Beca Mitchell liked to think that she was a pretty composed person, mature even. She rarely had patience for people who couldn't pay attention for short periods of time, for instance, the hour-long Bella's rehearsals.
Unfortunately for Beca, there were some days when she actually fell into that category. Today, for instance, she had failed to factor in her current mood. One that she rarely encountered. You see, today, Beca was dealing with an unfortunate mixture of emotions. She hadn't encountered this particular mood in the last few months. Today had been odd.
She'd had a very rare day off from her internship. She'd even asked Chloe to run interference through the house so that she could get a decent sleep in. So when her phone rang at god knows what time, she'd been annoyed, to say the least. When she'd answered the phone however, her annoyance was quickly replaced with curiosity at the sound of her boss's voice. "How would you like to interview for a production assistant position in our LA studio?"
Cue Beca's first emotion. Excitement. Excited Beca was an aloof, rambling mess of a girl, who failed to string a decent sentence together without sounding douche-y.
Her first answer had been, "Uh, yeah… That'd be awes..." (Damn Chloe and her frat boy vocabulary). She'd immediately tacked on the ome trying to make herself sound at least a little more credible. After hanging up the phone, she promptly checked the email sent through, to confirm that she had just received a call. She had to check that she hadn't just experienced a lucid dream of some sort. After she'd confirmed this, she'd run down stairs. Not even pausing to replace the sweatpants she'd kicked off mid-way through the night.
The occupants of the Bella house were used to the odd break down. So when their captain came barrelling down the stairs in an oversized tee and boylegs, they watched warily. Beca made a beeline for the kitchen, where Chloe was currently teaching Emily to make gingerbread. She squeezed into the space between the two girls, planting a smacking kiss on each girl's cheek.
"Guess who has an interview in LA pitches!"
Chloe had squealed loudly, wrapping herself around Beca swinging her around.
Beca, who would normally shrug away and escape at the current situation, laughed and tried to grumble at Chloe to put her down. It came out sounding more like a coy giggle. She turned to Emily and pointed a finger at her, "Legacy!"
"What'd I do?"
"Guess what?"
"Uh? You have an interview in LA?" Emily said, she glanced around the room at the other Bella's, all of whom were watching with varying levels of amusement.
"Your demo, dude! It's been sent out to, like, twelve artists!"
"What!?" Emily's smile was infectious, which led to Beca's second emotion. Happiness.
Happy Beca was a little calmer than excited Beca. She was a little less awkward, and a little more sarcasm. Mix the two together? It was a recipe for what Chloe had called Disruptive Little Shit Beca. It was basically all the fun and games of excited Beca, mixed with the endearing smart ass that was Happy Beca.
"Yeah dude, there should be an email from Residual Heat in your inbox."
Emily bounced a few times before holding a hand up at Chloe, "I'll be right back!" She was gone.
Beca, finally looking around at the appraising looks being given to her by the other Bellas, glanced at her legs, "Ah… right… Well, practice in thirty assholes! Go!"
There was a collective groan as the group trouped upstairs to change. Beca glanced at Chloe, who was leaning against the counter, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"So… LA huh?"
Beca grinned, "Quit checking out my ass, Beale."
"Well, it wouldn't be a problem if you were wearing pants… I'm guessing I'm going to have to deal with DLS Beca today?"
"Excuse me, but that is offensive… And maybe… I dunno, I gotta put on some pants… maybe a bra…"
"Leave the bra and I'll give you first dibs on the cookies," Chloe laughed. Beca backed away, a confident smirk firmly in place, "Are we talking cookies or cookies?"
"Pants! Go!" Beca disappeared with a laugh. Chloe ran a hand through her hair. Today was going to be interesting.
Chloe leaned against the piano, sighing. They were fifteen minutes into rehearsal and she was already regretting taking point for Beca, who clearly was not in a captain mindset. Vocal warm ups had been a nightmare and Chloe found herself regretting ever showing Beca the goat remix youtube videos.
"Right first run through. Line up Bellas!"
There were a few grumbles from Amy's end, a few giggles from Jessica and a rather out of character hip wiggle from Beca, "Save it for the run through, J-Lo," Chloe said. Beca stuck her tongue out and for a moment, it seemed as though they'd get through the set without any stuff ups.
Beca's performance face was on, Chloe would never admit that she found that determined look sexy. They slapped their hand, creating the rhythm that Beca had laid out the week before, Chloe's relief had turned to suspicion when Beca faced her for the last of the claps.
Who run the world?
Squirrels! Beca snorted, throwing her head back as she tried to run away from Chloe's grasping hands.
"Beca!"
"Ok! I'm sorry! I'll stop!"
Chloe glared, motioning for the girls to start again. "You better."
They tried again. This time the word squirrels came from Beca, Emily and Stacie, along with laughter from the other Bellas and a groan from Chloe.
"Seriously? You are the captain, Mitchell! Act like it."
Beca saluted Chloe between giggles and straightened her face, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I can do this."
"'S Fine." Chloe blew out an annoyed breath. She channelled her inner Aubrey and yelled, "Again!"
Chloe threw her hands up in exasperation as they failed to make it past the first line again. This time it was Cynthia Rose adding, "Aw shit… Now Bec's got me sayin it too!"
"God damn it, Beca!" Chloe cried out. "Guess what? You've just earned yourself cardio… GO!"
Beca rolled her eyes and held her hands out, dropping to her knees dramatically, "But Chloe, baby… You are my cardio…"
Chloe rolled her eyes, trying to fight the smile that was treacherously attempting to break free. She held up a hand. "Don't start."
"You get my heart racing, Chloe…" Beca took off up the stairs trying to dodge Chloe's hand as it grasped for her.
"Ten minutes girls. You can thank Beca when you're done." The collective groan was spattered with curses at their chuckling captain who was already running the stairs.
Chloe called out at the eight minute mark, "Two minutes!"
"She's lying!" Beca yelled. Chloe rolled her eyes and looked at the pack of women who were still jogging and cursing. She noted that Beca was missing. So was Amy. Chloe stormed up the stair to where she could see a pair of sneakers sticking up behind the seats. Beca was flat on her back, not even attempting to copy Amy.
"Mitchell! Wilson! What the fuck?" Beca jumped, her legs quickly following Amy's.
"We're horizontal running!" Beca laughed, as Chloe glared down at her. There was something about carefree and playful Beca that she couldn't get mad at.
Chloe blew a breath out between pursed lips and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Oi, Shawshank? I'd probably get vertical running if you wanna live," Amy stage whispered from over the back of the chair.
Chloe noted the hint of fear in Beca's eyes as she eased herself into a squat, it was oddly satisfying. Beca skipped down to the piano and took a sip from the water bottle. "I love it when you talk dirty, Beale… " Ok, not fear. Challenge. Chloe groaned.
"Seriously, Beca? Can you just focus? I understand you're happy, I get that you're excited, just chill for half an hour so we can get some work done. Please?"
Beca's face softened for a moment, "Ok, stop with the puppy eyes dude."
They managed to get three perfect runs before Chloe called an end to practice. The Bellas filed out of the auditorium, leaving Beca and Chloe to pack up the whiteboard and chairs.
"Sorry about being an asshole," Beca said, sliding the now clean whiteboard against the wall.
"You should be." Chloe said, jabbing a finger against Beca's shoulder. Beca shrugged out of the way, "Ow, dude!"
"Don't ow, dude me. I've only got so much patience for your antics..."
Chloe's voice was stern, but her eyes betrayed her, she loved seeing Beca this happy. "I'm so happy for you."
Beca smiled brilliantly, "I'm pretty happy for me to. So, technically I'm wearing a crop top... Does that count as forgoing a bra?"
Chloe turned her head to stop herself staring directly at her friend's chest. "Really Beca, I will fight you."
Beca held her arms out, it would have seemed like a welcoming gesture, if not for the blatant smirk. "Bring it, Beale."
Chloe lunged forward, a laugh bubbling up as Beca tried to duck under her arm. She caught Beca's arm, and somehow, Beca had managed to trip over her own feet, dragging the two of them to the wooden floor with a SMACK.
There was a struggle, the silence of the auditorium broken only by the echoing squeaks of sneakers and perfectly harmonised giggles.
It was strange how someone as small as Beca could have the strength to overpower Chloe. Chloe was sure it was probably to do with how hard she'd been laughing moments ago. Beca's cheeks were pink with exertion and her hair was starting to fall free of the bun she'd thrown it up in earlier. There was an odd expression on her face, an unreadable mixture of things that tugged at Chloe's stomach.
"What are you doing?" she asked, reaching up, attempting to tickle Beca's ribs. Her hands were promptly detained, held above her head by strong hands.
"I feel like today is gonna be a good day."
"Really?" Chloe asked. At least, she attempted to ask. It came out as more of a squeak than an actual word. She scrunched her nose, trying to hide her face in her shoulder as Beca's giggles started again.
"Stop making me laugh..."
Chloe turned back, "Why?"
Beca glanced up at the doorway, then back down to Chloe. "Because I'm going to kiss you now. And hopefully, you'll kiss me back, instead of punching me in the face, ya know?"
Chloe laughed, "Who says I won't kiss you back and then punch your stupid face?"
Beca's jaw dropped, she straightened her back slightly, "Stupid face?"
Chloe grinned and preyed on Beca's confusion. She twisted her hands free and pinned Beca to the floor beneath her. "Well it took you long enough."
She leaned down and pressed her lips to Beca's. Chloe smiled as Beca's lips moved against hers. Beca's hands tangled in Chloe's hair, pulling her close. There was a moment of silence as Beca pulled away, Chloe's mouth still tingling, her senses still amplified by the scent of Beca's shampoo and the taste of her spearmint toothpaste.
"Dude, you totally just stole my move," Beca mumbled against Chloe's lips.
"Stop talking."