This is kinda just a filler chapter guys but it's still info that's good to know so I hope you enjoy it anyway and don't worry Beca and Chloe will become closer soon enough!
It's All About Finding Yourself - Chapter 3
Aubrey had only started tutoring Beca in English since the start of their junior year. Dr Mitchell thought Beca needed help from someone her own age and the sixteen year old seemed to be the best option for Beca, Dr Mitchell knowing fully well that the blonde excelled in her English. Although in Beca's eyes, her father was always rattling on about how well Aubrey does in English for her age and Beca constantly has to remind him that her and Aubrey work at the same level in math.
"How do you do that?" Beca asked as she intently watched Aubrey's hand glide with ease across the paper. The two girls were sitting on Beca's bed cross-legged, surrounded by textbooks.
"Do what?" Aubrey asked distractedly as she continued to take notes down on her piece of paper. Beca's English teacher had asked Aubrey to note down everything she did with Beca to show her every time she was over. Beca continued to stare in envy at the blonde's handwriting, she envied the way she could join the letters with such ease and speed, she envied the way her words didn't become smudged due to her being right handed.
"Write so perfectly" Beca huffed, folding her arms across her chest. "This is hopeless, you're wasting your time." Beca shook her head as she picked up the textbook next to her. "I can't spell properly at the best of times and when I try to read even though I have my glasses on it still just looks like a random bunch of letters!" Beca slammed the text book and threw it to the side before holding her head in her hands. "Nobody listens to me when I say that I genuinely can't do it, they all just think I slack off. No, I actually try I just...can't." She explained helplessly. Aubrey lifted her head and clicked her pen, she chewed on her bottom lip as she stared out the window in deep thought.
"I'll tell you what, you don't have to do anymore tonight" Aubrey came to the conclusion as something sparked in her mind that Beca was unaware of.
The next morning Aubrey took a visit to Mr McKay's classroom in the languages department before the first bell rang. "Mornin' Aubrey" He greeted as he walked around the classroom, placing a Spanish textbook on each desk.
"Hey Mr McKay, I need to ask you a favour. I need you to speak to a teacher for me." She walked up to his desk and leant against it, folding her arms across her chest.
"Which teacher?"
"Mrs Thomson along in English."
"But I thought you were in Miss Daniels' class?" He turned around with a furrowed brow once he had placed the last textbook down, walking towards Aubrey.
"Oh I am, it's not for me it's for Beca." Mr McKay's brow was still furrowed as he chewed on his bottom lip, wondering why Aubrey came to him regarding Beca. He was almost positive that the two weren't the best of friends but what he did know was that Aubrey tutored Beca in English. "I think I know why she struggles in English so much. I want you to talk to Mrs Thompson about getting Beca tested for dyslexia." She said seriously.
"Really?"
"Well what she was saying to me yesterday about how she finds it so difficult that she physically can't and that her dad and Mrs Thompson just say she has a terrible work ethic. I know dyslexia when I see it, my eight year old cousin has it, he was struggling so much that it affected all his other subjects and I mean Beca's seventeen how has no one ever noticed?" Aubrey turned around and rested her hands upon the desk as Mt McKay took his seat at it.
"What's worrying me is how you discovered instead of a qualified English teacher who should be able to spot these sort of things. Sometimes I want to throttle that woman, I mean she doesn't care much for the kids, I've never really liked her." He glanced up at Aubrey who had an amused smile on her face. "That just there stays between me and you." He warned with a smile on his face.
"This is why you're my favourite teacher." Aubrey shook her head with a giggle.
"So how's Beca doing in other subjects?"
"Math is definitely her biggest strength and she also does really well in physics because of her high standard of math but her dad always looks straight past that since he's a professor of English. She's in biology with Jesse and Stacie and those two are well rounded in all of their subjects so yeah, other than English she does really well." She explained. "So will you talk to Mrs Thompson?" She asked hopefully.
Mr McKay nodded. "This was really responsible of you Aubrey because Beca would never go talk to anyone about it herself, now when has she got English?"
"First period."
"Great. I'll just get somebody to watch my class for ten minutes while I go talk to her, thanks again Aubrey."
Keeping his word like he always does, Mr McKay showed up at Beca's English classroom right at the start of first period. Knocking on the door, he grabbed the attention of Mrs Thompson along with the rest of the class, including Beca who gave him a smile (he wasn't just Aubrey's favourite teacher) "Mrs Thompson could I have a word with you please?" He asked and the said woman stood up from her desk. "And Beca." He added, motioning for Beca to come outside. She furrowed her brow at him but obliged anyway. Once he had got the two outside he closed the door behind him before placing a hand on Beca's shoulder. "Mrs Thompson, Aubrey came to me this morning asking me for a favour. That favour was to come talk to you about Beca." Mrs Thompson folded her arms across her chest, glancing down at Beca before back up to Mr McKay. "Now I've been informed that you've accused Beca of slacking off but I can tell you from personal experience that she doesn't in my class and did you know Beca and Aubrey are in a class of seniors for their math? Two juniors don't get into a class higher than their year level if they "slack off" Mr McKay could practically feel Beca smirking beside him, it was just so her. "She genuinely struggles in your class with her reading and writing have you ever actually considered that maybe she has a learning difficulty?" He felt Beca shrug out of his grip so he glanced down at her and he gave him and expression of what seemed like betrayal. "Beca just trust me-"
"Aubrey came to you and told you I have some sort of learning difficulty? I'm not fucking retarded."
"Language!" Mrs Thompson unfolded her arms and pointed her finger accusingly at Beca.
"Beca calm down, it just means your brain works differently from anyone else." Mr McKay knew what Beca's language was like so he never bothered scolding her for it anymore.
"No it means I'm an idiot." Beca stubbornly responded, folding her arms, looking Mr McKay dead in the eye.
"It doesn't Beca." Mrs Thompson finally stepped in with something other than negativity. "If you get tested and it turns out you are dyslexic then it'll be much easier for teachers to help you."
"I don't know if you were listening to a word Mr McKay was saying but he basically said that your class is the only one I suck in, my other teachers don't need to know how to teach me, you do!" Beca exclaimed, pointing her finger accusingly at her English teacher.
"Beca come with me, you need to cool off." Mr McKay placed his hand back on Beca's shoulder and lead her off down the hallway, giving Mrs Thompson a nod as if to say he had it under control. "Beca listen..." He began and Beca reluctantly lifted her head up to look at him. "Don't you want to know why you have to try harder than anyone else?"
Beca sighed heavily "What about my dad though?"
"What do you mean? It's not like he's gonna go crazy at you or anything for being dyslexic, he's a good guy Bec he just wants you to try your best." He assured, leading Beca into a room which was unfamiliar to her. A woman that must've been in her late twenties, early thirties was sat at a table, adjusting her glasses as she smiled at Mr McKay and Beca. "Before I came along to your class this morning, I arranged something for you just in case you actually agreed and now you have so that's great." Mr McKay let go of Beca's shoulder and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
"What is this?" Beca asked slowly and the unfamiliar woman spoke up.
"I'm Miss Bennett, I'm the special education director here at Barden High." Beca only nodded slowly. "And Mr McKay here asked me if I could help you." Beca so badly wanted to tell everybody that she didn't need any help since she had made it this far on her own but in the back of her mind she knew this was for the better. Mr McKay placed a hand on Beca's back.
"You take a seat, I'll be right outside waiting on you" He said before he exited the room, leaving Beca awkwardly standing there.
"I've looked through your file." Miss Bennett began and Beca took a seat, fondling with her fingers nervously on the table. "You're a very intelligent girl, Beca. You'd be surprised how many bright kids like you don't get any testing done. Now don't be nervous, the good thing about this test is that there is no right or wrong answer." She smiled, putting Beca at ease slightly as she reached for a stack of cards. "Now I want you to read the numbers in numerical order and then the letters in alphabetical order." She turned one of the cards over, holding it up in front of her so that Beca could see. Luckily for Beca, she still had her glasses on since she was just pulled out of English.
"This isn't going to prove anything since I'm actually good at math."
"Please just do it for me." Miss Bennett calmly responded.
"One, nine, T" She replaced the card "Two, seven, K, F" After around eight more cards were shown to Beca, they moved onto the next test.
"Okay, now I want you to read the words off of the cards." She held up the first card and Beca leaned forward on the desk.
"School" The next card was shown "Then" Another one was brought to the front "Flowers" As the fourth card was shown Beca squinted her eyes, not recognising the word. "I don't know what that says."
"Try sounding it out."
"I can't." She replied through gritted teeth and that card was quickly sent to the back of the pile.
Mr McKay impatiently waited outside, leaning against the lockers as the tests were being carried out, it didn't take much longer though for Beca to emerge from the room, not looking so pleased with herself. "I guess all of you were right, I'm dyslexic." Beca's arms dropped helplessly by her sides, staring down at her feet.
"Hey don't worry about it, just because you aren't the best at reading and writing doesn't mean you aren't good at anything else." He placed a comforting hand on Beca's arm causing her to look up at him. "I bet you a million dollars anybody else in that English class of yours can't be handed any piece of music for piano or guitar and be able to read that like you can." Beca smiled half-heartedly. "The only thing now is now we know why. Your brain just works a little differently than others that's all. Now try and tell me it doesn't feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders."
"I guess so." Beca wiped her eye of a tear that threatened to fall, she had been trying her hardest to keep it together in that room. "I'll be meeting with a specialist teacher everyday starting next week."
"That's great! Just as long as it doesn't intervine with glee club." He warned jokingly causing Beca to chuckle.
"Don't worry, it's during English. Look Mr McKay, I know I was stubborn at first but I wanna thank you for helping me."
"It should be Aubrey you're thanking."
Glee rehearsal was taking place in the auditorium that afternoon since Beca was going to show off her belt that Mr McKay believed was hidden inside that tiny frame of her's. Of course the said girl would be the only one late to rehearsal so Mr McKay took the opportunity to talk to the rest of the kids. "Everybody listen up. Beca's had a pretty rough day today so go easy on her - Bumper I'm looking at you - today she found out why she was struggling with English so much. It's because she's actually dyslexic so if you guys could do Beca and myself a favour by not even mentioning it to her, alright?" Everybody agreed before going back to their previous conversations.
"So you're a junior Chloe, right?" Jesse asked, continuing the conversation he, Chloe and Stacie had started before Mr McKay interuppted.
"Yeah I am, isn't everybody in this club a junior?"
"Weirdly, yes but I suppose that's a good thing since we've known each other beforehand" Stacie laughed which was almost instantly overcome by groan once she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Chloe turned back to Jesse as Stacie reached into her pocket to pull out the device.
"What do you want Ally? I'm busy." Stacie hissed down the phone at her twelve year old sister. Jesse and Chloe's heads snapped around at the harshness of Stacie's voice. Although they couldn't hear what Stacie's sister was saying they could judge what was happening due to Stacie's reactions. "What do you mean you forgot the keys? I put mine on the table for you this morning because Mom's working and Dad's at some playgroup thing with Aiden...Oh my god, so you're going to have to come here with Elliot, sit till I finish with rehearsal and then I'm going to have to drop you two off at Jesse and Beca's until I run and get keys off of Mom or Dad. That's fucking great isn't it?" Jesse and Chloe looked at each other, biting the insides of their cheeks to stop them from laughing. "Don't think I'm coming to pick you up to bring you here either, your school is right next to mine. If I'm not in the auditorium, I'll be in the choir room." And without saying goodbye Stacie hung up the phone with a huff. "Odio ser el más antiguo" Stacie muttered to herself and Chloe turned to Jesse for an explanation to Stacie's sudden change in choice of language.
"She's half Spanish." Jesse informed in a whisper. "Her dad's Spanish but her mom's American. What's up with the angry chica?" He asked Stacie with a laugh.
"Piss off, Jesse."
"Look who finally decided to show up." Jesse called up onto the stage as Beca emerged from the curtain. Beca flipped him the finger before dropping her bag onto the floor.
"Let's get this over and done with." Beca sighed, adjusting the microphone in front of her. Everybody's conversations died down once Beca gave Mr McKay the nod to start the music. Beca wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans as she licked her lips, this was her first solo in front of more than a handful of people and she was nervous to say the least. She clasped the microphone with her left hand as she counted herself in silently.
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way
She started off soft, one because she was pretty nervous and two it's one of those songs that start of soft and build up towards the climax.
And I... will always love you, ooh
Will always love you
You
My darling, you...
Mmm-mm
Bittersweet memories –
That is all I'm taking with me.
So goodbye.
Please don't cry:
We both know I'm not what you, you need
And I... will always love you
I... will always love you
You, ooh
[Instrumental]
As the instrumental began, Beca pulled the microphone out of the stand. She began to feel more confident once she saw smiles grow on her peers' faces, especially Chloe's, it looked like her face was about to split in half. Chloe was odd but aren't we all? Plus Beca found Chloe quite amusing with her bubbly attitude and the girl had a great voice too.
"Right Beca, when the chorus comes around again really push yourself." Mr McKay encouraged and Beca understood with a nod.
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this I wish you love
And I... will always love you
Beca couldn't believe it herself as she belted out the chorus in a way that even the late Whitney Houston would be proud of. Beca opened her eyes once she heard a whistle and applause from her classmates down in front of her.
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I, I will always love you.
You.
Darling, I love you.
I'll always...
I'll always love you.
Ooh
Ooh
Beca finished the song with a huge grin on her face. Looks like she was good at other things. Even though she performed Toxic with the rest of the group in front of the school, Stacie and Jesse were the only ones with solos, Beca sang parts with Aubrey.
"Looks like we've found our powerhouse for sectionals!" Mr McKay cheered with a huge smile on his face.
After rehearsal Stacie made Beca call her dad, asking if it's okay if Ally and Stacie's six year old brother, Elliot could stay at their house till Stacie went out to get keys from either her dad or her mom. The good thing was that Beca's dad and Stacie's dad were very good friends so it was no bother to Dr Mitchell but with having Sheila and Rachael over the house was a little crowded so Jesse took Elliot with him into his room and Beca sat with Stacie and Ally in her room. Ally disappeared off to to the bathroom and Stacie stood up with a stretch.
"I better actually go. I'll probably be about half an hour." Stacie explained, pulling out her phone.
"Okay, I'll see you when you get back." Beca rolled over onto her back on her bed, taking up the space which Stacie had just vacated. Stacie left the room, closing Beca's door behind her. Beca let her eyes drift close, she felt sorry for Stacie being the oldest out of four, she being seventeen, Ally twelve, Elliot six and Aiden two, Beca didn't know how she survived.
"Stacie!" Beca's left eye shot open as she heard a yell that could've only come from Ally. "Stacie!" Beca rolled off of her bed to see what all the fuss was about.
"What're you shouting about, kiddo?" Beca asked, knocking on the bathroom door.
"Where's Stacie?"
"She left about a minute ago, what's up?" An amused smile grew on Beca's face because she had a rough idea of what was up.
"What's up is that I need my sister." She snapped back.
"Okay now that you've just snapped back at me I know exactly what's up. Look Ally, I'm a girl too, I've been through the exact same girl shit your sister has so just confirm my theory."
"I'm bleeding to death!"
"Calm down, you've just started your first period. I'm not due mine so I don't have a anything for you but I'll check your sister's bag." Beca went back into her room and lifted Stacie's bag onto her bed before raking through it. "You have too much shit in your bag Stacie." She grumbled under her breath. The only thing useful for this situation was a bunch of tampons in the pocket of Stacie's bag but she knew Ally wouldn't want to use them since its her first time and all. It was completely pointless to look in Stacie's bag in the first place because Beca and her mostly only use tampons. Beca groaned as she exited her room and knocked on the bathroom door. "I'm gonna have to go and buy you pads" Beca rested her head against the door as she waited for a response.
"So you just expect me to wait here?"
"Kinda, because I'm not in the mood to explain to you how to put a tampon in." Beca rolled her eyes.
"Oh..."
"Yeah 'oh...' I'll be ten minutes tops."
"Fine." Beca rolled her eyes once again, if there was someone more stubborn than her, it was Ally. Beca checked all of her pockets as she walked downstairs. Great, she had no money on her. She heard movement in the kitchen so she decided to pass by the living room, knowing fully well the Sheila and Rachael were in there so it must've been her dad in the kitchen.
"Dad, I need money." She jumped up onto the counter beside where he was making coffee.
"I hear that almost daily." He chuckled "It depends what it's for."
"Well Ally is up in bathroom claiming that she's bleeding to death and I need to go buy her pads." She explained, jumping down off the counter. Dr Mitchell placed the teaspoon down and reached into his back pockets, pulling out a ten dollar bill.
"Here you go, I don't have any change." Beca took the money and stuffed it into her own pocket.
"Thanks Dad, I'll only be about ten minutes."
"Yeah you better be quick, the poor girl's stuck up there in the bathroom." He chuckled and Beca rolled eyes at her father.
like I said this is kinda just a filler chapter but you guys did find out a few things.
Beca's dyslexic
She's the powerhouse of the glee club now
Confirmed age of Chloe
Stacie's half Spanish(Excuse my Google translate Spanish)
Stacie has too many siblings hahaha.
So pretty much random things but ya know it's good for the story. Did you all like the interaction between Beca and Ally?
Trust me I have the perfect idea for Beca and Chloe to become closer ;) Please tell me what ya thought :D