Chapter 5 Brick By Brick

"I do need you, Chlo."

There was a pause. A beat. A moment. The two girls looked at one another. Perhaps both of them were unable to read each other—it was as if something major occurred and there was a three second delay. Chloe was the first to move once again, she allowed herself a slow-forming, beam of a smile. She said nothing further as she lingered in the close proximity of the brunette.

"—I do need you to be a little more specific." Beca said softly, squinting her eyes at the red head.

Chloe suddenly had another delay, as her smile seemed to straighten a bit and her eyes looked downward. Beca got the feeling that she disappointed the girl, or confused her. She wasn't sure the meaning behind any of this—which is why she asked. Was she supposed to ask? Before she wondered to herself any longer, Chloe's eyes shot right back up to the DJ. It was as if her hyperactive energy shot right back through her body.

"It seems like you need me to steal you away for the rest of the day…and by that I mean no class, no rehearsal, and especially no more mixing."

Right. Chloe thinks I'm mixing.

"You won't get anything done if you just sit here stewing and staring. You need a break."

Beca couldn't deny that at all.

"Besides, I am much better to stare at." Chloe giggled, moving her hands to her hips suggesting a bit of sass.

Beca couldn't deny that, either.

"So what, I am just supposed to allow your kidnapping of me?"

"It's not kidnapping, because I know you want it." Chloe shot back.

"You don't know me, Beale."

"I know you. I know you better than you know you." Chloe said triumphantly.

Beca wasn't sure what to make of all of this. Chloe was always highly assertive. This was no different. But why was it odd. Why was she reading in to it now? All she could do as simply say yes, and go on with the day. She wanted to, in the end. She always enjoyed hanging out with this girl. A break could be good—however she had not updated in a while already. How would that help her anxiety? Before Beca knew it, she was already stewing again in her writer's block. Her new prison.

"Chop chop, Becs." Chloe said, snapping at Beca.

"Okay woman, take a chill pill. How am I to prepare for such a vague plan?"

"You don't need to prepare. Let's go. No cellphone. Leave that here."

"So this is where you're planning to kill me?"

"Why would I give it away so early?"

"You kind of just did, forcing me to rid of all communication with the outside world, nothing prepped, and no idea where you're taking me."

"Are you a gambler?"

"Absolutely not. But I'm friends with you. I guess that counts."

"Trust me, Beca. Just come on. Seriously. You need this."

"Do I need any money?"

"Nope, I'm your sugar mamma if we needed it."

"You certainly are, aren't you."

Chloe continued to beam at the small DJ.

"You realize I need to move in order to leave with you, right?" Beca said, calling attention to Chloe having her backed into her desk.

"Yeah yeah. Now move your cute butt." Chloe said, stepping away from Beca and allowing more room.

"Let me just use the bathroom, you know, in case we end up going to Canada or something. I feel like you wouldn't allow bathroom stops." Beca laughed sarcastically moving into her bathroom and closing the door. As she sat down she thought to herself that she should at least inform Jesse. She should do that since Chloe required no cellphones on this adventure. He also usually tried to sneak visits in between classes if at all possible. She decided she would text him once she was heading out the door.

Where's my phone?

It hit her like a ton of bricks. Her eyes shot open, she even audibly gasped.

Well, fucker, it's beside your open laptop.

Suddenly Beca jumped up and washed her hands quicker than ever. Chloe was a curious mind. Chloe was an open girl. Chloe would end up finding your hidden dairy and request an open discussion about your hidden desires. Your pain. Anything. It was as if she had no filter. Nothing was too far. Even though Beca loved that about her, Beca herself was not like that. Boundaries were there for a reason. Right? For some reason Beca couldn't help but think if Chloe saw her open Word document, she would be freaked out. That didn't make any sense, so she shook that off. For some reason BECA would have been freaked out—freaked out if Chloe or anyone actually knew. Beca regained her composer and opened the bathroom door, sliding around to see where the red head was—already forming an excuse in her mind.

To her surprise Chloe wasn't even in the dorm room. Beca was suddenly very relieved, yet very concerned after that.

"Chlo?"

"—You are such an old woman, hurry up!" Chloe called from the doorway of the dorm room.

"My bad, you just vanished. Let me tell Jesse what's going on—"

"—No. He will be fine. Come on!" Chloe clapped.

"Yes sir!" Beca belted back.

She ran over to her desk and closed her laptop quickly, then turning to run out the door with the fast red head. Chloe giggled as Beca moved her behind out the door. Beca assumed that Chloe had not seen anything, for if she did, she would have surely been questioned about it. She let it go, and decided to really try and let herself go, and enjoy the moment.

"Mindfulness." Chloe said quietly as the two walked along the bridge.

"It's a tricky thing. To live, to be present in the moment. It's so damn hard these days. Most of the time we just don't have the time to be anything at all."

Beca was surprised to hear Chloe say this as they walked side by side. They had had a good time thus far. They grabbed a treat on the way out. Beca was a fan of Yoohoo and Snickers, whereas Chloe was more of a Starbust and Gummy Bear girl. They laughed buying their snacks and moved out the door of the gas station. They walked. Chloe told Beca that they were just going to walk along the road, and keep walking until they just couldn't anymore. When Beca countered what if they got lost especially with no phones, Chloe simply replied that every road leads somewhere.

How can we be lost?

Beca was finding herself surprised at how deep the red head was becoming to her. Not that she thought Chloe was naïve, she just didn't think of her being questioning perhaps. Or, wise. That sounds pretty shitty, yes. But she didn't mean it that way. She thought Chloe was very happy and privileged. The wise have gone through trials. Pain. No—perhaps Beca had judged Chloe, and now she was realizing she was incredibly wrong.

They walked from the gas station and passed by several shops. They went in some, and looked through the windows of others. They really tried to keep moving, however. Once they discarded their trash from their candy, they decided to turn right. This led to a very long bridge that was low to the water. It was overgrown with weeds and closed off from main traffic lines. They continued their slow pace.

"Why do you say that, Chlo?"

Chloe took a beat. She looked out over the bridge and pursed her lips.

"Is everything okay?" Beca wondered out loud.

"You're not present these days, Beca. I get it. There's a lot going on all the time. You've never really been present though. I know you had a lot to deal with when your dad—"

"I'm okay, Chloe." Beca said, cutting her off. She wanted Chloe to know that. It seemed like Chloe was really worried about her, and for no reason. Beca was just writing her story—there were much worse problems to have. If that was even a problem. She felt a strange butterfly in her stomach when she realized how worried Chloe was. She really cared about her.

"Well. I know you need some head space. And I hope you get it. But please know that you can talk to me. You can tell me anything. I know that's easier said than done, but I am very serious. Okay, Becs? You're the most talented girl I know. You'll figure this out. I'm your number one fan after all. How could you let me down? You can't. Don't shut me out. I'll always demand an entrance." Chloe said, suddenly turning to the DJ and waiting for her reply.

"I love you for that, Beale. Thank you." Beca smiled. "Same goes for you to. I'm always here for you."

The two stood there, feeling all of the feels. What a moment for the two friends. The two best friends.

Andrea knew at this moment, things shifted. Emily was so vulnerable. Emily was hoping for her to open up. Andrea marveled at her beauty near the water. She was so beautiful.

Beca shook her idea from her head, though she was happy to receive it.

Suddenly, a small rain drop danced along Chloe's nose—causing her to look up at the sky. It had been overcast all day, however there wasn't a real threat of rain. They didn't think there would be, at least. More rain drops began to fall, sporadically.

"Quick, this way!" Chloe squealed, grabbing Beca's hand quickly. Beca quickly agreed and moved quickly, following Chloe. Chloe moved off of the bridge and turned left back to the shops they had passed earlier. Both girls ran inside, realizing that they had barely made it. Suddenly, it was a very cold downpour. They both turned and marveled out the store window, shaking off their shirts.

"You're always saving me, aren't you Chlo?!" Beca laughed, breathy from the sprint they made.

"Someone's got to." Chloe said, winking at Beca.

Beca turned and looked at the girl who was suddenly changing things for her.

"You girls need help? Looks like you'll be stuck here for a while."

They both turned to an older man standing behind the main counter. They smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh no, is the storm not letting up?" Chloe asked, moving toward the man.

Emily always took the lead in any situation. She was a ball-buster, sure. However she got things done. It was admirable.

"It looks pretty big, yes ma'am. You girls need a ride anywhere?"

"No sir, we are all right. We aren't far from campus." Chloe smiled.

"Oh, Barden ladies. I see. How nice." He chuckled.

"Barden Bellas, to be exact." Chloe giggled.

Emily was a very proud woman.

"Well, I hate to have you walk in this mess. You're more than welcome to stay here and wait it out. I have a TV in the back." The man offered, trying to muster something up for them.

"That's okay, sir. We are on a mission. It's very important that we complete this mission." Beca chimed in, moving closer to both of them. Chloe whirled around, and stared at Beca, just like the first time she saw her at auditions. She was a puppy looking at her master.

"Do you have anything we could buy? Rain coats, anything?"

"Well dear let me see." He checked his computer, and then looked up around the shop from the counter.

"I really think I only have this umbrella. I'm sorry, there's only one left." The man said, frowning.

"We will take it!" Chloe said, excitedly.

As the girls moved outside of the store, they decided to make the trek back to campus. Beca was very aware of how loud the rain sounded on top of this umbrella. It echoed.

"What a downpour!" Beca said, looking outwards a bit nervous.

"It'll be fine, we are covered!" Chloe laughed.

"No way can this one tiny umbrella protect us both, Beale. Looks like someone is getting wet."

"You have no idea." Chloe smirked.

Oh my God.

"It's fine, Beca, just move closer to me. Two people can share an umbrella. You just have to calm down and share it with me."

And with that, Chloe pulled Beca in by her waist. The two were staggeringly close together. Beca was unsure where to put her own arms. She was very awkward and stiff. She tried not to look directly at Chloe.

"You're not going to be able to move with me with a board up your back. Hold on to me, Jesus." Chloe sighed. Beca wrapped her short arm around Chloe's waist, taking hold with the other arm to the umbrella.

"There you go, Bambi. Good job. Now, one foot in front of the other. But coordinate with me—"

"—I get it, Chloe." Beca laughed.

The two began to move quickly under the small umbrella. Beca noticed how she was suddenly in a dome of Chloe's scent. That cinnamon. It was luscious. She felt their body heat between them as they walked together. Moved together.

"I guess I'm just caught in limbo. Or something. I don't really know. I like, can't talk about it. I'm not even sure how to talk about it." Beca finally said.

Chloe turned her head to the brunette, allowing her to suddenly become undone and open up. She didn't want to push it.

"I am not sure what this block is on me, Chlo. But I'm having a hard time, like, expressing myself. Or feeling. I'm not sure how to say any of this. But something is bothering me. Pestering me. I don't know."

"How are things with Jesse? Does he know about this?" Chloe asked quietly.

"No. I don't see him much lately. When I do, we aren't really connecting."

"Emotionally?"

"And physically. I like, can't even have sex with him. I'm even distracted when doing that."

"Do you have feelings for someone else?"

"I don't think so. I don't know, I shouldn't have said anything. Please don't tell Jesse. I'm in a rut, but I'll work through it."

"You're fine, Beca. We all do. It's okay not to know right now. But remember, boundaries don't keep people out...they merely fence you in."

Emily was clarity. Like a clean bolt of lightening. Clouds billowing in.

Chloe pulled on Beca's waist tighter as the rain picked up again. Chloe let out a small squeal as they slowed their pace way down. The damp air was chilly. Beca shivered at that. Or at Chloe's embrace. Which was it? When the rain picked up even more, they both stopped, laughing.

"We are going to drown, oh my gosh!" Chloe laughed.

"This is insane!" Beca replied looking around. "I knew you were trying to kill me!"

The forces of nature were causing them to stop.

"We should try and wait it for it to calm down. My feet are soaked!" Chloe said, turning inward to the DJ.

They suddenly stood face to face, holding on to the small handle of the umbrella. They reached this point yet again—pressing in to each other, damp. Beca wasn't sure where to look—Chloe's face was right up near her own. She looked down at Chloe's shoulder, becoming incredibly shy. The two girls suddenly seemed unable to speak. They didn't know what to say. They were close. They could not avoid it. Cold rain all around them, they had to stand still. They had to be one under that single umbrella. No choice in the matter, right?

All Andrea wanted to do was to grab Emily and kiss her. Kiss her now.