"Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart."
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
"Who are you?"
This time, Beca couldn't help the laughter that bubbled from the base of get stomach and made it's made up. The red haired woman seated on the large grey bolder shifted. It looked like an uncomfortable makeshift seat, but somehow she was able to make it seem like a pedestal made for a goddess.
"Okay... Okay, sorry about that," The DJ rasped in between laughing fits. "You just... You just reminded me of something, that's all," Beca looked up and smiled crookedly and for a moment, Chloe was stunned. That smile. For some reason it stirred up a myriad of emotions. She didn't know why, but she felt drawn to that smile. To this person in general. As if they were two magnets and there's some outside force that's pushing them away just to the point where they can't immediately snap back together. Noticing that she wasn't responding, Beca continued, "So I'm Beca Mitchell. You are? I feel like I should know the name of such a beautiful lady."
"I-I'm," Chloe stuttered. Since when was she the shy type? She finally squeaked out, "I'm engaged!"
Beca blinked. She wasn't expecting that kind of introduction, that was for sure. "Uhm... Okay, then. Nice to meet you 'Engaged'. It's an interesting name you got there..." She clicked her tongue.
Sapphire rolled her eyes towards the darkening sky. When did these storm clouds come out? "No silly. My name is Chloe Beale." Without thinking, the violinist stuck out her pale hand. Suppressing a chuckle, the DJ reached out and shook the offered hand.
Chloe was surprised at how soft and familiar it felt. For some reason she had the urge to trace the knuckles with her own thumb.
"So... Chloe 'Engaged' Beale, may I ask what you're doing way out here at the top of the mountain?" The brunette sat criss-cross on the ground next to the taller girl's seat, picking at the grassy patches that scattered all over the dirt.
"Same reason as you," Chloe couldn't help but say in a 'duh' voice. She was surprised with herself. It seemed all her manners flew out the window when this mysterious brunette showed up. But the thing that bothered her was the fact that she felt no qualms over it. It felt like she was just having lively banter with an old friend. It was starting to irritate her that she didn't know why.
"You must know me awfully well to make a conclusion like that," Beca couldn't help but point out playfully with a smile as she took a random crooked twig and drew scribbles into the dirt.
"Well perhaps I'm just very good at judging one's character."
"You always have been..." She murmured under her breath. It came out too low for Chloe to hear so she shifted so she was directly facing the brunette.
"Pardon?"
Beca shook her head, still looking down at her drawings. "Never mind, it's nothing." Then she noticed that her doodle masterpiece was being destroyed by large wet splatters. She tipped her head back and looked straight up into the sky. Not twenty minutes ago, it was crystal clear. Now the entire sky was painted with different shades of grey and the rumble of thunder could be heard. A flash of pure white broke through the dark clouds.
Chloe let out a squeak. She hated thunderstorms— especially lightning. Beca knew this already, but to keep up this twisted façade, she gave the redhead a questioning look.
"Someone a little scared of storms? It's just rain, you know. You love water."
Chloe felt the urge to slide off the stupid rough rock and move next to the warm body of her new friend. But her pride kept her in the same spot. No way was she going to seek solstice in the arms of a stranger. "This isn't just rain! It's— wait, how'd you know I love water?"
"Well perhaps I'm just very good at judging one's character." Beca mocked with a smirk, ignoring the fact that the rain was falling at a much faster rate.
The violinist gave a very cute pout. She stood up, prepared with a smart-ass remark, but lightning stroke once more and their world was filled with a blinding light. Thunder's drum rolled a few seconds later but the couple was both too distracted with the sudden red and orange obstruction in their view, not twenty feet away. The fire roared with intensity, but thankfully before it could grow in size, the rain poured harder and put out the flame in a matter of seconds.
Beca pulled her hood over her wet hair and without thinking, she reached out and pulled Chloe to her by the waist. The violinist was too surprised by the sudden gesture that she didn't have time to react before Beca spoke again.
"We should get out of the rain, shouldn't we?" She asked, looking up at another bolt of lightning. Chloe couldn't help but admire the DJ's profile. Her half-hooded blue eyes were covered in long, black lashes and her nose scrunched cutely before sneezing. "Sorry about that..." Beca apologized, rubbing her nose with the arm that wasn't wrapped around the smaller woman.
Chloe could only smile. Whoever this Beca Mitchell was, was very, very cute. A nagging tug at her heart told her to kiss the tip of the brunette's nose to make it feel better, but the more rational part told her that that would be crazy. Not that I wasn't already crazy to begin with. Who goes around feeling like they've known someone within a few minutes? It's too...cliché.
Lightning cracked again and more rain poured. Beca felt the woman shiver and pulled her even closer, if possible. In the back of her mind she knew that she was being too forward, but so far Chloe hasn't said anything and right now, Beca knew she needed her.
"C'mon, I know a place where we can use until the storm passes," Not giving her a second to protest, the brunette began trekking north and two minutes later, the couple reached their destination.
"A log cabin?" Chloe asked, as Beca led her to the oak door.
"Fitting, isn't it?" Beca smiled her signature crooked smile and opened the door. "Go ahead and set your bag down anywhere," She reached around until she found the light switch and turned it on. A dim gold glow cast through out the room and again, Chloe felt a certain familiarity with it. It was a small but roomy living room with two large slightly worn tan sofas and a coffee table in between. From the looks of the periodicals on the table, no one has been to the cabin in years. Chloe set down her bag on the floor and absently reached to twirl her hair but realized it was soaked, as so the rest of her outfit.
"Don't worry, I have some spare clothes you can use," Beca said before disappearing behind one of the only two doors. She rummaged through the large walk-in closet and went through the different tops that were hanging neatly on the racks.
It was weird being here again, but at the same, it still felt right. Back when they were still teenagers and together, the couple would go on hiking trips often and always tried to see how far they could go. But on the way up the mountain they would end up completely draining themselves and had no energy to walk back down. So Chloe's parents had the bright idea of building this small cabin for them to stay in and rest in order to return early morning.
Moments later, Beca stepped out of the closet with a pair of flannel pajamas and a long sleeved thermal. She handed it to Chloe. "Here, it gets kind of cold at night," The violinist muttered a quiet thank you and was about to ask where she could change, but saw that the brunette was already peeling off her own wet clothes right in front of her.
Without warning, a steady blush crept up Chloe's neck and painted her cheekbones a rosy hue. Beca was definitely the most beautiful creature on this planet. She was slim but tone to the point where Chloe could trace the slight cut that outlined her abdominals. Creamy, pale arms reached up into the sky as she slid her t-shirt over her head and when she bent over to put on her pants... Chloe nearly fainted.
What was wrong with her? She has never been this attracted to anyone in her entire life, let alone a woman. And to feel a collage of unknown emotions stir at the pit of her stomach only increased her worry. It wasn't normal to have such strong feelings towards someone in such a short amount of time.
Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. What the hell did you get yourself into?
"Chloe?"
Snapping into attention, Chloe answered, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Never mind that, are you okay? You're looking a bit flushed." Brunette eyebrows scrunched in worry and Beca placed her hand on the violinist's forehead.
"Uh... I... err..." Chloe was having trouble giving a direct response, seeing how Beca's face was only a few inches from her. Chloe swallowed and felt her tongue loosen. "I'm fine."
Beca fought the urge to kiss her. Every single fiber of her being was so ready to just lean in those few damn inches and kiss the lips she hasn't kissed in eight years. And seeing the redhead all flushed didn't help her case at all. Damn Chloe for being so damn cute.
After they finished changing (when really it was Chloe changing and Beca trying not to stare) they pulled the plastic cover off the sofas and plopped down, exhausted.
Beca opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling lowly.
Chloe giggled. "Someone's hungry,"
Beca gave her a sheepish smile before smirking, "Perhaps it's because I've been too busy taking care of a certain ginger nuisance to find myself some food," She remarked playfully.
"Excuse me," Chloe sat up, obviously offended, but the smile was still there. "My hair is auburn, you small person."
Beca sat up too, resting her elbows on her thighs and leaned towards Chloe who was seated on the sofa across from her, "Are we really going to stoop to the height jokes? After all I've done for you? Geez, you Beale's are stuck up..." She rolled her eyes overdramatically and sank back into the cushions with an adorable pout.
Now she was really offended. "Stuck up?" Without thinking, Chloe got off her sofa and landed on Beca's. She sat criss-cross style on the brunette's lap, facing her directly. It only took a second for them to lock eyes and right away Chloe was hypnotized. Meeting of sapphire and stormy blues in contrast, something changed. Chloe's eyes softened and Beca's shined something with such intensity that Chloe was even sure what it was. The violinist spoke softly. "Is that really what you think of me?"
Beca shook her head. "No, it's definitely not." Against her own mind's warnings, she reached up and tucked a loose strand of copper hair behind Chloe's ear. She savored what it felt like to be able to touch Chloe like this. To feel her soft hair between her fingers and the soft skin when she brushed the back of her fingers against her cheek.
For a moment, it was like nothing ever went wrong.
But only for a moment. "So..." Chloe coughed, flushing, "Does this certain shortie know how to cook?"
A soft pink blush appeared on the Beca's cheeks and she looked away for a moment, slightly embarrassed. "O-of course I can! I'm a Mitchell!"
Chloe giggled and tilted her head slightly. Beca thought it was very cute. "But you know... If a certain Beale doesn't get off my lap, I won't be able to show off my amazing chef skills,"
Sea blue eyes sparkled. "But I'm comfy here," She flirted without thinking before she spoke. Chloe blushed a deep scarlet as soon as she realized what she just said. The brunette merely laughed as an embarrassed Chloe got off her lap.
"So does the princess have any dinner requests?" Beca asked making her way to the kitchen with the taller woman following.
"Princess?" Chloe repeated, not with offense but curiosity.
"You... You remind me of a princess." The brunette admitted before opening the pantry door. She shuffled among the food.
"Does that mean I get a prince?" The shuffling stopped. Chloe inwardly smirked and leaned back on the counter, tan arms crossed. "It only makes sense. All princesses need a prince."
"Well if it's a prince you want, then it's a prince you get. You're the princess after all, you're supposed to get everything you want." Beca answered simply, dumping a pile of non-perishables onto the counter.
Chloe began helping Beca sort through the food, "So I'm assuming you're my prince?"
Beca stopped what she was doing and looked up at Chloe. "You're engaged aren't you?"
Surprised, Chloe looked up and locked eyes with the brunette's green soul searing eyes, studying her carefully. "You're right..." She trailed off after breaking the stare with a sad frown.
Beca's heart throbbed. She didn't mean to hurt Chloe's feelings. She walked closer so she was right next to the shorter woman and their shoulders were touching. "Hey," She spoke softly, nudging shoulders. "If things don't work out with your prince, you'll have me as your back-up." The brunette smiled. It was different from her other more carefree smiles, this one was sweet and sincere. It made Chloe's heart melt.
"That means a lot actually. Thank you, Beca. It's nice to know that I'll have someone to run off to when this marriage collapses." This caught the DJ off guard. It seemed Chloe was already planning the end of a marriage that hasn't even started yet.
"How about we talk about all of this over dinner? We don't need another tummy interrupting us," She poked the aquamarine's flat stomach accusingly.
Chloe giggled. "Sounds good. What are we having anyways? It seems all we have here is canned fruits and trail mix..." Which was a disappointment. After hiking for so long, she could use some solid food in her empty stomach.
"We, my princess, are having mac n' cheese." Beca held up a box of the orange pasta and grinned. Chloe mirrored the grin back.
After the macaroni was cook and prepared, Beca brought two plates to the living room where Chloe was idly flipping through TV channels.
"You could've helped you know," The brunette teased, handing Chloe her plate.
"You told me not to!" She countered, grinning.
"Yeah, well." Beca laughed and sat on the slightly worn lazy boy adjacent from Chloe's spot on the suede love seat. Chloe inwardly pouted at this distance between them, though she didn't know why. Since she couldn't stab that nameless feeling, she stabbed at her macaroni instead before taking a bite.
"...This isn't that bad." She admitted after chewing.
Beca laughed. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Because," Chloe began. "You're Beca Mitchell. One of the most notorious rebel DJs and also an avid listener to classical music."
The brunette blinked. That was certainly unexpected. "You seem to know a lot about me... And how exactly is it that you know I listen to classical music?" She asked with a eyebrow arched.
"My parents," Chloe answered simply, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "For some reason they both have this fascination for you and your career. They even went through special measurements to see if you bought any of my albums. Which you did, of course." The redhead smiled softly at Beca. "So thank you for that."
The second Chloe mentioned her parents, the brunette held back an eye roll. They both knew exactly what Beca's plan was. So much for disappearing from Chloe's life completely.\
A/N: So I usually put A/Ns on tumblr but not here and I'm not entirely sure why. Anyways, sorry for the delay, things got kinda hectic. Thanks for the reviews, I know it sounds super cliche, but they're my motivation for writing. Hopefully we'll see each other again soon ^^