Chloe was sitting on the edge of the table in the library, scanning a book in hopes to find the answer she'd been searching for over the course of the last hour. Frustration sank in as she slammed the book down, flinching as the sound echoed through the silent building. Waving apologetically at the librarian she began to stalk off to the back wall in hopes of finding the correct book. Who even uses books anymore? She thought to herself, turning the corner slowly, scanning the shelves as she went. Absently touching the spines of books she'd never seen before, smiling softly to herself. She felt good today, without the drugs. Chloe felt like she was okay today. She knocked a book down and squatted to retrieve it, smiling when she noticed that it was the book she'd been searching for. How ironic. She thought to herself grinning from ear to ear. That's when the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She shifted her eyes up slowly in front of her.

"We need to talk babe." Tom's voice was smooth as silk but it still made Chloe cringe. She turned to walk the other way, finding that her path was now blocked off. She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, knowing Tom couldn't actually hurt her here because they were in a public place. It didn't help her subdue the fear she felt though. "Please?" His eyes played a fake puppy dog look and Chloe couldn't help but laugh in his face.

"Okay, I need to study. But I can… Come over tonight and we'll talk." Chloe hesitated when she realized how bad of an idea this was but it was too late.

"Perfect, we're having a party!" Tom spoke excitedly before frowning at the sight of the redhead shaking her head.

"No, I'm coming over to talk. That's it. I'm not having a drink. I'm def not partying tonight." Chloe stated with authority and Tom nodded hesitantly before Chloe raised an eyebrow and jerked her thumb towards Tom's friend. Tom nodded and the college boy stepped aside causing Chloe to shiver as he eyed her hungrily. Chloe's strides were longer than usual as she approached her belongings and stuffed them into her bag. Stopping at the counter to check out the book she finally found, only looking back to make sure no one was following her. The content feeling, she had earlier had been completely drowned by fear and disgust. Slut. The single word bore down into Chloe's brain so far she couldn't get it out. Chloe began running and didn't stop as the tears fell from her eyes. She skidded around the corner into the communal dorm bathroom and slammed a stall door shut, locking it behind her. She sat on the toilet and pulled her knees to her chest. Sobbing loudly unto her thighs before her body stiffened at the sound in her head. Come on Chloe, just do it. Chloe shook her head, knowing she really didn't want to. Knowing deep down it was a bad idea.Chloooooeeeee. The voices called seductively inside her mind, she lifted her head.Just once, it'll make you feel better. Chloe stared at her bag and sat motionless. It'll be so easy, just close your eyes. We've helped you do it before. Don't you trust us? The voices were calm and welcoming and Chloe didn't know what to do. If she refused, then they'd become angry and she knew if she complied that they'd leave her alone for a little while. She leaned forward, hesitating to unzip her bag. When she finally did she removed a small box. Popping the lid open she pulled out a wrapped up hand towel. Unrolling it, she set it on top of the paper dispenser. Eying the contents warily, a razor, a couple gauze pads, sterile wipes, medical tape and a few band aids. Chloe lifted the silver tool in front of her eyes. Squinting to see her reflection before rolling up the sleeve to her sweatshirt. Good girl, almost there. She shivered at the touch of the cold blade before grabbing the extra shirt from her bag and stuffing it in her mouth. She closed her eyes and pressed hard, pulling the blade quickly across her skin. Only looking down to replace the skin over another one of her old scars. She repeated the process seven or eight times before dropping the blade on the towel and holding toilet paper over the fresh wounds. Grimacing when she finally inspected the depth of them. She panicked as she noticed that one of them was still white and hadn't started bleeding yet, while the others gushed. After fighting down more sobs Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Steading herself before bandaging her arm. She packed everything up quickly and stepped out of the stall. Glancing in the mirror she caught sight of Beca. Are you serious? Right now? Her thoughts fogged over with frustration.

"Oh, Chloe hey. What's up?" Beca seemed nervous at the sight of the redhead but Chloe pushed the absurd thought out of her mind. Chloe smiled sweetly at the distracted brunette. "Hey look," Chloe watched as Beca's eyes shifted awkwardly between Chloe and the ground before she stood up straighter. More confident. Chloe smiled to herself at this moment but didn't say anything. Beca opened her mouth and kind of leaned forward on the balls of her feet. "Are you like… Busy right now?" Beca's voice was confident and strong now, much to Chloe's pleasure.

"Actually, no I'm not." Chloe answered pushing the stinging feeling of her arm out of her thoughts. Beca's eyes shot open excitedly but then she inhaled deeply and her cool exterior took over.

"Would you be opposed to me buying you a coffee?" Beca's demeanor was screaming of her disinterest but her stormy blue eyes gave her away. Chloe bit her lower lip for a moment before responding, satisfied when Beca held her composure.

"On one condition." Chloe answered in an almost husky voice. Beca's eyes flashed something for a moment but settled into their stormy state again just as quickly. She hummed in response. "You have to tell me something about you. Something serious. We obviously know that you know a couple of my many secrets. I want to know some of yours." Beca didn't speak as something injected into her deep blue eyes. Was that fear? Or am I just seeing things? Chloe thought to herself as she got ready to walk away when Beca didn't respond after a few moments.

"Wait, okay. But I decide what to tell you." Beca's eyes narrowed as she stared at Chloe who was standing there like she had just won some great victory. Chloe hooked her uninjured arm in Beca's and towed her from the bathroom. Beca shrank away from Chloe at first, which caused her to frown. When Chloe's grip tightened Beca relaxed. This will be interesting. Chloe thought as she stared at the girl's almost but not quite blank face. Smiling whenever Beca glanced back at her.

Beca stared as the red head traced shapes on the side of her coffee with one hand, gently resting the other on her left forearm. She made a mental note of this but reverted her eyes to the older woman's face. "Sooooo." Chloe spoke exaggeratedly. Beca bit hard on her cheek to keep from smiling. "Correct me if I'm wrong but so far what I've got is that you're a DJ, Elly's cousin. You moved in with her your senior year after your sister moved out. Your father isn't in the picture and your mom passed away." Beca nodded slowly. "You don't like to drink and you don't do drugs. But because of Elly you can be around all of it in moderation." Beca held back a smile as she nodded again, the red head was very good at remembering the details. "Your favorite color is purple, you hate football and you got a tattoo of headphones on your wrist as a reminder of what is helped you become who you are." Beca nodded slower this time. "Okay, well tell me a secret." Chloe's eyes were challenging. Beca had many life shattering secrets, she cycled through them trying to decide if she felt comfortable enough to say any of them out loud for the first time. She couldn't fight back a grin as her mind settled on something.

"I find you extremely sexy." The confidence in her own voice made her chuckle, Chloe's reaction made her laugh harder.

"Wh-what?" The red head gasped, for the second time now Beca had seen the goddess' confidence falter, the other time being the morning she awoke in Beca's bed.

"Yeah. Anyways, so you're totally into The Pretty Reckless right?" Beca kept her eyes on Chloe as she took a sip of her coffee. Chloe nodded, still not being able to shake off Beca's confession. "And you don't totally hate spending time with me right?" Beca winked at the end of her question. Chloe flashed her the Chloe Beale smile and shrugged. "They're playing in Atlanta in a week." Beca stated leaning back in her chair.

"The show has been sold out since like three days after tickets went on sale." Chloe responded flatly with a frown.

"Well, what would you say if I asked you to go with me?" Beca's arm was resting on the backrest and she watched Chloe with calculating eyes. Chloe practically jumped, accidently hitting her arm with her hand. Wincing at the contact, Beca furrowed her brow from her position.

"What you-you have tickets?! I'd love to go! How did you get tickets?" Chloe's eyes shown a new shade of blue and Beca took mental note at how much she loved the color. Smiling slyly at the redhead she couldn't help but think that her sister had been right.

"I know some people. So I'll take that as a yes?" Beca asked just to be sure. Chloe raised an eyebrow skeptically before nodding again.

"Totes."

Just a quick chapter. The next chapter is a little crazy as some important characters finally merge together in a very eventful way (: Let me know what you think!