CHAPTER 20 – In Heavy Contrast

Chloe decided to visit her sister's house in Florida for the weekend since she hasn't visited there in like forever – if she's being exaggerated, though. But yeah, she hasn't been able to visit Florida in a year although, she's been keeping in touch with her sister through calls, text messages, online chat, and video calls.

If there is anyone she's close with – besides Aubrey, and maybe, Beca too – it's gonna be her eldest sister, Charlie. Among the 5 siblings of the Beale household, Chloe and Charlie are the closest since they're only a few years apart, and they're the two oldest. While Jason, – the middle child – Alex, – the fourth – and Dyllan – the youngest – are more into their own circle of friends type. But when they're all together, the Beales are probably one of the warmest families in the whole world. It's like they never ever fight in the household.

So Charlie's real name is Charlene. She's a single-30 year old Art teacher. She has been very passionate about making art, and this might've been the reason why up until now, she's single – but she's not really that bothered by it, because she's living her life doing the thing she loves the most.

She has the same red wavy hair as Chloe, although she wants it half in the middle and always maintain the collar bone-length hair, and layered. She has their father's gray eyes unlike Chloe's blue ones – which she got from their mother.

Charlie and Chloe have many similarities aside from physical features. They are bubbly, kind, caring and smart. She likes to make awkward jokes that Chloe would still find hilarious and have a belly laugh up until she can't breathe. Although, she more of a carefree kind of gal, while Chloe who would sometimes have the tendency on overthinking things. That's why Charlie didn't ask why Chloe was visiting her for the weekend when she saw her sister at the front door of her house, and instead was just pure happy that Chloe's there with her.

And she really was. If there's any reason why Chloe was there in her house, in Florida – the younger redhead would eventually tell her and she's patient in waiting for that reason to be told.

Which is what Chloe did. She told her older sister that she's there because she needs some serious old sister advices, and knew that Charlie would be able to give exactly that.

"Well who else would you even ask? I'm your only older sister, Chlo." Charlie joked as she poured the lemon juice on two glasses on the kitchen counter, and Chloe was sitting at the dining table after settling her stuff in her room where she stayed the last time she was there.

Chloe chuckled at the joke.

"So…"Charlie sat in front of her sister, giving her the glass of lemon juice as well, "What is this advice-asking, all about?" She held her hands together, tucked beneath her chin, her elbows on the table.

Chloe blew a puff of air, before exhaling and said, "Okay. So you know what happened to me and Beca the past year, right? On Aubrey and Jesse's wedding?"

Charlie nodded silently.

"Well, recently…there has been a reunion at Aubrey and Jesse's place in LA, and Stacie and Beca were there." Chloe said, and paused waiting if there would be a reaction from her sister. Seeing that the older redhead is still listening to her, she continued. "And, well…it was awkwa – no – I was awkward, because when I saw her I just stood frozen like I just got caught on act stealing the last cookie from the jar. But then, she hugged me."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, silently. Chloe continued, as she fiddled with the droplets around her glass of lemon juice.

"She hugged me, and then told me that we should just forget about the past and be friends like we used to be in high school. She…she has changed so much like – from the way she dresses, she was wearing heels, Charlie. And her makeup is light and almost natural. Her hair is longer. And most of all…she…" Chloe paused; Charlie waiting patiently. "She's taken."

"Ohhh. And you're still not over her, so you have absolutely no idea what to do. Correct?" Charlie asked with a quirked eyebrow, like she knows Chloe knows she's right.

Chloe nodded with a sad smile.

"Okay. What do you want to do?" The older redhead asked with her eyebrows up.

"Honestly?"

"No, lie to me – of course, honestly." Charlie rolled her eyes and Chloe laughed.

"Well, I still love her…so maybe get ways to get her back?" Chloe answered with a nervous chuckle.

Charlie narrowed her eyes. "I thought I told you to tell me honestly?" then cocked her eyebrow.

"Yeah, I am honest about that – because I am not really sure on what to do." Chloe defended. Well she knows she wants the brunette back, but doesn't have the idea on how to actually do it. Firstly, Beca's moved on from her, second – there's someone else in the picture. And third, she's not even sure if this would be encouraged by her friends because she's sure that they'll be like "here we go again".

Charlie observed her sister's face, noticing that she's also in her deep thoughts. The older redhead knows that if her sister would want to get ways back with her ex, it won't be easy. There will always be someone who's going to get hurt – whichever Beca chooses, and it seems like Chloe doesn't want to back down.

"Have you met Beca's new someone?" she asked, and got a shake of a head as an answer. "That's tough, then. You don't even know the person."

"I know." Chloe said. "But I really want Beca back. I just don't know how to do the proper way. I don't want to be a home-wrecker." She added – which got a point, Charlie thinks. Because if you really like someone who's in a relationship, and you want them for yourself, then breaking them apart is the only way, and that's home-wrecker goals. But, if it happened naturally, like Beca chooses her and the other person is already out of the picture, then that's a good way to go.

"Why don't you just go for what Beca wants?" Charlie asked and then Chloe looked at her. "I mean, if you don't want to be a home-wrecker then don't do anything rash, or selfish. I think that the only way for Beca to take notice of you is by being her friend. It's the same way you two fell in love with each other, and it's not impossible for that to happen again." Charlie said. Chloe looked down on her glass and let those words sink in.

It is true. She and Beca have been friends – best friends – for probably 10 years, and 7 of those years are when they were a couple. They know each other better than anyone, except maybe for Stacie and Jesse because the three of them have been childhood friends – but gets. If Beca fell in love with her the first time, then she can do it again.

Time passed by so fast, and before they know it, Charlie's in the airport with Chloe's bag, and she's hugging her little sister goodbye. It has been a fun weekend, them being the sisters and doing sisterly stuff. They had talked about when they're planning on going home, since their mother and father missed them terribly. But, time flies when you're having fun and responsibilities have to be faced.

When Chloe got back to San Francisco, after telling her sister that she got home safe – she contacted Aubrey. Asking her when she can come over because she has something she needs to say. Aubrey replied saying anytime this week because she's always home anyways, taking care of Gillian since she's in her maternity leave. Chloe was glad about this and made it sure she'll be going over there before the next weekend comes.

She went to Aubrey and Jesse's place by Wednesday around brunch time, bringing some food. Jesse was on his way out to work, finishing his coffee when Chloe came in.

"Hey!" Jesse greeted her with a hug and cheek greeting. "You have no work today?" he asked.

"No, I have my shift later tonight, I'll be going around 2pm." Chloe answered. "Where's Bree and Gill?"

"Oh, she's breastfeeding her upstairs. You can wait by the couch and watch some TV or something." Jesse said as he walked towards the drawer next to the door and put on his messenger bag on him. "Well, I gotta go to work Chlo. I'll see you soon, alright? Take care of my family for me." He said with a smile.

"Take care Jess! And don't worry, I will." Chloe smiled as she waved the brunette boy goodbye when he exited the door. She made sure to lock it before heading towards the baby room upstairs. When she opened the door, she saw Aubrey holding Gillian securely in her arms as the little baby girl has her eyes closed and was latching on to her mother. Aubrey saw her entering the room and gave her a soft smile.

"Hey." Chloe greeted in a hush voice to not disturb the peacefulness of the room.

"Hey Chlo. Did Jesse leave already?" the blonde asked.

Chloe nodded, still looking at Gillian. "Yeah, he told me to take care of you guys while I'm here."

Aubrey smiled at the statement from her husband. She truly loves that guy, even in his dorky ways and obsession with movie clichés, he never seemed to fail in making her smile and blush.

"What time is your work?" Aubrey asked.

"I got my shift tonight, so I'll be leaving around 2." Chloe answered, then gently reached for Gillian's leg and ran her hands on it softly. "She's so tiny." Chloe said with a crinkled nose and a cheeky smile. Aubrey laughed softly then nodded her head.

"Listen, go ahead downstairs and I'll just put her to her crib. Then we'll talk." Aubrey stated and Chloe nodded, before exiting the room and going downstairs, waiting by the living room couch. Sitting down, she remembered that this was the spot she took when their recent reunion occurred, and how she was practically glued to that spot while giving Beca the good stare and observe the changes the brunette obviously had.

She fiddled with her fingers, as her mind goes back to the memory of days ago – there, she saw Beca sitting, chatting with them, in all her glory. Chloe still remembers the light make up, the long grown brown locks…and it may seem to be that she's having a mind of a stalker, but she's only thinking hard about Beca right now. And the possible outcome of what she'll be doing in the future is purely depending on this conversation with her best friend.

Not sooner than later, Aubrey came down from her daughter's room and found Chloe sitting, staring blankly at one of the unoccupied chairs of their living room.

"Hey Chlo"

Chloe turns around and saw the blonde making her way towards her, then sat beside her. Aubrey took Chloe by the hand, and gave her a small smile. "It's about Beca, is it?" Chloe smiled back, then looked down at their joined hands and nodded.

"I…I've come to ask if you think, I still have the chance to get back with her." Chloe stated, straightforwardly. "Because, I'm not afraid of anything, anymore Bree. I'm going to tell her everything. I'm going to tell her that I've been afraid, because I seriously love her so much that I decided to let her go – and look where that has taken me. A sad, single, redheaded woman living in a town where anyone barely knows her who sees her ex having the good life with another person."

Aubrey just stared at her best friend. Blinked at her for a few times to get a good look at the redhead in front of her. Making time on how she'll be able to answer from the sudden outburst of emotions.

Chloe released Aubrey's hand and stared at the floor as she fiddled with her own hands.

"I don't think I could stand it anymore. Me, just looking at her – all happy and moved on, while not knowing my part."

"But you had that chance already, Chlo. You had that chance, and you blew it. Beca really wanted to know your side of the story, because she loved you and she would've understand."

"But I was afraid, remember? And I was stupid." Chloe said, defeated. "Look, I'm not trying to justify my mistakes…but I just really needed to talk to Beca. About everything." Chloe said, her pale blue eyes pleading towards Aubrey. "Help me, Bree."

All of a sudden…

"That's not going to happen."

The redhead and the blonde, both turned their heads to the now opened front door of the apartment where a long-legged brunette was now standing, hands on hips.

"Stacie?" Aubrey asked with furrowed eyebrows. "How did you-"

"I'm not going to let you talk to her, Chloe. Not now. Not this time, when she's finally happy with her life." Stacie said calmly as she closed the front door quietly and sat across the two best friends. She looked at Chloe, dead in the eye with a serious glare. "I mean it. Yes you're my friend, and as that – my duty is to prevent anything that could cause bad things for you and for Beca, for that matter."

Chloe furrowed her eyebrows. "Stace, I'm not going to cause anything bad. I'm just going to let Beca know everything, just so we can have closure."

"Chloe, she already gave you closure. She said, you should forgive and forget. That's the closure she wants." Stacie said.

"But it's still unfair for her not to know anything."

"It's fair, if she doesn't want the truth from you, anymore." Stacie said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I've seen her in her lowest point, Chloe. The main reason being you. She berated herself, hated herself to death because she thought she has done something that led you to leave her – which, now I know is far from the truth, because she really did nothing. You were the one who did something stupid. Not her."

Aubrey clamped her lips, because this is the first time she has seen Stacie be furious – especially towards Chloe.

"I hated how much Beca has suffered through a lot of insecurities when you left her hanging, making her think it's her fault."

"But it wasn't – "

"I know that. It was your fault. But she still thought it was hers, because you left her." Stacie cuts. "But now, she's in a good place…and I'm not going to let you fuck all of that up."

"Stace." Aubrey said, that made the brunette look at her. "Chloe just wanted to let these things swallow her up – because she's still in love with Beca."

"And to what, Bree? To give Beca some things to think about? I don't think so…she has moved on, and she's happy with Lucy now." Stacie said. "Telling her the truth won't do anything to change how things are now, Chlo. Beca has made it clear that you two should forget about everything. If you love her, you'll do what she wants. Just leave her be. Especially, this is what you've been doing the moment you left that note to Beca." Stacie stood up, then left without any more words, which go Aubrey thinking what the brunette was doing there in the first place – because she just magically appeared.

Before anything though, Stacie's head popped back up from the door. "Oh yeah, I forgot my real intention why I was here in the first place. We're going to have some dinner mid-week, and ya'll get to meet Lucy. Beca's girl. See yah guys, love you." And with that, she's gone again.

It took about a few breathing moments before the blonde and the redhead were able to move and to let it sink in their heads that Stacie was now gone. Aubrey looked at Chloe once again, finding her fidgeting with her fingers, her head down low and her nose pinkish – then she heard a sniff. Automatically, Aubrey put her hand on her best friend's back and gave her soothing rubs. "Chlo, I – well, Stacie…she's just protective of Beca. They're best friends. I'm sure I would be the same, if you were on Beca's shoes."

Chloe just nodded but didn't say anything.

"No matter how weird Stacie got in here all of a sudden, or how fast her demeanor has change – you do know she has a point, right? I'm sorry Chlo, but Stacie's right. If there's anything you could and should do – it's to leave Beca be. Just be happy for her, okay?" Aubrey advice sincerely, giving the redhead a warm sad smile feeling so much sympathy for her best friend. It was actually hard to see her best friend like this especially when she feels like she has betrayed her in a way that she can't help her or can't even think of a solution that would benefit all of them.

Goddammit, why can't everyone just have their own happy ever after? Aubrey thinks.

...

When Chloe came back to San Francisco to work her shift, Louis was asking her about her weekend and if she was able to get the help she needed from her sister. Chloe responded with an amount of wonderful things about her bond with her sister but with the obvious lack of "Chloe-ness" in the narration. Louis asked her about it, but she just waved it off calling herself "just tired" from the trip from LA. Louis thought it sounded fake, but okay. He just hopes Chloe would be okay.

Someday. Hopefully.

A/N: Hey guys, sorry this bit was late. Y'know the usual reasons: life, busy, work, writer's block.

Anyway, I kinda like Stacie in here 'cause she has a major point. Lol.

Also, if there would be any image for Charlie(Chloe's sister) it would be none other than, Drew Barrymore. I can just imagine her and Brittany Snow being sisters, with their red hair and personality, and all. Do you think you can agree with me?

You guys know the drill: Review for thoughts.

Thanks for all the love!

-cc27