"Hey Becs, you going to the game basketball tonight?" Jesse asked from across the lunch table.
The number 1 Barden High Eagles played the number 3 Wilson High Skyhawks tonight. It would be the biggest matchup so far this season in the state. So, school spirit was at an all-time high.
"I wouldn't be caught dead at a basketball game here," Beca replied.
"Come on Beca, it'll be fun." Benji added as he joined the table.
"Sorry guys, I just hate sports. Besides, I gotta work tonight. Hey Jessica, what time are you going in tonight?" Beca asked.
"They have me scheduled for 5 and I think you at 5:30," noted Jessica.
"I hate working on Friday nights, its either going to be swamped or dead." Beca said.
"Are you still working at that pirate store?" Jesse asked.
"It's a seafood restaurant doofus." Jessica added.
"If you guys hate it, just take off tonight and come to the game. Benji said. "Beca, Aubrey will be there in her cheer outfit."
Beca raised up and looked across the cafeteria at Aubrey's table. They are the preps of the school. You had Aubrey, Chloe, Stacie, Mina, Pieter, Tom, Andy, and Drake. It's only fitting that the four most popular cheerleaders are sitting with their boy toys from the basketball team.
"Yeah, but I still have to work nerds."
Jesse shrugged, "We tried Benji, let's go talk to Bumper and the guy's."
"Beca stop staring," Jessica said observing Beca.
"I'm not staring."
Jessica rolled her eyes, "Why don't you just ask Aubrey out Beca?"
"Jess, are you insane? Why would I set myself up for a fail?"
"Beca come on now, I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad."
"So, what are you suggesting? For me to get up and walk over to the lion's den and say what? Hi, I'm Beca, the little gay Alt girl that you have no clue exist but I'm here to ask you out? Yeah that's social suicide."
"Well I see you've thought about it," Jessica added with a laugh.
"Sure, lots of times. But what goes on in my head needs to stay there. Girls like us don't belong in the same building with girl's like that."
"Beca I've known you forever, why are you selling yourself so short?"
"I don't know Jess, it's just I've never thought about being with anyone but Aubrey. Ever since freshman year, she's been my fantasy. But look at her, and look at me. We don't go together. Besides, she has Andy, the superstar basketball player. Rich boy, Mr. All-American. What do I have?"
"You have your music. You have me as your best friend. Most importantly you have yourself. Just keep your head up and confidence high, it'll work out."
The bell to return to class had rung, "I'll see you tonight Beca."
"Later Jess."
…
Luckily, so far, the night was dead for the girls. They had the occasional family or two, but most of the evening was filled with older couples. It was around 8:30, time for the first cut.
"Beca, Jessica, I'm cutting Amy and Ashley. You two will close tonight. I'm heading in myself, good evening," Eric the manager said as he locked his office and left.
When Eric was out of ear shot the girls expressed themselves,
"Why do we always get stuck last?" Jessica asked.
"I know. 3 weeks in a row we must close on a Friday night. Look at this place, it's dead." Beca huffed.
"I guess we can roll some silverware on the clock, at least it'll be done for tomorrow. Not like we are busy and Eric isn't here to cry about it. Besides, we are so busy," Jessica motioned towards the dining area which was serving only 2 family's.
"I guess. Ugh, 10:30 cannot get here fast enough."
"That's the spirit Beca!"
The girl's finished their task when the door opened, and a crowd of chatter and yelling stepped through,
"You've got to be shitting me Jess," Beca said aggravated. "It's 9:35!"
"Well shoot, I guess we can split it. It'll be faster and less work. I'll get the table ready, you go and greet them Becs."
Beca walked toward the mass of people and upon closer examination, she was at a loss for words. It was Aubrey and her crowd of jocks.
Please, I hope they don't recognize me, this is embarrassing, Beca thought.
Aubrey stood front and center with her beautiful smile,
"Hello there."
"He…hello and…welcome to…welcome to Davy Jones' Locker." Smooth Beca real smooth. "How many?" Beca asked.
Aubrey quickly recounted, "15."
For some reason, Aubrey's extra perkiness put a smile and a blush on the small brunette's face. It didn't go unnoticed by any of the group members and especially not to Aubrey who blushed herself.
"Right, Right this way."
Beca and Jessica gave their guest plenty of time to get situated before going back over,
"Holy shit Beca! It's Aubrey and her crew!"
"Why of all the places to eat, they pick this run-down seafood restaurant at 9:35 at night?"
"I don't know Beca. But look at it this way, they are all loaded, so they may leave a good tip."
The girls hurried back over to get the drink orders, Beca took one side of the table and Jessica the other,
"Hi everyone, my name is…" Beca decided to lie, thanking god that she lost her nametag earlier. "My name is Madison. What can I get you to drink?"
She wrote down the orders and quickly returned to the table,
"Here we are everyone. Has everyone decided what they want?"
Beca tried to concentrate on the order's, but she was also trying to tune into everyone's conversation, especially Aubrey's.
"Ok, I think I can handle it, let me know if you need anything else."
…
"Waitress is kind of cute, don't ya think Bree?" Chloe whispered.
"She is very cute. But I swear I know that girl from somewhere. Both actually."
Stacie piped in, hearing only the latter half of the conversation, "The eye patches make it hard to tell."
"You think they go to school with us?" Chloe asked.
"Totes." Mina confirmed.
"How can you be so sure?"
Mina smirked at Aubrey, "They left their Senior Class Rings on."
"I wonder who they are?" Aubrey drifted off trying to think.
Beca and Jessica returned sometime later and served the food,
"Everything look ok?" Asked the girls.
Naturally there had to be one smartass of the bunch,
"My fish is burnt, I can't eat this garbage. Take it back Jack Sparrow."
The smartass was non-other than Andy, Aubrey's man candy.
Beca swallowed her pride and simply gathered the food,
"Our apologizes, we will have it corrected."
"Hurry up too, I'm starving."
It was moment's like this when Aubrey really despised Andy. He was a prick who deserved to have his ass kicked, but she just sat quietly, allowing him to show off. She was clearly uncomfortable and annoyed,
"Bree, it's ok. Don't let him get to you." Chloe whispered.
"I can't stand him sometimes. I swear he is so repulsive."
"Then why are you even with him?" Mina asked.
Stacie interrupted, "Money. Their parents basically forced them together. Its more of a business dealing than romance."
Aubrey just simply nodded in agreement.
The girls tried to eat quietly. Trying to tune out the wild antics from the rest of the table.
Beca quickly returned with Andy's food,
"Here you are sir, sorry for the inconvenience."
"Better be free." Andy mumbled out loud enough for the restaurant to hear.
Aubrey had enough, she slammed her fork down and jumped from her seat,
"Shut up and eat your food! Miss, I'm awfully sorry for his behavior."
Andy glared an embarrassed, pissed off face at Aubrey.
"It's ok, I understand, mistakes happen. Now if anyone need's something, don't hesitate to ask."
Andy was steaming over Aubrey's behavior, so he decided to inadvertently "trip" Beca, sending her crashing down into the floor. The boy's got a huge laugh out of this, but it pissed Aubrey off so bad,
"Are you alright sweetie? I'm so sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him."
Beca was clearly hurt. Not so much physically, but mentally. It was embarrassing enough to fall in public, but in front of the most popular kids stunk.
"I'm alright, just need to watch my step from now on." Beca had no idea she was tripped up which made it funnier to Andy.
"Hey Madison, do you think I could eat over there in the corner? I need to get away from them." Aubrey asked.
Beca flashed a smile that the blonde was really starting to like,
"Of course, no problem ma'am."
Aubrey got up and went to sit by herself. She was soon joined by her girls, Mina, Stacie, and Chloe.
"What's wrong Chick? Stacie asked.
Aubrey was sulking, "I can't be with him anymore, I just can't bear the pain."
Chloe grabbed her friends hand, "Bree, if he doesn't make you happy, leave him."
Beca and Jessica listened from around the corner at the girl's conversation.
"If he thinks I'm going to prom with him after that stunt he pulled, he's wrong." Aubrey stated.
"Beca did you hear that!?" Jessica whispered.
"Yeah, sounds like her and Andy are in trouble. Now pipe down blondie or they'll hear us."
"Are you going to break up with him?" Mina asked.
"Damn right I am. I've never in my life met such an asshole," Aubrey barked.
"What about prom?" Stacie gasped.
"I guess I'm not going Stace."
"Bree, prom is a few months away, I'm sure you will get asked instantly. Guys will be lining up for you." Stacie cheered.
"Maybe I don't want to go with a guy!" Aubrey snapped.
She had only come out to Chloe. Aubrey was still trying to discover her feelings for women, but it was clear now, that she indeed liked women.
Her friends sat in silence, not sure if they heard Aubrey correctly,
"Bree?" Stacie said in shock.
"Aubrey? Are you?" Mina asked.
"That's right, I'm gay." Aubrey was going all in with the rest of the girls. "I want to go with a girl."
Chloe smiled at her friend for finally coming out. Aubrey felt a great deal of relief lifted off her chest.
"Beca! Here's your chance. You know she likes girls now, and it sounds like she is single." Hummed Jessica.
"I heard I heard, but I'm not doing it now, I need to go check on the table."
…
"Hey Andy, what's going on with Aubrey? She seems upset." Tom asked concerned.
"Who the hell knows, she's a sensitive bitch anyways." Andy added.
Beca waited at the table patiently. After hearing Andy's comments, it nearly sent her over the top.
"What do you want now?" Andy asked as Beca was handing out the bill's.
"I'm just here to give you your bill sir, pay whenever you guys are ready."
Aubrey and her friends returned to the table.
"Well I'm not paying for mine or that crybabies either. She didn't eat at my table so I'm not paying." Andy demanded.
Jessica had collected the other tickets and hurried off leaving Beca to deal with this problem alone.
"Well sir, I can't give you a free meal." Beca said nicely.
"Yes, you will or else. And she can pay for her own," pointing at Aubrey who was visibly embarrassed. "She's just a parasite anyways, she can pay for her own meal on occasion." Andy threw his arms up in frustration and accidently hit and knocked Beca down.
"What the fuck dude chill out!" Beca yelled.
Everyone was quiet, even Andy, he truly felt bad for his actions but is was too late. He even knocked her hat off and eye patch revealing her identity.
Aubrey raced over once again to pick the girl up,
"Are you ok? That was a nasty fall…Beca? Beca Mitchell right? I didn't know you worked here?"
Beca was clearly ashamed to show her face so she just kept her eyes on the floor. Aubrey could tell she was embarrassed, which she found highly attractive. She pulled Beca's head up to face hers,
"Well I'm glad you're ok. Don't worry I'll pay for our dinner." Aubrey slid out her credit card and Beca went to go ring up the meal.
"Beca oh my god are you ok?" Jessica asked.
"Yeah, I swear I'm getting him back though."
"Is he going to pay for his meal or do I need to call Carl out here to talk to him?"
Carl was the cook, and he had the most authority since the manager left.
"No, Aubrey offered to pay." Beca said as she finalized the transaction.
"Beca wait! Write your number down on the receipt, she'll like that."
"You sure?"
"Duh, she's totally into you. Now hurry up so we can clean up and go home."
Beca ran back to the table and handed Aubrey her card and receipt with the smile Aubrey adored,
"Thanks for coming guys, please come back and drive safe."
Aubrey smiled and gathered her purse,
"I guess I'll see you Monday in 3rd period Beca?"
It made Beca's heart warm knowing that Aubrey knew who she was and paid enough attention to know they shared a class together.
"Wouldn't miss it." Beca smiled back.
Aubrey walked out and joined her girls,
"Ready to go?"
"Bree, you look happy for a girl who has been through hell tonight." Mina said.
"She has a crush on the waitress Mina." Stacie said.
"I do not."
"You totally do Bree! You're blushing!"
"Quiet Chloe!"
"Ok so what if I do? It's not like we would ever work out." Aubrey said displeased.
"Don't knock it until you try it" Stacie said.
"I'm sure she was just being nice, it's her job to try to satisfy the customer." Aubrey stated as they piled into her car.
"I'm sure she would like to satisfy you alright" Stacie snickered.
"Ok, check your receipt." Chloe asked.
"What? Why?" Aubrey questioned.
"If she likes you, she would of wrote her number down for you duh."
Sure enough there it was, Beca Mitchell's number. Aubrey squealed in delight which caught her friends by surprise.
"AWE! Aubrey is in love with the little alt girl from school!" Mina yelled.
"What do I do now?"
"Call her tomorrow doofus, maybe she wants to hangout!" Stacie said from the backseat.
Aubrey sighed, "Alright I'll call her tomorrow."
…
Jessica had come over to Beca's house the next day to work on a science project. With Beca being Beca, she was paranoid about if Aubrey had found her number.
"Chill out Beca, I'm sure she saw it." Jessica said reassuringly.
"Well Jess, that means she isn't interested or else she would have called."
"BECA calm down it'll be ok, you heard Aubrey last night, this is your chance."
"But Jess, she was upset. People tend to go overboard and say things they don't mean." Beca said.
"Whatever you think Bec, now get over here and help me."
Sometime had passed when Beca's phone went off. She didn't recognize the number, so she hesitantly answered,
"Hello?"
"Beca, Hi! This Is Aubrey Posen."
Beca dropped the phone, "Oh my god it's her Jess!"
"Well dummy, talk to her!" Jessica said with a thrill.
Beca scrambled to pick up the phone, creating nothing but distortion on Aubrey's end,
"Beca? Beca are you there?"
"Aubrey! I'm so sorry, I... I dropped my phone."
"Still a bit clumsy, are we?" Aubrey teased.
"Hey, I can't help that I get distracted by a goddess like you." Beca stopped and rethought the words that she just uttered, "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to say that."
"Oh, but I think you did. And don't worry that was a sweet thing for you to say."
The girls talked for a few hours on the phone about themselves, school, hobbies and their future. Both girls were surprised to know they'd be attending the same college. Beca was also interested to know that Aubrey has noticed her before and knows who she is.
"Well duh I know you. We've had a class together each year since Freshmen year. Your also in my 3rd period calculus class and we have choir together." Aubrey said.
"Wow, I just never thought someone like you would notice someone like me?" Beca said.
"Why wouldn't I notice? Just because my family is wealthy and I'm fortunate enough to be considered "Cool", it doesn't mean I haven't found you intriguing over the last few years."
That made Beca so happy, Aubrey is interested in her and it sounds like she has for some time. Beca had to scoop up Aubrey while she was on the rebound,
"Hey Bree? Would you like to hangout with me tonight? I was planning on going to the Winter Carnival with Jessica, but she cancelled on me and I was hoping you would like to."
Aubrey looked around at the guest in her room, Chloe, Mina, and Stacie all nodded in approval,
"I'd love to Beca. Can I pick you up around, 7?"
"Yes, you may, and not a minute later" Beca stuck her tongue out although she knew Aubrey couldn't see it.
"Ok it's a date then. See you at 7," and Aubrey hung up the phone and fell back on her bed smiling.