A/N : Trigger warning. Jesse kissed someone other than Beca. Just so you know and don't send me evil computer virus or something.


Chapter 14

"This going to be the best summer EVAH!" Jesse yelled out loud. He was smiling happily, humming a song under his breath while one hand was drumming the accompaniment on the steering wheel. It was hard not to be happy. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and he was in his car with his best friends.

"Oi! Oi! Be careful!" Stacie shouted. Jesse had swerved a little to avoid a bump and Stacie had to scramble for a hold in the passenger seat. He just laughed at the annoyed looks Stacie was throwing him.

"Are we there yet?" Beca whined from the back seat.

Stacie had complained riding in the back made her sick and shouted shotgun before they set off. Beca did not mind it being at the back, really. She was tiny enough to sprawl all over the seat, had full access to their snacks hoard and had fun staring intently at Jesse in the rear view mirror until he freaked out. So far the score is 2-0 to Beca.

"Yes, we are," Jesse sang out.

"What? Really?"

"No, you idiot! Of course we are not there yet."

Beca just scowled and slumped back into her seat.

"What's wrong, short stuff? Do you need another pee break?" Stacie said, laughing. "Told you not to drink all that sweet tea."

"I'm really boooooorrrrreed," Beca said in disgust. "I can't believe you guys made me go all the way to Chloe's."

"What are you talking about, Becs?" Jesse said. "We do this every year."

They were on their way to Chloe's mom childhood home a few hours drive away and somehow, spending a long weekend there had became their annual thing. The place was huge - the house itself a mansion, surrounded by acres of land. There was always something to do. They either spent their days down by the nearby creek, fishing or splashing about in the cool water. There were paddocks and a stable with the few horses Mrs. Beale still insisted on keeping and an orchard, groaning with fruit. Days could either pass either with them shrieking like banshees running from one mischief to another or in warm and hazy contentment, feeling far too lazy to venture far from the pool and too full from all that yummy food.

It was not a bad way to spend a few days.

They had been doing that every year. Every year since they were twelve. But somehow they knew perhaps things were changing. Already Benji could not come this year, having to travel around Europe with his parents. Things would be very different when they all go to college and go their separate ways.

They were a little quiet now in the car. Jesse was concentrating on the road and Beca was trying to freak him out again when Stacie said softly, "This sucks. I'm going to miss you guys, come September. Why did I not just go to BU like the rest of you?"

"Because BU is not exactly the same as Berkeley," Beca said, sitting up and resting her head against the driver's head rest. Stacie shot her a dirty look like she could not believe Beca was being mature and reasonable for once.

"We can still Skype," Jesse chimed in. "We can all Skype you from BU."

"Eh. It's not the same like seeing your ugly faces in the flesh," Stacie scowled moodily.

"We get it, Stace," Jesse said, grinning a little. "You are going to miss Benji."

Stacie was silent. She drew out her nail file from her cleavage and began to file her already perfect nails. "Umm...yeah. About that. Benji and I; we are no longer a thing."

"WHAT?" "What the fuck?"

"For fuck's sake, Jess! Are you trying to kill us!?" Stacie yelled as car swerved again. Jesse quickly gained control of the car and kept his eyes straight. Beca was just staring at Stacie, not quite knowing what to say.

"What the fuck happened?" Beca finally found the words.

Stacie shrugged. "Oh you know. We are going to be in different states. It's college. It's unfair for me to hold him back. We are not meant to be, really." They were silent and Stacie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Guys, Benji and I talked about this before he left for Europe and we are good. We are both good."

"Okay." Beca said, sounding unconvinced.

"No. Really, we are. It was sweet while it lasted, " Stacie said, smiling a little. "Just promise me one thing, ok, guys. Take care of him, will you?"

"We'll promise," Jesse piped up, giving Stacie a dimpled smile. "We'll look out for him in Barden, won't we, Becs?" He briefly try to catch her eye in the review mirror. Beca just slumped back on her seat and whined pathetically, "Are we theeeerrreee yet?"


At Chloe's

"You've made it!" Chloe squealed as soon as Jesse's car came to a stop and the girls got out. Chloe was excitedly jumping up and down, trying to hug both Stacie and Beca at the same time. "What took you so long? Amy was here hours ago."

"Amy? Amy's here?" squeaked Beca excitedly. She turned wildly towards the house and right at that moment, Fat Amy coolly strolled out, adjusting her sunglasses. She tipped her head to Beca. "Whaddup shorty?"

"Amy!" Beca and Stacie straightaway fell on that blonde girl.

"When did you get here?" "Oh my god, aren't you supposed to be in Tasmania?" "No, didn't you get that movie part in London?" "Amyyyy, this is so great!"

"Whoa..girls! Keep it cool. It's all cool." Amy said, amused at the endless stream of questions. "I thought I check in for a few days with my girls; before college starts and seniors like me have to pretend not to know freshman squirts like you."

"Wait. How did you get here?" Stacie suddenly asked. "I thought your car got totalled during Spring Break."

"Oh. That. Ummmm...ummmm..."

"Oh no, you didn't!" Beca said. "Did you get a lift from them? They are both here? Are they both..."

"Douche bag!" "Swanson!"

Beca need not finish her question. They turned round and sure enough, Bumper and Donald were there by Jesse's car, high-fiving Jesse who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Chloe! You didn't tell us Bumper and Donald are coming!"

"Oh Beca. Why not?They are fun. It's going to be fun," Chloe replied, turning to look at the boys. They were joined by two more boys from the soccer team. Chloe grinned and clapped her hands happily. "This is going to be totally awesome!"


A little later

The first day at Chloe's was always excitable. Jesse and Beca never could quite agree on what they should do first. After saying hello to Mrs. Beale and thanking her for having them, they had stowed away their luggage in their respective rooms, before meeting up at the pool at back of the house.

"Come on, Becs. The boys wanna go fishing. It'll be fun," Jesse implored.

"Dude, no," Beca grimaced. "The last time we went fishing you guys just sat round drinking beers for the longest time."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It was boring. I had to push you into the river to make things interesting."

"Yeah. And you scared my fish away," Jesse replied, looking annoyed. "I nearly got him too. He was huge."

"Please! It was a minnow!"

"Nope. He was - this - big."

"Nope. A minnow, " Beca said adamantly. "How do you even know it was a male fish anyway?"

"Everyone knows how spot a male fish!" Jesse replied, rolling his eyes. He then grinned. "Come to the creek with me and I'll show you."

"Dude, no. I am staying by the pool. I'm not going to spend hours with you looking out for fish dicks!"

Lying on the sun lounger by the pool, Amy looked at the both of them arguing like an old married couple from behind her sunglasses. "So, anything happened yet?" she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

Both Chloe and Stacie shook their head.

"I swear these two are impossible!" Chloe actually facepalmed herself. "I think something happened. I am not entirely sure. Beca mentioned Jesse said something on the roof; that time when crazy Aubrey nearly jumped. When I pressed for more, she just clammed up."

"Dude, he told her he loves her!" Stacie said, sitting up.

"What!? Oh. My. God." "Strewth!"

They exclaimed so loud that both Jesse and Beca stopped arguing and turned towards them. The girls just feigned nonchalance and they turned back to continue their. argument.

"He did what?" Chloe whisper-yelled.

"Told her he loves her. Benji told me," Stacie replied. "But then Perfect Luke suddenly appeared and stuck next to her and that's it. Jesse thought she made her choice."

"I bet Beca thought he didn't mean it!" Chloe was whisper-wailing in frustration. "See how impossible this is, Amy?"

"Hmm. It's a good thing you guys called me," Amy said thoughtfully. She looked at both of them still arguing, tapped a quick message into her phone and popped it back down her cleavage again.


Down at the creek

"How did this happen? How in the world did you manage to persuade me to come here? I was dead set on the pool," Beca said crossly. She really didn't know how Jesse Swanson did what he did but he somehow managed to confuse her and instead of lying on a sun lounger with a cool tall drink by her side, she was here with him, by the creek, swatting away bugs.

"Shhh! Becs, you are scaring the fishes away," Jesse grumbled, lightly casting the tackle in the air before bringing it closer and catching the hook. "Now, are you going to help me with the bait?"

Beca screwed her face in disgust as she hooked the worm on. "Eww. How did I end up here? Why did I choose to come here with you, hooking slimy worms when I could be lying by the pool?"

"Because you love me really."

Beca stiffened a little until she saw that teasing grin on his face. Oh. He's joking. She scowled a little deeper and continued her complaints. "Where's Bumper and Donald? You said they'll be here."

"I don't know," Jesse said, looking a little puzzled now. "They did say to meet here."

He shrugged his shoulders and casted his line into the creek. Once it settled, he took out a cold beer from the cooler and handed it over to Beca. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just the soothing sound of the rippling water, the buzz of the insects and a bird call or two around them. Jesse was feeling rather content and he turned to look at Beca. "Come on, Becs, This is nice. I hardly get to spend time with you lately."

That was true. What with Luke hanging round the place and what with graduation, they didn't have a moment to hang out alone. Graduation had been a blur of celebratory parties, photos and yet more photos. Beca did not want to say it but graduating high school had filled her with a mixture of relief yet sadness. It was a strange combination. After all those hectic days, it was rather nice to spend some quiet time with her best friends.

"So. Where's Luke?" Jesse casually asked.

Beca stared a little at Jesse who was busy checking his line.

"Somewhere. Why?"

"He can't make it?"

"Chloe didn't invite him."

"Oh." Jesse looked up at her in surprise. "Why didn't you just ask her? You know she will."

Beca chewed her bottom lip and stared at the beer in her hand. "Actually I thought this was.. just us.. just the gang, you know," She then scowled. "That was before I knew she invited every Tom, Dick and Harry!"

Jesse laughed at her scowl and she pinched him. They soon settled down in comfortable silence, sitting next to each other, nursing their beers. Nothing happened for the next half hour. There were no sign of any of the boys and the fishes seemed to stay away too. Beca stretched out her arms and back, trying to get rid of the cramp in her muscles.

"Are you going to change that bait? That poor worm is 100% drowned now," she said snarkily.

Jesse grinned at her. He was a little amused at the stubborn way she was still protesting about being there. "Are you still mad at me for dragging you here?" he asked.

"Like I said, I could have been lying next to the pool," Beca said loftily. Then she grinned wickedly. "You know... just in my red bikini."

Jesse quirked an eyebrow, noting that grin on her face. "Oh? You have it on right now?"

"Maybe."

"Who said you can't lie around here with your red bikini?" Jesse countered back, casually. He got up, walked over to his fishing rod and reeled in his line. "You look hella hot in that bikini, Becs."

Beca narrowed her eyes. "Jesse Swanson, you are a pervert."

Jesse smiled innocently at her over his shoulder. "What? Just sayin'. No one's stopping you, Becs."

He is a pervert - Beca thought - but no one's here really. Only him. And he seen her in her underwear plenty of times anyways. It would be fine. Plus it was so hot and so muggy. Eh. Why not?

Jesse re-casted his line and turned back. And he nearly fell into the creek. He was joking. He so was. He was certainly not expecting to see Beca standing in just her red bikini right there, piling her hair on top of her head and twisting it into a messy bun. She then sat down, brushed her legs a little and laid on her back onto the deck, using her neatly folded clothes as a cushion. She had her sunglasses on and she was sighing contentedly. Jesse could not help staring at the way her chest was rising and falling with that sigh.

And then he heard the boys.

"Swanson! You're early!" Bumper's voice carried through the noise of the boys trooping down towards the deck. They stopped short as the sight of Beca in her bikini glory. "Whooaa. Ok. This is a bonus."

"Shut up, Bumper." Beca replied lazily, now far too comfortable to shift.

"You are late. Fish's not biting," Jesse said testily. He flicked his eyes towards the boys and frowned at the way they were staring at Beca.

"At this moment, can't say I give a fuck about the fish." Bumper said slyly, still staring at Beca.

"Word." Donald said with a grin

Beca looked like she could not care less they were perving over her like that. Jesse just huffed jealously. He shouldn't be, really. It was his idea after all for her to be in her bikini. It would look quite weird if he told her to cover up now. The boys settled down noisily. One of them had offered Beca a cold beer which she gratefully took and they were now talking.

The hour wore on and Jesse didn't feel like fishing anymore. He was sulking he knew it. He hardly joined in the banter around them; he just sat there, glowering at the way the boys were all trying to compete for Beca's attention. It didn't help that Bumper landed a whopper and was crowing around like the idiot that he was.

They were all now laughing at Bumper's antics.

"So." Donald started as he sidled up to Jesse.

"What?"

Donald glanced at the group sitting on the deck, trading insults back and forth. Beca was smiling and laughing, a little merry now with the heat and the beers in her. He turned back to Jesse with a smile on his face.

"How serious is this thing with Beca and Luke?"

Jesse frowned. "How should I know? Why?"

"She's rocking, man. Just wanted to know whether anyone's got a chance." Donald's eye did not waver from Jesse's face. "When she starts at BU, she's fresh meat. The guys gonna eat her alive. I thought I'd better make a move before that happens."

"Don't."

Jesse's reply was terse. Donald just laughed a little.

"Why not? Freshman girls love being with a senior - "

"Don't. Just don't," Jesse said. "She's happy with Luke."

" - who is not gonna be there. I'll say I still got a chance."

Jesse was now staring at Beca, his insides twisting.


The phone in her cleavage buzzed and Amy dug it out. She opened the text message and grinned when she read the message. She tapped another message in reply before looking up at Chloe and Stacie.

"The boys are on their way back." Amy said simply, letting the phone fall on her lap.

"And?" Stacie said expectedly.

"And we shall see." came the cryptic reply.


Later on that night

"I had to use both hands to land that monster, man!" Bumper was saying. He was standing feet apart, hands imitating holding a fishing rod. "It was huge. Like titanic huge."

The rest were just laughing at his exaggeration. They were all full from dinner and were now lounging round a small campfire. After much squabbling, they all finally decided that it was such a nice night out and they should just hang out outside with sleeping bags. Even Stacie who was very adversed to camping out were persuaded it was totally a cool idea. The house was nearby so toilet breaks were not a bad thing and if it gets too uncomfortable, they could just mosey back up to their beds.

"Girls, you totally missed out! You should see me in all my manly hotness reeling in that giant fish," Bumper said, waggling his eyebrows at the girls.

"Oh Bump! No one believes you!" Stacie yelled.

"Why? It's the truth, man."

"OH. Let's play Truth or Dare!" Chloe suddenly piped up. Some of them perked up at the idea whilst others groaned.

"Dibs on game master!" Amy bellowed.

"Chloe! What are we? Seven?" Beca groaned. "Are we playing Spin the bottle later!"

"Only if you want to." Chloe winked at Beca. "Who's in?"

A chorus of voices said yes and they scooted closer to the fire. A few minutes squabbling about the rules and they were ready to go. Amy was looking at all of them thoughtfully.

"OK, Chloe, since you are the host, you'll start," Amy said. Chloe nodded. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Ok, what's the stupidest thing that someone had told you and you believe it?"

Chloe scrunched up her nose, thinking a little before answering.

"When I was five, I was eating this basket of wings and I wondered how did we get so many wings from one chicken. Someone told me underneath a chicken's wing, there are lots and lots of smaller wings. And I totally bought it."

She looked so serious. There was a stunned silence and then everyone laughed out loud.

"What? I was five!" Chloe protested, perplexed at the way everyone was rolling about laughing. It just made everyone laughed louder. The questions and the dares came thick and fast after that.

"Donald, what's the worst pick-up line you've ever used?"

Donald smirked before winking at Beca "Girl, are you a Jedi? 'cos Yodalicious."

He looked really pleased at that while the rest groaned out loud. Beca looked like she was about to be sick.

"Stacie, I dare you to make out with one of the girls."

"Please. Been there, done that. Gimme another dare."

"Beca, what's the worst thing Jesse ever done to you?"

"He once farted in his duvet and pushed me underneath it. I nearly choked to death."

"True, she nearly did. It was pretty bad."

"Oh man!" "Beca, you should totally kill him. No one will blame you."

The dares and the questions were getting more outrageousl now. They were laughing so hard at the embarrassed way Beca had to sing out her favourite boy band song was, at Donald finally owning up that he didn't need glasses; he just thought it looked good on him, at Amy having a dick drawn on her cheek with a marker.

"Jesse, Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"Ok, what was the strangest dream you ever had?"

Jesse's head whipped up and he began to flush. "Umm...ummm..."

The rest were already grinning at that stricken look on his face.

"Oh man, this will be a good one." "Come on, Jess. 'Fess up!"

"Umm..." Jesse mumbled. "Umm...Makingoutwithamermaid."

"What?!" "Did you say mermaid? Did he say mermaid?" "Dude! You made out with a fish? No wonder you couldn't catch any."

They were laughing and holding to each other for support. Jesse tried not to look at Beca at that point and ducked his flaming face into his arm. Thank god they didn't ask for any more details.

"Bumper, truth or dare?"

"You lot are pussies. I'll take a dare," Bumper said, eyes glinting.

"I dare you to make out with Beca." Fat Amy said, throwing down the challenge.

"What? Hell no!"

When the rest looked at him in surprise, Jesse then realised he had protested a little too loudly. He flushed again before quickly saying, "I mean, if it's a dare, shouldn't he make out with a guy or something?"

"Why, Swanson? Are you volunteering yourself as tribute?" Amy said, smiling evilly. "Bumper, change of plans, I dare you to make out with Beca or her representative for FIVE minutes."

Jesse's mouth fell open.

"Dude, you don't have to do this," Beca said, trying hard not to laugh. "I'm fine with kissing Bumper for a few minutes."

Bumper was grinning widely, which made Jesse a bit mad.

"It's a dare. I'll do it for you, Becs."

Bumper would back down surely?

"You're a cock block, bro, " Bumper groaned. "And for that reason and that reason only, I'm going ahead."

"Oh good! Man on man action always make me hot," Stacie said gleefully.

A cheer went up from the girls whilst the guys just stared open mouthed. Jesse and Bumper were facing each other awkwardly.

"Just so you know, " Bumper said, putting up his hand in warning. "I am an exceptionally good kisser. So don't get a chubby or anything."

"Just get on with it." Jesse scowled

The girls were now chanting "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!..."

And they did.

And well before the five minutes were up, both turned away retching. Bumper was trying to swill his mouth with some alcohol while Jesse was furious scrubbing his. The others just fell about laughing. They unanimously decided nothing could top that and called the game off.

They continued chatting round the dying fire, a little spent now after all the hilarity, topped by that spectacular kiss. One by one dozed off in their sleeping bag. Only Stacie, Beca and Jesse were still awake but Stacie was now no longer stifling her yawns.

"I'm going up to my room. No way I'm sleeping outside like an animal," Stacie yawned again."Goodnight, you two."

She got up and stumbled off towards the house, leaving Jesse and Beca round the fire. Jesse was poking the embers with a stick, trying to make it last a little longer. He could see Beca shivering a little.

"Are you cold?" he said softly. "Do you want to go back to your room?"

Beca shook her head, yawning a little. "No, I can't be bothered. I just need another blanket or something."

Jesse looked around for a spare one but couldn't find any.

"Sorry, Becs. All out," he said. He then furrowed his brow a little. " Umm..you can snuggle in with me."

Beca laughed. "I'm not that little. There's no space in your sleeping bag."

"No. Look." Jesse unzipped his bag, opening it out. Then he pulled Beca's off, turning a deaf ear to her protests, unzipped it and zipped them both up together to make a double. He settled in and grinned up at the now shivering Beca. "Come on in."

She just rolled her eyes before climbing in and lying next to him. It was rather comfortable and she felt a little warmer. They laid there quietly while staring at the dying embers. Beca suddenly chuckled softly.

"What is it?" Jesse asked.

"Still thinking of you and Bumper."

"Hmm. Yes. Not my finest hour," Jesse rumbled back, laughing a little. "That escalated far too quickly."

"You didn't have to do it. I would have been fine."

"Urgh Becs. You don't know what you are saying. He slobbers everywhere. Everywhere!"

Beca chuckled again and he could feel her shaking with laughter next to him.

"Thanks, I owe you one." She turned around, looking up at him, her eyes still dancing with laughter. "So.. making out with a mermaid huh?"

Thank goodness that fire was still alive. Jesse was heartily wishing Beca would mistake that blush on his cheeks as the glow from the fire.

"Umm.. yeah. It was very.. erm.. unexpected."

"Don't spare me the details, dude. Spill. How do you make out with a mermaid?" Beca said, trying to keep a straight face.

"I don't know. I don't remember."

"Liar." Beca quipped back. "Wait, is this like Harry Potter mermaid or like Ariel mermaid?"

"Becs!" Jesse cried back. "Way to ruin my two favourite movies!"

"Dude, if it's like Harry Potter mermaid, you've got some pretty strange taste. She was ugly."

"No. She was beautiful," Jesse said quickly. He gazed down at Beca. "The mermaid in my dream was very beautiful."

Beca laughed a little. "OK, Ariel mermaid then."

"Ugh Becs. Gross. She's a cartoon, for fuck's sake."

Beca just kept on chuckling. "You are a weirdo, you know," she said, looking up at him fondly.

"Yeah, nerd. You too," Jesse said smiling. "Go to sleep. It's late."

Beca just smiled back at him. "Dude, if you trash about in your sleep tonight, I'll know why now."

"Why?"

"You must be trying to fuck a fish."