A/N: Hey there, readers. I've got a super crazy work week ahead of me and know I may not get another moment to post this week's chapter. So, lucky you, you get it two days early! I should be back on schedule starting next week. Happy Sunday, all. Hope your weekends were aca-awesome!

CHAPTER 8

Get into the light where you belong (I Saw the Sign)

Chloe woke the next morning spooning the smaller girl, one arm folded beneath her own head and the other holding tight to Beca's stomach. She rolled onto her back, careful not to disturb Beca, and grabbed her phone from the night stand. She saw the time, 8:27am, and noticed she had a text message.

Aubrey (11:42pm): Soooo…. ? ;)

She texted back, asking Aubrey to meet her for brunch at 11, then slowly got out of bed. She dressed silently and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and do her make-up. Chloe couldn't believe what happened last night. Butterflies filled her as she remembered each wonderful moment. She was feeling utterly giddy as she applied her mascara, taking a step back to survey herself before leaning forward again to add the finishing touches.

Beca was awake when she re-entered the room. "What time is it?" the brunette grumbled.

"Almost nine," the redhead responded. She walked to the side of the bed and brushed a piece of hair from Beca's face before planting a kiss on the girl's forehead. Chloe squealed as Beca grabbed her waist, pulling her down on top of her and giving her sides a quick tickle.

"Hey!" Chloe sat up and swatted Beca's shoulder playfully. The DJ giggled.

"Listen, I've got a class."

"Skip ittttt," Beca whined. She sat up and kissed Chloe sweetly, walking her fingers up the girl's thigh.

Hard as it was, Chloe managed to pull away. "I can't. I have a test." She stood. "But feel free to stay here as long as you need," she said, straightening her dress. She looked down at Beca, who gave an over exaggerated pout, her arms folded across her chest. How was Chloe to resist those sad, puppy dog eyes?

"I'll text you later, okay?" She leaned down and kissed the younger girl square on the mouth.

Beca smiled and fell backwards into the pillow. "Ugh. Fiiiine! I guess I'll go to class, too…"

"That's a good girl," Chloe said, turning and heading for the door. She picked up her bag and grabbed the knob.

"Hey Chloe?"

The older girl stopped and turned to face her friend. "Yeah?"

"I, uh… I had a really good time last night."

Chloe smiled. "Me too."

"And, um…" the girl paused awkwardly, looking down at the bed. "I, uh… don't really want you, you know, doing that with other people."

"Oh?" Chloe slowly lowered her bag to the floor. She knew what Beca was trying to say, but decided it would be more fun to tease her about it.

"Yeah, I mean… I hope that, you know… ah. God, why is this so hard? I just… I don't want to do that with anyone else either. And I want us to… uh, I mean… do you… do you want to be—"

As cute as she was when she felt uncomfortable, Chloe decided it was cruel to continue to watch the girl squirm. She placed both hands on her hips. "Why, Beca Mitchell, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

The DJ blushed. She gave an awkward side grin, one of her eyes closing slightly. "Um, yes?"

Adorable. Unable to resist, Chloe rushed forward, climbing atop Beca and kissing her passionately. When they finally pulled apart, Beca laughed. "Is that a yes, then?"

"Nothing would make me happier," Chloe cooed. "I'm yours, Beca Mitchell. All yours."

After class, Chloe walked over to the student center to meet Aubrey for brunch at the dining hall. As she approached the doors, her phone buzzed.

Aubrey (10:58am): Snagged a table under the stairs

Chloe entered and headed immediately over to the breakfast bar. She filled her plate with yogurt and granola, fresh fruit, and half an English muffin. She grabbed a mug, filling it with coffee before heading for the stairs. She saw Aubrey sipping tea from afar, a bowl of cereal before her. She joined the blonde at the table.

"Hey!"

Aubrey looked up, "Hey, how was the test?"

"Ugh. Tough. But not terrible… I think I did okay." She took a large gulp of her coffee.

"And the sex?" Aubrey winked.

Chloe almost spit out the coffee, but choked it down before laughing. "Bree!"

"What?" she replied innocently, "Isn't that what we came here to talk about?"

Taking a bite of her English muffin, Chloe rolled her eyes at her friend. Mouth full of bread, she conceded. "I guess."

"So?"

The redhead wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to tell her best friend everything, but felt more than a little embarrassed to divulge all the details. Besides, she was fully aware that Aubrey wouldn't want to hear about the way Beca's tongue felt hot against her folds, but her breath somehow cold, or how the feeling of the brunette's fingers curling inside her made her breath stop. No, she'd keep it simple and speak in euphemisms.

"It was incredible."

"So she…?"

"Yep."

"And then you…?"

"Mhmm."

Chloe loved the shorthand they shared. She knew exactly what Aubrey was trying to say, even though she didn't say anything. They'd been best friends for four years now and words were no longer really necessary. Technically, Chloe hadn't even told Aubrey that she and Beca had sex last night. Aubrey just knew. That was how special the bond they shared was. Aubrey and Chloe were as close as two women could possibly be. Although, as Beca taught her last night, she supposed there was a way for two women to be even closer…

"Were you scared?"

Chloe gave a short laugh. "Terrified. I mean, I was at first, like… before anything even happened. But once we got going, it felt really natural. I was still a little nervous, but it just felt so right, being with her, you know?"

"That's wonderful, Chlo. I'm so happy for you" the blonde practically squealed.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, munching on their respective breakfasts. Chloe could think of nothing but Beca, of nothing but her… girlfriend.

"Oh my God, Bree. I didn't even tell you the craziest part!"

"What?"

"Jeeze, how could I forget?" She briefly paused for dramatic effect. Then continued, "This morning… Beca asked me to be her girlfriend."

"Chloe!" Aubrey swatted the other girl's hand. "How could you not start with that?! …What did you say?"

"I told her yes?"

"Shut up! What?! Chloe Beale… has a…. girlfriend? What is even happening here?!"

Chloe had to admit it was pretty crazy. I mean, a month ago, Chloe was straight as an arrow. How could everything change so quickly? Panic started to rise within her. This was insane. How is this happening? What am I doing? I don't know what I'm even doing here! I have a girlfriend? What? Her breathing had quickly become erratic. Jesus… last night, I… oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. In all the excitement of the night before, Chloe had completely forgotten to freak out. Am I gay? What the fuck is happening?

And then she thought of Beca, her dark blue eyes, her warm smile, her soft skin. And her breathing slowed. An odd sense of calm washed over her.

"I know it's crazy, Aubrey. Trust me, I do. But it just, well… All it means is that I really care about Beca. And she cares about me. It's that simple…" Chloe was still a little unsure. "Isn't it?"

The blonde paused, seemingly considering this thought for a long moment before answering. "I don't—" she stopped short and looked down, then back into her friends eyes, covering her hand with her own. "Yes, Chloe. You're absolutely right. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled. The support of her best friend meant the world to her. There's no way she would have gotten to this point without Aubrey. She needed her like she needed air. She didn't know what she'd ever do without her.

"Alright, well… now that you've gotten your feelings all sorted out and you've got the girl… can we please focus on what's really important here? These aca-bitches aren't making any real progress. How are we ever gunna make it past regionals?"