A/N: Sorry this took so long! This chapter is the "date" chapter and is actually split into two parts...the second part will be up in a couple of days since I'm still finishing it up but I know you'll all enjoy this while you wait...please review! And don't be afraid to suggest anything...I know where I want this story to go but I'm always open for suggestions from fellow authors = )

'One, two, three, four…okay, fuck this shit. Counting sheep is stupid.'

Beca found herself tossing and turning viciously in her bed for the third night in a row now. For some reason she couldn't seem to shut her mind off, though it wasn't really that much of a mystery, the reason was Chloe Beale. Beca had done nothing but repeat her last interaction with the redhead since it occurred, and her mind seemed to pick apart every detail of that night every night, for the past three nights, when she laid her head down to sleep.

Her friendship with Chloe had become one of the most important things in her life; it was right up there with music. Her affections for the ginger bombshell had come to scare the shit out of her. If she was honest with her best friend, she could fuck up the best relationship she's ever had with someone, and if she kept them to herself, she would surely overdose on feelings and probably die of frustration. Her mind also wrestled with the idea, or dream rather, that Chloe could possibly return those same sentiments. Seriously, who just kisses their friend on the cheek after a moonlit walk? Okay, so even if it was common for girls to meaninglessly kiss their best friends on the cheek, it's not like Beca would really know. The last time she had a close friend who was a girl had been in elementary school. The second she hit junior high, she mostly hung with guys if anyone, and her last two years of high school were spent pining over her supposed best friend, only to have that come to a screeching halt when the girl followed her douche bag boyfriend across the country. So, yeah, Beca wasn't exactly the most knowledgeable when it came to the subject of friendship.

She sighed heavily as she sat up in her bed, throwing her covers off and grabbing for her phone. She looked over to see her roommate Kimmy Jin in full on slumber and suddenly became very envious of the Asian.
'Must be nice' Beca thought, a scowl forming on her face. She shook herself of her momentary anger and quickly typed out a text.

Beca: Hey, you're at the station, right?

Jesse: Yeah, what's up? Why the hell are you awake?

Beca: I'm dropping by. See you in 10.

Beca threw on some jeans and her favorite band hoodie and headed to the radio station. Upon arriving and assuring Jesse that she was fine and that she just couldn't sleep, she began stacking CD's while he manned the booth.

"Seriously Beca, you look exhausted...why are you here?" Jesse asked after watching the short brunette's actions for a short while.

Beca ignored her best friend's voice. She was too preoccupied with the thoughts of the Chloe situation racing through her mind to even register what the goofy-dark haired boy was saying. She just continued to absentmindedly stack CD's.

"BECA!" Jesse yelled. This time his tone caught her intention and she looked up.

"What are you doing?" He questioned

"I'm trying to find where this Garbage album goes, what does it look like?" She replied, focusing her attention back to the shelf of CD's.

"No, I see what you're doing. But WHAT are you doing HERE, at 2am?" Jesse asked again, this time walking over and taking the album from her and putting it in its proper place, which was literally in front of her the entire time.

"Fuck. I don't know Jesse. I can't sleep. My head can't focus on anything else besides Chloe, especially since the other night.." She told him with a frustrated sigh. He reached over and took the stack of CDs out of her hands.

"What happened the other night?" He asked, cocking his head to look at her while placing an album on the shelf.

"She kissed me…nothing crazy, just like, on the cheek. And I'm pretty sure it was a friendly thing but it's just made everything more intense. My head is actually hurting from this shit, Jess." Beca explained

"Well of course…you're in love, Bec." He said with an amused smile.

"I know. And that's exactly the problem! I'm reaching my breaking point, and these mixed signals are doing nothing for me. If I confess my feelings, our friendship is ruined, and if I don't, well, I'll be ruined." She replied

"Girls are so fucking dramatic." Jesse said

"Seriously, that's all you have to say? You are the worst LESBRO ever." She deadpanned

"Let me rephrase this; it's not rocket science Beca. It's Chloe Beale."

"I'm sure many who have come before me, and I'm sure there's many, can argue that Chloe Beale is beyond rocket science."

"Look, Chloe is someone you know better than anyone, and vice versa. And speaking as a totally not involved third party person, I'm pretty sure she's into you." He told her

"Well, what if she's not?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't let things fall apart between you two, friendship is more important than anything, and it's Chloe..She's like the ultimate friend."

"I guess. I'll just feel like a total idiot if she doesn't reciprocate my feelings. The entire reason I didn't tell her I was gay was because I didn't want her to be weird around me. I think this counteracts that."

Jesse walked over to Beca and grabbed her by the shoulders, firmly. Beca shot him a weird look as he fought off a smile, trying to stay serious.

"Stop. Thinking. Just stop! You're over complicating this and not even enjoying it." He told her

"Enjoying what?" She questioned

"Falling in love! I bet if you stopped thinking about all these negative things and just looked at all the positive things, like how Chloe makes you feel and how awesome that is, you'd be more excited."

Beca opened her mouth to argue his point, but quickly shut it upon realizing that it sort of made sense. Beca always considered herself a here and now kind of girl, so the fact that she wasn't living up to her own standard kind of got to her. All this worrying and overanalyzing every scenario was sort of taking the fun out of the situation. She remembered the days where she would smile alone to herself, thinking of witty and smooth things to say upon seeing the redhead next, and how she used to be on cloud nine for the entire day after receiving just one smile from the girl. Instead of letting things play out and fall into place, she had been agonizing over every little detail and trying to calculate every moment. No wonder she had been so wound up lately.

'Don't think and let it be. Two of my favorite lyrics, how could I not get it?' She wondered.

"And I can see by the look on your face that the light bulb has just come on. My work is done." Jesse said with a grin

Beca rolled her eyes and shoved him lightly. Even if it all seemed entirely too simple and rehearsed, like one of those movies he loved, Beca couldn't help but be thankful for this little pep talk, or whatever it was.

"You're still taking Chloe to Girl Talk tomorrow night, right?" Jesse asked

"Yeah, why?"

"Just have fun. Don't put any stress on the situation…see where the night takes you." He told her

"I know…it's just easier said than done." Beca sighed out, rolling up the sleeves of her hoodie as she felt her nerves return.

"Well, this should help!" He said as he went over to the table and came back, placing something card like in her hand. She studied it carefully.

"A fake ID? Where in the actual fuck did you get this?" She asked him amused and slightly chuckling
"Also, why is my name Madison!?"

"Luke had it made for you. You definitely have to drink at Girl Talk. Plus, the liquid courage will probably help make things easier with Chloe."

"Ah, yes. I don't think she is a fan of 'Small and Smashed' Beca." She told him, remembering her last drunk encounter with the older girl.

"Regardless, you're going to need it." He informed her
"Now go and sleep. You're making me so angry because you can actually be asleep right now, and you're just choosing not to." Jesse pleaded in a jealous tone

She simply nodded and pulled her hood up, heading for the exit. Before her hand reached the knob she turned to Jesse with a tired smile

"Thanks for listening Jess." She said honestly

"Anytime B." He replied with a shrug.

When Beca returned to her dorm and laid her head down, she fell asleep instantly, her mind filling with thoughts of Chloe's perfect smile and contagious laugh instead of the usual she loves me, she loves me not panic.

The next afternoon, Beca spotted Chloe on the quad in between classes. The older girl was sprawled out beneath a tree reading a gigantic textbook. As Beca walked toward the ginger, she took in her every essence. Chloe was pre-med, one of the many things that Beca found herself attracted to. The redhead was smart, motivated, and extremely witty. Above all that, she could hold her own in an argument with Beca, even getting the younger girl to stand down. She challenged the cocky DJ to no end, which she found absolutely endearing. Beca also felt safe around the older girl, a feeling she was sure she had lost when she was young. After watching all of the most important people in your life literally walk out and turn their backs on you it made sense as to why Beca was guarded and for the most part kept to herself, but Chloe had broken through all of her bitter walls and stolen her heart. Beca couldn't help but lose her breath. She truly loved everything about this girl, even the things she disliked. Like how Chloe loves Disney movies, and owns way too many items that are pink. Even those normally awful things made Chloe all the more attractive, if that was possible.

"What's up half pint?" Chloe asked, looking up at Beca, a grin forming as she approached.

"Well, I guess I wouldn't know…I'm too short." Beca replied with a shrug and a smirk
"I actually just wanted to check and make sure that we're still cool for tonight."

"Why, what's tonight?" Chloe questioned with a dumbfounded look on her face.

She forgot. Did she seriously forget?

Beca's heart sank and her expression immediately fell.

"Relax, Becs! I'm just fucking with you," Chloe laughed
"I've been waiting for tonight all week! I downloaded a ton of his stuff onto my iPod and can't wait to see him in action."

This chick will be the death of me

Beca's smile returned to her face and a feeling of relief washed over her.

"His live stuff is a lot better…it's very spontaneous. He lives in the moment, reading the crowd and experimenting." Beca told the older Bella matter of factly.

"Sounds a lot like another great DJ I like." Chloe said winking at Beca which immediately made the smaller girl blush. Beca casually tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to remain composed and to keep from grinning like a fool.

"I gotta head to class, but I'll text you after and we'll make plans to meet up, okay?" Beca said as she tried to shake off her blush.

Chloe nodded with a smile. "Study hard!" she said, raising a fist at Beca.

"You are the biggest nerd ever and I am walking away now!" Beca laughed as she put her oversized headphones on and turned to head off to class.

When Beca returned to her dorm after her class she was relieved to find it empty. Kimmy Jin's budding social life definitely had Beca's approval. She put her bag on her bed, removed her blaring headphones, and pulled her phone out of her pocket proceeding to send a text.

Beca: 7'oclock good for you Red?

Chloe: Sounds perfect DJ =P

Beca: Word, I'll come grab you then chica

Chloe: Alright, DOPE!

Beca: You're such a dork Beale = )

Chloe: I'm just trying to be like you, sue me!

Beca: I'm literally calling D'olivera and Morgan right now…

Chloe: That's fine, Aubrey is my representation so bring it half-pint!

Beca: I guess we're settling then, huh? ; ) go get ready, I'll see you in a bit

Chloe: WORD.

Beca smiled at the sarcastic exchanges and placed her phone down. She went over to her closet and began to pull out potential outfits for the night. Beca wasn't really into dressing up when she went to clubs and venues, she always figured it was best to be comfortable at shows versus awkwardly trying maneuver high ass heels while constantly pulling at a dress that exposed too much for her liking, though she'd never oppose to any other girl in a dress showing off the goods. She's only human, after all.

She decided on her favorite pair of dark ripped skinny jeans, a low cut white v-neck that sported the name of her favorite indie pop band Vanity Theft, and a black vest. She decided on wearing her favorite pair of Adidas' instead of her usual vintage combat boots. After changing and deciding that she'd leave her hair down since for once she actually liked it, she applied her usual heavy eyeliner, mascara, and dark eye shadow. Feeling pretty satisfied with her appearance, she accented her look with a pair of real military dog tags. Her favorite uncle on her mom's side had given them to her when her parents were going through their awful divorce. He had told her about Vietnam and how it was his personal hell and how it became his mission to return home with his dog tags since most of his buddies weren't. He vowed to Beca that she'd get through it all and that others have had to endure their own personal hells just as she has. He told her she was a fierce fighter just like him, and that the dog tags were to remind her of that, even in her hardest times. Symbolism aside, they were a fuckin bad ass accessory.

She walked over to her mini fridge and grabbed a beer and decided to kill some time by cleaning up her iTunes library. As she sipped the cold brew, she went through her tracks, making sure all of the information was accurate, organizing by genre rather than artist. After clicking around obsessively for an hour, she realized it was time to go get Chloe. Her nerves hit her like a ton of bricks, but she downed the rest of her beer as an attempt to drown them. She grabbed her keys, phone, and wallet (complete with fake ID) and left her building. Chloe's apartment wasn't far from her dorm and Beca found it humorous that they were so close in proximity given that the campus was pretty huge, go figure. She knocked on Chloe's door a few times and coughed nervously, putting her hands in her back pocket as she always did when nervous. Of course it was Aubrey who answered the door.

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite pain in the ass." Aubrey grimaced, eyeing Beca up and down.

"Well, well…wait. You're not my favorite anything. Is Chloe ready?" Beca asked.

Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Chloe! …She's here." The blonde announced.

Chloe appeared from her room looking as gorgeous as ever. Her outfit somewhat mimicked the younger girl's, dark skinny jeans with a low cut red tank top and high brown boots. She was also sporting some black thick rimmed glasses which made Beca smirk.

"What's with the glasses?" Beca asked, knowing Chloe didn't usually wear them.

"I'm going for the hipster look, duh. I looked it up on the internet." Chloe said with a wink.

Beca chuckled. "You're Chloe Beale. You'd fit in if you were wearing nothing but a paper bag, you know that right?"

"Well it's always nice to know you think so highly of me. It must be because you're so short." Chloe retorted with her tongue sticking out

"Wow, learn to take a compliment girl." Beca teased

"Not if they're backhanded compliments, Becs"

"Well, you're the queen of them, so you would know."

"Wow, why am I even going to hang out with you?"

"I know right? We should probably just not chill, or talk, like, ever again." Beca said as her eyes narrowed and a grin spread across her face. Chloe returned the smile and stared her down.

"I'd miss harassing you. I'm quite good at it." Chloe said

"We can both agree on that one, Red."

"You missing me, or me being an expert at annoying you?"

"Take your pick."

Their playful banter was cut short by Aubrey clearing her throat.

"How are you even getting into this club, aren't you only 18?" Aubrey interjected.

"I'm good. I've got a fake ID. But thanks for the concern, mom." Beca shot at her sarcastically. Aubrey huffed in disapproval and Chloe smiled excitedly upon hearing it.

"Let me see it!" Chloe squealed. Beca laughed as she pulled it out of her wallet and handed it to the older girl. "Madison! That's too cute." Beca winced as she took the ID back.

"It's not cute, it's bad ass. Madison is a bad ass chick from New Hampshire." Beca scowled

"Uh-huh. Whatever you say, Becs. Let's head out, I'm starving!" Chloe said grabbing Beca's arm.
"I'll be home late Aubrey, don't wait up!"

"Yeah, don't wait up Aubrey." Beca said with an amused look, which she knew went right up Aubrey's ass.

They exited the apartment and Chloe just shook her head and shot Beca a look for making fun of her best friend.

"I'm sorry but I can't take anything Aubrey says seriously. And she always starts it!" Beca explained

"Whatever, you guys are gonna have to get along eventually." Chloe told her

"Ugh, I don't see it happening. Hey, since we love pizza how about we hit up Sicilia's? Their deep dish pizza is the shit." Beca suggested

"That sounds…sickkk" Chloe responded, emphasizing the last word which made Beca laugh.

"Oh my god, well, at least you didn't say dope." Beca teased as Chloe just shoved her playfully in response.

Sicilia's was just off campus, so the walk wasn't that long. As they were seated they discussed their topping preferences and chit chatted while they waited for their server.

"Hi, I'm Courtney. I'll be your server tonight. What can I get you girls?" A young blonde girl in her teens asked as she approached the two.

"Hey Courtney, can we have a medium deep dish with cheese and onions? And when I say onions, I mean like A LOT.."

"And when you think there's enough on there, it really means there isn't. Like, load it up." Chloe added

"Exactly." Beca said.
"Oh and two cokes, please?"

The girl just smiled and nodded before leaving to go put their order in. A few minutes later she returned with their drinks, but the girls hardly noticed as they were engrossed in their usual banter.

"Soo, how are classes going?" The older girl questioned

"You're always about business aren't you? They're fine. My dad wants me to declare a major so he's been calling me a lot, but I don't answer. I'm not trying to declare anything since I plan on peacing out of this place in May." Beca told her.

"You're leaving? After only one year?" Chloe asked, sounding somewhat offended.

"Well, yeah. The deal with my dad was that if I got involved in some sort of group and stuck with it for a year he'd help me move to LA. It's been my dream forever. I had a countdown calendar for the day I turned 18 and could go but he wanted me to pursue a higher education first because he doesn't think being a DJ is anything more than a hobby."

"So you only joined the Bellas to appease your dad?" Chloe asked, using the same tone as before.

"Well, yeah. I guess…Don't get me wrong, I love the girls…I've never had a group of tight girlfriends before. I'll miss them, but my dreams take precedence."

"I-uh. Wow. How come you never told me this before?" Chloe asked

"You know I've always wanted to go to LA. I mean it's not like I have much say in the group, and besides, you're graduating…it's pointless compared to what I can do in LA." The brunette stated, gingerly sipping her coke and eyeing the older girl's expression, is she really upset? This isn't exactly news…she figured it was easy to see that she wasn't really one of the Bellas…nor was she an a capella girl, as she had explained the very day she met Chloe.

"Pointless? That's cool, Becs." Chloe responded, her tone graduating to full on irritated at this point.

"Look, Chlo, I didn't mean it like that. Our friendship is the best thing I've gotten out of this college experience. I have big plans for my life, just as you do. We have to chase our dreams, right? Or else life is just meaningless." Chloe just nodded, it seemed like she still wasn't getting what Beca was trying to say. Beca reached over and put her hand over Chloe's, the contact sent an instant tingling sensation all through Beca's body and she made it a point to focus her breathing so she could further convince Chloe that she wasn't trying to be offensive, just honest.

"I'm just being honest…I don't want you to take it the wrong way, which you clearly are. After you convinced me to audition I thought it'd be awful, but it hasn't been since I gave it a chance. I just don't see it as a reason to stay, ya know?" Beca said in a softened voice.

"Right. We should just talk about something else for now." Chloe said, easing up on her tone, though the gleam in her eyes had disappeared and Beca couldn't help but feel like shit for inflicting that.

"How's Tom?" Beca asked after a moment of silence.

Fuck, that was the best you could do?

"He's good…" Chloe began as she went into a full on explanation of the boy's well being. Beca didn't actually care whatsoever so she blocked out pretty much all of what the older girl was saying.
"We haven't really hung out much this past month though" Beca's ears suddenly perked upon hearing this.

"Why's that?" Beca asked. Looking around and wondering how long it takes to make a fucking pizza.

"Well, I've become very bored with him. He's very average. Not that I didn't expect that, he's nice and all, but it was what it was." Chloe said with a shrug

'Was. As in, isn't anymore?' Beca wondered, but didn't dare ask.

Finally their pizza arrived and Beca had never been so relieved in her life. They ate in a pretty comfortable silence, despite their awkward conversations beforehand. They did both agree it was the best pizza they'd ever had since coming to Barden and Chloe joked that it only took her four years to find it, go figure since she was graduating.

"What are you plans after graduation anyways?" Beca asked after finishing her last slice of pizza.

"Med school in New York. Aubrey's going there too for law so we're moving together and getting an apartment. We're working our asses off this summer to make it happen." The ginger explained

"That's cool…I bet it's not as scary of a move knowing your best friend will be there." Beca replied

"Oh totes. Are you scared about going to LA alone?" Chloe asked

"Not really…I've always been alone, if you think about it."
"I'm a loner Dottie, a rebel." Beca quoted with a shrug

"I thought you didn't like movies?" Chloe asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Just that one. But don't tell Jesse…he'll have a field day and try to get me to watch it with him, like all the time." Beca said with an eye roll.

The check came and Beca snatched it up before Chloe could even look.

"Look at you money bags, does the radio station pay that well?" Chloe asked sarcastically

"I get compensated very well for my CD stacking abilities…unfortunately, it's an internship and it doesn't pay at all. This is the money I get from working the corner outside of the station though." Beca winked as she threw some bills down on the table.
"Let's get going…we don't want to miss a second of this show!"

They left the pizzeria and caught a cab to the club, it wasn't that far of a walk, but Chloe insisted she wanted to save all her energy for dancing and Beca knew instantly that she was going to have to have a few drinks if Chloe intended on getting her to dance.

When they arrived at the venue there were already a decent number of people there, and Chloe had been right about the whole hipster thing which made Beca actually chuckle out loud. Her fake ID had worked without so much as a flinch from the bouncer who slapped a wrist band on her left hand and she made a mental note to thank Luke for that later.

"C'mon Madison. Let's get some drinks!" Chloe teased as she grabbed Beca's hand, lacing her fingers with the brunette's and pulling her to the bar. They ordered their usuals; Jack and Coke for Beca, and a vodka and tonic with lime for Chloe. They surveyed the club and scoped out the best viewing spot for when the DJ took the stage and upon doing so, realized they were both ready for another round.

"Okay, shots this time!" Chloe shouted to Beca over the house music that was blaring, Beca just nodded and leaned over to the bartender and requested two shots.

"What are these?" Chloe asked as she pointed to the shots the girl had brought back.

"Snakebites!" Beca exclaimed
"It's whiskey and lime juice. Just down it, don't think!" And the pair did just that. Beca smacked her lips with satisfaction while Chloe winced at the sour taste.

"Yuckkk, I have no idea how you drink whiskey!" Chloe exclaimed with a look of disgust, which looked absolutely adorable on her. Hell, any look Chloe gives is fucking adorable.

"You want another one? I'll get something different." Beca offered which Chloe immediately agreed to.

Beca caught the bartender's attention and the tattooed blonde immediately grinned and came right over.

"What'll it be, sweetie?" She asked in a flirtatious tone as she leaned over the bar to show off her cleavage, courtesy of her low cut tank top. Beca just smiled at her.

"I don't know…you tell me. My friend over here isn't a fan of whiskey, so another snakebite is a no go. Surprise us." She told her with a wink. Beca was starting to feel a slight buzz and knew all too well that alcohol lowered her inhibitions, especially when it came to flirting with girls she didn't know.

The bartender just eyed Chloe and smirked and came back with two shots.

"Red headed sluts." She said to Beca with a wink. Beca sported an amused look as she paid the bartender, Chloe however was not so amused and mumbled something along the lines of 'Bitch, please' as they downed the fruity shots. It went down a hell of a lot easier than the whiskey for Chloe and she smiled as she once again took Beca's hand in hers.

"C'mon, let's go over there." Chloe said in a commanding voice, and Beca just laughed, knowing the snarky bartender had gotten to the older girl.

It wasn't long before the lights dimmed and the house music cut out and the pair made their way to the dance floor as Girl Talk came out and got right down to it, spinning his first track as he hyped up the crowd.
"Are you ready to party Georgia!?" He screamed. The crowd responded with a loud cheer and the DJ bopped his head and started mixing the most obscure songs as everyone broke out into various dances. It didn't take long for Beca and Chloe to get into it, the alcohol had already taken its effect and the girls were really feeling the scene. Chloe grabbed Beca and pulled her closer as the DJ started mashing "Titanium" with a song from the 70's by Earth, Wind and Fire called "September"

"Becs, this is amazing!" Chloe yelled as she got even closer to Beca and laughed as the track switched to Kanye West's "Lights" and "No Diggity" which Beca rapped along to, of course.

Beca decided right then and there that this must be heaven, because Chloe looked like an absolute angel. She swayed to the music effortlessly and emitted a glow that kept Beca's attention at all times. She decided that tonight would be the night that she told Chloe how she felt.