Beca woke up the next morning to a text message from Chloe.
"Well, it wont be easy to fall asleep with all these butterflies flying around in my stomach but just for the record, my beauty is nothing compared to your beauty :) Goodnight, Beca."
Beca had a huge smile on her face. She was so happy she didn't scare Chloe away with what she said and even more happy that Chloe seemed to reciprocate those feelings. For three years Beca has not been interested in anyone. Sure there have been nice, cute girls that have made it very obvious they were interested but Beca just never felt the same, or cared to try and start something. She didn't need anyone, want anyone, until Chloe that is.
In the past, she had been in a verbally abusive relationship. She started talking to this girl, Heather. She was young and she met someone she thought she 'loved'. But when you're that young you never really know what love is. She was the first girl to make Beca feel something. She was always friendly with her and told her she was beautiful and made it known to other people that she didn't care what people thought of Beca, she liked her, and showed it by holding her hand and kissing her cheek or leaning into her side at lunch. It was sort of a natural thing. None of the two asked if they were 'official' they just thought they were 'together' nobody had to ask, they made it clear by their acts.
At first, the relationship went well she made Beca feel wanted, needed. They spent a lot of time together, exploring, enjoying each others company, talking about anything and everything. Then things started to go downhill when Heather started to get mean and grouchy. She started saying she can't spend time with Beca because she had other things to do. Ended up going to a lot of parties, sleeping with other people. When people would tell Beca about it she would just ignore it. She didn't want to hear it, refused to believe it. She didn't want it to be true, she didn't want to lose the only person that was making her feel good and wanted to stay in the bubble they created for themselves. She tried to confront her about it at times but she would just deny it and say she was being nosy.
But things became more painful than pleasant. She became controlling and Beca became jealous. They fought louder and more aggressively, hurling insults and saying seemingly unforgivable about each other. But for Beca, it was never how loud they yelled at each other or how Heather's words cut her; it wasn't the throwing things, punching walls. Instead, it was having to walk away from her with her head held high; holding it all together in public as she ran off to the bathroom and cried her eyes out until she was ready to face people again. Heather's voice would boom with anger as she stormed in Beca's room demanding answers for things she couldn't explain. Eventually the only way Beca could share her thoughts comfortably is writing them down on paper and sliding them to her as Heather tried to calm down. She would say unbelievably mean things to Beca for no reason. Like how her music sucked and she would never be good enough if she wanted to keep this up.
Heather told Beca not to do certain things or talk to certain people. Beca believed nobody would like her other than Heather. People around school were hearing about their little outburst and Beca became embarrassed. She felt like she had to stay with Heather to prove it was something worth saving. To numb her pain, she started to go to therapy but she wouldn't tell the whole story. Once she got her prescription for her uncontrollable anxiety, she would tear open the bottle taking as many pills as she could to get by the day without anger or fear.
"You don't understand, she's my best friend." she would tell Jesse. She was charismatic and ruthlessly charming, thinking it was Beca's fault and she pushed her to far. She was growing tired of making excuses for herself and it wasn't making her grow as a better person. It wasn't until beginning of freshman year Beca finally left her. It was going on for a year. All throughout eighth grade and she realized she was too young to feel this much anxiety and to be petrified when being alone with this girl. She hasn't been with anyone ever since. It was just her and Jesse, they built their reputations in those three years she let it go. Heather eventually stopped coming to school. Beca was grateful and acted so strong. Its all behind her now. Nobody caught her eye since then and she didn't care to meet anyone. She wasn't going down that road again, but walking into third period one day, with the feeling of being watched. Turning to meet those baby blues, Beca felt her heart jump. This feeling in the pit of her stomach was warm, the look in the other girl's eyes felt warm. A title wave of feelings, attraction and nerves hit her and she knew in that moment; she wanted to know her.
Beca started her day happy, with Chloe on her mind. She walked downstairs into the kitchen where she was greeted with Jesse and the mess from last night no one bothered to clean. There were cups everywhere, couch pillows on the floor, footprints from the dirt outside.
"Hey asshole, thanks for letting me back in last night. You're lucky the front door was open."
Beca smirked. "I wouldn't have left you out there if all the doors were locked. I'm not that mean."
"Hmm, somehow I don't believe you. How did you sleep?"
"Pretty good. Thank god your mom didn't come back this morning."
"I know, she'll be back in a couple hours though, so we better start cleaning up."
"You do that. I'm gonna go shower."
"Do not leave me to clean up all on my own Beca Mitchell."
"I wont, I promise. Give me like 20 minutes." Just like that Beca went upstairs to take a shower.
She knew that if she was gone long enough, Jesse would start cleaning up without her and if she was lucky, he would finish the whole job before she got down there. She took a shower longer then she planned then got dressed for the day. She checked her phone in case her mother called or Chloe texted. She contemplated texting her, she feels like she's being too forward and doesn't want Chloe to think she's annoying. She figured she would give her some space, even though it was killing her to do so.
She went back downstairs to check Jesse's progress and sure enough, he was about done, the entire downstairs looked untouched. He glared at her knowing she planned this. She just gave him an innocent look. He blew out a sigh and finished up.
"Wow Jess, it looks great. Why didn't you wait for me?"
"Shut up." She laughed. "So what do you want to do today? We could go see a movie or bowl or hang with Benji and Emily. I just want to go out and do something, I'm tired of staying in."
"First of all, its always your idea if we do end up staying in. Second, I don't care what we do just please let me pick the movie if we do. The movies you pick suck, no offense."
"I am very offended. They do not suck; you just hate all movies."
"Not true. I do enjoy a good movie now and then. I liked The Breakfast Club the first time you showed me."
"Try like the fourth time and that's the only movie you've ever liked. How about we go see a movie with Emily and Benji, that way if you don't like it, you guys can talk the whole time, quietly please."
"Ugh fine. Then I pick what we do after."
"Deal, ill go get ready. Make sure everything looks good, go over it, make sure I didn't miss anything."
"Dude, I'm checking for anymore cups not proof reading an essay."
"Fuck you. Ill be down in a couple minutes."
As soon as Jesse was ready they went to go pick up Emily and Benji and head to the movies. They stopped along the way to get snacks to sneak in their jackets cause really? Who gets candy at the movies anymore. When they got to the theater it was pretty packed considering it was opening night. They settle on the new Hunger Games movie. The boys went to go get tickets as the girls went back to the car to get Emily's bag, she forgot. As they made their way back to wait in line, Beca saw something that caught her eye.
She knows that beautiful red hair from a mile away, sure enough when she turned Beca's way, her predictions were right when she was met with the one and only Chloe Beale. She excused herself from Emily for a minute and made her way over to the redhead who appeared to be with Aubrey. She almost reached her when Chloe went to go open the door to head inside but Beca beat her to it, opening the door for her in one swift motion gesturing for her to go inside. Chloe looked up at the women who just glided her way out of nowhere and was surprised to see it was Beca."
"Is this fate? Or are you keeping tabs on me?" Beca said in a suave manner.
Chloe was speechless, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Beca was here right now.
"I think its you who is keeping tabs on me."
"Trust me, I'm not. This is purely a coincidence. What movie are you seeing?"
"Mocking Jay."
"What a beautiful thing, so am I. "she said with a smile. "Why don't we all sit together. Hey Aubrey Jesse is here and he would be thrilled to see you. There's also Benji and Emily."
"That does sound liked a good idea, do you want to Chloe?" Aubrey asked.
"Yeah sure, we all know each other it would be better to sit with you guys."
"Awesome." Beca said, bringing the girls through the theater to meet up with the other three. "Hey guys, look who I found." Beca smiled. They all turned to see who it was. Jesse seemed to light up when he saw the blonde.
"Hey! What a small world. What are you guys seeing?" Jesse said.
"Same thing as us Jess, I figured they could sit with us?"
"Of course. That would be awesome. Come on guys, lets go find or seats. We don't want to end up sitting on the floor cause trust me, that has happened."
"Its true." Beca said. "When we went to go see The Lorax, all the seats were full and I mean EVERY seat. We sat in the isle near the middle, one of the most humiliating moments of my life."
Chloe giggled. "I wish I could have seen that."
"No, it was so embarrassing, I was a fifteen-year-old girl sitting pretzel leg on a dirty theater floor. Not fun."
"No, I mean you seeing The Lorax. I would never picture you at a children's animated movie."
"Hey! It was not just for children, lots of adults were there and it was a good movie with a important message! I recommend to all."
Chloe laughed again. "That's true, it was a good movie."
"Thank you, now let's find our seats before you have to end up sitting on the floor."
"Yes ma'am." She saluted.
The six of them made their way into the theater and luckily they got there early enough that they found a section of six. After that one experience seeing The Lorax, they always get there early. It started getting packed quickly and Beca was so glad at their timing. There were three sections of theater chairs. They sat in the section to the left, Beca sitting at the very end next to the isle with Chloe next to her. Aubrey was on the other side of Chloe with Jesse next to her and then Benji and Emily at the way far corner.
"Another fact about me." Chloe said. "I love previews." Beca smiled so did she, another reason to fall for this girl.
"Me too! I live for previews. I always make Jesse leave early so I don't miss any, or I make him go get the popcorn that way I can stay and watch them, which reminds me. Jesse go get popcorn before the movie starts."
"Why do I have to go get it?"
"You know why."
"Fine! Ill be right back."
"Hey Em, pass the snacks." Beca said gesturing towards her bag which had all the snacks they were going to sneak in. she passed down a bunch of candy and Chloe gave her a confused look.
"We always go get a bunch of candy at the dollar store to sneak in rather then getting it here. Want some?" shaking the bag of skittles.
"Ah I see, smart." She grabbed a couple skittles popping them in her mouth. Just as the previews started, Jesse returned with two large popcorns. One to sit next to Aubrey for Chloe and Beca to get at and one to sit next to Jesse for Benji and Emily.
There were some good previews in there that caught Beca's attention which is rare. About six previews after, the movie started. Beca was ready for it to be full of action but surprisingly there wasn't that much, to which she was very disappointed. She had read the first two books but not the third so she didn't really know what was coming.
She wondered how Chloe was liking the movie. She glanced at her when she was engulfed in what was happening on screen. It was dark but she could still make out her features, her perfection. Beca was just staring, soaking in the gorgeous creature that was Chloe Beale and didn't know how much longer it would take her to finally make a move. Just as that thought crossed her mind she went to reach for some popcorn from the bucket on Chloe's lap and so did Chloe with their hands meeting halfway.
They looked at each other, either girls noticing the blush on both their cheeks. Chloe pulled away which left Beca a little bummed. Aubrey took the bucket from Chloe to have some herself. She saw Chloe intertwine her own hands together in her lap. She wanted to so bad take her hand in hers. She thought about it for a while, a good enough amount of time that she didn't want to waste another second and lightly slid her hand down in between her arms to break away her hands holding each other and
gently slot theirs. She did so gracefully. Chloe looked up at her with the blush coming back and more butterflies erupting in her stomach.
Beca was so happy she didn't pull away she felt like she could do backflips right now. Her stomach was fluttering and she completely lost focus in the movie. Her mind was focused on how their hands fit perfectly together and how soft Chloe's hand was. Seriously, did she lather her hands in butter? How could hands be so soft. They stayed content like that the rest of the movie. Jesse even made a move putting his arm around Aubrey, which she inwardly swooned. The movie was over and Beca was disappointed. It wasn't as good at the others; she didn't like the ending at all she was sort of confused. She still personally thinks the second movie was the best. She didn't want to let go of Chloe's hand yet but she knew it was coming and sure enough Chloe let go of her hand leaving her once again bummed and felt a cool breeze where her hand once was.
They all walked out of the theater together sharing their thoughts on the movie. Everyone agreed it wasn't the best Hunger Games there was. Chloe liked the original which obviously should be the best but for some reason Beca liked the second better. They ended up getting in their cars with Aubrey and Chloe following them back to Jesse's house. They all hung out for a little there. After a while Aubrey got tired and wanted to leave but Beca didn't want this night to end so she offered to drive Chloe home later and she to Beca surprise excepted her offer.
Jesse walked Aubrey out and Beca has a good feeling about those two. Her and Chloe sat on her guest room bed at Jesse's. Beca showed her some of her mixes and they talk about some books and quotes they liked. Jesse walked back up to check on them and see what they were talking about. When he walked in Beca had her hand to her head shaking it while Chloe was giggling.
"What's going on up here?"
"This one, who was drilling me about not liking pineapple, doesn't like Reese's peanut butter cups." Beca said incredulously.
"I just don't like peanut butter!"
"Now that's crazy." Jesse said "How could you not like peanut butter! Its amazing."
"Thank you." Beca said
"Okay, you guys are teaming up on me, that's it! I'm leaving."
"No! I'm sorry I wont tease you anymore." Beca said trying to give a puppy dog look.
Chloe thought it was adorable. "Seriously though, I should get going, do you mind?"
"Of course not. Here, let me go get my jacket and ill take you home."
"Thanks, and Jesse thanks so much for being so welcoming to me and Aubrey, you guys are the sweetest. She really likes you ya know."
"Hey, No problem! You're one of us now. I'm glad your fitting in so well. It can't be easy being the new kid."
"It has its challenges but I'm making it through. I'm very grateful for the friends I'm making. So thanks again. Ill see you Monday!"
"Later Chlo." Jesse bid farewell.
Chloe walked downstairs to meet Beca at the door. "Got everything?" Beca said.
"Yeah, lets go."
They drove to Chloe's house talking about the movie and what they were going to do tomorrow. Beca said she was just going to chill and catch up on some homework. Chloe agreed that was a good idea. They pulled up to Chloe's house and Beca shut off the engine to walk to Chloe to her door which Chloe said she didn't have too but she insisted. They made it to her door standing there for a little Beca looking down at her feet.
"I'm really glad I ran into you today." Beca said.
"Yeah me too, as you said it must have been "fate." placing air quotes around the word fate.
"You don't believe in fate?" Beca asked.
"I do, I just didn't think that was a good example of it.
"Why not?"
"Because everyone goes to that movie theater, especially on opening weekend. I could have run into anyone from school."
"But it wasn't just anyone, it was me."
"And that makes you special?" Chloe smirked.
"Yes." Beca smiled. "I can't wait to see you on Monday".
Both girls locked eyes. Beca got lost in them again. Then she took a step forward, there faces were inches apart and for a second time she started to lean in. Beca felt the fluttering in her stomach, this was it, she wasn't going to hold back, she was going for it and just as their lips grazed, the door opened and they both shot back. God damnit Beca thought. It was her father who answered the door. Luckily they pulled away just in time for him to not witness what was about to happen. Because Beca felt intimated by this man, she really didn't need him to open the door on Beca macking on his daughter. Chloe introduced Beca to her father.
"Dad, this is my friend, Beca."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Beale. Beca held her hand out for him to shake and he took it."
"Nice to meet you Beca, Chloe has been talking about you."
"Good things I hope." Beca blushed.
"Don't worry Beca, its all good things."
"That's good, well I must be going. It was great to meet you, sir. I'll see you in school on Monday Chloe." And just like that Beca was walking back to her car, glancing over her shoulder at the redhead who was watching her walk away. She couldn't help but think about what would have happened if her father didn't interrupt them. Every time, Beca cursed to herself. She didn't worry too much, she planned to pick up where they left off, very soon.