CHAPTER 13

POV- Jesse

Over the summer, all I could think about was how much I missed Beca and Benji and all my friends, but now I'm not even sure how I feel. (At least, not when it comes to Beca). She practically disappeared for four months, ignoring my calls and texts and was nowhere to be found once the school year started back.

I guess we're not a thing anymore…

I'm sure she's found someone else in that four months. Four months is a long time.

My eyes go blurry for a moment as tears try to make their way out. I blink them away and push on. Upset…heartbroken…a little bitter, but nothing extreme. It happens. I figure she decided to go out to LA, after all. That would explain why I haven't heard from her. The thought calms me a little. Makes it easier…

Until I spot her at the auditions. Sitting between Fat Amy and some redhead. It doesn't take long before I identify the redhead as Chloe. Recognizing that annoyingly polite voice even from the back of the auditorium.

What the hell is SHE doing here? And why is she sitting with Beca? Did they talk over the break? Why didn't Beca tell me she was here? Why didn't she come to find me, when she got here? It's been almost a month since the semester started…

I feel the familiar uneasiness in my gut at seeing those two together… they're just TOO cozy, sometimes…. Smiling and giggling together… And I don't like the way Chloe looks at Beca. Like she wants to rip Beca's Clothes off at any moment and take her away.

But what REALLY bothers me is the way Beca looks at Chloe… and the way she tries to deny it when everyone can see it.

I feel my face getting warmer, along with the rest of my body.

I clench my jaw and force a smile, grinding my teeth a little to shake the hostility I feel as Chloe stands and makes her way towards the stage. This is definitely a different look for her: hair pulled back in a messy bun, loose tanktop, sweatpants rolled up to her knees…

"Alright guys," She smiles excitedly, showing pearly teeth and big bright eyes. "I'm gonna go through 16 counts of choreography and I want you all to watch closely, because we're gonna ask you to come up and do this when I'm done."

Apparently, they added a dance requirement to the audition. So they could see what they're working with as far as having to teach steps to the newbies. Making it mandatory for them to learn 4-bars of some stupid routine Chloe came up with.

Well, maybe it's not stupid… It's actually really well choreographed. It's just stupid because SHE made it.

Once auditions are over and group members have been selected, we all head out to the ampitheatre for hood night. I wait for the perfect opportunity to pull Beca aside and talk to her.

"Why haven't you been returning my calls or answering my texts?" I ask, trying my best to stay patient with her.

"You've been calling?" She asks dumbly.

"Beca…" I warn." Don't EVEN…"

"Don't WHAT. Jesse?" She cocks her head and furrows her brow, playing dumb. Typically, when she does this, I think it's just the cutest thing and forgive her, but right now I'm seriously not in the mood.

I take a calming breath before continuing,"I just want to have a serious conversation with you. I don't understand why you just STOPPED talking to me."

Her gaze falls to the ground and I can sense the guilt oozing out of her, "To be honest… I didn't talk to ANYONE over the break…"

"What about when you got back to Barden? I feel like you didn't even TRY to talk to me. Why? I just want to understand…"

She says nothing. She only continues to study her scuffed leather boots and the ground around them

"Is there someone else? Did you meet someone?" I ask. Not 100% sure I want to hear the answer.

"No…"

"Then. What is it?"

She exhales. "I realized that I'd rather be your friend. I don't love you, Jesse. Not THAT way… I… just…don't… DO 'love'. I thought maybe I would, eventually… if I gave you a chance, but I just don't feel anything."

Wow…

"…and I do care about you. So, I can't keep stringing you along… I won't" She finishes, with a shrug.

I want to fall to my knees and beg. Tell her that I could someday show her what love is… Marry her and father her aca-children… Tell her that I won't give up…

But, Chloe comes sauntering over, hooking her arm through Beca's. Leaning on her, but keeping her eyes on me.

"Bec, the girls said to come get you. We're about to head over to Fat Amy's for some pre-season Bella Bonding," She smiles excitedly, her excitement rubbing off on Beca, who offers a lazy smile in return.

"Jesse… We'll finish this later." She smiles apologetically, as Chloe begins to drag her away. Leaving me alone to process what just happened.