Chapter 2

Sipping his warm cup of coffee, he laid back onto the cafeteria chair and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, propping his feet up on the table.

He looked around the place one more time, it felt familiar yet so oddly different from before. Scanning the room, he stared incredulously when she came walking straight to him, ignoring every guy that came her way. Her hand raised for an excited wave "Hey!" He stiffened and anticipated her next line.

"Four hundred and seventy-seven!" Ugh, I knew it

"How many times must I tell you not to call me that in public? People are going to think I'm as weird as you whenever I respond to that number." Well, not many people. Mostly eyes from guys that were wild with rage, and nostrils flaring, presumably angry at the fact that she knew him.

Maybe they thought the number was a nickname or they might be thinking that he's the four hundred and seventy-seventh guy she's dating.

Stacie shrugged, oblivious to the envious eyes riveted by the lucky guy in front of her.

"I can't help it. It's still unbelievable you agreed to join and be one of us. I can't believe it even after a year. So, did you get any task lately?"

"It's vapid. Stop the Mitchell Hawkins marriage. Ever heard of it?"

"Nope. But it has something to do with that Beca girl huh. You're forgetting about Aubrey. She's extremely jealous of Beca. Always finding ways to make her life hard during Bellas practices ever since you started to neglect her for her."

He tried not to think of Aubrey, clinging onto him, planting kisses all over his face that was supposedly afriendly gesture.

He shuddered at that thought and grimaced "She's just not getting it" He groaned and rested his face on his palm, sighing as he said the last sentence

"I'm not her boyfriend."

If only his mind could stop bringing back memories of those days with Aubrey.

Stacie, sitting on a chair directly in front of him, began to giggle.

"Hey, it's not funny." He wailed, standing up so quickly his chair fell backwards.

"Alright Swanson, not funny." She grinned her voice muffled. He observed as she steadied herself "So…, about Beca. Your dad warned you about the risks being in a relationship, right?"

He did his best to shoot daggers at her but his lips curved upwards. "She's not my girlfriend"

"Do you want her to be?" she smirked, pleased that she manage to make him squirm uncomfortably in his seat, even if it was only for a few seconds.

He avoided her eyes as he searched for an answer. He knew Stacie liked him during high school when she tried to kiss him, and being the coward that he was, he shove her off, claiming that she's drunk and, nothing happened that prom night. She couldn't possibly still harbour feelings for him after so many years. As he was about to reply, something or someone scolded, you can still hurt her by saying you want another girl.

"Of…course not. Pffftttt I just have to stop her from getting married."

Oh. He wants her. So badly. Especially after seeing Beca in the quad with her boobs threatening to spill out of her shirt which was barely covering her junk.

Was it just him or did Stacie's shoulders slump in relief when she heard his answer? He shook his head, I'm just a friend to her.

Jesse rubbed his eyes and yawned, the radio station is boring.

He watched as Beca unbuttoned her shirt and fanned herself with a paper fan she tried to fold previously. He's completely awake when he stole a quick view of her cleavage. This piqued his interest and he leaned forward.

She gaze at him sharply.

"I'm not staring." he said and fell silent, just staring into space. He's going to suffer hiding a raging hard on if he kept with the staring.

She's such a distraction. Not like he was distracted from anything as he's doing nothing and rotting away.

It was the fourth day since they've met and she had yet to reveal her name to him. Over the four days, he learned that she loves music, as much as he does. She enjoys being alone and, yep that's all he knows about her. And her name of course. Did she expect him to find that out from her dad? Maybe he should try calling her.

"Beca" he stopped immediately when she spun around with a subtle roll of her eyes, still feeling hot and bothered. "You finally figured my name after only ninety-six hours. That's a record."

He jumped to his feet, ready to defend his stance when his phone rang. Mr Swanson. His fingers swipe the screen and held the phone to his ear.

"Dad?" why did he sound hesitant? He cleared his throat, "Hey what's up" he said trying to keep his tone light and nonchalant.

"Jesse" He sounds anxious. "Do. Not. Let the girl go home. Convince her to stay at our house or something. Or bring her somewhere. Just. Make sure she's safe and far away from home."

The call ended with a misty okay from Jesse.

He quickly scan the room for signs of liquor. None. She raised her eyebrows at him. He sighed, he can't get her drunk enough to stay now.

Act like you need her.

He groaned inwardly, he hates acting. He put his hands on the table, resting his forearms against the concrete sill. He remained silent for a long moment.

Beca's eyes flared with worry, "What's wrong?"

This. Is wrong

He needs to find an excuse.

"My dad…he has a tumour in his brain" he said lamely, but tried to look despondent. He almost stifled a laugh. Almost. Her face was priceless. But a pang of guilt hit him right after, he felt awful lying to her and making her worry like this.

"Can you stay?" he choked his words out, wanting Beca to think that he's crying and win more sympathy, enough for her to stay with him.

She surprised him when she shifted closer even though there was plenty of room on the bench and held his hand. For a long time, they sat in silence.

What came out next from her took him much more by surprise.

"Spit it out. Why'd you want me to stay?"

Continue the act. "My dad…" She looks pissed. Something's wrong. Did his acting gave it away? She couldn't possibly know. Why would she hold his hand for support if she knew?

"That's it, I'm leaving."