Chapter 4

'Track No. 5'

"Mistakes were meant to make you realize that it wasn't meant to be no matter how pretty they were."

"I really don't like this," Beca voices out, eyes on the TV screen as she grimaces at the images playing out.

Chloe thinks watching horror movies is a good way to relax.

Beca thinks it's dumb.

Having been criticized for only thinking about work and doing work on a day where it is a given to sit back and enjoy without the stress of thinking too much, Beca is dragged into watching horror movies. Of course she rejected the idea and called it a waste of time.

It was.

Her defense had always been that it's absurd to pay for something that would scare the shit out of you for an hour and a half. It's torture without the physical pain. Besides, when has a horror movie given the audience a happy ending? There's only either tragedy or cliffhangers. Real life's already full of that, they don't need more of it.

It gives you hope only to crush it down in the end.

Just like the mistakes her heart made.

Chloe calls her a scaredy-cat.

So now they are watching a horror movie—popcorn and chips arranged in a perfect line in front of them—because Beca hates being called a wimp and is out to prove to the newbie that horror movies are highly predictable. She's already predicted that none of the characters survive and therefore, a waste of time.

Horror movies are like a psycho's—Chloe's—favorite genre

Let's all watch the many ways on how you can get morbidly killed because of stupidity!

Yay.

The death count is already three and so far Beca has painfully watched all the gore without screaming yet.

Her companion, on the other hand, the instigator of this whole horror marathon, is hiding behind her, shrieking at every moment of surprise. Popcorn is already spilling on Beca's sofa and that irritates her as much as it irritates her on how stupid the main character in the movie is.

"Why does she need to investigate stuff on her own so bravely only to run off at the first sign of the supernatural? And in a dark, old, haunted house? What else is she expecting?" she exclaims in frustration.

"She's going to die," she predicts as she munches on some chips before adding, "C'mon ghost, kill her already!" she groans while Chloe peeks from behind her shoulder.

The redhead basically turned her into a body shield and Beca doesn't realize how close they are until a frightening thing happens on screen, again. A screaming Chloe hugs her for dear life while her chest jumps at the unexpected appearance of the so-called ghost—cursed witch—whatever it was.

Okay maybe it was really scary and hiding the fact that it does scare her is getting hard. As hard as being unable to ignore the fact that Chloe's body presses against her tightly and Beca can feel… a lot of things.

Every smooth curve, how soft she is, how warm her skin is and how she can smell her shampoo mixed with something sweet, something so… Chloe.

This was a really bad idea.

So she tries to shake her away, prying off hands that are tightly gripping her and pushing her away. How they ended up this close to each other, she doesn't even know.

"Stop hiding! If you're just going to keep asking me what happened, then we should just stop watching," she argues but doesn't get to hold the remote control because Chloe is hiding it from her.

"But we're getting to the good part!"

"What's good about getting a heart attack?"

"The thrill! It's exciting and fun!"

Beca will never understand her. The redhead is clearly from another world. Her decisions regarding Chloe must've been tampered by sorcery or something because a couple of days ago, she'd never even think of sharing the same space with the newbie. Now, they are pretty much glued together, watching horror movies and making a mess on her, supposedly spotless, living room.

Another frightening scene and Chloe's jumping towards her again, hugging her as she hides her face behind Beca's back.

She almost drops the popcorn bowl. Both from the fright and the intimate contact.

Sighing, she gives up trying to defend her personal space.

The movie ends just as Beca had predicted. Although, she also does end up throwing popcorn at the screen and unintentionally cursing in fright. Of course, the newbie laughs at her, like the psycho she is. And yes, they both scream at the same time at one point, huddling together in the middle of the messy sofa.

It's weird.

Because it wasn't that bad.

"More salt?" Chloe asks after feeding her a spoonful of the sauce she's cooking. She literally just brought a spoon to her lips and out of instinct Beca opens her mouth.

"Yeah, a little bit," she replies after assessing the taste around the palette of her tongue.

"Really?" Chloe says before bringing up the same spoon to her own lips and getting a taste.

Beca freezes at the sight. Did they just—

"Ooh! I love this song!" Chloe squeals excitedly as the next track plays. Beca tries to remember the title.

The redhead had fawned over her music collection earlier and why wouldn't she? Beca had been proud of her extensive music taste. She's got songs in almost every genre, from different countries and rare classic vinyl albums.

Reluctantly on her part, she lets Chloe choose tonight's music—The Millennial Club's Santa Barbara—which Beca is surprised of because she thought it'd be something like mainstream pop or another Disney song. But Chloe seems to have the same extensive taste because not only does she jam to electric and RnB but is also into indie, chill and synthpop-esque style of music.

Somehow, this laid back style suits her.

Currently, the redhead is dancing to the beat and somehow it's a pretty picture. The smell of mushroom sauce, chill music and that sort of free, light-hearted ambiance—Chloe's dancing with Bella in her arms now.

That girl really is something else.

And maybe that's a good thing.

There are two cups filled with tea on the coffee table now. Thinking about it, it's not so different from Beca's usual evenings. Music still drifts from somewhere in the house, Bella is languidly stretching next to her and she's sitting crossed legged on the carpet, eyes in full concentration mode as she plans her next move.

They are playing cards.

"Hurry up!" Chloe incessantly tells her with that teasing smile and Beca gives up strategizing and leaves it all to luck as she randomly chooses one of the cards the newbie is holding up.

She picked the bad card and now the psycho is pumping her fists in the air, laughing like a maniac.

She shuffles her cards immediately, even turning around as she does so while mentally promising revenge.

Chloe ends up winning. Again.

The redhead is dancing giddily in celebration while Beca grumbles about cheating and demands a re-match.

She loses on the next game too.

Only this time there's punishment involved with a photo as proof that it happened.

Now she has 'Cutie Pie' written on her cheek with eyeliner pencil while wearing that stupid sheep headband Flo gave her.

Beca should've really thought this through and now the psycho has evidence—a photo that took almost half an hour to do where she shoots finger guns while winking.

She vows revenge of course and demands another re-match.

They don't get to though. Someone is ringing on her door bell and when she opens the door what greets her is a relieved Stacie.

"Thank god! I thought you died or something!" her best friend loudly says before examining her face in confusion and Beca has completely forgotten that she's still got words scribbled on her cheek while wearing the sheep headband—which she tears off her head immediately.

"You weren't at work today and Jesse was panicking! CR almost called the police! Aubrey has a billion of meetings so she couldn't drop by." Stacie starts to rant as she pushes Beca aside to enter. "I was busy with the new collection and you know I couldn't just leave that when the deadline is about to chew my ass. I ran all the way here and all you're actually doing is playing dress-up all by yourself—"

As soon as she utters those words, the long-legged brunette stops dead on her tracks, pausing in the middle of taking off her coat when she finds Chloe in the living room.

"Hi, Stace!" the newbie greets her as Stacie's eyes comically go wide upon the sight of Chloe wearing Beca's clothes, her jaw dropping and Beca instantly knows what's about to come next.

Her best friend whirls around to face her in a flash, features contorted into anger and proceeds to point an accusing finger at her. "How could you? Chloe, of all people?!" she hisses in low tone that she thinks only Beca can hear—it's quite loud to be honest.

"It's not what you think—"

"We just welcomed her in our circle and you go swooping in with your raging toner. Adding her to your list of last Friday of the month women—!"

"Stace, listen to me—"

"How could you take advantage of that poor sweet thing? God, she has a boyfriend, Beca!" Stacie yells, not really bothering to hide it anymore and Beca literally jumps to clamp her mouth with her palm.

"Okay, first of all, it offends me that you would immediately take her side when she's the one taking advantage of me—"

"I said I was sorry for touching your boobs last night!" Chloe cuts in quickly from behind.

The implication that the redhead spent the night at her place has Stacie's eyebrows rising again but Beca's hand remains on her lips, silencing her muffled angry words.

"And second," she sighs, ignoring the comment and Stacie's reactions. "It's best if you don't talk about the 'Boy' word just yet and remind her why she's actually invading my peace and quiet," Beca continues, voice lowering into a whisper.

Despite the smiles and laughter, Beca is not blind. She's already heard the redhead sobbing in the bathroom and quietly wiping away tears when Chloe thinks Beca's not looking. Those smiles can only hide sadness for a limited time.

Somehow, it's mainly the reason why she constantly humors the redhead with whatever she could think of.

Because Beca knows what it feels like.

She's been there.

"I had an ugly fight with Matt so I left our apartment and sort of, half unconsciously, fled here. Beca has been… kind to let me stay," Chloe says, clarifying things once and for all as the both of them slowly turn to her.

Stacie is quick to cross the distance and hug the newbie. Chloe explains more about the situation while Stacie whispers words of comfort and support that Beca is awful at conveying. She'd never really been the affectionate type. At least, she hasn't been that type for a really long time. Thankfully, her best friend is there to fix that, prompting Chloe to admit everything that has happened.

Stacie had always carried that comforting vibe that makes you share anything to her without the fear of being judged—Beca being one of those people, obviously.

"Who knew it'd only take Red over here to make Beca miss a day at work," Stacie teases with a smirk meant only for Beca to see as Chloe turns to grab some of their dinner for Stacie.

"I can't just leave her in my house that is, if I still want to have a house to come back to," Beca mutters in a low tone, elbow on the table with her chin resting on the palm of her hand.

All three of them had gathered at the dining area when Stacie had complained about not having time to stop by at a restaurant for dinner because of her panic earlier. Apparently, being absent at work for the first time for almost five years has her friends flipping with worry. More so, since her cellphone had been out of battery all day. Even Aubrey had called Stacie to check up on her—although it's mainly to ask if she can start making arrangements for an autopsy and the funeral service. Flo thought she was kidnapped—'It's the Mexican cartel, you guys. Beca is small so smuggling her across borders is easy. I know how it works and it's not fun'—and Fat Amy has already provided a hearse and snacks for the wake—'As Beca's number one best friend, all of you can sit down now because I have prepared the most heart-felt eulogy'.

"She's just scared I'd take Bella away from her because Bella loves me more now," Chloe responds simply as she gives Stacie a plate.

"Have you heard Bella and Beca talk to each other?" Stacie enthusiastically asks Chloe who nods eagerly.

"Cutest thing ever!"

"I know, right? Beca used to sing her to sleep when she was a kitten,"

"No way! That's so adorable! Do you have a video?"

"Actually I do but it's on my computer. I'll share it to you next time!"

"I'm still here, guys. Still here! And you said you erased it!" Beca stares at her best friend in betrayal. Stacie merely seems apologetic and has the audacity to look unaffected at all.

"I did, on my phone but… I had another copy?" the long-legged brunette shrugs as if it was the normal thing to do.

"See, this is why I don't trust people," Beca grumbles.

"Oh c'mon, how could I destroy the only proof that you're a sweetheart deep down?" Stacie says before picking up Bella from the floor and giving her kisses. "Right, Bella?" she coos as Beca rolls her eyes at them.

Bella nuzzles her head against Stacie's neck and again Beca feels betrayed.

Useless lesbian cat.

Stacie goes home or better yet, Beca kicks her out before she spills more of her secrets to the redheaded psycho—or steals more of Bella's kisses. Also because it's almost bed time in Beca's schedule and she'd rather go jump in the Pacific Ocean than have another day ruined.

Surprisingly, it doesn't bother her that much as she thought it would.

Chloe's cleaning up the dishes, Bella is fed and the music has mellowed down into a slower rhythm. She decides to help out in the kitchen and finds out how efficient they work together.

Chloe sings along to the music and Beca isn't even surprised anymore—because she's given up on trying to understand her—as she subtly moves her head to the beat.

The kitchen is spotless after a couple of minutes and they finally call it a day, much to Beca's relief. Chloe happily takes the sofa for the night and Beca finally gets to continue reading her book in her bed. She's more than half an hour deep into chapters and pages when she realizes her cup of tea is empty and the clock reads ten in the evening.

Taking the cup, she discards her book and makes her way to the kitchen. Her abrupt entrance catches the tears in Chloe's eyes and it takes them both off-guard. She tries to hide them and Beca, who hates awkward moments as much as she hates homophobia, continues to cross the distance towards the kitchen without a word.

Bella, unlike her however, is already by Chloe's side and softly meowing at the redhead. Beca doesn't even deny the fact that her cat is better at comforting people than she is. She's never been good on consoling crying girls and internally panics instead. But it isn't because she hates it when they do but because she doesn't know what to do—or what to say—when they cry and it makes her feel useless.

She washes her cup and hangs it up the drying rack, a full on debate on her mind. Should she say something? Offer her anything? Give her a pat on the back? But for what? Congratulations on surviving such a heavy ordeal?

Scratch all that.

Shaking her head, she turns around, ultimately deciding to just leave her be because there's certainly nothing she could do as of the moment that doesn't scream awkward and her body refuses to act on anything.

"Beca?" a soft voice stops her from her tracks and consciously she turns to the source.

Chloe has the bluest eyes she's ever seen. It's not just blue, it's like this rare colored gem kind of blue that you could spot from miles away. It's hard not to look at them when they seem to glimmer for your attention. You could simply get lost in that endless sea of blue and not even realize it. Any man would consider himself lucky to stare into those eyes every day. To be the first person it greets in the morning and last one it bids goodnight.

Rachelle had green eyes that Beca used to compare to emeralds even though the woman dismissed it every time, calling it a dull shade of green that sometimes turned gray at night. Nonetheless, she loved staring at them until they wouldn't stare back at her the same way Beca looks at her anymore. It was one of the things that broke her heart when the relationship abruptly ended, leaving a beautiful diamond ring sitting at the very back of her closet.

Beca wonders if Chloe thinks the same about her eyes too, that it's nothing special at all. Or if the man the redhead is crying about thinks about these beautiful blue irises that hold the stars and how his life would be when he realizes that he wouldn't be able to see them anymore. To look at him with pure adoration reserved only for him alone. That he should have realized how painful it is to see those very eyes loose its glimmer and shed endless pools of misery now that he has left.

How could he even stomach the act of turning away from them?

She couldn't possibly understand it.

"Thank you," Chloe sincerely says and Beca still doesn't understand anything because what has she really done to be thanked? So far all she's ever given is her half-hearted decision to let her stay—okay, so maybe she needs to be thanked.

But when Chloe motions towards her own cup of tea by the coffee table and the small bottle she lifts up for her to see, everything becomes clear and Beca figures that the simple act she had been unable to resist doing yesterday night has been brought to light. She didn't really think it meant anything or that the newbie would find out about it at all.

"For the tea and essential oil you left at my table the other night. It really helped," Chloe continues to emphasize.

To be honest she didn't think she'd notice or put it all together easily. Mostly because, she never would have foreseen having Chloe spending a day at her place where the same brand of tea is abundant in her kitchen and the very same bottle of essential oil sits at a corner of her bathroom.

When she quietly left a cup of tea on the sleeping newbie's table, the only reason in her head had been that a late employee is better than a sick one. A sick employee would mean zero accomplishments and extra work on the others which would cause delays.

Believe it or not, she relies on Aubrey for vitamin capsules because of course that woman knows the best brands which she then shares with both Jesse and CR. She even has them enrolled in the gym once a week despite her deep hatred for physical activities—Aubrey goes because health is wealth, Stacie goes for the extra attention she gets and Amy goes just to laugh at her struggle. It's also why she stresses on cleanliness around the office because clutter causes germs—and anxiety on her part.

"I—it's nothing," she quickly dismisses, biting back the urge to tell her the truth. Chloe has had enough emotionally and adding 'I need you to be healthy to finish the job' isn't exactly comforting to hear at a time like this.

She may be brutal in the office but personally, Beca has improved on learning how to talk to human beings without sounding sarcastic and hurting anyone. Mainly because Stacie would hang her upside down once she as much throws her spikes at someone like Chloe.

They succumb to silence and Beca feels as if she should say something but all that really comes out is, "Are you comfortable?" she blurts out before quickly following it with a, "Sleeping on the sofa, I mean," when Chloe gives her a lost look.

A small smile appears on Chloe's lips as she nods, "Yeah, very comfortable. It's actually better than my bed," she adds with a light laugh.

"Stacie actually picked that out when I moved in. Said it's perfect for snuggling and explicit aggressive bouncing—and I should let you sleep. Goodnight!" she quickly mumbles in embarrassment before glancing at Bella who is already lying on her back next to Chloe, already choosing the redhead over her—of course.

"Do you think he's right?"

The question suddenly thrown out of nowhere catches her off-guard. Bright blue eyes fall down the floor, insecurity spilling out in waves that Beca can easily feel it.

"What if I really am not doing enough?" tears start to fill up the corner of her eyes.

Beca's feet tentatively take a couple of steps.

"Maybe he's right. Maybe I am not as committed to this as I thought I was. That it's all on me," a tear slips and rolls down her cheek.

Beca's hand hovers above the redhead until it finally lands gently on her shoulder. The touch makes more tears fall that she contemplates drawing away but before she does, Chloe's hand comes over hers, tightly holding it in place.

"What do you think?" Beca asks softly, slowly taking a seat next to the broken redhead who shakes her head in between tears.

"I'm not sure about anything anymore and that's why maybe he is right. I don't know what I want at this point, Beca," she says, eyes finally looking back at her.

Her hand slides off of hers and she takes it as her cue to withdraw. Looking down at her hands, she presses on her finger as she contemplates on what to say and how to say it. Because the words attempting to spill her lips come from a special place in her heart.

Maybe it's time. Life probably thinks it's about time. It's been a year but based on experience the right time is hard to decipher when it truly is the right time.

There's only one way to find out though.

"When," she starts, her heart beating fast that for a second it's the only thing she hears.

"My ex-fiancée cheated on me. I blamed myself for it too,"

She feels Chloe's gaze land on her. It stays there for a while.

"I was so focused on getting that promotion because I wanted to be the best for her, for… Rachelle." She pauses, swallowing a huge lump in her throat. It felt like years since her name left her lips when it had only been about eleven months.

"I wanted the best future we could have together and so I thought that this promotion would ensure that it would be good for us. I was so into my work that I forgot that it's not the only thing that's important," she swallows hard again.

"You learn from the past, strive for the future but what really matters is that you live in the present," she says, turning to look right back at those lovely blues. "That was my mistake. Being too focused on just looking at the future when I'm not really living. And those are the moments we can't take back,"

"Then when everything fell apart I began to blame myself because I thought I wasn't good enough and that the only thing I was good at keeping was this job. The job I chose over her, at least that's what it looked like," she sighs.

"But she cheated on you! That wasn't your fault," Chloe says, looking at her intently to convey her sincerity.

Those blue eyes are really a wonder to behold.

"You did it for her. You strived hard and that job, the position you hold is no joke. She could've just talked to you about it. Hell, she should've been proud! You…" her shoulders sag, a realization dawning on her as she continues to look at her.

"You cared. You really cared so much for her and she…" Chloe trails off

"Gave up," Beca finishes for her, finally gathering the strength to pull her gaze away from Chloe's dazzling blues.

"Believe it or not, it took me almost a year to see it. You'll always get to a point where you blame yourself when something you beautifully put together fails but it's useless being stuck to that endless cycle of self-blame. It's not healthy and I wished somebody slapped some sense into me many months ago," she paused, contemplating for a bit before admitting, "Well, Stacie tried but she was going through something as well and couldn't be there 24/7. Also, I was kinda' completely shutting people out… more than I do now," she reluctantly admits.

"What I'm trying to say is," she quickly diverts, "If I had someone who'd leave everything behind to move across the opposite side of the continent in a heartbeat for me, completely supporting what I love and fighting so hard to make what we have work despite everything else going on, I'd be constantly thanking my holy sun, moon and stars that I get to have that someone by my side,"

Her eyes find Chloe's again, the words she's uttered only sinking after almost a minute and surprisingly finds that she truly means it. But the second she realizes it, her heartbeat picks up its pace again in a familiar rhythm which hasn't been played in a long time.

She must've reached a new level of discomfort now that she is trying to open up to people. This must all just be heart failure or brain damage and her system can't handle it. Thus, the weird emotional spikes.

That must be it.

Clearing her throat, she dismisses the thought as she puts a bit of distance between them and continues, "If he doesn't realize that then he's an ass and doesn't deserve you."

She then stands up, not knowing what else to say or how to proceed after this until a thought suddenly comes and she lets out a heavy breath because this might hurt a little but now that she's made her point, the truth could be easier to handle. So she turns a bit towards the newbie who looks up at her.

"This job," she begins. "It's not for everyone. Whether you like it or not, we're tied to an industry that hides the rotten with glamour and fame. We present artists like a savory dish and deliver their art for the world to decide whether they succeed or not. We bring music to the masses. Anybody would think how much fun that is until it's not," she takes a step closer.

"It's exciting until you start dealing with shit from the upper management to the artist's agencies, rushing through deadlines, stretching yourself to meet various demands, keeping up with the logistics, losing sleep strategizing and planning for countless events and interviews. It's fun until it drains you completely and finally breaks you," she inhales, hoping that her words will finally get through to Chloe.

"I don't mean to belittle your skills, Chloe. You have potential, so much potential. You can do it but you now know that not everybody understands what it's like. If you're not careful, it can destroy you," she says in a softer tone.

The redhead looks at her in a way Beca can't decipher that it almost makes her squirm. But before she could try and escape it, Chloe speaks her mind.

"You just called me by my name,"

The awe in her face is unmistakable and Beca's jaw almost slackens at the conclusion she got from all that she's said.

"You're really… not from this world," she mutters, shaking her head as she looks at the redhead in wonder and disbelief.

She turns around, throwing her hands up in surrender and heading back into her room when Chloe calls her name. Sighing, she slowly turns back towards the redhead, mildly surprised to find a look that speaks of determination. The tears now gone and a light genuine smile on her face.

"I'm going to prove you wrong. Once I start, I never give up. I'm going to get Paris Blake for our music fest, earn your respect and you, Beca Mitchell are going to be my best friend," she firmly says and Beca wonders how she does it.

How this girl just finds strength even the dreariest of times is astounding. She can't be real. She's like this cartoon character that possibly fell from the heavens.

But truthfully, Chloe Beale is a mystery that amazes her.

"Then you better get some sleep and try not to be late tomorrow if you're aiming to climb impossible heights," she counters, this time confidently as Chloe slowly nods, taking in the challenge.

"And also," the redhead suddenly adds. "Your ex is a bitch and she doesn't deserve you. She's never going to find someone like you and when she realizes it, that's the worst kind of karma,"

A smile forms in Beca's face without any trace of sarcasm. A feat that is highly known to be so hard to pull out of her.

Unconsciously, despite knowing the reality, there's a small part of her that hopes Chloe doesn't fail.

"Seriously?"

Beca glances at the redhead who pauses to answer her with a look.

"Seriously," the redhead answers before pressing the button.

Music fills up Beca's car and it's good music but there's just one problem.

"I just feel like mornings should start in a… more positive note. Because bitches broken hearts is quite," she trails off, adjusting her rear view mirror before meeting Chloe's eyes again.

"I mean, I like Billie Eilish. That's my girl, don't get me wrong, but the first song in the morning is like breakfast and breakfast is the most important meal of the day—and I do get it. Sad songs for the sad days, amen to that but," she explains, face turning into a frown as her words hang in the air when she motions at her car's audio player.

Chloe studies her for a moment, back resting against the car's door while her fingers tinker around Beca's guitar key chain—she swats the redhead's hand away from it at some point.

"Alright," Chloe finally mumbles, reaching over Beca's phone to switch the music.

A more upbeat music fills the car but it only takes seconds for Beca to give Chloe another 'seriously?' look, prompting the redhead to explain.

"It's got a happy vibe… if you don't listen to the lyrics," she quickly adds the last words in a soft tone as Beca scoffs.

"You really want to listen to Lany's Thick and Thin in the morning… as we go to work?"

The question makes Chloe pause for a while, mind deep in thought but as the lyrics continue to pour out and she's blinking back tears, it doesn't take a second before she's pressing stop—just as Beca had predicted.

"You're right, bad choice," the redhead admits quickly before leaning back in defeat, shoulders deflating. "You know what, it's better if you pick. Play some Hayley Kiyoko or whatever,"

Beca's jaw drops as she dramatically whips her head towards the redhead's direction.

"Okay, just because I am a lesbian doesn't mean that Hayley Kiyoko is all I listen to," she replies defensively.

"You don't listen to her songs?"

Beca's lips snap shut at the question, letting the silence drown them for a moment before she finally replies.

"Fine, I do. All her songs are a bop and very relatable for people like me. The straights have a million tunes to claim as theirs, okay? So don't judge us for being thirsty for something that finally speaks our heart out,"

"So, it's Girls Like Girls then?" Chloe asks in a matter-of-fact tone, Beca's phone in her hand.

Beca looks at her in detest.

"Really now?" she spits out, eyeing the redhead like she's made dumb decisions—Beca is sure she has. This is one of them.

It takes another moment of silent judgement and challenging looks until Beca finally says, "Play What I Need. It's the one with Kehlani,"

"I know the song, Beca. I do not live under a rock," Chloe immediately lets her know as she opens up the Amplify app. "I've seen the music video and I do like it. Love is love,"

The morning is just beginning but Beca's sure it's going to be a long day ahead. Especially with this psycho next to her.

"Oh and your car smells nice by the way,"

"Morning Beca—Hey… Chlo!" Jesse greets them, pausing in genuine surprise as he finds the redhead walking behind her but she's pretty sure that it's the clothes Chloe is wearing that makes her friend clutch his silver superhero tie as if trying to decipher if his mind is playing tricks on him.

Having no clothes to wear to work, Chloe has borrowed some of hers. Beca's white long-sleeved see-through flowery blouse tucked under high-rise blue jeans, both of which belong to Beca's least worn collection of outfits. To be honest, she never really thought much about it until Chloe's walking out of her room and Beca almost chokes on her own coffee, internally admitting that the redhead was fashion smart—no wonder Aubrey likes her—to match two of those things together and look... good.

She looks amazing, that's the real word but she's not admitting that one, even to herself.

Halfway towards her table, she also realizes that Jesse has lagged and is probably interrogating Chloe—which means Stacie thankfully hasn't babbled about the embarrassing reason why she missed work yesterday. Surely, getting sick is a better excuse than having a wild Chloe Beale show up at the middle of the night out of nowhere to harass her. She can even feel CR's questioning glance at her.

"Swanson," she says in a firm tone, the one that expects immediate results.

At her warning tone, Jesse is running up to her as she demands for updates on all their projects and meetings. He promptly reports everything regarding possible hindrances and troubles regarding various different reasons. Her table is full of papers and folders by the time he is done.

She instantly waves him off, wanting to get down to business but of course he lingers a bit, giving her curious look. When she eyes him coldly, he smiles annoyingly.

"So… you and Red are, you know, sharing clothes. Besties now? Or…" his eyebrows dance up and down and Beca swears that once work hours are over she'll be smearing his tie with soy sauce, ketchup and mayonnaise—maybe even vinegar.

Harshly handing over—more like smacking it right at his chest—the file she's been holding, she glares at him, "I want several copies of that, now. We're having a meeting in an hour,"

"Yes, boss," Jesse says, still wearing that annoying smile and knowing look before whistling some silly love song as he leaves.

He passes by CR's cubicle, who in turn looks at Jesse then at her with an expression of indignation that spells, 'Beca fucking Mitchell! You didn't!' which was even more emphasized when she throws glances back and forth between Chloe and her.

Now she's slightly regretting having two of her close friends working with her because right now, she's surely staying away from their group chat.

The morning passes by yet Beca already feels like she's been in the office for three days straight with the amount of work she needs to get done and that's just for this month alone. The next month is going to get even crazier.

Resting her eyes from staring at the screen for too long, she massages her temples and closes her eyes as she leans back her chair. The clock reads lunch time and Beca has a feeling that she might just grab a snack from the vending machine because she's meeting one of their potential sponsor partners in an hour for the upcoming the music festival—that, or have Jesse call food delivery.

She's already debating between Cheetos or Lays when a brown paper bag is laid right in front of her. Looking up, she finds Chloe standing in front of her desk.

"First of all, before you object—because I know you would, this is mainly for the purpose of not having you collapse in front of our potential sponsors. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for the good of the company. Second, it's Chicken Salad from your favorite café and you can't say no to that, especially when it's free," Beca starts to open her mouth when Chloe silences her with a finger.

"Jesse told me," she says, a smile growing on her face. "There's coffee in it too because it cures all headaches and kicks out stress, which I am sure you really need. Again, this is for the good of the company. And finally," she leans forward, a proud smile on display and Beca tries not to immediately wipe off her fingerprints—paw prints—that are surely leaving a mark on her table.

"I just want to let you know that after scouring all of social media, I found out that Paris Blake is going to be at a photoshoot on Monday. I've contacted her people through a very reliable source and I've just earned VIP backstage passes so, looks like I'm about to win this bet,"

Beca looks back at the redhead challengingly. "The bet actually requires her to sign a contract and perform at our festival in a much lower rate than regular? So I suggest that before you go popping champagne bottles make sure that you got all that checked," she counters before adding in much serious tone, "I also hope that you're not selling your soul or any of your body parts to get those passes. This company does not allow that and will not be held liable for anything regarding illicit transactions," she ends, her eyes slowly falling down on the paper bag.

Wordlessly she slowly pulls it closer to her because this is for the good of the company after all.

"Oh you bet I'll be knocking on your door just to pop a champagne bottle for our weekly sleepover and make you wear matching friendship onesies as we watch the newest horror movie!" the redhead excitedly says in a hushed whisper before winking at her, "And I don't need to sell my body part or my soul. My smile and powerful charm is enough. Enjoy your lunch, boss!"

Beca watches her incredulously as the newbie grins like a fool walking away backwards, believing that she's won and all.

"You're going to trip," she mutters.

"No I won't. Now watch me moonwalk away from you,"

"That's not—you look like an idiot… and I don't know what that is but that's definitely not it." She sighs, shaking her head.

The hours tick away and before Beca knows it, the day is ending. Jesse and CR had both left a couple of minutes ago, both reminding her that she shouldn't push herself too far and go home. She will, maybe in another hour.

She's just done replying to emails when a warm cup of tea is placed on her desk and she doesn't even have to look up to know who it is.

"I was about to have tea but I thought otherwise and I've already opened the packet. It would've been a waste and we shouldn't waste tea. Believe it or not, there are many people in the world that would die for a warm cup of tea but can't afford it," Chloe says nonchalantly as she sits on the extra chair on the side of Beca's table, elbows resting on the glass surface as she looks at one of the documents.

Leaning back against the back rest of her chair, Beca exhales heavily. Not from the intrusion, believe it or not, but from the amount of things she needs to make sure wouldn't be a problem for their upcoming projects. There's a mountain load of things that could go wrong with just a miniscule mistake and that's just unacceptable.

"The logistics are going to be massive for this," Chloe muses, as she tries to wrap her mind at how huge this event will be. They're not just dealing with small bands but some of the most famous musicians the world knows of.

"I know. How's the public taking in the teasers and announcements we've launched?" Beca asks before taking a sip of the tea.

Wasting is bad after all. Especially with the many less fortunate people all over the globe…

"There's a buzz, comments have all been positive and it'll grow once we start confirming more of the bigger artists. We're coming up with the most worthy hashtag for it, which you need to approve, of course. That, and the contest for three VIP backstage passes and we'd definitely be trending. CR's already starting on the drafts for this year's promo banners," Chloe promptly reports and Beca hums in reply.

She glances momentarily at the time on her computer screen before exhaling. "It's getting late. Wrap it up, Beale," she says tiredly before getting ready to head home herself. She's not getting anything done when all she could think of is her bed.

Hearing only a small and weak 'yeah' as a reply, her eyes flit over to the redhead, who is currently staring hard at her own phone, Beca's movements slow down as she goes deep in thought. She already knows she's going to regret this by the time she's thinking of it but a year ago she was sleeping in Stacie's couch for two weeks after a horrible break-up and only god knows how she'd cope without her best friend by her side.

Sighing, she finally adds, "And you still need to make tonight's dinner,"

Chloe's head snaps up at her words, eyes wide with surprise, "A-Are you sure—cause' I've already caused so much inconvenience and I did promise that it'll just be one night," she quickly says and Beca could only wonder if those eyes could get any bluer.

It's almost surreal.

"Oh good, you do keep your word after all. That's nice to know. Now, get your stuff we're leaving," she orders, turning off her computer and grabbing her bag as the redhead quickly does as she says.

When Beca is done making sure that everything is in place, she finds hopeful eyes and a huge smile waiting for her. The girl already looks like she's going to have bubbles bursting out of her and she shakes her head at that.

"I want to hug you right now," comes the excited tone as they step in the elevator.

Beca gives her a hostile look.

"Don't make me change my mind, Beale," she mutters before taking a huge step away from her.

"Right, sorry. I'll make you this delicious pasta my mom taught me. You'll love it," Chloe promises in the same level of excitement as she takes a step closer to her.

"And if I don't, you'll be scooping out the cat litter tonight," she says challengingly as she presses herself closer to the side of the elevator, away from the psycho.

"For Bella, I'd do anything actually. She's such a sweetheart and you know what they say, the pets reflect the owner," Chloe states and Beca blinks as she tries to process that 'fact'.

"That's… not exactly true," she says even though it has her thinking otherwise.

Did the psycho just indirectly compliment her?

"Believe me, it is," Chloe confidently says. "You don't just train animals to be good pets. They become good pets not only because they are showered with love and care. They usually take after their owner's personalities," she continues, looking at her with a smile as they exit the elevator.

Beca tries to deny it again—because she's certainly not a sweetheart—but just as she is about to voice out her doubts, she looks up to see the redhead standing still a couple of steps behind her.

"What is it now?" she asks in a tone of annoyance but when the redhead remains rooted to her spot, looking conflicted, sad eyes gazing forward, Beca finally walks back to her side and tries to follow her line of sight.

It leads her to a tall familiar guy with broad shoulders, dark hair and chiseled features which a lot of women might find attractive. He is standing outside the glass walls of the company building and looking back at the woman next to her. There's a hopeful smile on his lips and a beautiful bouquet of flowers in his slightly trembling hands.

It doesn't really take Beca long to figure out.

Sighing before shaking her head lightly, she finally smiles lightly, "Guess he isn't a total asshole after all," she says before lightly pushing the redhead towards the door.

Chloe looks at her hesitantly.

"Go. Make-up, cuddle, be happy and do whatever disgusting cheesy things people do with their person. And don't be late tomorrow," she says, waving a dismissive hand and heading out to her car.

"Beca!" Chloe calls out to her and she stop to turn back finding a smile waiting to greet her.

"Thank you,"

"You owe me pasta, Beale," she says before continuing on.

The last image she sees of the two is Chloe taking the flowers as he talks and Beca thinks that it better be about a million of apologies and sweet endearing words. She doesn't stop to check though as she drives off, making a short stop for some take-out dinner and the convenience store for some rolls of tissue paper—got to always re-stock even when there is still supply in case of a zombie outbreak. Life hack 101.

Reaching home at last, Bella greets her promptly and Beca showers her with all the love she can give before settling down the sofa with her food and wine. She relaxes, enjoying the music softly playing all over the place as she looks out the usual view. She eats in silence for a couple of minutes, eyes looking at a distance before a soft meow breaks her empty gaze. She ignores it until Bella jumps up her coffee table, big blue eyes staring at her and then another meow which Beca finally acknowledges with a sigh.

"No, I don't, okay?" she says, stabbing her food with her fork.

Another meow and finally she looks at her cat.

"I don't… miss her. It just feels a little quiet right now because there is finally peace and there's definitely no annoying redheads to destroy the night. Only because of recent events, the silence has gotten weird now and this is all her fault," she adds angrily, momentarily glancing at her wine glass before drinking all of its contents in one go.

Stomping back to the kitchen, she pours more for herself before looking up and shutting her eyes close, breathing in and out.

When she looks back down at her glass, only one realization makes her heart sink. She shakes her head, blinking until the fear finally drenches her.

The worst thing is, she's felt this before, the early symptoms finally kicking in.

This has happened, yes. Four god damn times in her life, actually.

"Shit,"

Hello, mistake… number five?

Author's Note:

I love long chapters. I mean, why cut it short when you can have more? People who write lovely 3k word fics should be applauded and made statues of. I can't do 3k. I have shit constantly crashing inside my head that need to be written. Also, I' m back from vacation and yes, I'm still writing.

hakunahyourtatas: My serial killer trait is being a writer. Writers obsess about a million storylines, eat reader's reviews for breakfast, get depressed over negative comments but laugh at them in the end, get high on music appropriate for a scene in a story, wake up at random unholy hours just to write and google questionable things like how to kill someone using a toothpick or search random haunted castles. Writers are socio-psychopathic serial killers who can't execute the murder in real life and therefore resort to writing. Hope I answered your interesting question, love.

MUCH Love to all those who commented, followed and added Blue Friday to their favorite list of stories.