A/N: Sorry this has been the longest I've gone without updating this story for those following it. I just hit a major wall as far as keeping it going to get to the ending I have for it and I was inspired to write other things too, so it just took a bit longer. This won't be abandoned though I promise. One way or another I will get it to the end haha. The next chapter should be updated much sooner, I already have some written and more of an idea for it. So hope those who've been following enjoy. This is not the best chapter, my apologies.
Chapter 37: Bang, Bang
Stacie was the first bella awake, and waiting for Aubrey. She knew Aubrey was one of the early risers in the house. She was too nervous to eat so she just made coffee and nervously paced around the kitchen, taking a moment here and there to sit down. This was ridiculous. Stacie didn't get nervous. She hooked up with people. She casually dated people. She didn't get nervous about a single kiss though. Just as she was about to start getting upset with herself she heard the door to Aubrey's room open. And she knew it wasn't Chloe, since the redhead spent her night elsewhere.
Aubrey paused as she entered the kitchen, surprised to see someone awake before her. She gave a quick smile to Stacie before moving to the coffee pot. Her head was still just a little sore from the previous night.
"So, last night was pretty crazy, huh?" Stacie asked, just diving right in.
"Yeah." Aubrey let out a laugh as she poured some milk in her coffee.
"How's the hand?" Stacie nodded her head at Aubrey's right hand, which hung at her side as she used her left to make her coffee.
"Hurts a little." Aubrey shrugged. There was a heavy silence in the air. And Stacie knew Aubrey was probably going to be too awkward about bringing up the topic they needed to talk about, so she dove right in.
"So...we kissed." Stacie said slowly, wishing she had found a slightly more subtle approach to this conversation.
"Yeah." Aubrey smiled down into her coffee mug. "It was a good kiss."
"Just good?" Stacie leaned on her elbows, inching closer to Aubrey.
"Not just good. I mean for being drunk, it was one of the best non-sober kisses I've had."
"Then we should try it sober, huh?" Stacie winked.
"Ideally, yes." Aubrey nodded stiffly, trying to avoid the look Stacie was giving her so she wouldn't get caught in the trance. "But we have so many things going on right now. We have one rehearsal left before we travel to Nationals.. Summer break is about to start and we won't really get to see each other much. I'm graduating next year and you still have two years to go, maybe more if you get a masters."
"Aubrey, take a breath." Stacie laughed weakly and put her hand on Aubrey's arm to stop the rambling. "I'm not proposing we jump into a committed relationship. We're two attractive, young college women who are currently unattached. We can have fun, right?"
"Yeah. Fun. We can do that. Totally." Aubrey took a long sip of her coffee, nearly burning her mouth.
"Well, I'm going to go get ready for rehearsals." Stacie looked Aubrey up and down. "And maybe think of some ways we can get up to some trouble at Nationals." And before Aubrey could respond Stacie sauntered out of the kitchen.
It was two nights before their National performance. Aubrey had booked the hotel a day early so they'd have time to relax, explore New York, but get enough rest before performance day. Aubrey passed out keys and gave Beca and Chloe a card, the first time they officially shared a room on a Bella road trip. Chloe had never not shared a room with Aubrey on a Bella road trip. They exchanged looks at Aubrey who just rolled her eyes.
"Oh, don't look so surprised. I didn't want to have to deal with being disrupted by the two of you sneaking out to stay with each other anyway." She then turned and handed Stacie the extra card to her room and Stacie hummed happily. Aubrey's blush was only noticed by Chloe.
Everyone got settled and somehow all ended up in Fat Amy and Flo's room. They all agreed on a bella concert and dance-off to their favorite old school jams. Fat Amy, of course, had stowed away some cheap booze to help everyone get in the mood. She started things off with a traumatizing dance to "Sexy Back." Everyone watched in horror and the room was silent for a moment once the song ended.
"Bet you bitches can't top that." Fat Amy panted after such physical exertion and quickly downed a cup full of their cheap wine.
"My eyes will never unsee that." Beca whispered as she took a cautious sip of her drink and Chloe just giggled beside her.
Lilly was next and performed Vanilla Ice's "Havin a Roni" to perfection. The song, and that term was used liberally, was basically pure beatboxing. Everyone watched, stunned, but for a whole other reason than Fat Amy's performance.
"We are a weird group, huh?" Beca leaned over to whisper to Chloe again.
"The weirdest." Chloe nodded proudly.
There was moaning and groaning and protests when Jessica and Ashley did their duet/dance to "1000" miles.
"This is stereotypical white girl shit right here." CR muttered as she watched the duo sing and dance their hearts out to their favorite song.
They all took a turn picking a cheesy old school song and singing and dancing in the hotel room. They had nearly forgotten that it wasn't the Bella house and it was going on midnight. When Chloe's turn came around she chose "Hollaback Girl" because it was the first song she ever sang the curse words to and she felt like a badass when she was a teenager.
Everyone was getting into it, stomping along and clapping as they all sang the words they knew by heart when a loud knock came at the door. Aubrey quickly shushed them all and turned the music down as she hurried to the door.
"We've received numerous noise complaints. If you don't keep it down we will have to ask you and your group to leave." The hotel manager looks completely unamused in the doorway.
"So sorry." Aubrey quickly said. "We'll keep it down. Promise." He sighed heavily with a curt nod and vanished back down the hallway.
"Alright ladies, bedtime. To your own rooms and we'll reconvene downstairs at 9am sharp. I have a day of activities planned for us to hopefully help us relax before our performance."
"Yay for us." Beca groaned sarcastically as she stood up from the bed.
"Heard that, Mitchell." Aubrey shot her a look.
"Meant for you to, Posen." Beca flashed her a playful glare as she left the room behind Chloe.
Beca and Chloe returned to their room and almost as soon as the door clicked shut, Beca had her hands around Chloe's waist.
"Hmm...clock strikes midnight and our wicked stepmother tells us to go to bed. I have other plans." Beca murmured into Chloe's ear as she walked closely behind her toward the bed.
"Don't call Aubrey our wicked stepmother, that's just weird." Chloe giggled lightly as she put her hands over Beca's.
"I love a good time with the Bellas, but I've been wanting to get you alone for hours." Beca groaned as her lips slowly made their way from Chloe's cheek to her jaw and then neck.
"We need to be up early tomorrow." Chloe weakly protested as she tilted her head to give Beca better access.
"It'll be easier to wake up if we're satisfied and happy." Beca smirked against Chloe's skin as she turned around to finally face her. Before she could add another response there was a light tapping at their door.
"We literally just left those weirdos. What do they want now?" Beca whined as Chloe rolled her eyes and moved to the door.
"Aubrey?" Chloe swung the door open and greeted a nervous looking Aubrey. "What's going on?"
"I need advice." Aubrey said quickly. "Do...Do you think it was a good idea for me to room with Stacie?"
"Sure, why wouldn't it be?"
"I don't know. I feel like we're just starting this...thing...and I don't know if its such a good idea."
"There's two beds in the room, Aubrey. You don't have to sleep with her, platonically or not."
"I know. I just don't want there to be any pressure. Or anything awkward if we don't do anything...or if we do."
"Well, do you want to?"
"I don't know what exactly Stacie has in mind for this trip and sharing a room. And I don't want to disappoint her, but I don't know if I'm ready."
"Its not all about what Stacie wants, Aubrey." Chloe looked hard at her best friend, hoping she was receptive to her words. "What do you want?"
"That's the thing, I don't know." Aubrey groaned as she tilted her head back in frustration.
"Aubrey, don't overthink it. Stacie likes you. She wouldn't want you to feel pressured. Just talk to her. Stop stressing." Chloe said sweetly, ignoring the impatient foot tapping from her girlfriend a few feet away.
"Okay, you're right. You're right. Thanks, Chloe." Aubrey stepped forward for a quick hug before spinning around to return to her room.
"Now, where were we?" As soon as the door clocked shut Beca had her arms around her again, leading her back to the bed. Chloe grinned against Beca's lips as her fingers expertly started undoing the buttons on Beca's shirt. Beca quickly pulled Chloe's shirt over her head before pushing Chloe down onto the bed. In a move that always made Chloe giggle, Beca quickly hopped on the bed and into a position on all fours to straddle Chloe with her hands beside her head.
"You're like my little spidermonkey." Chloe laughed as she pulled Beca down.
"Mmph." Beca grumbled as she captured Chloe's lips with her own. She didn't care for the nickname. She was starting to trail kisses down the column of Chloe's throat when their door sounded with knocking again.
"You've got to be kidding me." Beca growled as she pushed herself off the bed as Chloe sat up on her elbows.
"What?" Beca hissed as she swung the door open to see Emily standing nervously in front of her wringing the hem of her shirt. "Oh. Hey." Her voice softened once she realized it wasn't Aubrey.
"Oh my God. Am I interrupting something?" Emily's eyes scanned from Beca's messy hair to her ruffled, open shirt.
"Uh, well…" Beca shifted awkwardly and glanced to make sure Chloe wasn't in Emily's line of sight. "What do you need, Em?"
"I just...I couldn't sleep. I'm nervous about Nationals. And my first solo on the big stage. And Amy's snoring really loudly." Emily rambled on nervously.
"Look, Legacy, we can talk tomorrow, okay. I'll give you advice and a pep talk. Me and Chloe can teach you some tricks about keeping calm. But you have no reason to be nervous. You're going to be great." Beca gave Emily a little shake when she grabbed her by the shoulders. "And as far as Amy goes just hit her with a pillow."
"Okay." Emily looked down at her feet like she was disappointed with the way this conversation had gone.
"Look, we'll talk tomorrow, okay. I promise." Beca rushed to say to make the look on Emily's face go away.
"Okay." Emily sighed. "Sorry for interrupting."
"Don't worry. And seriously, just hit Amy with a pillow, it'll be fine." Beca gave her a sincere smile as she watched Emily shuffle back to her own room. Beca spun around with a relieved sigh as she shut the door.
"Ok, she's gone, I-" Beca stopped in her tracks and breathed out a whispered "shit" when she could see around the wall and Chloe was stark naked on the bed, propped up on her elbows with a leg bent.
"When you're done drooling there, feel free to join me." Chloe bit her lip as her eyes danced with pride at the effect she had on Beca.
"Its a good thing I didn't invite her in." Beca chuckled as she crawled back into her previous position above Chloe.
"Please, I knew that wasn't going to happen." Chloe rolled her eyes as she yanked Beca down by her tanktop and groped at the sides of her unbuttoned shirt to toss it to the floor. The only sounds in the room were rustling of bed sheets, lips and tongues moving against each other, and soft moaning sounds that were only going to grow louder.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Mother of GOD!" Beca released Chloe's lips with a loud smack as she jerked her head back at yet another unwanted interruption. Chloe couldn't help but shake with giggles. She didn't particularly want to be interrupted right now either, but when Beca got so flustered, she couldn't help but be a little amused. Beca grumpily shoved herself up from the bed again and stomped to the door and yanked it open to reveal Aubrey again.
"Aubrey, what the hell?" Beca hissed. Aubrey looked her up and down and noticed the obvious amount of fewer clothes than Beca had on when she was over earlier.
"Ugh, were you two…"
"We were trying to." Beca mumbled between gritted teeth.
"I'm so sorry my personal crisis has come at an inopportune time." Aubrey narrowed her eyes, unbothered with Beca's annoyance.
"Well, I'm sorry for wanting to spend time with my girlfriend while we're in a nice hotel. Its not my fault you overthink everything."
"Not everyone has a perfect relationship like you and Chloe." Aubrey folded her arms with an obvious hint of jealousy. Beca just snorted at the comment.
"Oh, yeah because we got together and had the easiest relationship. No bumps along the way or anything." Beca shot back sarcastically. "Look, fuck Stacie. Don't fuck Stacie. Its that simple. Now, have a good night and don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya." Beca moved to shut the door but was stopped with Chloe's hand suddenly appearing. Beca groaned when she saw Chloe wearing her underwear and Beca's half-buttoned shirt.
"You're not supposed to be wearing more clothes."
"Don't be insensitive." Chloe gave her a light backhanded slap on the shoulder. "Aubrey, what are you worried about? Stacie likes you. And she's not going to be mad if you aren't ready to start a physical relationship yet. I promise."
"Its not that."
"Well, what is it?" Beca asked, annoyance hinted in her tone.
"I want what you two have! And I don't know if me and Stacie will have that. And I don't want to start something if its just going to crash and burn." Aubrey rambled out without taking a breath. Beca and Chloe stood silently for a moment, with sympathetic looks. Aubrey looked between the two of them, desperately wanting one of them to say something. Anything.
"Chlo, can I talk to Aubrey privately for a minute?" Beca nodded toward the bed as she stepped into the hallway.
"Sure." Chloe looked confused and mildly worried as she reluctantly watched the door shut and returned to the bed.
"Look, what me and Chloe have didn't happen overnight." Beca started. "It actually started pretty poorly. And we would've saved ourselves a lot of pain and frustration if we had waited...to you know. If I had given myself time to accept who I was first. And thankfully we fixed things...twice actually. But it wasn't easy. And if you feel like there's something real with you and Stacie, my advice is to wait. Talk to her, figure out what you both want. Because the last thing you want is for her to just want to have a little fun while you think it means something more. You have one more year with the bellas and that would make things really awkward. And no one can make the decision of what you do tonight other than you. And I'm not going to tell you one decision is better than another. But if you want something like what me and Chloe have? Its not just about being physical. There's other levels of intimacy that are important. And while I wish we had done things differently back then, I'm glad we got to where we are. And I hope you get that too. You absolutely deserve it. Whether its with Stacie or not. But I can guarantee you that you will only find out if you talk to her. But just...just don't let your fear cause you to be any lonelier than you have to be, okay?"
There was a pause after Beca's little speech. Aubrey seemed to be mulling over all of her words. Her eyes flicked back and forth from the ground up to Beca's eyes, her brain clearly working in overdrive.
"For a snarky little thorn in my side you do provide some good insight." Aubrey finally said softly.
"You do have a way with backhanded compliments." Beca groused playfully.
"Thanks, Beca. I'm going to go talk to her." Aubrey leaned forward to give Beca an awkward and very brief hug. "And I promise I won't disturb you two any more."
"Thank God." Beca sighed dramatically, earning a shove from Aubrey. Beca watched until Aubrey disappeared back into her room before going back into her own. She walked over to Chloe who was waiting on the bed, still wearing her shirt. Beca smiled pensively before sliding into bed beside Chloe.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Chloe asked, bemused.
"I just...I really love you." Beca said, feeling like those words didn't do her feelings justice.
"I love you too." Chloe almost whined with affection as she pulled Beca in for a kiss.
"Now…" Beca sighed as her fingers moved to unbutton the rest of the buttons. "We should be done with interruptions. And I want to prove just how much I love you."
The next morning, Aubrey quietly exited her and Stacie's room, shutting the door with hardly a sound. She jumped and barely fought back a shriek when she saw Chloe in the hall, sitting against the adjacent wall, seeming to be waiting for her.
"What is wrong with you?" Aubrey placed a hand over her heart and took a deep breath.
"Hey!" Chloe whisper-squealed as she pushed herself to her feet. "Beca's sleeping like a log and I wanted to talk to you as soon as you were up. How'd things go last night?"
"We talked." Aubrey nodded her head as she moved to walk to the elevator, Chloe skipping a few steps behind.
"Annnnd?"
"It was a good talk." Aubrey pushed the button, avoiding eye contact, but unable to hide the smirk that was sneaking onto her face.
"And? Come on Aubrey!" Chloe bounced in place as they waited for the elevator.
"We...we want the same things. She wants a relationship, not just fooling around. So...that was a relief. And we didn't have sex." She said quickly, putting Chloe out of her misery. "But I think Beca gave me some really great advice. And I think me and Stacie might have something real. She asked me to come to Alabama with her for a week or two over the summer."
"Aubreyyy." Chloe smiled like she was about to cry. "That's awesome. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks." Aubrey smiled shyly, glancing down at her shoes. And then she glanced up mischievously. "We also made out a little."
"Ahh!" Chloe squealed as she hopped and clapped in place before wrapping Aubrey in a hug.
"Alright, alright calm down." Aubrey giggled as she grabbed Chloe by the shoulders. "Now, we have a busy day ahead of us. I have several activities planned, but nothing too strenuous to make us tired for tomorrow. And I'll be enforcing a strict 9:00 lights out so we are fully rested for our performance. So you're little gremlin girlfriend better get her butt up soon so we don't waste too much time. Mine's already in the shower." She grinned proudly with a wiggle of her shoulders. Chloe just rolled her eyes, hoping Aubrey didn't actually make the respective relationships an actual competition.
"Don't worry. I know one way that always gets her up." Chloe flashed her a salacious wink as the doors dinged open.
"Oh God, I do not need to know." Aubrey grimaced as she hurried out the doors with a smirking Chloe in her wake.
The Bellas enjoyed a full day of sightseeing and typical New York tourist activities. Fat Amy had to be bribed multiple times with hot dogs or ice cream to behave throughout the day, but it was a bribe that was well worth it for the rest of the group. At lunch, Emily had a heart to heart with Beca and Chloe to try and dispel her nerves from competing for a National Championship. Chloe couldn't help but feel like she and Beca were playing a motherly role to the youngest Bella and it made her insides flutter with flashes of future possibilities.
After their day of relaxation and fun, Aubrey led them all to a small theater that she had reserved for one last rehearsal to keep them sharp before the next day.
They were working on the part of their set that had given them the most trouble in rehearsals just because it included props. Umbrellas to be specific. Emily was about to come to her solo (which they had practiced three times now, at her insistence), and she was a little over eager as she moved into position and accidentally smacked Beca on the head with her umbrella.
"Jesus!" Beca hissed in a high pitched tone.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Emily immediately brought her umbrella down and put her other hand on her forehead in distress.
"Its ok." Beca said quickly, not wanting to stress Emily out anymore than she was. It had hardly grazed her anyway. With any of the other Bellas she might've been more dramatic, but she had a soft spot for Emily so she easily let it go.
"Alright, ladies. I think we should call it a day." Aubrey stepped in before Emily could panic further. "Emily, I have no worries about your solo. The more you think about it at this point the more nervous you will be and the more chance you will have of actually messing up tomorrow. So take a deep breath, get some rest, and you will kill it tomorrow. I promise."
"Okay. Okay." Emily nodded her head and breathed heavily, trying to convince herself that Aubrey was right.
"Alright, Bellas. We have a couple hours before lights out. No alcohol tonight and stay hydrated." Aubrey announced as she put her hand into the middle of the circle for them to do their exit cheer.
The day finally came for the Bellas to defend their National Championship. Beca made sure Emily didn't drink any coffee to make sure she wasn't any more jittery. Aubrey was on Fat Amy duty, because they just never knew what she could possibly do. And Chloe was responsible for the rest of the bellas, who were mostly well-behaved.
After what seemed like an eternity, they were finally all dressed and ready backstage to fight to defend their title. Aubrey gave her short but sweet pump up speech that Amy of course had to ruin with her own confusing one liner. Chloe skipped over and planted a kiss on Beca just as they walked toward the stage with both calmed and excited the brunette.
[Bellas lined up in military like stances]
[All Bellas: begin the hums and beats of the opening to "Salute"/"Boss]
Emily {Salute}: Ladies all across the world listen up we're looking up for recruits, if you're with me, let me see your hand, stand up and salute. Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps, or lace up your boots. Representin all the all the women, salute. Salute
Flo {Salute}: (repeat)
CR {Boss - Fifth Harmony}: You say that you a baller And I see you tryna holla But that ain't how I was brought up...Next. Working for my money 'Cause that's what my momma taught me So yo ass betta show me some respect
Bellas : Attention!
Beca and Chloe {Salute}: Salute!
Aubrey: Boss
Backup Bellas: Attention!
Beca and Chloe {Salute}: Salute!
Aubrey: Boss
CR {Salute}: Representin all the women
All Bellas {Salute}: Salute, Salute!
[Brief pause for Bellas to pull mini umbrellas out of belt loops. All open simultaneously and start spinning and humming the start of "Umbrella"/"Chandelier"]
Beca {Umbrella - Rihanna}: You had my heart and we'll never be worlds apart, maybe in magazines but you'll still be my star. Baby cuz in the dark you can't see shiny cars and that's when you need me there. With you I'll always share because…
[Chloe joins her up front, spinning and twirling their umbrellas with practiced precision, with the bellas performing the same dance in the background along with backup vocals]
Beca and Chloe {Umbrella}: When the sun shines we'll shine together. Told you I'll be here forever. Said I'll always be your friend. Took an oath Ima stick it out to the end
Emily {Chandelier - Sia}: I'm gonna swing from the chandelier! From the chandelier! I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist like it doesn't exist! Like it doesn't exist!
Beca and Chloe {Umbrella}: Now that it's raining more than ever know that we'll still have each other. You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. Under my umbrella
Emily {Chandelier}: I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier!
Beca and Chloe {Umbrella}: It's rainin' rainin' oh baby its rainin' rainin'
Emily {Chandelier}: And I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down won't open my eyes
Beca and Chloe {Umbrella}: It's rainin' rainin' oh baby its rainin' rainin'
Emily {Chandelier}: Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Beca and Chloe {Umbrella}: You can stand under my umbrella ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
[Bellas quickly close their umbrellas and fold them away transitioning their claps, hums and beats into "Shake it Off"/"Bang Bang" while rearranging themselves into a new dance number]
Aubrey {Shake it Off - Taylor Swift}: I stay out too late, got nothin' in my brain. That's what people say, mmm hmm, that's what people say, mmm hmm
Chloe {Shake it Off}: I go on too many dates, but I can't make 'em stay. At least that's what people say mmm mmm, that's what people say mmm mmm
CR {Bang Bang}: You see anybody could be bad to you, You need a good girl to blow your mind, yeah
CR and Emily: Bang Bang into the room
Beca and Stacie: (I know you want it)
CR and Emily: Bang bang all over you
Beca and Stacie: (I'll let you have it)
CR and Emily: Wait a minute let me take you there. Wait a minute 'til you
Backup Bellas: (ahhhh hey!)
Aubrey and Chloe {Shake it Off}: Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break. And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake. Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake. I shake it off, I shake it off
CR and Emily {Bang Bang}: B to the A to the N to the G to the heyyy
CR {Bang Bang}: See anybody could be good to you You need a bad girl to blow your mind, your mind
(Overlapping)
CR and Emily {Bang Bang}: Bang Bang into the room. Beca and Stacie: (I know you want it)
Aubrey and Chloe {Shake it Off}: 'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play. And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
CR and Emily {Bang Bang}: Bang bang all over you. Beca and Stacie: (I'll let you have it)
Aubrey and Chloe {Shake it Off}: Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake. I shake it off, I shake it off
CR and Emily {Bang Bang}: Bang bang there goes your heart. Beca and Stacie:(I know you want it)
Aubrey and Chloe {Shake it Off}: Shake it off. Shake it off, I, I, I shake it off
CR and Emily {Bang Bang}: Back, back seat of my car. Beca and Stacie: (I'll let you have it)
Aubrey and Chloe {Shake it Off}: Shake it off. Shake it off, I, I, I shake it off
All Bellas: Ahhhhh HEY! [Finish with final group pose]
They all stood breathless, exchanging laughs and hugs with each other as they soaked in the thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. They were once again able to raise the trophy that stood just taller than Flo high in the air and celebrate on the stage at Lincoln Center. They were all high off the adrenaline from their performance and subsequent victory, Stacie obviously so as she marched straight to Aubrey, grabbed her by her cheeks and planted a hard kiss on her lips for all the bellas and audience to see. Aubrey was frozen with a sideways grin on her face when Stacie backed away with a wink to walk off stage.
"Come on, boss, get your jaw off that floor." Beca joked as she gave Aubrey a little nudge in the back to keep walking.
After a thorough celebration in New York, the Bellas finally returned home just to pack and say goodbye for the summer. Jessica and Ashley were all tears, expressing how much they'd miss each of their bella sisters. Fat Amy boasted about all the unbelievable adventures she'd be having in Australia, making everyone wonder if anything she said was actually true. Flo was planning to go on a cross country road trip with some cousins to really see America, and CR was going to tag along. No one was sure what Lilly was going to be doing, and they were all afraid to ask. Emily bemoaned the fact that she'd be staying with her parents nearby and would probably be bored out of her mind.
Stacie and Aubrey hashed out details of when they'd visit each other. Stacie wanted to just let it be spontaneous, but Aubrey of course needed a plan or else she might actually work herself into a panic attack. Aubrey was going to spend two weeks in Alabama. Stacie would spend two weeks in Virginia. So, really there wouldn't be much time they wouldn't be with each other over the summer. It was both exhilarating yet frightening for Aubrey, while Stacie seemed completely relaxed about everything.
And Beca would be spending her first summer away from school without family. Granted, it wasn't like she looked forward to spending summers with her dad and extended family. It just hurt that she knew it wouldn't be an option for her. But she chose to focus on the bright side. A whole summer with Chloe. She was also choosing not to let the nerves of also spending the whole summer with her family get to her. But she knew as long as she had Chloe with her, she'd have a good summer. They might torture her a little bit, but Beca had managed to get used to it.
"Ready?" Chloe chirped happily as they were the last ones to leave the Bella house.
"As I'll ever be."
"Oh, don't be nervous." Chloe rolled her eyes, sliding into the driver's seat. "My family loves you. And you'll have me. Plus my mom says they have a surprise waiting for us when we get there, so that's something to look forward to."
"We'll see when we find out just what kind of surprise it is." Beca smirked as she plugged in her phone to start a playlist. Chloe casually reached her hand over to grab Beca's and hold it against her thigh, settling in for the drive.