Hey aca-awesome, lovely people of the internet. I bring you another chapter. I must say, the response I got for the last chapter was really… wow. Thank you. I love all of you, and your kind words warmed my heart tenfold.

Right so, before any confusion sets in, I must explain this. Mr. Mitchell (aka Beca's dad) is not present in any way during this story. Anddd at some point we did a time hop – regionals have already happened and we are on to the semi-finals.

This chapter is kinda short, but with Christmas (and my birthday!) coming up, everything has been a little hectic! Anyhow, I love you all, and I hope you enjoy.

Chloe burst through the doors of her and Aubrey's shared apartment, the tears she had only just managed to keep at bay making an appearance. She threw her coat and bag into the closet next to the door with more force then necessary. But it seemed appropriate in this scenario; a perfect way to express how angry she was.

She has cancer. The words were echoing around in her head, bouncing off every ounce of sanity and cracking it in half. Chloe couldn't tell what she was more angered about; the fact that her best friend, the most talented person Chloe had ever met, had such a deadly condition or the fact that Beca hadn't even bothered to tell her. Each scenario just brought another wave of frustration to the redhead.

"Chloe?" shit she thought. She hadn't expected her blonde roommate to be home during the day. Chloe knew she had a class that wasn't due to finish for another hour. Composing herself – wiping away lingering tears – she walked deeper into the apartment. Aubrey was sat at the kitchen island, a coffee in one hand and a book in the other.

"Hey Bree." As much as Chloe tried, she couldn't clear the emotions from her voice. Aubrey's eyes narrowed, seeing that her friend was upset.

"Are you okay?" the blonde's eyes followed the redhead as she opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water. The strained look on Chloe's face told Aubrey everything she needed to know, but was waiting for her to talk. Placing her book down, she gave Chloe her full attention.

"I didn't think you'd be home till later." Chloe was purposely avoiding the subject and all forms of eye contact. She knew if she looked into the curious green orbs, she would break.

"My class got cut short because my professor's daughter was taken ill. Chloe, what's going on?" Chloe moved to sit on the stool next to her, still not making eye contact.

"I'm just tired I suppose."

"Try again." Aubrey raised her eyebrows.

"Seriously Bree, I'm okay I just –"

"Chloe, you better start talking or so help me I will –"

"Beca has cancer." Aubrey shut her mouth, her eyes widening. Of course, this was not new information, and Aubrey had been getting regular updates from Luke as to the condition of the small brunette. When regionals had come around and the Bella's had performed, she had kept an eye on Beca, making sure she wasn't on the verge of passing out or pushing her leg too hard. Of course, Beca didn't know this. She was still challenging Aubrey whenever she turned up to practise, questioning the songs and dancing as if they were the worst form of torture. But despite what everyone thought, Aubrey was more than happy with this dynamic, knowing as long as Beca was still her snarky self, she was doing okay.

"I know." Chloe's head lifted from where it hung on her chest. Her eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean you know? Did you just hear what I said? Beca has cancer, Bree, and she didn't even tell me!" it was then Aubrey knew where the anger was coming from.

"Chlo I know she has cancer. I – I overheard her talking to Luke about it. She doesn't know that I know. But I've known for a while." The blonde could see the rage building in the redhead.

"Chloe, don't get mad at her. I think –"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" Aubrey winced as if she had been slapped. Never had she heard Chloe raise her voice like she was now. It took a lot to make her angry, but this was a whole new level.

"Chloe please don't –"

"DON'T WHAT AUBREY? WHAT AM I NOT SUPPOSED TO DO KNOWING ONE OF MY BEST FRIEND'S HAS FUCKING CANCER?!" Chloe was up and pacing now, her hands in her hair. Aubrey sighed, knowing she was going to have to take the stern approach. She readied herself, forming the sentences she knew were going to bring to light some home truths.

"CHLOE! Sit your stubborn ass down and LISTEN TO ME!" the shrill voice brought Chloe out of her rant. She looked at Aubrey, who had a calm face but demanding stance. This was the generals' daughter coming out of her shell, and Chloe knew not to disobey her. Reluctantly, the redhead sat back down on the stool, eyes darting around the room. Aubrey followed suit, sitting opposite her.

"Chloe look at me." The redhead did. Aubrey could see the defeat behind the tears that were collecting at the edges.

"I need to listen to me now. You're not going to like what I'm going to say, but this is the truth and you really need to hear it." Chloe nodded, mentally preparing herself.

"Okay. So I'm going to assume the way you have been ranting and raving is also how you reacted to Beca?" Chloe wanted to argue, but she couldn't deny it. This is exactly how she reacted. She nodded.

"Well then there is your first mistake." Chloe's head shot up, ready to argue, but Aubrey was too quick.

"Think about this from Beca's perspective now. She has a life threatening illness – one that could end many different ways. She's scared and lonely but she feels that she can do this herself. We should count our lucky stars she has at least let Luke help her out, however reluctantly. But think about it Chlo," Aubrey reaches over and takes Chloe's hands, which are trembling slightly. "She didn't open up to anyone when she was healthy – you being the only exception. Did you really think she would open up about this?" the blonde lets the question linger in the air, the weight of it settling around them.

"I know what you're saying Bree, but I'm supposed to be her best friend. I'm –"

"Well maybe that's it then." Chloe looked at her questioningly, urging her to continue.

"Perhaps she thinks… I don't know, that she's protecting you? Saving you the – the pain of it." Aubrey's voice broke slightly, emotion overcoming her. Chloe squeezed her hands, a way of saying it was okay.

Chloe thought about it. Beca was incredibly closed off. It had taken late nights and soft music for the redhead to get Beca to talk about her family; how her mother had died and father had left shortly after, forcing her to live with her grandparents. How she was bullied in high school for being quiet and awkward in social situations, which pushed her to the alternative look she always sports. Chloe remembers that night fondly.

"Becs?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you wear so much eyeliner?" she could feel the younger girl stiffen next to her. They were laying on the brunette's bed, in their signature position. They were playing with each other's fingers as soft music from Beca's laptop floated through the pitch black room. It was 1am, but sleep was not making its appearance.

"What brought this on Beale?" Chloe could hear the message behind the words. She didn't want to talk about it. The redhead knew when to drop a subject.

"I was just wondering is all. I think you look beautiful with and without it." The fell into an easy silence once again. Chloe watched Beca's nimble fingers play with her own, content to fall asleep like this when she heard Beca's voice sound softly.

"It helped me through high school." Chloe didn't pry – wanting the girl to talk in her own time. Instead she interlaced their fingers, squeezing encouragingly.

"When I started high school, I didn't really hang around with people. I just felt too awkward. When people tried talking to me, I didn't know what to say. I just couldn't form words. Everyone thought I was a bit weird. When word got around about the 'awkward girl', people started to come up to me just to taunt me – to try and get me to speak. But I just couldn't. I had no friends, but I found solace in my music. I wore headphones around school, so people started labelling me the 'alt-girl'. It hurt, but I humoured them. I started wearing dark clothes, I pierced my ears and got tattoos and I wore dark make-up. I started pretending like I didn't give a shit, even when their words hurt. People started to stay away when I turned into the 'alt-girl who decked the quarterback', and then when people started to stop teasing or just talking to me, I realised that while I was pretending not to care, id build this sort of… defence, I guess? It became easier to pretend because it turned out I didn't actually care."

Beca shifted under her, getting into a more comfortable position.

"When I came to college, I knew I should start afresh. But the whole 'alt-girl' façade had become such a part of me that I knew I wouldn't be able to shake it even if I wanted to. It was just easier I guess."

Chloe was stunned, knowing Beca very rarely opened up. She was at a loss for words – a very un-Chloe thing to be – so she didn't say anything at all.

"Please say something…" Beca's voice was barely above a whisper, but it shouted the insecurities the brunette was experiencing in that moment.

"I still think you're beautiful Beca." Chloe didn't know it, but Beca was grinning like a Cheshire cat beneath her.

"Thank you." The comfort of silence, save for the music, enveloped them once more. Slowly, they both fell into a deep slumber, gripping each other with fervency and a love that was unknown but felt whole-heartedly.

"Chloe?" Aubrey was looking at her expectantly. The redhead snapped out of her memories, feeling a new sense of purpose.

"I need to go." Chloe jumped off the stool, looking for her phone and keys when a warm hand closed around her own.

"Wait. You will see her tomorrow at the semi-finals. Talk to her after. Give yourself – and her – time to think." Chloe knew it wasn't up for discussion. Nodding, she started walking in the direction of her room, her thoughts spinning faster than he legs could cope.

A/N – I hope you guys hate Chloe a little less. Thank you Aubrey!