AN: I realised that after such a long wait, that last chapter might of been a little bit disappointing. So, I thought I would give you one more!
Enjoy!
Chapter Eight
Beca POV
The DSM performance whizzed by me in a blur of sexy and lacy militant costumes. Powerhouse voices built up of a massively strong team.
We were in some serious trouble if this was the standard of worlds... And oh my god! Why did they have to be so tall and sexy! Geez!
I mean, they made fish nets look tough, for heaven's sake! like seriously? C'mon!
The rest of the Bellas seemed to be in a semi-daze like state, whilst the rest of the audience cheered and applauded.
"Do- do we clap...?" Flo asked awkwardly, as she slowly started to put her hands together.
"Clap?" Emily asked, as she too slowly put her hands together following Flo's lead.
I couldn't tell if I was in shock or absolute awe... What the hell are we supposed to do now?
I looked over to Chloe and noticed her nonchalant expression slowly crumble.
"Damn tour thieves," she mumbled under her breath.
"Politely clap, okay, we politely clap." Chloe put her hands together in a repulsive action.
As I looked back over to DSM I noticed the lead blonde singer spot us, her eyes connected with mine. Wow... This was a new development. She was positively amazing. Dammit! Stupid emotions getting in the way of my anger and jealousy.
I gulped. She was absolutely stunning.
I quickly looked away and hoped that she didn't actually see us.
Meanwhile, Chloe was fuming,
"This was supposed to be all ours!" She huffed, whilst Fat Amy stood next to her and threw her arm down in a somewhat comical way.
"How are we even suppose to compete with a group that size?" Exclaimed Cynthia-Rose, still in awe of the performance.
"Guys c'mon," I looked over to Chloe and gave her a reassuring look. "We've got this okay. This was supposed to be ours for a reason."
The Bellas all mumbled in agree, however the enthusiasm from the bus ride seemed to have vanished.
Like seriously guys, there is a life after Bellas and college you know.
"Yeah, but we also lost this for a reason." Chloe quirked her eye at me and crossed her arms. She was still very livid. I was not getting in her way.
"Barden Bellas!" We all spun around to see DSM in their entirety standing before us. The blonde one who saw me earlier looked at us, a cocky smirk playing across her perfectly soft looking lips... Dammit! Again!
She looked down at me, with her perfect eyes and her perfect body- seriously, what is happening to me? I began to feel a little flush.
"You came here to see us." The tall blonde began to speak again.
"Is it because you are - how do the American kids say - jelly?"
I could hear Chloe gasp in shock next to me. I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to protect her from this intoxicatingly beautiful, yet terrifying woman before us.
"Um excuse me!" I found the words start to fall out of my mouth before I could do anything about it. All the Bellas looked over to me, slightly impressed. I felt Chloe step a little closer to me and I found all the courage I needed.
"We are not jealous! We were just checking you out, seeing what you're all about, because we're going to kick your ass at worlds!"
All the Bellas cheered, I knew these girls had my back.
The tall blonde and her muscular side-kick man looked at each other and chuckled, before she looked back over and down towards me. She would have to be like a foot taller than I am... Why did I have to be so extremely short, it makes trying to look tough so much harder.
I shuffled and looked to the side, a little insecure under her scrutinizing gaze. She was smiling that dazzling cocky smile again.
"You? You are the kicker of ass?" She asked patronizingly.
"Well- um- well, yeah..." I looked over to Chloe, I could tell that my macho facade was starting to falter.
"You, you are like a tiny elf." The blonde laughed.
"Or is it troll...?" She looked over to the man next to her, they both began to laugh.
I looked around to the other Bellas, but no one was stepping in. Looks like this one is on me. I gulped... I was trying to think of an insult but all I could think about was how insanely attractive she was! Seriously, I know I'm head over heels for Chloe, but am I gay?
I started to panic, I looked over to Chloe, hoping that the sight of her would comfort me. It only made things worse. Her perfect blue eyes stared at me intensely as she waited for me to say something.
"Well- well-" Word vomit just started pouring out of my mouth.
"You are physically flawless!" The tall blonde raised her eyebrows,
"Thank you." Wait! What did I just say? Think quick Mitchell, think quick. I could feel Chloe's shocked look burning a hole in the side of my head. Um, um...
"But that doesn't mean I like you!" Yeah you got her good Mitchell, well done. I looked over at Chloe, her eyebrows raised questioningly at me. All the Bellas went completely silent. I could feel the heat rise up my chest and knew it was only a matter of time before my whole face went red and gave away my embarrassment.
"Please, don't try to beat us." The tall blonde stepped closer to me and looked down at me.
"You can't, we are the best. Now - I must go and rest my neck, because it is sore from looking down at you."
I felt the anger rise up in me once again.
"Okay! Just because you are making me very sexually confused does not mean you are intimidating!" Chloe's mouth opened and closed next to me, her hands coming up slightly as if she could hold back the words that kept falling from my mouth.
"We literally have nothing to lose! Nothing!" I threw my hands around a bit awkwardly as Chloe tried to grab hold of them.
DSM walked away laughing.
"Okay, okay." Chloe's voice filtered through my muddled thoughts as she grabbed hold of my hands.
"It's okay honey... You got 'em good... You got 'em good." The anger inside me started to subside and was replaced by the amazing sensation of Chloe holding me in her arms. Damn that feels incredible.
Chloe leaned in a little closer then and whispered in my ear,
"Perhaps we need to talk about this sexuality thing a bit later on." I looked over to see her raised eyebrow and intense eyes staring into my own... I started to freak out, but at the same time it felt like I had my best friend and my confidant back.
I huffed and looked down, as Chloe released me from her embrace. I was still so embarrassed, all I wanted to do was jump back into her arms.
All the other Bellas walked past me and gave me a quick pat on the back.
"I totally had you covered B." Fat Amy gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then quickly walked off before I could comment.
Gah!
I quickly looked down at my phone and saw that I only had a little while before I was due at Residual Heat. Shit. It was time to get these girls moving.
"Let's go ladies. There's no use hanging here, but I'm calling an aca-meeting as soon as we get home." Chloe huffed and stormed out... My eyes couldn't help but rest on her amazing butt as she passed me. It was pure bliss. I quickly looked away and saw Fat Amy walking towards me, a smirk resting on her face. She laughed when she saw my blush; Stacie stood next to her looking very confused by the whole situation.
This whole situation was extremely exhausting.
The bus ride home was very quiet. I could see Chloe silently panicking at our chances of winning worlds. She was sitting on the aisle seat opposite me.
"Hey, it's gonna be alright Chloe. We'll figure something out." I lean over and whisper towards her.
She looks up at me sharply, clearly not convinced at all.
I sighed, calming her down was a lost cause right now. I sat back in my seat and closed my eyes.
It was past midnight when I returned back to the Bellas house from our massive meeting at my internship. I was not expecting it to take so long. It was absolute mayhem, everyone was totally freaking out and no one had any ideas whatsoever.
I feel like I have an idea brewing, but I don't want to embarrass myself and say something too early.
I stumble up the stairs and towards mine and Fat Amy's room. Everyone seems to be in bed after a massively intense day.
Great, now I can add DSM to the list of things that I can be maniacally stressed about. Not to mention how pissed off Chloe is going to be with me - that's another Bellas meeting I've missed for reasons that I am still yet to tell her about.
It's reached the point where I have over thought all of this so much that I have no idea how I am going to tell her at all.
The moment I reach my room, I collapse onto my bed and fall into a restless sleep.
I'm standing in the kitchen in the Bellas house... No one seems to be home, which is strange and extremely eerie. The room feels really hot and kind of sticky in a very unusual yet pleasing kind of way. It's sort of making my stomach twist and turn a bit. Before I have the opportunity to turn around and see what's going on, I feel two extremely soft yet strong arms wrap around me. Chloe's smell washes over me, stronger than it has ever been before.
My throat tightens and I can't swallow, almost to the point where it causes a bit of panic - my heart races out of sheer pleasure.
I go to say something, anything, but all that comes out is a strangled groan.
Chloe's fingers gently run up and down my stomach and over my diaphragm, I can feel her hot breath on my ear. Cold shivers run down my spine.
"I was wondering if you could help me find out how high your belt goes?" Her voice whispers into my ear followed by her soft lips scraping against my ear lobe... I think I might pass out.
I open my eyes and sit up with a gasp. It was only a dream. Dammit. I can feel sweat forming across my forehead. My heart is racing and I am feeling extremely turned on.
I look at my phone to see I've only been asleep for about forty-five minutes; as well as all the missed calls from Chloe earlier in the evening. The guilt starts to run through me again.
I think I need a glass of water.
I slowly stumble out of bed and head towards the kitchen, the heat and emotions from my dream making me feel quite disorientated. I make it to the fridge and relish in the cool air that blows on my face when I open the door.
I stand there for a few seconds trying to gather my thoughts... What am I going to do? I can't just keep trying to suppress my feelings for Chloe, it is literally going to kill me.
I shut the fridge door and turn around. A flash of red catches my eye and I jump, spilling water all over myself.
"Geez! Chloe! How long have you been standing there!?" I grab my heart and placed what's left of the jug of water on the kitchen cupboard.
Chloe is standing before me in just an oversized t-shirt and her undies. Her arms are folded over her chest and she looks totally pissed. Also, has she been crying?
"Chloe?"
"Where the hell have you been?" Her voice is quiet but cuts through me so harshly. I don't think I've ever heard her so upset and angry.
I'm in some serious trouble here. I don't know if I can hide this internship anymore... Fuck. I don't even know if I can hide my feelings anymore.
Why does she have to look so insanely beautiful when she's mad!?
It was at this very moment that I realised I didn't have a good explanation for my prolonged absence, other than the truth.
I was panicking, hardcore.
"Um- it- I was just-"
"Are you seriously just going to stand in front of me and spit out another lie Beca?" Chloe cut me off, her eyes glaring daggers. I shuddered under her stare.
I looked over to the door and for a moment thought about running. Actually, running seemed like a very good idea right now; it was probably the only option I really had left.
"Don't you dare even think about it missy!"
I looked over to her, and was overwhelmed again at how perfect she was. Her legs looked incredible and soft and strong.
I looked up to her eyes and saw nothing but disappointment and hurt. It was the face that haunted my nightmares, knowing that I am the one causing her so much pain right now.
I could feel myself crumbling... I don't know how long I was going to be able to hold myself together. I felt like I was seconds away from losing the girl of my dreams.
I looked down towards the ground, I couldn't bare the sight of those beautiful blue eyes desperately searching mine. I wrapped my arms around my body and began to shiver, the coldness of the water that I spilt all over myself starting to get to me.
"Beca, please..." I looked back up to Chloe's eyes, they were filled with nothing but concern.
I couldn't help myself, I began to cry. I cried hard. It wasn't even a second before I felt Chloe wrap her arms around me.
"Shh Becs, it's going to be okay. Why can't you just tell me what's been going on?" I didn't want to speak and disappoint her, so I pushed myself deeper into her warm body. The contrast against my freezing wet skin felt amazing. This could be the only opportunity I would have to hold her this close. I took deep breath after deep breath, and before I knew it I was hyperventilating.
"Beca, Beca! You need to calm down honey!"
I couldn't breathe.
Chloe, still holding onto me, slid us both down onto the floor.
"I- I- I-"
C'mon Beca, just get the words out!
"I- I'm s- scared th-that I wi- will lo-ose you... I- I- I do-don't wa-ant to dis- dis- disappoint you." The tears were pouring down my face and there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop them. So much for being tough.
"Chloe... I'm so scared" I managed to whisper the words out clearly. Chloe only held onto me tighter.
"Beca, I don't understand what it is that you can't tell me. You're my best friend. I care about you so much... Please Beca. I'm not mad, I promise I'm not mad. I'm just so worried... I've never seen you like this. Are you in some kind of trouble?"
I decided that I needed to tell her about the internship. I couldn't do this to her anymore, and I certainly couldn't do this to myself. I leant closer into her one last time, before pushing her away and turning around to face her properly. The tears started to ease off. I took a few deep breaths.
Chloe looked down into my eyes with an intensity I have never seen before.
"Does this have something to do with Jesse-" I quickly cut Chloe off by shaking my head. I wanted to make sure I had my voice back before I started talking again.
Chloe grabbed hold of my hand as a way of giving me reassurance. The signature shock ran up my arm, but this time I didn't flinch away; I relished in it. Just in case it was the last time I ever felt it.
I took one last deep breath and enjoyed the feeling of it stretching out my lungs, before exhaling.
It was time.
"Chloe... I've got an internship at Residual Heat, it's a world class recording studio..."
I paused for a moment just to try and gage her reaction.
All I got from her was a look of confusion, like she was waiting for me to say something else... something deep, dark and traumatic.
"I- I'm confused..." Was her only response. It was just then that I realised how insanely ridiculous I have been by not telling her.
"wh- why didn't you tell me? I mean, why on earth have you been putting yourself and our friendship under this much pressure, when you could've just told me?" Her eyes were searching mine for anything else I could be hiding. Like this was some horrible practical joke I was playing.
"I'm so sorry Chloe... I- I was terrified of losing you. I didn't want to disappoint you. I didn't want you to think I didn't care about the Bellas... care about you..."
There was a long pause as Chloe stared at me. I could hear my heartbeat run through my head, the silence was making me dizzy.
"Beca Mitchell, I am very disappointed!"
Oh... there was no way I was going to be able to handle this, I could feel myself start to get dizzier. My heart was sinking into my stomach and it made me want to puke.
Chloe, seeing my face turn the colour of a ghost, quickly continued.
"No, no B, not like that!" Chloe reached for my hand again.
"I'm angry at you for not telling me this! Look at what it has done to you!" Chloe pulled me into her. I let out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding and enjoyed the feeling of her holding me.
"Do you know how silly this all is? You know we could easily just move some rehearsals around so you can make it? You know that all the Bellas will understand?"
"Chloe, I'm so sorry..." I honestly didn't know what else to say. I can't believe how insanely stupid I've been.
"So..." Chloe pushed me back and ran her eyes across my body, sending a nervous flutter down into my stomach. She quickly jumped up and began to pull me up with her. Gosh she was strong.
"an internship hey?"
I nodded and gave a shy smile down at the ground,
"Well you know, I mean I guess... I don't know, I guess I got lucky."
"Pfft! Don't be silly B. That's way more than luck." Chloe ran her fingers through my hair and pushed it from my face, "You're amazing, did you know that?" Her voice was a delicate whisper.
She coughed and quickly put her hand back to the side, instantly changing the mood.
Chloe gave me one of her big beautiful smile - the type I have missed for so long. Her blue eyes were glowing and shining and I found myself melting in the sight of them.
Just to interrupt this amazing moment, my body started shivering, a lot.
"How about a nice warm shower hey?" Chloe asked, looking me over with a worried expression. My body shivered again, but this time it wasn't from the cold. Thoughts going back to the time I encountered Chloe in the shower those 3 years ago.
"uh, yeah, I'm freezing." I managed to get out calmly.
"Well, let's go. I will get you some fresh towels. And when you get out we can talk some more okay." Chloe and I began walking up the stairs towards the bathroom.
"Oh... And just so you know Mitchell, I'm still super pissed at you... and I will definitely find a way to punish you for this silliness." Chloe ran past me up the stairs, lightly smacking my butt on the way.
That girl seriously has no idea what she does to me.