Beca turned a little in her sleep. She shifted her head, smiling against the warmth and softness against her cheek. It was lovely - like a soft, well washed, favourite tshirt. She rubbed her cheek further into that comforting softness, feeling contented. She was about to drift further in to sleep when she heard a soft sigh. And then that warm pillow shifted under her cheek.

Her eyes flew open.

She was not in her house.

She was not in her room.

And she was definitely not in her bed.

Yet she did not feel like she was in any danger. It felt familiar and warm and safe. So much so that sleep began to tug her back to dreamland and drowsiness overtook her. Her eyelids fluttered shut.

"Beca..."

Every dreg of sleep clinging to her mind evaporated into thin air. And now Beca realised where she was. And what this warm pillow underneath her cheek was. Beca kept very still until she heard his breathing evened out. She slowly raised her head off Jesse's really comfortable shoulder and peeked up.

He was fast asleep. He must have murmured her name out in his sleep. Even in the half darkness of the room, she could make out that soft smile on his lips. His perfect bow-shaped lips curving ever so slightly. And she had this urge to trace those lips with her fingers.

She reached out slowly and very, very gently traced his lips. His smile widened under her touch and the smallest sigh escaped. Beca thought she woke him up but he was pulled deeper into sleep, his body relaxing. She was then aware of the heaviness of his arm around her and the way she was pressed against his body.

Beca was not entirely sure what she should do. She glanced at the alarm clock on the side table and the luminous digits read 2.00 am. It was too late to walk home alone. Besides, if she tried to sneak out, he might wake up and insist he'll drive her back. She should really stay. But to sleep beside him like this?

This is stupid. It's not like you never fall asleep next to him like this.

Yeah. But when was the last time? Pre-Aubrey, was it?

Just calm the fuck down. Don't freak out.

I am not freaking out.

A little heat went up her cheeks when she could feel 'him' pressed against her thigh.

I am SO freaking out.

Shut up. It's totally innocent. Unless...you don't want it to be.

Actually, it felt quite good lying against him like this. He was warm and comfortable and that cologne he used smelled wonderful. Sometimes she forgot what a totally hot body he had, from all that sports he did. Not steroid pumped or built like a fridge like those silly football jocks but long, lean muscles that felt hard to touch. Her hand had absentmindedly trailed down from tracing his lips to his shoulder and down his back. Almost like it had a mind of its own, her hand traced the hem of his soft tshirt before slipping underneath.

She almost moaned at the warmth and smoothness of his skin. She stroked that length of muscle up his back, bunching up his tshirt. Jesse made a contented sound deep in his throat and he suddenly moved, lying on his back. Beca's hand was now under his shirt, on top of his defined abs.

Beca had froze, thinking he had woken up but that nerd still slept like a log.

Seriously? What does it take to wake him up?

Beca grinned evilly, a plan forming in her mind. So he called her out when she tried to tease him, huh? And threw her off her own bed? Well, it's payback time. She was going to freak him out. Freak him out so bad he'll be scarred for life. Muahahahahahaha.

Now, perhaps a touch here?

Her fingers trailed up and down those hard abs. Damn! That felt fine. Beca quirked an eyebrow as the pads of her fingers made contact with the little soft hairs on his abs, leading down his happy trail. She flattened her hand, gently rubbing his belly.

Another soft sigh went up from him but he was still fast asleep.

The tips of her fingers were just at the waistband of his sweat pants. Dare she do it? It would freaked him out so much. Haha! Great payback for earlier this evening. And all that teasing about needing to practice on his hard on. Mmm. Actually that was quite an impressive tent in his pants just then. She had just glanced down automatically and she had been quite impressed.

Eh. All eighteen year old boys are horny - Beca surmised - Now should I do it? Should I? It would be just so easy to slip my hand in. Just like that. He would freak out BIG time.

Umm...not the right time to use the word 'big' Becs!

Her fingers worried the waistband for a moment and then she chickened out.

Surely there must be another way to wake this nerd up and freak him out.

She shifted a little, burying her face into the side of his chest. God, that felt good. Hard muscle underneath that soft tshirt.

Concentrate, Beca! You are supposed to game him! Not get turned on!

Oh, what do we have here? Maybe this would wake him up.

Beca breathed out on the outline of his nipple on that tshirt.

No. No effect.

Jeez.

Maybe a little nip?

She gently nipped it through the tshirt.

A low groan.

And that was it. He turned a little towards her but was still asleep, now snoring a little.

Beca let out a frustrated breath. She was not going to back this time. Why the hell is he not waking up? That's it. Time NOT to be a chicken.

Beca inched her hand down over his sweat pants and gently grazed her knuckles over the outline of his dick. Hee hee. He's going to freak out. He's going to jump awake and swear at her. And she would laugh so hard. Hee hee hee. Now her hand definitely had a mind of its own because it was now splayed over his dick and she was squeezing his junk. Hard.

Jesse jumped a little and moved.

"Aubrey! Don't! I don't like it!"

His hand batted hers out of the way and protectively covered his junk. Beca's mouth fell opened. Because his eyes were still shut and he mumbled something or another that sounded like "Aarrrrgghh", "Don't" and "Too much. Teeth," before sinking back to sleep.

She so badly wanted to laugh. She was shaking so hard from not laughing. Oh dear god, what did that skank whore did to this poor boy? He must have thought he was going to lose his junk at some point. But he was asleep.

Beca hoisted herself up slowly and lie down on top of him. His arms automatically went around her, squeezing her close. She frowned down on his sleeping face. Man, this is frustrating. He was not waking up.

He was breathing gently and looked so peaceful; his eyelashes dark against his skin. She could not help smiling down at him. Beca tucked her face into the crook of his neck, underneath his jaw, inhaling his warm, spicy scent. It just felt so right. All thoughts about freaking him out forgotten. She thought she could hear the pump of his pulse. She closed her eyes for a moment. His head moved a little and she could feel his lips grazing along her top of her head.

And that little move set her on fire.

She did not know why she did it but she was now placing light kisses along his neck and his jaw. The feel of his hard body underneath her. The way he was still holding on tight to her even in sleep. And the low sighs coming out of him. She was definitely on fire.

"Becs..."

Beca stopped her trail of kisses and looked at him. His eyes were opened, looking for a minute confused and sleep addled.

"What are you doing?"

His voice was still rough from sleep.

"Trying to wake you up."

"Were you kissing me?"

She could not speak for a moment. He didn't actually jump up and freak out like she thought. He was looking up at her, his eyes dark and questioning.

"Yes," she finally croaked out.

"Thank god..." he breathed out. "I thought I was dreaming."

And he reached up and kissed her hard on her lips. His hands moved up her back, pulling her in, bringing her much closer to him so he could deepen the kiss even more.

She was helpless. Her head was spinning at the taste of him. The softness of her mouth. At the demanding way he was pulling her deeper into the kiss. Her tongue darted into his mouth and he groaned lowly, clutching her even tighter. When it got too hard to breathe, she broke the kiss but it was only a moment before he greedily found her lips again.

"What are we doing, Becs?" he murmured between kisses. She found it hard to answer him back because he kept on kissing her.

"I..I don't know," she whispered, in between those ardent kisses. "But.. Don't Stop. Just...just don't."

He rolled her over and Beca felt the sweet weight of him on top of her, pressing her into the mattress. That moan escaped from her lips before she could stop it. His kisses became more urgent like he had been bottling this need for the longest time. And she was powerless to stop him. She didn't really want to stop him.

He was kissing her on her neck now, gently biting into that soft, sensitive flesh. And she could not help the way her hands were clawing his back. His hands were now restless on her ribcage. She moved his hand to the buttons on her blouse and he audibly gasped against her neck. His hand undid one button and seemed to froze. She impatiently undid a few more and when his hand slipped into her blouse, his warm hand over her breast, she sighed against his ear.

"Beca..." he groaned. "What are you doing to me?

He undid the rest of the buttons and raised himself up to look at her. She was flushed and her hair was in disarray. Her lips felt bruised from all that kissing and she was breathing hard.

"God, you are so beautiful." he rasped out. It took him another moment before his head descended onto her breasts.

He was moaning so loud against that soft flesh. His hands busy touching and squeezing and stroking. His mouth was kissing and nibbling her skin. And when that was not enough, his mouth seek her hard nipple. His hands yanked the bra cups down and Beca groaned with pleasure at the feel of his tongue and his soft mouth. The twin feeling of his mouth and his fingers on her nipples; she was unravelling fast. That fire was spreading from her wet core to the rest of her body and she was unconsciously grinding her hips up to meet his.

Dear God, he felt hard. And huge.

Jesse was whispering her name against her skin endlessly now, pushing hard into her core. Oh god, that pressure on her core. It felt incredible. And when he began to move against her, she thought she would explode.

"Harder, Jesse. Oh god, that's good." she breathed out.

"Oh god, say my name again."

"Jesse."

His breath hitched and he ground harder into her.

"Oh god, Jesse..."

"Beca.."

She was so close. She was going to explode. The heavy weight of him. The hardness of him. She was going to...

Beca bolted up.

What the fuck? Where is she? It was morning? The sun was making her eyes hurt. She was awake. And she was in Jesse's bed, alone. Beca rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of what had happened. Her body was still tingling. Was she dreaming? Did she just had a horny sex dream? She was dreaming? Goddamnit!

"Hey, you are awake."

Beca started and sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest. Oh. She was fully dressed. Jesse was standing at the doorway, bare chest with a towel around his waist. He had another towel in his hand, rubbing his wet hair vigourously.

Beca took one look at that bare chest and looked away immediately. He came over, humming a little and then sat next to her, smiling. Then suddenly he rubbed his wet hair into her, laughing loudly. Beca screamed a little and batted his head away, swearing loudly at him. He just continued laughing before getting up and moving to his dresser.

"What's wrong with you?!" Beca yelled a little, drying her wet hands on the duvet.

"Get up, sleepy head! We are going to be late."

"What time is it?"

"Not enough time. Hurry up and get washed."

"I was asleep all night?"

"Yeah. That's why you are still here." Jesse turned around to look at her. "You were noisy and restless in your sleep, man. I almost hit you with a pillow."

Beca was colouring a little now. Umm... did she had those kind of dreams the whole night? Was she moaning and writhing in her sleep?!

"And you talk in your sleep. Loudly."

Well, that could be embarrassing. Did she said something she shouldn't? Should she ask him?

Ermm..no.

Beca looked down - she must looked like a mess. Yesterday's make up, yesterday's outfit and ugh her panties were wet. From that dream. Ugh.

"Becs, can you look away?"

Beca snapped back to the room. Was she staring at him? Jesse was standing by his dresser, hand on the top of his towel, looking a little flushed.

"Why?"

"Just look away, will you? I'm trying to get dressed."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'm naked underneath this..."

Oh.

She quickly looked away and covered her eyes, just to be on the safe side.

"Are you decent now?" she snarked back. "I don't want my retinas burnt."

She could hear him chuckling. "Yeah. You can look."

"Not looking." she said firmly, removing her hands away and opening her eyes. He had his back to her, now only dressed in low slung jeans. Good thing too. Because he could not see how Beca's eyes were roving on that bare back - wide shoulders tapering to slim hips. She was not looking. Honest.

What the fuck, Beca? Get your head together!

Beca got up. "Ugh. I need to go home and change. Drop me at home, please."

Jesse looked at her over his shoulder. "Yeah. You are a mess, Becs. You look like a panda. A very small panda."

"Gee, thanks." She said sarcastically. Any thoughts that she looked hot waking up was all gone now. Beca walked over to the dresser and elbowed her way in front of him, opening the top drawer.

"Don't you have any of my clothes in here?" she whined a little, rifling through the clothes in the drawer.

"Whoa easy there. I might have..umm.. private stuff in there!" Jesse said, trying to bat her hands away.

"Please! Like I don't know where you keep your porn stash."

"Becs!"

"2nd drawer on your side table. Plus you have a copy of Hustler underneath your mattress. Don't even talk about the stuff on your laptop."

"Becs!" Jesse said, sounding shocked.

"Actually, you are right." he continued, a little surprised.

"Hey, what's this doing here?" Beca picked up a photo frame from inside the drawer.

It was a silver frame and had a photo of both of them, when they were sixteen. When they had gone to Disney World. He had Mickey Mouse ears on and grinning widely while she was scowling as usual; totally displeased and perhaps wondering how in the world did Jesse Swanson managed to persuade her to put Mickey Mouse ears on. His arm was around her when the snap was taken. They had just gotten off It's a Small World ride for the sixth time and Beca was ready to kill him.

Jesse took that photo frame out of her hands.

"Yeah. I had to put it away. Aubrey complained so much about it."

"Why didn't you just get rid of it?"

Jesse didn't answer. He just frowned at her and placed the photo frame where it belonged. On top of the dresser. Where he can see it everyday when he was getting ready.

Beca turned back to the drawer, trying to find a tshirt she could change to. He was still behind her and trying to reach into the drawer at the same time. Beca turned around after fishing out one of his tshirts and found herself face to face with his bare chest, his arms circling her, his hands rummaging in the drawer.

"W..what are you doing?" Beca squeaked. His skin was cool from the shower but she felt like she could combust. The vestiges of that horny dream she had was still tugging at her mind and she felt that familiar heat underneath her belly.

"Trying to get dressed." Jesse was looking down at her, his face confused. He took a tshirt out of the drawer. "Are you ok, Becs? You are a bit weird this morning."

"Umm. yeah. I'm ok."

"You sure? You looked flushed."

"I..I'm fine."

Jesse placed his cool hand on her forehead.

"Are you coming down with something? You are burning."

"Aah..umm.."

She was looking up at him, aware how flushed her cheeks were. She was horny. There were no two ways to say it. She was horny and she wanted nothing more than to wrestle him to the ground right now.

What the fuck? Why the hell is she so horny? This is Jesse! Her best friend!

It must be all that blowjob conversation they had yesterday leading to that horny dream, leading to this hot mess she was in now. It was all totally HIS fault. Now he was just standing there, with his bare hard chest. And those low slung jeans. Looking down at her, his eyes soft from concern. His hand now cradling her cheek.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

His voice was a low whisper as he moved fractionally forward. She was boxed in, her back against the dresser. She was staring up at him, her eyes flickering between his dark eyes and his full lips, slightly parted. His hand was now stroking her cheek gently.

"Kids! Breakfast's ready!" Mrs. Swanson's voice hollered up the stairs through the open door.

Jesse fell back a step, his face creasing a little. Beca quickly straightened up and stepped out of his arms.

"Beca! I've made your favourite! Chocolate chip pancakes!" Mrs. Swanson continued.

Beca just stared at Jesse. "Your mom knew I'm here?"


Later on that day

Beca yawned a little as she rubbed her eyes. The day had been a bit weird. Breakfast was a bit awkward, with Mrs. Swanson clucking around her and piling one pancake after another on Beca's plate. Jesse had been amused, looking at the way his mom doted on Beca. She even made her a packed lunch and Jesse had bet that it was a better lunch than his. He had dropped her at her house and waited while she quickly changed and grabbed her bag.

Jesse was his usual sunny self, singing out loud and talking one nonsense after another while she got progressively moody at all his cheerfulness. He had walked her to class, arguing good-naturedly with her all the way. Then he popped up during lunch, and Chloe, Benji and Stacie had let him squeezed onto their table, crowding into her. He had rudely rifled through the lunch his mom packed for her, exultant that he was right. His mom did packed her a better lunch.

He was just so annoying. And always there. And far too cheerful. Hah! It was easy for him. He did not have all these horny dreams like she did. God, that dream! And that bit against his dresser that morning? Did they just had a moment there?

Beca steadfastly shook that thought away.

For goodness sake! They were friends. They just got back to good speaking terms without all that awkwardness. He just got out of a relationship. She was with Luke. Who she had strong feelings for.

So there.

That was it.

No more thinking of moments.

Or dreams.

Yep.

Final.

So stop thinking about Jesse now, would you, Becs?

Beca glanced at her watch. The girls should be here by now. Beca could not believe Chloe and Stacie talked her into doing a makeover. Yet again. How many times was it already?

Her phone buzzed.

Luke : Hey baby. Had a great time last night.

Beca : Yeah. Me too.

Luke : Sorry I had to leave early. It sucks. Wish I could spend the night with you.

Beca : It's ok.

Luke : Did you sleep well? I tried calling you last night and this morning.

Beca : Slept over at Jesse's.

Once she pressed 'Send', Beca was a little unsure. Most guys would freak out if their girlfriends were to spend a night over a guy's place. No matter if that guy was only a friend. Her phone buzzed back.

Luke : Cool.

Beca : You ok with that?

Luke : Yeah.

Luke : Did you think about what I said last night?

Beca : Yeah, I did.

Luke : Can't wait to see you soon. Miss you lots, baby.

"Becaaaaa! Get in!" Chloe's car drove up to her and Stacie was hollering from the passenger seat.

Beca : GTG. The girls are here. Ugh.

Luke's answering text was a long line of laughing emojis. Beca smiled, pushed her phone into her pocket and got into the car, resigned to a fate of yet another makeover.


A few days before prom

Aubrey Posen was already regretting this, She had been very careful not to be seen with him after their agreement. He was the one who suggested that and she was more than willing to agree. It would not do to be seen with him.

Now he had asked to meet up at the usual place and Aubrey had to fight down that inevitable chunder threatening to explode from her mouth.

No. It's fine. Prom was in a few days. She will be Prom Queen and all this would not matter.

"I thought you said we shouldn't be seen together!" Aubrey hissed as she tug the hoodie lower over her head.

"Relax. We are fine."

"What do you want?"

"Heard you are looking for something. I have it for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He opened his palm and showed it to her. Aubrey broke into a huge smile and was about to reach over to take it when he closed his palm tight. "It's not free, babe."

"How much you want for it?" Aubrey said, reaching for her purse.

"Just the usual."

Aubrey regarded him for a long second before shrugging her shoulders. "Very well then."

She the unzipped her hoodie.


Prom Night

He was nervous. He was really nervous.

Why the hell is he so nervous? There was absolutely no need to.

Jesse pressed the doorbell. Well, that was a bit alien. Usually he just walked in with his key or climb that tree next to her window. He had not pressed the bell to her house for years.

"Oh here you are, Jesse." Beca's mother answered the door, smiling at the visibly nervous Jesse.

"Umm...hi Mrs. Mitchell..um..Rosie...Mrs. Rosie," he stuttered. "I've come for..."

"Coooeee! Rosie!" Mrs. Swanson was barreling up the pathway, huge grin on her face, hands waving a camera. "Isn't this exciting?"

Beca's mom was laughing at how embarrassed Jesse looked and stepped to one side to let them both in.

"Ma..."

"Shush, Jesse. Where's Beca, Rosie?"

"Just getting ready."

"Oooooo... She's going to walk down the stairs? And Jesse is going to wait at the bottom all dumbstruck at how beautiful she looked? Damn, I should have brought the videocam!"

"Ma...please."

Jesse was rubbing his temples with one hand. Honestly, his mom watched too many movies. And that was coming from a movie nerd like him.

"Straighten up, Jesse. Stand here. No, stand here. The light is better."

Jesse was now being subjected to his mom's straightening his bow tie and jacket and smoothing down his curls. And being pulled one way or another to position him for the photo taking.

"Where's everyone?"

They whirled around to see Beca standing by the doorway, trying to fix her earring. She was in that stunning silver dress, her brunette hair swept up and cascading in loose curls behind her. Her make-up perfect.

No, she's perfect - Jesse thought. - She was perfect. And beautiful. And she was not his.

She was just standing there, looking at everyone quizzically. Jesse tried to say something but he couldn't. Not when she took away his breath like this.

"Stacie and Benji here yet? Where's Chloe?" she asked, looking towards the door.

"Aah..ummm..." He started and then gave up. He could only stare at her.

"Hey, Mrs. Swanson. You came!" Beca came over to give Mrs. Swanson a hug.

"Oh Beca, you looked gorgeous!" Mrs. Swanson was actually sniffing a little, her eyes a little wet. "Jesse! Say something!"

"Aaah..Umm..yes."

He was still stuttering.

"Oh god, Rosie! We miss the big entrance!" Mrs. Swanson said in horror. "Beca, be a doll and come down the stairs so I can take a photo."

Beca raised her eyebrows and looked at Jesse. He just shrugged his shoulders and gave her a pleading look. For the next ten minutes, Beca went up and down the stairs multiple times as their moms took photo after photo.

"Ok, corsage now, Jesse!"

Beca was now giving him a WTF look.

"Umm...Benji and the girls thought I should get you one," he lamely said, waving the spray of white and purple orchids at her. "It's one of them pin ones."

He stepped forward, nervously holding out the corsage. She was smiling for the camera but as he leaned forward to pin it, she hissed lowly, "What the hell is happening? Where's the others? I thought we are all going together in your car."

"Chloe had to go early. Benji is bringing Stacie in his new car. So here I am."

"Your mom thinks you asked me to the prom?"

"Umm.. Yeah."

"I'm going to kill you."

"I know."

"Jesse, you blocked the way!" Mrs. Swanson was saying. "Do it again."

Another five minutes of that before the final couple photos.

"Go on, Jess! Put your arm around her, for goodness sake!"

"Ma..."

"Like I don't know what you teens are up to in your room."

"Ma!"

That's it. He was officially embarrassed now. He could feel his cheeks burning. But on the plus side, Beca was trying hard not to laugh at his discomfort. Her eyes were crinkling and there was a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. He had to smile looking down at that very Beca expression. She turned her head to look up at him and they both grinned.

Mrs. Swanson captured that moment for eternity.


"Ok. Explain."

Jesse was quiet as he got in into the driver's seat after closing the door to her side. Their moms were waving from the porch. Mrs. Swanson was honking into her hanky and even Beca's mom was wiping away tears from her eyes.

"Hang on." Jesse said, making a big show and being extra careful with starting the car and driving away. He was still quiet.

"What the hell, Jesse?" Beca said impatiently.

"Told you. Chloe had to go early. What with her being in the committee, counting the votes and all that."

"And Benji & Stacie?"

"He's driving her. They are an item, Becs. You know that."

"What? Since when?" Beca said in surprise.

"Two? Three weeks? He asked her to the prom and they are now dating."

"Huh."

"Yeah." Jesse agreed.

Despite what people thought, Benji was damn sight braver than him.

"Ok, need to ask Stacie how Benji performed. Need to know whether I trained him well," Beca laughed.

"Ugh! Becs!" Jesse yelped. "Ugggghhh. You girls are gross."

"Eh." Beca shrugged. "Hey, this isn't the way to the restaurant."

"Yep."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Oh my god! Why are you so nosy tonight?"

"After that subterfuge with our moms back there? I am NOT going to trust you, Jesse Swanson," Beca said, waving her arms wildly, nearly hitting Jesse in the face. "You might kill me and hide my body in the woods!"

"Dial down the drama, Becs," Jesse laughed. "We are here."

Beca looked out. Oh, they were at their usual spot. The one overlooking the town. The sun was going to set soon and the lights would go up in about fifteen minutes. How did she not noticed he had driven them up here?

Jesse got out of the car, went round and opened her door. She was still sitting down, looking at him warily.

"Aren't you coming out?"

"Why should I?"

Jesse sighed, opened the door to the backseat and pulled out two cooler bags. He opened one, removed a covering towel and then Beca could smell it. It smelled glorious and she drooled.

"I got your favourite burrito."

Jesse grinned when she got out and instantly grabbed the cooler. He whipped out a picnic mat, spreading it carefully on the ground before unpacking the coolers. He sat down and beckoned to Beca, who was still standing to one side.

"So. We are not going to a fancy restaurant?" she said.

"If you want to, I still have reservations," Jesse replied, smiling up at her.

Beca huffed, walked over and sat down next to him. "I'm a cheap date."

Jesse laughed and handed her burrito over.

"If this ruins my dress, I am going to kill you," Beca threatened. "For realz."

"Got that covered," Jesse said, handing a huge ass bib, napkins and a plate over to her. "We know what a slob you are."

She settled down and once she was sure her dress was safe, she attacked the burrito with gusto. Jesse produced plastic champagne flutes and a small bottle of champagne from the cooler and poured a cold glassful of the bubbly liquid for her.

"Champagne AND burritos? Why, Mr. Swanson, you spoil me!" Beca said.

"Yeah. I'm so fancy."

"You are not drinking?"

"Nope. Got my juice pouch." Jesse grinned, waving one at her.

They ate in silence for a while, watching the sunset.

"So Benji and Stacie, huh?"


"What time is it? Should we go?" Beca whispered. They had finished their meal quickly and she had just that one glass. They had chatted and laughed and gossiped a little. They were now just lounging on the mat, leaning against each other, eating grapes and strawberries in turn. Beca felt quite happy and contented actually.

"Just one more thing." Jesse said, he leaned back and reached into the cooler again. When she turned to him, he was grinning widely, holding a small cake with a candle in his hand.

"What? You said cake with candle is fine," he said, seeing that expression on her face. "This is the tiniest cake I could find, Becs. There's not even room for eighteen candles!"

He was incorrigible.

"Ok." Beca laughed at him. "I hope it's chocolate."

"Dark chocolate fudge cake. Triple layer and not the cheap, sugary stuff."

"You remembered," Beca said. She was not an easy person to please and she knew that. That he remembered was a little touching.

Jesse was busy trying to light a candle.

"Trust me, Becs," he said softly. "When it comes to you, I remember everything."

He looked up at that precise moment, straight into her eyes. The candle was suffusing his face with the softest glow and Beca never seen him looked more serious. They were staring at each other for a long moment. The flame wavered a little and Jesse looked down worriedly.

"Now make a wish," he said, smiling and offering the cake to her. She shut her eyes for a moment before blowing the candle out.


"God, this is good cake," Beca said.

"See? You could have proper sized one."

"Gimme the rest of it. It's my birthday!"

Jesse chuckled as she snatched the rest of the cake away. He offered her more napkins to wipe the frosting off her mouth,

"My make up is ruined!" Beca groaned, wiping her mouth. "Between the burrito and that cake, there goes my make-up."

"You still look amazing, Becs."

"You are my best friend. Of course you are going to say that!"

Jesse laughed. "Ok. Yes. But as a guy, let me just say. You look beautiful tonight, Beca."

Beca turned to look at him. He was staring yet again at her and she did not know why but her heart was beating so fast. There was this pregnant pause between them and she was not sure what was happening.

"I'm sorry about just now." Jesse said suddenly.

"Huh? Sorry about what?"

He was looking a little unsure now and looked away, over the twinkling lights.

"Back there. With my mom. And all that. Sorry about that."

"Oh. Don't worry about that. I was just a little surprised. But I rolled with it."

"Yeah." He chuckled. "Yeah, you did."

They got up and Jesse busied himself packing up their picnic. He straightened up and stood close to her.

"The thing is.." he started, running his hand through his hair.

"What, dude?"

"I've been meaning to ask you. To the prom, that is."

Ok. It's out. A little late. But it's out.

"Why didn't you just ask?" Beca was staring at him, incredulous.

"Umm.. I don't know. A bit scared?" Jesse replied lamely. "And then everyone sort of decide we should all go together."

"You are silly." Beca rolled her eyes. "Dude, it's only me. You can ask me anything."

"So...you'll go to prom with me? As my date?"

Beca shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Weeeeeell, I'm already dressed for it. And you've already bought me a corsage. And this awesome picnic. Eh. Why not?"

Jesse chuckled at that as he popped the coolers into the booth. He never felt happier.

"Ok. Let's go then."

"Yeah, let's go," Beca said, opening the door to her seat and slipping in. "Besides, I happened to be working at that particular prom venue later anyways. I might as well go with you."

And there it was. That little prick that deflated his happiness. Of course. He had forgotten it for that few happy minutes. When she said yes she'll go to the prom with him. He had forgotten she would be doing the dance music later. With her DJ boyfriend, Luke.


A/N. I know. I know. Yet another dream. I am a bad, bad person.