A/N: fanfiction ruined my life. But it also made it better.

Chapter 6

nice to meet you/ where you been? / I could show you incredible things / magic / madness / heaven / sin / saw you there and I thought oh my god / look at that face / you look like my next mistake / love's a game / wanna play / so hey, let's be friends / rose garden filled with thorns / I get drunk on jealousy / but you'll come back each time you leave / so it's gonna be forever / or it's gonna go down in flames / cause we're young and we're reckless / we'll take this way too far / leave you breathless / or with a nasty scar / got a long list of ex-lovers / but I got a blank space baby / and I'll write your name – Taylor Swift

Bellas rehearsal started late in the afternoon. It wasn't really rehearsal anymore, we just hung out together, since we're done for the year. Graduation was already in a few days. We were discussing what we're going to do over summer break and our futures.

"Has any of you seen or talked to Beca lately?" I wondered out loud, when I realized she wasn't here for the third time since the party.

Some of the Bellas replied, but it was negative. Lilly whispered something that nobody could make out. I thought I heard something about Beca digging her own grave. I'm sure. I hope not. Aubrey sent me an apologetic look and I received some knowing looks from other Bellas. They knew what was going on.

But, a few minutes later, the doors of the auditorium flew open and Beca stormed in, not meeting any of our glances. "Sorry I'm late." She muttered.

"You mean you're sorry that you're here for the first time since a few days ago?" Aubrey raised her eyebrow.

"I am sorry." Beca snapped. "I already said that."

"Beca-" Aubrey tried to reason.

"Everyone is dismissed!" I yelled above Beca and Aubrey's bickering.

"Geez." Mumbled Beca. "I'm going already."

"Actually, Beca, I'd like it if you would stay for a while." Beca slumped back into her seat and we waited for everyone to leave the room.

"Why have you been ignoring me?" Bam. Straight to the point. Pun intended. Or, not.

"Ignoring you? What are you talking about? I haven't been ignoring you."

"Yes, you have. Look at you. You don't even dare to look at me." At my words, Beca raised her head to meet my gaze, as if she accepted a challenge from me.

"What has been going on in that head of yours?" I continued.

"Nothing."

"Beca, please don't shut me out. You can talk to me you know? Just, please." I kneeled beside her and put my hand on top of hers. She flinched. I was desperate. I want to know what has been going on. "Is it because we –"

"Yes! Chloe for gods sakes, yes! You want to know what has been going on?" Beca stood up, on the verge of yelling now.

"Yes, I have been ignoring you! And all because I slept with my best friend. I cheated Chloe. And because of what? Because we were both drunk? Good reason Mitchell, well done. Jesse will be proud of you." She spat.

I stood up too. Beca looked me right in the eyes. "And you know what Chloe? I vowed to myself to never cheat. Because that's what my father did to my mother. Because he cheated he left me and my mother broken. Because he cheated, my mother got a depression and you know that Chloe. And you want to know the best part Chloe? The best part is that what we did was all for nothing."

"That is not true." I tried to reason, tears already pooling in my eyes.

"And why isn't it? You're going to graduate! We will be miles away!"

"Becs, it's not as hard as you think it is, when I graduate, you will already be living in LA, I can get a house there too –"

"I'm not going to LA. I'm staying." Beca said.

I smiled at her. "Then what's the point? Because I'm staying too. We still can be friends, if you want?" God did that hurt to say 'friends'. But better friends than nothing.

"You- You are staying?" Beca asked astonished. Suddenly all the anger was gone.

"Yeah Becs." I reached out and put my hand on her arm. "I'm not going anywhere." Come on Chloe, now would be a good time.

Beca pulled me in a hug and squeezed me tight. I felt so safe there, her embrace was like my home. I opened my mouth to say anything, but Beca beat me to it.

"Can we leave all that stuff from the party behind us?" I swallowed, but nodded against her shoulder. "I still need time." She cried out.

I pulled back and put her hair behind her ear. "It's just – I need to process things. I'm sorry but I have to take distance for a while. I don't want to hurt you more than I'm already doing."

"It's okay sweetie, take all the time you need. Don't worry about me." I wiped away her tears with the pads of my thumbs. I gazed into her eyes and she smiled a little.

Beca stood on her tippy toes and pecked me on the cheek. "See you at graduation in a few days." She pulled away and gave me one quick hug.

Then she slipped out of the auditorium. Graduation couldn't come soon enough.

I just want her to be happy.

And if that's not with me, than who am I to hold her back?

I know she's happy with Jesse, so that will be enough.

For now.

xxx

You let out a sigh the moment the door of the auditorium closes behind you. You get your fingers through your hair, stopping at the ends and pulling on them. You're nervous.

Your shift at the radio station begins in half an hour and you're anxious because Jesse is going to be there. And he has questions too.

Because Chloe isn't the only one who you have been avoiding.

You're too scared to see him, afraid to blurt out something about what has been going on. And you don't want him to know. You don't want to hurt him. He doesn't deserve that.

As you open the door to the station, Jesse has already noticed you and is making his way to you.

"Hey Becs, long time no see." He punches you playfully in the shoulder and grins at you.

"Hi." You say, waving awkwardly at him.

"Where have you been?"

Whoomp. There it is.

You don't really know what to say, and you can't make up an excuse so fast. The only thing you can do right now is stutter.

Jesse raises an eyebrow and you decide it's for the best if you keep your mouth shut.

Instead, you shrug. "Nah, just hanging out with the Bellas, you know, stuff." Jesse nods. At least he seems to buy it.

You try to change the subject now you have the chance. "Shall we go to work then? Those CDs aren't going to sort themselves out." He nods again and kisses your temple.

And you feel bad for lying to him. But what else can you do?

A/N: what do you think will happen next? Next is graduation!

Thoughts?

Also, I'm currently working on a cover image, so hopefully I upload that at the same time as I upload the next chapter. When, that's a mystery. :) (seriously, don't expect too much from it, I suck at photoshop so I just randomly put pictures together ahahah)

See you next time!

~bechloeverywhere