"Beca?" Chloe's voice snapped me away from my computer screen. She rested her hands on my bare shoulders, picking up the beer that was sitting next to me and taking a swig.
"I'm sorry if I woke up Chlo, I just got inspired and I haven't made any mixes since the accident." I cringed at the thought of that night and turned to Chloe with concern written on my face. "I didn't hurt you did I?" She laughed as she ran her hands over the scratches on the back of my shoulders.
"Not in a way that I didn't like." I blushed at the comment and stood up to face her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. "We have to be at the doctor's in a couple hours, I can lie and sign the paper saying you took me if you want to stay and work on your music." I shook my head debating on what to say.
"I like you." I blurted out, blinking at my outburst. Chloe stood there in shock and smiled slyly.
"Well considering what we did before and after dinner I sure hope so." I just stood there, still in shock at my confession. "I like you Beca Mitchell." Chloe added in reassurance, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. "I'm going to shower, if that's okay?" I nodded and followed her to the bathroom, getting a towel down for her. I blushed as she started the water and stripped off her undergarments. I stood in awe at the naked woman in front of me. She stepped into the shower, winked and pulled the curtain closed behind her. I walked back slowly to the open laptop but couldn't focus on my mix when I heard the words of titanium spilling out of the open bathroom door. I shuffled back to the doorway and listened for a moment before hesitantly taking my own clothing off. When I cautiously stepped into the shower I was greeted with a smiling Chloe Beale. "About time, I wasn't sure you would ever join me." An image of a younger Chloe bursting into a dorm shower filled my mind. Chloe traded me places, before covering my body in soap. "What are you thinking about?" She asked as she rubbed my arm in suds.
"Chloe, I think there's something wrong with me." She froze for a moment before continuing, signaling for me to go on. "I keep having these dreams of- you." I added. "And sometimes of other girls." She looked at me with a look of amusement. "Not like that!" I laughed softly. "Sometimes it's a group of us on a bus or practicing a dance routine. Other times it's just you and I." I explained the pool dream. She stood there just staring.
"That's interesting." She said flatly after a few moments.
"I don't know its really confusing and I don't understand." My voice trailed off.
"Maybe you should write your dreams down from now on?" She said thoughtfully. I nodded at the idea and leaned into her embrace. "I'm going to go get ready, wash your hair." She said teasingly. She stepped out of the shower, I stood under the hot water for a few minutes before washing my hair a couple times trying to prolong getting out of the warmth into the cold air. When I stepped out I could hear Chloe whispering in the living room. "No Jared you don't get it. I need to tell her. She's starting to have these dreams." Her voice cut off for a moment. "Okay fine. But I think we should seriously consider talking to her. It's starting to freak her out." She got silent again, I looked around the corner. "Okay, okay. What if she reads her journals? Whatever. I get it. Just think about it." I ducked back into my bedroom as she hung up the phone and stared at it for a moment.
"My journals?" I asked myself out loud as I dressed myself. Chloe walked in and replaced the angry look on her face with a bright smile. "Everything okay?" I asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, just talking to the doctor. Had to reschedule. What do you want to do today?" She responded quickly. Sitting down at my vanity to do her makeup, I sat next to her preparing to do the same.
"How about we go see my siblings?" I smiled widely, thinking that I hadn't seen them at all since Chloe was released from the hospital. Chloe shifted uncomfortable next to me, I glanced at her in the mirror.
"Okay." She agreed reluctantly. We finished putting on our faces in silence and then prepared to leave. I stopped at my dresser, opening the drawer and removing a key from under my socks. I turned to Chloe while staring at the small object in my hand. "What's that Becs?" Chloe asked with curiosity written on her face.
"I want you to have a key to my apartment." I offered quietly, trying to show Chloe I care. Knowing I wouldn't be able to verbalize it well and that she would understand what the sentiment meant. She took the key, her eyes widening in excitement.
"Are you sure?" She finally asked after staring at it in silence for a moment. I nodded, trying to hide the smile on my face. She threw her arms around me. "Does this make us a thing?" Chloe asked with humor in her voice.
"Actually, I was kind of hoped that it would make us official?" My voice was low and extremely serious. Chloe stood there frozen in shock.
"Beca Skylar Mitchell, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?" Her voice raced and octave halfway through her sentence.
"Chloe Beale, will you be my girlfriend?" I asked, locking her beautiful blue eyes in an intense gaze. She kissed me passionately before nodding happily. "Wow, Beca Mitchell in a committed relationship." I paused and laughed. "Time to break the news to the fam." Chloe swallowed hard as she nervously laughed. "Ready?" I asked offering my hand, she intertwined her fingers in mine, squeezing playfully.
"Ready." She said confidently as I towed her towards the door. She closed the front door and locked it with her new key. Smiling as she turned around and replaced her hand in mine. We walked down to the car, I opened the door for my girlfriend and closed it smiling at the thought. "Can we put the top down?" She asked as she placed a pair of sunglasses over her eyes. I reached up and pushed the button before pulling onto the road and driving with the music up. Content with the sound of Chloe's voice mixing in with the lyrics of the songs playing through the speakers. We pulled into the driveway and Chloe turned the music down, sitting in silence for a moment before turning to face me. "I'm nervous Beca." I shook my head, remembering the awkwardness between her and my older sisters.
"Please don't be. It's all going to be okay. They're going to absolutely love you. Because I do." Chloe stiffened as the words registered in her head. I quickly got out of the car, trying to ignore the outburst of the thought I didn't mean to say aloud. I ran around the car to get her door and took her hand in mine as we walked up the path towards the door. I could feel Chloe's prying eyes on me all the way to the front door. I opened it with my free hand, tugging Chloe past the threshold with my other hand. We walked into the kitchen, her grip getting tighter as I could feel her anxiety building. "Anyone home?" I called out into the house.
"Skylar is that you?" I heard Megan call back from out back. We walked towards the porch and stepped outside. "Hey baby sis. Where have you been?" Megan asked before taking in the site of Chloe's hand in mine. Chloe dropped our hold when Megan made eye contact with her. "Chloe, you look great!" Megan exclaimed before hugging us both. I looked over to see Alex glaring at Chloe, I chanced a glance at my girlfriend and saw her shrink into herself a little bit. I laughed a little taking the moment as the perfect moment to make the announcement.
"I've been taking care of my girlfriend." I smirked and took Chloe's hand back into mine. Alex stood up, her jaw dropping.
"Well, Chloe Beale. Congrats. You've made a committed woman out of my sister." Jared shouted from the yard, where he and Alex's boyfriend Ryan were kicking a soccer ball around. Chloe smiled brightly relaxing at the support in Jared's voice. Megan hugged Chloe again.
"Welcome to the family then Chloe." She said as her shoulders relaxed. We all settled into small talk about their work and moving in with Jared for a while.
"Yeah, I figured I've got like four empty bedrooms and the loft. The house gets too quiet since you moved out." He added quietly. "Well I think we should go out and do something! It's such a beautiful day." Jared turned towards Chloe. "Knowing my sister she's probably kept you cooped up inside for the last few weeks. She's kind of boring like that."
"Hey now!" I shout back playfully.
"He's kind of right." Chloe teased softly leaning in so I could put my arm around her shoulder. I could feel Alex glaring at me. "How do you feel about hiking?" She got a few excited responses from the group and a groan from me. "Beca Mitchell don't be a lazy butthead." She retorted.
"Fine." I said flatly.
"Yes! A Mitchell family outing." Jared shouted practically falling out of his chair. "Gives us an excuse to take the jeeps out." He added excitedly. This got some excited comments from our sisters.
"Jeeps?" Chloe raised an eye brow.
"After all the Mitchell kids graduated, our dad bought each of us a jeep." Alex explained before kissing Ryan on the cheek. Brad walked up passing out drinks.
"I purpose a toast." He said firmly. We all took a cup in hand. "This is the first outing we've had as a family." He paused. "In a long time." A seriousness fell over our siblings as we all thought of Bube. "To a great day, being part of the Mitchell family and making memories." We raised our cups in agreement and all cheered.
"And to the members who couldn't be with us today." Alex added softly. We all nodded and took a drink. "Enough seriousness, let's have some fun." Alex smiled, looking over at Chloe. When Chloe returned her gaze Alex smiled a little wider. "I'm glad you're here Chloe. Welcome to the family." Chloe's jaw dropped before she flashed a signature Chloe Beale grin and nodded in agreement.
"I'm happy that I have the chance to be a part of something as beautiful as this family." Chloe stated with content in her eyes.
"Anything you need, we've got you." Jared said placing a hand gently on her shoulder. Any awkwardness between Chloe and my siblings had dissipated.
"Hey, why don't we invite Aubrey and Jesse? They were just over here the other day, I'm sure they'd love to go." Ryan chipped in. Looking towards me for approval, I nodded slowly. Thinking back to the tenseness between us at dinner the other night. I pushed the thought out of my mind when I realized I actually missed the nerd and knowing it would make Chloe happy to have her control freak of a best friend with us. "I'll call him!" Ryan stepped into the house to get his phone.
"Should we tell Aubrey the news?" Chloe asked quietly when no one else was listening. I told her that it was up to her and affirmed that I was totally okay with it. She watched as Megan and Alex went into the house to pack some supplies. "I'm going to see if they need any help." She explained as she stood up. I just watched her hips sway as she walked off.
"Sky? Seriously, congrats." Jared said causing me to almost jump out of my skin. "I can see how happy she makes you." I nodded, knowing I didn't need to say anything. Jared had a knack for being able to read my mind. "She always has." He added softly, I looked at him with confusion. He tugged at a loose piece of fabric on the patio furniture. He looked around to make sure we were alone and then his expression grew solemn. "I need to tell you something." He said awaiting a response.
"Beca?" Chloe called from the kitchen. I looked back at him expectantly.
"Later sis." He smiled and I stood slowly to find my girlfriend. I walked into the kitchen, blinking to adjust my eyes to the lighting. I wrapped my arms around the redhead as she chopped some vegetables on the counter, she leaned into my body. A sweet smile twisting on her lips.
"Alex needs your help in the shop." She stated, pointing the knife towards the front of the house. I kissed her cheek and jogged out the shop where the jeeps were parked.
"What's up?" I asked approaching the blonde who had just dropped a couple backpacks in a pile.
"I just need help taking the tops off these things, I don't know why dad insisted on hard tops. We don't take these things out unless it's nice out." I laughed at the hint of frustration in her voice but did as asked. We removed the first one and set it aside in silence. "So, Chloe Beale huh?" She finally broke the comfortable silence. Alex had a tendency to cut straight to the point. I nodded knowing she had more to say. "Well although the situation isn't ideal. With the accident and all." She stopped and looked at me, my stomach knotting assuming I was about to get a lecture. I prepared to defend my new found relationship but waited for her to finish. "I don't think you could have found a more loving and sweet girl." She paused again sighing. "Mom would be proud of you Beca." I froze at the use of my name. Alex hadn't called me that in two years. Tears stung my eyes at the praise. "She really makes you happy?" She asked finally giving me time to respond. I thought back to memories of growing up with Alex and how she used to be the person I confided all my secrets to. That all ended when mom died, Alex had changed. Mom's death had broken Alex in a way that I wasn't sure any of us would ever really understand.
"She really does." I wiped the tears out of my eyes. "I've been so angry for so long. I always felt alone." I saw hurt flash through my sister's eyes with my last statement. "No, I know you and our siblings have always and will always be here. But when mom died, I got angry that she would leave us like that. I know she didn't decide to get sick but still." My sister nodded, showing that she was listening intently. "Then dad- checked out." I inhaled sharply as a fresh wave of pain shot through my heart. "He wasn't there for anything. Buba moved out while we were still in high school. So you and Megan had to raise Jared and I. Which wasn't fair at all. You didn't get to enjoy high school like you should of. He wasn't there for any of our proms, he came back for you and Megan to graduate but never made it to mine. He wasn't there for Jared or I to graduate. I just don't understand. And then Buba…" I trailed off, swallowing the lump in my throat. "When Buba killed himself I shut off completely. I get that mom didn't have a choice. Dad just couldn't handle it. But why did he leave me? Leave us." I finished.
"First off, I love you. You're my world. All of ours." She paused thoughtfully. "Dad told me once that you reminded him of mom when she was your age. He said you're the spiting imagine at it breaks his heart. I'm not making excuses. He's been a fucked up father especially to you and Jared. I want you to know, growing up? I never minded. I didn't mind the fact that I had to raise the two of you. Megan and I take pride in the fact actually. We still enjoyed high school and cheerleading. We are proud of the woman you have become and we support you no matter what." Tears filled Alex's eyes and I made a mental note to try and reconnect on a deeper level with her. "I want you to know that it may not seem like it but I do like Chloe." She added hesitantly, I took the compliment without pushing it and finished helping my sister in silence.
"Hey! Need any help?" I heard Jesse's voice from behind me and couldn't help but smile as I spun around.
"Hey dork! Of course you show up after all the hard work is over." He grinned that cheesy grin of his before hugging me. Knowing that any tension between us had passed. Looking over his shoulder I saw Aubrey standing kind of awkwardly in the doorway. "Aubrey, Chloe is in the kitchen." She smiled with gratitude and hurried off towards the house. Jesse chatted excitedly as we loaded the backpacks up in the jeeps. I turned around just in time to get smashed by Aubrey in a giant hug. We stumbled backwards as I tried to use her body to stabilize myself.
"I'm so aca-freaking happy right now!" She shouted into my ear. "Chloe just told me the news!" She pulled away, practically jumping up and down. I couldn't help but stare at this version of Aubrey, anytime I had seen her she had been spin so tight I thought she'd explode. Jesse looked back and forth between us in confusion.
"What news?" He asked loudly.
"Chloe and Skylar are official." Alex shouted happily from the other side of the jeep. I smiled at the sound of her voice.
"Congrats!" Jesse added to the happy atmosphere.
"Thanks dude." I smiled lazily.
"Where's Chloe at? I need to give her a celebration hug!" He said before running towards the house. Aubrey hot on his heels. The guys came out to finish preparing the jeeps for our trip. After about twenty minutes I excused myself to head into the house. Stopping in the doorway as I heard a conversation from the kitchen. "You haven't told her yet?" Jesse asked with surprise clear in his deep voice.
"No, they asked me not to. I will though. When the time is right." Chloe whispered. "I just don't want to lose her Jesse." She added, her voice hinting traces of fear. I slammed the door as a signal to my entrance. Chloe lazily glanced up from the coolers she was packing and her eyes lit up when she saw me. "Hey Becs. We're just about done." Her smile erased the previous moments from my mind. "Beer or no beer?" She looked at me for an answer. I raised an eyebrow and her laughter filled the house. "Yes beer. I don't even know why I asked." She turned to Jesse who nodded and walked to the fridge in the garage, returning with two cases of beer.
"Should I grab more?" He asked laughing. Turning around to get more without waiting for an answer.
"Everyone ready?" Megan shouted from the front door. I grabbed the two cases from the counter and set them outside the front door the boys to load up. I returned in time to take the giant cooler from Chloe's arms.
"I got it Chlo. You're still supposed to be taking it easy." After a moment of thought I turned around to face her. A serious expression plastered on my face. "Are you sure you're up for hiking?" She laughed.
"Beca Mitchell, I'm not made of glass. I won't break. I got hit by a car for aca-sake." Guilt flooded my chest as I stared at her like a deer in headlights. "Beca, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you. I just-" I shook my head.
"It's okay Chloe, it was just a joke." I said understanding she didn't mean any harm by it. She walked over and kissed my cheek.
"I'm sorry. It's not funny." She placed her soft hand over where her lips had just been, I pressed my cheek into her hand and sighed. "Let's go." She smiled softly. I followed her out the door, lugging the heavy ice chest to the jeeps that were now parked in a line outside. I smiled when I saw a large group of people outside. The Mitchell's always traveled in a giant crew. I blinked in surprise when I saw Cynthia and Stacie in the back seat of our jeep. Chloe noticed my gaze and softly spoke. "I hope you don't mind; I just really miss them." I smiled and set the chest down so I could hug her.
"I'm glad you want me around your friends Chloe. Of course I don't mind. But who are they?" I asked taking in the site of a large blonde who was holding hands with a brown haired man.
"That's Fat Amy and her fiancé Bumper." Chloe grinned as I raised an eyebrow.
"You call her Fat Amy? To her face?" I questioned her logic.
"She calls herself Fat Amy." Chloe offered without explanation.
"Why?"
"So twig bitches like us don't call her it behind her back." Aubrey and Chloe said in unison before laughing at the same time. I looked between the two in confusion before realizing they were sharing an old memory.
"That's exactly what she said when Aubrey asked her why she called herself Fat Amy the first time we met her at Barden." I nodded slowly piecing it together.
"Another Bella?" I asked causing the two to fall into a giggling fit before confirming my question. "Is she Australian?!" I asked when I heard Amy speak. The girls just laughed again. "What did I say?" I shouted as they walked away.
Megan and Alex pulled Chloe to the side, I walked passed catching a piece of their conversation on my way by. "Are you sure you want to tell her?" Megan asked.
"Yeah, I mean obviously not on the hike." Alex whispered. "Chloe, are you sure? I'm not sure what's going to happen."
"I love her. I don't feel right lying to her. The girls miss her and it's hard on them not being able to be around Beca. I want Beca to at least know the family she had for four years. I think she's ready." Chloe responded quietly.
"Jared told us about the dreams. I agree with Chloe." Alex added.
"You do?" Chloe asked completely surprised with the blonde's support. I approached the growing group noticing a girl sitting shotgun in Jared's jeep.
"Who's that?" I asked elbowing my brother before passing the heavy ice chest to him.
"You're not the only one who is good with the laides Sky. That's my girl Amber. She brought Allison and Kelsie with her. Hope that's okay." I smiled at his sarcasm. I smiled knowing that the addition of our old friend Allison and her girlfriend would make for a great time.
"I love you bro." He nodded slightly with a giant grin on his face.
"Everyone load up! We're heading out." Megan shouted as she climbed in the driver seat of the leading jeep, Brad climbed in next to her. I caught a glimpse of Brad's brother and a little Asian girl settle in the back seat. In the jeep behind them Ryan waited for two girls to climb in then got in the driver side with Alex next to him. Jared helped Allison and Kelsie in before climbing in and starting the jeep, looking over and grinning at his girlfriend when she slammed the door behind her. I laughed looking at Aubrey in her ugly pink jeep, wrestling with Jesse who was flailing in the passenger seat for control of the radio. Fat Amy shouting some profanities as Bumper mumbled something.
"Ready?" Chloe asked slipping her hand in mine, watching me as I took the blissful moment in. I looked down at our hands and smiled. "Let's go." I followed the redhead to my jeep and climbed in, looking at the backseat when I heard Stacie humming.
"Hey guys!" I smiled widely excited for the chance to get to know the people Chloe cared so much about. I looked forward and saw Megan's head pop up above the vehicles.
"We're going to stop at 5 mile to fuel up and get any last minute things. Everyone ready?" She shouted getting hoots and hollers from the group. Laughter filled the air as the feeling of happiness settled over me. We pulled out on the road in a convoy, ready to take on the world. I glanced in the mirror to see Stacie look at Chloe and smile. I turned the radio down a little.
"So I've got a car full of Bellas," I paused feeling happiness radiate from all the passengers. "Where's the singing at?" Chloe scrolled through the songs on her phone and turned Party in the U.S.A. on. I looked at her like she was crazy as the three of them burst into song. The image of a bus full of girls singing the song filled my mind but I shook it away when I realized everyone's eyes were on me because I was singing so I chimed in and turned the radio up. Smiling all the while at the simplicity of the happy moment.