A/N: Hello dear reader. I know this has been sort of abandoned, but like I said - I wouldn't forget about it. I just took the much needed break. Anyway, thank you for still reading, and thank you for reading. If you haven't read this since my last update, I suggest you go back to the first chapter and read it once again - so the pacing will make more sense, but it's up to you really.

Hope you'll like this one though. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 24 – Sorting Out

Stacie Conrad is usually underestimated during first impression stages. With how she acts, she moves, dress up, the way she brings herself – no one would actually think she's smart – like top student-valedictorian-with-highest-honors smart. People often take her for some dumb chick with the big boobs and long legs, that kind of cliche. Well, if only they know that that's just a part of her charisma.

People are blown out of their minds when Stacie opens her mouth and says her opinions and stands on her beliefs during certain circumstances.

This was one of the reasons why Beca Mitchell has Stacie Conrad as her friend.

Back in elementary days, Beca was one of the people who doubted Stacie's adeptness towards academics, and just like everyone else who did – Beca's mind was blown with the bomb Stacie dropped on her, by winning on the debate against the school's conceited "genius", Amanda Corbein, through landslide.

Stacie could understand why Beca called her for this type of reason. It's because she's the only one who can give Beca an honest opinion and not be offended by it – no matter how rude or harsh it may sound. And of course, Beca deserves the most honest opinions on situations like this…especially when it revolves around Chloe.

It's not like she hates Chloe. It's not that. Chloe's one of the most kind-hearted, most caring, and loveliest people in the world Stacie has ever known…but there is a line between a "forgiving friend" and a "stupid taken-for-granted friend". For Stacie, showing some tough love on Chloe would be the one the redhead needs – not the one who just says "everything will be fine".

"I just…I don't know what to do Stace." Beca says, releasing a shaky breath after. "I mean…" Beca cuts herself off, like she can't even explain what she even means.

"It's okay, Beca. I know you're confused by a lot of things, but what I'm going to say is the reality you're in. The ground you're standing on, is that you have decided to put all of that behind you. You have made it clear to Chloe that what you two had, is now just a part of your past and you're now both moving on from it." Stacie explains, calm and slow just to give Beca smooth reminder and a clear one too.

"Chloe complied with your wishes. You're happy with Lucy. She's happy…what else could you ask for?" Stacie shrugged, like she was stating a simple math equation.

"And I know that…but she said she never stopped loving me, Stace. Since then and up until now…how am I supposed to react to that?" Beca reasoned out.

"What did you actually say to her when she said that?"

"I didn't say anything. She was able to change the topic before I could even react, but we ended with heartfelt thanks and goodbyes." Beca blew another puff of air the same time she jumped herself and landed on her bed, then proceeds to lay down her back while still holding the phone to her ear.

"But what would you have said if you were able to react?" Stacie asked.

"Honestly?" Beca gulped, "I would've said that I feel the same."

Silence took over Stacie's line that Beca must look at the phone to see if the call with Stacie was still connected. Beca knew that her friend would be mad at her for that answer, but it is what it is, and it is the truth. She really would've said that, if not for Chloe changing the topic and a little bit of self-control on Beca's part.

"I know that sounds insane –"

"Are you out of your mind, Beca?!" Stacie blurted.

"Look Stace, I know – and I think I kind of am."

"Beca, you're with Lucy!"

"You think I don't know that?!" Beca snaps back sitting up from her position on the bed, then took a second to calm herself by exhaling loud. "I still am in love with Chloe…because she was always it for me, Stace. She was always going to be the one. And I am freaking out, because I love Lucy too…she's important to me, and she's one of the best things that happened to me." Beca rambles, now gripping her hair, then ran hand through it.

"Beca, I've seen you on your lowest and rock bottom moments…and trust me, it's traumatizing. Especially when it's not even the first time I've seen you like that. Now, in my perspective, hearing you say that you're still in love with someone who caused your life crumbling down is something hard for me to take." Stacie implied. "I just don't want you to get hurt over and over again, Beca. You know that right?" she said, now in a calmer tone.

"I know. And for that, I am truly grateful for you Stacie. You've always been my guide through the ups and downs of my life." Beca stated.

"I know that it's not my life, and it's not my place to decide for you, Bec. So whatever makes you happy – I'm going to support you through with it. I always am." Stacie smiled, laying down her side of argument. After all, she can't deny that what she saw between Chloe and Beca from the years of being good friends with the two, is something real. It is true that what they have, and could possibly have again, will and always be real.

"So what's your plan now?" Stacie asked.

"Right now. I don't know…I mean, Lucy is still part of the picture, and it's not like I could just get back with Chloe in a snap. I really just wanted my feelings to be out there before I combust, and you know me perfectly well."

Stacie laughs. "Oh yeah, more than you know."

"Yeah, so…now, I'm just going to let things sort itself out. Like, I'm in good terms with Chloe. I'm currently happy with Lucy. Though still in love with Chloe." Beca chuckled, "Who knew my life would get this interesting. My love life, nonetheless."

"I agree." Stacie said. "And with your birthday coming in a few days, I don't know how much more complicated it could get."

Beca widens her eyes. She totally forgot about that.

"Oh my gosh, it is my birthday in a few days."

Stacie laughed. "Knew you would forget about it."

"Yeah, yeah." Rolling her eyes, Beca smiled at her friend. "Well, I better get going. Lucy will be home in…" she looks at the watch hanging in her bedroom wall "…a minute, I guess. And I gotta make dinner, so I'll talk to you soon."

"Alright, boo. Talk soon." Stacie hanged up, and so did Beca.

Stacie stared at her phone, and tried to relive the conversation she just had with her little brunette friend. She tried to think if she made the right choice…on what exactly? She doesn't know, but it's as if she made a right one. Although as Beca's friend, if Beca's going to be happy – she will be too. And if Beca's going to let it all fall to its place, right there and then, she will do the same. And if it will not work, and it hurt Beca all the same – she will be there for her friend, no matter what.

Beca released a breath of relief once her talk with Stacie went well. Yeah, she got a few earful of lectures from her best friend, but in the end, Stacie will support her.

Beca smiles to herself.

Not long, she heard the main door open and closes and she hurries to get out of the room to meet Lucy. She smiles when she saw the blonde girl hanging her coat on the coat rack beside the door.

"Hey babe!" Beca greets, walking towards her girlfriend, although weirdly, she doesn't get a response. Only when Lucy turned and meet eyes with the brunette, did then Beca saw that something's not right.

"You okay? How's work?" Beca asked, testing waters.

Lucy answered with a half-smile and a shrug whilst not meeting Beca's eyes. She then proceeds to walk towards the kitchen, leaving the brunette unanswered properly. Beca furrowed her eyebrows and followed Lucy with her eyes.

"Hey…" she calls out, walking to the kitchen as well, seeing as the blonde took a bottle of red wine and poured some on the wine glass standing on the tabletop. "…is everything okay? What happened?" she asks, hoping this time the blonde will answer her properly…using words.

Beca waited patiently for Lucy to drink the wine in the glass in one shot, before pouring another glass of wine. Then the blonde leaned on the tabletop island, her back turned to Beca. Beca got a bit irritated, and rolled her eyes. She hates it when Lucy ignores her as if she's not even there and playing deaf. So she walked in front of Lucy with a slight frown and worried look on her face. The blonde continued to ignore her, making the glass of wine in her hand the focus of her attention.

"Luce, what's wrong? Did I do something?" Beca asks directly, but was still met with silence. "Dude, what the hell's going on? Can you please talk to me like an actual person and not like a ghost you can't hear?" this time, her tone slightly raised with annoyance.

Finally though, after a few seconds, Lucy seemed to get annoyed about Beca bugging her and looked at the brunette with a look. A look in her eyes that seems blank, but deep inside was saying something else, something intense. Beca got scared with that look, she started to get nervous.

A few weeks after Beca and Lucy went back to New York, Chloe has been well. She hasn't heard anything from them, but she was okay – she's liberated from the feeling of not doing anything, or that she should have done something. She told Beca the truth – well, not the whole truth but the fact that she was still in love with her is now out in the open; the important thing was Beca knowing her feelings.

It's like coming out of the closet once again. Nothing's holding her back or dragging her down.

She was free. Free from being guilty, from being so sorry.

Her co-workers noticed this about her. Chloe seemed happier. Well, in retrospect Chloe has been always happy and jolly and giddy in their eyes, but back then it was like she was wearing that as a mask every day.

Chloe still gets calls occasionally from Aubrey and Jesse, sometimes an invitation, sometimes an update about their sweet little angel, Gillian.

Chloe was sure that she could move on. She was happy and liberated, and with her feelings all sorted out – even if she doesn't have Beca as her girlfriend – she's ready to take on another chapter of her life. She's not moving any where because so far, she's loving San Francisco, and maybe she'll stay put for another 2 or 3 years there or until a new better opportunity came up for her.

When it comes to love though – don't get her wrong - Beca's still her number 1, no doubt…but she's enjoying the single life, and she doesn't know, but come what may. She's going to live her life without any expectations from now on, and just start living because she doesn't want to miss out any more what life has come to offer. She's not going to assume things, because it only gives her anxiety and paranoia. She's going to think more positively, going to face her fears, and accept her mistakes.

And alas, life did give something unexpected.

She came home from a shift at around 7 pm to find an envelope in her mailbox.

"A lady left something for ya." The old man at the front door informed her with a smile. She nodded with a smile, took the envelope, thanked him and then proceed to go up to her apartment.

She waited until she arrived in her apartment before looking at the envelope, where a scrawny handwriting of her name was written at the back. She furrowed her eyebrows amusingly, knowing so well whose handwriting it was, at the same time wondering why was there a letter. She didn't know Beca was old fashioned enough to write a letter…she could've just give her a texted or chatted her up – but maybe there was something more personal to it to just send the message through technology.

She opened the envelope, and saw a short message, but has enough words to say what the purpose of the letter is.

Dear Chloe,

You're probably wondering why you're reading this. Not to mention, a letter from me.

The main reason why there is a letter on your hand right now...if you're reading this by now, you should've known that I left the country. And that Lucy and I broke up. I left because like I always do when I'm in a situation that's too much for me to handle, I need time with myself. To think, to reflect, to internalize the decisions I've made and what I should've made. You know me too well, and that's why I know you'll understand.

Another reason, it's good to have a change of scenery once in a while. New York or L.A. is fine, but to me it's just a bit too crowded at the time, so I'll be in a place where not a lot of people knows who I am. I promise though, that I'll be fine. Assure Aubrey, Jesse and Stacie for me, will you?

Just wanted you to know that I really am thankful for you to be in my life, no matter what had happened between us, good or bad...you were always be the one and only Chloe Beale in my life.

I'll be back before you even know it. I'll see you when I see you.

I'm gonna miss you, Chlo.

Love always,

Beca

P.S. I know this is borderline cheesy, so just be happy about it. :P XO

Chloe laughed, at the same time let a tear fall off her eye and let it hit the paper she was holding. Her feelings were mixed up. First she was sad about Lucy and Beca's relationship, and it kind of made her curious on what was the reason, but she's not thinking that they broke up because of her because she's not entitled to anything. She's also sad that Beca has to go away once again, but it made her happy that Beca told her first and wrote her a letter about it.

There's this feeling in her heart that Beca will come back to her, but no expectations…and she's going to wait patiently.

After all, Beca is someone worth waiting for even if it's the last thing she has to do – anything for that brunette.