[A/N: Sorry, it's been awhile I'm not fully feeling this story because there is so much dialogue, but I hope you guys don't mind. Anyway- please leave reviews!]
The chair groaned under Chloe's weight, her fingers tracing the crystal glass that was filled with nothing more but a buttery alcohol. It was amber against the morning sun, the flute fragile just like her father's massive ego. Though, she wasn't one to object to breakfast outside of the school's massive stone walls.
She pressed her metal edged fork into the soft middle of the waffles that she had ordered. It cut through them easily enough, it's fluffy exterior crumbling under the added weight- syrup bubbling over the sides as the sweet scent filled her lungs.
"Is this okay for you?" Warren asked, his words muffled as he stared down at the eggs in front of him, dragging a bereted edge of the knife that sliced easily through the yolk- it's own contents spilling over a porcelain plate.
"It's perfect," Chloe cocked her head to the side, scratching the back of her neck as she lifted her gaze to her fathers. "What's the occasion?"
"There needs to be an occasion to take you out to breakfast?"
"Mm," She hummed, raising the glass to her lips as she downed at least half of the champagne that she despised the taste of in the first place. The bubbles burned and prodded at her throat, but she ignored them. "I heard you and mom talking the other day. You two doubt me?"
He cleared his throat, letting his fork fall softly on the edge of the plate, running his fingers against the edge of the knit napkin. His eyes were such a deep silver, a silver that was jarring, but kind in a way. The man had his lenient moments, but never any that would show during school hours.
"No, Chlo." He shook his head "You haven't failed us for years, but darling, you must understand, Beca Mitchell is a distraction."
"Beca Mitchell is onto us." Chloe pointed the end of her fork towards her father accusingly. "She's smart, dad. Smarter than people give her credit for, you know?"
He let out a thick sigh, drawing his own mug of coffee to his lips. It burned his tongue, the molten liquid hot and unforgiving. He blinked the pain away continuing to stare at his daughter with nothing more than amusement.
"Your mother… she won't be very amused with your sudden infatuation. I was just doing a favor for her father, Chloe. She's not bloodline."
"Neither was Aubrey." The ginger cringed away from her food, not feeling so hungry anymore, quickly remembering how much pain she had put her friend through. Even if it wasn't intentional.
"Aubrey Posen is a natural born leader." He spoke smoothly "Beca Mitchell is an alternative girl with ear monstrosities and tattoos."
Chloe fought off the urge to scoff. She technically had tattoos too- although, her father would chalk them up to an ancient prophecy and the fact that it was a mark of pride and not one of drunken mess. She subconsciously ran her fingers over the edge of her shirt but didn't catch her father's attention with the slight movement.
"Listen," Chloe adjusted her position in her seat "I promise I will keep a better eye on the legacy. Just… just let me keep an eye on Beca too. The last thing we need is some headstrong music major running things for us. It's an insurance plan."
"An insurance plan?" He sounded out the words carefully.
She cocked her head to the side, lifting her eyebrow at her father. Her mother wouldn't e so easy to convince. She was a traditionalist- someone who cared only about the old texts and rules that her whole entire family had to keep up.
"She won't find out about us," She smiled simply "And neither will Emily."
The locker slammed loudly against Beca's ears, her stormy eyes flashing towards whoever had pushed it closed. It had garnered a couple of stares from across the small hallway- but once they caught a glimpse of Chloe Beale they averted their gazes.
Emily Junk was shifting uncomfortably behind the ginger, her hands tucked around a textbook as she gave a sheepish smile towards a few onlooking students, getting a knowing look back. The hallway returning to its normal buzz as Beca parted her lips slightly as she turned a bit towards the girl who looped her fingers around the knot she had tied around her neck.
"That's a bit aggressive, isn't it?" She said teasingly, clenching her jaw as she nodded softly at Emily, catching the deep caramel gaze. "Hi, Emily."
"Hi, Beca." She chirped, shoving her hands into her pockets. It was clear that the girl had been forcefully dragged along on this adventure- whatever this adventure was. Either way, she had a fake smile plastered on her features, one that only Beca seemed to catch onto. Chloe cleared her throat, drawing attention back to her.
"Something you need, Kaa?" She cocked an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk on her lips.
"Beale, actually." The redhead snipped.
"Oh, I know." Beca nodded with exaggeration. Of course, she knew, the words above the auditorium were in a deep gold lettering; a lettering that showed who had donated funds towards the school. The only other one she caught a glance of was the Junk wing- something Emily's family had undoubtedly donated themselves. Beca just didn't know why the prestigious alum of this boarding school gave her the time of day.
"Then why-"Chloe started to speak before Emily cut her off.
"The Jungle Book," Emily spoke hastily, "Rudyard Kipling wrote the character of Kaa as an Indian python, but he really was parallel to the snake from the Garden of Eden."
"Oh," Beca said bemusedly "You mean the one that ushered in all of the sins of the world?"
"Technically, the woman who sunk her teeth into that Apple changed the world," Chloe said with a bit of growl in her voice. It was seductive and velvety. "Not the one who offered it to her."
"Troche." The squinted her eyes, running the pads of her fingers over the chilled metal locker edge. Her mouth was dry, tired from the long day of classes. Everyone had such high standards here- and for some unknown reason, the brunette felt immense pressure to actually try her best at this place. Not only because her father pulled some strings, but because she wanted to do better for herself, though, she would never admit it. "What's up, Chloe?" She cut her losses.
"You two are fairly new here," She started out, forgetting the heavy ridge in the air. "That's why you're coming to the Kappa Theta party."
"I thought there weren't any frats here?" Emily asked, hugging her textbooks closer to her chest.
"Oh, there aren't, but this town is tiny and we're not the only college. So we're going to blow off a little steam."
Beca drew in a large breath, pressing her back against the locker. It was cold, even through the stuffy uniform that was so easily tucked into her jeans- the belt digging roughly into the edge of her stomach. She had grown used to it. Had learned to ignore it. "I don't know, it's a Wednesday."
"Come on!" Chloe barked out a laugh, one that was a treat for the ears. It was devoid of sarcasm for once. "I expected some resistance from Emily over here, but not the girl with a criminal record."
"Should I be offended?" Emily grumbled out.
Beca nodded thoughtfully "You should be."
"This isn't up for discussion, you two." Chloe pointed a finger at the both of them, her voice taking on a deep and possessive nature. "We're going to that party, and you're going to have fun."