Beca stood there for a minute, head catching up to Luisa's sudden departure. Once she's back to her senses, Beca turns around and lets her eyes scan through the crowd to find Chloe. It doesn't take her long to find her fiery red mane. Beca sees the other Bella in a rather intimate embrace with the Canadian singer from earlier.
''Props to you, Beale.'' Beca mutters to herself. She then sets out to make her way through the crowd. When she reaches her best friend, she taps her on the shoulder awkwardly.
''What?!'' The redhead uncharacteristically growls, agitated at being disturbed during her make out session. Beca takes a few steps back and puts her hands up in defense.
''Sorry, don't bite my head off.'' Beca says, still holding her hands up defensively. Chloe's attitude softens when she notices who disturbed her.
''It's okay, Becs. What's up?'' Chloe shoots the girl who she was making out with an apologetic look before she turns to face Beca.
''I was just wondering if we could get out of here, get back to the hotel. I'm kinda tired and stuff…'' Beca lets her sentence trail off, not quite meeting her friend's eyes. Chloe notices Beca's strange behaviour and reaches for her hand.
''Yeah, sure. Let me just say goodbye and grab my stuff.'' Chloe turns around, quickly exchanging numbers with the girl behind her. The girl blushes when Chloe pecks her on the cheek.
''Alright, wait here for a second, Bec. I'll be right back.'' Chloe squeezes Beca's hand before she almost skips off to get her stuff. Beca mutters something in agreement and leans against a wall.
The party is dying down, a lot of people have already left but there are still some left who are dancing and chatting. Beca sees none of the other Bella's and she figures that they all have left already. It doesn't take long for Beca to get lost in her thoughts, recalling her dance with Luisa. It felt so good to be close to the other woman, she can almost still feel the heath radiating through her clothes.
''I'm so screwed…'' Beca shakes her head and rubs her forehead.
''Turn that frown upside down, grumpy.'' Chloe giggles, appearing out of nowhere. She pokes Beca in the stomach, trying to get her to smile. Beca tries to keep a straight face but fails quite horribly, cracking smile when Chloe pulls a goofy face at her, blue eyes shining with glee.
''See, much better. Now let's get out of here.'' Chloe hooks her arm through Beca's and tugs her along. The journey to the hotel is filled with Chloe's non-stop comments about everything and nothing. Beca tries to keep up, smiling and nodding when it seems appropriate but her mind keeps wandering off.
''Earth to Beca? This is our stop, get up.'' Chloe waves her hand in front of the face of the spaced out girl. Beca blinks a few times and smiles at Chloe apologetically.
''What's going on? You're really spacing out.'' Chloe looks at Beca concerned. Beca shrugs and continues walking through the lobby of the hotel where all the acapella teams are currently residing. Chloe knows Beca well enough to know that she shouldn't push her when she gets like this. Beca will tell Chloe what's bothering her eventually. The girls step into the elevator and Chloe pushes the button for their floor before relaxing back against the back of the elevator. Beca fidgets a bit before looking up at Chloe.
''IalmostkissedLuisa.'' Beca rushes out, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.
''Try that again and now a little slower.'' Chloe takes a step closer and gives Beca a reassuring look.
Beca takes a deep breath before speaking out again. ''I almost kissed Luisa.''
Chloe makes a silent O-face before nodding. The elevator dings, signalling that they've arrived at their floor. They exit the elevator and silently make their way over to their room. Beca flops down onto the bed, getting more nervous the longer Chloe stays silent. She closes her eyes, trying to calm some nervous. She can hear Chloe putting her stuff away and then it's silent.
''You really like her, don't you?'' Chloe's voice is soft and Beca can feel the bed dipping. She opens her eyes to find Chloe sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. Beca sits up and hugs her knees to her chest before biting her lip and nodding. She can feel tears welling up in her eyes and drops her head on her knees.
''It's okay.'' Chloe scoots closer and wraps her arms around the shorter girl. They sit like that for a while, Beca softly sniffing while Chloe rubs her back soothingly.
''I just can't help myself. Like there's this pull, sort of like trying to swim against the current and I have no energy left to swim and resist.'' Beca rubs her eyes before looking up at Chloe. Chloe nods in understanding, but doesn't say anything, sensing that Beca isn't done talking yet.
''I love Jesse, I really do. But what we have is nothing compared to this. It was never that intense with him. It was comfortable, yes, but Luisa is like a drug and I need to have more. He's my best friend, but he hasn't been my boyfriend for a while.'' Beca sighs, feeling a weight being lifted of her chest. It feels good to finally voice the thoughts that she has had for a while.
''You have to do what makes you happy, Becs. And if that means being with Luisa, then that's great. But promise me one thing?'' Chloe catches Beca's eyes, making sure her words are heard. ''Please don't string Jesse along, he's a good guy and doesn't deserve to be cheated on.''
Beca nods and cuddles herself further in Chloe's embrace. They stay silent for a while, cuddled together on the bed. Beca's phone lights up on the other side of the bed, signalling that she has a message. She reaches out and grabs her phone.
Hey, are u still awake? I think we need 2 talk. –Jesse
Beca groans and shows her phone to Chloe.
''Do you think that he knows?'' Beca questions Chloe.
''Well, you weren't very discrete, so he might have an idea.'' Chloe get up from the bed and pulls Beca up next to her.
''Better to bite the bullet than postpone the inevitable.'' Chloe gives Beca a hug before pushing towards the door of the room. Beca grabs her phone and texts Jesse back.
Yeah, I think so too. I'll be there in a few minutes. –Beca
Beca exits the room and makes the trip to Jesse's and Benji's room, which is on the floor above hers. She hesitates for a moment when she arrives at the door. After taking a deep breath to calm herself, Beca knocks on the door. The door opens after a few seconds, revealing Jesse standing in sweats, a sad expression on his face. He motions for her to enter and Beca gives him a small smile when she walks past him into the room. Beca awkwardly sits on the edge of the bed, picking on loose thread on her jeans. It stays silent for a while, Beca getting more uncomfortable with every passing minute.
''I saw you with her.'' Jesse whispers, getting up from the bed and standing in front of Beca. ''The German girl.''
Beca looks up at him, seeing the same sad expression on his face. ''Jesse, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to feel anything but I can't help myself. I ju-.''
''Beca, stop. I don't want to hear any details, it hurts too much.'' His shoulders slump and he sits back down next to Beca. ''I knew. I've known for a while but I tried ignoring it. I convinced myself that we were just going through a rough patch and that things would get better. But you pulled away further and further and then tonight I saw you dancing with her. You looked at her like she was the moon and the stars and the sun all wrapped in one. You've never looked at me like that.''
Beca puts her hand on Jesse's knee and squeezes it. ''Please believe me when I say that I never meant to hurt you, Jesse. You're an amazing guy and you don't deserve this.''
Jesse smiles sadly before placing his hand over Beca's. Beca leans her head on Jesse's shoulder, enjoying his familiar warmth and smell. ''I'm so sorry.''
Its silent again for a few minutes before Jesse wraps an arm around Beca and pulls her into a sideway hug.
''It's okay, you can't control your feelings.'' He kisses the top of her head before getting up. Beca stands up too, taking a few steps towards the door before turning around.
''So this is it? Can we be friends or something?'' Beca looks up at the guy she spent the last 3 years of her life with.
''I don't know, Beca. Not right now, maybe in a few months. It kinda hurts, you know.'' Beca nods, turning around to open the door.
''So, I guess I'll see you around.''
''Yeah. Good luck, Beca. Follow your heart.'' Jesse smiles at her, wiping a tear from her face.
He closes the door and Beca rests her forehead against the cool surface. She wipes a few more tears before turning around and making her way to the elevator. She pushes the button and waits for it to arrive.
Beca runs her hand through her hair, looking at the ground. The elevator dings and the doors open. Beca looks up, eyes widening a bit when she sees Luisa casually leaning against the mirrored wall of the elevator.
''We keep bumping into each other, tiny mouse.''
XX
So life happened and then OITNB happened, sorry not sorry. Apparently my prime writing time after is midnight, eventhough I planned on going to sleep like 3 hours ago. Anyway, I hoped you guys enjoyed this, sorry for all the angst but it is necessary. It get's better, I promise.
As always all the response that I get makes my tiny little writer heart hurt in a good way, so many thanks for that. Feel free to approach me here or on tumblr: offthewallsandoverthebridge.
Have an awesome day/night/whatever it is where you're at