Chloe walked into her sister's bar. That morning, Britt had begged Chloe to come in and help. Bellas' karaoke night was becoming more and more popular with the Barden locals. The crowds tended to get a bit rowdier than usual. Truthfully, Chloe loved coming to karaoke nights. Seeing people having fun and singing their hearts out. Or as her old a-cappella mantra goes, making music with their mouths—she loved it. Her one true passion has always been music. She had just finished her PhD at Cambridge and was set to start teaching at Barden University's music department in the fall.
Since moving back to Barden, she had spent the past three weeks getting reacquainted with her alma mater. It still shocked her that her sister had quit her finance job to open up a bar. But Chloe understood the pull of doing something that makes you happy. She couldn't imagine doing something that wasn't related to music. She was happy for Britt. And the endless supply of drinks wasn't a bad perk either.
The bar had just opened. Most of the wait staff were wiping down the tables and booths. Britt was in the back, restocking wine and liquor. Chloe decided that she'd start setting up the AV equipment. She turned on the karaoke screen and chose a song to test out the microphone and speakers. Naturally, she picked Titanium by David Guetta. An oldie but a goodie, she thought. This song got her through many tiring days and stressful nights.
As the lyrics and instrumental came on, Chloe couldn't help but start singing. She intended to only sing the first few lyrics to test the microphone but then she heard an angelic voice harmonize with her. Afraid that the voice would stop, Chloe continued singing and looked up. She scanned the bar until she spotted a petite brunette in dark skinny jeans, combat boots and a plaid shirt staring up at her. It was her. The girl that Chloe had been hopelessly pining after. It was Beca Mitchell.
It all started three weeks ago when she first visited Britt's bar. About twenty minutes after Chloe arrived, Britt went on stage and announced the headlining act. Chloe's interest peaked. The girl was hot. She gave off this sexy, devil-may-care attitude. She had dark eyeliner, tattoos and piercings – just one look and you knew you were dealing with a badass here. Deep down inside, Chloe always had a thing for brooding but sensitive bad girls. What really captured Chloe were her eyes – stormy, greyish blue, as if you were looking into the depths of the ocean. Plus, the girl had some awesome cleavage going on too.
The moment she started singing, Chloe was a goner. Her mouth just dropped and she was enamored. Not only was her voice soulful and rich, but her range was amazing. She was taking Chloe on a roller coaster of emotions, full of unexpected and piercing dips and turns, as she went from different breaks and pitches into a heart-stopping falsetto. Her voice was definitely doing things to Chloe's body.
Once Chloe calmed down enough to pay attention to the brunette's lyrics and arrangements, Chloe was once again floored. Only this time, it wasn't just Chloe's insides fluttering. The brunette just blew Chloe's mind with how creative and unique her covers and mash-ups were.
And then, just when Chloe thought her breathing had returned to normal, the brunette took out her guitar and started her cover of John Mayer's Heart of Life. The way she strum her fingers along that guitar—well, let's just say that Chloe's mind went to other things that the brunette's fingers could be strumming. Dirty, shameful things that she shouldn't be thinking about when she hadn't even met this girl.
Chloe rushed over to the bar.
"Britt! Britt! Come here!" Chloe demanded.
The blonde turned from talking to one of waitresses. "Whoa, what's the matter?"
"Who is that on stage?"
Britt smirked, "Why do you want to know?"
"Just tell me!"
"Jeez, does she owe you money? Why are you so interested?"
"Britt, stop being so difficult."
Britt laughed, "Okay, okay, sheesh, calm down. Her name is Beca. She's one of my headliners. She performs here Thursdays and Saturdays."
"Beca," Chloe repeated to herself and smiled. She liked the sound of that. "Can you introduce me to her?"
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because what? You know, it's a wonder you were ever on the debate team."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Because I want to meet her."
"Why do you want to meet her?" Britt could tell that her sister was interested in the brunette. Her eyes were just sparkling with excitement. Honestly, Britt thought the two would make a good pair. But that didn't mean she couldn't give Chloe a hard time about it.
"Why are you asking so many questions? I just want to meet her. She's an amazing musician and maybe I can get her to do a performance or a guest lecture for my students." Chloe didn't want to give away that she was romantically interested in the brunette. She loved her sister but Britt had a habit of teasing her and being incredibly blunt. She didn't want to risk Britt saying anything to Beca and scaring the girl off before Chloe even had a chance to meet her.
Britt chuckled, "Okay, I'll introduce you. But Chloe, be careful. Beca is not really the commitment type. I don't want you to get hurt." Though Britt liked Beca, she was still wary of how the brunette operated. She didn't want her sister to just be another notch in Beca's bedpost.
"Britt, I told you, I respect her as a musician and I just want to get to know her on a musical level." Chloe fibbed. She internally cringed. It sounded lame in her mind but she hoped she had convinced Britt.
That night, as Beca's set ended, Britt was called on to tend to an emergency in the kitchen. Chloe saw girls and guys gather around Beca as she stepped off the stage. Chloe didn't want to be lumped in with those groupies so she kept her distance and waited for Britt to come back. When her sister hadn't returned after a few minutes, Chloe went into the kitchen to see what was going on. As Chloe approached the kitchen doors, Britt walked through, muttering something about stoners and accidental fires. Unfortunately, Beca had already packed up her stuff and left by the time the two sisters turned to find her. Chloe deflated and her shoulders slumped. She had really been looking forward to meeting the brunette. Britt apologized and told Chloe that Beca would be back on Thursday.
However, the timing just never quite worked out. Chloe had to miss Beca's Thursday set because her mother was hosting a dinner and "desperately" needed at least one of her daughters in attendance. Chloe rolled her eyes at how melodramatic her mother could be at times. Saturday had been a busy night and Beca had one of the later sets. Chloe wasn't able to stay till the end because she had an early meeting the next day with Barden's music director.
Then, the next few times, Chloe noticed a statuesque, dirty blonde waiting for Beca after each set. She was pretty. Not as hot as Beca, but decent. Chloe told herself that her opinion of this girl's attractiveness was in no way impacted by jealousy. This girl would always be in the center, right in front of Beca, gazing up at her with a dopey smile. The moment Beca walked off stage, this girl would rush up to Beca. Chloe grew disheartened. Maybe that was Beca's girlfriend. Chloe wasn't a homewrecker. She didn't want to cause any drama and she was afraid that if she were to actually speak to her crush that she would only become further infatuated. So, Chloe decided to admire Beca from afar.
Present
Chloe stood still, not believing that the girl she had been dreaming about (and lusting after if she was honest with herself) was standing right in front of her, singing one of her favorite songs with her. Chloe continued singing and stepped off the stage to walk towards Beca. As she neared the brunette, she couldn't help but notice just how beautiful and gorgeous Beca was up close. As they finished the song, they just stared into each other's eyes, smiling and appreciating the moment they just shared.
Just as Chloe was about to introduce herself, she heard a door slam against the wall. Both girls looked up and saw a dirty blonde walking towards. She looks familiar, thought Chloe. That's when she realized it was Beca's girlfriend, the one who was constantly with Beca. Great, just as she had this amazing connection with her crush, she's just reminded that Beca is taken. Suddenly, Chloe felt Beca step closer to her and pull her in. Beca wrapped an arm around her and rested her hand on the small of Chloe's back. Mmmm. Beca smells good. Being this close to Beca caused warmth to spread through Chloe's body. But then, Chloe became confused. Why was Beca essentially hugging her when her girlfriend had just stormed in?
The brunette leaned in and whispered, "Don't be nervous, just keep your answers short and she'll get the message. Thank you so much for doing this."
Chloe barely had time to process how good it felt to have Beca whisper in her ear before she felt Beca kiss her on the cheek. Chloe blushed. Just as Chloe was about to ask what was going on, the blonde stomped in front of them.
"So this is who you'd rather be with? Her?"
Yes, please! Chloe thought. Pick me!
"Hayley, please be civil about this. Yes, I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I am happy with her. She makes me happy." Beca calmly said.
Whoa! What? She loves me? Rest of my life? I make her happy? Chloe had to pinch herself because this was strangely reminiscent of one of her Beca fantasies. She stifled her giddiness and kept a straight face.
"I don't believe you. With everything you were telling me about your commitment and emotional issues, I don't believe that you're just so easily and quickly in love with someone else." The blonde barked out.
Chloe was seriously getting irritated with this girl in front of her. For one, she ruined her moment with Beca. They had just shared this ethereal connection and suddenly, blondie barges in, yelling and throwing a tantrum. Shattering her meet-cute with Beca. Two, Chloe caught on that Beca and this girl were not dating. Yay! She internally cheered. But then, Chloe remembered that this girl clearly wanted Beca. Chloe crossed her arms and glared at the blonde. Game on, bitch.
"Hayley, I've been more than understanding with you. I don't know what else you expect. I can't—" Tell her you can't be with her, Beca. Chloe subconsciously urged.
"Prove it," Hayley demanded.
"What?" Beca sputtered.
"Prove it. Kiss her." Chloe looked from Hayley to Beca. Clearly, this girl just didn't get it. Chloe decided to take matters into her own hands. Literally.
"Hayley, we don't have to prove anything to you. This is ridiculous and immature—"
Before Beca could finish, Chloe grabbed Beca by her shoulders and smashed her lips against the brunette's. Slowly, Chloe placed one hand behind Beca's neck, guiding her to lean in and then, placed her other hand by Beca's waist. Beca started kissing back. Chloe's mind went blissfully blank. She didn't notice Hayley storm off. In fact, she forgot about who Hayley even was. She forgot about the bar. She forgot about everything. She just concentrated on this new sensation coursing through her. Kissing Beca was sweet but spicy, rough but gentle, urgent but calming—it was a paradox of sensations that Chloe couldn't get enough of. Chloe parted her lips, and nearly swooned when Beca's tongue slid against her own.
"Chloe, what are you doing?"
Beca abruptly pulled away and looked confused.
Damn it, can people stop interrupting her Beca moments? That's two for two now! Chloe couldn't think of another time that she had been more frustrated with Britt.
Britt smirked, "Damn, Becs, I knew you worked fast but I didn't know you worked this fast."
Beca then looked back and forth between Britt and me. Panic taking over her face. "Chloe?" she asked.
"Umm.. hi. I'm Chloe," the redhead nervously said. She looked at the brunette, desperately trying to maintain eye contact and not just stare at her pillowy soft, slightly swollen lips that were just begging to be kissed again. Ugh, get a grip, Chlo! Chloe told herself.
"Beca, this is my twin sister, Chloe Beale." Britt grinned. Oh this is going to be good, the blonde thought.
Beca stepped away. Chloe frowned in disappointment. She just wanted to grab the brunette and keep kissing her. "You have a twin?" Beca asked, shocked.
Oh no, that means Beca thought I was Britt! Does that mean she's interested in Britt? Great, just my freaking luck. Now, Chloe was the one panicking.
Britt rolled her eyes, "No, I have a clone. You just made out with my clone."
Beca sheepishly looked back at Chloe. Her eyes wide. "Hi… I'm Beca. Sorry for assaulting you. I honestly thought you were Britt."
Chloe grimaced. Beca's response basically just confirmed her fears that Beca was interested in her sister and not her. "Are you two together?" Chloe asked. Chloe was going to kill Britt. Her sister could have actually said something but no, she makes up this bogus thing about Beca and commitment issues. Chloe fumed. Britt just wanted Beca for herself. That bitch, and to think—
Both Britt and Beca become alarmed by the insinuation and yell, "No!" interrupting Chloe's thoughts.
Beca then explains, "No, I mean your sister is great. We're friends But she's not my type. I'm not hers either. Trust me, we had a lengthy, drunken heart-to-heart over this."
Britt eagerly nodded her head up and down, agreeing with Beca. The last thing she wanted was to face a sexually frustrated Chloe's wrath.
Beca continued, "She was supposed to help me. The psycho you just met? That's Hayley. She's been stalking me for the past few weeks. Britt was supposed to be my pretend girlfriend so that Hayley would let me alone."
Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she noticed that Beca would occasionally glance down at her lips. Was Beca as affected by that kiss as she was? Only one way to find out. Go for it, Beale. Ask her out. "Do you want to go kiss?"
"Huh?" Beca asked.
"TALK! I mean, uhh... do you want to go talk?" Chloe rushed out. Chloe wanted to slap herself. Talk about a face palm moment. She was so distracted by Beca licking her own lips and then looking at Chloe's lips. All she could think about was that amazing kiss they shared and how she wanted more.
Hoping to get Beca to forget about her Freudian slip, Chloe continued on, "You just seem very interesting. Like interesting in a good way, not in a weird way. I've seen your shows. I mean, I haven't seen all your shows. I'm not stalking you like Hayley. Not that I don't want to see all your shows, you're really amazing. I'd love to see more of you. I mean, more of your shows. I'd love to see more of your shows. But umm… maybe we could talk about music or something. Or not, if you have somewhere to be…"
Beca was expecting the redhead to be angry. Hell, it was a shock to her that Chloe hadn't slapped her yet for essentially molesting her mouth the way she did. But oh, what a gorgeous and sensual mouth she has, Beca thought. Snap out of it, Beca chided herself. She needed to stop staring at Chloe's mouth. It was then that Beca processed what Chloe asked.
"Yes!" Beca exclaimed, interrupting Chloe's rambling.
Chloe's eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked, surprised.
Beca grinned, "Yes, I'd love to talk with you about music. I could tell from your singing that you have a real…uh… kinship with music. I really felt something when we were singing together." Oh god, Beca thought, a real kinship with music? I really felt something? Why am I being so lame? Clearly, I can do better than this.
Chloe beamed. Not only did Beca want to get to know her but she also noticed the connection they had while singing.
The two stood there awkwardly, shyly smiling at each other.
Britt was just flabbergasted. She'd seen Beca operate in the two months she'd known the brunette. She usually had the girl giddy and eating out of the palm of her hand by now. Britt also knew her sister. Chloe definitely had game. But tonight she was less of the bubbly and more of the bumbling. Coupled with the awkwardness was this uncomfortable and stifling sexual tension radiating between the two. Yuck. Britt had to get out of there.
"Do… do you have time now?" Chloe timidly asked.
"Yaah-esss" Beca cleared her throat, embarrassed that she was forgetting how to properly speak around the redhead. "Yeah, um, yes, I'm free."
Chloe brightly smiled. Beca's knees nearly buckled. "Great, uhh…Britt has an office lounge thing in the back. It's kinda quiet and the karaoke music won't be too loud." Chloe suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds great." Beca responded and followed Chloe towards the back of the bar.
At this point, Britt couldn't help herself. For one, she loved teasing Chloe. Two, she loved teasing people in general. Three, the two of them basically asked for it since they had pretty much ignored her during this awfully awkward interaction.
"No sex on the desk!" Britt yelled, chuckling to herself as she saw both Beca and Chloe turn around, blushing profusely. Chloe was probably going to get back at her at some point. Eh, Britt shrugged, worth it.