Title: Meanwhile - Part Two
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Aubrey/Beca, OFC, Mr. Posen, Denise, Benji, Jesse
Rating: light R for language
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~1,820

Part Two

To Beca Mitchell's surprise, she's actually excited about her senior year of high school. She might not be super popular, but she has friends, a girlfriend of 2 years that she adores and she's still writing music reviews for the school paper, so she feels like this year might be doable.

…

Because her mom works a lot, Beca is grateful that Aubrey likes spending afternoon and evenings at her house. Aubrey says it's mostly to avoid her sister and her loud antics. Apparently it makes it difficult to study. Beca likes her music pretty loud though, which makes her wonder what kind of antics Megan gets up to. Because they never hang out at the Posen residence, Beca's never really met her, but she doubts that they have much in common.

Flipping through the channels, Beca glances over at Aubrey. She's stretched out on the couch, her feet in Beca's lap, reading Swann's Way. It's very domestic, Beca thinks. After dropping Megan off at the house, Aubrey had come over and they'd done homework until dinner, which they made together in the small kitchen. They'd also cleaned up together. Beca wonders if it's possible to be an old married couple at the age of eighteen.

But then Aubrey looks up from her book and smiles. Beca's heart beats a bit faster and she grins back.

…

For some reason, hanging out together at school is something they've never really done. At first it was because they weren't sure what they were doing and it seemed easier to just keep it between the two of them. And then it just became a habit. Neither of them are big on PDA, especially considering how ridiculous some of the couples are. There isn't a day that Beca walks through the halls without seeing two people sucking face. It makes Beca grateful that they'll never be one of those couples. Just because she and Aubrey aren't all over each other or with each other every moment of the day doesn't mean they don't love each other. After all, they've been together for two years and most of their classmates flitter between relationships, breaking up and getting back together so much it makes Beca's head spin.

"I still think you should just stick a ring on her hand," Benji says, shaking Beca out of her Aubrey daze.

"We're eighteen."

"So? You two act just like my parents. It's kinda pathetic."

"We do not," Beca protests. "Just because we don't want to go out every night and drink..."

Benji holds up his hands in defense. "Whatever makes you happy. I'm just saying you guys are basically married."

"It's your tone of voice," Beca tells him.

"Sorry. It's just some days it's still kind of unbelievable," Benji replies. "Remind me again why you two don't even sit together at lunch?"

"Because," Beca says. "Spending time together is how we decompress from school while being at school is us spending time apart. Being together twenty-four seven would probably drive us apart."

"Except your relationship exists in a bubble," Benji points out. "If no one knows about it—"

"You know," Beca interjects. "So does Chloe. And my mom."

"But not Aubrey's dad."

"She'll tell him when she's ready."

"Sorry," Benji says. "It's just... weird."

"Normal is boring," Beca retorts.

…

Beca doesn't think much of it when Luke Morgan approaches the table that Aubrey is sitting at. Luke's pretty popular and Beca knows he and Chloe went out a few times, so she just figures that he's stopping by to chat.

Beca has gotten pretty good at looking at Aubrey without seeming to and so she's surprised when Luke sits down next to Aubrey and begins talking. Since no one really knows they're dating, the underlying jealousy is something Beca's used to. She trusts Aubrey, but that doesn't mean that she enjoys watching her girlfriend get hit on.

Which is apparently what is happening, judging by the shaking of Aubrey's head. There's nothing encouraging in her body language, so Beca hopes Luke doesn't think that she's playing hard to get.

"You want to go let the air out of all his soccer balls later?"

Beca blinks at Benji in surprise before she bursts out laughing.

"Thanks. I needed that."

Grinning, Benji nods.

…

When Bumper fucking Allen, one of the biggest dickheads in school approaches Aubrey, Beca actually breaks the spork she's holding. Of all the guys that could approach Aubrey for a date, Bumper is one of the few that Beca truly despises. She knows that Benji won't be making a vandalism joke about him because Beca's agreement will be serious.

Aubrey, of course, says no. But Beca can't help but wonder what made him think he was good enough to go out with Aubrey.

"He's harmless," Benji says before taking a bite of sandwich. "Relax."

"Well, why are these assholes going after my girl?"

"Because they don't know that she is," Benji replies. "You need to mark your territory."

"Aubrey isn't a possession, Benji."

"I know," he says. "But if they think she's single, then they're well within their right to ask her out."

"I guess."

"And it's not like Aubrey's going to say yes," Benji continues.

"I know."

"So take a couple deep breaths and calm down," Benji says. "Before you hurt yourself breaking everything around us."

"You're right," Beca replies, taking a few deep breaths. "Sorry. I just really hate that guy."

"I know. He really needs to get over himself."

…

Despite spending the day trying to shake the annoyance she feels at seeing Bumper Allen hit on Aubrey, Beca is a bit possessive when they spend the afternoon together.

"What's gotten into you?" Aubrey asks after the fifth study break/make out session.

"Nothing."

"Beca..."

"Sorry. I just... Bumper fucking Allen was hitting on you today," Beca says.

Aubrey chuckles. "Are you jealous?"

"Of Bumper Allen?" Beca scoffs. "Hardly."

"So..."

Beca shrugs. "I just feel like marking my territory."

Aubrey rolls her eyes and then pushes Beca off the bed. She lands in a pile of clothes with a grunt.

"What the hell is that for?"

"You know why," Aubrey retorts.

"I was joking," Beca replies.

"With a major underlying of seriousness," Aubrey says.

Beca slowly climbs back onto the bed, waiting for Aubrey to push her off again. Instead, Aubrey sets her books aside and pulls Beca on top of her.

"You have nothing to worry about," she tells Beca. "Please tell me that you know that."

"I do," Beca replies. "It's just Luke Morgan asked you out last week and today it was Bumper Allen. Even though Iknow I have nothing to worry about, I still get jealous."

"The fact that you feel that way after all this time is kind of hot," Aubrey says. "Even though I mostly find it exasperating."

"It's not a trust thing, I swear," Beca replies.

"I know," Aubrey tells her. "And the fact that it's not, considering your... well..."

"Maybe I just need the reassurance," Beca says, feeling vulnerable.

"Well, I promise you that if we ever break up, I will never go out with Bumper Allen."

Beca smiles, leaning in for a kiss. "That I can live with."

…

Apparently random guys asking Aubrey out is going to become a regular thing. Beca does her best to ignore it, but every once in a while poor Benji has to talk her down.

It's not that Beca doesn't understand the appeal, because she definitely does. It just strikes her as odd because technically Aubrey has appeared single for the entire time they've been dating. What suddenly changed that Aubrey has become the girl to ask out? Beca's starting to wonder if there's something in the water.

…

When Aubrey tells Beca that Stacie Conrad asked her out after school, Beca doesn't know what to think. Once again, she's not worried about losing Aubrey, but she does have to wonder what made Stacie decide to ask Aubrey out.

"Are you doing something different with your hair or something?" Beca asks. "I mean, is it sending out signals requesting that people ask you out?"

"That's absurd," Aubrey replies.

"Well then maybe you've become heir to a throne somewhere?"

"Wouldn't I know if that happened?" Aubrey asks.

"I would hope so," Beca replies. "But stranger things have happened."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be ridiculous," Beca says. "It's not your fault that everyone's finally realizing what I've known for years."

"And what's that?"

"How fucking awesome you are."

"Must you swear?"

Beca shrugs. "It's just to emphasize how incredible you are."

Aubrey shakes her head, but she's wearing a fond smile, so Beca takes the opportunity to pull her in for a kiss.

…

Watching Jesse Swanson approach Aubrey, for some reason, is the last straw for Beca. Benji thinks it's because he spent all of their junior year chasing after Beca.

"So are you saying I'm jealous that Jesse's switched his attention?" Beca asks.

"I wouldn't say jealous," Benji replies. "Confused and annoyed."

"I'm not confused. And annoyed seems too mild for what I'm feeling."

"Just don't do anything stupid."

"I'm just going to talk to him," Beca replies.

…

Beca doesn't have a chance to talk to Jesse until after school. Finding him at his locker, she grabs him by the collar of his shirt and drags him into a nearby empty classroom.

"If you've changed your mind about wanting to make out, you just had to say so," Jesse says as Beca closes the classroom door.

"Save it," Beca snaps. "I just have a question."

"Color me intrigued," Jesse replies. "Why all the secrecy?"

"You asked out Aubrey Posen at lunch."

"I did..." Jesse nods. "Jealous?"

Beca rolls her eyes. "I'm just curious what made you decide to is all."

"Why?"

"Because I am."

Jesse attempts to out glare Beca and she barely holds back a laugh. After a minute, he blinks and sighs.

"Honestly?" Jesse says. "It wasn't my idea."

"What?"

"It was her sister's... Megan. She found me the other day and suggested that I ask Aubrey out."

"Why?"

Jesse shrugs. "I don't know. She just said she thought it'd be good for Aubrey, that she needs to relax a bit. And that I seemed like a decent guy, so I should be the one to ask her out."

"Her sister?"

Jesse nods.

"You may go," Beca says, waving him out.

"You know if you're jealous—"

"Stop talking."

Jesse's shoes echo in the quiet classroom. He closes the door behind him quietly as well, but the click of the door is loud as Beca tries to understand what is happening. Having never really met Megan, Beca has no idea what to think of Jesse's information. Sighing, she exits the classroom as well. Aubrey's supposed to be over after giving Megan a ride home. Hopefully, she'll be able to figure out what the hell is going on.