Chapter 30-Hijacked
Aubrey waited until 8:00am to wake Chloe, knowing she didn't get much sleep. "Here, I brought you coffee."
"Thanks Bree." Chloe looked at her through swollen eyes.
"Listen, I have to run into town for a few things this morning, can you pull everyone together for the final concert?"
"I guess so." The red-head seemed a bit confused, Aubrey relished taking the director's spot, it seemed very strange that she wouldn't be on point.
"Yeah, sorry, I just have to attend to a few things after breakfast, shouldn't be gone too long. Just follow our schedule and I'll get back as soon as I can." Aubrey remarked without concern.
Chloe didn't feel like arguing, truth be told she was completely drained. She just wanted to get through the day, as her heart was shattered enough already. Her only thought was to hope that Beca would reach out soon.
Chloe headed towards the showers, borrowing Aubrey's robe and shower kit.
As soon as Chloe was clear of the staff house, Aubrey checked her iPad quickly, the small red dot still appeared in its original location on the radar screen. Good, Beca was not moving from her location yet. All should be ok, if she could just get through the next hour.
After a quick breakfast with the campers and Bellas, Aubrey excused herself from her table, and nodded at Chloe as she left. "Be back soon" she mouthed silently to her. Chloe nodded back.
The tall blonde jumped into the camp jeep and headed towards Clayton, managing to make her way back to the Holiday Inn before 10:00am. Beca's car was still in the parking lot. Aubrey pulled along to the side of the lot, where she had a good view of Beca's car. While waiting, a delicious idea crept into her mind. She quickly scanned her iTunes account for playlists, creating one called G and one called C, dumping the rest of her music from her iPad, she carefully selected songs for each playlist. Finally sometime close to 11:00am, she saw the brunette appear, and climb into her vehicle.
Aubrey followed her a fair distance into the downtown area, trying with great effort to make sure she was not seen by the small DJ. As they approached a diner, she parked the jeep and watched as Beca greeted a tall slender man at the front of the restaurant. Aubrey sat for a few moments and formulated her plan.
"Becs, how'd you hear about this place, it's really great." Dr. Mitchell seemed beside himself with joy, seeing his daughter for the first time since the Atlanta incident.
"Yeah, Chloe recommended it sometime ago. It's quaint, right!" She looked behind her father expectantly before continuing "So, no Sheila today?"
"Wow, I think that's the first time you haven't referred to her as the Stop-Monster, thanks for that. Yeah, she decided to give us some father daughter time."
"Well, that was generous." Beca muttered to herself, before looking up at her grinning father.. "This is nice Dad"
"Well its your birthday Becs...what looks good?" He questioned, as they looked over the menu. When his daughter's face seemed somewhat uninterested in food, he said "How about pancakes?"
"Sure" Beca looked up to see his disappointment. " I mean that's great dad" She tried her best to stay upbeat for her visit with him. But truth be told, all she wanted to do was stay in bed. Her heart felt like it was breaking.
Something had changed over the summer in Beca, and Dr. Mitchell picked up on it. His daughter seemed, well, more grown-up to him suddenly, even through her distant gaze, he could see she was more mature, and his eyes teared.
Once they ordered, they managed to fill the time with small talk. Dr. Mitchell spoke about his latest publication. Beca sat politely listening to him go on and on about the authors he was reviewing for the AJC.
She did have something she wanted to share, and was looking for the right time to broach the subject. However, just as she opened her mouth, the waitress returned to pick up their empty plates, filling each of their cups with another round of coffee. When she left, Beca found another opportunity.
"So Dad, I have some news I want to share..." Beca steadied herself for her speech. Just as she began to open her mouth this time however, Dr, Mitchell's cell phone rang.
"Sorry Beca, let me get this." He stood briefly trying to gain better reception and walked outside to take the call. Beca watched as she could see her father speaking with a smile and laugh. She assumed it was the step-monster. She always had impeccable timing. Beca mused to herself. She looked down to take a sip of her coffee, but felt movement next to her. Suddenly Aubrey Posen slid into the booth seat right next to her, startling the small girl so much that she literally jumped from her seat.
"Aubrey, what the fu" Beca started. Aubrey just stared back at her, refusing to budge and blocking her in.
"Ok Becs...Hey, who's your friend here?" Her father returning to the table, asked.
"Aubrey Posen, Dr. Mitchell. It's a pleasure to meet you." The tall blonde stood to greet the man.
"Ah...yes Ms. Posen, I was just speaking to my wife about you. You spoke with her earlier?"
"Yes, I was hoping to track you down,Sir. We have a special event happening at camp today, and I wanted to make sure you could attend. Beca has played a huge role in pulling our production together, and I have seats held for you and your family."
Beca sat with her mouth hanging open...What the hell was happening?
"That's awfully considerate of you Aubrey. Well, if it's alright, it'll be just me today, but I can't wait to see it."
Enough of this crap, Beca thought to herself. "Well, actually Dad" Beca began. But Aubrey again quickly interjected cutting her off.
"You know, we have been so very lucky to have Beca with us this summer, she has been an amazing influence on our staff and campers. I've even learned a bit. She has a great talent for music, Dr. Mitchell. You should be very proud of her."
"I am proud of her." The father beamed at the words from this extremely polite and professional woman. "I have to admit, at first I was really against this DJing thing, but I've really learned a great deal from Chloe over the past year, as she explained how these techniques of Mix-ups work. It's pretty cool."
"Their called Mash-ups Dad, and Mixes are just the songs, ugh.." Beca rolled her eyes..."It's really just about Music Production." Beca spoke with frustration in her voice. Clearly she was being hijacked at the moment, why did she even bother to correct this.
"Well, should we head up to camp? Sheila said this production started around 1:00p.m., we should get going, shouldn't we?" He asked looking at his watch.
Aubrey nodded in agreement, as Beca remained still.
"Let's get the check. Wait, where are my manners, Aubrey would you like anything?"
"No sir, thank you, I've already had my breakfast. I was up early today" She eyed Beca curiously "You know, it's a big day and all." Aubrey looked over in Beca's direction and studied her reaction. Beca's guilt washed over her face quickly.
"I bet you were. Ok ladies. I'll just excuse myself to the gents room, and then we can grab the check and head out." Dr. Mitchell stood and went in search for the closest restroom.
Aubrey eyed the waitress and asked for a coffee to go and the check. Beca sat quietly, waiting for the impending tirade to come from the older girl.
But nothing came...Aubrey just thanked the waitress, and paid for her cup of joe and the meal ticket, smiling at the brunette the entire time. Not saying a word, just looking directly at her.
Finally Beca could take it no longer. "Jesus Aubrey, it's like your Hannibal Lector, come out with it already, the silence is deafening"
Aubrey just continued her gaze, knowing the guilt was eating at Beca more than any words could.
As Dr. Mitchell approached, Aubrey rose from her seat, "Sir, it's Beca's Birthday, and the camp team asked that we buy breakfast for you both. The bill has been paid, so we are free to head out."
Acquiescing to the situation, Beca responded "I guess WE'LL meet you at camp then Dad." Beca turned, but was caught in her father's quick embrace. "Sounds good, see you in a few minutes." The older man smiled as he turned to head for his car.
Aubrey again shook his hand, and they parted ways.
Aubrey walked Beca towards her car, and as Beca turned to get in, Aubrey shook her head. "Nope, you're riding with me."
Beca immediately protested. "Aubrey I most certainly am not leaving my car here on main street in Clayton."
"Don't think for a second you are getting out of my sight Beca Mitchell." Aubrey spoke through gritted teeth. "Here, you drive the camp jeep" She tossed the keys to her, "I've got your car keys, we'll park your car back at the hotel."
"Wait, how the hell did you get my keys?" Beca questioned. Aubrey just smirked.
They drove back to the Holiday Inn. Beca, went inside to request another night's stay, she was given the room key, and she and Aubrey moved her belongings back out of her car. All except for her laptop bag, Aubrey managed to grab before Beca could get her hands on it.
"I got this, and your iPhone is in here, I'll put it in the back." As Beca opened the passenger door she saw a potato sack and rope in the back seat.
"For fuck's sake Posen, was that your back-up plan?"
"Well, My Father always says, if first you don't succeed, bring a shovel"
"What does that even mean" Beca said into the air while rolling her eyes.
"Shut it Mitchell...Now, you're good to go, right?" Aubrey asked "We should be able to make it back to camp before the opening number if we hurry."
"Fine." Beca responded, defeated and finally accepting her fate.
Aubrey pulled out of the parking lot and headed north, hoping that the drive would go quickly. She looked at her watch, and it was now 12:40pm, as she thought to herself... Well maybe missing the opening number wouldn't be the worst thing in the world..right?
