A/N: Hello Readers! Here's the next chapter of my tale. I had hoped to be able to keep a weekly schedule, but that's proving difficult with life, but know I keep chugging away at this and will finish it.
As always, I don't own Pitch Perfect, or any of their characters.
CHAPTER 6
***Brunch***
Chloe slowly wakes from a deep slumber to the feel of movement under her arm. She has a slight headache, but that's not a surprise, considering the amount of alcohol she drank last night. She's still tired and a bit confused as she struggles to open one eye, only to see nothing but chocolate brown tresses of hair.
This surprise gives the boost of energy she requires to open her other eye. The surprise also causes her to inhale, and she breathes in Beca's favorite perfume and Chloe realizes she is cuddling with her favorite DJ.
The events of the night before begin to unfold in her head, and she smiles bittersweetly Chloe has known for awhile that she's in love with the tiny alt-girl, since just about the first time they met. She'd never said it out loud, nor would she. At first she had thought her crush on Beca would go away, because you know Beca's straight, and then had a boyfriend. Yet last night had shown those feelings were still there and continue to grow. It is something real, and it scares her because this cannot last.
The four friends make it back to Beca and Chloe's apartment, just before 3:00 AM. Aubrey is supporting Emily, who shows all the signs of being completely inebriated. Chloe is leaning up against the wall next to the door, while Beca wrestles to get her key out of her front pocket.
"Damn skinny jeans…" huffs Beca, which causes Chloe to giggle.
Aubrey balances the tall brunette who is sagging really low. The tall blonde is having to support more and more of her weight. "Are you alright Em? We're almost home."
The younger girl giggles and looks at Aubrey, "You're pretty. Let's dance! Come dance with me! I wanna dance more!" The younger girl tries standing straight, but has really no control of her legs. She does manage to shake her hips, which causes Aubrey to sway too.
The blonde rolls her eyes and says, "Beca, you said Emily was drinking water."
Chloe bites her lower lip to stifle the laughs that have been trying desperately to contain.
"She was…" Beca assures Aubrey.
The tall blonde grunts, "Well she's got shit for stamina then."
Emily's been humming softly to herself the whole ride home, now breaks into song. "And I sing along, I sing along, and I sing along…"
Chloe's giggles become laughter, and even Beca starts giggling. Aubrey just rolls her eyes and struggles to keep the singing girl upright. "Mitchell, door, any day now…"
Beca wakes up, and focuses on getting the keys into the lock. "Oh yeah…"
"Kickstart my heart when you shine it in my eyes… Can't lie, it's a sweet life…"
Aubrey looks at the young Bella and pleads, "Ems? Can we go back to humming?"
"'Cause you're my flashlight! You're my flashlight (flashlight), you're my flashlight"
"There the doors open!" Declares Beca as she pushes the door open.
"Oh thank god…" Aubrey drags Emily through the door, and closes it with a kick. She guides the young girl to the couch, and drops her unceremoniously.
"You all are just…so pretty." The young brunette breaths out, "I wish I was as pretty as you." Emily slurs the words, and then begins hiccupping.
Aubrey let out a sigh, then looks around and asks Beca, "Where's Chloe?"
Beca looks around and shrugs, "You take care of Emily, I'll find Chloe." She looks in the kitchen and the bathroom, calling out Chloe's name. Suddenly a thought strikes Beca and she opens the front door. There still leaning against the wall in the same spot she had been.
"Chloe?"
"Yeah Becs…"
"You okay?"
"Yeah Becs…"
"You want to come in?"
The redhead nods, mumbling "I'm good, I'm good" before she stands up straight and follows the smaller brunette through the door.
Beca guides her best friend through the apartment, and back to the room they are sharing. "Chloe, we should change, and prepare for bed."
"Yeah, you're right Becs… I'm just so tired…" Chloe says through her yawns as Beca guides her to a seated position on the bed.
"Let me get us some water."
"Thanks Becs, you're the best!"
Beca half expects to find Chloe to be asleep when she returns, but the redhead has managed to remain awake. She hands Chloe a glass of water, and sips at hers while Chloe gulps hers.
"Thanks again Becs…"
"No problem Chlo, I'm going to wash up. Do you have your change of clothes?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
Beca walks over to the charging station she has on her nightstand. Even as she goes to plug in her iPhone she gets a text from Jesse asking her to call him. She stares at the message for a time before she chooses to ignore it. She places the phone on airplane mode and plugs it in.
She knows that will probably be trouble in the morning, but she just doesn't have the energy right now. She turns and grabs her makeup removing kit and heads for the bathroom, while Chloe changes out of her dress.
"Did you have fun tonight at the party?" Chloe asks as she pulls her dress off.
Beca answers from the bathroom while washing her face of her makeup, "Yeah it was great; though I wish Jesse hadn't gotten weird." She let out an audible huff as she starts brushing her teeth.
Chloe enters the bathroom dressed in a pink Victoria Secret tank top and boxer shorts. Beca hesitates as she takes in Chloe and her choice of sleepwear. Chloe winks at her, and gives a light tap with her hip as she squeezes in next to Beca and starts brushing her own teeth. Thirty seconds in she pauses, holding her toothbrush off to the side, and she gives Beca a look and asks, "Do you know what was bothering him?"
Beca hesitates, then shakes her head no. She finishes rinsing her mouth and face and then excuses herself quickly. Chloe follows a few minutes later, stepping into their shared bedroom. Her eyes grow as she sees that Beca has changed into an oversized gray and black Barden University t-shirt. Her gray boy-shorts barely peeking out from under her shirt; the outfit really showcases her great legs. Chloe's mouth goes dry, she feels her heart skip a beat, and her stomach begin to fill with butterflies. Chloe gives her best friend a warm smile and Beca smiles one back.
Chloe decides that her best bet is to get to sleep, before she looks like a perv checking out her best friend. She quickly goes to the bed and climbs into the bed first. Beca follows quickly behind. They lay down facing one another, and just look into each other's eyes for a while.
"Roll over Chlo. I want to be the big spoon."
"Oh you think you get to be the big spoon?"
Beca guffaws, "Yeah, my bed, my say on who gets to be the big spoon."
Chloe giggles, but in the end decides to acquiescence to the request. She rolls over and feels the bed shift as Beca scoots closer.
Beca tentatively reaches around her taller friend and pulls Chloe in a little closer. Chloe's breath hitches at the contact, though she tries to play it off.
Beca whispers into her friend's red locks. "This should be an interesting week."
"Of course Becs; you get to sleep with me," Chloe yawns.
Beca's eyes shoot open and she literally forgets how to breathe. She tries to come up with something snarky to reply but she ends up saying, "Your skin smells like peaches, and your hair like strawberries…"
Chloe shifts a little and asks, "What was that Becs?"
Now Beca's completely flustered, so again tries to be sarcastic, "You also have an amazing natural vanilla scent." Beca can't help but think it's the Kommisar all over again.
Chloe rolls over and faces Beca, their noses just inches apart. Beca sees that Chloe has a devilish smirk, and she knows she should be offended but she really finds it cute and endearing.
"So Becs," Chloe whispers.
"Hmmm."
"You're basically saying I smell like fruit salad?"
"Yeah."
Chloe's smirk grows, and there's that devilish glint in her eyes again.
"I mean no."
"So I don't smell like peaches?"
"Yes, you do."
Chloe arches an eyebrow.
"I… Mean…"
"Becs…"
"Yeah…"
"Thanks, that's sweet. Now roll over."
Beca's eyes narrow as she asks, "Why?"
"Because I want to be the big spoon; and you smell good too."
Beca smiles and rolls over, savoring the feeling of Chloe's arms encircling her and pulling her closer. She whispers "Goodnight, Chlo." And she can feel Chloe smile into her back as she responds, "Goodnight, Becs."
Chloe smiles at the memories. She loves waking up wrapped in the tiny DJ's arms. Over the last four years this had happened more than it probably should have. Yet it always felt right to Chloe, and this morning it feels right as she stretches the morning stiffness out.
She sits up and looks down at Beca, and feels her love swell for her best friend. Chloe can tell that her favorite DJ is still sleeping by her steady breathing, and the completely adorable little snore, and every so often she makes the most endearing sounds, as if she's singing in her dreams, which she probably is. It's so peaceful to just watch Beca sleep that Chloe just sits there and watches her sleep for several minutes.
On impulse she gives the top of Beca's head a quick peck. Her tiny DJ stirs and makes a "Hmmm," noise as she rolls onto her back. She rubs her eyes and looks up at Chloe.
Chloe smiles down at her best friend. "Good morning," she hums to the tiny brunette.
"Shhhh Beale… Sleeping… I'm sleeping here," Beca whispers, her voice raspy with sleep. She's covering her eyes with the back of her hand, but this proves ineffective, so the petite brunette rolls onto her stomach and buries her face into her pillow.
"It's time to get up Becs."
"No…"
Chloe smiles at the petulance in Beca's voice. "We've got Amy's Brunch, Becs."
"Not going."
Chloe smiles warmly as she hears the rasp of Beca's morning voice. "You know if you don't get up, Aubrey will come in and wake you." Chloe warns, gently poking Beca with a finger.
Beca rolls back over, her eyes going wide, "She wouldn't…"
"Have you met my long time friend?"
"Oh right," Beca rubs the back of her head as she yawns and somewhat tries to sit up, then falls back again, refusing to acknowledge that she'll have to get up. "Who thought brunch this morning was a good idea?"
Chloe chuckles and says, "Come on. Let's get some caffeine in you."
"Yes please."
"Last night was fun."
Beca stretches her arms to the ceiling and blinks several times, and Chloe can see her younger friend trying to remember what actually happened last night.
Beca's face transforms with a pleasant smile, that warms Chloe's heart. It's moments like this that Chloe lives for; but then a cold pit forms in her chest as Beca's face changes again, as though she's remembering something else. Beca gets up quickly and mumbles something about needing to use the bathroom, and quickly flees the room.
Chloe is left sitting, wondering what made Beca smile and what made her flee?
.
.
Beca returns to her room about five minutes later to find it empty. Looking over to the nightstand where her mobile phone's plugged in, Beca spies a sticky note left by Chloe with a doodle of Rainbow Dash is sitting next to a glass of water and has two aspirin lying on top.
Beca can't help but smile, though she's bummed Chloe's already gone. She grabs the two aspirin and pops them into her mouth, and then fumbles for the glass as she fights the urge to cough, having thrown the aspirin too far back in her mouth. She gags on the taste as the aspirin dissolves. Finally she gets her hand around the glass and is able to take a gulp of water. Beca tilts her head back and swallows hard, to make sure the pills makes it down.
The chalky taste lingers, but the water does help alleviate it, so she drinks the rest of the water in one swallow. Picking up the sticky note, she places it on the wall above her dresser, where a couple dozen other sticky notes already reside; each with a different Chloe original doodle.
Beca picks her iPhone off the charging station, thankful she remembered to plug it in last night. She flicks it off of airplane mode. Her eyes grow as the phone begins to vibrate wildly, and a continual string of chimes emits from it. She reads the screen shocked, realising just how many missed messages and calls she'd had from Jesse.
"Shit," she says, knowing she has to talk with him, but not sure what she wants to say.
As Beca looks at her phone it vibrates again, and she sees another text from Jesse, asking her to call him again. She shakes her head no, locks her phone and puts it in her back pocket. She's just not ready to talk to Jesse right now.
Beca shuffles her way into the kitchen and directly towards the coffee pot. She grabs her favorite mug and begins to pour the dark liquid into it. Taking a moment to just savor the heavenly aroma.
As she puts the pot back, she realizes somebody is behind her. She jumps, coming very close to spilling her coffee.
"Jesus, Posen," she hisses, stepping to the side to grab the milk.
"Sorry," Aubrey apologizes, filling her own cup, but it's pretty clear she isn't sorry at all. "But honestly, did you think the coffee made itself?"
"Maybe…"
Aubrey just rolls her eyes, shaking her head.
Beca winces as she sips her coffee, the hot drink burning her tongue slightly. She nods throwing a thumbs up to Aubrey for making the coffee right. Once she's had a couple more sips she asks, "Have you woken Emily? That girl's got to be hurting…"
"Morning Becs, morning Bree," says Emily rather cheerfully as she practically skips into the kitchen.
Beca's jaw falls open. "How are you this bubbly this morning?"
Emily gives her a puzzled look, like she has no idea what Beca's talking about. "I had a great night sleep."
"I may hate you Emily…"
"Oh don't be a grumpy-pants, Becs." Says Chloe as she enters the kitchen. She sticks her tongue out at Beca in response to the tiny DJ's sticking hers out. "Forgive her Ems, Beca can be a bit surly in the morning before she's had the requisite amount of coffee."
Aubrey scoffs, "A bit?"
Beca mumbles into her mug, "I hate all of you…"
"But we luuuuvvvvv you Becs," Chloe drags out the word love as she hugs Beca from behind. Beca stiffens at the surprise hug, but quickly relaxes into the redhead's hold. A noise from Aubrey serves to wake Beca from her reverie. She pulls free and says something about needing to get dressed, and beats a quick retreat from the kitchen.
As Beca heads for her room, her phone vibrates again. She pulls it out and reads the latest text from Jesse.
MovieNerd [8:32am] Beca I'm so sorry I wish I could take back how I acted. How can I make it up to you?
Beca shakes her head, she still feels a need to ignore Jesse, and his constant texts are becoming just too much for her.
A few minutes later a freshly-dressed Beca emerges from her bedroom, but though she feels refreshed, she's still grumpy, due to hunger pangs.
Chloe must be able to tell, "Come on Becs, here's a breakfast bar." She hands the bar to Beca. "This should tide you over. We will get going to Brunch in a few minutes. Aubrey used her über app." Chloe points to the counter, "There's another glass of water; make sure you drink the whole glass. You'll feel better."
Beca thanks Chloe, and opens the breakfast bar wrapper, quickly taking a bite. She picks up the glass and smiles at the post-it note sitting next to it, with a smiley face emoji.
Chloe is rinsing out the coffee pot, while Emily and Aubrey are both seated on the stools still savoring their coffees. There are an additional two cups of coffee on the counter. Beca looks pointedly at the mugs and silently questions. Aubrey shrugs and gestures to Chloe. The redhead smiles and says "Requisite amount of Coffee."
"Thank god," breathes Beca as she takes the closest mug and begins drinking it down.
Chloe steps next to Beca and retrieves the final mug. "Better?"
"Much."
"Happy?"
"Don't push it, Beale."
"Come on, Grumpypants. Let's go eat."
"Okay," Beca huffs as she grabs Chloe's hand on instinct and turns to walk out the door.
.
.
.
Twenty minutes later the Über drops the four women off at the restaurant. It's an upscale place known for an amazing brunch buffet, so Beca's not surprised Fat Amy chose it for the site of the brunch.
Again Beca's phone buzzes as they walk from the car to the restaurant; she looks at it with a frown and sighs.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asks as she steps up next to Beca.
She sighs as she shows the redhead her phone. "It's Jesse, he keeps texting me…"
Chloe shrugs, "Maybe you should text him back?"
The smaller brunette mirrors the shrug, "I'm still angry about his behavior last night, besides I'm going to see him at the brunch."
"No you won't," interjects Emily.
Beca looks at Emily confused. "What do you mean, Ems?"
"Thought you knew," Emily looks at Beca and Chloe, both of whom shake their heads no. "Oh, well Amy told us that this was the Bellas Brunch; while Bumper was taking the Trebblemakers out golfing."
"Shit! I didn't text Jesse, cause I thought I would see him here…"
"Sorry…"
"Not your fault Ems," Beca assures her young friend, holding up her hands. "I need to talk to him, but I don't particularly want to call him at the moment."
"Well text him that; then he can stop texting. Tell him you thought he'd be here at the brunch and you would rather talk face to face. That you just need time this morning, and you'll talk to him later today," Chloe shrugs her shoulders, "or like you know, whenever."
Beca nods, typing a quick message to Jesse, explaining her lack of response, and her mistaken assumption. Once she's happy with the message, she sends it, and releases a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. Looking over to Chloe, she smiles and says they should head in.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Chloe affirms. "Amy gets so super grumpy when she's hasn't eaten."
.
.
.
"HEY SHAWSHANK!" screams Fat Amy as she spots Beca entering the private room reserved for the Bellas Brunch. The large Aussie rushes over to her best friend, a large grin displayed on her face.
"Amy noooo…."
Amy Sweeps Beca into a huge bear hug, trapping the tiny brunette up against her ample bosom. Chloe, Emily, and Aubrey snicker at Beca's predicament. It's quite the site to see Beca's feet dangling a foot off the ground as she's swung back and forth by Fat Amy.
The three friends grab coffees from a table set-up just inside the doorway, before approaching the main table set-up in the middle of the room. It's a table big enough that all the Bellas will be able to sit at. Two seats are already taken by CR and Lily.
"Mornin' Cynthia Rose, Lily. How are you both this morning?" Aubrey asks as sips her coffee.
Emily sits down next to Cynthia, "Hey CR, did you and Maria enjoy the club last night?"
"Hey Cap. Legacy. Yeah, I'll say we did," Cynthia Rose replies, and smiles up at Maria as she approaches with two coffees. She continues after accepting a coffee and a quick peck on the lips. "It was TD! Maria and I haven't been out like that in awhile. We want to hit another before we head back home."
Chloe asks, "When are you two scheduled to leave?"
"Hey Chloe. Actually a week from today. We decided to make this a vacation."
"Hey back. We can totally make sure you two get to another club." Chloe responds as she sits next to Aubrey, coffee mug in hand, which she hands to Beca, who collapses in the seat next to Chloe's.
The smaller brunette grumbles something about crazy Australians, and asks how much it would cost to make the body disappear. Lily whispers something about $25,000 for access to a pig farm. Beca and all the rest choose to ignore this answer.
Stacie sits next to Maria, "If nothing else, you'll have to come see our resident badass DJ, this next Thursday."
"That's right, you were saying last night that you have another gig this Thursday. We would love to see you work your magic."
"Yeah Beca, Maria still talks about how you commandeered the DJ duties at our reception." CR says as she smiles broadly.
Beca blushes, "You both deserved better. I think he was on Ecstasy, and really didn't understand half his equipment."
"Well I'm eternally grateful for helping make my wedding to Cyn so perfect," says Maria, she gives her wife a peck on the cheek. "We of course will come to see you this Thursday."
Chloe asks, "Whatever happened to the DJ that night?"
Stacie shrugs, "He kept hitting on me, but even I have standards, and then he disappeared."
Lily mumbles something about trunk of a car and a long winding drive home. Again the table chooses to ignore this.
Maria places her hand on Stacie's and assures her, "Of course you have standards, quite impeccable ones. Cousin Emanuel was quite taken with you and appreciative of his night with you after the reception. When you choose the time is right for you to commit to someone, that person will be very fortunate."
"You're so sweet Maria," says a beaming Stacie, "You got yourself a winner there CR."
Cynthia beams at her wife, "That I did, that I did."
Ashley and Jessica enter at that moment, and everyone greets them warmly. They're grabbing coffees as Denise enters, to more greetings, and she makes herself a cup of tea. All the Bellas are now there, seated at the long table. They all fall into easy conversations about last night's party and the rather enormous announcements. There's a buzz of excitement and curiosity, with just a touch of apprehension. Everyone's showing a little worse for wear from the previous night's activities, but are upbeat.
Amy assures everyone that the best cure for hangovers is a bit more booze. At Amy's instructions waitresses move around the table handing out Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. Amy assures everyone that they are bottomless Mary's and Mimosas. This brings the energy of the table up a notch or two.
After a few minutes listening to all the chatting and laughter, Fat Amy stands to get everyone's attention. Once they are all looking over at her she announces, "Alright, ladies! First things first, I'll be talking about the television show proposal in a little bit, and will answer all your questions; but this is most important, the buffet is open!" With a wave of her hand, Amy indicates the buffet line that the wait staff have just finished setting up.
All the Bellas give a little cheer, and head over. Fat Amy smiles proudly. Then realizes she hasn't got her food yet.
A few minutes later, Fat Amy digs into the feast she's set before herself. Part of her wonders who she elbowed aside to get to the buffet. She had meant to let the others go first, but the part of her that was hungry, was really hungry, and well in those situations Fat Amy waits for no one. Denise is rubbing her arm like it's hurting, Jessica is helping Ashley, who is cradling an elbow, while Beca is scowling. It appears to be a mystery; though Amy makes a mental note to check on who it was after the brunch. For now she's just going to enjoy, and takes bite out of a slice of bacon.
Once everyone has their food and is situated back at the table, Fat Amy stands again and says, "Alright Pitches, we haven't got all day… So, I'd imagine most of you have questions," Amy looks at the Bellas expectantly who all nod their heads, "and I have the 411 you've all gathered here to hear; so here goes!"
"My Bumper put together a presentation of various acapella performances, including footage of our ICCA performances and Worlds and presented it to some suits at NBC Studios; and they loved me, I mean us!"
"So they gave tentative approval for a new reality singing competition show to air, late this fall; and we would like to have you all be a part of it."
Emily tentatively raises her hand. Chloe smiles at her and tells the younger woman that she doesn't need to raise her hand. Emily blushes and speaks, though it's nearly Lily level in volume, which only makes her blush more. She clears her throat and says, "What about my classes?"
Fat Amy dismisses this out of hand. "Look, this is just a chance. We will need to get the final green light, then pull the initial competition together, and tape the first season, and if it all goes right we get renewed for a full season, but that won't require your participation. This will be taped prior to broadcasting, so you're just looking at a summer commitment."
"Summer is an important time for Jessica and I," says Ashley.
Her blonde best friend nods and says, "Yeah, That's an awful long time to miss; especially as Ashley and I are still establishing our business."
Stacie adds, "I'm taking a couple advanced botany courses, and I've already committed to a few modeling gigs."
Cynthia Rose speaks up, "Two to three months is a long time for me and Maria to be in L.A..."
Amy looks at CR, "First, I figured that this would be an issue. Bumper and I will be making our guest house available to you…"
Beca turns to Chloe and mouths, "They have a guest house?"
"... And we all don't have to be here the whole summer. You'll all just need to be here when practices and competitions start.
"Additionally CR, Bumper's and my agent feels he can hook you and Maria with some gigs here and in Las Vegas. You might get some expanded opportunities."
Cynthia Rose looks like she has another objection, but Fat Amy cuts her off. "It's all handled, Cynthia Rose." The big blonde answers with her usual bluster and confidence.
Pointing at Jessica and Ashley, "You two also might have noticed that I got engaged last night, and I'll be needing wedding planners. So if you're in, you're hired. At the same time there's room in the guest house, if it's cool with CR and Maria." Amy raised an eyebrow in question to the young couple.
CR and Maria look at each other, and then nod. Denise asks what about her. Stacie says that she can crash at her place.
"I don't know if I can stay the summer," says Emily.
Before Beca can say anything, Chloe assures Emily she can stay with them.
Aubrey asks, "So what will this show be about?
Amy smiles broadly, "Okay, it's of course a singing show. There's going to be an opening number each week that you'll participate in as long as you're still participating…"
Beca holds up her hand and says, "Wo wo wo, hold up… You suddenly started using the term 'you' a lot."
Chloe jumps in, "Yeah Amy, almost like you're not going to be taking part?"
"Well, I will and I won't…"
CR leans forward and asks, "What does that mean?"
"Well I will be a part of the show, but I won't be as a contestant…"
"What?" All the Bellas shout at once.
"Calm your tits ladies. Bumper and I are going to be producers and on air talent…"
"What!?" All the Bellas shout at once again.
"Well of course we're going to be producing the show, and the best way to ensure success is to have me on it from start to finish. So I'm going to be a host."
"You won't be singing with us?"
"I know Legacy… I feel bad about depriving you all of my awesomeness, but it really wouldn't be fair."
Leaning forward Chloe asks, "So what else can you tell us about the show's format?"
"Well there will be ten teams split into two brackets. Bumper and I've been recruiting them. Y'all and the Trebblemakers are the last two teams we are trying to recruit. One bracket will compete Monday's the other on Tuesdays. Each week will start with an opening number where the song selection and choreography are set by the team, though it will be based on a theme determined by the show."
"The show will dictate what genre a particular show has. You could be asked any variety of music genres such as pop, hip hop, soul, rock, grunge, country, and R&B. You could also be given different eras, or decades."
"Once the first number is done, there will be a scored song. This will be a member of the team singing a song they have prepared. The thing is, once a member of the team sings in this part of the competition, then they are done for the contest. So you have to be strategic in what order your team sings. A score will be given by the judges, and the studio audience. We hope in future seasons to have viewers also vote. This first season won't be live. But hopefully we'll have a buzz going, and get high ratings, so future seasons will be live."
Amy continues, really getting excited, "Now after the solos there will be the Riff-Off, and this is straight up return to the pool riff-off, which will also be scored. This I think will be the hook that brings in the viewers.
"Of course this will all be performed in front of a live audience, and I think the riff-off will really energize them.
"Last will be an improv, the topic to be determined by the spin of a wheel. You won't know what you're singing before hand, it's a surprise. This could be a solo, duet, or full team. As the number of teams dwindles, the more improv songs will be done. At the end of the show the team with the lowest score will be dropped."
"The final four teams, two from each bracket will be brought together. The final four show will have two teams eliminated, and the last show will be for all the marbles."
Aubrey asks, "Who came up with this concept?"
"Me and Bumper have been kicking it around when we first moved out here."
"Damn girl! You and Bumper really put a lot of thought into this." CR is officially impressed
"Like I said, leave everything that to me," says Fat Amy.
Beca is curious to know how Fat Amy will arrange everything, and just what exactly 'everything' is?
Aubrey looks about the table and asks, "So Amy, what's the next steps?"
"Well once you're all agreed, we have a final meeting with the execs at NBC Universal Studios. Before giving final green light on this project, they want to meet some of the groups we're inviting."
Aubrey asks, "When is this meeting?"
"Week from this Wednesday."
"That's not a lot of time Ames…"
"I know Stace, but this is coming together fast, and in this town you have to jump at opportunities when they present."
Beca finds herself nodding at Amy's words, she had seen this firsthand. "Why is the studio in such a rush?"
Fat Amy gives a slight shrug. "They had a project fall through, and are looking for a quick filler, but I also think they can see the potential. American Idol is done, XFactor is done, they have the Voice, but are planning on holding it in January, so this could fill a void in music competition shows."
Stacie asks, "Who are the competitors?"
Fat Amy smiles, "For this first season Bumper and I are selecting the groups. If it's a success and we get a second season, then we'll add a recruiting process that gets covered. But for this first time we wanted to make sure we got really competitive teams with compelling back stories."
Chloe leans forward, "Like who did you get?"
"Well we recruited out of Virginia a group called Exit2U…"
Ashley pipes up, "Jessica and I have seen them, they're really good."
"Then we recruited a group calling themselves Noted, they're out of Utah…"
Emily squeaks, "I really like them, they are also an all-girl group."
"Well I won't go over them all, but we did get Pentatonix!"
The whole table gasps. Everyone has heard of them. Chloe jumps in, "They're really great, and they have television experience, won the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off!"
"Yeah, with them and you on board, the first season will have serious heavy hitters. We're sure to get a green light.
"Then once we get the thumbs up, we'll spend the next couple of weeks preparing."
Aubrey asks, "What does that entail?"
"Well, prep for the contest, you'll want to have songs prepped, practice riff-offs, but there will also be a campaign to generate some buzz about the show. We'll want to create social media content, and YouTube videos that feature you the contestants. Bumper wants to keep this on a shoestring budget for this first season, so it has a more organic feel, grassroots, not some slick media campaign. I agree, let's be creative, do it our way. Showcase who we are."
Fat Amy actually looks serious, which does grab the attention of the women sitting around the table. "Honestly guys you're all really talented. I mean not as talented as me, but really talented! We really need you to make this work."
Fat Amy looks at her best friends all sitting around the table, and with all sincerity says, "Look, I know that this is asking a lot. Asking y'all to pause your lives. I know y'all are starting new careers or continuing your education, and this is a risk. There's no guarantees that this' succeed, or that it won't be a mess. But I believe in this project, and know with your help we can do this."
She pauses and says, "So take a couple days, think it over, and tell me and Bump, if you're in or have to beg off. There'll be no hard feelings if you can't commit. I know this is a big ask."
All the Bellas nod, and the table breaks into a number of side conversations, as the different friends begin talking about the show idea, and what they are considering.
Chloe is talking with Aubrey, Emily, and Beca. "It's just about the summer break, so the best music teacher in California is about to go on break, so I'm in."
"I guess I'm in too, if my boss doesn't have an issue," says Beca.
Amy makes a knowing snort of laughter, which causes Beca to look at her questioningly.
Amy smiles her 'I'm trying to look innocent, but failing miserably' smile, and shrugs. "Kinda figured you and ginger are a boxed set, Short Stack."
Beca bristles at this, though she also feels her cheeks begin to blush. "First, rude!" Beca then looks around, "Second, we don't do everything together, but Chloe made some compelling arguments last night…"
Amy waggles her eyebrows suggestively, "I bet she did…"
Beca's blush grows, and she snaps, "Amy!"
This catches Cynthia Rose's attention. "What was that?"
Beca scowls at Amy and Chloe, whose fighting down laughter. "Nothing, just Fat Amy being a perv!"
"Oh so nothing new."
"Nope!" Beca makes sure to pop the 'P'.
The conversations continue for another hour as the women all eat and drink, and enjoy each other's company. Fat Amy is happy because it seems that the idea of the show is popular with her friends, and a few have said yes. She feels confident that all her friends around the table will sign on.
The Bellas all get up and begin to make their way out of the restaurant. Beca's trying to figure out if she's happy or mad that Chloe invited all the Bellas to come over to their apartment that evening for wine. Yes she wants more Bellas time, but it's not like their apartment is that big. Of course Chloe had smiled and said 'please' with her big blue eyes, and Beca had said yes.
Beca's halfway through the parking lot when she hears her name. Looking back she sees that the Bellas have stopped and are looking off to their right. Beca follows their gaze and sees Jesse.
At first the tiny brunette is confused by what she's witnessing. There's Jesse standing on the other side of the parking lot, with a microphone in his hand.
"Jesse?"
Her boyfriend smiles and snaps his fingers. "This is for you, Beca." And with
that he's singing.
"Can you forgive me again?
I don't know what I said
But I didn't mean to hurt you
Beca's jaw drops as Jesse starts to sing. She hears Ashley or Jessica say something about Heath Ledger, which just confuses Beca more.
"I heard the words come out
I felt that I would die
It hurt so much to hurt you"
It's then Beca realizes that Jesse's being followed by a group of musicians. There's a young man with long blonde hair playing an electric guitar, a blonde woman with a bass guitar, another woman with red hair playing violin, a young Asian man has a keyboard setup, and there are two African men who look like they can be brothers, one with a drum, the other a saxophone.
"Then you look at me
You're not shouting anymore
You're silently broken
"I'd give anything now
to kill those words for you"
Beca can only stare at him in stunned silence. She feels a kaleidoscope of emotions.
"Each time I say something I regret I cry 'I don't want to lose you.'
But somehow I know that you will never leave me, yeah.
"Cause you were made for me
Somehow I'll make you see
How happy you make me"
Jesse brings his right arm up and in, placing his hand over his heart.
"I can't live this life
Without you by my side
I need you to survive
"So stay with me
You look in my eyes and I'm screaming inside that I'm sorry."
Jesse begins to move towards Beca, with his usual big goofy grin in place.
"And you forgive me again
You're my one true friend
And I never meant to hurt you"
Beca blinks in confusion as Jesse kneels before her and hands her a single red rose which she takes automatically.
"I'm so sorry Becs."
.
.
.**************************************************************************.
A/N: Hey guys, sorry that this chapter took longer than expected. I knew the basic outline, but the details took longer than expected. From the beginning I had an idea that I wanted the Bellas and Trebblemakers to be invited to do a singing show on NBC. The idea came to me when the scene of Bumper getting on 'The Voice' was shown during the credits of Pitch Perfect 2. It seemed like a plausible reason for the Bellas to reunite.
However as I was writing, I realized two things, the Bellas all have lives and careers they would have to put on hold, and two I would need to design a plausible show premise. Hopefully I succeeded with the show idea. I never watched 'The Sing-Off' so I don't know how much I copied from that show, but hopefully I came up with something plausible and interesting.
I also realized writing this chapter that while the club scene and the party would have music, there hadn't been any singing by any characters yet, and how can you have Pitch Perfect without singing? There will be more as the story continues.
The song sung by Jesse is Evanescence's - Forgive Me