A/N Hey guys! So. No Chloe POV in this one. Which, who really cares? I mean. Come on lol. Anyways. I have a special person in this one. I had to think of someone who is recognizable and hot, but also not too famous already. Kinda wanted it to be believable I guess. Anyways, you'll see who I'm talking about once you read it. She may cause some drama later on. Who knows? Oh right, I do lol. Anyways, hope you enjoy some of the drama.
No time to proof read, so I'm sorry if there are more mistakes than usual. This one is a little shorter. Sorry it was a busy day at work. I will try to upload the next chapter tomorrow.
As always, reviews help. Thanks so much for telling me how you feel. Ya'll are giving me ideas! Stay tuned.
Roller coaster.
Stacie and Beca arrived at Beca's studio a quarter till one. "Dude, I'm not feeling so hot." Beca said.
"Yeah. You don't really look it either. You should probably splash some water on your face before meeting your new client."
"She's not a new client. She's a potential client. One Donald seems very excited about."
"What's her name?" Stacie asked.
"No idea. But seriously, dude, I'm gonna vomit." Beca flung open the door and started throwing up in the parking lot.
"Jeeze, Beca. Let's get you inside."
Beca and Stacie made their way to Beca's office. As soon as Beca got into her ensuite bathroom, Donald came in.
"Hey, who are you? You know we have security right? You can't just be in here." Donald said as he pulled out his phone to call security.
"Relax. I'm Stacie. Remember? Bellas? Barden?" When Donald just stared at her blankly, Stacie sighed. "I'm here with Beca."
"Oh, right! You're the girl that answered Beca's phone. How's she doin? Feelin better?"
"Not exactly, she's in there cleaning up because she puked when we got here."
Donald narrowed his eyes at Stacie. "Did you give her the fucking whiskey, like I said to?"
"Of course I did. But she won't be having any more! She's an alcoholic, and as her manager, I would hope that you would want her better."
Donald stepped into Stacie's personal space. "You don't get to decide what's best for her! I don't even know who the fuck you are! Yeah, she drinks, but I've also seen her try to function without it. It doesn't work. She doesn't work. So how about you stop judging her, and just let her live her life!"
"First of all." Stacie said, not backing down to the scrawny man. "I'm not judging her. I would never do that. I get why she drinks. She's been through some shit. Trust me, I fucking get it! But that doesn't mean it's healthy. She needs help, Donald!"
"Enough!" Beca yelled, scaring both Stacie and Donald. They jumped away from each other as soon as they heard her loud voice. "I can hear you guys talking and I am not amused. I have a fucking headache, and I am not in the mood to deal with this shit today. If you have shit to say about me to one another, do it out of my earshot." Beca plopped down in her chair.
"Really, Mitchell? You're gonna let this girl walk in and start controlling your life?" Donald said, giving Beca and incredulous look.
"Why not? You do it all the time, only, I don't have to pay her."
Stacie smirked and Donald rolled his eyes. "This is bullshit Beca. You have a meeting with an artist in five minutes, and you look like shit."
"Yeah, well, tell her I have food poisoning or something." Beca ran her hand through her hair. "Stace, you can't be in here during the meeting. You can wait outside the office."
Stacie looked back and forth between Donald and Beca with a nervous look.
"I'm not going to do anything, Stace. I've never met this artist, so I'd like it to be comfortable for her. It's gonna be hard enough on her not knowing me, I don't need another stranger making her uncomfortable."
Stacie finally relented and gave Donald a death glare as she exited the office. She was really nervous about leaving Beca alone with Donald. He obviously knew about her problem, and never tried to help her. She didn't trust him, not one bit. She also knew she couldn't really trust Beca. Not yet, anyways. But what could she do? Surely Beca wouldn't do anything knowing that she would be seeing her as soon as the meeting was over.
Stacie watched as a petite girl made her way to Beca's office with the receptionist Stacie met earlier. She was fair skinned with pitch black hair. She wore her hair pin straight, and had a fuckinf fedora on her head. She had on a white button up, with black ripped skinny jeans, and a black leather jacket. Her makeup was dark and she reminded Stacie, so much, of Beca. The girl looked familiar, but Stacie couldn't place her. Beca's gonna like her. Stacie didn't like this girl. Not one bit. She watched as the receptionist let the unknown girl into Beca's office, and she snuck a glance to see Beca. She was still sitting in her chair. Stacie could see the sweat gathered on Beca's forehead. She sighed in relief.
Beca watched as her door was opened, and a nervous looking tiny woman was ushered in.
"Natasha! So good to see you again." Donald said embracing the tiny girl. Beca saw her stiffen at the contact. Donald led the girl over to Beca. "Natasha, I'd like you to meet Beca Mitchell. Beca, this is Natasha Negovanlis."
Beca stood up. "I'd shake your hand, but I'm not feeling very well. I'd hate to get you sick."
"Oh my!" Natasha said. "We totally could've rescheduled. I don't want to be a bother."
"Nonsense." Beca said. "Please, have a seat. Oh and by the way. If you don't want that creep touching you, just say the word. He learned quickly not to embrace me, unless he wants an elbow to the gut."
Natasha giggled at this and both girls heard Donald scoff.
"It's fine. Not that big of a deal. Just surprised me is all." Natasha added.
"Ha! See, Mitchell! Not everyone is as cold as you." Donald said smugly.
"I'm not cold, I just don't appreciate intimacy without consent. Remember who signs your checks dude. Ask next time." Beca glared.
Donald slumped. He knew how Beca felt and he knew he wouldn't win this argument.
Beca saw Natasha smirk. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back." Beca got up and headed for her ensuite.
Beca looked at herself in the mirror. She recoiled at what she saw. Sweat all over her face. Hands trembling. She looked like a wreck. "Get it together Mitchell." She grumbled. She splashed more water on her face. "Don't you fucking do it Mitchell. The girls are counting on you. Stacie's counting on you." I don't need it. I don't need it. I don't need it. The next thing she knows, she reaching under her sink. She pulls out a bottle of Jack.Yeah, Mitchell. Cuz every non alcoholic keeps a bottle of whiskey in their bathroom. God, how was I in such denial? Beca twisted off the lid and stared at the bottle. Poor it out, Mitchell. Don't fucking do this. Beca poised the bottle over the sink. She started pouring it out. After the bottle was halfway gone, she couldn't stop herself. She brought it to her mouth and and drank about four shots worth. She felt the burn as it went down her throat and winced. She immediately felt guilty. She put the rest of the bottle under the sink and rinsed her mouth out with mouthwash. She cleaned herself up and patted her face dry. She ran her hands through her hair, trying to fix the mess that the sweat made. About five minutes later, she heard a knock at the door.
"You ok in there?" She heard Donald ask.
"Yeah! Out in a sec!" Beca quickly rinsed her mouth out again and exited the bathroom. Natasha was still sat in front of her desk.
"Well. You look ten times better." Natasha said.
"Yeah. Just needed to get some of it out I guess."
Donald winced. He knew what Beca did. He also knew that Stacie was going to try and kick his ass.
"So. How about we get this show on the road? Donald didn't tell me much about you." Beca said as she sat back down in her chair.
After about an hour of conversing, and listening to Natasha's demo, she decided to proceed with a contract. Donald has always been a good talent scout, he didn't disappoint here, either.
"So, I've gotta ask, now that all that is over with." Beca said. "You look really familiar. Have we met before or something?"
"Oh. No I think I'd remember that." Natasha said. "It's probably from my role on a YouTube show. Or the couple low budget movies I've been in. One of them is on Netflix."
"Hmm. Maybe. Anyways. I look forward to working with you. Donald will see you out, and I'll be in touch to set up a time to go over the contract with you. I suggest bringing a lawyer or your manager. It's always best to have someone there that you trust at the signing. I like for my artists to know for sure that I'm not screwing them over."
Natashed beamed at Beca. "Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you." And with that, Donald walked her out.
Not a second after Donald and Natasha left, Stacie walked in. "Hey, B. How'd it g-" Stacie stopped dead in her tracks and stared at Beca. "What did you do?"
"What?" Beca feigned innocence. "I didn't do anything."
"Don't lie to me, Beca. You looked like hell an hour ago. Which is perfectly understandable, given the circumstances. You're really trying to tell me that you didn't do anything?"
"Yeah! I just feel better ok? Drop it!"
"You know damn well I'm not going to do that, Beca! That's it. I'm searching your office. Get out."
"What?! No! You can't just tear my office apart. I work here!"
"I won't tear it apart. I'll search neatly. You need to do this, Beca. I know your going to have setbacks, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to stand by and let it happen without doing anything." Stacie was begging Beca with her eyes. She didn't want to have to use force again, but she wasn't above it either. She would do what she had to.
Beca sighed and ran her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry, Stace. I didn't mean to let you down."
"Don't apologize to me, Beca. Apologize to yourself. This is for you. You need to do this for you. Not for anyone else."
Beca chuckled. "I have no reason to do this other than for you and the rest of the girls, Stacie. There is no part of me that wants to do this for myself. It hurts when I don't drink. I feel like my body is covered in bugs. Like I've ran a marathon and then landed in a pile of red ants at the finish line. Why would I want that for myself?"
"So that, eventually, you don't need it to feel normal, Beca. You told me before, that you wanted to feel. Well. I've seen you have emotions since being back around the girls. I know they're there. But the alcohol is diluting it. You're never going to feel normal, until you can feel everything. And that won't happen until you're clean and done with withdrawals. If you really want to feel normal, then you need to be sober."
Beca sighed with tears in her eyes. "Yeah." She said in defeat. "You're right. Go ahead. Get rid of everything."
Stacie sighed and walked to Beca's side. She put one hand on her shoulder. "Beca. I really think you need professional help. Maybe at least go to some meetings, and listen to other people's stories. I don't know how to help you with this, other than dumping the booze when I find them. You need someone that can help you cope with the reason you started drinking so heavily in the first place."
Beca rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to AA, dude. Not gonna happen."
"Ok. I'm not giving up on it though. We'll talk more later."
"You'll be wasting your breath."
"We'll see. Out you go. Give me any keys you have for any locks in here and keep the door open when you leave. I want to see you on that bench outside any time I look up. If you go anywhere, I'll call Posen to come hold you down again."
Beca's eyes went wide. "Nope. I'm good. Just don't trash anything." Beca handed her keys over to Stacie and made her way outside the office.
XXXX
"I really don't think it's a good idea, Aubrey. We just got back in to Beca's life. I don't think taking her back to Barden is a good idea right now." Amy said
"Look. This is for our alma mater. I know that if we all stand together, Beca will decide to go. She wouldn't let the Bellas down, even if it means she has to see Chloe." Aubrey said to the group of Bellas sitting in Beca's living room.
"Chloe?" CR piped in. "You never said shit about Chloe being there."
"Well of course she'll be there Cynthia Rose!" Aubrey said. "She was your co-captain after all. I mean, it'd be kinda weird if she weren't."
"Kinda weird? It's going to be excruciating if Beca has to see her. She's too unstable right now. I agree with Amy. It's too soon." Flo said.
"Look. Why don't we just let Beca decide." Jessica added.
"Because I already know she won't do it unless we beg her to!" Aubrey said. "She's a runner. She runs from her problems. She needs to face this head on."
None of the girls heard Beca and Stacie come into the house. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." Stacie said standing in the entryway to the living room. All of the girls stopped talking and looked at Stacie.
"Let me decide what? I need to face what, Aubrey?" Beca said, appearing next to Stacie.
Aubrey sighed.
"Tell me she's not fucking here, Aubrey! Tell me you didn't!" Stacie said, glaring at Aubrey.
"I didn't do anything, Stacie! And don't take that tone with me!"
"Guys! What the hell is going on!" Beca said.
Aubrey told Beca and Stacie about the invitation. She failed to mention the part that it was Chloe who received it.
"Uh. You gonna address the elephant in the room, Bree?" CR asked.
"What elephant?" Aubrey glared at Cynthia Rose.
"Uh" Amy said. "How about the fact that Chloe will be there." Everyone's heads snapped to Amy.
Beca froze. She hadn't even thought about seeing Chloe since the girls arrived. Of course it would come up, though. Why wouldn't it. The next thing she knows, she's puking on her living room floor.
Stacie shot Aubrey a glare before going to Beca's aid. "Come on B. Let's get you upstairs and cleaned up."
"I don't want to see her Stace. I can't. Not like this." Beca mumbled while latching onto Stacie.
What does she mean not like this. Surely Beca doesn't still want her. Not after everything. "I know sweetie. One step at a time, ok? I don't want you falling down the stairs." Stacie decided to keep her inner turmoil to herself. She didn't have the right to tell Beca who she should want.
Beca got to her room and ran straight to her bathroom, Sacie hot on her heels. After throwing up some more, Stacie handed her a wet rag to clean her face. "Well. The alcohol should be out of your system by now. Why don't you brush your teeth and I'll get you some pajamas?"
"Stacie. It's 5 p.m."
"Are you telling me you're not tired?" Stacie looked at her knowingly.
"Ugh. No. Fine." Beca brushed her teeth quickly, then stripped down to just her panties. She walked out of her bathroom and heard Stacie scream.
"Holy shit, Beca! Warn somebody next time!" Stacie said as she turned her head and threw Beca her pajamas.
"Since when did you become such a prude?" Beca asked while throwing on the clothes Stacie found for her.
"I am not a prude! A little warning would be nice though."
"Gee. Thanks for the ego boost." Beca said as she climbed into bed.
"You know I didn't mean it like that." Stacie sighed. "Night, Beca."
"Hey, Stace?"
"Yeah?" Stacie said, standing at the doorway. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but Beca looked like she could use some cuddles.
"Um. Well. Uh." Beca sighed. She wanted to ask Stacie to stay, she made her feel safe. She decided against it. "Um. Thanks. You know. For everything. See you tomorrow?"
Stacie sighed. "Course, B. See you tomorrow."