2000 Miles

by omACAgee

Rising DJ internet sensation Beca Mitchell might so happen to fall in love with a cute, bubbly redhead fan of her's who's the ideal perfect girl. Problem is though, they live on opposite sides of the country with only technology keeping them in contact. Will their relationship last without the physical contact? BECHLOE LDR AU

12. Chapter 12

Sorry for the wait dolls. I just had hand surgery and am currently only living off my left hand as the other is useless haha. So, feeling bad about the wait, I typed this bad boy with my left, so sorry if there is any mistakes! Next chapter of Rumors should be out sometime this week as well!

For this chapter, with distance comes inevitable obstacles, and our girls are just now starting to face them.

(I DO NOT OWN PITCH PERFECT or like any of the artist, characters or songs mentioned.)

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Chapter Twelve: New Skype Dates

Monday September 19, 1:15

B: I already miss you

B: So fucking much

Beca hits send, fingers trembling as she holds the phone in place, the knot in her throat forming back as she swallows back the tears. She doesn't want to cry in public anymore than she has done already. She doesn't want her eyes to keep burning from the tears already shedded, the constant puffiness around her eyes that are almost swollen shut. She doesn't want to feel this empty, aching pain in her heart anymore.

But the constant reminder that she just had to leave Chloe; the person who gave her one of the best weekends of her entire life, the person who she is absolutely head over heels for keeps biting her on the ass and makes it hard to act like everything is OK when it's definitely not.

Inevitably, after three short days, Chloe and her's time is no longer and it's back to reality, much to her dismay. If it was up to her without any serious yields to her life and career, she'd rip her boarding pass to shreds, run down the runways of the airport calling Chloe for her to turn her truck around and pick her back up because there is no way in Hell she is leaving.

But that's not the case here.

Beca goes through the same ritual; she walks down the busy airport in search for her gate, weaving in and out of the crowd of people, who majority of the time are business men dressed in fancy suits, who obviously are late for something because they nearly knock Beca to her ass as they speed by. She for the most part would've been annoyed at how rude some people go be but right now, she doesn't seem to care about anything as she mopes with her head down to find her section.

She contemplates buying a keychain, or something equally cheesy and tacky at one of those gift shops-but stops herself when she holds the metal twisty peach connected like a globe with "Atlanta Georgia" writing on the gold border of the keychain and realizes that buying this small piece of cheap metal only makes her feel like she will be gone for good. Never returning back to Georgia in the near future.

And that's everything Beca doesn't want to make it seem like because she's already flipping through dates on her phone to figure out her next free weekend to fly back down.

When finding the right gate that reads Los Angeles on the LED board, she's more than happy to see that there's an empty section of chairs to sit down at to wait in silence for her flight. She falls to a seat in one of them with a groan, her body going flaccid once her back hits the leather and she pulls out her phone to a text. Expecting it to be Chloe, she sees Stacie's name pop up instead.

Monday September 19, 1:37 PM

Stacie: Hey munchkin, just checking up to see if you made it through security and found your gate alright.

Stacie is literally the only thing Beca is actually excited to go back home and see. She's misses her friend more than you could imagine and this weekend was actually the longest time apart they've spent from each other since that one time Stacie had to fly back to Oregon for her sister's wedding.

So, she curves her first real smile of the day when responding back, happy to almost be in an arm's reach of her best friend again.

B: Hey, Stace. Yeah I just made it through security and everything.

Stacie: Good! I'm excited to see you! :) Never leave me for this long again…

B: It was only three days Stace ;-)

B: Not a year.

Stacie: Three days WAY too long!

Stacie: Hurry up and come back home :(

B: Haha I'll try dork

Beca exits out of her conversation and still sees she hasn't gotten a message from Chloe yet. She knows that once turning her back from security Chloe was having a hard time and figures she would want some time alone to regroup with herself, so Beca doesn't dwell at the absence of messages.

God knows Beca needs to do the same thing.

She puts on her glasses-which alone is something she isn't proud of because she was "that douche" in the airport. But the bright lights mixed with the amount of crying she did is making hard to see without her eyes watering from the brightness. Also, with the glasses on, they can hide the redness and puffiness from her eyes so it doesn't look like she's an emotional wreck right now and instead an, unsociable, cocky, stuck up person-which is a way better image she is going for.

She glances at her boarding pass and sees that they'll begin to board at 1:55, depart at 2:15, which gives her some time to relax before this bitch of a flight she is about to endure. Chloe ended up packing her a little bag of snacks; all ranging from a freshly, crisp apple to Beca's favorite candy, sour gummy worms. She remembers telling Chloe that she gets horrible motion sickness so inside, there's also this type of medicine to help ease her stomach and an unopened package of minty gum to unplug her ears when they reach a certain height.

Unclipping her beats case from her duffle bag, she plugs them into her phone and goes through her music to speed up the remaining time. Not finding anything specific that she wants to listen to, she hits shuffle before closing her eyes and leans back in the chair kicking her feet out to cross at the ankles. The opening chords of Drake's, "One Dance" pumps through her earphones and she would've listened to it all the way through if it wasn't for the fact it reminded her of Chloe because one, it is one of her top choice songs to listen to and two, it's fucking Drake.

Like, come on.

And though the memory of Chloe dancing in the kitchen, moving her hips in a fashion that should be considered a crime, the simple thought of her absent girlfriend is still making it hard to to burst down a cry at the extreme capability at how much she already misses the redhead. So, she skips the song and listens patiently to hear what plays next.

Not thinking too much of this one, "Stay" by Rihanna softly soothes as the piano hums through the speakers and again, Beca hurries to change the song because she knows her heart can't take it.

Like a sign or something, "Won't Go Home Without You" by Maroon plays next and it makes her stop to think if her phone is playing some sick joke on her. Like it is purposely making her think of Chloe and the lyrical reminder that she just left the best thing that has ever happened to her back at passenger drop off. More forceful this time since the annoyance is ringing through her like a cow bell, she does the same with this song, not wanting to listen to the bugging lyrics and skips to the next.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me," Beca mutters as the opening beat fills her ears. The music Gods must be having a grand ol' time stringing these song together to mess with her heart.

Billy Joel's, "Uptown Girl" blares through the headphones with its pop, happy, upbeat melody, hitting Beca full force like a semi truck filled with thoughts about Chloe. Out of all the songs in her library, these songs decide to come up in a strange sequence, leaving Beca to feel like even more shit than she already does. She yanks the beats off her ears and wraps the cord away before sitting in silence, watching the people around her engage in their own post flying activities.

Might as well people watch since obviously music is out of the options. She also pops the medication Chloe bought for her, figuring if she takes it now, by the time she gets on the plane she'll crash.

The wait doesn't take long though and soon enough, Beca is walking down the alley of the plane until she reaches her proper seat and is not only lucky but stoked to see that she gets the window seat again. As she throws her duffle bag up in the top cabin and situates her backpack in between her feet on the ground, making sure it's safely pushed under the seat, a set of familiar faces takes a seat down next to her.

Being lucky once again (and happy she doesn't have to sit next to complete strangers) Beca smiles when the same old lady from her trip out to Georgia reaches her purse under the seat and turns to face her.

"Well I'll be damned. It must be fate bringing us back together. I think we are destined to be airplane pals," The old woman jokes and it makes Beca smile because old people have a habit at laughing at their own jokes, thus making it contagious.

"It must be." Beca waves over to the woman's husband, not ideally on the same level of friendship she is with his wife but still feels the need to greet him. "How was your trip?"

"It was short and sweet. Our grandson had a huge football game this weekend and just had to drop everything, pack up to see it," The woman gushes, patting Beca's wrist and leaning in extra close to exchange one of those friendly old people whispers.

Beca is only a little bit uncomfortable by the closeness of the lady's face next to her's but there isn't much she can do with being cornered and stuck on a plane. It's a sweet gesture though and Beca finds it not that hard to dismiss how she feels.

She's about to tell the couple about her weekend after they asked how her trip was in return but she feels her phone vibrate in her pocket several times and just gets a hunch that it's the one person who has been running a marathon through her mind since the moment she left.

Proving that hunch correct, a few texts from Chloe glow on her screen and is enough to have her heart already cramping through her chest.

Monday September 19, 2:10 PM

C: I miss you too, baby.

C: Would you make fun of me if I told you just a little while ago, I had the world's biggest and most dramatic breakdown on the side of the highway?

C: Wanna know how many cops pulled over and asked me if I was alright? TOO MANY! :(

Beca reads these messages with a watery smile and couldn't keep in the choked up sob much longer before she chuckles a groggy, wet sound, alerting the old lady next to her who has a set of worried eyes. She wipes the tears with the back of her hand, clearly aware of the concerned stare she is receiving from her airplane buddies and can't believe she's actually crying this hard in front of people.

"Sorry, " she shrugs her shoulders and lifts her phone as if this lady can read the messages sent from Chloe. "I just left my girlfriend so I'm kind of emotional. Probably will end up crying randomly again between now and when we land at LAX."

A wave of shock hits the woman by the change in her facial expressions at the mention of girlfriend and Beca is prepared for the, "you're going to burn in Hell, what you're doing is a sin and isn't how God created you to live blah blah blah blah blah," but is surprised when she is returned a genuine sympathetic smile and then the woman's hand is holding onto her wrist.

"I'm sorry, dear. I've left my husband many times when he fought in the military and I've cried every time we had to say goodbye. But in the end when we would meet up, it's just another 'hello,' to add to the books." The woman's smile only stretches wider.

As weird as it may seem, Beca leans into the simple touch, enjoying the little bit of physical contact that comforts her hurting heart and isn't too surprised when she starts to cry again. Gentle arms wrap around her shoulders and though her sinuses are all clogged up from crying, she gets a strong whiff of old, vintage perfume, the kind where you have to squeeze the ball to extract the mist out and hates how vulnerable she feels in a total stranger's embrace.

Although the gesture is nice and helps Beca feel less alone, the hug eventually ends by the flight attendants checking bags in the middle aisle while the pilot begins talking safety through the airplane's speakers.

B: Of course I wouldn't make fun of you.

B: Would you make fun of me if I told you I just broke down and the old lady I'm sitting next to had to comfort me?

B: She keeps looking over at me, waiting for me to start crying again…. Haha

C: Beca, that's sweet :(

C: Pull a scene, get kicked off the plane and I'll come pick you back up at the airport. I never want you to leave :(

B: Don't tempt me Beale. I'm already strategizing what flight attendant to start a fight with.

B: This isn't the only time we will see each other Chlo, though it might seem like it now. We will see each other soon.

B: I promise.

C: I believe you. I just hate waiting.

C: But you're worth the wait.

B: I love you, Chloe.

C: I love you too, Beca.

C: Have a safe flight back. Tell Stacie I say hi!

B: Haha, will do. Tell Aubrey I say hey too. I know she comes back today, sucks I didn't get to see her before I left.

C: I will! Maybe next time we all could do more than just have a small lunch. I'm sure she's dying to squeeze some more stuff out of you ;)

B: Yikes…. I changed my mind…

C: Shush, I won't let her hassle you too much ;)

B: Good enough.

B: Well I'm getting eyed by the people sitting diagonal from us who keep staring at my phone so I think that's the cue to shut it off haha

B: Don't want to be the reason why the plane malfunctions

C: Beca! Don't say that!

B: Haha

B: I'll text you when I land :-)

C: You better!

By the time Beca switches her phone over to airplane mode and shoves it back into her pocket, the flight attendants are done going over safety precautions and the plane is already positioned on the runway, prepared for take off. She lifts up the cover on the window as the planes takes off and gets one last good look at Georgia. There's nothing but trees blocking the view and a few highways filled with bumper to bumper traffic to look at and is almost identical to every other state as far as appearance. But something about all these things in this one of a kind state, the God awful heat, the weird bugs that sound like crickets on steroids and the red headed treasure she left behind is something she's going to miss more than words can explain.

Take off is bumpy, like always, and it makes Beca's stomach turn-which isn't helped by the large breakfast she ate this morning. The gum Chloe packed for her pops her ears so that's a plus. She shuts her window because now that they're high enough in the skythe longer she looks out, the more dizzy and nauseous she feels. Closing her eyes with easy breaths through the nose, out her mouth helps for a moment and the fan above that's blowing cool air into her face at max level helps calm her stomach down, along with drinking some water she bought back at the gift shop.

After what seemed like years, the seatbelt sign shuts off with a 'ding' and she more than happy to be able to situate herself more comfortably. Her headphones are already wrapped around her neck from before take off and she pulls out her phone to listen to some music-this time picking a playlist with absolutely zero sad songs.

The DayQuil she took back at the gate is already starting to kick in as she feels her eyes starting to get heavy and body turn fatigue. People around her are either doing the same, reading some magazines and books, or sleeping so she figures now would be a good time to join them.

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Monday September 19, 4:14 PM

This time when Beca gets waken up, it's by horrible turbulence from the plane and the pilot informing people they're heading into a bit of a rough patch but nothing to be worried about. Beca though hears this and snatches the window open quickly to see outside, only to be greeted by dark clouds other than the flashing lights of the plane and rain droplets rolling down the window.

The time on her phone reads that it's been almost the designated five hours and figures the weather isn't the most happiest in California right now. Beca almost thinks it her exact replica of how she feels right now. Dark, sad, weather that only makes her want to sleep and never wake up.

It's depressing honestly.

The woman next to her (still hasn't even gotten the woman's name and they've been airplane buddies already twice now) jokes about the first time they flew together and Beca nearly had a panic attack when she woke up during the landing.

It's not Beca's most cherished memories because one, it was terrifying and two, the embarrassment is still there after the many confused looks throughout the plane she received when she woke up, gasping that they were going to crash. But it's enough to make her laugh and is glad someone has been able to make her feel a little better.

After many violent shakes to the plane and Beca's hands feeling cramped after squeezing the arm rests so incredibly tight, the plane finally lands at the appropriate gate.

She clicks her service back on and smiles sadly when her screen saver hits her in the feels like a semi on a highway. It's just a simple candid picture of Chloe and Tank cuddled up in bed; Chloe with her reading glasses on, Tank snuggled up in between her legs as she reads something on her phone without noticing Beca taking the picture. For as simple as it is, the picture has to be one of Beca's favorites.

On her phone once her data loads back up, missed messages start to vibrate through and banner at the top of her screen.

Monday September 19, 3:57 PM

Stacie: I'm already here at pick up! Hurry up and land! I know I'm early but I just couldn't wait any longer! :(

Monday September 19, 2:43 PM

Father: Hey kiddo. Just seeing if you made it okay. I know you're probably flying now but just shoot me a text when you make it back. It was great finally seeing you after all these years and Chloe is a very lovely girl. Hopefully we can plan something again soon.

Monday September 19, 3:20 PM

Chloe: Hey! So I was looking through my room and saw that you left your black and white flannel you wore yesterday….

Monday September 19, 4:14 PM (To Stacie)

B: Oh God. Just made it back loser! I'll be down there soon once I get off this metal piece of shit.

(To Father)

B: Hey dad, just landed. Tell Sheila I'm bummed that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye but for sure. Let's plan something else. It was nice seeing you too. Sorry for being a rag all those years.

(To Chloe)

B: Yeah did that on purpose haha

B: I may or may not of stolen one of your Barden acapella shirts….Creepy, I know.

C: Definitely not creepy because I may or may not be wearing your flannel right this second and was in the process of typing out a message saying I wasn't going to give it back ;)

C: It smells just like you.

B: Good, I bet it looks better on you than it did on me ;-)

B: That's why I took one of yours. It makes me feel like you're right here with me.

C: I never thought missing someone could hurt this much. I miss you Beca.

C: Tank misses you too. I haven't been able to cheer him up all afternoon, not even with his favorite dog treats :(

B: Oh Jesus Beale. There goes my shattered heart.

B: I miss you guys too.

People around Beca are starting to get from their seats to grab their bags from the overhead bins and decides to shove her phone into her backpack.

"What's your name, dear?" The woman stops once she has her bag out from the top and is about to follow her husband down the walkway of the plane.

"Beca." She smiles and reaches out a hand to formally introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, Beca. I'm Doris and my husband's name is Jim." The woman takes Beca's out stretched hand delicately. It's so small and cold that it scares her if she were to squeeze any harder the hand would shatter. "It was a pleasure sharing not only one ride with you but two. Hopefully next time we will be paired again. Good luck to you and your girlfriend, sweety. Everything will be okay."

And like that, Doris was gone.

Beca waits until everyone is off the plane before she reaches up to grab her duffle and throw her backpack around her shoulders. She likes to take her time to get situated properly instead of being rushed through the aisle with the impatient people waiting behind the hold up. Thanking the pilot and flight attendants, she heads through the tunnel connected to the airplane's door.

The flight overall wasn't as bad as Beca expected it to be. She slept majority of it like a baby and only woke up when it was time to land, so the time it took flew by. Still, even after sleeping though, she is exhausted and it isn't surprising because she had not even a blink of sleep last night. All she wants to do now is go home, eat something and crash the rest of the day. This weather definitely wasn't helping the gloominess she feels.

Once making it off the plane, she is happy that she doesn't have to walk a few feet to already be drenched in sweat from the humidity. Though, she isn't wearing a jacket and with the heavy amount of rain falling outside there is no doubt that she'll come out drenched her instead.

LAX is easy to maneuver through, unlike Atlanta's foreign airport where Beca was stopping every five seconds to read the signs hanging up at the top for directions, looking like a confused, lost puppy just looking for its mom. There's more people though it seems like and getting from point A to point B was more than a little bit crowded.

After weaving in and out of groups, mostly tourists, Beca makes it to passenger pickup and doesn't take long to find Stacie since the girl is jumping up and down with an embarrassingly large sign reading, "WELCOME HOME MUNCHKIN" and way too many drawn hearts to border the letters.

Beca rolls her eyes with a smirk, seeing the scene Stacie is creating and how the girl isn't even hiding how much she is enjoying it. She doesn't even get the chance to say a proper 'hello' before she is engulfed in a tight bear hug and picked up from the ground like a rag doll.

"I've missed you so much!" Stacie about squeezes Beca's eyeballs out of her skull with the tightness around her shoulders. It's uncomfortable, the swaying is adding to Beca's nauseousness from the plane ride and since when did Stacie become so strong?

Beca tries to grumble out a plea for Stacie to drop her but it comes out muffled and on short gasps of air. Getting the hint though, Stacie detaches herself away from Beca and sets her on the ground.

"You're the worst." Beca straightens out her clothes after being manhandled by her best friend and sees Stacie starting to tear up with that warning watery smile of hers. "Oh don't you start. I've had enough crying for today."

"I can't help it! I missed you too much!" Stacie ignores all of Beca's demands and sheds a few tears-not a lot- but enough to make her insides warm. She's missed this goofball.

Standing around them once noticing the multiple flashes from cameras and heavy chatter between the all of a sudden crowd, Beca gets a few questions whether or not she is free to take a few pictures with her fans. Welcome to California where Beca's music has only skyrocketed since being in Oregon. Of course her music and image got around the whole world, California seems to be the birthing home of the "Mitchies" fan base as Stacie says. It's a nice gift home-strangely new getting all this attention but nonetheless, enjoyable.

Might as well get use to the attention now before she starts constructing this new album for Diplo.

After taking a few pictures with some fans, Stacie happily steps up and informs the crowd that she is taking the DJ home because she just spent the entire weekend away from her and together they have a lot of catching up to do. Being tugged away, Stacie ushers them through the airport and to her car parked in a spot that a car shouldn't be parked in.

Thankfully, there's quite a large roof above them that blocks the rain and once Beca steps outside, goosebumps rise from her exposed skin instantly at the change of weather. Definitely not the same, scorching temperature she left with back in Georgia that's for sure.

"Okay, you're lucky your ass didn't get towed, ticketed, or something just as bad. " Beca chuckles, seeing that familiar looking dark blue SUV with its hazard lights flashing as it's parked on the curb at passenger pick up.

"Hence, why the hazards are on," Stacie retorts proudly and snatches Beca's bag to toss it in the trunk before getting inside the vehicle.

Getting out of the area was a nightmare, having to merge about a hundred times just to get back on highway but with practiced skills and odd Vin Diesel genes, Stacie gets them back on track to go home. Los Angeles is dark now that Beca has the view. Rain droplets roll down the window from the outside and the windshield wipers are moving side to side so fast she thinks they might snap off.

Monday September 19, 4:24 PM

C: Did you have a nice flight? :)

C: Hoped my snacks weren't to heavy on your stomach :(

Monday September 19, 5:05 PM

B: Actually, they were perfect. Thank you :-)

B: Yeah, I slept the entire flight until we hit turbulence. But other than that, it was a smooth five hours.

C: Good! I'm glad :)

C: How's Stacie? I bet she missed you!

B: Oh Jesus. Isn't that an understatement.

B: She made me a sign and was jumping up and down when she saw me. I swear, she looked like a five year old in a candy shop haha.

B: She also started crying which was weirdly warming. I missed her too.

C: Awh! That's sweet! :)

C: I'm gonna have to remember that the next time I pick you up at the airport ;)

C: Even better, maybe add some singing! Start a flash mob...

B: Oh God…

B: Don't you dare. I don't handle attention well and that there is screaming an audience :-P

C: How can you not handle a crowd when you, Beca Mitchell, are going to be the music industry's next big thing?!

C: Better get use to the stares now buttercup because soon, you'll be even more famous than you are already :)

B: Thing is, music producers stay on the backstreets of things. When's the last time you bought a CD and instantly said, "I'm so in love with this album! I have to meet the producer in Hollywood and get their autograph pronto!"

C: Well that hasn't happened yet…

C: BUT, Diplo's upcoming album, to answer the question. Heard the producer is a total babe ;)

C: Think she'll sign my chest? ;)

B: Having eyes for someone else already? I'm hurt Beale. ;-)

B: And most definitely she'll sign your chest...

A waving hand over Beca's screen blocks the keyboard from replying some more. "Helloooo? Earth to Becaaa?" Stacie says slowly, causing Beca to turn off her phone. Was Stacie saying something? "Were you even listening to me?" Welp, that answers her question.

"Shit, no," Beca says simply and honestly. She was so wrapped up in her conversation with Chloe that she blocked out everything else around her. "I'm sorry."

"Damn, munchkin." Stacie clicks her tongue a few times with a shake to her head, earning a confused stare from Beca in return. "I haven't seen you this moonstruck like...ever. Chloe has to be something else."

Beca couldn't stop the twitch curving up from the corners of her mouth even if she wanted too. Just Chloe's name being mentioned is enough to explode some sort of A-bomb inside her gut, filled with pure and utter happiness. She almost felt sick with the amount of butterflies fluttering around-but sick in the throwing up rainbows and cotton candy type of way.

"So, you DTR and dropped the L bomb. Anything else you wanna tell me about your blissful getaway with a flaming hot ginger?" Stacie lists with a devilish smirk.

Beca knew what her friend is waiting for just by the look on her face. It is an expression that oozes mischievous. "I spent the night with her."

Like she just received confirmation that she just won the powerball, Stacie lights up like a Christmas tree. "You spent the night?!" she repeats, her amusement only growing with Beca's returned nod. "And?! Come on, Bec! Give me the juicy deets!"

"There are no...juicy deets?" Beca felt weird saying this out loud. For someone who has the brain IQ of Christopher Michael Langan, Stacie sure did talk like an uneducated, high school teenager that finds their vocabulary through Urban Dictionary. "We cooked dinner, ate, then went up to her room to-"

"Have sex? Did a little finger diddling? Tickle the skittle?" Stacie quickly finishes Beca's sentence incorrectly. She did go in pretty confident though.

"What? No. Let me finish!" Beca waits for the wave to continue and zip to the lips before telling Stacie what actually happened. "As I was saying, after dinner we went up to her room and just watched movies all night. We didn't even go to sleep, not wanting to waste a second of our last night together."

Stacie gapes her mouth with a small 'awe,' "well that's ridiculously cute and weirdly out of character for you. Since when do you, of all people, watch movies? Especially all night! I had to cook you dinner for a week just to get you to come see The Fault in our Stars!" Seeing a clear opening, she removes her closest hand off the steering wheel to smack Beca in the gut.

She grunts a laugh at the hit and pushes Stacie's hand back into position on the wheel. "Um, yeah you did! Not only was the movie depressing as shit but also, you made me go out to the theater, just to see the midnight premiere with all the other sobbing girls and whipped boyfriends."

"Sorry I was and currently am boyfriendless, and even if I wasn't, there's no way I'd miss the chance to see the big bad wolf Beca Mitchell sniffle over a fictional character's death," Stacie jokes with a nudge to Beca's shoulder.

Pushing Stacie away as she giggles, Beca huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. "I wasn't crying. The tear you saw was from the amount of pain my body was enduring as it sat through that dreadful movie."

"Whatever you say, boo." Beca rolls her eyes, knowing Stacie won in her own head and can't even back it up on her part. It was a sad fucking movie and surprisingly, she has a heart! Sue her. "Anyways, so you're telling me that you and Chloe didn't do the dirty?" Beca nods her head at this. "Like….anything? Jesus, you don't know when you'll be down in Georgia again and you didn't hit that?!"

"No I didn't "hit that," Stacie, God." The disgust is there at the slang. "I mean….. not to brag or anything but I may have hit second base during our intense make out session." Beca offers with a nonchalant shrug.

She couldn't forget this magical moment. No way. But, she kept it on the down low, wanting to avoid all the inevitable flood of questions, or splutters of non English words that Stacie is currently spilling out from her mouth.

"See! You guys did get dirty! I can't believe that wasn't the first thing you told me when I picked you up at the airport!"

"Yeah you know, running across the airport screaming I touched my girlfriend's boobs didn't seem like the appropriate words to exchange in front of others. There were kids around, dummy."

"Birds and the bees, Becs. Children gotta learn from someone."

Incorrigible.

Stacie Conrad is incorrigible.

Beca stares while Stacie has her attention on the road. "I don't even know how to respond to that…"

Waving Beca off, "whatever. It must've been pretty damn good because you came back a whole different person. Like….your whole prickly attitude just disappeared and turned it into a cloud of nothing but fluffy softness. Trust me, I loved you with all my heart then but now, it's nice to see you this happy. Strange...but nice."

Stacie adds to Beca's buzzing euphoria after the weekend she just had. What she would do just to rewind time back to the moment she stepped off that plane landing in Georgia just to relive the moments all over again; Chloe and her living in their own little fantasy world with nothing to get in the way.

But this isn't a fantasy. It's the real world, and with this world comes challenges you have to go through whether you like them or not.

Thinking about this isn't really helping Beca move on from the trip, not that she really wanted to. But being less upset and gloomy about being so far away from her girlfriend would be nice since there wasn't anything she could really do. It didn't make her any less closer to Chloe, so why be miserable?

"Enough about me," Beca decides to change the topic. Talking about her relationship-though it is something she could go hours on hours talking about, now just was too soon. "What were you saying before?"

Stacie sparks up, "oh! Well I found a job as a tutor for the science department that pays pretty well. Turns out, not many want to teach a bunch of college students failing their gen eds because they can't pass Gen Chem. So far though, it's been pretty laid back" Stacie shrugs.

"That's awesome, dude!" It was about time that girl got a job she actually enjoyed. Beca doesn't remember the last time Stacie had one that made her want to go to work other than her high school job as a barista at a nearby Starbucks. "Classes going well?"

"Yep! Aubrey helped a lot with the homework I didn't get and now, it seems like I know everything there is to know about molecules, solutions and polymers."

"Speaking of Aubrey," Beca is pleased that it's her turn to do the hassling. "Anything going on with….that? You know, thinking about doing the dirty or whatever?" She uses Stacie's words against her with a wiggle to her eyebrows.

Stacie ignores this teasing movement and rolls her eyes. "Get your head out of the gutter. No, to answer your question." And she ignores Beca's wry smile as well. "She's fun to talk to, I really like how close we've gotten but long distance relationships are a no for me. I need-"

"Physical contact, sex, hugs and kisses, blah blah blah blah blah. I get it." Beca annoyingly fishes Stacie's words straight from her mouth, having heard it many times before whenever she mentioned the blonde.

"I don't know you and Chloe are able to do it," Stacie scoffs and Beca can only shrug, unable to answer the question for herself.

As they drive and chat along the way about random things that popped up from the weekend spent apart, Beca glances around at the scenery of the parking lot, noting that they're nowhere near their apartment. She guessed that they've been so caught up in talking that she didn't realize that Stacie was driving in the complete opposite direction of their home.

Stacie parks the car and snatches out her wallet with a smirk that's copied by Beca instantly when she can smell the delicious, heavenly scent radiant off the grill from even inside closed windows.

"Cafe Rio?" Beca questions, already feeling the excitement that dinner is in fact coming early tonight ladies and gents. After not eating during the flight, she is basically starving to death.

Stacie nods her head towards the door. "My treat."

"I love you so much."

---

Tuesday September 20, 5:35 PM

B: Hey you :-)

B: Sorry I'm just now getting back to you.

C: Don't you worry rockstar :)

C: How was your first day back?!

B: Hectic. Boy, this is definitely something else. I'm exhausted, hungry and my brain feels like it's going to burst.

B: On the plus side though, Diplo totally digged my samples and I think we've already rough drafted a single to drop as well as some other songs.

C: That's exciting! Wow!

C: You going to do any vocals for his album? :)

B: I thought about what you said and decided to go for it. Of course once I'm featured my image will blow up even more and there goes my chances of hiding under my rock away from all the fame.

B: But that's okay I guess.

B: I'm going to do vocals for this single actually.

C: YAY! :D omg this is awesome Beca!

C: Does that mean Selena is doing her own thing with Roger orrrrrr?

B: Actually, she's planned to be on the track as well. Did you know the girl can rap? Like mad, Tupac rapper. #Thuglife

B: Also having her on the single will definitely put his album even more under the spotlight than it already is.

C: OF COURSE Selena can rap. What can't she do? -_-

B: You know, I think she can do it all to be honest.

B: She was at the studio today. Had my my first fangirl moment.

C: If anybody else, I'd be happy for you. But it's Selena…the hottest chick I've seen besides you.

C: Please tell me she's a stuck up snob to make me feel better. Please. :(

B: Haha sorry, no can do. She's the sweetest. Total dork and still a child at heart.

B: Her lunch order today was a happy meal from McDonald's…

C: Dammit. She's awesome isn't she?

B: Yeah she is. Working with her is gonna be fun. Singing with her is going to be even better

C: I swear if she even looks at you the wrong way I swear to God I'll fly down there and give her a piece of my own medicine.

B: What makes you think she'll try something with me? She's as straight as an arrow and just got out of a relationship with the Biebs

C: No way! That whole thing with Demi!

B: Baby, that's such a conspiracy haha. Plus, I doubt she'll try anything with me. She could have anyone!

C: You turn heads, babe, make the guys and girls take a double look! You're hot Becs! Of course she might try something and I won't allow it!

B: I think this is the first time I've actually seen your jealousy surface ;-)

B: I have to say, it's sorta fucking hot.

C: Good. You're mine Mitchell ;)

C: I don't care if it's Selena Gomez, Beyoncé, or Madonna. I'll smack a bitch.

B: Yes I am ;-) I love this feisty side of you!

B: Anyways, what are you up to? How were classes?

C: Boring! I'm so glad I'm able to graduate at the end of fall semester. That way I can get my life together instead of worrying about class.

C: Luckily the elementary school I student teach at is basically now a full time job for me as my online courses are wrapping up.

B: That's awesome! Plus, you're finished early instead of those torturous six o'clock nights where I had to wait till you were done :-)

C: Yeah it's perfect! Even with the time change I feel like our schedules magically lined up so we could talk more :)

C: You work when I work, then I get off and you're still working in the studio but gives me time to do homework. It's great! :D

B: Yeah it is :-)

B: Hopefully it stays like this.

B: I miss you tons. I wish you were here right now.

C: I miss you too, baby.

C: Wanna Skype? :)

B: Um, duh. Don't even have to ask if it's an opportunity to see your face.

C: Charmer ;)

C: Hold on and I'll call you!

Beca hops off her bed and takes her shoes off that have been on her feet since the moment she walked through her door. Grabbing her laptop, she plops back on the bed as she logs into her Skype account and waits for Chloe to log in.

*Incoming Skype chat from Chloboxo*

"Hey," Beca angles her webcam so there is a clear and focused view of herself. After a while of buffering and freezing, Chloe is seen sitting on her bed with a bright toothy grin.

"Wow. I miss your beautiful face so much." Chloe reaches out with her hand to brush the outlined picture of Beca's face.

"I miss you too." Beca smiles at the gesture, wishing that the touch could be the real thing and not through a fifteen inch screen. "You're wearing my shirt," she notes when she sees the familiar black and white flannel hugging her girlfriend in all the right ways, even through a tiny little camera and definitely flaunting it better than she ever could. She can only imagine how good Chloe actually looks wearing her clothes in person.

Chloe glances down and shrugs. "Haven't taken it off. It's extremely comfy and soft."

"It's an old one. The softness probably was added from the amount of times it's been through the washer and dryer."

"Do I look good in it?"

"Y-yeah." Beca clears her throat as the word came out as a squeak. The puff to Chloe's chest is what taken Beca so off guard. It seemed like Beca didn't notice the lack of coverage the black tank top underneath had over Chloe's torso and she just received an eye full of her girlfriend's cleavage. "Yeah...you do." The rawness of her voice is even too noticeable to hide.

Chloe smiles giddy, unaware of how her hotness is affecting Beca even from across the country. "Good!" Beca leans over to her table to grab a bottle of meds and when she gets back into frame, Chloe is staring at her with a worried stare. "You okay?"

"Yeah. My head just hurts a bit." Beca shrugs, seeing the worry lift off Chloe. "One can only handle so much EDM beats, crammed inside a concealed booth for so long until their heads are rattling from the bass." Beca rubs her temples with a groan, hoping the Advil kicks in sooner than later. "Don't get me wrong, I love the genre; it's where I got my start, most of my ideas for my mixes. But boy, it feels like I'm locked in a nightclub, can't find my keys and lost my phone."

"Okay, Gaga." Chloe jokes, rolling her eyes. "I cannot wait until the album comes out. Even the single I'm excited for since you're singing in it!

"Same. I'm just…. I don't know. What if it turns to shit and the album bombs?" Beca shakes her head. These thoughts came constantly throughout the days whenever she'd be at work, or simply laying in bed with her eyes glued to the ceiling. "I'm just scared that I'll somehow mess things up but this time, for a well known celebrity."

"I reminded you before and I'll remind you again, you're the most talented person I know. What you can do with music is an mind blowing anomaly. Diplo, Roger and even Skrillex saw something in you that they haven't seen before. If they didn't believe you could be the right step in producing Diplo's album, they wouldn't have chose you." There isn't so much of a flinch in Chloe's voice. "You, Beca Mitchell, are going to take the music world by storm and I cannot wait to watch you do it."

"Thanks, babe." Beca insides warm through a cheeky grin. There's never a day talking to Chloe without the girl inflating her heart to maximum size.

"Save a Grammy speech for me and we are good." Chloe shoots Becaa wink. "Can we make this like a….thing?"

Beca furrows her brows. "What do you mean? Skype?"

"Yeah! Like we have designated days where we have Skype dates and we could watch movies, or listen to music! I can even order you food- even though I'd be eating at like 10, or you'd be eating at 3… just kidding. Maybe we won't eat...but we can do everything else!

Chloe is adorable. God, it should seriously be a crime with how cute she is. Beca smiles at the amount thought she is putting in the idea and can't help but think it's a great idea. Doing this would make Chloe seem closer, rather than thousand of miles away and that's something she can't turn down.

"I'd love that."

---

Tuesday September 27, 6:00 PM

"Hey you," Beca greets with a smile after the process of calling Chloe through Skype.

"Already our fourth date night!" Chloe claps through the screen sitting on Beca's lap excitedly. Tuesday's and Thursday's were their date nights when planning them and have been keeping track of them so far. "What are our plans for tonight since it's your turn to pick."

"I was thinking movie again, you get to pick...as long as it isn't another one of the cheesy, chick flicks. Enlighten me with some killing robots, or raunchy comedies. Hell, even choose a scary movie!" Chloe laughs as Beca rambles.

"For someone with a strong hatred for movies, you sure are watching a lot of them." Chloe tsks with a teasing smirk and shake to her head.

"Shush. But before we do that, I want to introduce you to someone." Chloe knits her brows together, probably confused to who else is joining them during their date night since it's always been just the two of them and Beca could only buzz with excitement as she reaches over to the side of her bed, out of frame so Chloe couldn't see the surprise and grabs the mystery guest.

Making sure everything is in frame, Chloe about breaks Beca's speakers on her laptop with her squeals when a tiny, palm size kitten fills the webcam screen with a high pitched meow. "Oh my God! Oh my God!" She smacks her hand over her mouth to hide the gushing but really, Beca can see it dripping from her eyes.

"Chloe, this is Buttercup. Buttercup, this is Chloe, my beautiful girlfriend." Chloe squeals again and if possible, louder this time.

Originally, getting a pet wasn't a planned thing on the agenda but obviously it became a thing. All this happened when Stacie and her took a trip to the shelter where Stacie volunteers at and a lady brought on a box full of kittens that were ready to be adopted. Making the mistake of looking into the box of pure cuteness, Beca's eyes immediately were glued to a tiny ball of orange furred kitten with icy blue eyes and couldn't for the life of her let the thing go. Next thing was, she found herself at a local Petco picking up a litter box and some toys for the kitten to play with.

The name for the kitten came instantly after comparison to Chloe, knowing that infamous nickname she was given as they continued talking. It only made sense to call her Buttercup and Stacie couldn't agree more.

"She is so cute! Why did you get a kitten?! I thought Stacie and you didn't want any pets?!"

"Well you see, that was the case until my eyes caught a glimpse of this cutie and all my toughness was shattered." Beca snuggles her nose into the side of the kitten's face and receives a barely audible meow that leaves Chloe almost in tears. "I haven't been the most chipper lately. You know, missing you and all... but Stacie insisted on us adopting her the moment my entire body lit up, claiming that this fur ball would get my groove back.

"I miss you too, so much but oh my God! She is the cutest little thing! And her eyes! They're so blue!" Chloe leans in closer to get a better look while Beca lifts Buttercup towards the camera to help.

"Yeah, she reminded me of you." Beca smiles cheesy, giddy and very uncharacteristic. Leave it to a small kitten to turn her hard interior into a pile a gooey mush. "The orange fur, the blue eyes, and how she basically climbed up the box into my arms was a clear indicator that she as well doesn't understand personal boundaries."

"Oh, baby that's sweet. I can't get over this cuteness!"

"I'm hope you don't mind the new guest joining us on our date night. I haven't been able to leave with her following me. I'm basically a fridge and this cat is the magnet."

"Of course I don't mind! Tank is with Aubrey right now and he's been present on our previous Skype dates, so it's only fair."

"Cool." Beca sets the kitten down next to her and scoots back on the bed so her back is flat against the mattress. Doing this gives Buttercup the opening to the divot in between her neck and chest. She doesn't waste a second before crawling up Beca to make herself a comfy bed to sleep. Beca winces at the sharpness and pain coming from the claws when Buttercup fluffs the cotton of her shirt before curling into a small, purring ball of fur below her chin as Chloe "awes" at the entire thing.

"Okay, princess. You good now?" Beca teases the kitten laying comfortably on her chest and only gets a squeaky meow as an answer.

"I need to get a picture of this!" Chloe fumbles around over her sheets until she is manhandling her cell phone and lifting it up to snap a photo.

She tells Beca to say cheese and Beca rolls her eyes with her signature smirk and just before Chloe clicks the picture, Buttercup lifts her head from her paws for a picture that looked posed.

Chloe squeals probably for the millionth time tonight as she examines the masterpiece on her phone. "This is going on every single one of my social medias, by the way."

"Oh yay," Beca snorts sarcastically. "Destroy my badass rep why don't cha, Beale." Chloe doesn't answer other than the tossed flirty wink, too busy being occupied by uploading the photo on God knows where.

As Beca waits for Chloe to finish, her phone vibrates off the charger. She picks up the device, thinking its a notification that Chloe just tagged her in a photo but nearly drops her phone when it's not from Chloe, but a person she hardly ever texts in the first place.

Tuesday September 27, 6:35 PM

Aubrey Posen: Hello, Beca.

B: …

B: Uh, hello?

Aubrey Posen: How are you?

B: …..fine?

B: Don't take this the wrong way...but why are you texting me?

Aubrey Posen: Can't I have a friendly, innocent chat with my best friend's girlfriend?

Aubrey Posen: We had lunch together, Beca. That makes us pretty darn close.

B: Uh, no it doesn't.

B: And I have another thing going in my head that's telling me this conversation is anything but "innocent"

Aubrey Posen: Oh but it is. I'm just stopping by to say hello. See how things are doing. Miss Georgia yet? How's work? I heard you are doing vocals for one of Diplo's singles. Also working with Selena.

B: Oh totally. The sweating buckets is just not the same up here at perfect, seventy degree weather.

B: But yeah. She and I are featured because Diplo isn't much of a singer. Trust me, I know.

Aubrey Posen: Well that's exciting. Ever since that snapchat of you singing Bieber got leaked through Twitter that Chloe showed me, I thought your voice was something that deserved to be heard.

B: Oh… Are you telling me that you, Aubrey Posen, the one person who called me "some alt girl with some madlib beats and ear monstrosities" are following my music? ;-)

B: A little bird told me that you're a proud Mitchie ;-)

Aubrey Posen: I will neither confirm nor deny.

Aubrey Posen: I never had a problem with your voice and the music you create. I just think your wardrobe could be….broaden more. You know, get away from the raccoon eyes and flannels. You look like a emo sixteen year old at a punk festival.

B: Haha Ouch!

B: See, and here I was thinking this convo was innocent. I'm wounded.

Aubrey Posen: I doubt a big bad celeb like you cares about what a pre-dental student like me thinks. I'm sure Chloe will help you wipe away the tears with your piles of money.

Aubrey Posen: Speaking of fame and Chloe.

B: Here we go…..the grand finale.

Aubrey Posen: I didn't get the chance to say this before you left and don't want to dwell nor waste my time with endless threats if you hurt Chloe because one, you make her the happiest I've ever seen her. And two, believe it or not, I like you.

B: Are you sure you're not just saying that because you want backstage tickets somewhere? ;-)

Aubrey Posen: Shut up, Mitchell. I'm serious. The amount of times I catch Chloe smiling down at her phone or your name spilling from her lips is enough to move out and write a book about it.

B: She makes me happy too. It's actually scary how happy she makes me.

"Okay! They're all uploaded!" Chloe tosses her phone down to the side with a smile. Now, Beca is waiting for the endless comments and likes on the photo, knowing she has seconds before her phone starts blowing up with notifications. "I'm going to go to the bathroom before we start okay?"

"Yeah no. Go ahead." Beca waves her off, more focused on her current conversation with Aubrey.

Aubrey Posen: I also heard you two shared the L word during date night.

B: It was time, I felt it.

B: I don't regret it either because it's true. I love her.

Aubrey Posen: Good. Because, Jesus Beca. This girl is so in love with you that it should be worrying.

Aubrey Posen: So as my duty of a best friend, it's my job to make sure no one does anything to hurt her. I don't care how famous you are, who you talk to, and how far away you live. If you EVER hurt Chloe, you are going to wish you were dead. Don't test me, Mitchell.

Aubrey Posen: I've had experience handling twelve acapella girls. Let's just say if they were to break an oath, their vocal cords would be ripped out by wolves.

B: Jesus Christ..

B: Noted. I don't plan on hurting Chloe.

Aubrey Posen: Good. Just keep that in mind.

Aubrey Posen: Well, as much as I love talking to you, this conversation is over.

B: I thought you wanted to actually talk to me Posen, not threaten me! We are lunch buddies remember?!

Aubrey Posen: I'd want nothing more than to talk to you… BUT, I have more important things to do.

B: Like what? Talk to Stacie? ;-)

Aubrey Posen: No..

B: Speaking of the devil! How is…. that going?

Aubrey Posen: Goodbye Beca!

Beca chuckles to herself, amused that bringing up Stacie was enough to have Aubrey avoid the topic. She doesn't know how but she'll get down to the core of what is really going on between the two of them.

Chloe jumps onto the bed, situating herself back to a comfortable position with the laptop in her lap. "Sorry about that!" She rearranges herself comfortably.

"Don't worry. I was kept company from the one and only." Chloe knits her brows together and cocks her head to the side. "Aubrey," she answers by the confusion.

"Oh really? What did she say?"

"I'm pretty sure she just threatened to rip my vocal cords out by wolves if I hurt you..." Beca let her voice shift to a tease, hiding the obvious terror she had towards what could possibly be true or not. Where would Aubrey even find wolves? And is that even possible?

"Oh no. She didn't scare you away did she? The best friend talk with my past exes never went too well. If it makes you feel better Aubrey is all bark no bite."

"Debatable." Beca would never say it out loud but Aubrey has a front about herself that she carries and it terrifies her. Maybe joking with the blonde is more than a little bit amusing but Beca knows she's testing her luck with a shot to the throat.

"Since on the topic, I'm still waiting for the friendly chat from Stacie now that we're talking about this." Chloe chuckles.

"Yeah, Stacie is more of the "face to face" confrontation person." Beca shrugs casually and Chloe's eyes stretch wide. "She's probably saving her breath, waiting to meet you."

Chloe releases a hitchy sigh and runs a hand through her hair. "Oh, lovely."

Beca smiles, enjoying the body language of Chloe tense. She knew Stacie is a polar opposite of Aubrey when it comes to scaring the people she dates. Having that protective nature though, Stacie makes sure whoever it is that is given the talk knows that they're in trouble if they hurt her.

Or that is what she thinks. She's never heard the other end of the story when Stacie was alone with her exes. They were either too scared to speak, or respected the privacy of the talk. Probably the first one because they never ended up staying, hence being exes. Also, Beca doesn't really know what happened when Stacie would ask for their phone numbers and or addresses. Anyways.

What was she talking about again? Oh yeah!

In reality when it comes to Stacie's best friend talk, Chloe has nothing to worry about.

As far as Beca knows, that is.

"You ready for this movie, dork?" Her neck is getting sweaty with the cat sleeping on her neck, Netflix is loaded up on Beca's TV with the movie Bring It On on pause and has a bowl of popcorn seated next to her. Beca sees Chloe staring off into the distant, most likely cueing up the movie.

"You know it!"

---

Tuesday October 4, 3:34 PM

To say that getting back into the groove of things was an easy task to accomplish is all just a big bag of bullshit. Waking up was hard for Beca; she knew it was another boring day finishing up her University classes and heading off to work for the rest of the day with Chloe on the other side of the country doing God knows what.

However, after the last load of the struggle bus, she finally got back on track with her job, managing among studio time appropriately and getting her school work done, as well as making all the free time she had left for Chloe. For a while, Stacie was getting nervous that she wouldn't be able to bounce back after the weekend spent with Chloe down in Georgia but was relieved to catch her one morning, cooking up breakfast for the two of them before Stacie headed to her morning classes and Beca went off to work.

It was a nice change for Stacie not to basically barge into Beca's barely lit room, jumping over the plethora of food boxes scattered along the floor just in effort to drag the saddened zombie Beca was out of bed to get the day started.

Beca knew throughout the three weeks she was on the dramatic side of how she should be handling this split from Chloe. She also knew leaving was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do in her life and being right, a whole two weeks of being a hermit was there to back that up. The both of them were still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, not really wanting to be thousands of miles apart to share the euphoria that came with the new label on their relationship.

But they were able to make the most of the time talking to their advantage. It wasn't easy. Hell, people don't say long distance relationships are the hardest to stick through for nothing.

They fell into a routine; Chloe would have designated times when she'd call Beca after work on the days she was busy student teaching and Beca would make sure she was either out of the studio or free to chat no matter how long the phone call lasted. Other days, it would be Beca's turn to set up phone calls when she let Chloe know in advance the extra studio time she set up for Diplo.

Things like these started falling into place. The distance was still extremely hard to overcome but everyday talking to Chloe somehow made it that much easier.

That was until her job was becoming more and more hectic as they were polishing up the new single for Diplo's highly anticipated album she has taken into her own hands. It also seemed to get even more crazy with the split studio time with Selena and found herself trapped inside the booth with the girl's insane schedule. This, along with doing her own recording for the song, gave Beca very little time to talk to Chloe the past few days. They still talked, don't get her wrong. They still had their Skype dates even though they were cut moe than half and Beca barely was able to stay awake or online long enough before she had to go to sleep for an early day, same with Chloe.

But the good mornings texts and the goodnight texts can only be tolerated for so long until you feel that hole in your heart growing after missing someone too much.

Tuesday October 4, 3:34 PM

B: God! The first day in three weeks that I've gotten off of work somewhat early!

B: Thank God for the finished single. I need this break…

C: Hey baby! :)

C: I'm glad you're off! Seems like I haven't talked to you in awhile other than the few check up texts here and there.

B: I'm sorry Chlo. Work has been kicking my ass. Plus the time I do get out of work is already late enough California time not to mention down in Georgia.

B: Anything I can do to make up lost time?

C: Don't apologize for your job, babe. I'm super proud of you and can't wait to hear the single you've been working so hard for!

C: That's enough to make up everything :)

B: Really? There's nothing else I can do?

B: Not even…. a Skype date later tonight, just the two of us, sharing a delicious box of unhealthy pizza (virtually) while watching today's awful movie choices?

B: Tonight is our night...

C: Hmm, very tempting Mitchell ;) Especially when I have the entire day off tomorrow...

C: Do I get to pick the movie? Even a romcom? Or even better! I think they put Magic Mike XXL on Netflix!

B: ….

B: Just kidding. I changed my mind.

C: Lol! Nope!

C: That's exactly how you can make up for lost time Mitchell! ;)

B: Um okay? Having my girlfriend ogle over naked men while I watch it with her on the other side of the country?

B: That doesn't sound pleasant :-(

C: Oh come on! You know that I'll be looking at you the entire time anyway ;)

C: Half naked men who can dance have NOTHING on you, buttercup ;)

B: Fine…

B: Speaking of Buttercup, she doesn't agree with the choice of movie but finally being able to see your face again is totally worth it.

C: Awh! Make sure she is there tonight and I'll bring Tank!

C: I'm excited for a real date night with you :) It feels like forever since we got to sit down and watch something or fall longer than a ten minute intermission.

B: Yeah I know. But I'm glad I have the rest of the day off and most of the morning to talk.

B: Better keep your schedule open because these next hours are designated for me :-)

C: Don't you worry. My time is your time ;)

Stacie creeps open Beca's shut door and walks in with a way too happy grin for being one who just got done with classes before dropping her school bag to the ground and jumping across to land nearly on Beca's sprawled legs. She huffs the overthrown hair draped over face when landing on the bed and twists herself comfortably to get a good look at Beca.

"Hey, munchkin. What you up to?" The suspicious smile is still glowing across Stacie's mouth and with the added casual greeting it only sparks up Beca's suspicion.

"Nothing?" Beca responds slowly, her eyebrow inching up higher by the second. "What's with….all this?" she raises her finger and twirls it in the direction of Stacie's wry smirk.

"Oh nothing…" Stacie hints, her voice abnormally higher than usual and there was a hint of something hidden underneath the words. "When were you going to tell me we got invited to a house party hosted by the one and only Diplo tonight?!"

Shit. Beca sort of forgot about that. She remembers him dropping the invitation to her through text since he wasn't in the studio today but also remembers him bringing it up nonchalantly in the past. The party wasn't planned to be anything big, just most of Atlantic, other artists and close friends of his. He wanted to lay back after being cooped up in the studio for so long and since Beca's team are getting a solid chunk of work done on his album, what better way than to host a little something to get their creative minds a rest.

What Beca doesn't know is how Stacie found out about this but then it clicks that after Diplo found out about Stacie being her best friend who happens to share an apartment with, he followed her through twitter. They met once when Stacie dropped off lunch to Beca at work and other than the hardcore fangirl moment Stacie had when she was greeted by the blonde DJ himself, the two of them clicked.

"Damn, that's tonight?" Beca tries to cover up with a tight lip smile and a surprised glare. In her defense, everything going on in her life is becoming one big giant whirlwind of a mess. Things were starting to blend together when they shouldn't.

It is difficult to keep track of everything going on.

"Yes it's tonight! He sent out a mass DM through Twitter and you wanna know who was on the guest list of people?" Beca nods her head, wondering who could possibly be the culprit to have Stacie going nuts over. " Zedd! Freaking Zedd is going to be there! You know he's one of my top favorite DJs other than you, B."

This is very true. Almost all of the girl's workout playlists has every song done by him, or every song he has been featured in. Stacie is a total groupie for this dude.

But to be honest, Beca had no idea that he was even going to make it. Diplo and him work for two completely different labels. She guessed that they are friends somehow, whether it was because of their similar music genre, or that fact that all DJs must stick together like a cult. Whatever it was, Beca can't even lie and say the possibility of meeting Zedd doesn't light a small ember in her veins.

"I really, really want to go Stace. Trust me. Diplo has been on my ass about making an appearance so we could brag out the single coming up…" Beca says as Stacie smile grows more and more hopeful. "But I can't." Stacie's smile immediately curves downward into a frown, killing her buzz instantly. "I have a Skype date with Chloe tonight that I really don't want to bail on." She lifts her phone up for backup. "Why don't you go a ahead and go? I'm sure he'll be more than stoked to see you there."

Not expecting the abrupt change in attitude, Beca is startled by the rough scoff exiting from Stacie under her breath. "Jesus, Beca. You know I love you with all my heart and I'm a hundred percent team Chloe but seriously this is unfair. Ever since you've started talking to her you completely kicked me to the streets." She laughs a low chuckle with a shake to her head but even Beca knows it is forced and doesn't mean a damn thing.

This is not only news to Beca but it's also shocking. Very rarely does she witness Stacie so upset about things and expect for a handful of times in the past has she ever been the reason to cause the shift in behavior. "What do you mean?" Has she really been so caught up in Chloe to not realize Stacie felt this way? If so, that's enough to make her feel like the shitiest person alive.

Stacie sighs, "lately, everything has been Chloe this, Chloe that and with your crazy work schedule, me at school, we've barely spent any time together." Her words aren't nearly as sharp as before and the volume to her tone has drop significantly. "Whenever I ask to hang out, you are either working on your tracks for work, or talking to Chloe."

Beca knows that Stacie would never be the one to blame her absence on work. Her job pay for the bills and Stacie isn't one to hold that against her. But what she does know is that when she does have the time off from the studio, she goes straight for her room to talk with Chloe. The time there isn't equal on both sides and if Stacie and Chloe were a titter tot, majority of the weight would be on Chloe's end.

Stacie begins again, "and when we do hang out, your mind is elsewhere, preferably glued to a certain redhead and I can tell with your lack of focus that you'd much rather be talking to her."

Beca's heart deflated hearing this, seeing Stacie admit so honestly. She never thought about how absent she has been lately and never took into relaxation at how Stacie might feel about it.

"I understand Chloe's your girlfriend and your job is real fuckin' important. But all I'm saying is that I miss you." Stacie's sad eyes fall down to her hands that are playing with the sheets on top of Beca's bed. It kills her to see Stacie hurting about this so much. "Like a ton. I miss our crazy adventures, our late night dinners, the meaningless car rides to the goonies, someone to talk to about everything that's going on in my life." She lists with a smile at the memories and sure enough, Beca mirrors the expression. Those were nights for the books. "I miss my best friend."

Beca opens her mouth then closes it, prepared to say something but it was all lost with the change in atmosphere when she got a real good look at her friend. Stacie is a strong woman. Probably the strongest woman Beca has ever had the pleasure of meeting and being so lucky to be taken under the giant's wing to be considered a best friend. But seeing her now, so weak and fragile is almost hard to look at.

"I'm so sorry, Stace." Beca apologizes sincerely, feeling even more awful by saying it out loud. "It's just….distance fucking sucks and I feel like the time throughout my days is practically nonexistent. I feel like an octopus trying to juggle everyone and everything around to share time but obviously with only ball." Beca meets Stacie's eyes with a frown. "That ball being, Chloe."

"And I understand that, Beca. You want to spend every waking minute talking to the girl you love!" Yeah, Beca can see that Stacie understands this but deep down, she knows that it isn't what Stacie prefers. It's not even that she thinks Stacie is jealous about the situation. It's a weird feeling she is getting though. "I know Chloe wants to do the same thing, trust me. Aubrey might not be talking about this to Chloe but with me, she tells me how much she's has also been shut out by her best friend."

This isn't what Beca wants; Stacie to feel like she doesn't deserve any of her time. She doesn't even want Aubrey to feel that way but yet, it's still happening.

"I guess…. I just didn't realize how one tracked my mind has been. I'm sorry." Beca deflates at the apology again, the words coming out as repetitive and meaningless as the honest reality still pains her heart. She never wanted Stacie to feel like this. To feel thrown away.

"I know you are. All of this is new to you and you don't know how to go about it the right way yet." Stacie reaches out to rest a gentle hand over Beca's bent knee. The touch is nice; it's a sign that Beca hasn't completely demolished her relationship with Stacie to the ground. "I'm not asking for you to drop everything and give me your full attention twenty four seven. God knows I'll get sick of you." Her lips twitch into a small wavering smile when Beca rolls her eyes.

"All I'm asking for is a balance. Gingers don't have souls but I know they'll be okay with sharing."

Beca snickers hearing this. It's not even Chloe keeping Beca from Stacie. Actually, Chloe would never purposely make Beca chose from the two. This entire situation is Beca's fault, no one else's. She wasn't able to split the time equally and only now, one of the few people who mean the world to her is hurting.

Bobbing her head back and forth in thought, "okay, let's go-" Beca doesn't even finish before Stacie and the girl's amazon length are smothering her limbs with a tight hug. Stacie squeals a few dozen times in a pitch that could break glass and then she hops off the bed, bouncing on the heels of her feet.

"We don't have to stay for long! I know you barely talked to Chloe over the weeks with work and stuff so I get why tonight means so much to you." Stacie rushes, the corners of her mouth almost touching her ears. "A couple hours sound good?" she negotiates with a shrug and Beca smiles with a nod. Getting out to spend time with Stacie is needed and also a few hours won't hurt-even if she has to push the planned Skype date back a little.

"Deal."

And Stacie hugs Beca one last time before scurrying to her room to get changed. Beca also figures that she should start getting ready as well since the party is coming up shortly. And since she can't stay long, might as well get there on time.

Tuesday October 4, 3:45 PM

C: Usual time for our date night? :)

Tuesday October 4, 3:54 PM

B: Yeah about that. Diplo is hosting a party tonight that I completely forgot about.

C: Oh, okay then.

C: So do you need to cancel?

B: No! No I don't need to cancel. I was just thinking that since the party is starting at 6ish for a barbecue which is the usual time for our date, I was thinking we could start at 8…? Is that too late?

C: Nope! Remember I have tomorrow off :)

C: But really, babe. If you need to cancel, you can. I'm not going to say I won't be upset because I feel like my time with you is shortening by the day and was super excited to see your face. But I understand this is your job and need to go out and have fun. I don't want to be the reason you don't have a social life.

B: Honestly, the party scene isn't really my...thing. I'm only going for a few hours to make an appearance. I'd much rather spend all night with you, Chlo.

C: Okay, okay okay okay :D

C: I'm excited! It's been a while!

B: I know! But I promise I'll be back to watch whatever you want :-)

C: Sounds good! :)

---

Tuesday October 4, 5:56 PM

Diplo's house is illegally gorgeous; Beca concludes when the GPS systems informs them that they made it to their destination. Inside is even more fancy than the outside-if possible, with the glass doors and windows bordering the lower level, the spiral staircase to a balcony upper level where people were leaning off the edge. If MTV Cribs was still going on, there was no way this house wouldn't be featured. The square feet of the place Beca couldn't even estimate with the amount of bodies crowding the area but she can guess the house cost millions.

Majority of the people there were people she didn't know. Most of them were the team back at Atlantic. She assumed that a few hundred people in the "celeb world" was a kick back to them unlike for college, it's the next Project X or something.

Popularity never came as a dream for Beca unless it had to do with her music and her sound getting out there. As far as friends or the hot "cliques" that sat in the VIP section during high school lunches those weren't much in Beca's interest. She had a solid base of kick ass friends and didn't need a few thousand more just for numbers. Dressing up alone wasn't something that sparked her interest and she revolved around the sweatpants, no make up and sitting snuggled up in the sheets of her bed at home. Of course she'd venture out a weekend here and there, not having a choice as she is friends with a very demanding Australian but by nature, she is a homebody.

So, experiencing this party in the flesh with celebrities Beca has only be inspired by over the years rounding every counter of the house, congratulating her on the album is definitely an….experience.

Surreal that's for sure.

Thinking she's seen enough, the backyard of the literally took her breath away, with the four by four square bricks placed like a checkerboard in the freshly cut, green grass that surrounded the pool and jacuzzi. There's also a bar outside and waiters going around taking orders and serving drinks and Beca feels like she is definitely out of place. At least for the most part the scene is on the fancy side of casual. There is girls walking around in thousand dollar dresses you'd see on the red carpet or guys flaunting tuxedos.

It makes her feel better about only wearing a nice blouse, her nicest pair of black jeggings and heeled boots.

"You made it!" It took a while to find him through the large crowd of people but eventually, Diplo's greets Beca and Stacie out back by the pool where he has his shirt off, wearing a pair of swim trunks and is being the true grill master, cooking up burgers and hot dogs. He gives her a side hug and does the same with Stacie. "Glad you came, shorty. Didn't think you would."

Beca rolls her eyes at the stuck nickname she got blessed with with her first encounter with the DJ, "we have some bragging to do, remember?" Beca quirks her eyebrow with a smirk.

"Damn right we do. How's the girl? You didn't give her any sneak peeks of the song did you?" Diplo squints his eyes towards Beca suspiciously.

"She's good! I actually can't stay long, probably a few hours because we have a date tonight but no. I haven't. She bugs me constantly but I want it to be a surprise when it drops." Beca answers honestly and can be seen that Diplo is surprised by her response. She may be whipped when it came to Chloe but when it came to music, she kept her word.

"What about this one?" Diplo gestures his head over to Stacie with a smirk. "You let her listen to a sample?"

"Pshh, no!" Stacie answers for Beca. "But believe me, I've tried multiple times to sneak through the files on her laptop to find the song." Hearing this is a surprise and Beca smacks her friend in the stomach at the lack of privacy she has.

"Good job." Throwing an arm over Beca's shoulder, "now come on. I have a line of people wanting to meet my producer who may or may not be possible clients for future albums." Beca gawks her mouth at this. People are wanting to work with her? Oh my God. "Did I mention one of them being Jay-Z?" He pulls her over to the sliding doors to go back inside as Stacie goes on a hunt for a certain DJ.

And okay, Beca is so freaking glad she came out tonight.

---

Tuesday October 4, 11:46 PM

Beca doesn't really know where the time went as the night progressed. It was like one minute she was going around the house with Diplo by her side, amping the hype around their new single that was about to drop and then next, she is taking a line of shots with Selena freaking Gomez in the kitchen, surrounded by an audience of cheers from others around them watching.

She remembers briefly about the conversation with the celeb, retorting with confidence that she could out drink Selena after the multiple height jabs she received from the girl, saying she is probably a light weight with nowhere to store all the alcohol in her tiny frame. Of course she couldn't just walk away from that without proving something so, that's what led to Skrillex pouring the liquor in seven, individual shot glasses with a megaphone to announce the competition.

And maybe it wasn't the best idea to take part in because she might have went into the kitchen over confident with proving Selena wrong while clearly the girl had a liver of pure steel.

In conclusion, Beca can't handle her liquor well and Selena definitely can.

During this time, Beca isn't drunk yet, but knows the line of Ciroc she just swallowed like water mixed with the few beers she had before is about to catch up with her real soon. She decides that finding a place to sit is a good idea before that time comes and as she finds an open couch outside, Selena plops down right next to her.

"How are things going with your ginger? Chloe right? I feel like I can't get online without someone talking about your relationship. You guys are very cute." Selena laughs and Beca has heard the sound nut plus times in the studio recording but still to this day, the laugh sounds like a child's. She also doesn't even sound or act the slightest bit of drunk and Beca thinks it's absolutely insane because she feels the complete opposite.

"We are soooo great!" Beca thinks she is starting to slur her words; she also can't really feel her mouth moving due to the sudden numbness around the area-which isn't a good sign so she doesn't really know if she's talking at all. "The distance is...realllly hard but we make it work. I actually have a Skype date ton-"

Beca completely freezes when the words leave her mouth. She sees a waving hand in front of her face and Selena talking something to her with a puzzled stare but everything around her goes mute.

"What time is it?" Beca manages to ask all of a sudden. She'd check for herself but she ended up leaving the device in the car before even entering Diplo's house because she didn't want to test her luck by losing it.

Her heart races at the anticipation while Selena scavenges for her phone and her eyes about burst from her skull when she hears the exact time.

"Shit." Beca grumbles under her breath. Selena stares at the complete three sixty spin in behavior but is too late to ask what's wrong before Beca is pulling herself up from the couch and walking away. "Shitshitshitshitshit." She curses some more, this time louder as the reality sinks in. There's a slight chance Chloe could still be up. There's also a slight chance that she could be livid at Beca for ditching their Skype date when she promised she wouldn't miss. Beca knows she'd be pissed if the tables were turned. Basically she just stood up Chloe and that's the thought that kills Beca the most.

Wobbling inside after pushing through people, the alcohol doing some intense damage to her balance and vision, she finds Stacie chatting with Zedd (of course) and yanks her out of conversation with a pull to her arm.

"I need the keys! I left my phone in there!" Beca yells but can tell Stacie doesn't understand what she is saying due to them being in the worst area to have a conversation with the EDM music blaring.

"I can't hear you! The music's too loud!" Stacie gestures around the room.

"GIVE ME THE KEYS TO THE CAR!" Beca uses her high volume in voice, red in the face, and luckily Stacie hears her this time. Taking the keys without answering Stacie's questions, asking if she's alright, she practically runs to the car to find her phone.

Out of the glove box and all coming from Chloe, her screen lights up with a few missed calls, a voicemail and a couple text messages. She listens to the voicemail which came before the text message

Tuesday October 4, 8:35 PM

*New voicemail from Chloe Beale*

"Hey, Beca. Just wondering where you are. I'm assuming you're either running a bit late, or just forgot about tonight. Call me back when you get this."

Prepared for a serious amount of yelling through the voicemail, Beca is surprised that she gets the opposite. Chloe's voice is weak and fragile. Her tone is low, barely audible and Beca thinks if Chloe spoke any louder, she'd end up crying with the tremble hidden underneath her words. She removes the phone from her ear when the voicemail ends and clicks over to the unread messages next.

Tuesday October 4, 10:43 PM

C: It's me again. I figure you got caught up with the party and can connect the dots to say our date isn't happening tonight.

C: I'll talk to you later, Beca.

As a reflex, Beca hits Chloe's name to call her back, not taking into consideration that she is very much drunk and isn't in the right state to be apologizing for blowing off their date and probably would make it worse. But she doesn't think about that as the phone rings; her main focus is to give a sincere apology. Not being able to do this though, the call goes to voicemail, leaving Beca to listen to Chloe's bubbly voice unlike before.

"Hi! You've reached Chloe Beale. Sorry I cannot answer your call but please leave your name and number and I pinky promise to get back to you as soon as I can!"

Inwardly, Beca tries to call her again and gets the same results. Maybe she tried a few more times after that but she's not really sure. What she does know is that it was her job to keep track of time but even that she was unable to do.

She messed up.

Fuck, she really messed up this time.