CHAPTER SIX

I can't get her outta my mind (No Diggity)

The butterflies in Chloe's stomach were overwhelming. She was certain she'd never been so nervous in her entire life, not even before the ICAAs. Deep breaths, Beale she thought as she snapped a cinch belt around her waist. She took a look at herself in the mirror. She wore a loose purple dress with black leggings that went halfway down her calves. She pinned her hair back and away from her face on one side, her red locks otherwise flowing freely. A pair of cute silver flats matched the silver and black of the belt around her waist. Adding the finishing touches to the make-up gracing her eyes, she took a breath and smiled sweetly at herself in the glass. Trying not to focus on all the small details she hated about how she looked, she decided she was ready and checked the time on her phone. 6:43pm. Perfect. She grabbed the silver clutch from her dresser and headed out the door.

Chloe was nervous, and understandably so. She had never been on a date with a woman before. Her brain told her that it wouldn't really be any different than any other date she had ever been on, but something inside her was still panicked. What if she said something stupid? Or did something stupid? Should she pull out Beca's chair? What is proper lesbian date etiquette? She reminded herself to breathe and be herself, and try not to worry about the details she couldn't control.

As she continued walking, she switched on her iPod, hoping the music would calm her. The familiar words of Miley Cyrus's "See You Again" started pumping through her earbuds and Chloe found herself singing aloud.

The last time I freaked out

I just kept looking down

I st-st-stuttered when you asked me what I'm thinking 'bout

Felt like I couldn't breathe

You asked what's wrong with me

My best friend Leslie says,

"Oh she's just bein' Miley"

The next time we hang out

I will redeem myself

My heart it can't rest 'til then

Oooh, oh I –

I can't wait to see you again

As she approached the restaurant, Chloe stopped and closed her eyes. She mimed pulling back a bowstring and let an invisible arrow fly as she sang:

I got my sight set on you

And I'm ready to aim

When she opened her eyes, she saw Beca standing fifteen feet in front in front of her, staring at her left shoulder and pretending to pull an arrow from it. She mouthed "ow" as she ripped the imaginary arrow from her flesh, then looked at Chloe and grinned, wiggling the faux projectile between her fingers.

Chloe Beale was mortified. She had made a complete fool of herself in front of the younger girl. She felt like an idiot. Shit.

"Sorry, I, uh" she stuttered, pulling the earbuds from her ears. "You, uh, weren't supposed to, uh… Sorry."

"Oh, please," Beca responded. "Katy Perry's 'I Kissed a Girl' was playing as I walked over here. I'm willing to admit I jammed a bit myself." She laughed. "Looks like the universe was trying to tell us both something, huh?"

Chloe let out a small giggle.

"Well, that's adorable," the brunette said.

God, Beca was just so cool. She made Chloe feel so at ease, even after what was perhaps the most embarrassing experience of her entire life. As the redhead put her iPod safely back into her clutch, she took a moment to take in the DJ's appearance. Beca was wearing a light gray tank top with a cute black vest. Her hair was in one large, loose French braid, with several not-long-enough strands framing her face. A pair of dark gray jeans and bright red Converse sneakers completed the ensemble.

"You look great," she complimented.

Beca smiled and Chloe noticed a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Thanks. So do you."

Chloe gestured toward the restaurant. "Shall we?"

"We shall," Beca said, stepping forward. Chloe reached for the door and held it open for the brunette. "What a gentleman," Beca softly commented.

Chloe looked toward the ground, feeling a little self-conscious. Beca's comment served as an unwelcome reminder that the older girl had no idea what she was doing.

Chloe gave the hostess her name for the reservation she had made a few hours earlier, and the pair was lead to a table-for-two in the back of the restaurant. Chloe had requested a table that afforded them a little bit of privacy, if it was possible, and she was more than pleased with the choice.

The two girls sat as a waitress came over, filling two glasses with water before explaining today's specials. Beca thanked the woman, who left saying she'd give them some time to look over the menu.

"Whatever you want is on me," the redhead whispered as Beca cracked open her menu.

"Oh, no. You really don't have to do that."

"I want to," Chloe replied, placing a hand on the younger girl's.

"It's really not necessary. We can split it."

Chloe smiled sweetly. "Listen, I asked you to come out with me. I want to pay for your meal. And that's the end of it," she said definitively.

Beca gave a begrudging "ok" and returned to looking over her options.

When the waitress returned, they each gave her their orders. An awkward silence overcame them. Chloe was so worried about the actual act of asking Beca out that she hadn't thought about what she'd say to the girl if she said yes.

The two girls suddenly began to speak at once. They laughed in discomfort.

"Sorry. You go ahead," Beca offered.

"No, no. It's alright. You go first."

The DJ paused for a moment. "Well, uh… you said we'd talk about things. I was just gunna ask, you know, like… what's going on with you?"

Chloe wasn't sure how to best respond to that question, other than to say: "Um. I don't even know. Like, a lot?!" But she didn't think that was appropriate. She took a deep breath and started from the beginning, explaining the initial attraction she felt toward Beca at the Activities Fair. "But, like, I'm not gay. I'd never felt that way about another woman until I saw you."

Beca nodded at this and the redhead continued: "And then, at the party… that kiss… it was just, um…" but words failed her.

"Amazing?" Beca offered, with a sly smile.

Chloe gave a quiet laugh. "Yeah, like… there aren't even the right words to describe it." Beca smiled widely. "I mean, right?"

"Oh, totally. It was great."

There was a moment of silence between them. Chloe spoke: "So, like, yeah. I guess that's where I'm at right now?" Then more silence.

"Look, Chloe… can I be honest?" Beca asked earnestly, looking down at the table.

"Please do."

"You're so beautiful, and amazing, and kind. And I really like you. A lot." Chloe felt her face redden at Beca's compliment. "But…"

Chloe's stomach dropped. "But?" she asked, the fear beginning to overtake her.

"I'm just… Listen, I've been where you are. And I know that means you can't make any guarantees right now. And that really scares me. Because I really like you. And I don't want to get into something with you, only for you to discover that it isn't something you want."

This hadn't even occurred to Chloe. She was too busy thinking of herself and her own feelings. She had not thought about what Beca might be worried about. She couldn't imagine the uncertainty the younger girl was feeling right now. Well, she could. In fact, she was. But the stakes were different for Beca. If Chloe ultimately decided this wasn't for her, she'd be no worse off. In fact, she'd be better. She'd have learned something about herself. But Beca would simply be left heartbroken.

The waitress brought over their meals. Chloe thanked her, despite the fact that her appetite had suddenly completely dissolved.

"Enjoy!" the waitress said as she turned and walked away.

"Beca, I-I don't know what to say." The brunette was staring at the chicken parmesan now sitting before her.

"It's okay. You don't have to say anything." Her tone was sad, borderline pathetic, and it broke Chloe's heart. She watched as Beca sighed, absent-mindedly twisting spaghetti in her fork.

"Yes, I do," Chloe said forcefully, the DJ's eyes snapping up to meet her own. "You're right, Beca. I can certainly make no guarantees about the future of whatever this is. But neither can anyone else, right? I mean, I really, really like you too. And I really think that being with you could be the best thing to ever happen to me. Isn't that all anyone can possibly offer you?" She paused, allowing Beca to consider this for a moment. "These kinds of things are always a risk. And… I just hope you're, um, willing to take a chance on me."

Beca shot up out of her seat and leaned across the table, grabbing Chloe's face with both her hands and pulling her into a strong kiss. She didn't move, but just stood pressing her lips tightly against the redhead's. The initial surprise began to fade and Chloe found herself melting into her chair. Beca inhaled deeply, taking in Chloe's scent, before pulling away and resuming her seat.

As Chloe's eyes fluttered open, she saw the other girl across from her grinning, somehow managing to look both sexy and downright giddy.

"Okay then," the DJ said. "Let's eat," and stabbed a fork into the chicken in front of her.

A/N: *sigh* Isn't love grand? Chapter 7 will be posted next Tuesday. And I hope it'll be worth the wait! ;) Reviews are more than welcome!