After all her worrying, it turned that Jesse had seen the break up coming. When Beca had eventually spluttered and mumbled something about "end things", "apathetic" and "best friends" he had nodded sadly. But ultimately Jesse admitted that he had noticed Beca growing distant from him very swiftly after they initially got together. He had been hoping that if he treated Beca well and showed her how much she meant to him that she would eventually respond to him the way he wanted. Jesse needed Beca to want him, truly want him, but that her obvious use of him as a distraction was upsetting and more than a little degrading. Jesse was too polite to ask Beca precisely what he was distracting her from, but he suspected it had something to do with one Chloe Beale. Jesse had never called Beca out on it, but he knew that the pair had been incredibly close, and had felt like he was competing with Chloe for Beca's affections throughout their freshman year. But it turned out only Beca was unaware of that fact, and Jesse didn't want to push her, as he was still keen to remain friends with the grumpy little DJ. So the conversation that Beca had been dreading ended as well as any break up can, with both parties feeling sad, but also a little relieved. Jesse could find someone who actually wanted to spend time with him and had more shared interests and Beca was free. To do what she wasn't sure, but she felt lighter somehow. That night Beca had an unshakable urge to tell Chloe about it.

Beca: Hey Chlo

Chlo: Becs! How are you?

Beca: Good actually. I ended things with Jesse

Beca's heart started to race a little when Chloe didn't reply instantaneously as she had with the last message. She desperately wanted to know what her former best friend thought of her decision, although still unable to recognise why she felt that way. Thousands of miles away Chloe was overwhelmed. She and Beca had never spoken about Jesse since she had left immediately after the ICCAs. So finding out that her suspicions were correct, Beca had given herself physically and emotionally to Jesse for several months, left Chloe breathless and seething with Jesse. She spent several minutes jealously trying to work out what made Jesse the object of Beca's affection and desire rather than herself before she realised one key thing. Beca had broken up with the irritating sophomore. So he wasn't good enough after all. Chloe felt herself become more and more frustrated at the fact she wouldn't be returning to Barden for another few months, as she couldn't see how the sophomore would stay single for that long. Beca was completely unaware of her attractiveness and the enigmatic vibe she gave off, it was only a matter of time before any guy with even the most poor observational skills will become drawn to her. Chloe snapped out of her panic spiral when she thought about her lack of reply. You can do this Beale. Be the friend she needs right now.

Chlo: Oh sweetie are you okay? I can call you in a couple hours? If he hurt you so help me… you know I'll end him xo

Beca smiled at the response, so typical Chloe. She was impressed at the redhead's restraint, compared with her messages in the past. Chloe clearly still had her best interests at heart and Beca felt her heart swell at the fact Chloe had assumed Jesse was somehow in the wrong even though Beca had been the one to initiate the break up. The two had texted back and forth for a while, and true to her word Chloe had called Beca a few hours later once she was finished at school for the day. She couldn't put her finger on it, but Chloe knew that something was off with her tiny friend. Beca was clearly struggling with something internally, and the fact that she didn't even hint at this to Chloe meant that it must be a serious problem. As soon as she got off the phone with Beca she called the one person she knew who could help, she called Stacie. Chloe knew that Stacie and Fat Amy had filled her spot as Beca's best friend in her absence, so called the most reliable of the two to arrange what she hoped would be the perfect way to cheer Beca up. Even if Beca herself was unwilling to recognise that she was glum in the first place. Perhaps, Chloe reasoned, she was unable to separate the emotion from her usual apathetic moodiness. She smiled fondly at that thought, missing seeing how she was able to turn Beca's usual scowl into a thinly veiled smile.

After she finished talking to Chloe Stacie was bubbling with excitement. She knew exactly what needed to be done. Stacie secretly loved any logistical task, so was in part excited for the multitude of small tasks that she would need to oversee over the next few days, but she was also thrilled to see the outcome and Beca's reaction. Stacie created a new group chat with all the Bellas except for Beca, she figured "Shawshank Gets Redemption" would be a suitable name for it and chuckled to herself at her own wit. The girls proceeded to come up with, what would seem to Beca like legitimate, reasons that they each would not be able to make rehearsals in the final week of the semester. Stacie hadn't told any of them why they needed to do so, or why organising a Bellas dinner, movie night and party were necessary all in that week. She wanted them to be just as surprised as Beca would be. Stacie didn't want any of the Bellas to accidentally reveal her plans to Beca so keeping them all in the dark was the perfect way to avoid that outcome. She spent the next few days subtly improving Beca's appearance, starting with the ear monstrosities – swapping with some slightly softer but "equally badass" jewellery. Stacie even managed to drag Beca shopping for a few non-plaid items to add to her wardrobe. When Beca, and the Bellas who had also noticed Stacie's efforts, asked why this was necessary she gave the cheery response that moving on from Jesse required a new guy in her life to "have some fun with". And that would happen a lot quicker if Beca looked a little more approachable, "but don't worry Bec you still look like a badass. Guys just needed to know you won't actually hurt them if you want to sleep with them. Duh." Stacie gave the same response when she forced Beca to get a long overdue haircut, a brow shape and an eyebrow tint. Although these changes were subtle, Beca's appearance had softened and Stacie was thrilled. She knew Chloe would appreciate every little change, and hoped that it might prompt her to admit to Beca how she felt. Stacie had figured that whole situation out before any of the other Bellas could even suspect, and prided herself into helping things along a little.

One person who had keenly noticed every little change Stacie made was Daisy. She found herself more drawn to Beca as she was looking a little less scary and more stunning than ever. As soon as she found out from Fat Amy that Beca was newly single Daisy felt a little more than excited. She knew that she would have to make a move soon before anyone else did, the brunette was alluring creative and smart, someone would ask her out sooner or later. The question was how she could get Beca to even talk to her in the first place. As Daisy had more or less memorised Beca's schedule, she made her way to the radio station where she knew her captain would be. She figured the sophomore wouldn't be able to run away from her in the middle of her shift. A few minutes later Daisy smoothed her luscious blond tresses and knocked on the radio station's booth nervously.

"Yes?" Beca looked exasperated and Daisy hadn't even said a word to her yet. This did not bode well.

"Can I uh talk to you for a second?"

"Fine, just give me a minute." Beca darted back into the booth, slamming the door behind her. She queued a playlist of mixes she had just finished working on knowing it would last for more than the required time for the impending conversation with the overeager freshman. In fact the playlist was long enough to last for the rest of her shift, so Beca could always run out of the radio station if necessary. She wasn't sure why, but Beca found herself constantly irritated by Daisy. The girl was just so overeager, always trying to please Beca, which in turn had the opposite effect. Beca knew she should be flattered at the girl's behaviour and see it as respectful rather than too try-hard, but it just didn't sit well with her. She wished Chloe knew Daisy and had seen her behaviour, Chloe would be able to read the situation and know what to do. When Beca returned from the booth she gestured to Daisy to sit down on one of the chairs in the breakroom. She noted that Daisy had moved it away from Beca's slightly, as if trying to avoid cross any physical boundaries that Beca might have. Such a considerate gesture was interpreted by the disgruntled DJ as sickeningly obsequious and she rolled her eyes.

"I won't bite you know."

"I.. uh.. okay."

"So, what did you want to talk about? Beca tried prompting the girl so that the conversation could end as soon as possible.

"I just wanted to apologise. I clearly crossed a line at the party…" Beca swiftly stopped listening as Daisy babbled on and on about how bad she felt about pushing Beca about wanting someone she wasn't with. When the girl's hand gestures became overly frantic and emphatic Beca interrupted her mid-sentence.

"Look Daisy. It's fine. You had no way of knowing. But I recently experienced first hand how awful it is to have unreciprocated… feelings for someone. So your little dare just brought that up, it's still raw and I took it out on you. I'm sorry for that."

Daisy was shocked that Beca had been so open with her, and seemed genuinely apologetic about her recent behaviour. She knew it didn't make the pair friends or anything, but it was certainly a good start.

"I'm so sorry Beca. For the record whatever guy rejected you is an idiot." Daisy stopped herself before she revealed any feelings she might be bottling up. Instead she waited slightly wide-eyed for Beca's response.

"We-uh never talked about it. When I realised how I felt it was too late, so I didn't get rejected, I just missed the chance to put myself out there."

Daisy felt her heart sink on Beca's behalf, as her situation was alarmingly similar to how Daisy was currently feeling, and it was beyond awful. She decided that at the Bella's party she would tell Beca everything, in the hope that she would either respond in the way Daisy so desperately wanted, or Daisy would be forced to move on. But either way, she would put herself out there while she still had the chance. The sophomore looked so sad at whatever relationship opportunity she had missed, and Daisy was keen to avoid that for herself. Instead she allowed herself to hope that Beca would give her the chance to get to know her and… try some things together. Daisy blushed profusely at the thought of any potential physical intimacy with Beca.

"Yo. Space cadet? Hello? You there"

"I – what?"

"Space cadet, you know because she spaced out for a couple minutes. It was super awkward just saying, and that's coming from me." Beca chucked to herself, a sound that was music to Daisy's ears even if it was at her own expense.

"Oh, right. Sorry. I was just figuring some things out. I have to go, but I'm glad you let me apologise. I really am sorry."

Daisy bounded out of the room leaving Beca incredibly confused, the freshman had completely checked out mid conversation, with an expression resembling both hope and distress that the DJ was unable to decipher. Chloe would have understood. Beca cursed under her breath, it seemed like she had been relying on Chloe to solve any minor problem or confusion she experienced rather a lot lately. Beca missed the bubbly redhead tremendously, if only she knew where she was, then Beca would visit. She shocked herself a little at this thought; she was willing to put her life on hold to see Chloe. Wow. Little did Beca know that Chloe had had the exact same thought, and had swiftly booked the days off she was allotted for the duration of her programme abroad and booked a return flight. It was all set, Chloe would be visiting Barden in three days time.