Chapter 2: "Just a Jewelry Box"
A week later the Bellas were having a rehearsal from hell. Everyone seemed to be out of sync, their voices weren't harmonizing like they were supposed to, their movements were sloppy and spastic, and Aubrey was at her boiling point.
"Okay! Stop!" She screamed and slammed her hand on the stereo next to her beloved white board.
"Oh my God!" Beca rolled her eyes. "We've been overdue for a classic Aubrey melt down."
"Acu-scuse me?" Aubrey whirled around toward Beca.
"Aca-shut the fuck up." Beca shrugged. "Get over yourself! You can't be serious that you think you are the only person who never makes a mistake."
"Listen little alt girl…" Aubrey stepped closer. "I'm the leader of this group. If you have a problem…"
"Yeah, I know! The door's right there!" Beca turned halfway around to point at the door. "Would you like me to leave, aca-leader?"
"You can do whatever you damn well please, midget." Aubrey hissed.
"Hmm…" Beca sarcastically plastic her hand on her chin like she was thinking. "Well I damn well ain't feeling pleased with all this shit." She whirled her hands around the auditorium.
"I can't believe I let Chloe talk me into letting you be a Bella." Aubrey growled as she placed a hand on her sweaty forehead. All the girls had frozen in place watching the shouting match. They've seen it a time or two but every time Aubrey and Beca started screaming at each other they all worried if the Bellas would break instead of bend. Chloe put her hands nervously on her hips, resisting the urge to step in between her two best friends. Fat Amy shifted her weight from foot to foot, unsure if it was an opportune moment to interrupt with a joke to lighten the mood.
"I can't believe I let Chloe talk me into BEING a bella!" Beca shouted back.
"Beca…" Chloe's voice was barely audible and she stepped toward Beca trying to calm her down.
"No, Chloe. I'm so tired of this shit. I prove myself over and over to you aca-bitch and you still treat me like I'm yesterday's trash!" Beca pointed at Aubrey. "What's your deal!"
"My deal is that you think you're better than everyone! You're some cool indie chick who doesn't have to play by the rules. Well sorry Beca, this isn't some grungy bar, this is the high class acapella society!"
"Well I think you're full of shit. You're scared to try new things just because its out of your comfort zone. We're bored, Aubrey!" Beca swept her arm across the other bellas around the room. "We're bored with your tired songs and tired routines! Mix it up….just a little! And maybe, just maybe we'd have more energy and passion to put into a routine than this sad little number we get mocked for!"
"Get the hell out." Aubrey's chest rose and fell rapidly. She was staring daggers at Beca, and if looks could kill, there'd be a 5'1" brunette corpse on the floor of the Barden auditorium.
"Aubrey!" Chloe finally stepped in, wishing she had done so sooner. "Calm down."
"Oh please, I don't need you to fight my battles with this aca-bitch, Chloe." Beca laughed sarcastically as she turned to grab her things and leave the auditorium. Chloe then snapped.
"Sit your ass down!" Chloe barked at Beca echoing in the auditorium, much to the surprise of all the Bellas, including Beca.
"Aca-awkward…" Fat Amy murmured to whoever was standing close enough to hear her. Beca was so stunned she couldn't move for a couple seconds as she stared wide-eyed at Chloe.
"You heard me. Sit your ass down." Chloe pointed her finger at a chair. Once Beca finally obeyed, Chloe turned her attention to Aubrey. "Aubrey...no one is here to purposefully do bad or make your life harder. We all want the same thing. We want to be national champions. But you have got to stop being so damn sensitive."
"Yeah, chill the fuck out." Beca muttered.
"Hey, hermit, shut it. I'll get to you in a second." Chloe raised a finger at Beca, silencing her instantly. Fat Amy couldn't help but grin as Chloe went into full on mom mode and Aubrey and Becca were the two kids in trouble. It felt nice for once not being the one getting a lecture.
"You are both acting like spoiled little children." Chloe continued. "We all need each other. We can't lose anyone in this room because each and every one of us is too damn important. And you can't just shrug Beca off to leave the group just because you're mad. We need her just as much as we need you. So grow up and act like a freaking adult! Maybe listen to the thoughts and opinions of your fellow bellas. You are not the only one here who wants to win and has good ideas. Get over yourself and look at us like a team, not your personal army!" Chloe finished and put her hands on her hips. Aubrey huffed and puffed but looked at the ground knowing Chloe was right. She just fiddled with her water bottle to avoid any more confrontation.
"And you!" Chloe spun around and marched at Beca who had just relaxed but now tensed up again. "Cool it with the sarcasm. Cool it with the aca-puns. We get it! You're a badass. You don't have to hype up your persona 24/7. But let's be real, you're in an acapella group. You're in a badass acapella group because a bubbly redhead convinced a sarcastic hermit to sing with a group of girls. You have good ideas and hopefully Aubrey will realize it one day, but until then you need to calm the fuck down and be a part of this team and stop acting like you're an outsider when you're part of this family!" Chloe was nearly out of breath as she stared at the brunette who seemed to have gotten even smaller after the scolding. Chloe closed her eyes took a deep breath and marched to the front of the room. "Now….I love all of you and I hate when we fight. But we are a family and we need to act like it. I think we should have a vote if we should press on through rehearsals and fight or if we should call it a day and lose precious time before regionals. So girls….all in favor of staying?" Chloe raised her hand straight in the air as well as all the other bellas aside from Chloe and Aubrey. Aubrey rolled her eyes and slowly raised her hand. Chloe tilted her head and gave Beca a warning glance before Beca very reluctantly raised her hand.
"Perfect!" Chloe clapped her hands together and smiled as if no unpleasantness had just happened. The other bellas looked at each other awkwardly and gradually moved back into formation. Aubrey glanced at Beca as she made her way to her spot as well. They were still clearly angry with each other but thankfully were willing to set it aside for the time being for the good of the bellas.
The tension was palpable back in the bella house later that day. Aubrey and Beca didn't say a word to each other and did their best to avoid even being in the same room. All the other bellas thought they were being ridiculous but no one said a word in deep fear of both the blonde and brunette. Well, except Chloe.
"Aubrey." Chloe forcefully placed her cup on the kitchen counter while Aubrey quietly sat a mere foot away.
"Good lord, what?" Aubrey's head jerked up to look into her best friend's eyes.
"You know my birthday is this Friday? Or are you too fuming mad at a short brunette girl to remember?"
"Chloe! Of...Of course I remember!" Aubrey fumbled over her words.
"Mhm." Chloe smirked a knowing glance at her friend she knew all too well. "Got anything planned?" She put her hands on her hips.
"Well...yeah...of course, Chlo! It's just...a surprise is all." Aubrey smiled nervously.
"Mhm." Chloe replied in the exact same tone as she had just done. "Better be a good time, Aubrey." She spun around and headed to their room. Aubrey nervously wracked her brain for ideas that she could throw together in a couple hours time.
Later Aubrey sent a group text to all the bellas except Chloe explaining they needed to put together a blow out party for the redhead within the next 48 hours. As the texts flowed through they all came upon a mutual decision that it would be a bella only party. (Easier to plan and put into action.) Everyone would bring a gift. They'd play games and watch Chloe's favorite movies and pull an all nighter. It was simple and fun and hopefully just heartwarming enough for the sweet ginger to totally love.
Make sure you get a thoughtful gift for her, she always gives us such thoughtful gifts and she deserves the best. Aubrey wrote at the end after they had finished the planning of Friday's party.
As soon as Beca finished reading Aubrey's text she started panicking. She was so far from the sentimental type she had no idea what to get one of her favorite people in the whole world. And after Chloe had done so much to help her lately she didn't want to get her some lame birthday gift as a thank you. She grabbed her jacket and jogged down the stairs to rush to the store to find the best birthday gift.
An hour into shopping which felt more like 8 hours, Beca was finally about to lose it. She was further from finding the perfect gift than when she had begun this ridiculous expedition. Reluctantly, she pulled her phone out and dialed a number she had no interest in speaking to.
"This is Aubrey."
Beca rolled her eyes that Aubrey still answered that way knowing exactly that it was Beca who was calling.
"Hey...I….I uh...need your help." Beca felt like vomiting after the words escaped from her mouth. There was silence on the other end of the phone. Her eyes darted nervously along the floor before she continued talking. "Aubrey? You…..there?"
"What do you want, Beca?" Aubrey couldn't hide the annoyance in her tone.
"I…." Beca was so irritated and flustered with herself she wasn't sure what to say.
"Look, Beca after what happened in rehearsals I honestly don't have any interest in helping you. So unless you're in some life-threatening situation, I'm going to hang up -"
"But it's not to help me, Aubrey!" Beca pleaded and was instantly disgusted with herself. There was a pause on the other line but Aubrey had not yet hung up on Beca.
"I'm listening?" An impatient Aubrey barked.
"It's Chloe's present. I don't know what to get her and she's helped me out so much recently and she's so nice to everyone and never thinks about herself and she deserves a good gift and I have no idea where to find something good enough for her and -"
"Oh my God, Beca, stop rambling!" Aubrey interrupted in frustration. She paused a moment. "Okay...where are you?"
Beca was silent for a moment in embarrassment. "Yankee Candle…." she mumbled.
"What?!" Aubrey nearly shouted incredulously. "You're at a store that sells candles? And candles only?"
"Okay I get it! I'm an idiot who is inept at human relationships! But look I called you Aubrey, you know Chloe the best, are you going to help me or not. Its only to make her happy. Imagine if I give her some lame candle on her birthday."
Aubrey was silent for a moment. "Fine. Leave that store immediately and meet me at the mall. I'll be there in 15." She hung up before Beca could utter another word.
Beca followed Aubrey through the mall like a toddler being led through a store by their mother. Aubrey marched into a small store Beca had never heard of. She came to an abrupt stop and pointed at a jewelry box.
"A jewelry box?" Beca smirked and questioned Aubrey as if this was the most ridiculous gift.
"Hey, smartass, you asked for my help." Aubrey gave her a shove on the shoulder.
"But seriously?" Beca's smirk turned into a full on purplexed smile. "A jewelry box?"
"Two months ago, me Chloe, Lilly, and Fat Amy were here at the mall. Fat Amy was looking for some snapback cap to wear ironically; Lilly was looking for some special type of incense; and Chloe hears the word mall and she automatically is down to join. We passed this store and she saw this in the corner of her eye. She practically ran in here. When she opened it she almost started crying. She said the song that started playing was the same one from a box her mom used to have. According to Chloe, her mom said it was the singular most valuable item she owned besides her children because her dad had built it by hand for her. He even made this terrible plastic dancer to spin around as the music played. Unfortunately the dancer looked like a bad version of our Bellas rehearsal because her dad was not exactly a craftsman. But her mom loved it and it meant the world to her. And Chloe loved it too. She liked to sneak into their room and open it to watch the spastic plastic dancer spin to the lullaby. Chloe broke it when she was a kid and has felt such remorse ever since. She almost burst into tears when she saw this. All she said was 'its the same song.' So yeah, its just a jewelry box, Beca. But to Chloe, it would be a lot more."
Beca eyed Aubrey suspiciously. "So why don't you just get it for her if you know all that?"
"I already bought her cruise tickets for her and her family. It was a hefty price. She's also said she's never been on a cruise and its on her bucket list. So I think I'm pretty safe with my gift." Aubrey shrugged her shoulders so smugly that Beca just wanted to fling the jewelry box at her face but she thought better of it.
"Thanks, Aubrey…." The words felt like poison on her lips. "I gotta get some cash out later but I think this'll be a good gift. I really appreciate it."
"Well...it was for Chloe, so I'm happy to." Aubrey smiled slightly as they left the store to return back to the Bella house.
As Beca was on her way to return to the store, a different idea smacked her right in the face. She rushed back to campus and straight to the radio station. She knew her fellow intern, Jesse, was an architect major and was always building something or making designs.
"Becaw! What's up?" Jesse hopped down the stairs. Luke peered up from his desk and waved at her. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and grinned at Luke. She couldn't help but think that she couldn't wait to put into practice what Chloe had showed her.
"Jesse, I need your help with something." Becca rocked on her heels, never comfortable asking for help. "I want to make something but I have no skills or tools or anything."
"Sure! What exactly do you want to make?" Jesse's interest was piqued as he continued stacking CDs.
"A uh…." Beca glared out the window feeling her cheeks blush. "Jewelry box…"
"Really?" Jesse stopped and looked at her strangely. "That seems like such a not-Beca thing."
"Well its not for me, ok?" Beca smirked and shrugged.
"Oh?" Jesse grinned mischievously.
"You gunna help me or not?" Beca just glared at him.
"Of course! Meet me at that garage where I've been working on my project. I'll be done here in an hour."
"Okay, thanks, Jesse." Beca smiled sincerely. Luke then appeared from the door.
"Hey, Bec." He smiled devilishly. "When am I going to get a chance to take you out again?"
"This weekend?" Beca smiled widely.
"Sounds good." He leaned down slowly and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Jesse looked away grinning before peeking at her again and giving her a wink.
Beca spent the whole day in the garage with Jesse working on the jewelry box. She tried to do the most work with her own hands but Jesse was really doing most of it. He was finally on the last stretch molding the figure that would stand in the box and dance when the music played. He made some adjustments to the springs and screws while Beca worked on painting the box. She didn't have time for detailed decoration so she just painted it a regular brown and Jesse gave her some finishing paint to make it a little shiny. They both finally took a step back and looked at the little creation. It was smaller than the one in the store but they were amateurs making it in one day, she couldn't expect much more.
"Alright, let's take this puppy for a test drive." Jesse inhaled as he slowly lifted the lid. The music started playing and Beca was instantly relieved. But the as the dancer turned it kept getting caught like a record with a scratch in it. It kept spinning but it looked like a bad imitation of the sprinkler dance move. Beca would be lying if she said she wasn't a little disappointed but overall she was content.
"I think its pretty good for one days work." Beca smirked and raised her hand to give Jesse a high five.
"For sure." Jesse grinned. "Really glad I could help."
"Yeah, I owe you!"
Beca returned home with the jewelry box hidden in her leather bag. No one appeared to be home. She sighed in relief as she went to hide Chloe's present. She meandered downstairs, feeling odd that the house usually full of girls was so quiet. She was struck with an idea. She jogged up to the attic and grabbed some random decorations they had stuffed up there. She picked out the most fitting ones and jogged downstairs.
She hung some streamers and the happy birthday banner. She stood on a chair as she hung lights around the wall. Chloe always loved the ambience "twinkle" lights gave a room. She was nearly done decorating the house when Aubrey, Stacie, Jessica, and Ashley walked through the door. They all froze when they saw Beca standing on the chair hanging the last of the lights in the hallway.
"Hey." She smiled nervously with her hands frozen above her head. The girls looked around the house in shock as they noticed all the decorations that weren't here before they had left the house earlier. Beca quickly finished her task and put the chair away as she was ready to jog back up to her room.
"You did all this?" Aubrey asked as she set down the groceries they got for the party.
"I mean...yeah...it was no big deal. Hang some lights and colored paper from the ceiling, so what?" She shrugged.
"Aww…" Stacie smiled as she helped Aubrey unload. "You do care."
"Shut up." Beca rolled her eyes and ran up the stairs.
"Looks like the little one isn't as badass as she thinks." Aubrey chuckled as she set out the copious amounts of alcohol on the counter.
"Heard that, aca-bitch!" Beca called back down.
"Ah, there she is." Aubrey laughed, not even phased by the insult.
The Bellas were waiting for Chloe to get finished with her late afternoon class for her party. The music was playing at a good volume - of course it was one of Beca's mashups. Aubrey hated to admit it, but Beca had a gift with music. The house lights were off and just the lights Beca had hung up were on giving the house a really chill vibe. Fat Amy was mixing alcohol and juices into punch bowls. "Time to turn upppp aca-pitches!" She sampled one of her concoctions.
"Just try to stay sober long enough to at least see Chloe." Aubrey rolled her eyes. Beca sat at the kitchen counter fiddling on her laptop when they heard a key in the door and everyone scurried together.
"Surprise!" Chloe was nearly knocked off her feet from the screams. She smiled ear to ear as she was engulfed in a bella group hug. Of course Bella did not participate.
"You guys are the best!" Chloe squealed, tearing up.
"Here ya go, for the lady of the hour!" Fat Amy handed Chloe her a drink in her favorite yellow cup. Chloe took and and sniffed and immediately jerked her head back. She gave Aubrey a worried glance.
"That should probably last you the whole night." Aubrey laughed.
"Weak sauce!" Fat Amy bellowed as she downed her drink. Chloe stepped into the living room just noticing all the lights.
"Aw, Aubrey! I love the lights, of course you'd know I'd like that added touch."
"Actually…" Aubrey shrugged, hating to give her little nemesis credit. "It was all Beca."
"Really?" Chloe whipped her head to look at Beca sitting at the counter, seeming to ignore all the bellas starting to get hyper around her.
"The little midget is full of surprises." Aubrey glanced at Beca before finding a spot on the couch to help Stacie get some games ready. Chloe smiled, watching Beca for a moment before heading into the kitchen. Her hand came up and stroked the back of Beca's neck as she moved around the counter to face her. Beca froze and her head popped up from her laptop.
"Thanks." Chloe whispered when they made eye contact.
"Oh, Aubrey planned the whole thing. She forced me to be down here for the party and everything. 'Bella bonding.'" Beca made air quotes with her hands and rolled her eyes. Chloe shook her head, deciding not to push Beca knowing she was responsible for the decorations.
"Well...its my birthday party and I say you put that away and come sit with me while we have a game/movie night." Chloe placed her hand on Beca's laptop and closed the lid. Beca frowned and gave Chloe a cold stare.
"Have a drink!" Chloe grabbed a glass and poured some of the dangerous and handed it to her. "I'll be in the living room." She winked and joined the other Bellas in the living room. Beca took a deep breath and a sip of the drink. She immediately started coughing. "Good God…" she mumbled staring at the drink in her hand.
Everyone had reached a level of tipsiness after they played a couple rounds of cards against humanity - dirty version thanks to Fat Amy. Chloe was snuggling into Beca with her original drink still in her hand, almost empty. Beca could feel her hairs start standing on her arms as Chloe gradually got closer and closer. She finally jumped up, to the surprise of the redhead.
"Freshen your drink?" Beca held her hand out. Chloe slipped her cup into Beca's hand.
"Hurry back!" Chloe playfully slapped Beca's butt as she turned around.
"You want to hit that, huh, ginga?" Fat Amy laughed on the other side of the couch. Beca didn't turn around but felt her cheeks burning red. She nearly spilt the drink she was filling for Chloe.
"Ohh….she wishes." Chloe winked when Beca started to return. Beca just shook her head as she sank back down next to Chloe. "I don't think she could handle me." Chloe nudged Fat Amy. Everyone laughed in delight as Beca started squirming in embarrassment on the couch.
"Bet I could help get some of that pent up rage out of your little body." Chloe giggled, poking Beca in the ribs.
"Okay!" Beca clapped her hands together. "Present time?"
"Yes! Presents!" Chloe jumped in delight. Beca was relieved she was finally distracted from the joke.
Chloe cried over nearly every gift. She was thrilled with the cruise tickets. She immediately put on a bracelet that Jessica got her. She hugged a painting with a daisy on it that Lilly had done in art class. She breathed in deeply a candle Cynthia Rose bought her - to which Aubrey and Beca exchanged sarcastic smirks. It got to Fat Amy and she held out a box wrapped in Australian flag wrapping paper.
"Oh my God…" Chloe turned serious. Beca leaned forward and jerked her head to look at Aubrey, whose mouth was open.
"I remember you getting all weepy over this jewelry box and when I couldn't find anything better, I went back to get it. Luckily it was still there." Fat Amy shrugged. Chloe wrapped her arms around the bigger girl.
"Thank you so much. I love it!" She wiped a tear from her eye and set the box on the coffee table. She then turned to Beca with expectant eyes.
"Your turn." Her eyes locked onto Beca as if her gift was the only one Chloe was really interested in.
"Umm...its…" Beca ran a shaky nervous hand through her hand and made eye contact with Aubrey who looked genuinely concerned and confused. "Its...not ready...yet." She closed her eyes like she was in pain.
"Oh…" Chloe couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice.
"But it will be!" Beca tried to save the moment.
"Stacie, how bout you go!" Aubrey snapped her fingers, trying to pass this awkward moment. Beca stood up and went back into the kitchen. Aubrey quickly snuck in after her.
"What the hell was that? I thought you went back to get the box."
"I was going to!" Beca whispered glancing at Chloe. "But I had a better idea - what I thought was a better idea. God, I'm so stupid!"
"What'd you do?" Aubrey cocked an eyebrow. Beca looked around to make sure no one else could see. She bent down and pulled a bag out of one of the kitchen cabinets where she was hiding it.
"I made her one instead." Beca handed Aubrey the bag. Aubrey looked quizzically at Beca for a moment before opening the bag and pulling out the box making sure Chloe didn't see. She opened it and the music started but Beca shut it so the others wouldn't hear.
"Beca…" Aubrey's jaw dropped. "She would love this…"
"Not after Amy got her the real one!" Beca let a hand drop to her side in frustration. She snatched the box from Aubrey and jogged upstairs to hide it. Aubrey stood in the kitchen, shaking her head dumbfounded. "Beca Mitchell…"
The party was coming to an end. Most girls had gone to bed. Chloe was pretty tipsy as she helped Aubrey clean. Beca had passed out on the couch. She kept stealing glances at the sleeping brunette as she put plates in the sink.
"You're the birthday girl, you don't need to help with this." Aubrey swatted at Chloe.
"I don't mind." Chloe mumbled. Aubrey glanced over to where she saw Chloe's eyes focused.
"She didn't forget to get you something you know." Aubrey knew Chloe well enough to basically read her mind.
"I know." Chloe said unconvincingly. "It's just not ready." She mocked Beca's tone and rolled her eyes.
"Chlo." Abrey put her hand on the redhead's shoulder, stopping her from continuing with the dishes. "She made you a jewelry box. I told her that story from the mall because she was having a mini panic attack trying to find you a gift. I thought she was going to buy it but she decided to make one instead. I'm just shocked Amy even remembered and was thoughtful enough to get it for you."
"She made me one?" Chloe spun around. Aubrey nodded. "Well where is it?"
"She hid it somewhere." Aubrey shrugged. "You know how she is. She thought it would be lame now so God forbid she gave it to you anyway to show she actually cares." Chloe frowned watching the brunette's chest rise and fall as she slept peacefully on the couch.
"Well I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted. I think the rest of this can wait for tomorrow." Aubrey ran a hand through her hair. "You staying up or no?"
"No, I'll be back in a little bit." Chloe mumbled.
"Happy birthday, Chloe." Aubrey hugged her as she unsteadily made her way back to their shared room.
"Thanks, Bree." Chloe kept her eyes on the brunette. What was she feeling right now? Why was Beca's gift the most important? And why is she so touched by her thoughtfulness? She walked into the living room and knelt down by the couch. She stroked Beca's brown hair before whispering, "Beca? Wake up." She nudged her shoulder a little. "Beca?" She grinned as she had an idea, she started lightly pinching Beca's sides, knowing it was a ticklish spot.
"Hey!" Beca squirmed and sleepily reached out a hand to swat at her attacker. She opened her eyes and saw Chloe's bright blue ones staring down at her. "What's wrong?" She sat up slowly, so she wouldn't get too dizzy.
"Nothing. Just thought you might be more comfortable sleeping in your own bed. I can help you upstairs?"
"Mm...yeah sure." Beca groggily rubbed the back of her neck and stood up. She nearly toppled over before Chloe caught her. She wrapped her hand around the brunettes waist and led her into the kitchen where she grabbed a water bottle before carefully leading Beca upstairs.
They got to her room and Chloe helped her slide down onto the bed. Chloe pulled the blanket up and set the water bottle on her night stand.
"Hey, Beca." Chloe sat down next to the nearly unconscious girl.
"Hmmm…" Beca groaned.
"Where's my birthday present?"
"What?" Beca's eyes were now open. "I told you it -" Chloe interrupted her by putting her hand to her lips.
"Aubrey told me. I want to see it." Chloe's tone meant she wasn't in the mood to pry it out of Beca.
"Remind me to freaking kill her tomorrow." Beca grumbled and ran a hand through her hair. She leaned over and reached under her bed. She nervously handed the box to Chloe. Chloe was in shock, her hands nearly shaking as she held it. She carefully opened it and the song came on, almost causing her to cry. The dancer twitching though made her stifle a laugh.
"It's not the greatest, I only had a day. And I had help, so its not like -" Again Beca was interrupted, but this time Chloe leaned in and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"I love it." She smiled holding the box to her chest. "Goodnight my little hermit."
"Night." Beca was somewhat stunned as the redhead quietly shut the door behind her. She sighed heavily and fell back into her pillow. "I'm gunna kill you, Aubrey."