Chapter 26-Bolt
The diner was small and tucked away in a building right off the exit to the state highway. Beca was pleased to find it open 24 hrs, so she found a booth and waited.
When he entered, he saw her seated, back to the door, her head barely peeking over the booth seat.
"Becs...what's this about? You seemed really upset when you called" Jessie questioned as he sat down opposite her.
"I'm leaving camp. I've gotta get outta here Jess. I can't wait any longer."
"Wait Becs, what are you thinking? You can't just bolt now, not before the big concert."
"Look...my job is done, the concert is tomorrow afternoon, and everyone has all they need to do a great set. I don't need to be there, and I just.." She hesitated her words breaking slightly.."I just can't do it."
"Do what Beca?" He looked at her, trying to catch her gaze.
"I can't go through losing them, losing her...I just can't take it Jess."
"But you're leaving them..."
"I'm accepting the inevitable...another day will only make it worse." She nodded as the waitress approached to fill her empty coffee cup.
"How long you been here?" He turned his attention to the young waitress, and nodded when she asked if he would like a cup as well.
"About an hour. I packed up all my stuff yesterday, and had it ready to go. As soon as we let out for the night after practice, I headed straight for the car."
He watched her intently, trying to understand where this was coming from, surely he was missing something. "How did Chloe take it?"
Beca suddenly found her coffee very interesting, adding more sugar and cream. Keeping her head focused down, not responding.
"Beca, you did tell Chloe, didn't you?"
Beca raised her head, trying not to catch his gaze, looking more like a guilty child at the moment. "What's the point, I haven't even seen her much these last two weeks, it's all just kind of fading already..."
"Beca, WHAT THE FU.." His voice raising louder, was cut off abruptly.
"STOP JESS, I know, I know I'm a terrible person, but I just can't" Beca sighed deeply "Chloe is amazing, and in many ways, she'll always have my heart, but I don't want put myself through a tearful goodbye." She fidgeted slightly in her seat, uncomfortable with the emotion the conversation was stirring in her. "Over the past two weeks, I've accepted this. Tomorrow I'm turning 18, I'm finally an adult, and I can go my own way."
Jessie tried to calm himself, but continued his plea.."But Beca, you have been so happy with Chloe, is this really the way you want to end it?"
"Jessie...if I don't leave now, I'll lose what I had with her any way. At least by leaving now, I can hold onto what I feel. She's got too much ahead of her, and I've got my own thing, we are going down very different roads, and I want the best for her. I know I'm not it. I'm broken. She has so much love, she deserves better."
"That's such crap Becs"
"What?"
"THAT...THIS, all of this." His voice rose again with strong emotion. "I love you but the self-deprecation...ENOUGH ALREADY" Jessie allowed his frustration to come through. "Look I know your parents did a number on you, I was there remember? But you, Beca Mitchell, are amazing. Sometimes you are an amazing pain in the ass, but mostly, you are the most genuine and amazing person I know." He stood up so he could take a seat next to her in her booth, mostly just to block her in, as he knew she had a habit of bolting when she heard things she didn't want to hear.
As if on cue, Beca grabbed her car keys from the table and slid out of the seat before he could join her, tossing a twenty dollar bill on the table as she left.
Jessie looked down and shook his head, he grabbed his own keys and phone and ran after her.
"Beca...Beca...wait."
The small brunette turned around, head held down. "Look Jess, you're my best friend, I just wanted you to know. Thanks for always being there for me."
"Beca.." He pleaded again, hoping she would just stop.
"I'll call when I get to where I'm going."
"Wait...what? Beca you're not going home?"
"No Jess, I'm heading to L.A. That was the deal with my dad that got me here, and despite all that has happened, I'm sticking to that plan. I have enough credits at school, I've checked. My diploma is a done deal. I don't have to wait. I can go now, and that's what I want."
"What about your dad?"
"Yeah, I promised I would see him, and I plan to meet him in the morning for breakfast in Clayton. I'm leaving straight from there."
"And your mom is cool with this?"
"You know my mom, she says she'll miss me, but she'll be fine. She's got her own life with Mike and she knew I was planning to leave soon any way. Same deal, no need for a tearful goodbye there."
Jessie stood in shock and looked at his best friend, his emotions getting the better of him. "Jesus, Beca...I just, I can't believe you are doing this." He reached forward, not caring at this moment about her need for personal space, he wrapped his arms around her tightly and lifted her off the ground. "I love you Beca, if you need me, you call me."
Beca felt herself fill with emotion, and she reached her arms around his neck, and embraced him back...and she did an amazing thing, she quietly said... "Love you too Swanson". She pushed back almost as quickly as she said it and turned to her car, climbed in a drove away.
Jessie stood watching her little civic leave the parking lot, and watched as the red lights disappeared into the night. Rubbing tears away, his heart sank. None of this felt right, his thoughts raced. He reached for his phone and dialed the number...the phone continued to ring, and ring, and ring...
