The sweat was just now beginning to cool. So why was Beca still on edge? Maybe it was just post performance jitters.
She desperately hoped it was that. Not the fact that she was following Chloe as she strut down the weathered stone pathway.
There was some spring in the redhead's step. Clearly driven by some purpose that Beca couldn't help but sneak along to find out what had gotten into her best friend.
With a disdainful scowl Beca watched as Chloe Beale her friend, roommate, co-captain, personal space invader, occasional snuggle buddy sashayed her pretty little butt up to Chicago Walp, tugged on his necktie and pulled him into a sensual kiss that turned into a full fledged dip.
Here we go again Beca thought, crossing her arms over her chest. Letting out a petty, mocking awww.
She didn't care if Chloe heard her. Hell she was barely even paying attention to Turtle man as he was rambling on, clearly fishing for a desperate show of romance much like what the two of them were witnessing.
Beca Mitchell isn't annoyed. Why would she be? It's the same ol' shit different day. Chloe thinks she found "the one" only to engage in an egregious fling that Beca will end up having to pick up the pieces when Chloe stops thinking with her twat and dumps the poor loser a couple weeks from now. She'll console a weepy ginger with a glass of wine and annoying romcom, while they cuddle on the couch in their New York City apartment. Which is how Beca believes it should be.
Just the two of them, looking out for one another.
"So you work for me now?" she said just after delivering a sour grimace at the sight before her.
"Yeah you're the boss," Theo rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"That's cool. Yeah" she nodded. Trying her best to remain upbeat.
Gaining his confidence back, Theo trailed off with purpose. "I have some ideas."
Deciding she'd deal with this Chloe situation after she's had time to cool down, she follows the Brit, who okay she'd never admit out loud was starting to grow on her. "I'm gonna be a real handful, I gotta tell ya."
Chloe was too caught up in her own bliss to register the fact she had an audience, but apparently Beca's final statement was enough to bring her back to Planet Earth. Clearly flushed, maybe even panicked she broke the kiss between her and Mr. Hunk of Burning Love.
"What's wrong?" Chicago cocked his eyebrow.
"Nothing," she replied with her most convincingly fake smile. "I am going to go powder my nose," Chloe said. Switching over to flirty mode. "And I will see you again in a while!" The redhead punctuated every word with an affectionate poke to the soldier's chest.
"Yeah uhh no problem. See you in a while," but Chloe was already gone. Heels clicking on the concrete hurriedly.
Chloe Beale realized she'd fucked up big time. Beca had seen her making out with Chicago. Even though she still carried a torch for the younger girl she'd resigned herself to the fact that Beca was never going to be the ship pulled to her lighthouse. It didn't mean that Beca deserved to have all of Chloe's flings and dalliances thrown in her face. The redhead tried her best to keep it away from the person she'd long since secretly pined for. Ever since her (final) senior year when the constant butterflies in her stomach, which only seemed to go away when she was with her favorite DJ, led her to the realization she couldn't live without Beca Mitchell.
Which is why she hiked up her big girl pants, put up with the occasionally obnoxious Amy, and moved to New York City to be roomies with Beca. Leaving her comfort zone. Traveling even further away from her home, her family in Tampa.
Something she swore she'd never do.
Now Chloe had to make things right.
She had to find Beca.
There'd be many more nights such as this one for the young woman to look forward to now that she's secured her future along with a nice little bag by signing with DJ Khaled's label. Sure Miami isn't France, but goddamn if she isn't going to spoil herself. Maybe buy a luscious Latin Villa, with a balcony overlooking the city. Plus there's the inevitable tour she'd have to embark on to promote her album. The gorgeous views will take her mind off the fact that she's all alone now. No perky little redhead to keep her company. No late night snuggles on the couch watching Shondaland shows or people with no shame humiliating themselves on reality television.
A kiss shouldn't bother her that much.
Beca knew more than that. The bond between Chloe and her transcended friendship. There was always a natural comfort that came attached to Chloe Beale. Not since Jesse had Beca found someone she could be at complete ease with being herself. She could be crude, vulgar, quirky, not be ashamed to nerd out around when it came to her interests like music, or football, or video games.
However unlike Jesse, Beca feels the torment, a fire in her veins whenever Chloe isn't near her. Absolutely without a doubt Beca Mitchell loved Jesse Swanson. There's nothing she wouldn't do for him. But she was never in love with him. That bothered the brunette a little bit, she wanted to be head over heels, live the west coast lifestyle with the dude. They were "JessEca" for crying out loud. That feeling just wasn't there, and the young woman honestly thought she'd never find it. Until she was at her lowest point, until Beca took a look at what was right in front of her eyes this entire time. Only then did things begin to make sense. Sometimes she thought Chloe felt the same way about her. She'd never forget that time during her senior year at Aubrey's retreat when Chloe, not so subtly offered to experiment with her. The brunette brushed if off, not exactly refusing the redhead's advances.
"Mind if I join you?" Came a sweet voice from behind Beca.
"Chloe. Hey," Beca rubbed the back of her neck. "I thought you'd be off with soldier boy."
"Well, I thought I'd take a minute. Take in the view with my favorite person on Earth."
"Oh yeah. It's something alright," she chuckled nervously then turned her back to the redhead pretending to look out into the night.
"Yeah. Something," Chloe leaned over the cold stone railing. A long uncomfortable silence was shared between the women for what seemed like hours.
Finally Chloe broke the ice. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Beca gave her a side eye.
Seriously why is she acting like this. Why does she care that much who Chloe fools around with? It never used to bother her this much. Perhaps it's because this may be the last time they ever see each other if not forever then a long time.
"Oh yeah. Pssh whatever. It's fine. I can tell you really like him."
"He's pretty great."
Beca still couldn't bring herself to look at Chloe directly in the eyes. She stood her ground.
"So DJ Khaled huh? LA?" Chloe asked.
"Miami," Beca murmured.
"What do you want to do about the apartment? Now that Amy's Oprah rich I doubt she's going to want to keep it." The younger woman changed the subject.
"Well," she paused. "I can't keep it either," she bit her bottom lip.
"You and Chicago right? I forgot."
"No. I'll be moving to Miami,"
Beca turned her head ever so slightly to face Chloe. She caught a brief glance of those ocean-y blue eyes. It made her smile a little. At least for a second anyway. Suddenly that same annoyed, irritated feeling she had a few minutes ago came back.
"Yeah. Why is that?" she asked. Slightly miffed.
Chloe decided to be bold. Her instincts were sending her mixed signals. Beca was sending her mixed signals. "I'm gonna have to Beca Mitchell. Because I can't live without you," she sighed holding back tears.
Beca scoffed a little louder than he'd probably intended to. Now she was starting to get mad.
"Really? Cause from the looks of it you seem to be getting a head start with soldier boy!"
Gently Chloe rested her hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Beca. Please tell me what's bothering you?"
Whipping her shoulder away, Beca turned her back on the other woman. She didn't intend for it to come off as cold as it did, but Beca did not want Chloe to see her fighting back the tears. Which, hello since when did she care all of a sudden? She's cried in front of the Bellas before. But this felt different. Now Beca was losing the battle to keep herself together.
"I can't tell you." Beca regretfully confessed.
Once again Chloe put her hand on Beca's shoulder. This time the brunette gave in and allowed her friend to guide her shoulder so Beca would finally be facing her.
"You can talk to me about anything you know that," Chloe said in her usual empathetic tone.
Beca nodded.
Slowly she brought her head closer to her best friend's. Hoping she'd take her cue, and follow. Now both women had their foreheads resting against each other, not bothered by how damp from sweat they both were. It felt like Aca-initiation night all those years ago. Beca couldn't help but muster a soft smile. Chloe had a feeling where this was headed. No way she was going to rush this for the sake of her best friend.
She smiled back.
Here goes nothing Beca thought.
Pulling back slightly she gazed into the warm blue eyes of the woman who'd come to mean so much to her.
"You know one of my biggest regrets is that I didn't do enough experimenting."
Chloe chuckled. "Stealing my lines are ya?"
Beca leaned forward and brought their lips together. At first Chloe was taken aback, expecting more banter, but quickly reciprocated. Tears streaming down her face, she breathed out a few happy laughs. Apparently not completely satisfied, Beca broke the kiss almost as quickly as she started it.
Hungry eyes challenged each other, before Beca brought both hands up to clasp the sides of Chloe's face before she leaned in to devour her like some kind of dementor.
Both women forgot to breathe, because after having their lips locked once again for a good ten seconds Chloe and Beca found themselves panting. Chloe's heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.
"I like you a lot. More than a friend. I think, ugh I don't know." Beca quickly reverted back to panic mode.
"This was a mistake. I'm sorry." She cried, running away from Chloe. Running away from herself.
"B-beca," Chloe's voice broke. This couldn't be real, after all these years Beca Mitchell was finally hers only to leave her devastated once more. "Come back," she whispered around the torrent of tears streaming down her eyes onto her cheeks.
Dodging and weaving through the crowd, Beca tried her hardest, vision clouded with tears to find an isolated area of the citadel. She couldn't let her fellow Bellas see her like this. She just fucked up big time. Tonight went from the scariest night of her life, to the best, then right back to terrifying.
Oh fuck. What do I do? The question raced through her mind.
Using the back of her milky hand she wiped the tears which helped as she quickly found a safe place to have a breakdown.
"I'm really proud of all my girls. My Bellas, I wasn't always the best mentor but I whipped them into shape because as you know a Posen-" Aubrey felt a tug on the bend of her arm near her elbow, effectively yanking them out of the comfortable position she had resting on her hips.
"We need to talk Bree," Chloe said.
"Chloe. I'm catching up with my dad," she flashed her teeth as she smiled hesitantly at her best friend.
"Now Bree!" Chloe growled. Once again pulling the blonde's arm so she'd go with her.
Present in Chloe's eyes was a fire the blonde rarely witnessed. Not wanting to piss her off further she excused herself. "I'll be right back daddy. Girl talk," she smiled sheepishly.
General Posen gave an understanding nod.
The redhead dragged her away from the party. Aubrey found herself rather put off by just how tightly Chloe had been gripping her. Finally they reached a spot away from all the commotion.
"What the Hell, Chloe?!"
"I kissed Beca!" she blurted out.
"Wha-what?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"I kissed Beca. I mean she kissed me. Bree what do I do?!" Chloe panicked as her tears returned.
"Chloe, what's going on? Sweetie tell me what happened."
Battling the frequent sniffles the ginger worked up the strength to tell her best friend everything. Chloe told Aubrey about her kiss with Chicago, she relayed how Beca witnessed everything, how they'd talked on the terrace, then the kiss. Aubrey listened while her best friend poured her heart out as she'd done time and time again throughout their friendship.
Leaning against the stone wall, Beca stared up at the moonlight. It helped the young woman ground herself. God damn she was at a loss for what to do. It's not that she was worried Chloe didn't like her back, hell it's obvious. It's been obvious for years.
Beca Mitchell liked Chloe back.
Like liked her.
Had things not taken such a turn for her on this tour, then she could take some much needed time to reflect on everything. But time was not in her corner. Within a couple weeks she'd be relocating to a different state, leaving behind someone she finally realizes she lov- no likes, no screw it. Beca's pretty sure she loves Chloe Beale.
I love her. Aww fuck, what am I going to do?
Does this mean she's a lesbian? Oh god what does that mean? Could she be gay? Beca was pretty sure she was attracted to men still.
Her gaze drifted from time to time. With Luke, she felt a minor attraction to her former boss. Jesse was her first real long term boyfriend. She dated guys in the past, never longer than a month or two, and even then she seldom went on dates with them.
Oh god, remember Kommisar?
The first time Beca had ever truly felt sexually confused.
Fuck.
What if these were all little clues? Little pieces to a puzzle she couldn't figure out. Could the reason she's never truly fallen in love be that she assumed she was straight but ended up putting the wrong label on the wrong thing?
Would this effect her life going forward?
What if Khaled finds out? What if he's not cool with it? What if they rescind the offer? Everything I've worked hard for will be for nothing.
Realizing her breathing was teetering back into the territory of hyperventilating, Beca knew she had to talk to someone, but who?
Pulling out her phone the producer scrolled through her contacts list. Wiping away a tear, with her trembling thumb her finger hovered over Jesse's name. If anyone could give her good advice, good cheesy, weirdly satisfying advice it was that weirdo.
Beca sighed. Dropping her phone back into her pocket.
Still too soon, she thought.
Don't get her wrong even though their split had been amicable, they're still friends on social media, not a word has been spoken to the other since the breakup. Oh Beca was certain they'd go back to being a constant in each other's lives, but for now he has a new girlfriend Lynn, and a cat. Calling him this late at night, or early in the morning his time would be like crossing a boundary.
So calling her best friend was off the table. Now Beca was back at square one.
Perhaps Stacie?
Nope too busy being a new mom. Don't burden her, she's got enough on her plate.
Amy?
No scratch that. She'll just give me some half baked analogy about wrestling Dingos that I'll never figure out.
Perhaps the universe heard her desperate plea for help, because a few yards away Emily was strolling past. Engaged in a rather animated conversation with Lily, Esther, or whatever the crazy woman was calling herself?
"Legacy!" Beca whispered loudly. Managing to catch the girl's attention.
'Come here' Beca mouthed motioning with her hand. Too which Emily Junk sighed, telling Esther they'd catch up later.
"Beca. What's going on?" That's when the senior noticed the puffy eyes. "Have you been crying?"
"I screwed up, Legacy. I did something bad. I need someone to talk to."
"Um okay," she said with a hint of awkwardness in her tone.
"I mean you've always had a toner for her, so I'm not surprised." Aubrey said to Chloe, who by now has managed to dry her eyes.
"Yeah, but I kept my distance out of respect for her and Jesse."
Aubrey matched Chloe's sad puppy dog eyes with an incredulous look.
"What?"
"Its just…shooting your shot and asking her if she wanted to sleep with you senior year when you knew she had a boyfriend hardly qualifies as keeping your distance."
Chloe knew Aubrey was referring to the incident years back when, in an effort to rediscover their sound they all spent time at Aubrey's retreat. Their first night Chloe worked up the courage to-well-, basically she offered to "experiment" with Beca. Even though she knew full well, Beca and Jesse were still in a relationship.
"I'm not proud of that Bree."
Realizing what she had done, Aubrey hopped of the stone ledge she'd parked herself on while she listened to Chloe vent.
"Hey you're right. I'm sorry. That came off as judgmental."
"It's okay."
"So you want my advice?" Aubrey asked.
"Please," Chloe said.
Aubrey Posen couldn't believe the words that were about to come out of her mouth. It took seven years, but finally she thought she was rid of that snarky little shit for good. Well okay, aside from the occasional Bella's reunions, but she could totes live with that. There'd be no half baked saying where she'd quote her father.
No this would be pure Aubrey.
And Aubrey cared about her best friend's happiness. If that happiness meant she'd have to put up with her 'frienemy' Beca for heck of a long time, then go forth little grasshopper.
"I think you should follow your heart," she put it bluntly.
Chloe nodded. Slightly disappointed she got the standard vague advice you'd hear from out of touch adults and drug store psychologists.
"And if that means doing the hard thing, by breaking it off with Chicago to go be with your soulmate," god it killed her to use that word, "then go get her tiger!" Aubrey swatted the other woman on the butt.
Radiating confidence and determination Chloe set off to go find her girl. Beca couldn't have wondered off to far. That's when she bumped into Emily.
"Legacy. Have you seen Beca?"
"I have. She wanted me to give you a message."
"Go on." Chloe said anxiously.
"She said she wants to meet you later. She's coming by your hotel room in a little while. She went back to her room to freshen up."
"I think you should head back too Chloe," Aubrey said.
"You don't think-?"
"Oh it's totally going down," Aubrey admitted freely. "She wants you Chloe. And it looks like she's made up her mind."
"Hey Chloe. Is everything alright?" Chicago Walp asked.
"I'll catch up to you guys." Chloe told Aubrey and Emily, who took that as their cue to give the two some privacy.
"Hey Chicago."
"I was thinking why don't we sneak away from here. A buddy of mine says he can let us in the hangar. I'll let you sit in the cockpit of an F-16."
"I'd love that. I really would. But there's something I need to tell you."
"Is everything alright Chloe?"
"No Chicago. It's not." Chloe took a deep breath. "I thought we could make this work but I realized we can't."
"What're you saying?"
"Listen, you're really sweet but I realized I still have feelings for somebody else, and it wouldn't be fair to either of us. I never meant for any of this to happen. It just kinda did."
The confession definitely blindsided the soldier but he couldn't be too mad at the girl. She was completely honest with him, when a lot of people in her situation wouldn't be. He saw them having a lot of fun together, but the last thing he'd want is for Chloe to live a lie pretending to be happy when she wasn't.
"Well this definitely took a turn for the worst," he chuckled nervously.
"I'm sorry," Chloe apologized. Truly meaning it.
"No it's ok. I thank you for you honestly. I won't forget about you Chloe, so that means you're definitely going to make the other person very happy," he said.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me. For us on this tour," Chloe kissed him on the cheek.
The soldier smiled back at the perky woman. As she weaved through the crowd making her way back to the hotel.