A/N – A high school AU I wasn't going to write...

(This is probably the most clichéd thing I've ever written and I'm kind of OK with it.)

Swimming Pool Confessions

Beca was staring into the reflecting lights on the pool water, the small circles being rubbed into the palm of her hand making her almost sleepy. She looked down at Chloe sprawled out on the sun lounger giving her a lazy smile, before resting her eyes back on the pool to watch their friends drunkenly splashing each other.

"Can we go to sleep now?" Chloe asked pulling the sleeve of Beca's top.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Beca asked, allowing Chloe's tug to pull her down, so she was laying flat next to the redhead.

"No, I want to sleep here" she slurred into Beca's ear and hooked her arm around her waist.

Beca let her eyes droop, the familiarity and warmness of Chloe causing her to smile contently.

"Mm-hm. So let's sleep" Beca whispered, as she waited for her best friend to close her eyes before she did the same. Chloe's head was on her shoulder and she felt a tickling sensation as a kiss was pressed to her neck and she let the splashing lull her to sleep.

Beca woke up later, Chloe had turned onto her side, but her arm was trapped under her head. The brunette slowly removed it, trying her best not to stir her and sat up on the lounger. She spotted Stacie sat at the edge of the pool, dipping her legs in the water. She smiled and silently waved and Beca made her way over, perching on the end and sinking her legs into the pool too.

"What time is it?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"I don't know, I left my phone at the party" Stacie replied. "But you haven't been asleep for long."

Beca smiled and muttered her thanks, "Hey, where did Jesse and Amy go?" she asked looking around.

Stacie laughed, moving her legs in the water "They passed out in the living room."

Beca turned her head to see through the patio doors and laughed at the sight of her two friends sleeping side by side on the floor with what seemed to be a piece of cake between them.

Beca gave a questioning look to Stacie, who just laughed and shrugged.

"So, when are you and Chloe going to start dating?"

Beca almost choked on her own breath, her eyes widening at Stacie.

"Come on, Becs, anyone can see it."

The two had been friends the moment Beca moved into the house next door to Chloe's when she was nine. Beca's Father had walked out and her Mother promised her daughter that a change of scene would help them both.

It did.

Although Beca is certain it was less the scene for her and more the redhead next door.

Chloe was the kindest person Beca had ever met and she can't really imagine life without her now she's had Chloe as a best friend for the last eight years.

"Stacie, she's my best friend" Beca stated.

"Yeah and best friend's don't dance like you two did tonight. And they most definitely do not sleep together like you just did on that sun lounger" Stacie teased, anticipating Beca's light punch to the arm.

"We're not- It isn't – I don't know" Beca stuttered quietly.

"I think you know and I think Chloe knows too" Stacie said, bumping their shoulders together with a smile.

"I don't know, Stace. Chloe has always been that way, even when I was nine" Beca stressed, shaking her head.

"Exactly! You guys have always supposed to be together."

Beca rolled her eyes, "You need to stop watching those sappy rom-coms, dude."

Stacie shot her a glare "Beca, if I ask you a question will you promise to answer it truthfully?"

Beca let out a sigh; "I've had enough beers to answer anything you ask truthfully" she deadpanned.

"Do you love- no! Are you in love with Chloe Beale?"

Stacie watched Beca carefully, clocking the nervous finger tapping by the side of the pool and the lack of eye contact as she waited on her friend's reply.

"Well?" she pushed.

"If I answer it, you promise you'll never ask again?"

"Promise."

"Yeah, I'm in love with Chloe Beale. I probably was when I was nine, but I wasn't sure what love was back then. I don't think I've ever felt so much love for a person in my life before and I still don't know what to do about it."

Beca took a deep breath and stared back onto the water. This last year Beca had been attempting to ignore her feelings, because spending almost every waking hour with Chloe and not being able to kiss her was becoming unbearable.

Stacie patted her knee, before letting out a sigh of her own. "You need to do something about it, Becs, I think her response will be the one we all want for you both."

XXX

It had been two days since Chloe had overheard Beca and Stacie's conversation by the pool and she was still unsure what to do about it.

It wasn't her intention to listen, she just woke up at the exact moment the pair said her full name; twice.

Beca walked Chloe home in the early hours of the morning like she did after every high school party, after all Beca had to walk past the Beale residence in order to get home, so it made sense. Chloe couldn't help but feel unusually aware of her movements. When she reached for Beca's hand she wondered if it was the right thing to do or not; when Beca rubbed her thumb along her knuckles Chloe couldn't contain the butterflies in her stomach.

The truth was Chloe had been in love with Beca since she was ten and the very moment they met - out on Beca's lawn as they shared Chloe's chocolate bar whilst the movers unpacked the van. Chloe had inkling she knew the extent of her feelings way before Beca. They had always had a close friendship, so hand holding and bed sharing wasn't a huge deal and although it probably didn't help keep Chloe's feelings at bay, it always felt right.

She kissed Beca goodnight on the cheek and watched her get to her front door safely from her pouch like she did every other night. Beca pulled the same goofy grin and waved before disappearing into the house.

Chloe spent the weekend stewing over her feelings and replying the last part of Beca and Stacie's conversation over and over in her mind. Fortunately for Chloe, Beca had spent her weekend out of town at her Dad's, making it easier for her to figure out what to do.

It was now Monday morning and Beca had driven them to school, complaining about her "awful" weekend was and asking Chloe what she had been up to. There was a flicker of worry on her face when Beca noticed how quite her best friend was being, but Chloe calmed her with a reassuring smile and the soft squeeze of her knee.

XXX

They were on the way to second period when Chloe felt a sudden realisation wash over her. They had been talking about the time they skipped math class and smoked weed for the first time a couple of years ago. Chloe had ended up throwing up under the bleachers whilst the stoners looked on and laughed – never to this day has Chloe forgot the embarrassment she felt that afternoon, or has she forget the feeling in her chest when Beca made herself sick shortly after in order to make Chloe feel better and less singled out.

It was weird and probably unhealthy on Beca's part, but she did it for the best reason. They both laughed about it afterwards and Beca often brought it up, just like she did on their walk to class.

"I'd do it again exactly the same. I knew how bad you felt and I didn't want you to feel bad alone. You've always got me" Beca laughed, continuing to walk down the hall. Chloe abruptly stopped, tugging Beca's hand.

Chloe isn't sure why it was those exact words and that ridiculous trip down memory lane that caused her to say it then, but they did.

"I love you" she said, pulling Beca closer.

"Yeah and I think me sticking my fingers down my throat that day proved I love you too" Beca joked. She was about to step forward, but Chloe was gripping her arm and holding her in place.

Beca noticed the change in her best friend and felt concerned.

"Chl-"

"Beca, I heard you talking to Stacie on Friday night. I promise I wasn't eavesdropping, I just woke up and heard it."

The brunette looked at her confused at first but then she looked panicked.

"I was just-"

"No, don't lie to me. I know, OK? I've always known" her words were rushed but she finally felt a release being able to admit it.

"Ask me a question and I promise I'll answer it truthfully" Chloe pleaded, hoping Beca would muster up the courage to say it.

Beca sighed, recognising what Chloe wanted her to ask. She gulped back her fear and entertained the redhead in front of her.

"Are you in love with Beca Mitchell?" she whispered.

Instead of answering, Chloe threw her arms around Beca's neck, pushing her lips against hers. The kiss was sloppy and untidy, but Chloe felt that kiss was the most honest thing she's ever felt in her life. She pulled away slowly, looking at her best friend stood in front of her in the empty corridor.

"I am so in love with you, Beca Mitchell and I have been from the moment we met."

Beca's expression was unreadable, but she had a tight grip on Chloe's waist; a firm grip that Chloe felt like she was never going to let go. Beca was lifting a hand to Chloe's face, gently brushing the hair out of her eyes with a dazed look on her face. She looked into Chloe's blue eyes for what felt like minutes with so much intensity that the redhead felt her eyes begin to sting.

It was that moment she knew Beca was trying to convey all her emotions in that look. The tear that trickled down her cheek, followed by the watery smile made Chloe's heart ooze with love and appreciation for the person in her arms; Beca Mitchell was so in love with Chloe Beale.

Beca leaned forward, firmly pressing her lips on Chloe's. The kiss was slow and passionate and tidier than their first. Beca was taking the lead, their mouths moving together in a familiar pattern, like they had done it a thousand times before.

"Today is literally the best day ever" Beca said quietly with a smile, gently rubbing her thumb over Chloe's bottom lip.

"I love you, Chlo."

XXX