Mars
Chloe had shrugged it off as if it was nothing, Aubrey had smiled making sure not to let her face show all the excitement rushing to her face, not to mention the blush creeping to her cheeks. She knew Chloe meant nothing by it, they used to go out for dinner all the time. Why was it different now?
Chloe chose a restaurant, it was sweet and quaint but still classy. It would've been a super Chloe place to go on a first date but Aubrey knew she only chose it because it was close to the karaoke bar. Besides that she shouldn't be thinking that way, Chloe was her best friend.
Just her best friend.
"You okay Bree? We're supposed to be having fun! Don't look so glum!" Chloe laughed brightly.
Aubrey snapped out of her daze realizing she was staring at Chloe, obviously quite blankly. Perhaps it was better for Chloe to think she was dour rather than crushing on her.
Crushing? Was that the right word? When did that even happen? When did girls even happen?
"Sorry!" Aubrey's smile perked up a bit. Chloe returned the gesture but it was melancholy, questioning her.
"I was just trying to think of what wouldn't get stuck in my teeth, I mean you know what I'm like when I sing..." Aubrey tried to laugh it off but the redhead didn't buy it.
"Are you okay?" Chloe repeated her originally question earnestly this time. Putting her menu down on the table in front of her, she reached for Aubrey's hand.
"You know you can tell me anything, I know there's something bothering you Bree." She said tentatively stroking the blondes hand.
Aubrey's stomach did a back-flip, she couldn't help herself, she glanced down at their hands. How Chloe had effortlessly laced her fingers between her own. How Aubrey didn't mind the intrusion because it just felt easy with Chloe. How Chloe didn't care about what the other tables thought of their intimate little moment.
It's not intimate. Aubrey thought sourly. She's just being friendly, she's a flirt she flirts with everyone and sleeps with half of them.
Aubrey pulled her eyes away from their hands hoping Chloe hadn't noticed the way she was looking at them. Like she wanted more. Luckily Aubrey didn't have to think of an excuse because the waiter came over.
Chloe smiled as she watched the waiter glance at her and Aubrey's hands.
"Would you, er, ladies like to or..order?" The kid swallowed nervously. He reminded Chloe of Stan Shunpike or that spotty teen from the Simpsons. He looked so awkward, like he didn't quite want to look either of them in the eye. Or at their hands that were still locked together in the middle of the table.
Chloe looked across to Aubrey, ready to cheer her up. She shot her a wink, hoping that she'd understand and play along.
"Well I think I'd like the Carbonara with the salad and a side of garlic bread." She smiled sweetly at the spotty teen and turned with a loving smile to Aubrey.
"What about you darling?" She fluttered her eyelashes sweetly, completely over doing it but she saw the waiter shuffle awkwardly and had to suppress a small giggle.
Aubrey's heart was in her throat, what was even food? Chloe had just called her darling.
She opened her mouth and let it curve into a smile, it didn't matter what food was because Chloe had just called her darling on a date at a cute Chloe-ish restaurant while holding her hand in front of this waiter kid.
"I'll have the same please? Minus the bread, if I can share yours?" Aubrey said smiling from the waiter to Chloe, who let out a small laugh.
"Ofcourse honey." She smiled lingering on Aubrey's gaze. Turning her attention to the waiter she continued as sweetly as ever.
"And a bottle of Chianti, if you don't mind?" Chloe finished letting the Italian flow from her tongue.
The kid nodded awkwardly and dashed back towards the kitchen.
Aubrey smiled to herself maybe she could tell Chloe.
Chloe waited til the kid was out of ear-shot until she started laughing. He had been so awkward and.. avoidy? It was just priceless.
"Aubrey that was perfect! Did you see how weird he got? I'm so glad you understood what I meant!" Chloe managed as she wiped the tears out of her eyes.
Or maybe not. Aubrey's thoughts turned sour again, but she knew she shouldn't be mad at the redhead. She was clueless. Maybe she shouldn't be, it was surprising because usually Chloe knew all the things Aubrey didn't want her to. Maybe Chloe didn't want to know.
"I just need to go to the bathroom." Aubrey tried an innocent smile getting up from her chair. She blinked away the watery eyes.
Chloe managed a nod still laughing. It was more so the shock that Aubrey played along, so convincingly aswell. Maybe tonight was a brilliant idea, just to loosen her up. Karaoke was going to be unbelievable. Chloe smiled to herself thinking of all the classics they'd be singing tonight.
The food arrived and Aubrey still wasn't back from the bathroom. Chloe feared the worst and went to look for her friend.
Aubrey had just come out of the cubical and was splashing her face with water when Chloe walked in.
"Bree, are you alright? Did you..? Oh." Chloe fluffed around grabbing some paper towels and sitting the blonde down.
"The foods on the table, are you ready to come out?" Aubrey blinked at the redhead's question.
Come out. Her eyes widened and she ran back into the bathroom.
What on earth could she be nervous about? Chloe frowned as she heard the blonde heave.
"If you don't want to go to karaoke, you can just tell me you know. You don't have to pretend you're someone you're not for me, I love you just the way you are. Gross vomiting and everything." Chloe said leaning her head against the stall door. She meant it, she really didn't mind going home for Aubrey. She was her best friend and there was no way she'd want to put her through something she didn't want to do.
Aubrey opened up the door avoiding looking at Chloe, she washed her face again.
"No I'm enjoying myself." She smiled at her worried friend.
"Really!" She said encouragingly.
"Come on, food!" Chloe smiled relaxing a bit. She linked Aubrey and brought her back to the table. The food was gorgeous and Chloe was glad to be sharing the bread with Aubrey because there was way to much. She tried to keep the conversation away from college work and the Bellas finals, thankfully Aubrey didn't need to run off to the bathroom again. Aubrey's Dad had always put too much pressure on her, Chloe knew she needed to vent but she wanted this night to be care free.
They finished their meals and almost two bottles of the Italian white Chloe had ordered.
Aubrey paid for both the girls dinner, after stealing the bill off Chloe that is. Maybe the wine had taken a bit more effect than she had intended, but it was okay because Chloe was giggling and Aubrey swore she saw her blush. Although, it may have been alcohol induced.
The girls walked down the street to the bar, Chloe was sure Aubrey was slightly more tipsy than she was at this point. That was good, seeing as Aubrey never let herself go anymore, not since that first night... Chloe shook her head and waltzed straight up to the bar.
"Alright gorgeous what can I get ya?" The bartender wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Chloe ignored him, she was getting used to this nowadays.
"Double JD & Coke and a..." She looked at Bree wondering how to go about the situation at hand. Really she should be doing Aubrey a solid and making sure she doesn't mix her drinks, because tomorrow will be hell, but that's not as much fun.
"Vodka & wine, please?" Chloe finished handing the barman some notes.
She took the drinks from the bar and handed the blonde her drink. Aubrey gave her a toothy grin, Chloe had just bought her a drink. The taller girl giggled into her straw blowing bubbles into the drink by accident. Chloe laughed, maybe she didn't need the extra alcohol.
The girls found a table together and sat down waiting for the DJ to initiate the karaoke. There seemed to be a hen night in or something but they were too busy dancing at the moment.
Aubrey wanted to talk. Well no, Aubrey's alcohol wanted to talk. She had to refrain from climbing on top of Chloe. Not in a dirty way, I mean she could have just sat on her lap and played with her hair, but that was probably weird. Aubrey looked at the redhead beside her, unless it was Chloe doing it? Then it wouldn't be weird at all. The blonde Bella smiled trying to think of ways to seduce her best friend onto her lap.
Wait what? Aubrey's smiled turned into a frown.
"You alright Bree?" Chloe smiled lifting her arm around her friend and pulling her closer.
"Seduce?" Aubrey laughed out loud.
Chloe laughed and raised an eyebrow at the drunken blonde beside her.
"I don't think that's how you do it" She said vibrantly with a wink, taking a swig of her drink.
It would have been a move, if Chloe had known the effect it had on Aubrey. She turned back around to smile at the blonde and Aubrey could have leaned in. She should have, but no she just smiled and leaned into her shoulder shoving the straw into her mouth.
Aubrey closed her eyes. She was taller so really she should have her arm around Chloe not the other way around, but Chloe was the assertive one so she would probably be the one to make the first move. Besides Aubrey doesn't even know why she's thinking about this. It's the alcohol.
It's the alcohol.
"What did you put in my drink?" She whispered to her friend sitting back up.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, why?" Chloe said still smiling brightly, but there was something cheeky there.
"Oh really? What's with the evil grin?" Chloe laughed at her friend.
"You look like the Chesire Cat Chloe!" Aubrey said opening her mouth in shock and jumping backwards. The redhead released Aubrey and ran her hands through her hair.
Aubrey couldn't help but stare, even if it was a second too long it was worth it. Chloe didn't seem to notice either way.
"You're saying I look like a cartoon cat?" Chloe asked her eyebrow raised yet again.
"I don't know whether that's an insult or.. Actually I don't know how that wouldn't be an insult?"
"Oh shut up Chloe it's not like you're not gorgeous or anything, you can just smile like a pervy cat sometimes okay?" Aubrey replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Chloe took this chance to make fun of her best friend, as much as she loved Bree and she knew Bree loved her back, compliments were hard to come by.
"Well go get your gorgeous friend another drink while your gorgeous friend goes to talk to the DJ." Chloe said winking at Aubrey as she got up.
Aubrey watched Chloe leave and kicked herself for being such an idiot. It's not like you're not gorgeous or anything. What was she 16? Aubrey rolled her eyes and finished her drink.
She didn't even know what Chloe was drinking.
Aubrey returned with two beers. It was their usual drink when they were at home, the only reason they didn't drink it out in bars was because the Bellas were ladies and beer was not a ladies drink. Not that Chloe ever cared, she was still ridiculously herself. Aubrey decided what the Bellas didn't know wouldn't kill them and it was hardly as if Chloe would grass the outl
Aubrey was pulled from her train of thoughts when an arm was slung around her shoulder.
She looked up smiling expecting her redhead.
"Hey gorgeous what's your name?"
Aubrey rolled her eyes as she felt the blush surge to her cheeks. Sure it was a lame line but the fact that she was being chatted up at all was still flattering.
She pursed her lips and gave this guy the once over, he was cute maybe. Blonde hair, not too long but not cropped either, dark blue eyes, strong jaw line, he had a ruggedly handsome look about him. Aubrey felt like she should know him. Not get to know him, but as if something should click and she should know who this guy is, but nothing clicked so she stuck out her hand.
"Aubrey Posen." She smiled into his ear.
"I'm so glad I passed the inspection, Tom." He laughed back taking the blonde's hand.
"A girls got to have standards..." Aubrey took up her beer and put a straw into it, taking a long sip.
"Well now guys have standards too... I don't go chatting up every.." His voice faded out as he watched Chloe sit down beside Aubrey and take the other beer.
Aubrey slid out from under his arm, it was just her luck that when a reasonably good looking guy he'd get distracted by how gorgeous Chloe was. There she was calling Chloe gorgeous again.
The red head bent forward suddenly.
"He's starting up now he said he's gonna let the hen party sing first and then we can blow them away." She shot a wink at the blonde. Aubrey grinned widely, she'd almost forgotten it was karaoke that they were here for.
"Sparky?" Chloe looked up to the guy who was sat behind Aubrey. Oh god.
"Tom?" She asked looking from Aubrey to the boy. It was definitely him and by the looks of it he was trying to get with Aubrey. She was kind of proud, but no, that was just weird.
Tom noticed how Chloe had looked from him to Aubrey and he thought back to the night Chloe had stayed at the Delta Omega house.
"Oh you guys are here together, right sorry." He laughed and nudged Aubrey with his elbow.
"You sure do have high standards and very good taste!" He winked towards the redhead.
Aubrey just frowned. Sparky?
"So how come I haven't seen much of you. I didn't actually get your number either so.." Tom glanced at Aubrey.
"I guess that's probably inappropriate now." He smiled at Chloe.
"Yeah just busy with work I suppose." She smiled back praying to god he wouldn't say anything that Aubrey didn't need to hear.
"You guys could always, you know, come back to our house ag.." Tom edged his way closer to Aubrey again.
"We've actually got plans Tom sorry." Chloe burst in before he could finish his sentence. She must have jinxed it. Typical.
"That's a shame. Hey Sparks you're a Bella girl right? Sing a song with me later?" Tom said getting up, he wasn't the brightest bulb but he knew that the girls wanted to be left alone.
Chloe nodded at him.
"Sure Tom just come get me later!"
Tom smiled turning around to head back to his friends, he was glad Sparky had found someone. Maybe a little bit disappointed it wasn't him but she seemed like she needed someone to anchor her. He thought back to the night they first met.
The girl in the elevator vs the girl on top of him later that night were two completely different people. This time the redhead seemed balanced, more herself even if Tom had never met the real Chloe, it was easy to see that she was happy with her blonde.
Aubrey turned to Chloe, her brow furrowed.
"Did he want a...eh..." She waved her finger quickly in between the two of them.
"You know?" Aubrey question quietly.
Chloe grimaced and nodded.
Aubrey thought for a moment, replaying the conversation between Tom and Chloe.
"Was he.." Aubrey started, but when Chloe looked at her with the same grimace, she already knew the answer.
"Delta Omega?" Chloe nodded.
"Elevator boy?" Chloe nodded again.
"Frat boy?"
"The night you?"
"Did you guys..." Chloe nodded slowly this time.
"And he wanted a thr... Where would he...Chloe Beale!" Chloe watched the cogs turn in the blondes brain as she put together what went down between her and Tom.
"Who was better.." Chloe cut her off, she couldn't bare the embarrassment.
"Bree!" She shot a bit too forcefully. Aubrey's smile dropped, worrying she'd gone too far. Chloe smiled cheekily at her.
"She was, but don't you tell him that." Aubrey burst out laughing, a sense of relief. Chloe had sex with a girl. And why is that relieving? It's not like you're going to have sex with her. It's not like you want to. Aubrey frowned. She didn't want to. Chloe was her best friend why was she even...
Aubrey stuck her straw in her mouth. That was probably what was talking, or thinking about Chloe that way... It must be, Aubrey nodded to herself in agreement.
They sat and watched the hen party get up for karaoke, they weren't awful, but they were definitely not good. Halfway through a particularily bad rendition of 'Disco Inferno' Aubrey burst out laughing. Chloe jumped in surprise and giggled before whispering into the blondes ear.
"Don't let her see you laughing, bitch." She leaned back against her chair and covered her mouth trying to stifle her own laughter.
Aubrey shook her head vigorously. That caught the redheads attention again she looked at her friend who was hysterical at this stage.
"No!" Aubrey managed in between breaths.
"Not her!" She started laughing manically again as Chloe raised an eyebrow at her and shaking her head with confusion.
"SPARKY?!" Chloe rolled her eyes before joining in laughing, trust Bree to find that funny an hour and a half after their conversation. She slapped the taller girl on the arm playfully.
Aubrey felt a surge of courage as Chloe leaned in with her laugh resting her hand softly on her on Bree's thigh.
"I bet it's 'cause you're a firecracker in the bedroom." Aubrey hissed seductively into Chloe's ear. It sounded more like a slur to Chloe so she turned towards her best friend raising her eyebrows.
"And since when do you know how good I am in bed?" She asked her smile widening.
"Well actually since you stay in my bed most nights I think it's time I found out." Aubrey slurred properly this time, the words falling from her mouth without any thought.
This isn't so hard. Aubrey thought smiling to herself at how un-freaked Chloe was at suggesting the two of them sleep together.
"I'm gonna sing next!" The blonde rose from her chair her eyes were now blinking individually.
Chloe watched as she walked over to the DJ box pulling him closer so she could request the song. Tom sat down beside her as she was watching the blonde.
"Hey Sparks how about we sing after this I've got the perfect song!" He smiled into Chloe's cheek, the vibration of his voice tickling her ear.
"Sure Tommy!" Chloe laughed rubbing her ear. Her eyes were drawn back to the stage when she heard the DJ's booming voice over the speakers.
"Now Ladies and Gentlemen, please prepare yourselves for the vocal acrobatics of one of Barden's junior Bellas; Aubreeeeeyy Pooseenn!"
Chloe started screaming, yelling all sorts of encouragement up at her friend. Even Tom joined in cheering on the blonde. She liked that, Tom pretended to be this badass lady killer because he was the big baseball guy but he was a sweetie really.
The lights dimmed and a solo hit Aubrey she had her back to Chloe and as the first chord was strummed, Aubrey dipped her left shoulder in time. She turned her head to the side It could have been a Bella routine, but it was far too sexy. The blonde tilted her head upwards holding the mic to her mouth and raising her other arm to the sky.
I don't know but
I think I maybe
Fallin' for you
Dropping so quickly
Maybe I should
Keep this to myself
Waiting 'til I
Know you better
I am trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I'm scared of what you'll say
So I'm hiding what I'm feeling
But I'm tired of
Holding this inside my head
Chloe smiled she heard Tom yelling again. He had definitely had his fair share to drink aswell.
"WOOO! I love this song!" She laughed at Tom he was such a dork once you got to know him, sure he tried to be this cool lady killer, but he was a sweetheart really.
"The fact that you know this song at all Tommy just brought my respect for you up to here!" Chloe laughed at him moving her hand above her head. Tom grinned proudly at the redhead he took her hand and stood up.
I've been spending all my time
Just thinking 'bout you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life
And now I found you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I'm fallin' for you
"Dance with me?" He smiled sweetly. Chloe nodded her head smiling back at him. They walked to the dancefloor and gave Aubrey a wave and cheered her on some more dancing in time and singing along with the blonde and soon enough the whole dance floor was filled with people.
Aubrey was delighted that so many people enjoyed her singing, she knew she was good but to have people dance and sing along with her? That was a real compliment.
As I'm standing here
And you hold my hand
Pull me towards you
And we start to dance
All around us
I see nobody
Here in silence
It's just you and me
I'm trying
Not to tell you
But I want to
I'm scared of what you'll say
So I'm hiding what I'm feeling
But I'm tired of
Holding this inside my head
She saw her bestfriend in the centre of the dancefloor along with the guy who had chatted her up earlier, they were really close together. Aubrey could feel her stoach turning but she made sure she wouldn't up chuck everywhere. It might of been the alcohol but she wanted to finish this song for Chloe. She tried to subtley tell her that the song was for her, she stared her down as she danced with Tom. Chloe caught her eye and shot her a smile, her bright blue eyes glowing in the dim room and Aubrey felt her heart jump. She stepped forward to the front of the stage trying to diva it up, she pointed at Chloe who was now singing all the words straight back to her. She had to admit it, she was singing a love song to her best friend, whom she had dreamt about them kissing, she couldn't keep her eyes of her. Aubrey Posen had a crush on her best friend and as Chloe smiled back at her, she thought maybe that was okay maybe it was something she could deal with.
Oh I just can't take it
My heart is racin'
Emotions keep spinnin' out
I've been spending all my time
Just thinking 'bout you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life
and now I found you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
A/N: Sorry it took so long, took me ages to pick a song, which by the way is 'Fallin' for You' by Colbie Caillat. Thanks for all the follows & favs, R&R? :)