I finally finished the original Chapter 8, well, now 9! ;)
Sorry again. Not really happy with it though, tell me what you thought, I gave it my best, believe me!
I am so happy to still get new followers and that is what keeps me going, along with much appreciated reviews of course.
Little shout outs:
PC31-Said-we-got-a-dirty-one: Glad you are stillthere and enjoying yourself. That means a lot to me. I know what you mean about work taking over your life, believe me. Here you have some Bechloe, hope you like it!
Amuria21: I like to surprise you, you know. There will be some more Chaubrey interactions, but not as serious as in the flashbacks, though I have something I believe to be funny planned with Aubrey.
MonkeyFuncky: I believe you meant Chloe, not Beca, but yes. That's what happened. Glad you liked that part. I was a bit scared about it not being accepted.
RainbowUnicornsR-MyLife: You so used the l-word! Thank you for the love ;)
I can't reveal it just now, can I? BTW your review came so fast I nearly had a heart attack!
Summery: Stepmonster 2.0
Beca grew up with her mum after her father left them. She lost contact to him a while ago but now he wants to bond again. Why? Well she has to find out, but why does she have to go to Barden, where he's teaching when she wants to have a go at being a DJane in LA? Bonding, with her father and his new family? Now that is something she doesn't want to do, more so since she knows that her stepsister, or how she prefers to call the unknown girl, stepmonster 2.0 is attending Barden as well.
Pairing: Beca/Chloe and Friendship: Chloe/Aubrey and Jesse/Beca
Disclaimer: If I would own Pitch Perfect, there would be Bechloe!
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Chapter 9: From Riff-Off(s) and getting cut off
Beca's PoV:
"Okay aca-bitches! So now you know the rules of a Riff-Off. The thing is, they always remove three old categories and exchange them with some we don't know of. The categories I did remember I wrote onto pieces of paper and I will pick one randomly. This isn't just training for you, always remember that. This is war aca-bitches."
Aubrey's been rambling on and on for half an hour. How in the world do you practise spontaneity? At least Chloe seems in a lot better mood today. She's actually smiling at me. Why? I have absolutely no idea.
"Okay, Bree. How do we split? I mean, we are 10. Five groups with two people or two with three and one with four?" Chloe's voice seems better, at least she appears to.
"Right. I'd say four groups, just like tomorrow. We'll have two with three and two with two people. I will pull names out of this jar and we'll see."
She really is prepared, huh? Two jars, one with categories and one with names. Why the hell did I hear of this today when it seems like everyone else knew? I really should listen to head-bitch sometimes...
"First team. Fat Amy and, Lily." Uff, that is definitely a crazy combination.
"Ehhhhhhh, weeeeeeellll. I don't think aaaaahhh, you know that it's ahhhhhhh fair." That's Fat Amy for you. Lily is mumbling something herself, but I didn't get it.
"Okay, then you will be a the group of three. Fat Amy, Lily and Jessica. Next group is...Stacie and, me. Right, then next group of two is Beca and Ashley. And that leaves Denise, Cynthia Rose and Chloe for group four."
Okay, shit. I was so hoping I would group up with Chloe but you know what they say about dreams. In a group of three she won't have to sing that much and I can't shake the thought that Aubrey thought that too. Damn nodes.
"We'll make an opening round first, no hard category, just female singers. Who would like to start?"
Yeah, Chloe's voice definitely sounds a bit better.
"Oh, oh. We will, let's get it started twig bitches!"
Now I am curious what Amy's group will bring.
Amy "I just can't get you out of my head
boy your loving is all I think about
I just can't get you out of my head
boy it's more than I dare to think about"
Wow, her voice actually sounds a lot better when she doesn't sing 'The sign'. The others are having little difficulties but soon enough you hear them, at least I hear Jessica doing some background.
Amy " I just can't get you out of my head
boy your loving is all-"
Chloe steps right in front of her and for a secondI had forgotten that this is a competition.
Chloe "All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairy tale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning
It's not okay I don't feel safe"
CR "I don't feel safe- ohhhhhh"
Fuck. Me. They really make a good group. It took them like 2 seconds to follow Chloes lead and Denise and CR seem to know exactly the rhythm of each other. Denise makes this melody in the background that just fits into CR's and Chloe's voice.
Chloe " Left broken empty in despair
want to breath can't find air
Thought you were sent from up above
But you and me never had love
So much more I have to say
Help me find a way"
Denise "Huuuuhuuu ohhhh"
Chloe "And I wonder if you know
How it really feels
To be left outside alone
When it's cold out here
Well maybe you should know
Just how it feels
To be left outside alone
To be left outside-"
That is so my turn now! Ha, what an opening!
Beca "Outside
All around me
Really sleazy
Then it hits me
Don't tell me
You can't see
What it means to me
Me me"
I kinda feared that Ashley wouldn' catch on but she surprises me by taking the lead for the softer part.
Ashley "Meanwhile
In the moonlight
Purple people
Unforeseeable"
Beca "Lonely
As they may be
They'll be peachy
Then it-"
Stacie "it down and get real naughty
girls talk shit, we don't care
we'll take off our underwear!
drinking cocktails,
beers with lime
all these guys yell "she's a dime!"
I just wink and blow a kiss
while all these girls just bitch and diss"
Judging by the look Aubrey gives her she never heard this song before, we'll can't say that I feel bad for Aubrey.
Stacie "come get fucked up!
give me my alcohol
let's get fucked up!
A-L-C-O-H-O-L
this bitch is trying to take a shot
she can't down one, what else she got?
jaeger, vodka, even whiskey
down that shit, don't be a...
pussy"
"ENOUGH! Okay, I think this is enough as a test, at least everyone got a song in. I will take a category out of the jar now."
She is such a prude! Hell, Stacie's performance was amazing, she did touch herself constantly but she matched every fucking key.
"So, fate decided to let our next category be...famous duets!"
Ashley grabs my hand and before I can even take a breath I hear her starting to sing.
Ashley "They say we're young and we don't know
We won't find out until we grow."
Beca " Well I don't-"
Shit, this time Aubrey's interrupting me.
Aubrey " I don't mind doin' it for the kids So come on
Jump on board, take a ride, yeah"
Stacie "You'll be doing it all right"
Aubrey&Stacie " Jump on board feel the high
'Cause the kids are alright"
Stacie "You've got a reputation"
Aubrey "Well I-"
It get's awfully quiet as all eyes are fixed on the small asian girl standing in the middle of the circle we unconsciously made. Her mouth is constantly opening and closing, I know that cause she is facing my way, otherwise I would have the same look on my face as Chloe has; not that I am watching her or something.
Aubrey moves from beside me to Lily and tries to catch on to what she is singing and I think I can faintly hear the lyrics to 'Time of my life'.
"I'm sorry Lily, but I hear absolutely nothing. You girls are cut off." That's Aubrey for you, looking like the devil when bringing such news...
Fat Amy is throwing some curse words around until everyone is watching her.
"Uhhh. Ohhh. At least I can take a seat now."
"Jessica, would you pick the next category, please?" Sounded more like an order from Aubzilla to me...Aubzilla, or Aca-zilla. Now stop before you laugh out loud because of your own jokes. Damn pictures in my head...
"Okay, so the next category is...Songs ruined by Glee!" Jessica actually squeals as she walks back into our circle. I look helplessly over to Ashley cause I seriously think that I haven't seen more than one episode while channel-surfing one evening. There is some glint in her eyes as she watches Jessica doing a little dance of happiness. Now I know what tv show they were always rambling on about.
Jessica "If I should die before I wake
It's 'cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air
Ohh.."
Aubrey " I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave
My heart won't move, it's incomplete
Wish there was a way that I can make you understand"
Okay, I don't know the show but at least I know a lot of songs, this one included. Question is, how shall I know what song they covered? I just hope Ashley is fan enough cause I definitely wanna win, not that I would want to impress Chloe or something.
Stacie" But how do you expect me
to live alone with just me
'Cause my world revolves around you
It's so hard for me to breathe"
Fuckin' do something Ashley!
S+Bree " Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air
Can't live, can't breathe with no air
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
It's no air, no air
Got me out-"
Chloe "Well Sometimes I Go Out, By Myself, And I Look Across The Water.
And I Think Of All The Things, Of What You're Doing, And in my head I Paint A Picture."
Oh Chloe...I kinda thought you would be a Glee kind of girl, hell I am in an a capella group, sure I'm surrounded by 'such girls'.
Chloe "Since I've Come Home, Well My Body's Been A Mess, And I Miss Your ginger Hair, And The Way You Like To Dress.
Oh Wont You Come On Over, Stop Making A Fool Out Of Me, Why Dont You Come On Over, Valerie.
Valerie
Valerie
Valerie"
I faintly hear CR and Denise supporting her, she just does that to me, sucking my attention up so she can swell in it. Looking at her I feel that we already lost. How could I beat that?
Denise "Did You-"
Ashley " I beg you, can I follow?
Oh I ask you, why not always?
Be the ocean where unravel
Be my only, be the water and waiting"
Thank god Ashley! Finally she made me snap out of my Chloe induced dreams, not that I was dreaming about her singing only to me, or dreaming about her at all. I settle for the background and join Ash with the chorus.
Ashley "You're my river running high,
run deep run wild"
Ash+Beca "I, I follow, I follow you deep sea baby
I follow you,
I, I follow you, dark boom honey
I follow you"
Ha! Everybody looks confused. I think we actually have them there. Ash, I owe you one!
Ashley "He's a message, I'm the runner
He's the rebel, I'm the daughter
waiting for you
You're-"
Stacie "your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away"
Everyone is silent and Stacie looks like someone took her cookie away.
"Come on guys, Aubrey, you have to know this song!" She looks at Aubrey pleadingly.
Aubrey gets red like a tomato and she looks like she's about to puke. Oh shit, please don't. After seeing the video I'm kind of afraid of that happening.
CR seems to be the only one able to speak, I mean we all knew that Stacie wasn't the brightest star in the universe but she doesn't seem to get it at all.
"Stace, you made a little mistake there. You matched you are with your."
She seems to get it now, judging by the colour of her cheeks. All of a sudden her eyes go wide and she looks over at Aubrey, probably fearing for her life. Yeah, Aubzilla does that.
"I'm so sorry Aubrey."
"Well, I guess we are cut out. At least I hope you all get the rules now." She is pissed, definitely.
"Next category is-"
"Ahhh, Aubrey, let it be category free." Amy pipes up. Jessica and Stacie nod along and even a faint 'yeah can be heard from lily'. "It would be so much fun!" Jessica adds.
"This is not about fun, this is about competition!" Aubrey's voice turns into a high pitched noise.
"But Bree," Ah, the beautiful voice of reason, "today is about fun, tomorrow about competition. Let's save that energy for tomorrow."
Chloe seems to calm Aubzilla down into a little kitten and we are all highly impressed.
"You're right, sorry. Then give it your best, girls." Wow, she can be nice.
We all look at each other, not sure how to start.
Chloe " Seems like everybody's got a price I wonder how they sleep at night
When the sale comes first and the truth comes second Just stop for a minute and smile
Why is everybody so serious? Acting so damn mysterious
You got your shades on your eyes and your heels so high That you can't even have a good time"
CR "Everybody look to their left
Everybody look to their right
Can you feel that? Yeah
We'll pay them with love tonight"
Denise "It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money-"
That's my cue!
Beca "Money money money
must be funny
in the rich man's world
money money money
always sunny
in the rich man's world"
Everybody starts laughing, this isn't so bad at all. I could imagine doing this the whole year.
Ash " ahaaa
all the things I could do
if I had a little money
it's a rich man's world"
I was just about to start when Chloe interrupted me, but she didn't change the song. She got right in front of me, smirking and looking sexy as hell.
Chloe " a man like that is hard to find but I can't get him off my mind"
She is seriously winking at me.
Beca " ain't it sad."
Chloe " and if he happens to be free I bet he wouldn't fancy me."
She makes a pouty face and points at herself with both of her hands at the fany me part.
Beca "that's too bad!"
I give her a wink right back. By now everyone has joined singing in the background.
Chloe and me seem to block everyone else out though, at least I only have eyes for her and I really think she is flirting with me!
Chloe " so I must leave
I'll have to go
to Las Vegas or Monaco
and win a fortune in a game my life would never be the sa-"
Then it happens, her beautiful voice cracks, leaving her making a sound that didn't only hurt our ears but by the look on her face and her hand reaching for her throat it did badly hurt herself. She's standing right in front of me, her eyes tearing up and her cheeks getting red. She looks...ashamed? I'm just about to tell her that she doesn't have to when Aubrey runs up to us, hugging her from behind and turning her around to herself slowly.
She looks at me one last second and mouths 'I'm sorry' before crumbling apart in Aubrey's arms.
We all just stand there speechless, watching, silently. I so desperately wanted to comfort her, but how? She had to do something about this, by now I was sure about it and I think the others thought so as well. She would need surgery, sooner than later.
Aubrey dismissed us and the others started to stroll out of the gym, slowly and silently as not to disturb Chloe who was nestled into Aubrey completely, making silent sniffling noises that sounded like they hurt her as well.
I just stood there, rooted to the spot like the last10 minutes, watching as Aubrey and Chloe sank to the bottom, Aubrey stroking Chloe's hair affectionately. A sight I have never seen before and wouldn't have guessed ever seeing, but most importantly, never wanted to witness ever again.
Emotionally retarded, that's what my mom calls me, though lovingly, and what I believed I am. It was in this moment that I understood what it really meant and that my mom was right.
I haven't talked to her much lately, still being angry with her about sending me off to Barden but I think I will call her later, asking her how to overcome my problem with emotions other than mine, I can handle them well, at least I think so.
Aubrey looks up at me finally and for once I see something other than hate for me in her eyes. She hands me the key to the gym and I nod understandingly. I will clean up and lock up, that is at least something I know how to do after all my shifts at the station.
She drags Chloe up and grabs her jacket, dressing Chloe with it. Chloe never brings a jacket to practise, I remember, always stating something like was never cold because her heart was on fire and really, no one could pull such a statement without sounding stupid, but when she does, everybody just laughs and enjoys her banter.
I watch them leave through the back door and finally, after what feels like an eternity, I pull myself together and look at the task at hand. We really made a mess, as always I guess and I never thought about Chloe and Aubrey that had to clean up after us. This will take at least an hour alone, great.
Just as I grab a broom I hear the doors being opened and I fear for my life. Did I really have to be so cool and throw away the rape whistle? I should have closed up, but as I turn around I see some of the other Bellas strolling back in. Stacie approaches me first.
"Hey, we were on our way to a coffee shop when we thought that we should head back over. Jessica, Ashley and Cynthia Rose went to pick up some sweets and booze to cheer Chloe up. They will meet us back here. If we hurry we could be finished by then and head over to Aubrey's and Chloe's apartment."
I nod, it's all I can do. For a moment I was angry that they all just left. Whenever one of them had a problem or was sad Chloe always cheered them up and brought them sweets. Now I realise that they just wanted to give her some space and needed time to figure out a plan. Maybe we are growing together, maybe even like a family.
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End Chapter 9
Songs used (in the right order)
Kylie Minogue - can't get you out of my head
Anastacia – left outside alone
Spiderbait – Calypso
Millionaires – Alcohol
Sonny and Cher - I got you
Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams – Kids
Jordan Sparks – No Air
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Lykke Li – I follow rivers
Pat Benatar – Hit me with your best shot
Jessie J – Price tag
ABBA - Money, money, money