"Oh my god! Were you there? It was pukegate! I've never seen so much puke."

"Hayleeeee don't! I feel sick just thinking about it."

"How can she even come to school? I would be so ashamed I'll get a new face."

"Oh you know, Aubrey. She has no shame. She's digging her claws deeper into Jesse Swanson though. She's hoping HIS popularity will rub off her."

"What does he see in her? She's just some twig bitch who is too fat to be a cheerleader."

"What about Beca? Did you see her? She was at the party with some hot blonde guy."

"He's in college. Beca is dating some DJ from college. He was so hot!"

"Oh my god, so hot! Like Channing Tatum hot. And he got a hot bike. And a car."

"I want to be Beca when I grow up."


Great. Spaghetti Bolognaise

Jesse looked down as the lunch lady slopped the bolognaise onto his plate. It looked scarily like vomit; copious amounts of vomit that decorated the Posen house during the infamous pukegate. Posen Pukegate. That name would forever bring chills to those who remembered that party. He fought the need to barf and quickly walked off, trying to find a seat.

Aubrey was not with him this time round. Thank god for that. She was now going mad with prom preparations and decided to skip lunches to lose weight. Jesse was not complaining though. She had gotten increasingly clingy nowadays after that disastrous party, insisting he escort her everywhere and it was driving him nuts. Some respite was sorely needed.

He flopped down next to his soccer boys and despite it looking like vomit, Jesse dug into the spaghetti and made the most out of it. The boys were rowdy as usual, which was fine – Jesse usually switched off, preferring to just eat and think about his day.

"… man, she's bringing it…"

"…what would I like to do to that rack…"

"…why we didn't notice her before?..."

"I did. But you know…."

The table conversation filtered through Jesse's hearing and he scoffed. They would never change. Put a bunch of boys together and they turned into cavemen. They were checking out some girl, as always. Jesse turned around to see who the boys were checking out this time round. He was in mid chew and that lump of spaghetti in his mouth suddenly felt like gravel.

What the hell? What?

Beca?

They were checking out Beca?

She had just strolled past in her black skinny jeans and tight top. Jesse frowned as his eyes followed Beca's retreating back, hips and hair swinging. She wore the same thing every day. He was sure of it. Why the hell is the whole table now slavering like a pack of wolves? And why the hell can't he look away? The swing of her hips in that tight jeans was hypnotic.

" Jess. Hey Jess. Is it true she got a tat on her back?"

Jesse tore his eyes off Beca's swinging hips and stared round the table. They were looking at him expectantly. Boy, news travelled fast. Jesse grudgingly nodded. "Yeah, it's true."

The whole table just erupted in appreciative whoops and high fives.

"Man, she's hot. All that black, icy queen vibe. And tats on top of that."

"She's a wild one. I can tell."

"And the music thing, bro. Any girl that into music is fine by me."

"So, Jesse, does she have a date for prom?"

Jesse was a little distracted, still staring at Beca who was now sitting down with Chloe and Stacie. She was flicking her hair back and brushing it away from her face. He remembered how cute he always thought when a lock of her hair flopped down her face. Stacie said something crude no doubt and he could see Beca trying hard not to laugh. She was failing miserably though. Stacie said something else and suddenly Beca Mitchell's' icy queen mask broke and she started to laugh. Even from here, he could hear her musical laugh and he felt a little warm just seeing her smile like that. He was not conscious of it but he was smiling softly, looking at her.

"Oi Jess!"

"Whaa.. What?"

"Does she have a date for prom?"

"Huh? Who?"

"Beca."

Jesse turned to look at the boys. Cody was asking the question but they were all looking at him questioningly now. Right about now he just wanted to punch all their annoying faces but he just grunted and shook his head instead.

"I don't know. Maybe not."

"I call dibs!" one of other the boys shouted, quickly getting up.

"Not cool, man! Not cool!" Cody shouted, trying to get up but the first boy was already halfway towards Beca's table. The boys just stared, watching the events unfold and before long, he came back, smiling. They just broke into whoops. All of them except Jesse.

"Dude… you came back in one piece. That must be good!"

"She gave me her number."

"Duuudddeeeee…. You could have gotten that off Jesse!"

"Eh. Jesse wouldn't give it out. You know how he gets about Beca."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jesse said scowling now. The other guys just looked at him.

"You always scare us off, man." Cody said a little nervously. "Like we've noticed how hot Beca is for the longest time but it looked like there were something between you two."

"You guys are crazy." Jesse scoffed, unaware that he was back staring at Beca again.

"Yeah, man. We thought you guys got in on or something. And you know, bros before hos and all that. But now you are with Aubrey so it's open season."

"Shut up.. She's my friend. Not some trophy." Jesse scolded back.

"Dude, have you NOT catch the vibe? Beca is top hottie now. Forget about the rest."

"Yeah, that she is. Man, that rack!"

"Keep your dirty mitts off her." Jesse's voice was a little hard.

He then realised how ridiculous he sounded and how the rest were now a little quiet under his glare. He turned back to his spaghetti, not really having any appetite for it. Why the fuck was he behaving this way? Ok. He was just protective of her. She was still his friend. He was not sure whether they were still best friends now but she was still his friend.

"So did she say yes?" Jesse asked slowly chewing on another forkful. It tasted like cardboard.

"No."

Jesse felt a little shot of triumph when he heard that. But it was quickly extinguished when he heard the next words.

"She said she already got a date for the prom."


"What was that about?" Beca mumbled under her breath, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline.

Chloe just smiled cheekily. "What? That prom invite?"

"Yeah. I don't even think he knew my name."

Beca turned around to see that guy returning back to his table to loud whoops. Stacie and Chloe just looked knowingly at each other.

"Say Becs, how many invites did you get?"

"What?"

"How many prom invites?"

Beca chewed her lower lip thoughtfully, "I don't know. Maybe five? Six?"

"Atta girl."

"What does that even mean?"

"That, my dear, means you've moved up the high school food chain," Chloe declared dramatically.

Beca just looked sceptical as she said, "Yeah, whatever dude. Look, I'm going to clear off. See you later."

She picked up her tray and bag, heading towards the exit. Once she was out of earshot, Chloe murmured under her breath, "Is it working?" Beca was now passing the soccer boys table now and as one, their eyes followed her progress.

"Yes, perfectly," Stacie whispered back, triumphantly. "He can't stop staring at her. And the best thing is I don't even think he realised."

"Fat Amy was right. Nothing like seeing a girl unavailable and in demand. Swanson finally realised she's a girl."

"She's moving out of the friend zone!" Stacie said happily. "I'm so proud of her!"

"Poor guy didn't know what hit him."

"I have no pity for him. Like at all."

They both laughed quietly.

"I'll give anything to witness Posen Pukegate!" Chloe said. Stacie sobered up at that and shook her head vehemently. "Girl, you don't want to see it. It ain't pretty."

"That little 'medicine' worked a treat! What did you do? Spiked the punch?" Chloe asked. " I heard they had to send paramedics in."

Stacie was trying hard not to laugh. "The thing is, Chloe...I didn't need to. Turns out the caterers that skank used was lousy. Served up bad seafood."

"Oh my god!" Both of them could not help laughing out now. It was not until several minutes later before they sobered up, managing to keep their laughter down.

"So what's next?" Chloe said, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes.

"My birthday pool party," Stacie said, her eyes twinkling mischievously.


"Stacie, I can't believe you are making me wear this!"

Beca was consciously picking at the red bikini top. She scowled a little at the taller brunette was who ignoring her obvious discomfort.

"Who asked you to forget your swimsuit?" Stacie said, pointing her nail file at Beca. "It's either that one or the itty bitty tiny one. And you said that one was the size of a postage stamp."

Beca grumbled noisily, saying she did packed her trusty black swimsuit. She nearly emptied out her bag looking for it just now and it was nowhere to be found. She was resigned to just lounging by the pool in shorts and tshirt but Stacie told her not to be stupid and brandished this...this red two-piece at her and practically forced her into them.

"Oh bae, you look gorgeous in them!" Chloe trilled, smiling at the scowling brunette. Unseen by Beca, Chloe winked at Stacie who smirked back smugly. That black, ratty swimsuit? Yep, Beca did bring it. Just as they thought. And Chloe had taken it out of her bag while she was not looking and consigned it to the bottom of Stacie's closet, never to see the light of day again.

Every year, Stacie would throw a pool party for her birthday. It was not overblown like Aubrey's party; Stacie only invites a select group of nearest and dearest. That it somehow encompassed the entire soccer team this year was purely coincidental.

"Is the music ok?" Beca asked.

"Relax, Beca. It's fine. This is not one of your gigs, ok? It's my birthday party," Stacie said. "Now come here and let me rub some sunscreen on you. You know how easy you burn."

Beca sat down and let Stacie rub some lotion on her back. She squirt some on her pale legs and began rubbing the lotion and down her legs, all the while wishing she could tan easily without burning like Stacie. She was so engrossed in what she was doing she didn't realised how many pairs of eyes were watching her.

"Looking good, Beca!"

Beca whipped her head round to the sound of that catcall, to be met by a few appreciative grins and wolf whistles. She glared at them all and immediately pulled on her tshirt, all the while scowling at Stacie and Chloe. She plopped herself down on the lounger, next to them. The heat was good and she closed her eyes under her sunglasses, just enjoying the feel of sun on her skin.

"Happy birthday, Stacie!"

"Thanks Jesse. Oh hey, thanks for the present." Stacie said.

Beca opened one eye lazily to see Jesse Swanson smiling down at them. He had a pair of board shorts and a light white cotton shirt on. The shirt was unbuttoned, distractingly showing off his bare chest and abs. Beca quickly closed her eye - she didn't need to see all that.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world," Jesse replied. "Umm..sorry Aubrey couldn't come. She has some cheerleading thing this weekend."

"Oh? Oh I didn't know that," Stacie just smiled widely. Like hell she didn't.

Jesse's eyes landed on Beca who had not said a word to him yet. "Hey Beca, you'd better turn over unless you want to burn."

"Go away, Swanson. You are casting a shadow." She didn't even opened her eyes, her face a complete mask.

Jesse chuckled deeply and sat next to her. "Are you still mad at me? It's getting a bit old, Mitchell. Plus I know you really miss me."

"No. Not the slightest," came the snarky reply.

"Come on. How can you not miss me?"

"Easily."

Jesse laughed again. "You are a tough nut to crack, Mitchell but I got thirteen years of experience with your moods. So sulk all you want. You'll come round."

Beca just scoffed and ignored him.

"I'm getting a drink," Chloe suddenly piped up.

"Um..yeah, me too." Stacie said. Beca frowned - what are girls up too? No way she was going to be left alone with Jesse fucking Swanson who was now taking off his shirt and looking like a bronze god. She quickly got up as well. "Ok, I'm coming."

"No, stay! I'll get one for you!" Chloe said.

"It's ok, I'm up already," she quickly said, standing in between the girls and tossing her sunglasses on the lounger.

"Well, since you are already up..." Stacie started. And then she and Chloe yelled loudly, hooked Beca between them and jumped into the pool. Beca was shrieking blue murder and flailing in the pool between the two. They were just laughing so hard at the angry, spluttering and very wet Beca.

Beca swore loudly at the two. She swam up to the ladder and slowly climbed out of the pool, tshirt now wet and sticking to her body. Still muttering curses, Beca peeled off the wet tshirt, revealing the bikini underneath; the red, wet fabric against her pale pale skin. She pulled her hair to one side, bunched it together and wrung the water out. The water was running down her body in rivulets.

She was wet and pissed off.

Beca pricked her ears at the music playing. It was towards the end of the playlist and she could not remember whether she had queued another. "Damn!" She swore. She can't be wet around her kit. She looked around to see Jesse still sitting down, staring at her.

"Towel," Beca said. Jesse seemed to be in a daze.

"Is..is that new?"

Beca just rolled her eyes. "Towel, Jesse!"

"Huh?"

"My towel. On your lap. Can't I have it please?...ouch!"

Beca looked at her hand. It was a little sore and she shook it a little. She knew she had hit it against something when Stacie and Chloe dunked her in. There was a cut at the side of her thumb and it was bleeding. Beca brought it to her mouth, sucking it a little.

"Please...please don't do that."

Beca glanced at Jesse, puzzled at the straggled request from Jesse. He was staring at her with a pained look on his face, still clutching to her towel on his lap. What's wrong with the nerd? She snorted, annoyed, bent over and grabbed Stacie's towel.

"Umm..I'm going...i'm going to take a dip."

By the time Beca had straightened up, he was gone and she heard the splash of water as he jumped into the pool.


Holy fricking guacomole.

Jesse surfaced up from the pool. Ok, ok he's feeling better now. It was touch and go for a moment. What the hell was she doing? Does she even know what she was doing? Climbing out of the pool, all wet like that, tshirt sticking to her body like that. Looking like Ursula Andress coming out of the sea. Looking like Halle Berry.

He was pretty sure every red blooded male in the vicinity saw her coming out from the pool like that. How can she not know what she was doing?

Then she started to take off her wet tshirt for what felt like eternity, exposing inch after inch of her pale flesh. And showed off her red bikini. Red bikini! When did she get that? She usually wear her black swimsuit. Which looked great on her, by the way. But holy fuck balls, batman! That bikini. That red against her white skin and her dark hair. Which she then proceed to wring out, water running over her hands and arms and down her delectable body. Jesse had never been so interested in the way beads of water moved before.

And the way her breasts was squashed like that, when she was wringing her hair, pale flesh straining against the wet, red fabric, her nipples standing out like little beacons.

Jesse Swanson then realised he had been staring at her too hard.

And he had a raging hard on.

He had flushed red, utterly mortified and grabbed the nearest thing he could get to hide his erection. Which happened to be Beca's towel. Of course then, she had to ask for her towel, which had put him in a very difficult position.

Thank god, she was then momentarily distracted by her hurt hand, which gave him a moment to think of what to do. But then she brought her thumb to her lips and sucked the side of it hard. And he thought he was going to lose it. He kept thinking of her mouth sucking on...oh my god. He could feel himself getting harder.

Like it was not enough torture, she had to turn and bend over to grab another towel and Jesse had an eyeful of her perfect, tight ass in that wet bikini bottom. He had to go. If he don't...oh god, he couldn't bear to think of what would happen next. And taking that moment when she was turned away, he had run off and jumped into the pool.

Jesse dipped his head into the water again because he was sure his face was red. He could feel his cheeks burning. It was not like he had not noticed Beca's... attributes.. before. He would be lying, if he said that. They grew up together, for goodness sake. Of course he had noticed one day his best friend had gotten some boobs and how pleasingly tiny her waist was, which tapered out to lovely hips...

Arghhh no. Stop it! Stop it, Swanson!

He let himself sink to the bottom of the pool, concentrating hard on other things, breathing out in bubbles slowly. Just so he could lock down feelings and thoughts he had in the past. They were just so inappropriate. When his chest burned from the effort of not breathing, he kicked up and surfaced.

He rubbed the water out of his eyes. Jesse heard a gust of breath being released on his right and a straggled "Fuck me. Would you look at that?" He glanced round noting the slack jawed expression from half a dozen boys in the pool.

His eyes automatically searched for her again and there she was, still standing there patting herself dry with the towel. Is she for real? Can she not see how every guy around the pool were watching her every move? The way she pat her arms, and her chest and the way she rub that towel across that sexy midriff and now she was leaning over to dry her legs, giving everyone an eyeful of her cleavage?

The perverts! Staring at her like that.

Jesse quickly got out of the pool, calling out to her. "Beca! Beca!"

She stopped what she was doing and stared at him, "What do you want, nerd?"

Jesse stopped short. Ok, what should he say?

" Ummm...aah...do you have anything you could put on?...because..you are already burning at the back...yeah, you'd better put your shirt on. You don't want sunburn. Remember when you were ten and you got sunburnt and it hurt like hell and started flaking..."

What is he babbling about? It's giving me a headache. Beca stared at him, "My tshirt is wet."

"Ok..here. Wear mine." Jesse quickly scooped up his cotton shirt and held it open for her to put in, while smoothly stepping in front of her, shielding her from view. She stood still for a minute like she was thinking and then grudgingly turn to put her arms through the sleeves. A general wail went up from the pool and a few cursed "Cock block!"

Jesse looked back and glared at the boys. Perverts. All of them. Hah! No free show for you. She's not some meat. Jesse was quite pleased with himself. That was quick thinking about the sunburn, Swanson.

"Jesse."

She hates getting sunburnt. Now if she only sit in the shade somewhere with his shirt on until it's time to go home.

"Jesse."

...and of course he's going to walk her home because you'd never know with this lot...

"Oi Jesse!"

"Huh? Oh what is it, Becs?"

She was looking a little worried. "How bad was my burn?"

"Wwwha..."

"My burn. On my back. How bad was it?"

Jesse recovered quickly. "Bad. It was getting red and huge and..."

She swore softly, turned to rummage in her bag and took out a tube.

"I guess I have to put this on. Help me put this on, Jesse."

She shoved the tube of after sun lotion into his hand and then took off his shirt. Jesse felt his insides freezing. She had already settled on the lounger, her perfectly fine white back to him.

She looked at him over her shoulder and then said "Hang on." One arm crooked back and her hand reached the bow at the back and pulled it loose. His eyes followed the string as it fell on the sides and he saw how she clutched the top to her front. He thought he could see a bare side boob and he couldn't breathe.

"Ummm..."

"Hurry up. I haven't got all day."

He sat down and began to squirt the lotion on his hand, all the while trying to think of other things. Anything. Anything at all. Raw turkey on a plate. Squirrel on a bicycle. Fish swimming in the sea. That somehow metamorphose into a mermaid. With a bare chest and eyes and hair like Beca.

No! No! Don't go there! Stay with the squirrel! Stay with it!

Jesse Swanson avert his eyes as he rubbed that lotion on her back, trying hard to think of something else, anything else except how smooth, warm and delicious Beca Mitchell's skin was underneath his hands.

He was in his own personal hell.


Chloe and Stacie was watching from across the pool, smirking with glee.

"Do you think she does it on purpose?" Chloe whispered, looking at how uncomfortable Jesse looked. He was sitting awkwardly, like he was trying to hide...hahaha...like he was trying to hide a boner.

"Woo. If she does, that girl is good!" Stacie replied, giggling. "But no, Beca is not devious like us."

They watched as Beca got up, tied her bikini top securely and shrugged on Jesse's shirt. She got up and walked off, leaving Jesse on the lounger, looking quite lost and regretful. Like he could not believe that he had to stop. He was staring after her as she made her way to the music station.

"And that, my dear.." Stacie said, leaning over to clink glasses with Chloe. "...is how you get out of the friend zone."


Two weeks later

Jesse walked home in the dark. Well, that went well. Yet another argument with Aubrey. He kicked a stone on the pavement in frustration. Sometimes he felt like Ken to her Barbie and like Ken, he felt like he was just some kind of accessory. He had not had fun with Aubrey for a long time. It always felt like he was on show most of the time; especially after Pukegate.

Now it seemed she was hell bent on winning Prom Queen to get her old status back. Her mad prom preparations went one level up from creepy to shit stirring scary and he had had enough. Ok, he' didn't mind matching his cummerbund or his tie to her dress but now she was asking him to dye his hair? That was bat shit crazy! He was a brunette for god's sake - there was no way he was going to dye his hair blonde to match hers.

But what he hated most, what really bothered him was the way she always trashed his less than popular friends. Laying about Benji like that. And any of his Drama buddies whom she labelled lame-os and always, always talking down about Beca. That bothered him so much they had a blistering fight just now.

He had felt sorry for her disastrous birthday party with all her posse practically abandoning her but he was finding it hard to deal with her increasing drama everyday. All the accusations, all the paranoia. He tried to be a good boyfriend. He spent as much time as possible with her, hardly seeing his other friends. He steered clear of Beca because...well, he didn't exactly know why but he did. But no, that was not enough for Aubrey and they fought all the time. He wasn't sure whether he really wanted to stay in this relationship now. He wasn't sure he was in the relationship for the right reasons.

Jesse just realised he was now outside of Beca's house. Somehow in his befuddled state he had walked to Beca's house instead of home. He knew why he subconsciously did it. Whenever he had too much on his mind in the past, he always talked it out with Beca. They will sit on that branch outside her bedroom window and she would just listen to his verbal diarrhoea, not judging him. And it always felt good afterwards; just talking to her like that. He had missed that most since they drifted apart in last few months. Hell, he just really missed her.

Perhaps she wouldn't mind him coming up to her room like old times? Jesse took one look at her room and noted the lights were on. Ok, she's still awake. He's going to do it. He's going to climb up and tap on her window and by any stroke of luck, she'll come out and talk to him. If not, he'll just make his way home.

Jesse padded softly on the grass to the tree and was about to climb when the lights in her bedroom went out. He frowned- it's a little too early. Then very slowly, her window slid open and Beca was climbing out slowly. She edged on the ledge and eased onto the branch and before long, Jesse was staring up Beca Mitchell's ass as she tried to climb down the tree.

And what a fine ass it was.

God, how could he not notice how round and tight... Holy frick! What kind of pervy thoughts is he having?

"Beca!" He called out in a loud whisper.

Now Beca who was stealing out from her house, in the middle of the night, without her mom knowing, was sure no one was about. She had timed it so it would be quiet out. She was busy concentrating on making her escape as quietly as possible. She was certainly not expecting to hear someone calling her name. Someone might as well crash a cymbal next to her ear.

She let out a yelp in surprise as she missed a footing and came crashing down.

Into Jesse Swanson's arms.

They both fall awkwardly onto the grass, he on his bum, breaking her fall. She was right on top on him and his arms flew automatically around her to steady her. A few confused minutes later, Beca then realised she was straddling him with her boobs squashed into his face.

"Jesus Christ, Jesse! You scared the hell out of me!" she started to yell a little as she straightened up, flushing beet root red. Jesse sat up with the weirdest look on his face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Beca continued.

"Umm..." Jesse cleared his throat, not entirely certain he could speak properly. He had called out to her to catch her attention just now but he must have taken her by surprise because the next thing he knew she was yelping and falling.

Of course, he had to catch her because goodness knows what will happened if he didn't. She might break her arm like when she was little. And now she was in his arms and he could not help thinking how warm and soft and tiny she was and how great she smelled. She always smelled great - that clean, sweet Beca smell that reminded him of coconut lotion and vanilla. Or strawberries, whenever she changed her shampoo. And just now, that feeling of her soft breasts...

"Jesse, let me up."

"Huh? Oh." Jesse quickly took his hands away. They had somehow weirdly slid to her hips and he had been gripping them hard. She got up and Jesse picked himself up, dusting down his jeans.

"You ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine. You broke my fall," she said. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to talk."

"Oh. OK. Not good timing. I have to go." She looked pre-occupied as she checked her pockets and took out her phone.

"Where are you going?" Jesse asked, a little suspicious now.

"A party."

"Becs, it's a school night."

"Yes, dad," Beca said with a roll of her eyes. She began walking down the pavement to the end of the street. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, looking out both ways and then she checked her phone again.

"Beca, tell me where are you going."

"Told you. A party," she muttered, not looking at him.

"Becs, I don't think this is a good idea. Where's this party? Let me come with you."

"Luke's taking me," she replied and they both heard the motorbike coming. Beca turned round and looked up at Jesse. "Listen, if anyone ask, just say I'm with you."

"Bec.."

Beca did not wait for a response. She just turned back and ran off to the waiting bike. A quick jump and she was securely on the backseat, arms around Luke and the motorbike roared away, leaving a confused Jesse at the side of the road.


No. It would not do. No. Just no.

Jesse had tried to walk back home but he stopped in his tracks. Visions of Beca being plied with spiked drinks, being manhandled by frat boys, being..oh god, no. Jesse took out his phone and quickly punched a number in.

"Donald? Hey, it's me. There's a party tonight. Where is it?"


"This is not the party, Donald!"

"What?"

"This is not the one. Beca's not here!"

Jesse was yelling to Donald above the noise. He was trying to avoid being taken into a raucous conga line and pulled Donald who was having a little too much fun, to one side.

"Relax, Jesse! Just enjoy the party." Donald said, pushing a beer cup into his hand. Jesse drank it a little impatiently.

Donald had been surprised at his call but he drove up with Bumper to pick up Jesse within fifteen minutes. "Hop in, playa!" he shouted. "Let's check out some parties." Jesse had slid into the back seat. "Check out homeboy going to parties on a school night!" Bumper said, grinning from ear to ear. Jesse just wanted to find Beca.

It seemed that Thursday is the new Friday and there was more than one party that night. They were now at the second party and Jesse still could not find her. He was raring to go but Donald and Bumper seemed to be a little reluctant to leave just as yet.

"Come on, Don. Let's go."

"Have another drink, playa," Donald said. "Relax. The night's still young and look, Bumper is just getting lucky." True enough, Bumper was sucking face with a girl in a dark corner. "Let the bro get some, Jess. You know it doesn't happen often. And by any luck, we won't have to wait long."

Jesse just gave Donald a dirty look before settling down and finishing his drink.


Party no. 4. That should do it.

What am I doing? Why am I here? Oh here's Donny. Donny will know. Donny's my bud. My best bud. I love Donny. And Bumper. They are douchebags but I love them. And Beca. I love Beca. I love her since like forever. I love her since she gave me her tuna sandwich and I love her now. She's sweet and kind and all kinds of awesome and beautiful and sweet. Did I say sweet?

Yeah.

Oh. I'm trying to find her. She might be in danger and I'm saving her. Where is she? Beca!

"Becaaaa!"

"Dude, stop shouting." Donald was trying to prop Jesse up. He gave Donald a sloppy smile before wrapping one arm around his shoulder. "Dooonnnneeeeee! You are my best bud, Donnneeee. Where's Beca? Have we found her yet? Becs! BEEECCCCSSSS!"

"Oh my god, bro. What happened to him?" Bumper came and propped Jesse up on the other side.

"What does it look like? Sonny boy here got legless, " Donald said. "He only had three beers, four shots and oh!..those are fireball shots...and something else. Yeah, that sort of add up."

"Soft...Her breasts are so soft." Jesse was muttering now. Donald and Bumper was trying hard not to laugh.

"Whose, buddy?" Bumper was saying just to egg him on.

"Beca's, man. They were so soft. And smells of coconuts. I have to find her! I lost her, boys! I lost her. And I'll never see her soft breasts again."

"Someone's kinda horny," Donald said, laughing now. "Come on, dude, let's find Beca and her coconut breasts."

"It's not just her breasts, dude. She's awesome and talented and .. I am in love with her for the longest time." Jesse declared drunkenly. "All the time I was just too scared. I'm not good enough for her, man."

"What about Aubrey? You are going out with Aubrey, Jesse."

"Who? Oh! She's cray cray, man. She tried to dye my hair blonde. Beca! BECAAAAA!"

"Are you getting all this, bro?" Donald said to Bumper, laughing quietly.

"Yeah. I got it," Bumper said, still recording blind drunk Jesse on his phone.

"Oh hey, here she comes now," Jesse was now saying happily. Donald and Bumper turned around slowly, fear clutching their chests and true enough, Beca was bearing down on them, eyes flashing, mouth set in a hard line.

"What have you two dirtballs have done to him?" Beca barked at them. Jesse was staring confusedly at her now and muttering incoherently, "Three Becas... six breasssshh..."

"He's just a little drunk, Becs and it was totally his idea."

"Becaaa! I found you!" Jesse said happily. He wrapped his arms around her neck and leant his drunken weight into the petite brunette. She grunted and staggered back a little. He pulled himself off her, placed her hands on her shoulders and peered into her face. "Are you OK, Becs? I was worried about you. Did anyone tried to rape you?"

"Dude!" Beca said, turning her face from his alcohol breath.

"We've been to a few parties looking for you, Becs. Jesse was getting frantic."

"You are ok. She's ok," Jesse was now mumbling happily, pulling Beca into a massive bear hug. "Hey, Becs, guess what? Aubrey and I had a fight. She's bat shit crazy, man. Why didn't you tell me she's crazy? You're my best friend, Becs. And guess what? I'm actually in..."

"Come on, dude!. You gotta let her breathe," Donald interrupted as he and Bumper tried to pull Jesse off her. Jesse was still for a moment and then he doubled over and threw up all over the grass.

"Jesus!" Beca said, shutting her eyes. She then glared at the two. "How did he get here?"

"I drove." Donald said cheerily. "Dunno where's my car now."

"Have you both been drinking?"

"Yep." "A few."

"Who's going to take him home?"

Both Bumper and Donald looked a little sheepish now. Beca just snorted.

"I have to finish my set and then I will be back. I'll send him home. Meanwhile, can you two fuckers try and sober him up?"


It's too bright. Far too bright. Urghhhh.

Jesse turned over and tried to pull the covers over his head. This does not feel like his bed. And this is definitely not his Star Wars blanket. Where is he?

"No trouble, Mrs. Swanson. No, he just fell asleep on the sofa. It's fine. He was here all night."

What? Was that Beca? Talking to his mom?

Jesee bolted up and immediately regretted it. His head was pounding. Jesse clutched his head in his hands, groaning. The next moment he could hear the door being opened and Beca walking in. He was then mercilessly hit over his head by a cushion.

"Ow! Becaaa."

Beca stomped over and shoved a bottle of water and some Advil into his hands.

"Take these." Beca barked at him. He obeyed immediately, popping the pills into his mouth and taking a slug of water. His head was still pounding. Beca stomped away and each stomp was like a drill into his head.

"Becs, can you keep it down?" Jesse complained, still clutching his head. He was rewarded with a pair of jeans and tshirt thrown at his head. That really hurt. And hey, it was his old Atari tshirt. He must have left it here some time back.

She thrusted a plate of toast and scrambled eggs into his hands. "Eat up."

He didn't feel like eating but he thought he'd better obey her.

"I covered your ass and told your mom you were here all night. I have to go soon. Make sure the door is locked behind you." Beca was saying to him in a cold voice.

Jesse looked at her, confused. "Where are you going? It's still early..."

Beca stopped stomping around for a moment, which was a blessed relief and then she growled at him furiously, "I had to borrow Luke's car to haul your sorry ass back here. Now he's stranded with no way to haul his kit. I have to return his car and then he had to send me to school before he goes to class. He will be late. I will be late. All because you chose to drink your heartbreak away on my turf."

"Becs.."

"Do me a favour, ok? Next time you want to drown your sorrows over Aubrey, can you do it elsewhere? I haven't got the time to babysit you."

"I wasn't ..."

"Shush! I don't want to hear anymore! You are just trouble, Jesse Swanson. And I had enough of you."

With a final fierce glare, Beca walked out of the room. Jesse heard the sound of a car being started and driven away. He then just slumped back onto the sofa and closed his eyes, feeling utterly miserable.


A/N I know. I know. This was meant to be a three-shot but I keep getting more and more ideas on how to torture Jesse. Sorry folks, it's going to be longer than a three-shot. Thank you for your reviews and follows