RECAP: Act One was done and the Bellas and Trebles move on to Act Two. Fate continues to watch over, making sure that this time, things will happen as they intended. (Notes at the end of chapter lists down all songs used for Act 2)
I do not own Pitch Perfect
4: Act 2: When I Fall in Love
The Bellas were tired, having gone over the whole of the second act during their private practice. Halfway through going over the songs, Aubrey practically shrieked with all the Bellas looking at her expectantly. It was like she had just discovered the lost city of Atlantis. Aubrey shrugged it off, taking a few minutes to recompose herself, but as soon as they wrapped up she had pulled Stacie in to the kitchen with Amy in tow and they have remained there for what seemed to be three hours already.
Beca stepped out of her shared room with Amy, she couldn't sleep. The three girls still I the kitchen in an animated discussion that they had kept going on in hushed tones. Jessica and Ashley had fallen asleep on the couch from watching a film on TV, Emily was seated on the loveseat next to it skyping with her mom. Lily was nowhere to be found. Cynthia Rose, on the other hand, was on the phone with her wife from what Beca could hear from the conversation she could overhear coming from her room.
Before long, Beca had found herself standing outside Chloe and Aubrey's room, the door slightly left open. She peaked inside, knocking lightly on the door upon seeing Chloe curled up on her bed with a book. Chloe peered up from the pages, a little surprised at seeing Beca but nevertheless she smiled at the DJ who was looking at her sheepishly. "Hey Becs, whatcha' doing there?"
"Can't sleep." Beca replied. Chloe patted down the space next to her on the mattress and Beca immediately took over the space, curling up next to Chloe.
Chloe looked at the young brunette with a bit of curiosity, she was being rather affectionate and she normally isn't, even when they end up sleeping next to each other, cuddling and all, it was usually Chloe who would initiate the contact and Beca would always pretend to be against it even though she secretly liked it.
"I miss you." Beca sighed, and it was the truth. Ever since they got to New York she found that she barely had the time to just hang out with Chloe, and it was making her heart heavy.
Chloe closed her book, setting it on her bedside table, and placed her arms around Beca who had already started to drift to sleep. The redhead smiled, pressing her lips atop Beca's head gently, afraid to wake her up with the most sudden of movements, "I miss you too." Chloe whispered.
They were both asleep when Aubrey finally entered the room. She couldn't contain the smile that was immediately forming on her lips upon seeing the two former Bella co-captains. Now that's how it's supposed to be, she thought to herself.
"By all means, take it away Ms. Beale." Fate had said, talking to Chloe who would start the scene. The enigmatic director was sitting on the edge of the rest of one of the seats somewhere in the front row, her feet perched up on the actual seat cushion. They were about to begin their rehearsal for Act Two.
The spotlight was on Chloe, the scene set at the Bellas rehearsal space. The Bellas all looked bummed as they provided soft vocals to back up Chloe's song, Beca looking gloomy somewhere upstage as she sulked.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday.
Chloe couldn't help the smile breaking free from her lips, she remembered the night that – as Amy had dubbed it – she had serenaded Beca with the same song while Beca sang Just a Dream, mixing the two songs perfectly together.
Yeah, I know, I know when I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so sad to think that she doesn't see what I see
But every time she ask me do I look okay?
I say
She continued to sing while Aubrey starts to take notice that her eyes were only on Beca's. The blonde huffs and Chloe simply shrugs.
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
At this point, Aubrey verbally. Chloe tries to defend Beca, both of them knowing full well that Chloe could no longer keep the feelings she had been harboring for the tiny DJ to herself. Aubrey agrees it's time they forgive Beca but argues that she's no good for Chloe, that that Treble (Jesse) she kept hanging out with won't let her slip away. Chloe disagrees but Aubrey points it out that Beca is quite oblivious and she'll only hurt her. Before Chloe could argue even more, Aubrey starts to sing, backed up by the Bellas.
Oh her kiss is soft and sweet
She swept you off your feet
She's no good for you
She's no good for you
And sure she's worth a lot of gold
But you're better than you know
She's no good for you
She's no good for you, hey
That girl's no good for you
You're way too good for her
That girl's no good for you, for you
Whoa whoa whoa
No she no good, she no good for you
Whoa whoa whoa
No she no good, she no good for you
Beca finally moves center stage in the middle of Aubrey's song. For this being the first time they've practiced Act Two, Fate was impressed that the Bellas already have their parts down. Beca interrupts the song as she comes to apologize. Chloe beams at her and Aubrey reluctantly smiles, pulling her towards the Bellas who start to hug her. She starts to talk badly about herself while promising good behavior when Flo interrupts the DJ's heartfelt speech. The Bellas immediately take their positions as Flo starts the song, quickly followed by Emily, Ashley, and Jessica, each taking turns with the lines of the song.
Why don't you wait here while I borrow
Something you said, dear you should follow
Ohhh ohhh
If pain just stays, aches til' tomorrow
Then that's okay
Hey it's only sorrow
Ohhh ohhh
'Cause it's you, who, takes care of everyone else
You need to allow me to help, you
Oh, appreciated
'Cause it's you who somehow is always the first, to, take care of me at me worst
You are appreciated
Beca feels happy, finally being welcomed back by her friends. While the song continues, the Bellas shuffle to stage right with the entrance of the Trebles at stage left, Jesse still moping around. With only her friendship with Jesse needing to be fixed, Beca approaches Jesse and changes the song, the Bellas and Treble harmonize in the background with surprising ease.
Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges my
Feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
We tore up the walls we slept on couches
We lifted this house we lifted this house
Fire-crackers in the east my car parked south
Your hands on my cheeks your shoulder in my mouth
I was up against the wall on the west mezzanine
We rattle this town, we rattle this scene
O, Anna Sun
O, Anna Sun
What do you know? This house is falling apart
What can I say? This house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
Jesse joins in halfway through the song. While both teams enjoy singing together in their newly solidified friendship. Jesse gathers the Trebles and takes the chance to woo Beca once more. The beats change as the Bella's voices fade, the Trebles taking over as Jesse starts his song.
I was walking away,
But she's so beautiful it made me stay
I don't know her name,
But I'm hoping she might feel the same
So here I go again,
She got my heart again!
Tonight we'll dance
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
We won't look back,
Take my hand and we will shine
Oh, oh, oh
She needs a wild heart
She needs a wild heart
I got a wild heart
He reaches out to Beca who, as the script states, looks at him with uncertainty. She looks back at the Bellas, but her gaze only falls on Chloe who simply looks down the floor of the stage, avoiding eye contact.
Beca looks back at Jesse, his hand already on hers as she reluctantly nods. She looks back at Chloe, some sort of understanding forming in her mind. This was the part where Aubrey shrieked the night before, and Beca felt like she was starting to piece the puzzle that was right in front of her, although she knows to herself that she's still confused about some details.
The Trebles exit stage left with Jesse and Beca in tow. The Bellas start to follow, crossing the stage to exit stage left as well. As the Bellas leave, looking uncertainly at Chloe with wanting to both comfort her and give her space, Chloe moves center stage and she starts singing her song.
You're everything I thought you never were
And nothing like I thought you could have been
But still you live inside of me,
So tell me how is that?
You're the only one I wish I could forget
The only one I love to not forgive
And though you break my heart,
You're the only one
And though there are times when I hate you
'Cause I can't erase
The times that you hurt me and put tears on my face
And even now, while I hate you,
It pains me to say
I know I'll be there at the end of the day
Aubrey places an arm on Chloe as she tries to comfort her. Beca rushes back on stage, offering her hand to Chloe and asking her to join them. Jesse runs back to fetch Beca but she stays on stage until Chloe sadly nods, accepting that she could only have Beca as a friend now. She continues to sing as she watches Beca leave with Jesse again.
I don't wanna be without you, babe
I don't want a broken heart
Don't wanna take a breath without you, babe
I don't wanna play that part
I know that I love you, but let me just say
I don't wanna love you in no kind of way, no no
I don't want a broken heart
I don't wanna play the broken-hearted girl, no no
No broken-hearted girl
Chloe finally exits the scene and leaves Aubrey behind. Aubrey has her eyes on Chloe the whole time, sadness filling in as Aubrey starts to sing her song again, only this time in a sadder tone and with none of the Bellas backing her up. It was just her and her pure vocals taking over the silence that had filled them in.
I miss that happy friend that I had
You've been acting so sad
Won't you comeback, yeah yeah
With that, Aubrey exits stage left, the act coming to an end. The stage lights die out completely and the rest theater comes to life. The Trebles and the Bellas return on stage as Fate smiles upon them clapping her hands together.
"That was a good run. Let's take a break before we go at it again. If everything goes as smooth as this we can start practicing both act one and act two today."
The Bellas and the Trebles clap amongst themselves, feeling proud for a job well done. Beca excuses herself, wanting to get some air outside. Jesse offers his company but he declines.
Aubrey pulls Amy and Stacie somewhere backstage, "That was quite a heavily emotional scene there blondie, didn't think it would be." Amy comments and Aubrey simply huffs.
"I told you, didn't I? Sure the story is a bit different but it you can't hide the similarities." Aubrey tells the two.
"But how? Like, how would Fate even know about the details of Beca's first year at Barden that she just managed to put together two acts loosely based on what happened back then?" Stacie asks.
"And how did our Ms. Valentine clue-in to the whole entangled messy feelings that Shawshank, our beloved ginger, and the puppy dog Treble have?" Amy added.
Aubrey groaned. "I don't know Amy, I don't know, but it seems like Fate is taking things in her own hands and I don't know why or what for."
Notes:
*Songs in this chapter include the following:
- Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars)
- No Good for You (Meghan Trainor)
- Appreciated (Rixton)
- Anna Sun (Walk the Moon)
- Wild Heart (The Vamps)
- Broken-Hearted Girl (Beyonce)
- When I Fall in Love Act 2 title inspired by Nat King Cole's song (there's also a cover by Boyz II Men)