Chapter 8-The Beginning
Chloe walked slowly back to her cabin in deep thought, tears trailing down her cheeks.."I've really screwed up" she said into the night air...
She had felt something when she first saw Beca walk into her father's office in the spring. Beca had visited her dad over her Spring Break, and Chloe was working in his office as his TA. She noticed the girl immediately and thought she was really beautiful. She carried herself with such confidence, and when speaking to her father, Beca showed such a strong defiance in her manner. Her ear spike and tattoos just made her interesting, but her energy was breathtaking. She was an old soul, and Chloe liked her even though they had never met. She had asked Dr. Mitchell about his family, and when he mentioned Beca, she listened as he spoke about her love of music, and interest in DJ'ing and producing in the future. She was excited to hear they had similar interests, and when he mentioned his concern that she would leave and head to Los Angeles despite his objections, she offered a suggestion.
"You know, I happen to hold a position at a music and arts summer camp in North Georgia. Beca sounds perfect for a position I am trying to fill on our staff. Perhaps she would be interested in a job this summer, what do you think?"
"Oh Chloe, that would be great. I'd love to have Beca closer to me, and would feel really comfortable having her under your supervision for the summer. I know you would be great for her. It would really help me out. Do you think it is something you could make happen if I spoke to her about it today?"
"Sure, it's my decision, and I'm sure she'd be great."
"Thanks Chloe, I'll call right now, I really can't thank you enough."
"Dr. Mitchell, it's my pleasure, just please don't present it as..I'll be supervising her... I just don't want her to think she's in detention or something, I'd like her to feel comfortable around me."
"Not a problem Chloe, I won't even mention you directly, I'll just let her know I have secured the position, sound Ok?"
"Yes, I think that's best." Chloe felt relieved, even she would hate being watched all summer.
"You know, I didn't mean to suggest... she's a very smart and talented girl, she can just be a little stubborn sometimes, she has too much of me in her I guess."
Chloe laughed. "Well I'm sure that is what will ensure her success. I know she'll be great for the camp, she certainly sounds like a perfect fit, we've struggled to break into the modern technologies, and it's really a popular way to create music these days."
"Sometimes I can't believe your just nineteen Chloe. I mean, you managed to enter college well before you were my daughter's age, and you have easily completed most of your pre-med courses with a 4.0 GPA. At the rate you're going, you'll be able to prescribe narcotics before you can legally take a drink!"
Chloe laughed.. "Well I've worked pretty hard, and am lucky Barden allowed my early admission, not all universities are interested in a sixteen year old freshman. I'm also really lucky that my parent's were so supportive."
"Well, I want you to know, I think you're pretty amazing, and I'm sure you and Beca will be fast friends." With that Dr. Mitchell walked into his office and dialed the phone.
Chloe hoped he was right.
Chloe opened the door to the Infirmary and flicked on the light switch, only to be met with a silent Aubrey sitting in her desk chair, and at the sudden sight of someone un-expected in her room, Chloe shrieked loudly.
"Shit Bree, you almost gave me a heart attack"
"Well, it's not my fault, I waited outside for you, but you took so long I decided to not completely get eaten by the mosquitoes while you dealt with your toner for the little ALT PAIN IN MY ASS. What were you thinking hiring that girl Chlo? She's going to ruin everything."
"Calm down Bree, we don't need you getting worked up. You know what happened last time."
"Wow" she took a deep breath. "Really nice Chloe, like I need a reminder of my most embarrassing spit-take of all time...I said I was sorry for throwing up on you like a thousand times now..." Aubrey looked down and breathed deeply again.
"I know." Chloe walked quickly into the bathroom to wash her face, trying to hide her tears and gain a little control before addressing her best friend's concerns.. "It's just the easiest way to stop your tirades, so I keep it in my back pocket."
"So now that you washed away your tears, do you want to tell me what happened tonight Chloe?" She should have known her friend would never miss anything.
"Ugh..Bree I really don't know what to do, I think I've kinda fallen for her."
"What, really...already?" she looked at her friend in utter disbelief. "Camp just started yesterday."
"I know, it's crazy, but I told you that I felt something the first time I saw her, and now that I've met her, it's only gotten stronger. She's amazing Bree.."
"Yeah, an amazing pain in my ass.."
"Look I told you to expect her to be a rebel, it's not like I didn't prepare you." She reminded the blonde.
"I know, and I'm completely prepared to deal with her, but you can't go undermining my authority all the time..Chloe. I need to be able to lead them in my way, and I need you to back me up."
"But Bree, you're not always right, ya know?" she quietly said, but then offered her friend a shoulder to lean on. "I'm sorry if it hurt you, but Beca was right, we all sounded amazing together tonight, and you were focused only on the negative."
"You know how I feel Chloe, I just want everything to be perfect, this place means so much to me."
"I know, it means the same to me" Chloe said, rubbing her friends back.
"Well you know the board thinks it should just be a co-ed camp, if we want the Bellas to survive at all, we have to impress everyone at the Final Concert, and the only way to do that is beat the Trebles in the final competition." Aubrey finally relaxed into her best friend.
"I know, and I think Beca is our secret weapon. The Trebles will think we are going to do our same routine from last year. I think we should get Beca to help us with a new set. Her Dad gave me one of her mixes. You should really hear what she can do with music Bree, she's truly incredible."
"I trust you Chloe, but from now on, I need you and I to be on the same page..agreed?"
"Agreed. I love you, you know that..right Bree?"
"Yeah, I know and I love you too Chlo. So are you going to be ok with this Beca thing, you seemed pretty upset just now. What's the problem anyway?"
"You mean other than the fact that I'm her father's TA, and I totally want to violate his only daughter in each and every way...Oh..nothing at all."
"Chloe, despite not understanding what you can even see beyond all that eyeliner and metal...even I can appreciate that the little EMO girl has a pretty strong will, and you two couldn't stop looking at each other all night... I'd say she's smitten."
"Is it that obvious."
"I don't' think to anyone who doesn't know you, but you both are pretty radiant around each other. I think you should figure out something soon, you know how these summer things go...you've had your fair share."
"That's what I'm afraid of"
"I've never seen you like this, I know you are concerned about your connection with her father, but is that the only reason you are holding back?"
"I've just never felt this way before Bree, and I'm really not sure which way is up."
"Well, please just pull it together, I need you focused, and right now, you are more than distracted."
"I understand Bree, I'll take care of it."
"Good night Chlo."
"Good night Bree..sleep well."
Chloe was relieved at her talk with her best friend. Just talking with Aubrey always seemed to help her clear her thoughts. She loved her like a sister, and knew that in many ways, Aubrey knew her better than she knew herself.
Her first step was to be completely honest with Beca, and tomorrow would be the perfect time. The kids were showing up for the first session on Saturday, and tomorrow was the only free day in the schedule before they had camp set-up. She'd find a way to speak with Beca tomorrow, and everything would be ok.
Like everything in her life, once she had a plan, she was able to rest. With that Chloe laid down and shut her eyes.
