Catch On

Chloe didn't unpack for another week. Aubrey had a suspicion it was because she was expecting to be called back home to help out. When Chloe's grandmother did eventually call, Chloe was in the shower, so Aubrey answered ready to give out if she had to.

"Hi Nanabee, it's Aubrey. Chlo's in the shower." Aubrey tried to keep her voice as normal as possible, she liked Chloe's grandmother. She had always been really good to both of them. Looking at her Nanabee was like looking into the future, it was just a wrinkly, grey haired Chloe.

"Oh hello Aubrey! That's alright we can have a wee catch up! How are you?" Bree smiled at how easy Mrs. Broderick was to talk to. She took a quick glance at the bathroom door.

"I'm alright thanks Nana how are you getting on with the boys?" Aubrey said quickly swinging herself into her bedroom and closing the door behind her.

"Fine! You're just alright though? Is something bothering you honey?" Aubrey sighed, glad to hear genuine concern in the older womans voice.

"I'm worried about Chloe..."

"You are?"

"She's really not herself lately Nana, I don't know what to do. She disappeared last week and didn't come back til the next evening & she was so upset. I've never seen her so upset." Aubrey stopped herself from tearing up.

"She's been sleeping in with me since then and she hasn't unpacked yet. Not to mention this is her first shower since she arrived. She just doesn't seem..." Aubrey struggled to finish.

"Herself?" Aubrey hummed in agreement with Chloe's grandmother.

"Listen Bree, I know you're worried. I know Chloe's going through a rough time but she's so lucky to have such great friend like you." Aubrey smiled, glad to have some encouragement. She'd never tell her own parents about this.

"I think all Chloe needs right now is to know that you're there for her. I think you're doing a really good job Aubrey, I know if you weren't there for Chlo, she'd be a lot worse. I'm sure she'll get better it'll just take time."

"I know I just wish I could say something and she'd be better and back to normal." Aubrey sighed.

"It's just so heart-breaking."

"Don't worry honey, she's in good hands." Aubrey smiled.

"She needs to be around someone who loves her and you're definitely the best person for that." Nana sounded so confident, so sure that Aubrey knew how to take care of Chloe.

The blonde smiled.

"Thanks Nanabee!" Aubrey heard the click of the shower turning off. She pushed open her bedroom door and sat back down on the couch.

"I think Chloe's done her shower now, do you want to talk to her?" Aubrey asked Mrs. Broderick as Chloe came through the door. Aubrey turned to see the redhead drop her towel.

Aubrey's mouth opened slightly as she saw Chloe's body. Drops of water sparkling on her golden skin. Aubrey knew the girl was fit, it wasn't like the Bellas cardio programme was easy going. It was just Aubrey never thought a womans body could be so beautiful and she definitely never thought she'd be thinking... this way, about Chloe, her best friend of all people. Her breath hitched as her eyes scanned the red heads figure, droplets of water made her skin look perfect. Aubrey frowned realizing she was staring.

"You're Nana's on the phone."

"Okay, hang on." Chloe replied monotonously, bending down to put on her shirt. Aubrey rose walking over to the red head she put her hand on Chloe's, gently taking the shirt from her grip. Chloe looked at her with wide eyes. They were so blue. They seemed so innocent, Aubrey couldn't look away.

"Let me get you a new shirt hun." Aubrey's voice broke slightly turning it into a whisper. She cleared her throat and broke eye contact with the red head.

"Uh here." She said shoving the phone into Chloe's free hand. She stumbled quickly to her room falling over her feet. She shut the door behind her and slumped against the door bringing the shirt to cover her face.

"Oh god!" She threw the shirt across the room, it smelt awful.

Aubrey sat there for a while, her head in her hands. She could feel herself starting to fret, she had to choke back tears. What was going on? It was just Chloe. Well, no it wasn't even Chloe, it was broken Chloe. Aubrey wanted more than anything for old Chloe to come back so they could talk and Chloe could tell her it was alright and make some joke about how nobody can resist her charm. But Aubrey was the one who had to tell Chloe she was alright.

Aubrey got up and grabbed a clean shirt. It was navy. That'll make her eyes look even brighter. Aubrey shook her head. Why was that important? The girl needed a shirt!

Aubrey went back into the living room. Chloe was huddled up on the couch hugging her legs.

"I know and I do Nana honestly... Yeah I am.." Chloe nodded her head.

Aubrey smirked, it was so cute. Chloe stood up and lifted and arm so Aubrey could put her t-shirt on. Chloe's legs were so long, she was almost as tall as Aubrey.

The blondes eyes traveled up the other girls legs until she..

"Yes Nana." Chloe sighed.

Aubrey snapped out of her trance, she pulled the top of the shirt over Chloe's head letting her put the phone in the other hand. Aubrey took either side of the shirt and lowered it slowly over the shorter girls body. The back of her hands slowly caressing Chloe's curves. Aubrey's eyes followed her hands, she really couldn't help herself. Flattening out the crease at the bottom she looked back up and was met with Chloe's piercing blue eyes examining her. There faces were only an inch apart, Aubreys breath caught when Chloe started talking again, Aubrey could feel her hot breath against her skin.

"Ofcourse, I know how lucky I am Nana, she's amazing." Chloe was holding Aubrey's stare, a smile playing on the corner of her mouth.

"I don't know what I'd do without her." Aubrey smiled still hypnotized by Chloe's big blue eyes.

"I will. Okay bye Nana, I love you too. Thank you." Chloe said sincerely down the phone and handing it over to Aubrey.

"Hello?" Aubrey asked confused.

"I just wanted to thank you, before I hung up Bree. Chloe told me how much you're doing for her. I just want you to know how much I appreciate it and I know Chloe does too. Even though she might not show it."

As if on cue Chloe took a step closer to Aubrey. The redhead lined Aubreys lips with her own, making the blonde flustered. Chloe smiled against Aubrey's lips.

"Uh.. Thanks Nanabee." Aubrey said airily.

Chloe turned her head towards the phone. Keeping her eyes on Aubrey's for as long as possible.

"See you Nana thanks for calling!" Chloe said brightly. Aubrey smiled seeing her old Chloe flicker back to life.

"Okay dearies, talk to you soon." Mrs Broderick said from the other end of the phone.

"Bye!" The two girls chimed in unison.

Aubrey hit the hang up button and held the phone out for Chloe to take. Chloe looked down at her phone slowly, letting Aubrey take a deep breath of relief. Chloe could be so intense sometimes.

The redhead took her phone letting her hand linger on Aubrey's for a slight moment. Aubrey felt her skin tingle at the touch. She smiled at Chloe, her memory finding it's way back to the sleepy kiss she thought she might have dreamed the first night Chloe stayed in her bed.

Butterflies suddenly rose in her stomach.

I want to kiss her. I want to.. kiss, Chloe Beale. Aubrey's head started to swim with thoughts, confusing, scary thoughts.

She remembered a younger, grungey-er Chloe sitting cross-legged on the counter in their bathroom wiping running make-up of her Aubrey's face. Telling her how she thought her audition for the Barden Bellas was amazing. She remembered how she didn't mind Chloe giving her a nickname, or invading her personal space, or borrowing her clothes, or CD's.

Aubrey realized how much of a pushover she was when it came to Chloe.

"Bree?" Chloe asked softly.

Aubrey just nodded, her voice didn't want to work, she thought it would betray her anyway so she was glad.

"Are you okay? You just turned as white as a ghost." Chloe reached out taking hold of Aubrey's elbow.

Aubrey shook her head this time. Chancing some words.

"I feel sick." She whispered quickly, turning on her heel and running into the bathroom.

She slid onto her knees, gathering her hair at the nape of her neck and leaned over the bowl of the toilet. She felt her insides being burned with acid, there was nothing in her stomach to get rid of, but she felt sick with nerves. With emotions. She felt dirty from all her thoughts about her best friend. After spitting out the last of the acidic venom she let herself cry.

Chloe had, by this time, tied up Aubrey's hair and sat behind her rubbing her back.

The redhead took a piece of tissue and cleaned the blonde's mouth.

"Did you get it all out?" Chloe asked continuing to rub her best friends back, Aubrey just nodded.

"Right, come on. I owe you."

Chloe took one of Aubrey's arms and threw it over her shoulder. She helped Bree to her feet and walked her to the bedroom. After being tucked in Aubrey heard the hair dryer going.

Chloe came in moments later with ice-cream and a box of tissues, she got into bed beside Aubrey handing her the ice-cream.

"If you want to talk, you know I'm here?" Chloe said earnestly fixing Aubrey's pillow.

Aubrey nodded silent tears still rolling down her cheeks.

"I suppose you want to know where I went last week..." Chloe slouched back into the bed, sighing sadly.

Aubrey took the spoon out of her mouth, she had her suspicions about where Chloe went to last week. She had remembered the story about the elevator frat boy when Chloe came home, but she didn't want to say anything to Chloe. The redhead was also still covered in lovebites and scratches. Aubrey only wanted to know one thing.

"No. I.. I just.." Aubrey paused trying to word her sentence correctly.

"Did they hurt you?" Aubrey asked avoiding Chloe's eyes. She didn't want Chloe seeing how much it hurt her to think that someone else had touched her.

"No." Chloe said, bringing Aubrey's chin up with her hand. She frowned at Aubrey and then smiled sadly. She was glad Aubrey didn't want her to elaborate.

"What's up?" She asked innocently, taking one of Aubrey's hands this time. Absent mindedly stroking it with her thumb.

Aubrey immediately relaxed, she looked into Chloe's eyes. For a moment she actually contemplated telling her. What was there to tell though? Or maybe asking her did she kiss her or was that a dream? Or telling her how her grandmother's words were stuck in her head, "She needs to be around someone who loves her and you're definitely the best person for that."

"I.." Aubrey looked down and handed the ice-cream and spoon to Chloe, who looked at her puzzled.

"..Can't finish this sorry.. could you..?" Aubrey stuttered but Chloe nodded understandingly.

Aubrey rolled over, there was nothing to tell Chloe anyway it was obviously just because she was sick. Her brain just wasn't working right. Right...?

The redhead took the Ice-cream and spoon and put them back in the kitchen. When she came back Aubrey was asleep in the bed. Well she was pretending to be asleep, Chloe knew that, but the blonde obviously didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering her. So Chloe just climbed in behind her, wrapping her arms around the blonde and pulling herself closer singing softly to her until they both fell asleep.