She did not come to school for three weeks.
And the rumours going round the school just got more fantastic each passing day.
"Didn't you hear? She went totally crazy and is now in a mental institute."
"Nooooo! Really? I heard she tried to stab Aubrey outside of school and got suspended!"
"You guys are wrong. She tried to do some sort of voodoo shit on Aubrey. It backfired and she lost all her hair! That's why she's not in school."
"Is it true she got a shrine of Jesse Swanson in her locker with, like, bits of his hair and everything? 'cos if she does, I want to see it!"
Jesse shook his head at all the ridiculous rumours flying around. He glared at anyone who talked rubbish about Beca's disappearance and the majority of them knew well enough to keep schtum about Beca in front of him. Except his girlfriend, that is. Aubrey was walking round triumphantly like she owned the hallways, immensely happy that she did not have to share him with "that freak Mitchell."
"Aubrey, just stop that, will you?" Jesse growled impatiently for the umpteenth time. They were hanging out on the steps leading up to the school doors, waiting for the bell. She was yet again tearing Beca into bits with her two clones, discussing why Beca Mitchell suddenly disappeared and he was tired of it. "Beca did not contract genital warts and needed to get cleaned up."
"Well, how would you know, Jesse?" Aubrey answered back. "I heard she's got quite a reputation, sleeping around like a slut."
"Oh my god, where did you even hear that?" Jesse cried.
As far as he know, Beca did not date that much, let alone sleep with anyone indiscriminately. Things like relationships mattered to her. And frankly he didn't think anyone was good enough for her. There had been a guy she had been semi-serious about when she was 16 but that was it. She broke it off, thank god. So no, Beca was not a slut. He would know. He's her best friend.
Jesse frowned a little at that, feeling his insides twisting.
Is he really? Is he still her best friend? He treated her abominably. It was not cool what he did. It was downright low and he admitted it. He was a very bad friend; the worst kind of friend. And he could not even put these stupid rumours to rest because he himself did not know where Beca actually was.
After that disastrous day, he had hotfooted straight to her house, hoping to catch her. He didn't know what to say exactly but he knew she was hurt and he had to make it better. Her house was silent; even the curtains to her bedroom was drawn shut. He did have a spare key and on any other day, would just walk into her house and up into her room but it did not feel right to do so. Especially when she was so angry at him like that.
Jesse just sat out on her porch, calling and texting her but the calls and texts went unanswered. Both Chloe and Stacie did not answer his calls either and he was at his wit's end. He waited for hours, thinking about what had happened. A few calls came from Aubrey and he ignored them. He could not handle any more Aubrey dramatics for that day.
He stared round the front yard of Beca's house, remembering bits of their shared childhood playing on that yard; all the adventures they went on, all the fun they had. The spot where she fell out of the tree house and broke her arm. He was hysterical but Beca had been remarkably calm. Endless summers spent on water fights or lazily lying in the hammock. The time he had chickenpox and was utterly miserable and she dabbed spots on herself with a red magic marker; just so she too could stay home and accompany him. She got chickenpox for real two weeks later. That time when they were twelve and she stood up to a bully because he was making fun of Jesse's haircut. She had that same dangerous look like just now - she later decked and floored that boy and was grounded for a week.
She had been a good friend.
The best.
And Jesse Swanson was a sucky, sucky friend.
He got up, unable to wait any longer, went to the side of the house and climbed the tree next to her bedroom. Yes, yet another thing they used to do. He sometimes snucked up that tree with snacks and juice pouches; she would come out and they would both sit on the branches and just talked for hours. Anything and everything. About movies (usually him), about music (her mostly), about what they want to do in the future, about anything.
Jesse had climbed the tree and hopped onto the ledge in front of the window. He tapped the window softly and called out, "Beca... I know you are there...Beca..." It was futile. There was no answer and he sat there for the longest time, feeling miserable. He would stayed longer if he had not heard the screech of tyres stopping outside the house and...
"Jesse Samuel Swanson! Get down from there, right now!"
"Ma?"
He quickly slid down and despite towering above his mom, he still got a clip on the back of his neck.
"What are you doing bothering good folks? You know Mrs. Mitchell had to work nights and here you are causing all sorts of trouble."
Trust his mom to still address Beca's mom as Mrs Mitchell despite the divorce. At that point, the door opened and Beca's mom was at the door.
"Cooee, Rosie! I am so sorry for Jesse bothering you," Mrs. Swanson called out. She pushed Jesse forward, glaring at him. "Now go and say sorry."
Jesse had stumbled forward apologising, saying that he was just trying to speak to Beca. Her mom just looked surprised, saying Beca had not come back home yet. Jesse would have waited longer but at that point, his mom had frogmarched him to the car and drove home. He came round the next day and the the next again. No sign of her. On the third day, he ran into her mom who simply told him Beca went to visit her dad. And that was it.
No calls, no texts, no emails. Nothing.
Jesse snapped back to the present when Aubrey's high pitched laugh broke his thoughts. Yeah, he was still with her. He had been very angry and they fought but then she started crying and sobbing uncontrollably saying she was just trying to save their relationship, that she was afraid Beca was trying to ruin it. That Beca did not want to share him with her. That Beca had all these feelings for him. He just could not stand all the drama and just grudgingly said they were ok just to shut her up.
Yeah, about that thing. Aubrey had kept going on and on about Beca having feelings for him? Yes, he had laughed. But not because he thought it was funny. He had laughed in disbelief. The idea was just... strange. He knew Beca loved him. Hell, he loved her too. Hard not to when they were the bestest friends but the way Aubrey said it was like maybe there was more? And that confused the hell out of him.
"So. I heard she's a dyke. Haylee's lab partner's best friend's sister's cousin who worked at Chuck E Cheese saw Beca making out with one of those lesbos in the ground floor showers. I mean, lesbi-honest...those clothes and those boots..."
"I heard that she smokes weed. That's why she got all those mood swings."
"Oh for goodness sake, Aubrey! Stop this already," Jesse said in a near-yell. "Beca is not a dy..."
The rest of his sentence was swallowed by the loud roar of a motorbike. A very big, very loud, very fast motorbike. Their heads and those around automatically swivelled to the source of that loud sound and in next moment, a flashy, red Ducati Monster weaved through the traffic, scattering nerds and jocks indiscriminately out of its path.
The rider stopped the bike right at the bottom of the steps and with a final deep vroom that made a few people jumped, he killed the engine. Everyone was staring at the new comer, who slowly removed his helmet to reveal a shock of blonde hair and sharp, handsome features. Then everyone's eyes swivelled to pillion rider, who jumped off nimbly from the back. There was no mistake it was a woman - not by that tight spray painted jeans, heeled boots and zipped up leather jacket.
She removed her helmet and shook out her long brunette hair.
There was a collective gasp and a few jaws dropping to the ground.
Beca Mitchell was back.
OK, what just happened?
Jesse was still trying to process what just happened in the last few minutes. So after three weeks away where not one word was heard from her, now Beca Mitchell just re-appeared at school. With an unknown blonde guy. On a back of a bike. Wearing leather.
She had turned around to talk to the rider, who nodded and gave her a quick hug. And then she turned back and walked towards the flight of stairs. Stacie and Chloe were waiting for her and they immediately flanked her sides as they walked up the flights of stairs together.
Time seemed to slow down for Jesse as he stared at the trio heading towards them. He had not seen her for three weeks. All he wanted to do was run up to her and give her a massive bear hug. If she was still angry, he will tickled her until she shrieked and laughed like she had done many times in the past. Then everything will be ok between them. He wanted to hear her laugh and Jesse then realised with a pang how much he really missed her.
But something was making him stay in his spot.
It was that look on her face.
And on both Stacie's and Chloe's as well. That cold, hard, haughty look; like everything and everyone else was beneath them. They stalked down that pavement, barreling down and lesser mortals should really, really get out of their way. Because if they don't, this unholy trinity would cut them down. There was no other words to describe it - the bitches got it on. He could almost hear the perfect movie soundtrack (Tainted Love, Marilyn Manson, he thought) accompanying their advance up that pathway. A breeze lifted Beca's hair, blowing it back and Jesse's breath hitched a little.
The trio passed by them without a second glance, heading straight on. They were just two steps away when one of the blonde clones coughed *dyke* to which Aubrey coughed back *super dyke* before they started tittering behind their hands. Beca stopped in her tracks and then she slowly turned. And with the sweetest, most deadly smile, she said "Oh hey, Aubrey..didn't see you there."
Aubrey's mouth was opening and shutting like a fish; she was certainly not expecting Beca to come over like that. Let alone speak to her so casually.
"Beca.." She stuttered as she flailed her arm, trying to desperately find Jesse's. She found his arm, sank her claws in and yanked him closer, all the while simpering a little in Beca's direction. "Where have you been?
"Oh..." Beca tossed her hair back and let her eyes roved elsewhere like she was already so, so bored with this conversation. "..around.."
"We thought you went nuts and got institutionalised," Aubrey snarked back and the blonde posse broke into giggles. Beca just kept that bored look on her face. "Oh that...no, I had to do other things..."
Beca flicked her hair back and then ran her hair impatiently through her brown hair. She then fixed her icy blue eyes on Aubrey and sweetly asked, "Hey Aubrey, how is that new cheerleading routine working out for you? Are you still having trouble with it?"
Aubrey's eyes widened as she spluttered "I..I don't..."
"And that new diet? Still two pounds too heavy?" Beca continued still in that low, sweet tone. "Hmmm...strange isn't it? How everything seems NOT to work lately?..."
With that, Beca just turned and stalked away. She did not waste one glance, one look, one breath at Jesse. Aubrey was visibly gasping now. Both Stacie and Chloe just slowly smirked at the girls before joining Beca.
"Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod...I told you she cursed me! She effing curse me!" Aubrey screeched out, "I can't even do a standing backflip now...ohmygod...and my cheerleader outfit is all tight."
The other two Aubrey copies were trying to calm her down. "No, Bree..you looked perfect!" "Yes and it doesn't matter you can't do the backflip. You can move to other positions like being a backspot." "Like totally, Bree. We just need to find a stronger base to support you and your two extra fat pounds." "Or you can just drop the captaincy, Bree. We can't have a fat captain."
"I need to find a priest! I need to find an exorcist! Ohmygod," Aubrey was wailing now. "Jesse!"
"Huh?" Jesse tore his eyes away from Beca's retreating back. He was still in some sort of shock at seeing her after all these weeks.
"I've been cursed, Jesse! I need some intervention!"
"Umm.. ok." Jesse quickly said. "I'll think of something...Oh hey, look at the time. I've gotta go."
He did not even wait for Aubrey to say anything before running into the building, his eyes peeled for Beca. He had to talk to her. She completely blanked him out just now and this bitchy, ice queen attitude was not like her. At all. True, she can be sarcastic and caustic at times but he knew that was all fighting talk. Beca Mitchell was all marshmallow inside. What the hell happened to her?
A thought crept into his mind that it was all his fault really. His and Aubrey's. Whatever they did, they messed her up. He messed her up. The sweetest, kindest, most loyal friend he had and he messed her up. He saw her by her locker and he immediately ran up.
"Beca!" She was already closing her locker door and turning away. "Beca, wait!"
She was walking away. If she heard him yelling down the hallway, she did not show it.
"Beca please!" Jesse was alongside her now. When she did not even slow down, Jesse immediately grabbed her upper arm, stopping her in her tracks. "For fuck's sake, Becs, can you stop and talk to me?"
Beca stood still and merely stared at him, her eyes hard and icy.
Wow, were her eyes always that blue?
She then glanced down at his hand gripping his arm tightly before looking up at him again, her eyes harder than ever. He immediately released her arm and stepped back. She continued walking, swinging the cascade of brown hair behind her. After a moment's hesitation, Jesse walked closely behind her. How come he never noticed how curly and silky her hair was? He had messed with her hair often enough.
"If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine, Beca," he began saying. "Just listen, ok? I'm really, really sorry. I've been a douchey and sucky friend. You don't deserve any of that shit. It was all my fault. I'm so sorry, Beca."
He might as well talk to a wall.
"Becs, please...I want to make this OK. Tell me what you want me to do. I'll do anything. Anything. I promise! I am just so sorry. Please tell me what to do."
They were in front of her class now.
Beca Mitchell finally stopped and faced him. And when she was sure she had his full attention, that his brown eyes were looking at her pleadingly, she simply said. "Just fuck off, Jesse Swanson."
Jesse Swanson did not quite know what to do. She had never been this mad before. They had fought before of course, especially during that awkward period called puberty where she had been extremely moody and he had been too dense to catch all the warning signs. But that seemed to be a mere wrinkle compared to this bust up.
Usually if she was angry, he just totally ignored her foul moods, just carrying on like nothing happened. He would still turned up at her house with yet another DVD for her moviecation. She would get over the hump and grudgingly allow him into her room. He would just talk and talk about anything as he opened his laptop and put the DVD on. One movie fun facts after another. She would give him an evil stare before moodily settling down next to him and grabbing the popcorn from his hands. He knew then it was alright between them and would just smile gleefully in the near darkness.
He couldn't even do that now. In the next few days, he hardly see her at school, let alone outside, and when he tried to ambush her after her classes, he always just missed her. He thought perhaps he could corner her during the classes they had together. Jesse then realised how he had not sat next to her for the longest time. Ever since he got together with Aubrey actually. And he had not had lunch with her about the same time either.
He was truly a sucky, sucky friend.
The next time he saw her was when he answered the ringing doorbell at Aubrey's house that weekend. The prep for the party was on full swing. Aubrey and her clones were getting hysterical, trying to get ready and Jesse had been roped in to help. Besides Aubrey wanted them both to be there for the "meet and greet" when the guests came, like the first couple that they were. Jesse thought that was nuts.
It had been one disaster after another. Apparently, the caterers specially selected to do the party double-booked and a last minute replacement had to be found. Then the amount of beer kegs were wrong. The decorations they put up the night before were now falling down and the cheerleading squad were screamed at by their stressed out captain to get it fucking fixed or there will be hell to pay at practice.
Jesse was trying to sort out the snacks, balancing bags and bowls in his hands when the doorbell rang. He was the nearest to the door and after transferring the huge bag of chips from his hand to his teeth to grip, he managed to have a hand free to open the door.
And Beca Mitchell was standing outside.
In tight black jeans. And a strappy top on. Black with sequins.
"Becs!" Jesse uttered in surprise and simultaneously he dropped the bag of chips, the plastic bowls and the snacks all over the floor. Jesse scrambled around, hugely embarassed, trying to clear the mess in front of him. She just stood there nonchalantly, not even moving a muscle to help. He got up slowly, trying not to drop any more things, his eyes taking in the sight of her from feet up.
That's her old skinny jeans; he knew that. Why was it so tight, showing of her shapely legs and hips like that? And that top? He went to the mall with her to get it last Christmas. He was sure of it because he had pushed her into getting it, saying she can't keep wearing plaid forever and she had grumbled and hit him in the arm. He didn't remember it being all shimmery like that or the top cut that low, showing off her creamy, white clea...
"What was all that racket?!..."
Jesse dropped the bowls and snacks again, hearing Aubrey's screech.
"Oh my god, why the hell are you doing here?" Aubrey came running down the stairs, her hair in big pink curlers, her face half made up. She came skidding to a stop at the doorway, staring at Beca. "What the cheer-fuck are you doing here?"
Beca casually shrugged her shoulders. "I was invited."
"Well, I disinvite you!" Aubrey was practically foaming at the mouth as she plucked the curlers out of her hair. "You are not welcomed here! So why don't you take your devil worshipping ass and just leave?"
Beca looked totally non-plussed at Aubrey's outburst. "You sure about that?"
Aubrey just screeched like a harpy, turning to Jesse, who just finished picking up the bowls and snacks for the second time, "Jesse! Make her leave!"
"Come on, Aubrey. She's just got here..." Jesse tried to interject.
"What seems to be the problem here?"
Jesse and Aubrey turned around and their jaws dropped as they took in the sight of the newcomer. He came up and stood behind Beca. To say that he was an Adonis would be an understatement. He was more like a god, like one of those perfect marble sculptures that belonged in a museum. Blonde hair, high cheekbones, a jawline so sharp it could cut glass. And that hard, hard body now clothed in the thinnest black cotton shirt that clung in all the right places.
He was also that blonde rider the from other day.
He fixed his green eyes on the scene before him before saying "Becs, are you ok, love ?"
His English accent was soft like velvet.
Beca just nodded.
The other two were still staring at him. He then looked directly at Aubrey, who squeaked a little at the direct stare. "Are you Aubrey?" He asked and when she wordlessly nodded, he continued, "Cool. Where do you want us to set up?"
It took some moments before Aubrey could answer, "You're the DJ? You're Luke Smith?"
"One and only." He gave a devastating half smile. "And Beca's with me."
"What?" Aubrey screeched yet again. " No , no, no...she is not welcomed here. I don't want any more of her bad luck voodoo curses."
"Aubrey, stop being such a b..." Jesse started.
"Up to you," Luke drawled. "Either Beca stays or you don't have a DJ."
"What?!"
"Yup, she does part of the set. So up to you, love. Do you want a DJ or not?"
Aubrey's eyes dartly wildly from side to side as she took in the news. They could almost hear the cogs in her head whirring. She loathed the thought of that alt-girl at her party but it was not going to be much of a party without a DJ. Especially with everything else that had gone wrong.
"Ok!" She spat out in annoyance. "But after the set, she leaves!"
Beca just rolled her eyes and murmured drily, "Wouldn't want to stay."
Luke just smiled and walked into the house, carrying his heavy kit in both hands, biceps bulging under the shirt. Beca followed him inside, eyes straight on and she brushed past Jesse who was desperately trying to hold on to those damn bowls. His eyes swivelled to follow her. Why did she had her silky hair in that heavy braid? He always preferred it when her hair was all loose and wild behind her; not in a braid swept over one shoulder. But that meant he could now see her pale neck and her bare right shoulder and...what the holy fuck?
Jesse dropped the bowls yet again.
"Oh my god, Jesse! What's wrong with you and those bowls?" Aubrey was squawking yet again.
"Umm...sorry..they are slippery.." Jesse mumbled. Aubrey just muttered curses underneath her breath as she stomped off upstairs. Jesse was still trying to pick up the mess but he surreptitiously looked up, trying to catch sight of Beca's back. Because oh my god, when did she get that done? That floral tattoo on the back of her right shoulder? It looked as it it was still healing.
Jess shook his head in disbelief. He thought Beca hated needles. She hated getting her jabs and now she had a badass tattoo on her back? What happened? Jesse thought he knew her. What the hell happened to his best friend?
Three-ish weeks ago
"I don't really want to be here."
"Oh stop it, Beca! It's a college party. You are going to enjoy it," Stacie said.
"I reeeaaaally don't want to be here..." Beca whined further.
"Beca Mtichell, you had your pre-requisite week, moaning and crying over that douchebag and his skanky girlfriend. I think it's time you come out and party now." It was Chloe's turn to chastise her.
"No more playing the victim now. If you do, you are letting that whore win." Stacie continued, smirking.
Beca just scowled. Both of them had a point.
"Now let's get you some jiggle juice. You can drown your sorrows if you like," Chloe squealed. Beca mumbled something angrily about drowning fucking Jesse Swanson instead underneath her breath but she let Chloe and Stacie dragged her to where the alcohol were.
After that showdown last week, they knew well enough not to bring her home. Thank god it was a Friday. They made a quick stop at Chloe's to pick up some clothes and then she drove the two hours to Barden. The official reason was visiting Beca's dad but the real reason was they went to Fat Amy's. She was three years their senior and now a college chick with an apartment. She opened the door, took one look at the pale brunette supported by her friends and dragged them into her apartment in a bear hug. They spent the night and the following day letting her cry all the pain out, plied her with Ben & Jerrys before moving on to the hard stuff.
She appeared at her Dad's doorstep on Sunday morning, declaring she had come to visit and look into that college thing he was trying to wheedle her into. Dr. Mitchell was slightly surprised to find his surly daughter knocking on his door but some sort of fatherly instinct told him something was not quite right and it would be in the best interest not to ask. A quick phonecall to his ex-wife and to her school and it was settled. She could be there for a few weeks. The following weekend, the girls came up again, saying Fat Amy got invites for them to a party. She had wanted to hole herself in her room but hours later, they literally forced her into some decent clothes and dragged her to this party.
Beca looked at the red cup in her hand, chewing her bottom lip slightly. Chloe and Stacie were already dancing merrily to the pumping music. She did not really want to be there. She wanted to curled up somewhere with a bottle of the hard stuff and cry her broken heart out. Because Jesse Swanson, her bestest friend, not only betrayed and used her, she was also humiliated by his whore of a cheerleader girlfriend and he did not even help her.
Come to think of it, he didn't.
What kind of friend is that?
The BASTARD!
And he knew about how she felt and laughed at her?
LAUGHED at her?!
Beca was suddenly felt very angry. She had enough of their couple shit. All their matching couple outfits. All their stupid tweets and vomit-inducing instagrams. She barely tolerated them before but had to play nice because she was his best friend. Well, no longer.
Oh god! She was pissed off now. And this music playing? This DJ? It was terrible. Not exactly bad but to Beca's exacting standards, just not terribly good. She stomped over to the console and she did not know whatever possessed her to yell at the DJ. Maybe it's because she was mad. Maybe it's because she had a few to drink by now. Whatever it was, she was now in front of the DJ console waving her arms wildly at him and yelling, "That's not how you do it, fucker!"
He didn't missed a beat but his face registered his surprise and amusement.
Beca stopped short, suddenly aware that one, she had been making a fool of herself and two, the DJ was very, very good looking. He stared at her for minute before breaking into a smile. He beckoned her up to him and when she came up, he took off his headphones, handing them to her and yelled over the loud music, "Show me!"
"What?" Beca yelled, somewhat confused.
"Show me!" he shouted back. "Come on, love, show me your shit."
And she did.
...
"That was amazing!"
Beca was still elated from the session just now and she turned smiling to the blonde boy beside her. She was euphoric, all thoughts of Jesse and her heartbreak forgotten.
"I know you. I totally know you," he said with a crooked smile. "You were in the same DJ masterclass with me last summer."
Beca broke into a huge grin. God in heaven, how could she forgot? She scrimped and saved so hard to attend that masterclass and now she remembered who this blonde guy was. Luke. British, blonde, screamingly hot.
"You were fantastic! Do you do many gigs?"
Beca smiled ruefully at him and shook her head "Just school and hospital radio."
His lips curved into a distracting half smile as he looked at her with his twinkling green eyes. "You and I need to talk."
And back in the room...
Why is his hand on Beca's back like that? - Jesse thought irritabily - There's no need for him to hold her like that. She could stand by herself perfectly fine.
He downed his beer, trying not to stare at the console. But he could not help it.
The party was in full swing now with the guests now dancing a storm right in front of the speakers and the console. God, they were good. She was good. Jesse did not know why he was so surprised. He knew Beca's mixes were great. He had listened to her slots on the school and hospital radio whenever he could. He knew Beca's deck skills are legendary. Why the hell is he so surprised to see her up there with that...with that pervert? Who is now dancing far too close to Beca, his front to her back as she spinned the decks.
Hah! Beca is so going to claw his eyes out in a minute. She will turn and lash out at that blonde perv. Yeah, in a minute.. or two... maybe three. Four?
OK, what is happening now? He just wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him and she just turned her head a little and smiled?
That's it. Beca must be drunk or something. No one take liberties with Beca like that. He's gotta save her from that pervert. He will march up and punch that muscle-bound god in his perfect mouth, hopefully not break his hand or something while doing it and...
"You and Beca still not talking?"
"Huh?" Jesse was rudely jolted back from his thoughts. Benji was standing next to him, beer in hand. Besides Beca, Benji would be his closest friend. They were in the same Drama and Glee club together and Benji always been great.
"You and Beca." He repeated, jerking his head towards the little makeshift stage. "Dude, you OK? You look like you are going to explode. Is that display bothering you a bit?"
"I'm fine." Jesse replied churlishly, thinking he could use another beer. He plucked at the thick, uncomfortable jacket Aubrey made him wear. The collar of shirt felt too tight and it was itchy. He definitely need another drink. He was not drunk enough to put up with all this. He also chose to ignore Benji's last question.
"Wooooo Swanson!" " Oi Douchebag!"
Donald and Bumper barrelled into him, more than a little merry.
"Great party Swanson!" Donald said, nearly spilling his drink all over Jesse. "I have to say, bro. I thought the party sucks ass in the beginning with all that pink shit and cake cutting and couple suck face you had to do with Aubrey. What's with that bro?"
Jesse shrugged his shoulders and Benji sympathetically handed him another beer. Donald and Bumper were their seniors by a couple of years and in college. Jesse couldn't quite figure out why they would came back for this high school party when they could be up to someting else in college. Oh, of course! Perhaps because this party was touted as party of the year.
"Yeah man," Bumper agreed with Donald. "Just now sucks balls. I missed a good frat party for this shit. But now? The music's good!... Oh! You got Smithy! No wonder! He's fab, man. Up his game these few weeks. Ever since he got that sweet little bitch mixing.."
"Don't call her that." Jesse said hotly.
They glanced at Jesse in surprise. Donald adjusted his glasses and peered to the two DJs closer.
"Hang on, is that Beca? Bumper, check it out!"
"Whoaaa.. that's Beca? What happened to her? Duuuude, you didn't tell me she got all sexy these last two years."
Jesse was just looking at them, frowning in surprise.
"She's freaking hot!" Donald said. "Check out her rack, man."
"Guys..." Jesse started.
"Didn't she have Daddy issues?" Bumper continued. "Man, chicks with daddy issues are damn dirty in bed."
"Will you both shut the fuck up?"
Jesse's yell finally put a stop to stream of conversation from Donald and Bumper. They sniggered a little looking at how flushed Jesse was.
"Ok, dude. We get it. You want to keep her for yourself," Bumper smirked, slapping him on his back. "Good call, man, good call."
"Not cool, bro. You've already got Aubrey. Where is she by the way?"
Jesse looked around trying to think where Aubrey was.
"I think Beca is fair game," Donald mused, his smirk widening. "Although saying that... If that Luke Smith got his hands on her..."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jesse said in a low angry tone.
"Eh, nothing, dude. Just look at him," Donald said. "One look from him and girls gladly open up their le... Mmmpft."
"Dude, you ok?" Bumper asked. Donald was now covering his mouth with his hand and looking really ill. "Dude, do you want to throw up?"
Donald just nodded slowly before spinning on his heels and hurrying off to find the toilets. He did not quite make it and threw up into one of Aubrey's mum prized vases. It was like a trigger. Suddenly every other person looked decidedly ill and there was a mass panicked exodus to the toilets.
Most of them did not make it.
"Let's get out of here. I don't want my decks ruined." Luke whispered, looking at the carnage of sick people around.
The party of the year, of the decade would forever go down in history as the Aubrey's 18th pukegate party. They could now hear sirens and before long, the paramedics were in, trying to help the violently sick teenagers. Aubrey and several of her posse were crying and trying to scrap bits of vomit from their hair and their clothes.
"Yeah. I think we are done." Beca nodded, quickly cutting the music down. She helped bring down the kit and loaded it up into Luke's car. They were done in twenty minutes - Luke was that keen to get away quickly.
"Oh hell, I forgot my bag," Beca said as Luke got into the car.
"I'll wait."
"No, you got a long drive back. I just walk on home." Beca said, smiling at him.
"You sure you'll be fine?" Luke queried, looking up at her from the driver's seat. "I don't want those skanky, puke-covered bitches tearing into you."
Beca just laughed. "I can handle them."
"OK. Give me a kiss."
She leant over and kissed him. He could not quite let go, his hand flying up to tangle itself into her brown tresses.
"Hell, baby. You're making it hard for me to leave." Luke said softly. Beca just messed up his hair fondly and gave him one final kiss before straightening up. She waited until he drove off, waving at her from the window before turning back to the house. She was stopped short by the sight Jesse sitting at the now darkened porch, moodily glaring at her.
Beca totally ignored him, walk past and went into the house for her bag. The whole place stank of vomit and she could not get out fast enough. She could feel her stomach churning at the smell. She quickly walked out, almost tripping over Jesse who was still sitting in the same spot. Her hands flew out to stop her fall, gripping his shoulders and his hands were at her waist to steady her.
"Oh. I'm sorry," Beca stuttered, righting herself up, quickly snatching her hands away. She was about to leave quickly when she saw that look of despair on his face as he held her steady. She walked a few steps away, cursed herself a little and then turned back. "Dude, you ok?"
She was trying to keep her voice from trembling. Jesse was looking down and on hearing her voice, he raised his head slowly. His eyes were dark and angry.
"So you decided you want to talk to me now?"
Beca arched one eyebrow. Oh, Swanson giving attitude now, huh? OK, Whatever. Beca just spun on her heels and was about to walk away.
Jesse muttered "Fuck!" quietly under his breath before getting up. "Beca."
He was going after her now. "Beca. Stop!"
"What the fuck do you want now, Swanson?" Beca turned back to him, glaring angrily. He nearly collided into her.
"What the hell happened to you?" he just spat angrily.
"What are you talking about?"
"This. All this." He said, gesturing to Beca's body. "The tattoo. That top."
"And all that!" He was now wildy gesturing to where Luke's car was just now. "What the fuck happened? And when are you going to tell me?"
"I don't see why I should tell you anything," Beca yelled back at him. "You are not my dad!"
"You used to tell me everything, Beca! I'm your best friend."
"Are you really? Are you really my best friend?" Beca snapped back. "After that stunt you pulled? After letting your girlfriend tear me into shreds? After humiliating me in front of everyone? After laughing at me when..."
She stopped short there breathing heavily. Beca rubbed her face with her hand trying to calm herself down. Jesse was just standing there, gaping at her outburst. He could still feel each of her accusations like a slap across his face. Because they were true. All true.
"We've been best friends for ages, Bec..." he said, looking at her something akin to sorrow in his eyes.
Damn him! Damn his chocolate brown eyes! Beca was trying not to look at him. Because if she did, she would forgive him and she did not know what else will happen.
"Yeah we have...," she said slowly. "But face it, Jess, you've got your own thing now. Your school stuff, Aubrey... I got my own thing now. We hardly have time with each other nowadays."
"I still got time for you." Jesse said softly. "I always have time for you, Becs."
They just stood apart, staring at each other.
"Come on, let me walk you home," Jesse said. He was about to step forward and grabbed her hand when the front door banged open.
"Jesse! Jesse, where are you?"
Aubrey's high pitched screech echoed down the road. Jesse just stood there and shut his eyes for a minute. He froze, not entirely sure what to do.
"JESSE!" Aubrey's shriek went up several decibels. He was still standing there looking at Beca.
"Just go. I'll be fine," Beca sighed, running her hand through her silky hair. "I think Aubrey wants you to change into a new matching outfit; now that hers is ruined."
A ghost of her former smile tugged at the corners of her mouth and Jesse thought he saw a little of his old best friend back. Beca then turned and walked away slowly, wrapping her arms around herself as she trudged back towards home.
Jesse could hear Aubrey calling his name, getting more and more hysterical every passing minute. He should really go and see what his girlfriend want. Aubrey was his girlfriend after all. But why couldn't he move? Why was he still staring at Beca walking away, looking tinier and more fragile than ever? And why did he really want to run after her and walk her home rather than go back to Aubrey?
