Chapter 10
'Blue Flames'
"Timing can be a blessing when it's right and a curse when it's wrong"
Beca wrings her hands, deep in thought even as her eyes stare intently at the screens that show the entire stage along with every angle that would eventually look good on live television.
Beside her is the music festival's director, Patty, who is currently instructing technicians and camera crew to the crucial shots and other technical terms.
"We'll have the air shot of the fireworks and pan around the camera towards the crowd," she was saying before looking at Beca.
"Yeah, that's good," she nods whilst flexing her fingers and twisting her rings anxiously.
Having an event as big as this always makes her nervous but she tries not to let it show as much as possible.
Years of experience had taught her that no show goes smoothly, there's always going to be a hitch somewhere and she needs to be prepared for that.
After almost a year of planning and two months of grueling preparations, this event is finally coming through and in an hour the grounds are going to be filled with thousands of people, some who have travelled across the country and maybe even abroad just to watch this beloved event.
Beca does not want to disappoint them. It's the last thing she wants.
A bottle of water is held in front of her and she turns to find Jesse.
"Everything's running as it should be despite the small accident earlier. The guy just had a minor sprain. Nothing serious," he reports and Beca nods again.
At least that one's solved. Workplace accidents are the worst. One of their maintenance crew slipped and fell at the back of the stage earlier and had landed on his ankle.
She twists the bottle's cap and takes a quick sip before excusing herself to follow Jesse backstage.
Everything needs re-checking so any issue can be fixed. Jesse continues his report and Beca instantly suggests what else needed to be done. She scrutinizes everything from the smallest details to the most important. If she had to yell at people to get things right and done, then yelling it is.
Her phone hasn't stopped ringing either and when it does, she takes a moment to breathe somewhere behind the huge sound equipment back stage. She's reminded to put it on silent mode from now on. There's no time for unnecessary distractions once the event starts.
The stress is finally catching up to her and Beca only does what she always does, try to sail through it as hard as it seems.
She's again deep in her thoughts, planning everything, when a hand gently wraps around her arm. Warmth spreads from the touch and she already knows who it is.
"How's social media taking it?" she asks before looking at Chloe, baby blue eyes looking back at her in concern.
She looks exceptionally good today. Keeping up with the press, the artists and the media, Chloe has to literally put up a good image as she carries Amplify whenever she's out there.
Beca tears her eyes away.
"We're trending on fifth place as of the moment, thanks to the artists' tweets," she says in a light tone before pausing uncertainly, the one that Beca knows means something important has come up and Beca's presence is needed somewhere.
"Also, World Genre wants an interview with you personally. I've already done three from different music medias and now they want you. Would you like to do it? I can tell them that you're busy," Chloe suggests and Beca sighs before straightening up.
"It's okay, I only have time for one though," she says as they start to walk around the twists and turns backstage.
The bigger artists always want to go out with a bang so the stage is built like a maze to hold tons of wiring, sound technology, lights, screens, fireworks, the performance platform, the band, secret makeshift paths that leads to the stage, electrical lifts below and harnesses up above. Beca has already almost tripped twice going around and she has already made it known to the stage crew that tripping artists as they run about to their marks would be a big no-no.
"Some of artists will be arriving a little late due to traffic issues so we might be slightly switching the line-up," Chloe says as they make their way to the front of the stage where the camera crew awaits.
"And the rest?"
"All settled in their trailers. There's been a small issue earlier but it's personal and we've had trailers moved far from each other. The usual dramatic stuff celebrities get into," Chloe sighs and Beca stops to face her.
It's been a very hectic week, everyone's as stressed out as she is. Jesse is already wearing his 'I'm ready for war' red necktie and Beca gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder for running errands everywhere all day. CR is probably having a headache sitting with the computer people as they edit specific visuals to be played later and Beca does not want to break the creative flow by breathing down their necks back in there so she stays away for the moment.
And now, here is Chloe, standing up to be the face of their event and Beca proudly watches her handle everything with the natural ease she always carries. Chloe always makes it look easy. People are quick to like her because she gives off this comfortable vibe and that's very essential when it comes to presenting their year's worth of work to the sponsors and media people.
"Have you briefed the managers already?" she asks and Chloe nods.
"I did. Photos and videos with the sponsors are scheduled in thirty minutes and then we'll have the artists sign our Wonder Wall,"
"The infamous Wonder Wall, right," she muses, the wall had become pretty popular as people started writing on it and Beca's lips finally curve up with Chloe's smile.
The small moment passes as quickly as it came and Beca immediately reverts back to work mode.
It's been two months since that Saturday night at the Hilton and they've maintained a pleasant work relationship since then.
Chloe had respected her decision to put some distance between them and Beca appreciates that. There's still that usual happy morning greeting and the freshly brewed coffee cups which need no excuse to be given anymore.
It's been cordial and the only thing that's changed really is that the dinner hang outs have stopped. They don't meet outside office anymore, except for the last Friday of the month hang outs, or talk about things that aren't work-related.
It's better now. Beca feels like her heart is in a good place after feeling so lost, angry and miserable for so long. More so, now that she and Rachelle had began to settle their issues two months ago.
It wasn't exactly the best talk because there had been a lot of hurt in between and words that really hit home but that's a start. Better than having no closure at all.
Beca admits she's still not ready to jump into a relationship but at least there's now a tinge of hope in there. Chloe had made her realize that her heart is still capable of feeling and Beca looks forward to the day when she finds someone whom she's willing to take the risk again for.
Even if it takes a while.
"Okay, just make sure none of the drama gets worse," she tells the redhead before pausing to give her a look.
"And… Beale? Good job," she says softly before turning to walk towards the camera crew for the interview, head held high and camera ready smile in place.
It's a rare thing to get out from her these days but Chloe deserves it.
The night gets busier and noisier as the event begins and Beca has already run into issues from missing back-up dancers, to security issues regarding people selling fake tickets, to a few of the audiences needing medical attention due to various reasons. A fight almost breaks out at one point but Beca's had orders to take drunk idiots out of the open grounds immediately before anything happens. So, they're good, for now.
Chloe gets her a sandwich but her anxiety kills her hunger so she carries it around with her instead. Eating would have to wait.
The wait lasts for about five hours and by now the bigger artists start taking the stage. Things are running better than expected and Beca finally takes a bite on her sandwich, eyes looking on to each of the various monitors listening to the director instructing on which camera angle to switch to.
The crowd naturally goes wild for Paris Blake and Beca watches on. Her fingers even drum to the beat only to still when a song she's so familiar with starts to play. Beca suddenly looks up the stage, freezing up, clenching and unclenching her fingers.
Friday, the song that Beca wrote. It was initially a gift on their first anniversary as a couple. Beca had poured out her heart into every beat and melody of that song and Rachelle loved it. She loved it so much that she had it included in her first album, the official beat had been tinkered with a bit, adding more flavor to it and Beca herself even approved the final edit. The song was the second most popular track in the album.
It was different from the rest, the beat, the melody, the vibe, it was more personal and was literally a love letter Beca, who unsurprisingly majored in music, had made because for a long time, music was the only outlet for her emotions yet as the track reached public airwaves, nobody knew that whenever Rachelle sung it, she sung it for her. For Beca.
It was a promise. Their promise to stay together.
Rachelle never performed that song on camera for so long and suddenly it brings a nostalgia of feelings deep down her chest. It twists and begins to rumble up a brewing storm.
She suddenly feels like she's been stripped bare. Swallowing hard, she focuses on playing with the ring on her forefinger.
Why Rachelle chose this song to sing has her suddenly wondering and itching for answers.
She doesn't realize that she's clenching her jaw, her brows furrowing when an arm touches her shoulder to rip her away from her thoughts.
Her chest jumps, caught off guard only to find familiar bright pools of blue looking at her. They widen as she looks up.
It's Chloe.
"There's something I want to show you," she blurts out and before Beca knows it, she's hastily pulled away by the wrist into an empty waiting room. The song's bass still vibrates from the outside along with Rachelle's voice. It sounds muffled now though and it's only then that Beca really breathes.
And that's how she finds herself standing awkwardly in an empty room a couple of steps from Chloe, wondering about what in the world she's supposed to be 'looking' at.
Chloe shuffles her weight from side to side and there's a look on her face that reminds Beca of the morning after the redhead crashed her place. It's that same look she made before she asked her if she could stay for another night.
So this, whatever it is, must be something crazy that she needs Beca's approval for.
She just hopes it's not a drug problem which unfortunately, events like this are known for, or something that involves a dead body.
Now she's worried.
Until a phone is shoved in front of her.
"We're trending on first place!" Chloe abruptly quips, albeit slightly forced, and Beca blinks at the screen. The hashtag for their event, along with the names of their top performers, taking up most of the top ten spots in social media worldwide.
"That's… great," she slowly utters, still not sure how to react because based on the level of urgency a moment ago, she was expecting something… bigger or… worse.
"Is… that all?" she asks, uncertainly and there's really something suspicious about this. She feels it. Beca knows enough to figure out that Chloe is stalling.
"Food!" the redhead yells out after a breathless two second pause as if the idea just occurred to her.
Suspicious, indeed.
"Right, I brought you here for… food!" she says before shoving a brown paper bag with their catering's logo her way.
"Thanks but I'm good. I ate the sandwich you gave me," she replies, remembering the half-eaten sandwich she left on the desk earlier and looking down at the paper bag's contents which looks like chicken.
It smells delicious.
When she looks up again, Chloe's hurriedly pulling a chair behind her before pushing her down by the shoulders to sit in front of a table.
The relief coming from the muscles of her aching legs and feet rushes all over her immediately that she almost moans. She hasn't had time to sit down for hours.
"Jesse is overseeing the monitors now and CR has got things handled back at the tech room. Besides, the event is ending, nothing's burning and nobody is currently being rushed to the hospital. Everything's totes fine!" Chloe assures her, voice jumping up in a higher octave than usual. She's also talking so fast that Beca almost doesn't catch what she's saying.
"Chloe," she tries to stop her but the redhead continues babbling about things Beca already knows.
"Chloe," she says in a firmer tone and that does the trick, silencing her, so Beca continues in a softer manner.
"What are we doing here?" she breathes out, eyeing Chloe pointedly.
The redhead, who sat next to her, looked twitchy and a little guilty that Beca is already sure the truth's about to come out.
And it does. Chloe, as it seems, finds it hard to lie.
"You said you hated that song," she mumbles, chewing on her lip.
Beca slowly leans back against the chair, exhaling.
It amazes her though, how Chloe still remembers that fact. It had been months, she was sick, emotional and the words slipped out of her unintentionally.
Chloe avoids her eyes.
"You looked like you were about to bolt for a second there…" Chloe softly admits and Beca can sense the hesitation.
"… it's your song, isn't it? Yours and… Rachelle's,"
Beca picks on the paper bag, creating little tears on the edge, anything to keep her hands busy. She could choose to avoid it to be honest but…
Chloe seems to have this way of getting her to open up. She's kept invoking feelings out of her after all. Had her doing things she wouldn't normally do. It just feels right, admitting things to her and Beca doesn't even know why.
Chloe's presence always is comforting and steady. She's that extraordinary kind of soul that people easily feel relaxed with.
It's a rare to feel that way for someone, at least for someone as cautious as Beca is to trusting people and showing a hidden side to her around them.
"I made it for her," she says and she doesn't miss the small gasp leaving Chloe's lips.
"It was an anniversary gift and believe me, I never thought the world would get to hear it. That was Rachelle's surprise for me," she says, a small smile on her lips as she shakes her head.
It all seems so far away now, like it's been a decade when it had just been three years.
"She showed me the official list of songs a month before release and well," she shrugs. "There it was, my little gift being re-wrapped and added glitter to, something like that," she remembers it clearly.
It was her birthday, Beca's birthday.
"Our relationship, obviously, was a secret. I even had to sign papers for it. Contracts that were made to keep me quiet in case I turn out to be an ass and take advantage," she laughs dryly, realizing how crazy it sounds like now.
"So when she added that song I made into her album I felt so… happy," she emphasizes the word because she really was the happiest that day.
"In a way, it's like shouting my heart to the world after having to keep it in for so long. It felt like this heavy weight pressing down my chest got lifted, even if for just a little bit," she breathes out, closing her eyes for a while.
"It meant so much to me. That every time she sings it, I'd know that it was for me. That… no matter what they say or do, we still have the best of both worlds. Besides, who wouldn't want to be proud of being with someone you love?" her eyes begun to sting and she quickly blinks them away as she casts her eyes hard on to anything that wasn't Chloe.
"And now, whenever I hear it, I am reminded that a love as great as that can easily break and cease to exist," her voice almost breaks before softly adding, "Everything can change in a snap. You have so much and then suddenly there's nothing," she frowns, silence following her words before she realizes that the mood has dropped and it's turning to be as cold as Siberia now.
Tonight should be a celebration. Not pouring out sad memories and feelings to Chloe, of all people.
"Sorry, that was…" she quickly straightens up and is on her feet before anything else.
"I should head back," she adds before holding up the paper bag. "Thanks for… the food. I'll eat this after the event," she says with a small smile as she pauses by the door and turns to Chloe who is now standing as well.
She moves to leave but stops when Chloe speaks, "You should keep making music. Your art, it's beautiful and you should continue doing it. It helps heal hearts and inspire people. Friday might've left an ugly scar in your life but it's blossomed into something special for others, changed lives, a comfort for the bad days. It means a lot to people, I, included,"
Beca swallows a lump in her throat. She's never thought about it like that. Music will always be a part of her, a passion she threw away because it reminded her of nothing but pain and to have someone actually validate that, it's soothing. She didn't know she needed it until Chloe had done so.
"Thank you, Chloe," she says softly, quickly brushing a tear with the back of her hand before slipping out the room, ready to face the music.
Paris leaves the stage, the crowd still on a high as the sky lights up with bursts of sparkling colors. The cue for the event to end as the band plays the climax and the emcees thank everyone for coming, promising to return next year.
Beca gets handshakes and compliments for another successful music festival. CR pulls her for a hug with the rest of their team despite her protests. Jesse is crying. While Chloe is pulled away for another interview about their sponsors. Everything feels good.
Taking a moment to look up the shower of confetti raining down on them, she finally breathes out, satisfied at the outcome.
Making her way back to talk to Amplify Media's president, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Paris Blake, or better yet, Rachelle.
Beca's footsteps come to a stop. She's met with a sad smile and a motion to talk which she wordlessly agrees by staying.
"Hey," Rachelle starts.
"Hey," Beca replies.
"I think this has long been overdue but…" the singer steps closer, enough that Beca sees those green orbs clearly.
She used to worship them and it's clear why. They are still gorgeous as ever.
"I'm sorry, for everything" Rachelle says. "I really am sorry,"
Beca looks down as she nods, another weight in her chest lifting up.
"It's… alright. I've forgiven you, long before I realized it actually," she says, finding that she really does mean it as she looks up, finding something familiar on those eyes that squeezes her chest.
"That song… it's still for you," Rachelle admits quietly. "Only you," she brings a hand up to Beca's cheek.
"I miss you, Becs," she whispers, closing in to wrap her arms around her.
It's been so long and there still may be a little melody coursing in her heart but… it's doesn't resonate as loudly as it used to before.
Her heart is more steady now.
She's already moved on.
Her arms come up, settling behind Rachelle's shoulder blades before moving to her arms and gently pulling it away, stepping back to create a bit of distance.
"I'm sorry," Beca's the one who says this time. It only takes one look from her and Rachelle sees it. They've been in tune with each other for years, so she slowly nods in understanding, hands dropping to her sides.
"Is it Chloe?" Rachelle says with a sad smile and Beca breathes in, wondering if her attraction to the redhead had been that obvious.
She tilts her head a bit to the side and honestly answers, "She's a part of it but… it's more… me. It will never be the same again, Rach, and I think it's just best this way. We'll only end up hurting each other," she lets out and a tear rolls down Rachelle cheeks.
"So it's really over, huh?"
Beca reaches out to brush her cheek with her thumb. "As someone whose been there from the start, watching you accomplish all your dreams, I'm truly happy for you. You've come so far and I wish you nothing but the best,"
Rachelle leans in to her touch "I wish you all the best too, Becs. Looking at all this," she eyes the place in awe. "You did it."
When she slips her hand away and takes a step back, she finally takes a deep breath, "Goodbye Rachelle,"
Rachelle smiles and wistfully replies with her own. She starts heading back to the exit before stopping to add, "She's got a good soul, Chloe. I've seen almost every kind of person in this industry and I can tell. She's a keeper, Becs."
She's gone before Beca could tell her that nothing of that sort exists between her and Chloe. That it's never going to happen. In the end, Beca only shakes her head, a light smile forming in her lips.
Speaking of perky summer-y psycho redheads, Beca thinks it's time she keeps her word.
After all, she just lost a bet and she's finally ready to pay the consequences.
With a much wider smile, she walks off to her original destination.
She's ready. This time, she's living for herself, finally setting herself free from the burdens she has long carried. She's grown stronger now.
Her heart is finally free.
"Hey Jesse," Chloe greets, finally done with all the cameras and interviewers.
The exhausted assistant producer gives her a grin, bobbing his head to the recorded music still blasting all around the venue.
"Yo, Ladybug! Ready for the after party?" he asks excitedly just as CR plops down a chair, checking her phone for messages.
"My feet are dead but I still won't say no to celebrating what is, hands down, the best night of the year," Chloe replies, still not having come down from the high she's in now.
"Party's at the West Wing, guys," CR announces, eyes still glued to her phone. "Robbie and Jane are already there. Said they're getting shots already," CR continues about their co-workers, looking like she's suddenly ready to hop in the car.
Only problem is, Beca is driving and yet, the brunette still might be talking to the company's president. They've already had photos with him earlier and had been graciously congratulated for a job well done.
"Should one of us go and grab Beca? Cause I'm pretty sure that if we don't, we'll never see her tonight with how in demand she is right now," Jesse sighs, starting to get up sluggishly when Chloe stops him.
"Know what? I'll just go," she offers and Jesse immediately slumps back down the chair, grunting a 'thank you' and a 'hurry up'.
Chloe chuckles lightly before she walks off backstage, turning around corners and trying not to bump into people or equipment as she searches for Beca.
About five minutes later, she contemplates calling Beca's phone even though, she's almost sure that the brunette won't answer. Either she still has it on silent mode earlier due to the notifications blowing up about the event or she won't be able to hear it from the buzz and music still playing around the place. Los Angeles blares from the speakers and Chloe can't help but move her head to the beat.
She's about to walk back when she spots a familiar flash of black in a secluded corner near the stage. Beca's suit! The producer's back is turned towards her and Chloe makes her way to her with a bright smile. But then halfway through, she stops, finally realizing that Beca isn't alone.
Now, Chloe doesn't go snooping on things that she has no business with but when she sees Paris Blake standing in front of Beca, she finds it hard to stop herself from looking away. It must be out of curiosity given the messy, depressing history those two had and her genuine concern for the brunette. Also, in case Paris starts being a bitch, Chloe is ready to burst in, punch a singer and pull Beca away to safety.
She should feel guilty, eavesdropping in such a private moment but it disappears when she catches Paris hugging Beca. Something tastes bitter in her mouth and when Beca lifts her arms to hug Paris back, Chloe slowly backs away, suddenly unable to watch any longer. It's a moment that is obviously not shared with anyone. Her feet come back to life in a minute as she rushes back from where she entered.
She stops somewhere by the left side of the stage and leans her shoulder on a nearby beam, a hand to her furiously beating heart as her mind replays the same scene.
Suddenly she doesn't feel so well yet she doesn't know why.
A light shower starts to pour down from the cloudy night sky and she quickly shakes off the unsettling feeling.
If Beca decides to get back with Paris then it shouldn't matter. Chloe doesn't have a say to anything regarding Beca's private life.
But why does she suddenly feel so down?
"Chloe!"
Jesse's voice brings her back to reality as she looks up, finding him and CR hurrying over to her side, hands above their heads to shield themselves from the drizzle. Having been sitting outside, they have naturally sought for shelter.
CR pulls her back into the huge makeshift tents attached behind the stage, all of them trying to dry themselves off.
"Did you find Beca?" Jesse asks while CR asks one of the maintenance staff if they had any extra umbrellas left.
There had been scattered rain showers all through out the show but it wasn't really a hindrance to the performances. Beca had signed in for umbrellas with the names of their sponsors knowing that things like this would happen.
Chloe was just about to answer him with a 'No' when Beca herself appeared, rounding up from a corner.
She seems… happy.
"It's about time!" CR says in the top of her lungs.
"To sleep. It's about time to sleep," the brunette mutters, a lazy smile on her lips which Jesse also notices.
"And did something good happen on your way back?" he wiggles his eyebrows in that annoying way he always does when it involves something sexual.
"Let me guess, one of the sexy dancers gave you their number again," CR slyly says and before Chloe could stop herself the words slip out of her lips with a tone she hadn't really intended to sound so… serious, "Again?"
CR instantly looks at her like she's dying to tell her some juicy details, visibly happy that Chloe's asked, "One of Lady Gaga's dancers went up to her, threw in this flirty look and gave Beca her number last year. Slipped a calling card into her pocket and—"
"And we have an after-party to attend to," Beca cuts in, looking flustered—which was rare—before starting to walk in that confident way she always does when handling business, passing in between Chloe and CR, intentionally breaking them apart.
She was so close that Chloe could smell her perfume and it's causing something weird in the pit of her stomach.
Jesse follows her with a grin and CR puts an arm around Chloe, dragging her along towards the open parking lot. It's still showering outside so security graciously held umbrellas for them.
Beca, of course, is in the driver's seat, adjusting the rear view mirror. Jesse and CR hurriedly take the back seat because, as they say, they need to sit according to the usual seat plan, which had left Chloe sitting shotgun since Stacie isn't around to claim her usual spot.
It had been a while since she rode in Beca's car and she fights the urge to just grab Beca's phone from the dash and choose a song. It's an act that brushes on personal space and boundaries, something she had carefully stepped back from with regards to Beca and her request for a strictly working relationship while she tries to process her feelings for Chloe.
Right, Beca had feelings for her and has it really been two months since then?
A phone gets pushed into her hands and when Chloe pulls herself away from her thoughts, she is surprised to find Beca's phone resting in her palm, the brunette casually handing it to her like clockwork.
"Play a good one," Beca tells her and Chloe hears CR's subtle, "Oh boy, here we go again,".
"Um," Chloe starts quickly browsing through Beca's playlist.
It takes her a while to choose because it all depends on her mood really. As it seems, for Chloe, rather than the meaning, she choses a song is based on the melody and the beat of the song. Like an upbeat vibe for the happy days, acoustics for a romantic night and slow piano playing songs for the sad days. As of the moment, she having a hard time deciding, unable to find exactly what she needs.
At the last minute, she decides to abandon the playlist and types in a song instead, her fingers hovering over the play button.
Seconds later, Girls Like You by Blackbear suddenly fills up the car and Beca stops adjusting everything around her.
"Perfect," Chloe hears her mumble before stepping on the gas and driving.
Beca bobs her head lightly to the beat, even drumming her fingers on the wheel.
CR comments about something funny regarding their short moments of panic earlier and Chloe finds that Beca laughing in a carefree manner is rare. Rare… and lovely.
"Doing events is like a marathon. You're dead tired by the end of it but seeing how far you've accomplished, it feels really good," the brunette comments and Jesse adds in something about an annual free weight loss due to stress bringing in the laughter.
Beca mumbles about being sleepy and dreaming of fluffy pillows as she yawns and Chloe smiles because she remembers the huge bed and just how many pillows Beca has whenever she is dead to the world. Huge soft comfy pillows that make the producer look even smaller in between it all.
At the back, Jesse moans for food and CR moans for Drake. Beca shuts them up.
"Drink water," she tells Jesse while she only shrugs at CR's request before motioning over to Chloe.
"DJ rights goes to whoever sits on the DJ's seat so, the psycho plays whatever she wants to play. Ask her," Beca nonchalantly says and it takes about five seconds for Chloe to let her words sink in.
"Psycho? When did I get that nickname?" she asks. She ought to be offended by it but honestly, she's more of amused to hear the brunette call her something other than the ever formal 'Beale' or 'promotions newbie'.
"Ooh! Girl, you've just been branded!" CR says excitedly and with her confused look Jesse follows with an explanation.
"Aubrey is 'Captain Posen', Stacie is 'Bunny' short for Lola Bunny, CR is 'Jalapeño'," for which CR comments, "Cause I'm hot, duh?"
"I'm 'Bruno' like Bruno Mars because we all know that my voice is golden," he proudly says before going on to inform Chloe in lower tone, "I was glee club president during high school and then a capella member on college," he says before adding, "Also, I happen to be karaoke king this year. I beat Beca last Christmas for the title," he emphasizes, puffing his chest out and smiling widely.
This earns him a glare from the brunette who then counters, "I gave you that nickname because whenever you get drunk, you screech either Just The Way You Are or Versace On The Floor like a hyena on drugs,"
Chloe laughs at that, eyeing Jesse as if trying to gauge out the truth but one look at his offended puppy face, it becomes clear that it's true.
"And FYI Beca lost 'cause she didn't participate last year that's why you got the title," CR corrects before Jesse continues on with the nicknames.
"Amy is 'Demogorgon'," Chloe snorts at that. "Benjie is 'Bambi', Flo is 'Two'—"
"Wait," Chloe suddenly interrupts Jesse.
"I get all the nicknames so far until Flo's. Why'd you call her 'Two'?" she asks, looking curiously at Beca who coincidentally stops by the red light and faces her, a dead serious look on her face.
"Because she's 'two' inches shorter than me,"
CR and Jesse cackle from behind, going on about the story of meeting Flo for the first time.
"Beca used to be the shortest before Flo joined the gang so she's always the target of height jokes," CR explains through bouts of laughter.
"Peer abuse," Beca mutters while shaking her head.
"It's love. We love you, Beca, especially when you're not yelling at us and not being our boss," Jesse sings as CR rolls her body to the tune. However, CR stops abruptly, a frown on her face.
"Hold up," CR cuts the teasing, hand up between Chloe and Beca. Jesse immediately stops singing and silence graces the car.
"How is Chloe a psycho?" CR questions and Chloe's interest peaks again, almost forgetting her same question earlier.
However, Beca only glances her way and smirks. Chloe's stomach suddenly twists for some reason.
"Long story and I'm not drunk enough to spill the details," Beca says, clearly having fun at the fact that both Jesse and CR are yelling for answers now, desperate for the story.
Chloe on the other hand, has a feeling what that long story involves and somehow, it makes her realize how much she actually had so much fun whenever she finds herself hanging around Beca.
But that was two months ago and it may not have been long but it felt like ages ever since they've watched a horror movie, hung out at restaurants and cleaned animal cages.
She... misses it. She missed her.
It's like they had this history together. If she dug even deeper, Chloe may even say that it felt like reminiscing something special that would've been something more, only it didn't.
But Chloe didn't dig deep enough, stopped shoveling through what it all meant halfway and instead, focused on putting a flimsy lid on top of the hole she stopped digging in, deciding to just step around it and walk away from it.
She almost didn't realize that the car has stopped and they've arrived at the West Wing until Beca is taking her phone from her light grip.
Her chest jumps from the contact of Beca's fingers brushing against hers and suddenly the air feels thick that she literally scrambles out of the car.
They all proceed inside the club and even after they greet acquaintances and settle down with their drinks, Chloe still feels Beca's warm touch on her skin like it burns.
Chloe downs her cocktail, breathing in a lungful of air and exhaling slowly, hoping to shake all these unexplainable feelings away.
But when Beca pulls her close by the arm to save her from colliding with someone and saving her from having iced-tea down her dress, Chloe's heart beats in a way that she's been very familiar with.
It beats even faster when she realizes just how close they are. Her nose is inches away from Beca's neck, she smells so amazing that Chloe doesn't step away immediately, still holding on to the brunette like a life line and underneath the glow of the strobe lights, she finds how mesmerizing those dark blue eyes are as they glimmer like the calm water under the moonlight.
It's nearing midnight and Beca's body finally catches up to all those weeks of stress. Her feet hurt that she might as well be walking through a path of pebbles for hours. Her eyes are getting heavy but it's not because of the alcohol. She still has to drive home because the last time she left her car, some idiot left a scratch on the bumper. She's tired and it's certain that she'd be passing out cold in the bed once she gets home.
The rest of her team are all enjoying the night and she really doesn't want to tell them that she's waving the white flag and heading home. Knowing them, they'd only stop her and shove another drink on her hand. So, being the responsible boss that she is, she had called for a driver, having hired a van to drive them all home after they get too wasted to even stand. It's surely going to cost her but if it means getting them all home safely then it's worth it. Besides, it has always been part of her plan.
She taps on the one employee she has that she knows would follow through, Robbie. He's a nice guy, too nice if you're going to ask her. The guy would offer his kidney if you asked for it. He's also the obedient type. Always following orders and never straying from the rules. He's like a citizen from the strict, rule abiding planet ruled by Aubrey Posen herself.
So she leaves them all in his care, having already notified him of their ride home.
With her worries all settled, she slips through the crowd, weaving in and out dancing people until she reaches the doors of the club.
Finally making her way out, the noise lessens to the thumping bass. The only downside to such a great night would be the rain and it's pouring harder than before.
As much as she hates getting her clothes wet, Beca is desperate for a warm bed underneath her so she sighs and eyes her car, parked a couple of blocks away.
Parking space is a rarity for a Saturday night.
Without a second thought, she starts to walk, leaving the sheltered spot she'd been standing on to brave the rain.
Once a couple of steps away from her car, she takes out her keys and unlocks the door. The moment she does, the rain stops pouring down on her, and not because of the skies clearing up but because of the umbrella up her head.
Looking up at the black umbrella, she turns to thank the person only to find those familiar set of baby blue eyes looking back at her.
"You're going to get sick if you keep walking under the rain like this," Chloe tells her and there's amusement in her eyes when she says this.
"Or… did you give your umbrella to a crying girl who is stranded under the unforgiving rain again?" she asks and Beca finds the question odd.
"No," she laughs lightly thinking about it, "That girl has to be special enough for me to do something like—" she pauses abruptly as a memory suddenly breaks through her mind. She frowns a bit wondering why it all feels familiar until,
"Do you really not remember me at all? Or perhaps, the very first time we met?" Chloe asks, a smile playing in her lips.
"I do like how consistent you are to your words though." Chloe continues just as Beca looks up at the umbrella again.
The very same umbrella she gave away to, indeed, a crying girl months ago.
Beca had just got off work that time and as usual headed off to buy Bella her cat food and some tissue paper. It was raining. Beca was having a really stressful day with her promotions guy quitting. He called her a cold hearted bitch whom no one can ever stand, all while being escorted out the building by security with the way he was causing a ruckus.
He wasn't entirely wrong. He's been the second one to quit this year. Last year, the quit count had been five. Ariana Grande's Thank you, next could never come at a right time.
Planning to make a few calls, she's done purchasing all she needed and is out of the door, phone in her right hand while her purchases and umbrella on the left and that's when she hears it, the desperate plea for help, the tone of somebody having a day far worse than hers. She hears the sniffle as the final light of hope dims, literally. The desperate girl's phone dies and Beca already feels a break down coming.
Her grip on her umbrella tightens as she looks over at her car and then at the clear folder she's had pressed in between her ribs and her arm.
Today's a shitty day but… it doesn't have to stay that way.
People can call her whatever they want but it doesn't mean it's all true. Outside her office walls, she's just the same as everybody else, struggling to stay afloat, handling responsibilities as huge as Jupiter and taking it one step at a time. She knows what it's like to feel like crap and really, her heart is not that cold.
Broken, yes. But cold? Well, not… completely.
So awkwardly, because helping others isn't a regular thing and dealing with gratitude is something she finds hard to do, she hands over her umbrella to the poor soul, not even bothering to look up at the girl before making the call.
If Beca can find a way out of her dilemma then so can this pretty redhead. She's taking over promotions herself and this poor girl next to her can finally go home. That's two less unfortunate people today.
Funny thing.
It's been three months since then. Beca hasn't bought a new umbrella since, too busy to shop for one.
And now it all makes sense. Chloe's bright smile on her first day of work, the complete certainty that Beca's a sweetheart deep down, the undying insistence to be friends, to be close and the need to help her whenever she finds herself in a situation.
Of course, that's why.
She lets a small laugh of disbelief, still unable to process how it all turned out. So maybe sweet Benjie had been right about kindness and all that good karma you get out of it.
Chloe had, indeed, always been special to her. Her words earlier implied that and it makes her rub the back of her neck in embarrassment.
Beca does have consistency as a strong trait.
This is good though, good enough to joke about that thing Beca had for Chloe months ago.
New beginnings, that's what she should focus on now and this is a start.
"Unbelievable." she breathes out, shaking her head. "That was you?" she questions in an incredulous tone and Chloe's smile widens.
"Wanted to tell you the first day. Had the umbrella the entire time but you were… being you." Chloe says, emphasizing the word before slowly getting serious.
"You saved me so many times, literally changed my life, you know. I," she inhales, "Wanted to do the same."
"You did the most of the work though," Beca insists.
"Yeah but still, I wouldn't have made it here without you. I was giving up on everything that day but there you were, literally mentioning that you lost your promotions guy. It's like, I don't know… fate?"
Beca chuckles at that. "Debatable but sure, why not?"
"You don't believe in it?" Chloe curiously asks.
"I used to," Beca softly says, looking down the droplets falling down a puddle.
Straightening up, she motions to her car. "Right, I'm ready to pass out now so I got to go. You head back inside. I have a feeling the rain is going to get stronger," she says before glancing up at the umbrella. "Oh and keep it, it's yours now."
"Well, honestly, I'm actually heading home as well. It's gotten crazy inside. CR disappeared with some girl from Finance and Jesse is dancing up at the DJ's booth. Besides, I've been offered too many drinks and heard way too many awful pick-up lines. I'm out," she grimaces and Beca nods, remembering that greasy looking ass trying to flirt with the redhead. She had to intervene at one point, pulling in both Jesse and CR to repel the evil spirit.
"Robbie told me you've got them all a ride home so I guess they don't really need me in there," Chloe says before adding, "And thanks again. I've actually gotten attached to it," she points up at the umbrella with a smile.
An idea quickly crosses Beca's mind and without giving a second thought she offers, "Come on in then, I'll drive you home."
She sees the redhead hesitate a bit and before she could make up her mind, Beca urges her on, "None of you are going home without a ride. So get in, psycho." She says before getting in herself, leaving Chloe without a choice.
The new nickname seems to do the trick as Chloe enters. Beca drives off and they begin travelling back home. It's a two hour drive back and Beca knows she's made a good decision not to consume more than one glass of alcohol.
The drive was quiet yet pleasant. She's made Chloe choose the music again, trusting her ability to play good music Beca genuinely enjoys.
The only other person she really trusts in tinkering with her car's music would be Stacie.
It's now past midnight and she almost thinks that Chloe is asleep when the redhead suddenly speaks, "Okay, seriously, why am I a psycho? Is it the night I got drunk and crashed your place?"
"It's one of the reasons," Beca says, thinking it funny how bothered Chloe is regarding this nickname.
"And because I hugged you my first last Friday of the month meet up at the club and won't let you go?
"One of the reasons." she hums.
"Psycho is still a very strong word." Beca could definitely feel a pout forming as Chloe says this.
"Would you have preferred crazy redhead?" she asks teasingly.
"Why can't I have a normal nickname like the rest of the group?"
"Psycho is normal,"
"I'm going to call you Becs if you don't change it," Chloe challengingly threatens and Beca almost hears the smile behind it.
"Sure," she says without missing a beat and silence fills up the car for minute.
"For real?" Chloe asks uncertainly.
"That's what my friends call me" Beca says, letting Chloe process what that meant.
It's taking Chloe longer to respond than expected though and suddenly Beca starts to get anxious.
"I mean, if… you still want to be friends? She pauses before adding a softer and an uncertain. "Because if you don't—"
"Left!" Chloe suddenly cuts her.
"What?" Beca asks, confused at the abrupt order. Glancing frantically at Chloe then back at the road.
"I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you," Chloe apologetically says, biting her thumb as her face scrunches up. "I live somewhere else now." She says in a small voice.
"Oh."
The information is new and Beca wonders if any of their friends had mentioned this to her in passing but came out empty.
She didn't know anything about Chloe's personal affairs ever since that night months ago. Ever since she decided to pull away and create some distance between them out of work.
"Don't worry, we can turn back around over here. Just tell me where to go." She assures Chloe who still looks guilty, apologizing profusely.
"I'm staying somewhere closer to the office so… the commute has been easier." Chloe explains and Beca can't help but feel as if there's something the redhead is not telling her. She's suddenly a little fidgety and distracted as she points directions to this new place.
Somehow, wherever she is staying now seems so familiar to her. She's been in this neighborhood before. And quite a neighborhood it is. It's home to private residences that belong to the upper class scale. It wasn't exactly as upscale as the other famously fancy neighborhoods A-list stars and billion dollar company CEO's frequently choose to reside but it's pretty close. Close enough for Beca to afford too.
As a matter of fact, Beca had contemplated living here. It was either here or the condominium unit she now lives in but obviously she decided that having a house with a lot was too much for one person. She wasn't like—
"Aubrey." Beca suddenly blurts out as Chloe finally makes her stop in front of a beautiful Mediterranean styled house, one that Beca has spent holidays, a few birthday parties or simply, small hang outs with the group.
"Yeah," Chloe slowly says. "I'm staying with Aubrey right now." She finally admits and now Beca has a lot of questions.
If Chloe is living with Aubrey now, then what about…
"We broke up, Matt and I." Chloe says and Beca doesn't know if she's just good at keeping her emotions, which is a bit unlikely from someone so open as Chloe, or if she really isn't affected by it at all.
Then again, the break-up could've happen for a while now and Chloe is just better at the art of moving on than Beca.
Looking back, she does tend to get too attached and emotionally invested to the point of forgetting herself in the process.
"I'm sorry." Beca apologizes. Suddenly looking back at the past weeks, wondering how she didn't see the signs.
But then again, she got promoted after a break-up and went on to lead an insanely huge annual event.
Break-ups no matter what kind it is, still hurts though. It still ruins you temporarily and changes you. Regardless of the story, that person had been someone you once adored and loved. And maybe you still do but sadly, it wasn't enough to keep the relationship together.
This, Beca understands.
"It's over and I'm… actually glad it is." Chloe breathes out softly that Beca almost doesn't hear it.
"Anyways," she brightens up again, smile back in place. "It's getting late. Bree's probably sleeping now." Chloe's words seem to hang in the air before she looks at Beca, baby blue eyes boring right at her intently.
"I still want to." Chloe says without a warning that Beca only blinks and gives her a puzzled look.
"Be friends. I won the bet after all so…" Chloe's gaze turns expectant and Beca finds it adorable despite the looming threat of what those mischievous smile holds.
"Yes you did and so... now we're friends." she clarifies, resigning to the fact that she's now gained yet another addition to the small list of people she'd take care of for the rest of her life.
A grin breaks out of Chloe's lips and Beca groans when she remembers something.
"No, we're not getting cute matching pajamas or Friends Forever bracelets." She warns, eyeing Chloe sharply.
The redhead groans in protest but relents in the end. Although, Beca knows she hasn't entirely given that thought up just yet. Based on experience, Chloe's always had a very strong 'never give up' attitude after all.
"Alright, but we're definitely having movie night soon and playdates for our cats." Chloe giddily says which only makes Beca sigh because she's certain it's going to be horror movies and messy kitchen disasters again.
Suddenly a thought enters her mind and before Chloe steps out, the words slip out of her lips.
"With or without the bet," she starts and Chloe pauses to look back at her. "And maybe it's two in the morning, I'm in some sort of after effect from the event and I'm going to regret this later but," she stops for a beat before continuing. "We have the same taste in music, same love for cats, an extreme interest in food plating and it's always quite fun hanging out with you so," she drums her fingers anxiously on the steering wheel, Chloe's eyes burning her skin.
"We'd still end up being friends no matter what… and I'm glad I gave you my umbrella because then we wouldn't have met."
Beca feels like melting right on the spot. She's never good at expressing emotional stuff but it is that time of the night and it's been a really crazy day, crazy but great.
She chances a glance to find Chloe smiling one of those genuinely happy smiles and before the awkwardness stretches, Beca straightens up.
"Right, it's been a long day. Have a good night. Say hi to Captain Posen for me." She quickly says, starting the car as she does.
But before anything else, Chloe gently tugs on to her arm, pulling her close and meeting her halfway to capture her in an embrace.
Beca doesn't even realize what's happening, body going rigid and tense, a defense mechanism to her natural aversion to physical affection. Despite that she doesn't pull back or push her away.
Once she smells that familiar sweet scent and the warmth that only Chloe can bring, she softens to the touch.
She brings a hand up to Chloe's back and she feels arms tightening around her.
"Thanks for saving me that day and all the days after that." Chloe whispers and just before she releases her, Beca feels soft lips press against her cheek.
She feels something akin to a jolt of electricity striking her on the spot and it's a good thing that Chloe parts from her a second later because the physical affection overload is already frying her brain.
Chloe bids her good night before stepping out the car and since Beca hasn't fully recovered just yet, she just smiles lightly and gives a quick wave before driving off.
Shaking herself back to life, she sighs at the fact that being friends with Chloe Beale would mean lots of hugs, cheek kisses and sweet affectionate gestures. As if Stacie's touchy, borderline lewd gestures of affection is not enough. Now she has two affection addicted friends.
Midnight Rain plays on her car's sound system and unconsciously she smiles, the warm feeling still residing in her chest.
Maybe she does need another friend.
Maybe she does need a Chloe Beale in her life.
A friend for life.
And maybe that's a really good thing.
Chloe closes the door behind her, a hand to her heart as she takes a moment to lean back and close her eyes.
A sound breaks the quiet atmosphere, her chest jumping as she opens her eyes only to breathe out in relief as she finds Mallows passing by.
Making her way to the kitchen, she's surprised to find Aubrey rummaging through the fridge donned in her night gown, her night robe loosely tied around her waist.
"It's two in the morning." Chloe says with a smile of disbelief, noticing the fresh batch of cookies on the counter and a glass of wine.
"Best time to bake cookies and enjoy them with a bottle of wine." Her friend replies offering her some to eat.
Sluggishly, she takes a cookie and sits on one of the kitchen aisle's bar stools. Taking a bite, she moans at how delicious it is. Baking is one of Aubrey's specialties after all.
Aubrey smiles, looking proud at her creation before pouring her a glass of wine.
"I watched the live telecast. I bet Beca's head is now the size of all the planets combined with another trophy under her belt." Aubrey mutters before taking another cookie for herself.
"Congratulations, by the way. You guys worked so hard for this." Aubrey adds and Chloe stares down hard at her half finished cookie, swallowing the lump down her throat.
She stays quiet for a couple of moments, words hanging just at the tip of her tongue as a war starts brewing down at the center of her chest.
She's tired and yet there's still a question that she needs to ask before her mind lets her rest. Even then she is not sure if sleep would come.
This question, if asked, would open a whole set of doors she has never been through before and it scares her. What's worse is, she might've just been standing in front of these very doors for a long time.
Until now.
Until she finally gives in to it, starts reaching out to twist the handle and push it open.
Aubrey empties her own glass before turning around to settle it down the sink. The sound of water pours and something inside Chloe finally breaks.
"Bree," her voice weak and unsteady.
"Hm?" her friend hums distractedly.
"When did you realize that you also like girls?"
The water stops pouring abruptly, leaving only the sound of Chloe's beating heart spilling all over the quiet house.
Author's Note:
'Swear to god I'm a sinner in a church burnin' up for you.
...Swear to God, shoulda' learned, shoulda' learned
To never, never, never
Fuck with, fuck with
Fuck with girls like you'
-Girls Like U by Blackbear
Ampersandian: Love the song! Thanks for the suggestion.
StarsAligned: Really? Thanks for the info. You lovelies stay safe and dry!
Ooh, I can hear jaws slacking and hearts hammering. Well, you're welcome.
Happy Love day, sweethearts. Hope you liked this gift.