AN/ OKAY GUYS, I KNOW I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TEN REVIEWS YET, BUT THE AMOUNT OF PMs YOU GUYS HAVE SENT ME ABOUT WHAT BECA HAD THOUGHT BEING RELATABLE AND SAYING I'D GOT HOW YOU FEEL WHEN YOU START TO DOUBT YOUR SEXUALITY RIGHT MOTIVATED ME TO POST THIS TODAY.
SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I JUST WANT TO SAY, EVERYONE SHOULD BE MASSIVELY PROUD OF WHO THEY ARE, REGARDLESS OF SEXUALITY OR GENDER. EXTRA LOVE TO ANY LGBT+ READERS READING THIS, BECAUSE I KNOW EXACTLY HOW HARD LIFE CAN BE, BUT TRUST ME; IT GETS BETTER. IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS NEVER WILL IMPROVE, BUT THEY DO – IT JUST TAKES TIME.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT UP TO NOW, I ACTUALY CAN'T SAY HOW HAPPY IT MAKES ME. SOMEONE ASKED FOR MORE HAPPY STUFF? WELL, HAVE A BIT OF ANGST AND HAPPINESS GUYS…
"Baby, fineness is the way to kill, tell me how it feels, bet it's such a bitter pill
And yeah, I know you thought you had bigger, better things, bet right now this stings
'Cause the grass is greener under me, bright as Technicolor, I can tell that you can see
And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this, but it gets worse…"
Holding Batman close to her chest, Demi made her way into the vets on her way to Beca's. She hated trips to the vets. Poor Batman hated them too. But then again, the only time the poor dog went to the vets was to get injections. And needles suck – Demi knew that better than anyone.
"Erm… Hi?" Demi said awkwardly as she walked up to the front desk in the vets.
"Hello sweetie," the old woman on the desk said back, which immediately made Demi feel uncomfortable until she realised the woman was talking to the dog. "Who do we have here?"
"Batman; he's in for his injections."
"Oh poor baby," the woman crooned, stroking Batman. "Right then, you're in with Dr. Beale today, so just sit over there," she gestured at a collection of seats under the sign saying 'dogs.' "And Dr. Beale will be with you guys shortly."
"Thank you," Demi replied, slightly weirded out by how the receptionist had completely ignored her in favour of Batman. But it was nice not to be recognised for being a famous singer – nobody at the vets had enough time to do any proper research into the animals' owners. They would merely flit over the name 'Demi Lovato' on Batman's papers and wouldn't even think about who she was. She liked that; she liked it a lot.
Sitting in one of the many uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room, Demi pulled out her phone. She grinned at the text she had from Beca. There was a picture of the pantsuit she'd worn to the Grammy's last year, the one she'd worn when she flashed Katy Perry as a result as a wardrobe malfunction. Poor Beca had been mortified. Beneath the picture, Beca had simply put 'Think this will impress the big wigs on Monday' and a winking emoji. Demi giggled at that. Beca hated wearing slutty pantsuits, and hated the fact that, in order to get the attention of her bosses, she had to turn herself into eye candy for them. 'Misogynistic bastards.' Beca sent after that, leaving Demi laughing hysterically.
Beca was so much like Lauren, it was funny. It was funny actually, how Beca seemed to have a knack for introducing Demi to people she'd quickly become friends with. Just like Beca, Lauren Abedini was a music producer, and under the alias of DJ Kittens, she did tons of gigs around the LA area. She was a fierce feminist and – for all her tough and intimidating persona – one of the loveliest, most caring women Demi had ever met. They'd shared many a weekend together, had Demi and Lauren – especially when Demi ended things with Wilmer – after they had discovered their shared interest in Harry Potter and Disney movies.
Surprisingly, Demi had a message from Lauren as well, something she rarely got these days.
'Wanna get together tonight? X' Lauren had put.
'I really do, but I already have plans D: x' Demi sent back. Thinking a little, she put 'I'm going to Beca's – want me to see if you can come? x'
Less than a second later the reply of 'you bet I do xx' came through from Lauren. Demi smiled quizzically at that. Two kisses? That was very affectionate, especially for Lauren. Going through her phone, Demi clicked on Beca, letting it ring.
"Wassup Lovato?" came the reply from the end of the line.
"Hey Mitchell, y'alright?"
"Yeah, you aren't bailing on me are you? You only ever say that when you're about to say something you aren't sure I'd like to hear."
"Chill Beca, I just wanted to ask if I can invite Lauren over tonight?"
"Abedini?"
"Yeah, she asked me if I wanted to do something with her tonight but I told her I was busy."
"Sure she can come, the more the merrier. She'll appreciate my anger about Monday's meeting."
"I'll pick her up on my way to get the pizza when I'm done here."
"You still at the vets?"
"Yep, Batman is still waiting on his injections."
"Poor Bat, bring him over too tonight."
"Aww, for all DJ Mitchell is the most badass woman in the industry, she is secretly the biggest softie there as well. I'll need to run him home, don't want Ella to get jealous."
"Haha Lovato, that's very true. I've been thinking, should I drop an invite to Legacy and Fat Amy?"
"Definitely! I haven't seen Em in ages, and Amy's hilarious… I'm in the mood for a good laugh."
"I kinda want to invite Aubrey so we can make a plan for Monday, but that might make things awkward with Chloe."
"They're awkward enough now, don't see how it'd be any worse. Call her anyway"
"Well, I wouldn't want Chloe home alone on a Saturday night, but it doesn't feel right if Bree isn't there."
At the other side of the waiting room, a female vet walked out of the office. She looked strangely familiar, but Demi couldn't figure out why. She was slim, and ginger, she had blue eyes, and the kind of smile that was infectious. Then it hit her, there was a reason this woman looked familiar.
"Speak of the devil!" Demi hissed as Beca said that.
"What? Is Bree there?"
"No, not Bree." Demi said, in a low voice as the redhead consulted her clipboard.
"Batman?" Chloe asked cheerily, looking over the assortment of animals and owners in the waiting room.
"That would be my cue to hang up Beca," Demi almost warned as she stood up with Batman. "See you later?" she said, cutting the phone off before Beca had chance to answer.
Walking up to the vet, she watched Chloe's eyes narrow as she saw who was in front of her.
"Hey Chloe…" Demi greeted awkwardly.
"Demi," Chloe answered, her voice sounding unusually empty compared to the cheery voice she had used earlier, "long time no see."
Demi didn't quite know how to act around Chloe, so just raised an eyebrow at that. She didn't know Chloe worked here now. This was a shock, and it was a nasty shock at that.
"Right then, follow me," Chloe said as they walked down the corridor and they stopped as Chloe opened a door, "okay then, we'll be in here today."
Following Chloe into the office, she handed over Batman, allowing her to put the dog on top of the desk. Batman had that sheepish look he always had when he was at the vets, and it was a look Demi knew was on her face being around Chloe.
"So Demi, his weight is good, his coat is perfect, and all round, he seems like a pretty happy little fellow, aren't you lovely?" Chloe crooned to Batman, making the dog wag his tail. "Today, Batman just needs his injections, so I'll call a nurse to come and do that, then you guys are free to go."
"Thanks," Demi said, watching as a nurse came into the room and took Batman out back, leaving her alone with Chloe. There was an awkward silence between the two, as they both tried to think of something to say.
"So," Chloe began, trying to make it sound casual but failing miserably, "Beca said you're working on a new album?"
"Yeah, it's pretty good. We're nearly done so it'll probably drop near the end of September. Beca reckons it's going to be huge." Demi watched how Chloe winced when she mentioned Beca.
"How is she?"
"Who?" Demi answered with a bitter edge to her voice, already knowing exactly who Chloe meant.
"Beca."
"Why don't you ask her yourself? You have her number don't you?" Demi snapped back at her, because, no matter how hard she tried not to be, she was pissed at Chloe. Finally, she had the girl who'd broken one of her best friend's heart stood in front of her. She had things she'd wanted to say to Chloe for months; now seemed like a good time to say them.
"Yeah, but things aren't all that great between us right now."
Demi scoffed at Chloe's comment there; to say things weren't great between her and Beca was the understatement of the century.
"I noticed, and Beca's desperate to change that. But the thing is, it takes two to make a relationship work Chloe."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chloe demanded, despite already knowing the answer.
"It doesn't matter what she does, if you don't let her in, and maybe talk more when it's needed, things will never work out for you guys. You say that for things to work out, Beca needs to stop leaving you behind and chasing her work. She threatened Aubrey with death if she told you about this,"
"Wait," Chloe interrupted, "Beca's been talking to Bree?"
"Yes, she needed someone who dealt with corporate law to give her a heads up about whether what she had in mind would work. Aubrey was more than happy to help her. To try and get you back, Beca has gone to her bosses at work and demanded them to change her contract so she can factor in more time for you. She wants you more than anything, so much so, she's prepared to give up her dream job for you."
Chloe felt overwhelmed by that. Beca must really love her to do something like that, even after Chloe had treated her like shit. That made her feel guilty, because she had just sat around moping since she'd last seen Beca. She didn't deserve Beca Mitchell. Clearly, Demi knew it as well.
"But that's all going to be for nothing," Demi continued, "because you're being selfish and immature. You keep being hot and cold with her. How does she know that if she drops her life for you, you're want her afterwards? She doesn't. Beca has her faults, but you're no saint Chloe. But she loves you, and she's prepared to do whatever it takes to get you back. Even putting her job on the line."
Chloe looked even guiltier for that, she didn't want Beca to lose her job. But she couldn't help but feel happy that Beca was doing something. She opened her mouth to say something, but Demi continued before Chloe could.
"This will never get any better if you just keep ignoring her. She doesn't know what you want, all she wants is to make you happy. Beca would give you the fucking world without hesitation, if that was what you wanted, and you know that."
"Demi, I don't think this is an appropriate conversation…"
Demi's eyes flashed dangerously as Chloe said that, immediately silencing Chloe. Demi Lovato meant business, and Chloe knew there was no stopping her until she'd said everything she needed to.
"You don't want to talk about this stuff, Beale. You're as bad, if not worse, than Beca is. She has always been run off her feet with the work, and if you know full well that if you don't explicitly say how you feel, Beca will assume there's nothing wrong. You can't carry on playing these mind games with her." Demi paused for breath, and feeling the heat in her cheeks, knew that she needed to reign in her temper before she said something she would later regret. "Beca was your best friend. She was your lover. You guys were engaged. Try and remember that Chloe. Try and remember that, as misguided as her intentions were, Beca only ever wanted you to be happy. Maybe it's time you did the same for her."
The nurse brought Batman through into the office where the two women were sat in a stony silence. There was an atmosphere in the room that the nurse couldn't quite explain, and she noticed how, as she handed Batman back to his owner, the smile of his owner didn't quite meet her eyes.
As the nurse walked back out, Chloe handed a sheet of paper from out of the printer over to Demi.
"You guys can go now," she said coolly.
"Thank you for your time," Demi said stiffly, trying to avoid Chloe's eyes. Opening the door to leave, she turned back to face Chloe who was sat at her desk, her face a picture of guilt. Softly, she said "Try and remember Chloe, for her sake, and for yours." before shutting the door behind her.
That left Chloe alone in her office. She looked at the phone in her bag, and suddenly felt a compelling urge to ring Beca. But, if what Demi said was anything to go by, that was probably a bad idea right now. She'd been a bitch, Demi was right, she was selfish and immature, and she needed to decide what she wanted. She needed to tell Beca what she wanted. But would Beca even pick up?
Looking at her computer, she prepared herself to see her next client. She was shaken up by seeing Demi Lovato, but the singer had given Chloe the wakeup call she needed. Knowing that, right now, there was nothing she could do, she decided that she would call in on Beca tomorrow night, or at least phone her, because they needed to talk. Or at least, she needed to apologise to Beca.
But right now, she needed to finish her work. Then, she was calling Aubrey – she couldn't believe the blonde had been helping Beca behind her back.
Pulling up outside Beca's, Demi felt as if she should become a professional cab driver. Seriously, on her short journey from her house to Beca's, she'd picked up Lauren, Emily, Fat Amy and Aubrey from their respective homes, driven to the pizza place to collect their order (it was a miracle the food made it there given the fact Fat Amy was holding it) and then stopped off at Emily's agent's house so Emily could drop off some forms she'd been made to sign.
"Right guys," Demi said through gritted teeth, "is there anywhere else we need to go before we can go to Beca's?"
"Ermmm, yeah," Emily answered. Demi turned to face the younger girl to show that it was a rhetorical question. "Kidding," Emily breathed, seeing how irritated Demi looked. "Lighten up Lovato, you look like you've had a stressful day."
"More like she's seen a ghost," Fat Amy added, "you didn't, did you?"
"As good as a ghost, the person I saw was pretty unexpected."
"So who was it?" Lauren asked, genuinely curious.
"Chloe."
"Beale?" Emily and Amy said in unison, both sounding slightly shocked. "Where did you bump into her?" They asked at the same time. "Jinx!" they both exclaimed, scrambling for something wooden to touch. "Black magic!" they declared, each sending the other into a panic. Demi shook her head at the pair – it was official, Beca's friends were idiots.
"At the vets. She was seeing to Batman." Demi replied to their second statement, consciously trying to make sure her voice didn't sound bitter.
"Who's Chloe?" Lauren asked, clearly confused. "Wait…"
"Chloe who we went to Disney with," she said to Lauren in a low voice.
"Beca's ex?!" Lauren mouthed in shock. Demi nodded.
"Wait a second," Amy announced, making the car go silent, "You two, Ginger and Shawshank went to Disney?"
"Ages ago." Lauren said, smiling at the mock offense Amy was showing.
"I want to go to Disney"
"Same," Emily chimed in.
"Can we go?" Aubrey asked, breaking the silence she'd been in since Chloe had been mentioned.
Demi relaxed when Aubrey said that and smiled at the blonde in the rear view mirror.
"Definitely!" Demi mused, "We should totally drag Mitchell there soon."
"We should go tomorrow," Lauren suggested, "Are you guys free?"
"Yep."
"Pretty sure I am."
"Should be."
"Then it's settled," Demi announced, "Tomorrow is a girls' trip to Anaheim, regardless of what Beca says."
"Girls Trip!" Amy cheered from the back.
"YAY!" They all cheered in response.
This cheering continued as they walked into Beca's.
"What's the big occasion?" Beca inquired, raising her eyebrows at the girls who had just entered her house. "I know Girls' Nights are the best, but I'm pretty sure we aren't all this excited to share pizza…"
"We're going to Disney, Ear-spike!" Aubrey hollered, jumping up and down on the spot.
"Let's do this then," Beca said, much to the shock of the girls, "I love Disney!" she added, squealing like the little kid in the Disneyland advert.
The others all followed her example, absolutely thrilled at the prospect of a girls' day out.
"Stacie's in!" Emily chimed, causing more cheers from the others.
"So are Jessica and Ashley!" Fat Amy said. "Lily says she can make it too!"
"I'll message C.R," Aubrey said, "God, it feels like a Bellas' reunion here."
"And what are me and Lauren then? The next door neighbours?"
That quote had all the girls in stitches.
"Nah, Lovato, you two can be honorary Bellas, because we've always taken good singers."
Demi grinned, as they all continued happy dancing in Beca's hallway.
"Right then, that's us all in then."
"What about Chloe?" Beca asked, feeling slightly hurt that the others had forgotten about her in their excitement.
"Oh, don't worry Mitchell, she's working tomorrow – it's her week to be on call." Aubrey reassured her, but Beca wasn't entirely convinced.
"It just feels mean to go without her; she loves Disney so much."
"Come on Beca, don't mope about her, it's the only weekend we're all free – and it'd be aca-awkward if you and Ginger were together…" Amy mused, making Beca feel even guiltier.
"I want you to invite her Bree, even if she can't come because it feels wrong to not even give her the chance."
"She won't go if you're there, and we don't want any fighting, do we?" Aubrey said, looking at Beca with a mix of warning and concern.
"I guess not, but it feels wrong to keep her out of the loop. If she comes, I'll just keep out her way. Demi, Lauren, you two will keep me company, won't you?"
"Sure Mitchell," Lauren laughed.
"It's what friends are for," Demi agreed.
"Good, I thought you two lovebirds were going to take it as couple time tomorrow." Beca mused.
The two women suddenly realised how close they were stood together and jumped apart as if they had been burned. Beca laughed.
"So," Fat Amy began, "Lesbihonest… has Lovato gotten 'Cool For The Summer' lately?"
Beca stood crying silent tears of laughter, and Demi sent her a mock glare.
"No, Amy," Demi stammered, "Me and Lauren are not together."
Lauren stood in the corner, blushing red with embarrassment. "Yeah," she added, "we aren't together, but Beca thinks we should be."
"What can I say?" Beca grinned, "You guys seemed to take the Disneyland buddy code a little far last time… I hope you don't intend on doing that tomorrow." She roared with laughter at that, and then added, "Right, as much as I'm loving this conversation, I'm starving, and that pizza isn't getting any hotter – let's eat. Bree, give Chloe a call and see if she'll come."
"Right," Aubrey said, "I'll text her and see what she says."
Wandering through into Beca's lounge, she pulled out her phone, knowing full well Chloe would be home from work.
'You wanna go Disney tomorrow? X'
'Disney?! As in Disneyland?! X'
'No, as in we're going to the cinema to see Spiderman: Homecoming. Yes, Disneyland! X'
'Definitely! X'
'Who's going? X'
'The Bellas. Beca. Demi. Someone called Lauren? Don't know her but she seems nice. X'
'Abedini? X'
'Might be. Not sure tho. X'
'Should still be fun either way. X'
'So I take that it's a yes then? X'
'Definitely, Bree! X'
'I'll tell Beca to book you a ticket then. X'
'Where is you?'
'Beca's – tis pizza night. X' Aurbey sent, slightly anxious about what Chloe would sent back.
'Ahh – enjoy. X'
"She's coming Beca!" Aubrey shouted so her voice would carry through into the kitchen.
"Cool!" Beca shouted back without missing a beat.
Beca froze as she heard that, but quickly recovered. Thankfully, nobody noticed. Or at least, Demi was the only one who saw. But that was okay – because Demi quickly mouthed 'I'll look after you Mitchell' to her.
Sitting down at the table with the others, Beca let herself get sucked into the excited conversation that focused on their impeding trip.
"It's going to be so amazing!" Emily declared as she munched on the last slice of pizza, much to Fat Amy's disgust.
"I wanted that pizza…" The Aussie pouted.
"I wanted it too…" Lauren giggled, and they both shared a dramatic sigh of disappointment.
"Oh well," Emily said, stuffing the last slice in her face.
"I hate twig bitches," Amy declared, "they're actually the worst."
"Well," Emily announced, "this twig bitch thinks tomorrow is going to be actually the best."
"Yeah," Aubrey agreed. "Disney, Demi and Bellas… it'll be a day to remember!"
Silently thinking as she ate a few fries, Beca hoped it would be as good as the others said it would be, and that this anxiety she had surrounding Chloe would wear off by tomorrow morning. She didn't want to spend the day in a state of awkwardness.
Throwing her doubts aside, Beca smiled at the thought of a day with the girls – with all of them going, it would be a crazy day. It would definitely be one for them to remember.
She knew the Bella's were all ready for Disney, but the question was; was Disney ready for the Bellas?
AN/ BIT OF A LONG CHAPTER THERE GUYS… BUT THERE WAS LOTS TO BE SAID THERE… I'M JUST AS EXCITED FOR DISNYLAND AS THE BELLAS ARE…
AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THIS AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED WRITING IT.
NEXT CHAPTER, THE BELLA'S (+DEMI AND LAUREN) HIT DISNEYLAND! ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR IT? TEN REVIEWS WOULD TELL ME YOU ARE!
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER? WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF LAUREN? DO YOU THINK LAUREMI MIGHT JUST BE A THING? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GONNA HAPPEN AT DISNEYLAND? DROP A REVIEW AND TELL ME ;D