JuneXDTennousu: ding, ding, ding! I'm actually a bit surprised with myself for using two Taylor Swift songs (considering the fact that I don't really listen to much of her music). I actually also considered using Blank Space as well but it didn't really fit. I'm also using two Sia and Lea Michele songs but that isn't as surprising cause I'm a huge fan of them both.
Anonymaus: Not a cheesy compliment. I aca-love it :)
A/N: There's gonna be a bit of a depressing, angsty, cliffhanger ending in this chapter so prepare for it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Perfect or Elastic Heart (Sia) or Begin Again (Taylor Swift). As always look up the songs if you don't know them. Taylor Swift has a legit version of Begin Again which is the version I used as inspiration for this chapter. See you at the end!
"Wow," Aubrey complimented as she caught her breath.
"You're welcome," Stacie smirked as she placed light kisses over Aubrey's collarbone.
"God Stacie no more. How are you so vivacious? I feel exhausted."
Stacie shrugged and moved her hands to more PG areas of Aubrey's body. "I just can't get enough of you."
"Well I need food or I will die."
Stacie laughed and rolled over on the bed to grab the room service menu.
"I'm going to miss this," Aubrey sighed as she sunk into the mattress.
Stacie froze. "Miss this?" Was this just temporary for the blonde? Had she completely misread everything?
"Yeah," Aubrey nodded with her eyes closed as she completely missed Stacie's reaction. "We won't be able to keep this up when we move in with Chloe."
Stacie raised a brow and dropped the forgotten room service menu. She was thoroughly confused. "And why are we moving in with Chloe?"
"To help after the surgery," Aubrey spoke as if it was obvious.
"She's getting the surgery?" Stacie asked.
Aubrey's eyes opened and locked on to Stacie's. "Oh. I guess we haven't done much talking this weekend." It was already Sunday and the pair had literally spent the entire weekend getting reacquainted with each other in the biblical sense. "Chloe decided on the surgery."
"Really? I was sure she'd drag her heels on it for a bit longer. How'd you talk her into it?"
"It wasn't me, it was Beca," Aubrey spat the name.
"What was that? Are you jealous?" Stacie frowned. Chloe would probably always be a difficult subject between the two regardless of the friendship she now had with the singer.
"That hobbit is going to break Chloe's heart, I just know it." Aubrey linked her hand with Stacie's, hoping to ease some of the concern.
"But she talked her into the surgery, right? And that's a good thing. Maybe Beca is a good thing."
"I'll believe it when I see it. Unfortunately Chloe is still as stubborn as ever so she isn't having the surgery until after her performance at the charity dinner on Saturday."
Stacie nodded and squeezed Aubrey's hand. "That makes sense though. You know how important that dinner is to Chloe and her charity."
"Yeah I know," Aubrey sighed, "But this is Chloe and I know how much singing must be hurting her. I can't stand to see her in pain. If I had my way she would have had the surgery on Monday and would already been on the path to healing."
"You can't control everything Bree, especially not someone else's life. It's Chloe decision to sing so you just need to support that, OK?"
Aubrey nodded and cuddled into Stacie's side. "It's hard to let go and stop stressing about every little thing but… you make it easier."
"That's what I'm here for." Stacie placed a light kiss on Aubrey's head but the blonde just sighed again.
"To make matters worse Tom is going to be at the dinner as well."
Stacie frowned. "They haven't seen each other since he moved out, have they?"
"I don't think so but Chloe doesn't really talk about him, like at all. I have no clue what's going through her head."
"Well maybe she's talking to Beca about everything?"
Aubrey rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. Chloe always talks to me about these things."
"Aubrey… maybe it's time to accept that things are changing. Beca seems really important to Chloe."
"I don't care how important she is! Chloe has me and that's all she needs," Aubrey snapped.
Stacie didn't hide the hurt in her eyes. "And what about me?"
Aubrey looked into Stacie's hurt eyes and instantly regretted her words. Stacie may come off as confident and overtly sexual but beneath that facade was a vulnerable woman who just needed love. Aubrey stroked Stacie's cheek with her hand. "I'm sorry Stace, I didn't mean it like that. For the longest time it's been Chloe and me against the world. After her mother died and her father left I was all she had and in turn she was all I had. It's hard to let that go but I swear that it has nothing to do with how I feel about you. I love you Stacie."
"I love you too Bree," Stacie said with a small smile. "I can tell you're worried about Chloe so how about we call her and ask her to lunch? We can tell her about us, I know that'll make her happy."
Aubrey nodded and gave a small smile as she pulled out her phone to call her best friend.
Beca couldn't push the happy smile from her face as she knocked on Chloe's door. They'd decided to have a Sunday lunch before Beca had to head to her family dinner. The day before Beca and Chloe had just spent the entire day talking about anything and everything and getting to know each other. Beca found that she could open up to Chloe like never before and it surprised her just how OK with it all she was.
Beca knocked again after no one answered and tried the door. It opened easily.
"Chlo you really should take better care of locking that door you know," Beca called as she started searching the house for the redhead. "Chlo? Where are you?" Beca chuckled as she finally found the redhead dancing in the lounge room using a duster as a microphone. She was wearing headphones so she couldn't hear Beca.
"I got a new life, you would hardly recognise me, I'm so glad. How could a person like me care for you," Chloe sung causing Beca to laugh at the song choice. Only Chloe could make such a lame song adorable.
Why do I bother
when you're not the one for me
Oooooo
Is enough enough
I saw the sign
and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign
and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up
to get into the light where you belong
But where do you belong
Beca couldn't help her reaction after Chloe started to do some strange flight attendant actions during the chorus. Her laughter finally drew Chloe's attention and the redhead flushed as she pulled off her headphones.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Chloe joked trying to save face. "And I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in. I like the way music can sound so full and overcome everything through headphones."
Beca tried and failed to school her face. "I'm not. What was that? And I'm like the last person you have to justify wearing headphones to," Beca pointed at.
Chloe shrugged, putting her duster down and plugging her phone into her stereo so she could restart the song for Beca to hear.
Beca frowned. "What's wrong with it?" she asked when she didn't recognise the song as the original Ace of Base version.
"It's the Bella version."
"Bella? Aubrey's lame aca-group?"
"Not lame but yes. C'mon, I'll show you the actions," Chloe smiled as she pulled Beca's back to her front and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman.
"No, I'm good, I'm good," Beca argued as she pulled out of Chloe's grip and calmed her heart.
"What? Don't want to lose some hipster credit points?" Chloe teased.
Beca huffed. "I'm not hipster, I'm badass. And badasses don't 'do' flight attendant dancing to mouth music." Beca raised a brow as the music moved from Eternal Flame to Turn Around. "Oh my god, is there nothing from this century on here?"
Chloe shrugged. "Aubrey likes tradition." Chloe's phone began to ring, cutting off the song and pumping No Diggity through the house. Beca smiled in approval at the ringtone. "Speaking off," Chloe said as she pressed loudspeaker on her phone so Beca could hear as well. "Bree," Chloe greeted warmly, "It's been almost 48 hours without your constant supervision, how's the sex?"
Beca flushed at Chloe blatancy but smirked when she heard Aubrey stutter.
"Fan-fucking-tastic," Stacie spoke. Aubrey must have the phone on loudspeaker. "Aubrey has really… opened up to me."
"Gross," Beca frowned as Chloe giggled.
"Glad to hear it. But if you guys are calling for a threesome I'm gonna have to say no, only one of you is my type."
"Which one?" Beca, Stacie and Aubrey spoke in unison.
Chloe winked at Beca as she answered, "I like brunettes."
Yep. Beca just died.
"We were calling about lunch," Aubrey spoke sounding a littler perturbed but no more than usual.
"I thought I just said no to that," Chloe joked.
"Crass," Aubrey sighed as Stacie laughed. Beca was still somewhere back around Chloe liking brunettes.
"Lunch sounds good. There's this cute little diner I saw the other day, I'll text you the info."
"Great. Meet you there in an hour," Aubrey confirmed before hanging up.
"I thought we had plans?" Beca frowned as she finally caught up to the conversation.
"We do. Lunch," Chloe said, not understanding the problem.
"Yeah but I thought it was an 'us' thing not like a 'us and them' thing," Beca pouted. She had been really looking forward to some more one-on-one time with the redhead.
"Becs," Chloe spoke softly, "We have spent the last two days together and we will be spending ALL of next week together as well. Stacie and Aubrey are my friends and I need to hear the details. It's my duty as future maid of honour. Besides: if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends," Chloe sung as she collected her bag and headed to the door.
"In your dreams Beale," Beca returned. God she wished it wasn't a joke.
Chloe just laughed and pushed Beca out of the door.
Aubrey looked surprised and Stacie looked pleased when Chloe arrived with Beca in tow.
"Hey guys," Chloe gushed as Beca just gave a small wave. Her trademark smirk had returned now that she was in the presence of someone other than Chloe. Chloe slid into the booth with Beca close behind.
"Hey!" Stacie returned pleasantly to both women.
"Oh. She's here," Aubrey returned not as pleasantly.
"I'm not to keen to see you either Posen," Beca glared.
Chloe chose to ignore the death stares between her best friend and her… Beca. "The food was great here the other week with Fat Amy and Jesse," Chloe announced as she began to skim a menu.
Aubrey raised a brow and shifted her attention from Beca. "Fat Amy?"
"Mmmhmm. Beca's best friend," Chloe said absently. "I'm craving an Everything Burger."
Beca glanced over Chloe's shoulder at the list of ingredients in the burger. "Chlo you don't eat half of that stuff and you'll never get through it."
Stacie and Aubrey glanced at each other. Neither of them had spent an extended period of time with the pair and it was surprising to see how close they were after only a few weeks.
"I know but you eat it so I can just give it to you," Chloe beamed but Beca frowned.
"So I just eat parts of your burger?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "No. You get that toasted sandwich which I know you want to order even though it's too small for you and then add my extra burger bits."
"Oh. Yeah that works."
Aubrey blinked and Stacie smirked. "So… What's new with you guys?"
Chloe turned to Stacie and returned the brunette's smirk with a slightly pervy one of her own. "Exactly what I want to ask you. How was the wooing?"
Stacie laughed and Aubrey turned slightly pink. "So that's where that idea came from Bree?"
Aubrey refused to comment so Stacie continued.
"She was sweet. She showed up at my room all flustered with this flower that she'd squeezed to death. It took hours of me in my smallest singlet and not much else for her to finally crack. She almost puked but she told me she loved me and wanted to be with me. It was adorable."
Chloe laughed at the story, completely glad her two friends seemed to have worked it out. "I'm so happy for you."
"She almost puked? That's pretty gross." Beca always needed to focus on the wrong things.
"It's actually pretty common," Chloe explained. "Bree is a bit of a nervous puker."
"Yeah. We made it to the ICCAs one year and Alice, our Bella captain, made the poor decision of giving Aubrey a solo. It was like Splash Mountain, first four rows will get wet," Stacie added.
Chloe and Stacie laughed at the memory while Aubrey glared and Beca scrunched up her face.
"Remind me to never wear any good clothes around you," Beca commented.
"Like you own any good clothes," Aubrey snapped back.
Stacie and Chloe sighed before Chloe tried to cut the tension. "I'm really happy for you two, seriously. You're perfect together. You balance each other out."
"Thanks Chloe," Stacie said honestly while Aubrey just continued to glare at Beca across the table.
"How about we order?" Chloe said eventually when she realised Beca and Aubrey weren't going to cut it out themselves any time soon.
"Sure. Beca and I will go order," Stacie offered as she stood from the table and pulled Beca with her.
Chloe leaned across the table as soon as she was alone with Aubrey. "Bree what are you doing? Cut it out!" Chloe ordered.
"Chloe she's bad news, you know that."
"Aubrey you need to stop this. You have Stacie now so you can't keep worry about me. I'm a grown woman who can look after herself. I really like Beca. She is sweet and funny and… I'm falling for her Bree."
Aubrey sighed. "She's going to hurt you Chloe. She's too 'alternative' for you. She isn't the relationship type."
Chloe covered Aubrey's hand with her own. "I don't think she will but if she does then so what? At least I took the chance. I don't want to miss this just because I'm scared that it might not work out. What if you and Stacie breakup? You'll be devastated but you won't regret one second of it, will you?"
"Stacie isn't Beca," Aubrey argued.
"I know. But she isn't Tom either. Just give her a chance, OK?" Chloe pleaded.
"Fine. One chance. But I will say I told you so when it all goes wrong," Aubrey bargained.
"As is your right," Chloe agreed as Stacie and Beca returned.
"Everything fine here?" Stacie asked as she sat down.
"I love you," Aubrey said in lieu of an answer.
"I love you too," Stacie returned as she pressed a light kiss to Aubrey's lips. "Lunch will be ready soon."
Aubrey smiled and forced herself to be somewhat decent to Beca for the entirety of the lunch. It was the best she could do.
"Chloe?" Beca asked. It was Thursday and after an intense week of Chloe pushing herself more than Beca would have liked to record the backing vocals for her first song Beca was still waiting on the second.
"Beca?" Chloe responded quickly. She knew what Beca was asking for but couldn't help her smirk as she pretending as if she didn't. She kept her head down and kept doodling on the song she'd completed days earlier.
"Chlo-e," Beca whined.
"Be-ca," Chloe returned.
"It's Thursday."
Chloe forced her face to remain impassive as she finally looked up at the pouting brunette. "So my days of the week underwear tell me."
Beca was flustered for a moment but quickly recovered. She was growing accustomed to Chloe's constant innuendo. "We made a deal Chloe. You promised you'd have your song ready for me today."
"I do," Chloe said nonchalantly as she returned her attention to her doodles.
Beca's face scrunched up incredulously. "You do?"
"Yep."
"So where is it?" Beca pushed, slightly irritated by whatever game Chloe seemed intent on playing.
"Here." Chloe tapped her pen on the piece of paper.
Beca paused for a second before reaching forward to grab the paper only to have Chloe move it out of Beca's reach. "What are you doing?"
"I want it to be a surprise."
Beca scrunched her face and searched Chloe's face for a better explanation. Her eyes scanned the very familiar looking piece of paper. "Chloe is that the sheet you've had since Saturday."
"Yep."
"You wrote the song on Saturday?"
"Yep."
"And then didn't give it to me to spend the week getting it ready for the dinner that is only two days away?"
"Correct."
Beca threw her hands up. "You're certifiable! Why?"
"I told you. I want this to be a surprise."
"That's great Chloe but I still need it to work on the music."
"No Beca. I want it to be a surprise for you."
Beca grunted and dropped her hands. "Alright you got me, surprise! Now hand it over so I can make the music."
Chloe shook her head and tucked the sheet into her bag and stood. "Nope. Surprise."
Beca's eyes widened. "Chloe where are you going?"
"Home."
"Chloe!" Beca yelled at the infuriating woman. "We agreed that you couldn't give me one day to get this song ready. You promised!"
"I'm aware but I've changed my mind. This song," Chloe shook her bag. "Is your surprise so you won't hear it until Saturday night at the dinner you will be attending."
Beca opened and closed her mouth as she tried to find the right words to deal with Chloe's crazy.
Chloe felt bad at how shocked Beca seemed so decided to take pity on the producer. "I'm going to do it acoustically. Just my guitar and me so don't worry about anything other than the first song. Stacie will be by later to take you on a shopping trip. Don't worry: it's on me. All you need to do is act like her doll for the day with minimal bitching and scowling."
Beca automatically scowled. "No."
Chloe automatically turned on her puppy face. "Please? For me? I really want you there."
Beca sighed. "Fine. But only because you are my musician and I want to hear how the songs turn out."
Chloe clapped and pressed a quick kiss to Beca's cheek. She lingered and spoke in Beca's ear. "I like it when you pretend to fight me but life would be so much easier if you just went with my whims." Chloe winked and quickly hurried from the room, leaving Beca lost in her own thoughts with a burning cheek and the memory of Chloe's lips.
Chloe smiled and greeted yet another celebrity attending her dinner. She was grateful and polite but her mind was too preoccupied to play the 'famous' game tonight. Tonight was a lot of things. It was the biggest night of the year for her charity. It was the first time she'd see Tom since her collected his stuff and moved out of their New York apartment. It was the final test of her voice before her Sunday surgery (Aubrey could be very persuasive even when convincing doctors to work on weekends as she insisted Chloe be seen immediately after the dinner). It was also the night when she would publically admit to feelings she hadn't even had the guts to admit to anyone other than Aubrey. Beca was unpredictable and Chloe had no clue what she'd do. Any reaction would be OK as long as the small brunette didn't run… which was a distinct possibility. She'd wanted to arrive with Beca but had needed to arrive early to get things ready because the whole dinner depended on her. Well… her and Aubrey.
Chloe looked up as the lights dimmed, the universal sign that the show was about to begin, but she still hadn't found Beca. She also hadn't seen Tom. Chloe scanned the crowd once more with no luck before quickly rushing backstage to kick the night off.
Chloe walked out to centre stage where a microphone was waiting for her. Her dress was a rich red and the satin material clung tightly to her curves perfectly accentuating her hips and chest. "Good evening," Chloe spoke into the microphone. The lighting was soft but she could make out faces at each of the large tables in the huge room. This was probably the biggest charity dinner she'd ever hosted. She'd been worried that the video would ruin tonight but it obviously hadn't. "I'd like to welcome everyone to the fifth annual Love is Louder charity dinner," Chloe said, pausing for the polite applause that followed her greeting. "I want to thank everyone, so much, for coming tonight and supporting the charity that I, with the support of the Jed Foundation, created. Love is Louder is for everyone who feels mistreated, misunderstood or isolated. Our message is simple and clear: Love is Louder. Love is Louder than bullying. Love is Louder than depression. Love is Louder than doubt. Love is Louder than insecurity. I will not stop until everyone in this world knows that there are people who love them and who care about what happens to them. I invite everyone in the room to stand with me to fight for the cause because Love… is… louder."
Chloe stepped back from the microphone as a large round of applause filled the room. Chloe returned to the microphone when there was silence in the room again.
"This song, Elastic Heart, is from my upcoming album," Chloe explained. The music began as a projection screen lit up behind her. A video of what Love is Louder had done in its five years began to play with images of Chloe and other celebrities holding up hands with the messages that had made Love is Louder iconic. Chloe took a deep breath and began to sing, following Beca's advice: trust the music.
And another one bites the dust
Oh why can I not conquer love?
And I might have thought that we were one
Wanted to fight this war without weapons
Chloe was glad that the lights had dropped for the video so that she couldn't see the audience. She had was so nervous about what her voice would do that she couldn't stand to see anyone watching her, regardless of the fact that she'd been publically performing her entire life.
And I wanted it, I wanted it bad
But there were so many red flags
Now another one bites the dust
Yeah, let's be clear, I'll trust no one
You did not break me
I'm still fighting for peace
Chloe felt her throat burning slightly so she closed her eyes. She refused to give it anything but her all.
Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,
But your blade - it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,
Yeah, I may snap and I move fast
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cause I've got an elastic heart
I've got an elastic heart
Yeah, I've got an elastic heart
Chloe knew that she'd pulled out of a high note that Beca would certainly recognize. The thought of Beca had Chloe opening her eyes to try and look into the audience. Instead of seeing faces Chloe could see the reflection of the Love is Louder video. That's what this was about. That's who she was doing this for.
And I will stay up through the night
And let's be clear, won't close my eyes
And I know that I can survive
I'll walk through fire to save my life
And I want it, I want my life so bad
I'm doing everything I can
Then another one bites the dust
It's hard to lose a chosen one
You did not break me
(You did not break me, no)
I'm still fighting for peace
Suddenly Chloe couldn't feel her pain. Everything else faded away as she gripped the microphone with both hands and put her all into this song. This song had been written about overcoming the pain from Tom but it more than applied to the message of Love Is Louder.
Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,
But your blade - it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,
Yeah, I may snap and I move fast
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cause I've got an elastic heart
Oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Chloe trusted the music. She knew it would take a lot to keep giving her all to the song but she didn't care. She needed to and the music was backing her, pushing her, surrounding her, like a blanket Beca had carefully weaved to protect her.
Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,
But your blade - it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,
Yeah, I may snap and I move fast
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cause I've got an elastic heart
Well, I've got thick skin and an elastic heart,
But your blade - it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard,
Yeah, I may snap and I move fast
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cause I've got an elastic heart
I've got an elastic heart
The music cut out and Chloe's last note hauntingly echoed around the room. The video ended on the last image; Chloe was standing in a mental institution surrounded by patients, all smiling, all with hands reading: Love is Louder than judgments. Chloe came back down as the lights turned up and the roar of the audience became so loud that the walls vibrated.
"Thank you," Chloe spoke into the microphone. Her voice was scratchy and grating and the pain in her throat was back full force. She needed to get off the stage now. "Please enjoy the entrees that are now coming around." Chloe quickly walked off the stage, forcing herself to not break down. Aubrey was waiting for her with hot honey water that she drank greedily.
"You're not doing the second song," Aubrey decided as she eyed her best friend.
Chloe shook her head, not trusting her voice, as she kept drinking the honey water.
"No arguments Chloe, it's not open to discussion."
Chloe swallowed and braced her shoulders. "Aubrey," her voice was already sounding better. "I am singing that second song."
"Chloe-"
"Aubrey. I'm doing it and you can't stop me." Chloe was firm as she stood her ground. "The Jed Foundation is running the rest of the night so I am going to go out there and enjoy my dinner. Then, I'm going to come back here and finish out the night. Clear?"
Aubrey blinked. She didn't recognize this Chloe. "Fine. But during dinner you will smile and nod, no small talk."
Chloe smirked and linked her arm with Aubrey's as the two headed to their table.
Chloe faltered slightly when she saw Beca at the table she was waling towards. The brunette was dressed in a slim, feminine cut black suit. She looked stunning. Beca's hair was in a tight high pony while Chloe's flowed loosely over her shoulders. They complimented each other seamlessly.
"That was a beautiful song," Donna Satow of the Jed Foundation said when she was the first to sing Chloe. "Did you write that yourself?"
Chloe smiled easily. "I did but the music is what elevated it," Chloe said.
"Oh yes," Donna agreed. "Who is your new producer?" She asked. She had adored Chloe ever since Chloe had come to them with Love is Louder and saw to much in common between Chloe and Jed, their beautiful son that they had lost.
"Beca Mitchell," Chloe smirked, eyeing the brunette out of the corner of her eye and noting that she was paying close attention while eyeing Chloe's dress.
"Who's Beca Mitchell?" Donna asked, not recognized the name.
Chloe leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to Beca's cheek. "This is Beca Mitchell," she answered Donna while her eyes stayed on Beca.
"Nice to meet you dear," Donna said smiling as she noticed the way the two ladies stared at each other. Maybe Chloe had finally found her happy ending.
"You were amazing," Beca whispered to Chloe as the redhead sat down in the empty seat next to Beca. Beca softly tapped Chloe's neck. "OK?" She asked.
Chloe nodded and grabbed Beca's hand quickly squeezing it before turning to her plate.
Her table was made up of Stacie, Aubrey, Beca, Donna and Phil Satow, and Michael and Julie Satow. Phil, Michael and Julie seemed very involved in a conversation that Donna quickly reentered, leaving Beca, Chloe, Stacie and Aubrey to talk amongst themselves.
"That song was great," Stacie smiled. "My favorite so far so I'm not sure how you're gonna beat it later on."
Chloe smirked. "You won't be disappointed."
"How's the throat?" Stacie asked.
Chloe opened her mouth to respond but Aubrey cut her off. "She was almost in tears but refuses to listen to reason and not do the second song so she will now just sit and listen and not talk, right Chloe?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "I'm a rebel, shh," she joked, winning her a glare from Aubrey. "OK, calm down, I'll shut up," Chloe agreed, holding her hands up to placate Aubrey.
"Good. Now-"
"Hey Chloe. That was great."
Eight sets of eyes snapped towards the intruder, the four older adults stopping their conversation instantly at the arrival.
"Thanks Tom." Chloe's voice was small, unsure.
"Can we talk?" Tom took with a boyish smirk on his handsome face, his two hands stuck into the pockets of his suit. He looked every part of charming self.
"I don't think so Tom. The dinner will be around soon." Chloe couldn't tear her eyes away from the man she had once loved.
"Please babe? It'll be quick," Tom turned on the charm, showing his perfect white teeth.
Aubrey and Beca wore matching glares at Tom's pet name but both of their faces dropped to shock when Chloe stood.
"Fine. Follow me," Chloe said, her voice still small, turning and heading to an area near the stage and out of the publics view. She could feel Beca's eyes burning into her back as she walked away but she needed to do this.
"What do you want Tom?" Chloe turned on the man the second they were alone.
Tome reached out for Chloe but Chloe stepped back, out of his reach. He sighed and began to speak. "I tried to call but you changed your number."
"I changed me number so you couldn't call," Chloe gave back.
"Yeah. Aubrey told me when I called her."
Chloe couldn't hide her shock. "You called Aubrey? When?"
Tom shrugged. "A few weeks ago. Just after I saw you on Ellen. I needed to speak to you and I didn't know any other way."
Chloe couldn't believe that Aubrey hadn't told her this. "What did you need to say Tom because you don't have much time so you better say it quickly."
"I made a mistake," Tom started. "I know that trivializes it but I don't know what else to call it. Chloe I love you so much that I panicked. We were getting married and that's a forever sort of thing. I got scared and I pushed you away, I'm sorry."
Chloe frowned. This speech sounded very familiar. "That's no excuse Tom. I was your fiancé. We were meant to talk about these things. You don't just jump into our bed with some random slut."
"I know but-"
"No. No buts Tom. You cheated and we're done. I've moved on." Chloe was surprised that she actually felt sympathy for Tom as his face fell.
"To who?"
"To someone who I trust. To someone who won't run when they get scared because I know they love me."
"Have they told you that?" Tom asked, clinging to his last ray of hope.
"Not with words," Chloe started, "But with actions. I have no doubt in my heart that she feels the same."
"She?"
"Yes Tom, she."
"It's that brunette out there isn't it? Not Stacie but the one that looked like she wanted to jump me?" Tom bounced back quickly it seemed as humor shone in his voice.
Chloe giggled at the thought of Beca trying to take on Tom who was twice her size. "Yeah that's her."
Tom sighed and rocked back on his heels. "I am really sorry for hurting you Chloe. I hope she treats you right."
"I appreciate that Tom," Chloe smiled. She leant forward and placed a soft kiss to Tom's cheek. "I loved you so much."
"I loved you too. Maybe… one day… we can be friends?"
"Maybe one day," Chloe agreed.
"Everything OK?" Beca asked as soon as Chloe returned to her seat. The dinner was already at the table.
"Everything is fine. He apologized and we agreed to be friends one day."
Aubrey scoffed. "You're too forgiving Chlo."
Chloe shrugged. "Life's too short to hold grudges. Besides, I'm happy and I've moved on. It all worked out for the best." Chloe sent a shy smile to Beca's whose eyes widened. Chloe practically admitted to sharing her feelings. Beca's heart began to pound wildly in her chest. Oh, no. Fear. Beca was sure she'd gotten past this but the telltale sign of her sweating palms proved otherwise.
Beca and Chloe was silent through both dinner and dessert, Chloe because Aubrey would throw things every time she opened her mouth and Beca because she was trying to calm down which was far too hard in Chloe's presence. She needed air.
A black-clad stagehand approached the table. "Ms Beale, are you ready?"
Chloe beamed, took a few mouthfuls of water, and returned behind the stage.
Good, Beca thought, some space and music to focus on. This will all be over soon and I can go home and figure my shit out.
Chloe carried her guitar and a stool onto the stage with her as the stagehand dropped the microphone to her height. "Hello again. I hope everyone has had a good night. All things must come to an end though so after this final song the night will be over. Thank you once more for coming and supporting Love is Louder and the Jed Foundation. We appreciate all of you." Chloe swallowed her nerves before continuing. "As all of America knows I recently experienced quite a public breakup," Chloe's comment was met by some awkward laughter. "I wrote this song this week after I realized that not only was I capable of falling in love again, it was already happening. Unfortunately it's just my guitar and me because the person I want to dedicate this song to is my producer and that would have defeated the surprise."
Beca felt faint.
Chloe met Beca's eyes but for this distance she couldn't make out the fear. "This is Begin Again."
Took a deep breath in the mirror
He didn't like it when I wore high heels
But I do
Turn the lock and put my headphones on
He always said he didn't get this song
But I do, I do
Chloe smiled as she remembered Beca walking in on her singing with her headphones on.
Walked in expecting you'd be late
But you got here early and you stand and wave
I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in
And you don't know how nice that is
But I do
That day in the café would always be special. She would always remember it as the moment she started loving Beca.
And you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Friday in a cafe I watched it begin again
Chloe had felt inspiration for this song as she stared at the sleeping brunette on her couch with the light from the movie casting shadows on her beautiful face.
You said you never met one girl
Who had as many James Taylor records as you
But I do
We tell stories and you don't know why
I'm coming off a little shy
But I do
The song had come so easily. It wasn't over the top but a simple story about falling in love again when you were so sure you wouldn't.
But you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Friday in a cafe I watched it begin again
And we walked down the block to my car and I almost brought him up
But you start to talk about the movies that your family
Watches
Every single Christmas and I want to talk about that
And for the first time what's past is past
Chloe ended the eye contact with Beca for the first time since she started singing to close her eyes and put all of her emotion into the final chorus. She wanted Beca to know how sure she felt about this, how serious it was, how final.
'Cause you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Friday in a cafe I watched it begin again
Chloe opened her eyes, wanting to see Beca as she sang the last night, only she was met with Beca's back as the brunette ran from the building.
But on a Friday in a cafe I watched it begin again
Aubrey was right.
Chloe felt her heart break for the second time in front of a crowded room of people who once again watched her fall apart. The question on everyone's minds: could she get up this time?
Beca ran.
A/N: Hey friends :) Let me know what you thought. I adore all of you. Peace.