So I guess I'm kinda back? I just felt suddenly inspired again with this story.
So here's the next chapter.
ENJOY.
The Riff-off
Jane groans at the invading sound. With eyes clenching tighter, she reaches toward the sound of the phone. Her hand smacks the bedcovers but doesn't hit the device. She groans again as she realizes that she'll have to open her eyes if she wants to stop the ringing. She reluctantly cracks them open and then glares at the offending object that sits just out of her fingers' reach. Jane grabs the phone quickly when she reads the caller ID.
"Aubrey, is everything okay?"
"Beca broke Chloe," Aubrey answers.
"What?"
"Beca jumped in with some song at the Riff-off and Chloe's been quiet ever since it ended."
"What song?" Jane asks curiously.
"I didn't know it."
"You didn't know it?"
"I don't know every song known to man," Aubrey retorts defensively.
"Okay. Okay. Where's Chloe now?"
"Just in her room."
"Well, did you guys win?" Jane asks curiously.
Aubrey huffs. "No. Because of a stupid rule, but Beca shouldn't have just run out there and gone all rogue with her rapping and all."
"She rapped? Nice."
"No, Jane," Aubrey scolds "It wasn't nice. I mean, well, it was a little interesting to see, but she cost us the Riff-Off."
"You just said a rule caused you guys to lose."
"Yes, but if she would have consulted the group first…" Aubrey trails off in a frustrated growl.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"I just really wanted to win, you know. No one thinks I can do this."
"Do you?"
"I don't know." Aubrey rubs her hand over her face.
"You can. I believe in you. So does Maura and Chloe. Just give yourself some time to adapt. From what Chloe says, these Bellas are completely different than the last ones. It will work out."
Aubrey lets out a cleansing breath. "Thanks, Jane."
"No problem, kid. Alright, let's see if I can get Chloe out of her daze."
"Please." Aubrey walks to Chloe's bedroom door. She sees Chloe lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. Aubrey rolls her eyes. She knows on the open door. "Hey, phone for you. It's Jane."
Chloe sits up on her elbows to look at Aubrey. "Why'd she call you?"
"I called her." Aubrey enters the room. She holds the phone out for the redhead.
"Oh. Okay." Chloe takes the phone.
"I'll leave you two alone. I'll be watching TV." Aubrey leaves the room.
"Hello," Chloe says and lies back down. She grabs her stuffed ladybug and holds it close.
"Hey, Bug. So I hear Beca made you speechless," Jane jokes. "What song was it?"
"No Diggity," Chloe answers wistfully.
"I figured," Jane laughs.
This was one of Chloe's favorite songs and Jane and Maura had no idea why. Maura never censored the music Chloe listened to much unless it was laced with extreme profanity. And somehow Chloe had discovered this song in high school and it was history. That song could be heard playing at least once a week for two months. Chloe had to get the lyrics and flow down of course. And if it wasn't playing, Chloe was singing parts of it. It was stuck in her head, and, therefore, got stuck in Jane and Maura's heads. Which led to the embarrassing incident of Barry walking in on them as they sang it while Maura was doing an autopsy of an elderly man. As soon as Aubrey told Jane the song Beca did including rapping, she had a pretty good idea of what song could make the redhead speechless if done by the girl's crush.
"She was so good, Aunt Jane," Chloe gushes with a grin. "Confident, and sexy, and on point. Her flow was amazing."
Jane laughs. "Well, I can see you're not speechless anymore."
"I'm just saying it was impressive."
"Aubrey said you guys lost."
"Yeah. It wasn't Beca's fault. It was a stupid technicality. Aubrey didn't take it well."
Jane hums in contemplation.
"What?"
"Just wondering when you're going to ask Beca out."
Chloe hugs her stuffed ladybug closer. "I don't know if I should. I can't tell if she's interested or not. Sometimes it feels like she is, other times it doesn't."
"Didn't you tell me she was checking out and appreciating the goods before?" Jane shudder after she finishes her question.
Chloe laughs, "Maybe."
"So, it seems to me you should take the chance. Wouldn't it be better to just find out?"
"I don't know."
"You do."
Chloe sighs. "I don't want to make things weird. You know, with us in the Bellas if she says she's not interested, you know."
"Aren't things already weird? She's basically your best friend's arch-nemisis," Jane jokes.
"She is not," Chloe protests with a laugh. "Well, I guess from Aubrey's point of view, maybe."
"I think you should give it a shot."
"It's not that easy. She might be interested in the Treble."
"Or she might be interested in you. Sounds like a coin toss, but at least you can move on if you have an answer."
"You're right," Chloe concedes. "I just have to do it."
"Just do it," Jane agrees. "Try not to overthink it and be clear."
"Okay," Chloe breathes out. "Thanks, Aunt Jane."
"No problem, Bug," Jane answers. "You heading to sleep?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, talk later."
"Bye." Chloe hangs up.
Chloe sighs and stares at the ceiling for a few moments. She clutches her stuffed animal tighter as her fingers run back and forth along the red and black body.
"Bree?" Chloe calls out.
She hears Aubrey make her way to her room. "Hey, what's up?"
She holds out her phone. "Nothing really."
The blonde takes the phone and flops down onto her stomach on the bed beside her best friend.
"So, you're not mute anymore. That's good. But something's wrong."
"No."
"You're clutching Bailey. I know your tells, Chlo. Do you need your tea? Is your throat bothering you?
"No. I'm fine."
Aubrey lies her head on Chloe's leg.
"Well, don't worry too much. Today was a setback, but everything will work out. It has to."
So you've reached the end. Are you guys still there? What'd you think of my comeback (probably shouldn't call it that, for some reason that's anxiety inducing haha).
Anyway. Tell me what you think? How you're feeling? Should Chloe give it a shot?
TVCrazed :D