A/N: Hello Readers! Here's the next chapter. This is going to be a bit shorter than other chapters, because the current chapter was going so long, and I realized there was two natural breaks, so it's become three chapters.

I had hoped to be able to keep a weekly schedule, and this will hopefully help me get back on track.

As always, I don't own Pitch Perfect, or any of their characters.

CHAPTER 8

***Breakfast Nerves***

Chloe Beale is a morning person, that's not news, but Aubrey Posen makes her look like Beca Mitchell. This of course has only been exaggerated now, while she's still on east coast time.

Walking into the kitchen Chloe rolls her eyes as she sees Aubrey already completely dressed for the day. The blonde in question quirks an eyebrow and says, "I think you've spent too much time with the Hobbit."

Chloe gives a fake laugh, "Morning to you too Bree."

Aubrey flashes an innocent smile and replies, "Good morning."

"How long have you been up?"

Aubrey shrugs, "About an hour or so."

Chloe shakes her head, but smiles knowingly, "Nervous?"

Aubrey nods her head yes.

"You're going to be fine. They're going to love you," says Chloe as she starts to perform her morning breakfast ritual; but then she notes the coffee is made, as well as an omelette, French Toast, bacon, and a bowl of cut fruit. She arches an eyebrow at all the food.

Aubrey shrugs, "I was hoping that cooking would help calm my nerves."

"Did it?"

Another shrug from the blonde, "A little, but now they're coming back."

Chloe comes up and give one of her two best friends a warm comforting hug, and begins gently rubbing her lower back. It's a trick she learned to help her long time friend get past her nerves. It's a technique she used effectively through their shared college years. "You're going to be fine Bree. Remember they're coming to you. They want you. Who says you even want them?"

"I do…"

"But they don't know that Bree. I'm not saying be standoffish, or a jerk, but also make it clear you have other options. Because you do."

Aubrey gives a thin smile, and says softly, "Thanks Chloe."

"Any time Bree."

"Are you hungry?"

"Oh yeah, this looks delicious."

"Thanks Chloe. When do you have to get the Hobbit from the Shire?"

Chloe playfully slaps Aubrey's butt. "Be nice Bree! Besides I hear her mobile; she'll be up in a few."

[*+X+*]

Beca wakes suddenly as her iPhone starts buzzing. She tries unsuccessfully to grab it without fully waking up, but she misses. The irritating sound waking her frazzled and exceedingly annoyed. A few slaps at the nightstand and she finally feels the device in the palm of her hand. A few more seconds and she finally thumbs the answer button.

"Beca…"

Beca's still sleeping brain can't register the voice, so she tries to look at the screen.

Eyes still blurry with sleep, she barely registers Jesse's picture on the screen, though he dispels any doubt as he lets out a, "Becaw!"

"God Jesse! Please take it down a notch. And seriously how many times have I told you not to call me that." Beca grumbles, tempted to hang up on the phone call right then and there and go back to the dream she had been having.

She can hear his grin through the phone as he says, "I'm sorry."

Beca sighs heavily. "No you're not."

He quips back, "Well I didn't realize you'd still be asleep."

Beca asks exasperated, "How long have you been my boyfriend?"

Jesse ignores this, and decides to take a different tract. "You do know it's a work day?"

"I finished my assignments yesterday, and don't have to be in till ten."

"Oh…"

"Well, I'm up Jesse, what do you want?"

"God your pleasant this morning aren't you" Jesse says in a far too cheery tone. He sounds like he's been awake for hours, which he probably has.

"Aren't I always?" Beca rolls onto her back, glancing at her alarm clock while she was still on the phone with her friend.

She hears him chuckle, "Are you planning on sleeping the day away?"

"As always," she responds as she squints to see the clock. It says 7:18, far too early to be having any type of conversation.

"Seriously, what do you want Jesse?"

"I want to know if you're up for lunch today, you know."

Beca groans and flops onto her stomach, rubbing her face with her free hand.

She'd totally forgotten that Jesse wanted to have lunch with his girlfriend, but she also remembers she has important meetings today with Marcus and her boss, and then plans already with Chloe and Emily for this afternoon.

"Can I rain check till tomorrow? I'm meeting with Marcus and JM today, we're discussing contracts, and future plans. Then I have plans with Chloe and Emily."

Jesse started talking too much and too fast for Beca to understand. "Hey Jesse, look, we're still on for this weekend, right?" She hears his ascent. "And we're going away for the whole weekend right?" Jesse says yes again. "Then relax. This week is crazy busy, but I'll see you tomorrow night, and we'll take off on Friday."

Jesse relents and they exchange 'I love you's' and other pleasantries, and Beca hangs up.

Rolling onto her back, Beca already can tell that there will be no more sleep this morning. She lets out a plaintive wail of frustration, but only gets the sound of giggles from the kitchen in return.

[+*X*+X+*X*+]

In the kitchen, Chloe is standing next to the center island counter, staring at the wisps of milk in her coffee when movement causes Chloe to look up. She can't help but smile at the site of Beca shuffling into the room; there's just something adorable about her .

"Good morning sleepyhead," says Chloe with a smile as bright as the sun. Or at least it feels that way to Beca.

Chloe laughs as Beca scowls in her general direction. Aubrey raises her mug of coffee and says, "Morning hobbit, how's the Shire?"

A series of grunts and comes from Beca in response.

Chloe isn't quite sure if they are in response to her, Aubrey, both, or just pained sounds responding to the morning.

"How's my Morning Grumpy Bear? Did you sleep well?"

Beca mumbles another answer as she plops into the seat at the table, with a very pointed grunt. Her eyes fall onto a beautiful bouquet of roses sitting in the middle of their dining table; thirty six of the most perfect roses, and Beca hates every single one.

Not able to control herself, Chloe repeats herself, holding her hand to her ear.

"Fine!" Responds Beca, louder than she expected.

Chloe's eyebrows shoot up quickly at the retort, but she never loses her smile. If anything the smile grows as she says excitedly, "Morning Grumpy Bear speaks!"

Beca flashes an immediate middle finger. "You're such a weirdo," she answers, before looking up into Chloe's bright blue eyes.

Still smiling Chloe just retorts, "Promises, Becs, promises…" She gives Beca a flirtatious wink.

Beca blushes and finds it difficult to speak.

Aubrey jumps in and asks, "Obscene finger gestures in the morning? Really Beca. Did living with the Bellas not teach you anything?"

Chloe can't help but giggle as Beca raises her head and gives Chloe such a plaintiff look that Chloe's not sure if she should hug Beca or laugh harder.

Beca then focuses on Aubrey and retorts, "Sure, I roomed with Amy for years. You'd be amazed at some of the more interesting ones she showed me from Tasmania."

Beca starts to make a gesture to emphasize the point when Aubrey holds up her hand and cries, "Okay, okay, you win." The blonde has seen some of Amy's more interesting hand gestures over the years, and really didn't want to see Beca perform them.

A triumphant smirk touches Beca's face, and she looks more awake and alert. Aubrey sticks her tongue out at the smaller brunette.

Beca raises an eyebrow and responds, "Real mature Posen."

Chloe raises her mug and intercedes, "As amazingly entertaining as this all is, do you want some coffee? Aubrey made it thirty minutes ago, so it's pretty fresh."

Aubrey intercedes bringing the pot over to Beca. "Let's just all agree the Morning Grumpy Bear will need her coffee."

Beca whines even as Aubrey pours her a cup. "Why do you guys pick on me." Pointing to the living room, "Legacy totally sleeps later in the day than me." And it's true, Emily would sleep till three in the afternoon everyday if allowed to.

"Because Hobbit, Legacy can sleep two, four, eight hours, it doesn't matter. She'll wake up sunny and happy, ready for what the day brings."

Beca mumbles, "Führer," under her breath.

Before Aubrey can respond, Beca feels two strong arms encircling her from behind, and giving her a strong hug.

Resting her head on Beca's shoulder, Chloe says, "While you Becs, can sleep ten, twelve, sixteen hours, and still wake as my Morning Grumpy Bear!" Chloe gives Beca an extra comforting squeeze to emphasize her point.

Beca's cheeks tinge pink with blush, and she has to fight the catch in her throat. She coughs, and then as cover shouts, "Geeze woman! Don't you know what personal space means?"

Chloe puts on an exaggerated face as if truly contemplating. "Personal space? Hmmm… Nope! Doesn't ring a bell." She gives Beca another long hug, and pinches her cheek, before going back to her coffee.

"Rude!" Is all Beca's capable of sputtering.

"Morning everyone!" Announces Emily as she breezes in. Her hair is long and shiny, looking like it's been freshly washed and brushed, despite her pajamas indicating she just woke up. Beca runs her hands through her hair and feels a knot, and though she hasn't looked in the mirror yet, knows that top bit of hair is doing that thing where it sprouts straight up, like one of those troll dolls, because that's what it always does.

Aubrey raises her mug to her mouth while indicating the younger Bella with a nod. Beca can see the knowing smile despite the mug.

"I hate you sometimes, Legacy." Beca grumbles into her coffee mug.

Emily looks perplexed, glancing to her friends, Aubrey and Chloe just shrug.

Emily lights up at the sight of all the food. "Breakfast!" She declares excitedly. She ignores Beca's groans, as she grabs three French Toast, three strips of bacon, and a bunch of blueberries and strawberries.

"Slow down Ems."

Emily looks up surprised, but Chloe reassures her and shushes Beca. "Let the girl eat. Our little girl is growing so fast."

Emily grins around a bite of French Toast. "Thanks mom."

Beca scoffs, "Growing? She's already half again as big as me!"

Aubrey brings more berries she's washed. "Jealous much?"

Beca grabs a slice of French Toast and mumbles, "Seriously, is it pick-on Mitchell day?"

Chloe sits next to Beca, and gives her a one arm hug. "Always, but only because we love you."

Aubrey sits down in the seat directly across from Beca and sets down her Franklin Covey. "Okay ladies, let's discuss our schedules." The blonde chooses to ignore Beca's groans. "I, of course have my interview this afternoon, and I'm to have dinner with a few of their executives this evening, so I won't be joining you. Chloe?"

Chloe smiles, actually relishing her long time friend's capacity for organizing. "I have my normal Wednesday class schedule, but have taken a day off from the dance studio this evening, because I'm taking Becs and Ems, to see some music equipment I've got a line on."

Aubrey nods, making a notation in her planner. "Beca?"

"Wait, you're writing our schedules in your book too?"

"Of course, this way I can be sure to know when you're available or where you're at. Just in case I need to get a hold of you."

"Back at Barden, Bree had a copy of every Bellas schedule." Adds Chloe, a bemused look on her face.

Beca turns back to the blonde, with an incredulous look. "Seriously?"

Chloe answers, "Totes, heck she even had your schedule at the radio station."

Aubrey simply shrugs at Beca's look of incredulity. "It pays to be prepared. So Beca, your day?"

Beca takes a moment to gather her thoughts, she can't help but think Aubrey is a bit crazy with the planning, but she knows it makes the blonde a bit more sane. "Well I got work, and I'm meeting with my boss JM and Marcus from the club." Beca's eyes flick over to the bouquet of roses, and feels a tiny stab of resentment. She notes Chloe blush from the corner of her eye. "Then it looks like I'm checking out some music equipment."

Aubrey finishes jotting a note while saying, "Good, good, Emily?"

The younger Bella smiles brightly. "I'm going to go over to Hollywood Boulevard and see the walk of fame and the Chinese Theater. I'm also working on a couple songs, and I'm meeting Chloe and Beca at Chloe's school, so we can look at some music equipment."

"Good, good, now tomorrow, I have more meetings, and then we're scheduled to go to Club Exchange and see Beca perform. That's all set right?"

Beca rolls her eyes. "Yeah Bree, I'll confirm with Marcus today…"

"Wait, you haven't confirmed, we have all the Bellas coming and a number of Trebbles, we need confirmation."

Chloe steps in and assures her friend, "It's okay Bree. Beca's got this."

Beca nodded, sensing now might not be the time to tease her uptight friend. "Yeah no worries, general. I'm just going to see if we can score some V.I.P. passes."

Aubrey sighs, "It's just everything needs to be set." Looking over at the clock, Aubrey says, "I need to get going."

Chloe looks confused, "Isn't your meeting at one?"

"Yes, but I want to make sure I have plenty of time."

"It isn't even 8:30, Bree. You're good," assures Chloe.

"I can't be late."

"Posen, only you would see getting to a meeting three hours early as being late," Beca states.

Aubrey shrugs, "Some of us have standards."

Beca asks, "Posen, are you always this high-strung before an interview?"

Emily looks up from spreading strawberry jam on her French Toast. "How long have you known Aubrey?"

Chloe stifles a giggle as Aubrey glares at Emily, who has the decency to blush and shrink down in her chair. Aubrey says in very measured words, "Et Tu Emily?" As Emily shrinks another inch, Aubrey turns and fixes the glare on Beca, who shrugs it off. She has years of experience with 'General Posen'.

"This is the interview of a lifetime, Beca," Aubrey snaps. "And I am not high-strung."

Beca shrugs and deadpans, "High-strung, uptight, tense, anxious, stressed out, on edge; you can choose the adjective."

Chloe can't stifle the giggles. Aubrey flashes her middle finger at her three friends.

All three are giggling though, and after a few seconds, Aubrey starts to giggle too.

"I do know how to relax," Aubrey insists.

Chloe pats her friend on the back, "Sure you do, Bree."

"I do." This comes out a bit more petulant than Aubrey had intended. Her three friends giggle more.

Chloe jumps in to change the subject, "So Emily, you're flying back to Atlanta on Friday?"

"Uhh yeah, I need to take care of a few things, so I can spend the summer out here. You two are sure you're fine with me staying here?"

Chloe flashes a smile, "Oh totes!" Beca simply nods.

"I'm so excited. This is going to be an amazing summer!"

Chloe looks to Aubrey, "What about you Bree? What do you have planned for the weekend?"

"I'm visiting my Aunt and Uncle in San Francisco. I'll be leaving Friday and returning Monday."

Chloe frowns, "That means I'm all by myself this weekend." She puts on an exaggerated frowny-face.

Beca looks sad and says, "Sorry Chlo, made a promise."

"It's okay, Becs." Chloe flashes a smile. "I'm actually looking forward to a quiet weekend. Last weekend was so crazy, and tomorrow night should be too."

"You could come with me to San Fran," Aubrey offers.

"No. Thanks though. I really am going to enjoy a quiet weekend. I might binge watch some Outlander, or really bad Bravo reality TV."

Beca feels an odd pang in her chest, like she's abandoning Chloe; but that's ridiculous, right? She owes it to Jesse right? They need a weekend away together, before life gets crazy.

That life is about to get crazy sends Beca's mind racing. Excusing herself with an excuse that she needs to get ready for work, Beca heads back to her room.

Now her mind is going a mile a minute, and everything that she's being pulled into is flashing in her mind's eye. Suddenly everything that's about to happen explodes in Beca's imagination, causing it all to come into focus. She's going to become a regular DJ at one of LA's up-and-coming clubs. She will be guest DeeJaying at other venues owned by Marcus. On top of that JM had been offering more projects, and she had plans for a very specific project that she is going to pitch today. Then there's Amy's television project, and suddenly life looks like it's going to be crazy busy from now until eternity.

Beca thinks she is ready for it all, but thinking something and knowing something are two incredibly different things.

"Hey, are you okay?'" Chloe asks, placing her hand gently on Beca's shoulder. She has known Beca long enough to know that there had been a shift at the table, and something was bothering her best friend.

Beca starts at Chloe's touch, she had not heard Chloe enter. The redhead can't help but notice the flinch. "Beca?"

Turning around, Beca begins talking a mile a minute. It takes Chloe a little bit to begin deciphering the word vomit, but she has become quite the expert on all things Beca so eventually she does. "Oh, Becs! You are gonna be fine. More than fine. You're gonna be brilliant, amazing, fantastic!"

"Do you really think so?" Beca's voice is small and tugs at Chloe's heart and all she wants to do is wrap her best friend in her arms.

"Yeah Beca, Chloe's right." Says Aubrey from the door. She and Emily had followed, having caught the shift in mood, and wanting to make sure everything is fine.

"What's up with my two best friends this morning? Do I really have to remind the both of you that you are amazing, incredibly talented women? I would like to remind the both of you that you're both the tits." Both Aubrey and Beca scrunch their faces at this, but Chloe's on a roll. "In both your cases they are coming to you. Remember? This is not them interviewing you, but you interviewing them to see if they're good enough for you."

The sheer honesty and conviction in Chloe's voice sends a wave of emotion over both women, and they believe, because their best friend doesn't lie about these things.

Emily smiles, always amazed at how Chloe is with other people. The redhead just has a natural talent for inspiring the best from those she cares for. However the situation goes to an awkward phase as a quiet falls over the three. Chloe clearly wants to hug it out, but is restraining herself. Beca is just naturally awkward in these situations, and Aubrey is holding herself so stiff, she looks like she might break.

Emily recognizes the situation for what it is and decides to break the tension. She knows there's some benefit to being the youngest, and a bit of a goof. "Oh you guy!" She calls as she sweeps Aubrey, Chloe, and Beca into a group hug. There is some resistance from their blonde friend, and the tiny DJ grumbles a lot, but both Emily and Chloe feel their two friends relax into the hug.

Chloe looks to Emily and her eyes convey her appreciation. Emily smiles in return, letting the redhead know it's what friends are for.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this readers. A bit shorter, and again a transition, so sorry about that. I was trying for more humor, so hopefully you found it enjoyable.

See you with the next chapter.