I always ask for payment in return though." Leaning down she kisses me fiercely, a hand curling around the back of my neck while the other runs up my chest to rest on my shoulder. I'm swift to return the kiss, eyes slipping shut as we revel at this moment we have just for each other. When it breaks she breathes deeply, her forehead resting against mine, "Wow I missed that." My own bated breath comes in small gasps as I lean forward and steal a smaller kiss now,
"Yeah... that was definitely something." All my mush brain can muster as she twirls and nearly skips the rest of the way home. When we push through the door we both spy all of the Bellas sitting in the living room, some of them making their own comments. After I see pure annoyance cross Chloe's face after Cynthia Rose asks if I got a bitch, I figure I had better move along, "You guys waited up for me?" The one to answer is Chloe, she seems to have gotten over her annoyance pretty quickly,
"Of course we waited up for you." She gives me a small wink, blushing as she turns her attention to Aubrey,
"She really likes seeing the tougher side of you." I feel Stacie whisper against my ear, gaze staying with the redhead as she bites her lower lip and actively tries not to stare back at me,
"I'm glad everyone stayed up, I'm calling an emergency Bella meeting." There is a collective groan through the room, but she presses onward regardless, "Our score sheet revealed that the Sockapellas almost beat us. Fat Amy, you need to do it exactly how we rehearsed it, okay? No surprises." She takes a long moment to basically glare at Amy while she shrinks into the couch, and I find this annoys me,
"We should be taking risks. It's not enough to be good, we need to put ourselves out there, be different." Comes from my mouth, meeting Aubrey's icy stare head-on with my own thunderous smirk, especially when I hear agreement beside me,
"Beca's right. The Trebles never sing the same song twice." Cynthia Rose chimes in a little louder than the rest. Stacie moves to sit beside Chloe and I continue with my reasonable explanation,
"The audience loves the Trebles, they tolerate us. We could change the face of a cappella if we…Oh my god, that sounded so queerballs. What's happening to me? Um..let me show you this arrangement I've been working on." I move over to my laptop beside the chair I always situate myself in, and while I type the password and pull up my mixing board I feel a hand sliding along my back, nails grazing the outside of my shirt. Shivering lightly I hear Chloe behind me,
"I didn't know you were into this stuff." I'm almost positive she's pretending not to know so she can be closer to me in front of the other girls. I am one hundred percent positive it immediately gets on Aubrey's nerves,
"Okay, I have the pitch pipe, and I say that we focus on the setlist as planned. From now on, there will be no more wasting time with work or school or boyfriends or partners. Sorry, your life belongs to the Bella's now." Her brow quirks as she looks pointedly at each of us... somehow it feels like she's singling us out in a way,
"But Aubrey, this stuff is pretty cool. I mean-" Chloe chimes in again, her irritation felt in the nails against my back, which only proves more so when Aubrey rudely interrupts her,
"Okay, rehearsal tomorrow. Eight a.m. sharp." And with that she shoo's us all away, heading up to her room first before anyone can argue with her. We slowly get up and escort the girls who do not reside here out the door... though Cynthia Rose seems pretty keen on Denise staying, wonder what's going on there. So basically we let Jessica and Ashley head home, then all move to our own respective rooms. I ask Chloe to take care of Aubrey tonight, I have a feeling if we almost got beaten by sock puppets that might be the right choice. I also ask Stacie for a little space tonight, I'm worn out, and while her presence is comforting I have this inkling that she might attempt taking things to the next step tonight. As much as she pouts I won't back down and wind up just walking into my room, shutting the door, and throwing myself on the bed. After a few more turns I get my clothes off, kicking them to the floor before I spread my body out to rest comfortably within the warm blankets.
"Semi's are a week away aca-bitches! Why can't we get this right?!" Aubrey destroys the confidence I almost thought we had, and I can't help but chuckle as Amy lets her mouth get away from her,
"Maybe if we weren't working for Hitler..." And that's twenty more laps before the end of practice. I let my speed take hold and finish a lap or two in front of the rest... okay maybe I did twenty-five laps, but that doesn't matter, right? As I jog down the steps and straight for my bag I snatch it up keen on getting out of here. It seems both captains have other plans,
"Beca, a word please." It's Chloe, so I pump the breaks and turn to look them both over. It seems that whatever it may be, it is meant to be private, considering they wait until everyone else is done, literally usurping my extra five laps. When all that is left is Stacie, Chloe, Aubrey, and I, it almost feels like it should be awkward, yet I'm completely relaxed standing here staring at the three most beautiful women I've ever met. Chloe finally goes to speak, and for once isn't interrupted by a certain blonde,
"So... as much as Stacie and I love stealing time with you, it has come to my attention that someone else feels a little left out... and that might be why a certain someone is lashing out so much..." She looks pointedly to Aubrey, and I look to her as well... only for her form to stiffen as she nearly spits,
"Don't be around the bush Chloe, look Beca..." She turns her rigid form towards me, eyes attempting to read my soul, "They've gotten time with you, and they've both been able to be alone with you, talk with you, touch you, and I've gotten nothing, is there a reason for that?" I balk, wasn't expecting that at all. My recovery time could cause whiplash, but I make sure even with the swift reply it is in no way sounds sarcastic or rude,
"They've actively sought me out because they know my life is a bit chaotic right now..." I lift my hand as she opens her mouth, "And I understand their, and your, lives are also busy right now, but I'm figuratively and literally full, trying to re-learn everything, trying to get to know each of you, trying to keep up with Bella's, school, and the station. It's just a lot, and they make sure to find when I'm able to decompress and just... talk to me." I wave my hand out to indicate that it was her turn, I am not in the mood to fight with her right now,
"Okay well... what happens if I seek you out... as you put it, and someone else is asking for your time?" My brow quirks and I do my best not to smirk at the very thought of Aubrey 'seeking me out',
"Everyone is very respectful of each other when it comes down to it, Lilly gets to see me every evening so she tries to leave lunch to someone else who might want to spend it with me, or like Stace and Chlo..." I let my hands indicate the two women even if I don't need to, "They sometimes get to see me at night... just to cuddle or talk a bit..." At the way she glares at them both it seems there is a bit of animosity within that, but I keep talking, "And when they know that is going to happen they tend to let me be around someone else during the day as well... honestly on the days CR goes to hang with Denise, and Amy is on another crazy adventure sometimes I find I'm by myself... so there are plenty of times I could shoot you a text if you want..." I offer the slight compromise, surely she wasn't exactly happy about having to be the one to extend her time, so the olive branch has been given,
"Alright... well... I mean that's a good plan..." I've honestly never seen her so... vulnerable, and I find it extremely endearing,
"Matter of fact... what are you doing right now?" I let myself prepare for the rejection, but brave forward regardless, "Because I don't have class until almost one... want to grab some lunch?" Her surprise is obvious, and the way she lifts her hand to shift her bangs from her face is either to buy herself time so she doesn't agree too quickly or to figure out how to let me down easy. Chloe and Stacie are both staring daggers at her, so I'm almost positive it's the first choice, but after another beat, she nods,
"I would love to have lunch with you, but I want to pick where." At the collective breath of relief, I'm almost positive we were all nervous to hear that. Lifting my pack I gesture her towards the doors,
"Let's go then, I'm starving, you really know how to work up my appetite." I see the smallest hint of blush before I turn and let the trio speak while I head out the doors.
It's a beautiful little place she's chosen, Italian food, I know I shouldn't be surprised but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting from Aubrey. After we are led to our seats I make sure that instead of sitting across from her at the quaint little square table, I sit beside her. This brings a hidden smile, the menu trying it's hardest to keep it concealed while I look my own over. I'll be honest, it's quiet, and a tad awkward at first. I don't know where to put my hands, or even how to start, but she does it for me,
"For a long time... before..." She pauses a moment, her hands lowering to press flat against the table, "I didn't want to accept that such a thing as loving more than one person existed... how could I betray Chloe like that?" I quirk a brow, and let my hand carefully, and extremely cautiously lower to rest atop hers. She doesn't pull back, so I indicate that she should keep going, "But then I watched... and even with my hesitance and resistance, you loved each of us equally, paid special attention to all three of us, made sure we each felt adored every single day..." She chews her lower lip, her mouth opening again before we are interrupted by the waiter. He takes our orders, Aubrey's hand slipping from mine when it didn't really need to, but I understand. When he heads off I fold my fingers in my lap and tilt my head,
"You don't have to explain if it's hard for you..." I whisper softly, her resolve hard on her feature,
"I do though, I owe you at least this..." Her brows press firmly together, a hand reaching up to fiddle with the tablecloth, "Even after you were so good to us I was still so sure that it would end badly... so sure that you would leave after the work was done and we wouldn't be invited to go. So I was not so nice to you..." My mouth gets away from me, and I say,
"Kind of like you are now?" And she actually nods! I blink a few times and chuckle softly, shaking my head, but she presses on before I can continue,
"I don't want a repeat of before, I watched you die... I watched you be stolen from us, and it just wasn't fair, the way I treated you, how I never gave us a chance. I want this to work, I don't want to hesitate any longer, but this is all under one condition." Her pointer finger lifts and I arch a brow in curiosity,
"And what is that?" Her hand closes in until her finger taps my nose, I chuckle at the odd action from the strict woman, realizing she's loosening up just a tad,
"We don't talk about Bella's, because that is where we fight the most. We can talk about them while we are there at practice... but I want that to be where Bella's stay, kay?" Her smile shines bright when she spies me agreeing with a nod, and just as she pulls her hand back, dinner is served.
The 'date' if you will, went so smoothly after that, we spoke of school, things of the past, and how hectic life is of late. We talked about our goals, what we thought about the future if we all stayed together, basically we talked about everything that we could fit in that three hour period. Until finally I look at my watch and find I've got about twenty minutes to walk back to campus and get to class. Packing our leftovers up she sweetly takes the boxes, walking me out of the restaurant after we have paid, and I feel a sense to relief wash over me. It feels nice to be with Aubrey like this, to not have to worry about her barking at me, to see the other side of this beautiful woman. She must sense the change in the mood because she looks me over slowly, a radiant smile coming back to the light before she leans in and presses her lips to mine. The kiss is easy, relaxing, her lips soft and pliant as I mold mine to them. My hand squeezes her hip gently and this must bring her back to life because she carefully straightens, cheeks flush and her lips parted slightly, I'm sure my state is quite the same,
"I'll see you at home, Bree." I whisper, her lips pulling back into that gorgeous smile as she nods and leans to kiss my cheek,
"I look forward to it." She replies quickly, before heading off towards the house while I watch her saunter off. It takes me another minute to realize I'm going to be late if I keep watching her tease, so I turn and start jogging off to class, my own smile difficult to calm down.