Okay, so I know it has been more than two weeks and I'm really sorry! I'm kind of running out of steam right now, I've got a lot going on so thank you all for your patience and I hope you guys can bare with me for just a little while longer. This chapter isn't great so I don't expect many reviews but if you do leave one that would be great! So, thank you again for your patience and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Beca took a step towards Chloe, knowing that the redhead would accept an apology if she sounded sincere.

'Chlo, listen-'

'No, you listen Beca!' Aubrey's voice cut in. 'What you've been doing is highly irresponsible and downright stupid.'

Beca recoiled, shocked by the girl's words and the emotion in them. Then the shock subsided and she felt anger rear its head. Crossing her arms to give her some form of authority over the situation, she glared at the fuming blonde in front of her.

'Stupid? What I've been doing is stupid?' Beca let out a sarcastic laugh. 'So it's stupid to want to keep my business to myself. Yet it isn't stupid to carry on sneaking about in a person's life despite numerous attempts by said person to get you to leave it the hell alone because it is their business and in no way yours?'

Beca could see that her little speech was beginning to wear Chloe down. She was the only one Aubrey would listen to at times like these and if Chloe stepped down then Aubrey might too. Angling herself more towards Chloe, she let her voice become softer.

'So excuse me for being stupid by trying to have a semblance of privacy concerning a private matter.'

With that Beca turned to continue stuffing clothes into her bag. Her prayers that she had won this time were left unanswered as her arm grabbed and she was pulled up and around to face the still fuming Aubrey.

'Stop it, Beca.'

Beca opened her mouth to protest but Aubrey cut her off.

'No. I know what you're doing so stop it. Chloe isn't going to get you out of this, you are going to take some damn responsibility.'

The blonde had once again managed to shock Beca. Aubrey was furious but it was just nightmares. It's not like Beca had some deadly disease that she could catch. Beca's eyebrows furrowed as she looked into the eyes of the Bellas' captain. There was definite anger there but it was mixed up with something. Something that looked a lot like worry. Beca's eyebrows creased even further. Why would Aubrey be worried?

'Beca, are you even listening to me? Chloe she's not even listening!'

Aubrey's voice brought Beca out of her thoughts. Aubrey's face was turned away from Beca, towards Chloe, the redhead giving Aubrey a sympathetic look. As if she was that difficult to deal with. Beca scoffed, immediately regretting it the moment Aubrey's eyes snapped back to hers. Any worry that may have been in the girl's eyes had vanished. Aubrey was the angriest that Beca had ever seen her and that was saying something considering she was present for the fallout after the Trebles had pranked them.

'You think this is funny Beca? Putting your health at risk is funny to you?'

Aubrey's eyes flashed as Beca opened her mouth to give a sarcastic comment, making the brunette rethink the idea and smartly close her mouth. The blonde carried on as though nothing had happened.

'Do you know what sleep deprivation can lead to?' Aubrey paused for a second to watch Beca, the brunette's expression blank, almost bored. This blatant lack of interest only fuelled the blonde's anger and her words became harsher as she continued.

'As we have all seen these past few weeks, sleep deprivation can cause a lack of coordination, dizziness and can cause a person to collapse.'

Beca couldn't help but feel slightly insulted at the lack of coordination comment. She thought she'd been doing pretty well all things considered.

'It can also cause much worse symptoms, Beca!' Aubrey snapped, noticing that Beca barely seemed to be listening. When the brunettes eyes were once again focused on her she carried on.

'It can also affect your studies. You could have failed freshman year because of one paper Beca! All because you kept a secret. I mean, that isn't even the worst thing. Sleep deprivation can add to the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure or a stroke. Did you ever think about that?'

Suddenly Beca was angry. Angrier than she could ever remember feeling, yet she wasn't sure why. So, instead of dwelling on the why, she lashed out.

'Oh, for God's sake Aubrey, shut up!'

Aubrey flinched, taking an unconscious step back at the volume of Beca's voice.

'You really need to just shut up because I can't handle your crap anymore. I had a few nightmares, everyone does but I don't see you going off on them! We all have secrets and they are secrets for a reason. I'm nineteen now Aubrey, I can make my own decisions. Just because you can't be in control of everything doesn't mean it's going to fall apart so just back off.'

Aubrey's eyes narrowed and a slight feeling of dread crept up Beca's spine. The girl had more to say and it was going to be bad. Beca braced herself for a speech about how not telling them about her nightmares would affect the Bellas.

'Yes Beca, you are nineteen. You are also learning to drive.'

Beca froze. Aubrey didn't notice.

'Do you know how many road accidents are caused by the drivers being tired? Almost one hundred thousand Beca.'

Beca's breathing became deeper as images of her mother flashed in her eyes.

'You could have caused a crash Beca, did you ever think about that? No, I bet you didn't, you-

'Aubrey!' Chloe's voice cut her off loudly.

Pulled out of her rant the blonde turned with an annoyed look towards her friend only to follow the girl's terrified look and see Beca. The small girl was pale and shaking. Her breath was coming in short uneven gasps and she looked as though she might throw up. Aubrey could tell that Beca wasn't with them though. She was staring into the distance, not even acknowledging it when Chloe stepped towards her.

'Beca? Beca, what's wrong?'

Chloe's concerned voice seemed to pull the brunette from her trance. Realising that everyone was staring at her she turned and zipped up her bag, trying to wipe away the few tears that had fallen. She stood up keeping her head down, intending to just ignore them all and leave. Then Chloe hugged her.

All hell came loose as Beca began struggling violently against Chloe's tight holding, letting out a single shriek before the redhead dropped her arms in surprise. Beca spun around, the tears now evident on her pale face. She was completely unfocused, her eyes wild as she backed herself into the wall. She seemed to come back to herself slightly but was lost again quickly. She let herself slide down the wall into a sitting position, drawing her legs to her chest. The three girls watched in horror as their friend sat in her own world, coming back to them every so often but always slipping away afterwards.

Beca was confused. She was in the car, then on the road and then back in Aubrey's room. There was a truck, then fire and then water. She was flashing between scenarios, never holding onto one long enough for it to actually play out. She could feel panic tearing through her body, making it hard to breathe. She could have caused this much pain to someone. To another little girl on a road trip with her mom. The reason for a family to mourn. Really, she and her mom had been lucky and Beca knew that. However, what if the people she hit weren't? How would she live with herself then? God, Aubrey was right. She'd been so stupid and irresponsible.

It was dark now. She couldn't see anything. Beca realised that her eyes were closed, an involuntary reaction to the images in her mind. Images brought on by a simple hug. Chloe's arms had been tight around her, just like the seatbelt. Oh God, Chloe. Beca's eyes shot open, finding not only Chloe but Stacie and Aubrey as well. They were all stood back, looks of concern adorning their faces. Chloe looked as though she was about to cry, her hands pressed over her mouth and her eyes shining. Stacie looked devastated, no doubt blaming herself for this. Aubrey looked worried too, confused and maybe slightly frustrated but worried all the same.

The fact that she had just completely lost it in front of all of them began to creep up on her. Beca let her head fall back against the wall with a thud and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, she pushed herself up from the floor and took her bag. She looked towards Aubrey but didn't meet her eyes.

'Practice at four?' Beca asked, her voice even.

Aubrey seemed a bit dazed as she nodded in confirmation. She was confused by the abrupt change in the small brunette, her mind stuttering as she tried to catch up.

Chloe was equally as confused and still upset about Beca's earlier reaction to her hug and therefore didn't try to stop the girl as she left the room.

Beca was halfway down the street when Stacie caught up to her. The tall girl didn't say anything for a while, content to walk in silence. Beca was still attempting to sort through the mess of thoughts running through her head. Feeling Stacie pull her to a stop she looked up in confusion to see that they were standing outside of the 'Rise and Grind' coffee shop. Beca came here almost every morning for her daily dose of caffeine.

Beca followed Stacie through the door, the sound of the old bell oddly comforting her as they passed. The girls placed their bags down by an empty table and went to stand in line.

'So, you were in a car accident, right?'

Beca looked up in surprise. It was two hours and three coffees later and the girl was only now bringing it up. Beca thought about changing the subject but there was a tiny voice in her head telling her not to. So Beca sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.

'When I was twelve.'

'Did someone die?' Stacie questioned carefully, watching Beca's face for signs of distress.

Beca sighed again, picking at the cup in front of her.

'No but my mom…' Beca trailed off, her throat becoming slightly tight. She cleared it, taking a deep breath before continuing.

'My mom was stuck, for hours. She couldn't really keep herself awake the whole time and they said it was normal but every time her eyes closed, I just thought….' Beca sniffed, shutting her eyes to clear the tears that had formed and squeezing her cup.

A hand was placed over hers and she looked up to see Stacie's face, kind and concerned.

'You thought she wouldn't open them again.' The girl supplied, squeezing Beca's hand quickly before pulling away.

She knew Beca hated physical contact even when done for comfort and she didn't want to make the girl any more uncomfortable than she already was. Instead she kept her hands mostly to herself for the remainder of their conversation, only reaching out to offer comfort when Beca was obviously struggling.

Two more hours and a hot chocolate later and Stacie was dropping Beca at her dorm. Saying goodbye to her, Stacie continued down the corridor until she reached her own room. As she fell onto her bed, exhausted from being up at the early hours with Beca, one thought kept crossing her mind.

How in the hell was she supposed to help Beca, when the girl didn't seem ready to help herself?

Thanks for reading, leave a review if you want, constructive criticism is always welcome!

Taylor x