Thanks for waiting. Glad you guys are enjoying it. I'm still going with this story I just write slow. I do not own Pitch Perfect, songs mentioned, and only understand some basics of German so bear with me. I'm trying to learn though. That being said, should I include my translations at the end of each chapter? I think not knowing adds to the feeling Beca would get not knowing. But if you think that is bullshit. Let me know, I'll add them.
4
Beca slowly dragged her feet through the front doors of the studio the next day. She never had such mixed feelings about a day at work. She was excited to work with DSM in a professional sense but dreaded spending so much time with Kommissar. The woman just annoyed Beca. She could not be too upset with that though because she had spent the previous night trying to impress her in a roundabout way.
Beca had settled on the reason being strictly acapella rivalry and respect. That was a thing. It had to be because her actions and thoughts were not making sense to her. The only people Beca has ever wanted to impress was her bosses because they could get her promoted. Kommissar could not do that but perhaps she could sing her praises to Beca's boss. If I do a good job, that is. Beca mentally groaned. She did not want to think about the blonde menace having any say in her future career.
She dropped her stuff off at her desk and immediately circulated for any employees that had not gotten their lunch yet. Most of them were creatures of habit so Beca knew how they liked their coffee or what burrito to get. It made her Tuesday afternoon routine quick and painless. She did not mind her half days at the studio but today was going to be more eventful. Four o'clock quickly approached and Beca found herself outside one of the large meeting rooms. She took a deep breath to ready herself and opened the door.
The large conference table was surrounded by people in black jackets. Conversations ceased as all eyes turned to Beca as her eyes scanned the large group nervously. Eventually she found Kommissar seated next to Pieter on the other side of the table. Her blonde hair was clipped back loosely making it the most casual Beca has ever seen it. The whole group wore matching DSM apparel but had different style pants or cargos. Collectively gathered in front of Beca, they were rather intimidating. Beca had only come across a small number so far but all of them together really made her anxious. They made the 20 seat table seem cramped.
"Guten tag. You are on time. Good." Kommissar said then gestured in front of her. "Take a seat."
She moved down the table to stand across from Kommissar. Most of DSM were sitting on the other side of the table so she only had to sit next to a few members. She took the vacant chair. "Guten tag." Oh god. Stop it! Beca didn't know what to do so she made a fuss of placing her laptop bag on the table in front of her. She peeked under her lashes to see the Kommissar smirking at her. It's too early for this.
"Introductions first, ja? DSM, Beca. Beca, DSM." The blonde gestured with her hands.
"Hallo!" Fourteen voices barked quickly it actually startled Beca. She knew the blonde saw her flinch but she made a point to ignore whatever look she would get and look around the table.
They're all robots. "Uh hi." Beca lifted her hand awkwardly but refused to wave it in the general direction of anywhere.
A woman sitting off to the side of Pieter giggled out to woman next to her. "Sie ist sprunghaft."
Kommissar sternly spoke without letting her eyes stray from Beca. "Ruhig. Now to business. I have gathered the song choices for this medley idea of yours. Each one recommended by a member."
Kommissar slid a notebook across the table to Beca. She took it and scanned the page. Her eyes widened slightly. "This page is almost full!"
"Ja. Will that work?"
"I mean you can put together many songs but I didn't think this project was going to be so big. What happened to one song a person?" Thinking of the hours it would take to mix together so many songs was getting Beca riled up. She definitely had no time for that.
The smirk that graced the blonde's lips was the first sign to Beca something was up. Someone down the table with a goofy smile spoke up. "Ihre Stimme klingt wie ein Teekessel." The quiet laughter and smiles around the table was the second sign.
Pieter cleared his throat erasing his own smile. "Calm down, little mouse, we are joking with you. Und es ist amüsant." The statement did nothing to stop more laughs, giggles, and Beca's embarrassment to rise. Not to mention her irritation.
I hate multilingual people. Her face showed her distaste.
Kommissar's stern voice spoke up again. "Genug. Nur Englisch sprechen für jetzt." Kommissar swept her eyes around the table to make sure her words were heard. For everyone but Beca they were so Beca was the only one still upset that she was being excluded.
"Look I don't want to be that asshole American but would you, please, speak English." Beca took a deep breath. "For now anyway."
Kommissar only gave her an amused smile and nodded her head. "Of course, little one. I apologize. It is only natural for us to speak in our native tongue but we must practice control when on travel. You were saying?"
Beca relaxed greatly at Kommissar's calming tone and immediately felt like an ass. "No it's okay, really, I'd just like to understand you." Beca said becoming shy again. She fiddled with the straps on her bag and stared at the notebook page even though she did not understand a word.
"As Pieter was saying, we are only joking. The first fifteen songs are the final choices. The rest, well, we got carried away. There are many good songs back home." There were murmurs of agreement and Beca relaxed further. Fifteen was a lot but it was better than forty something songs.
Beca quickly shot a glare at Kommissar for playing with her like that. It did nothing to stop the blonde's satisfied smile. Beca noticed Pieter with his own smug smile and mentally groaned at the thought of two pains in the ass in the group.
Turning back to the notebook Beca deflated slightly. "Ok obviously I don't know these songs and even when I listen to them I still won't understand them so this will take time." Beca pulled out a pen to mark the first fifteen songs.
Kommissar leaned forward in her seat. "Four of them are American songs. I only wrote them down in their German translated title."
"What? Which ones? That'd make it a little easier."
Kommissar pointed them out while translating them back. Too Close by Alex Clare, Get Lucky by Daft Punk, Diamonds by Rihanna, and Wake Me Up by Avicci were quickly written in by their translated counterparts by Beca. Those were good fast beat dance songs and it was perfect. She smiled at the paper thinking this project got a little better. "Ok, those are really good songs and are quite fun to mix." She looked around the room waiting for Kommissar or even Pieter to say something. When she was greeted by silence and an expectant look from the leader, Beca hesitantly continued. "Uh so why don't I go through the list and you can tell me about the song. In general, I don't need release dates or anything. Just like how the song sounds and the feel of it, ya know?"
"Of course."
Beca pointed to the first one. "Uh this one. Auf uns by Andreas Bourani? Sorry if I pronounce it badly."
"It is alright. You were close. It translates as To Us. Geri you picked it." Kommissar gestured to a dark haired, thin man sitting on Beca's side. He perked up at his leader's attention.
"Ja. I love it. It is a medium paced song with a good beat and nice violin pieces. Bourani speaks of living and enduring a moment for yourself, for all, for us." The man grinned at Beca. She smiled slightly at him clearly seeing his connection to the song.
"Great. Thanks. Does it feel like an inspirational song?" Beca asked and the man nodded quickly. "Cool." Beca made some notes next to the song name.
"What is it that you are thinking?" Kommissar asked, nodding to the notes.
"Well, instead of just having the songs in a random order I was thinking of combining songs with a similar feeling. Of course any slower ones can be matched but it wouldn't be hard to mix them in more near the end."
"So you actually have a small idea of what you are doing?" Pieter said with a raise of an eyebrow. Kommissar did not hide the glare she directed towards the man. Beca looked confused as to how to respond.
"Well I have been mixing for years and lead my own acapella group since last year so…yeah." Beca shrugged a shoulder, not sure if she should be defensive or shy about that fact now. Pieter raised both eyebrows and held back an amused chuckle.
"A whole year? Little troll, we have done this for five."
"Pieter."
"Did you call me a troll?"
Silence fell over the room. DSM members looked between the trio shooting glares at each other. At least the two women were glaring at the man.
"Kontrolle selber, Idiot! Ich werde mich nicht wiederholen." Beca saw the blonde's jaw clench as she bit out the words. She did not have to know any German to know Kommissar was reprimanding the guy.
Pieter only smirked at his leader. "Du sprichst Deutsch, mein Kommissar."
The blonde smiled an evil smile. "Thank you for volunteering to buy lunch for the rest of the group this week, Pieter." The man's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Kommissar turned back to Beca. "I apologize for the rudeness of this big child. Your idea makes sense so it is what we will do."
The door to the room opened quickly and Beca's boss stepped in. "I'm sorry I didn't know DSM scheduled their own meeting. Which is fine. Use the room and the studio, you know, as long as it's not being used but- Betty, what are you doing here? " He eyed Beca curiously.
Beca did not know how to respond and only managed to mumble incoherently and point to Kommissar. Thankfully the blonde was quicker in thought. She stood and addressed Beca's boss. "DSM had an idea for a project and I enlisted Beca to help with arrangements."
He eyed Beca as if he was torn between speaking his annoyance and saving face. "I'm sure she has other duties to attend to."
"Were you not the one to say any and all help is necessary? We want to finish the album quickly, yes?" Kommissar spoke smoothly and Beca was impressed. The blonde stood to her full height and did not falter her gaze that was confident but not disrespectful.
"Of course. I'm simply surprised. Let's talk about setting up more studio time." He gestured to the door and Kommissar nodded.
"Please continue and I will return shortly." She said looking between Beca and Pieter. She walked out of the room and Beca's boss closed the door soundly. The sound seemed to echo over the sudden silence in the room. Pieter sat staring at the door with a displeased and pensive look.
"I'm not- I didn't- that is, I thought my boss knew about this already." Beca quickly added. "He didn't seem too happy about it. Maybe this isn't a good idea."
"Der Kommissar will handle it. She said to continue." Pieter said shortly, nodding to Beca. She held his unwavering gaze for a moment and then focused on the list.
"Uh ok, the second is- yeah I know I'm going to say this wrong...Jets Guest Do Vig by Rah-keed?" The snickering that erupted around the table proved she did in fact butcher those words. It made her even more embarrassed. "Okay I know, calm down."
Pieter corrected her seriously. "It is Jetzt gehst du weg or in English Now You Go Away by Rakede. Eliza, that is your choice."
A dark haired, tan women on the opposite side smiled wide. "Yeah, it reminds me of electronic reggae. It is slow, melodic, and with good bass beats. The song sums up feelings of a break up or lost love to another."
Beca made some notes while nodding along. "Ok, great. Next…"
Before Beca could try to sound out a title very badly Pieter spoke up. "You think you can do a good job with no understanding of the music?" He looked pretty serious. Not this again.
"I'm not sure but I'm going to try. That's why I'm going through them. Honestly, I've never done anything exactly like this but I'm going to give it my best shot because Kommissar wanted my help. If you have a problem with that, well, I think you already know what she'd say." Beca kept her voice level and firm. She hardly dared to blink as they stared at one another. Pieter seemed to think on her words and size her up.
He must of finished his analytical thoughts because he leaned back in his chair and nonchalantly spoke. "Take a pill to cool yourself. I was simply asking you a question."
She furrowed her brows. "You mean take a chill pill?"
"Not a cold pill but a pill at room temperature to make you cool."
"I think you're confusing the contexts there."
"I do not think I am."
Beca shook her head, already knowing that their conversation would result in a headache. "Whatever dude. I think this will work and Kommissar said it was ok so…this is how we do it."
Beca lowered her gaze and missed the sudden lightness shining in Pieter's eyes. "This is how we do it." He mumbled slashed hummed under his breath.
Beca looked up at the odd sound. "What?"
The man scrunched his face. "Nothing." He looked over to a short haired blonde man and they shared a knowing look. They smirked at each other and bobbed their heads in unison minutely. Beca eyed them curiously and finally understood what he said.
"Do you know that song?" Beca was more surprised than she thought she would be.
Pieter simply shrugged which actually made Beca smile. This guy is holding back on me. She cleared her throat and the man's eyes snapped up to hers.
"This is how we do it." She sang.
As if on an unspoken cue the short haired blonde started beatboxing flawlessly. It surprised Beca. A few others must have seen it coming because they repeated the line effortlessly. Beca grinned at their joined efforts and got caught up in the beat. She bobbed her head along and harmonized with them as best she could. Pieter's smirk grew into a childish smile and he joined in.
"This is how we do it
It is a Friday night and I feel alright
The party is here on the west side
So I reach for my forty and I turn it up
Designated driver take the keys to my truck
Hit the shore cause I'm faded
Honeys in the street say 'Monty we made it'
I feel so good in my hood tonight
The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani
All the gang bangers forgot about the drive by
You gotta get your groove on before you get paid
So tip up your cup and throw your hands up
And let me hear the party say"
Half the group chimed in for the chorus. Even for an impromptu song they harmonized really well. Beca vaguely remembered her first year's riff off.
"I'm kinda buzzed and it's all because
This is how we do it
South Central does it like nobody does
This is how we do it
To all my neighbors you got much flavor
This is how we do it"
The group sang the title while Beca and Pieter sang the other lines. Beca smiled at the man's thick accent while singing and Pieter just looked pleased with himself. They would have continued if it was not for the leader who had been standing just inside the door for a while. When no one made a sign to see her she moved around to the head of the table. When eyes caught on her, one by one each member fell silent.
Beca caught on after Pieter and they both looked like children caught in the cookie jar. "I leave for two minutes and this is what I return to?" She eyed everyone at the table before settling on her second in command.
"Kommissar-"
"I started it." Beca cut Pieter off. "It just kinda came up while we were talking. It's a fun song to sing…we could throw it in the medley."
Pieter's eyes lit up. "Ja!"
Kommissar made her way to her seat. "No, Pieter, I have talked with you about this already. It will not mix well."
Pieter sagged his shoulders and Beca furrowed her eyebrows. "It won't be difficult to do really."
"DSM has certain standards in our music selections. Besides, the medley songs are recent hits not decades old. It will stand out too much."
"Standards? It's hip hop." Beca said not understanding what the Kommissar was driving at. She received a stern look.
"I have made my decision, little one." By her tone Beca knew not to push it but by her features she knew the German was not upset with her. So with a tight lipped smile Beca nodded once and returned her attention to the list. She missed the strained look the two Germans shared in front of her.
A half hour later Beca had made it through the first fifteen songs and sighed heavily as she put her pen down. Each member spoke up when their song was named, sometimes very badly by Beca, and they explained the song as best they could. Beca would find her down time very interesting when she would have to listen to them and look up the lyrics…and translations. Through it all Kommissar only spoke when she encouraged Beca or a member to speak or comment on something. Her mind seemed to be elsewhere but Beca was too focused with the project to really care. Despite being slightly distracted Kommissar, or even Pieter, did not hesitate to tease Beca about her bad pronunciation of a word or help her sound it out. Very slowly some of her high school language class was coming back to her and she did not fumble over letter sounds so much.
"Now that we have the songs set we will need to do the actual arrangements." Kommissar said while looking at her watch. "We have a meeting with our manager at six so we must schedule another session." She smiled to Beca before directing a more mischievous one to Pieter. "Dinner will not buy itself, Pieter."
Pieter pouted as menacingly as he could but it came off childishly grumpy than intimidating. "I hoped you forgot that." He grumbled as he rose and motioned for DSM to rise. "Mitkommen, DSM. Keine teuer Essen!" Beca watched as the large group smoothly exited, some giving her small smiles and waves.
"I've never seen a room empty so quickly." Beca commented quietly.
Kommissar shrugged. "German efficiency and large appetites." Beca could not help but smile at that. She locked eyes with the blonde for a moment forgetting if she responded already or not. Kommissar smiled softly as she held Beca's gaze. "And you, tiny mouse? Hast du Hunger?"
Beca huffed mentally at another short nickname. "Now it's tiny? What happened to little? And I'm nothing like a mouse. That's just...silly."
Kommissar chuckled lightly. "Maybe you are shrinking. You seem to have a tendency to squeak when riled or surprised. Have you not noticed?"
Beca delivered her best stone cold resting bitch face at the blonde. "No, I have not noticed because that's not a thing. I don't do that." Kommissar smiled amused and unbelieving. "Shut up." Beca grumbled. "And yes, I'm hungry."
"Ah, so you understood me. Sehr gut." Beca rolled her eyes at the blonde's pleased smile while ignoring the rising heat in her chest at the look. "Perhaps you would join me for dinner after my meeting and we can discuss the project some more. Without Pieter's interference." The blonde added quickly. Beca checked the time on her phone.
"I might be able to get away from the Bellas but I doubt it. Especially since it's Halloween Eve, I'm sure they have something planned and I won't be able to get out of it." She gave the Kommissar an apologetic smile. "I guess we'll meet up again soon to continue."
As Beca gathered her stuff and began to rise, Kommissar quickly did the same while writing on the list of songs page. "I would like to get this finished sooner rather than later. Take the list and go over it and let me know if you have questions." Beca looked at the offered page Kommissar tore out of the notebook.
"Yeah, ok-" She paused when she saw a group of numbers at the top of the page. Beca looked at the Kommissar puzzled.
"You will need my number since we are working together. I will inform you when I can reserve a meeting room again or we could meet elsewhere." Kommissar stood to her full height, rigid, but there was something about her posture that was not showing the usual confidence. Beca could not put her finger on what it was so she returned her eyes to the page.
"Uh- sure that sounds good. I'll text you or call if I have something." Beca stuffed the paper in her bag quickly and with an awkward wave, because Beca did not like goodbyes, she walked to the door.
"Bis später, Beca."
The brunette turned to Kommissar with a confused look. Again with the random German. That does sound vaguely familiar. It's gotta be a farewell of some kind. Ugh it better not be something embarrassing. I swear- "Bis später, Kommissar." Beca said hesitantly and slow, making sure she said it just like the blonde did. The smile she received meant she most likely succeeded and that brought a smile to her own face.
That smile did not seem to leave as Beca exited the building. She chalked it up to having a legit music project for a recording music group to do. She was itching to get the songs into her mixing program and start. The journey home never felt so long before but eventually she did make it. The Bella house was humming with loud music and covered in Halloween decorations.
The walls seemed to grow more covered in random decorations and strings of lights the closer to Halloween it got but Beca did not mind. As long as someone did not-
"BOO!"
"Agh!" Beca squeaked but quickly turned it into a groan and death glare. "Knock it off, Stace! Last time I'm gonna tell you."
The tall brunette just smirked as she pulled off her werewolf mask. "Oh? And what are you gonna do, shorty?" She stuck her tongue out.
Beca held her glare. "I'll tell Chloe you're super ticklish. You don't wanna know what she'll do with that information."
"Yeah, whatever." Stacie said casually as she walked away. Is she blushing?
"Yo, girl we're waiting for you. Come on." Cynthia-Rose came up to her, motioning for the living room. Beca's eyes followed Stacie's retreating form curiously for a moment before going into the living room.
Chloe, Fat Amy, CR, and Lily sat on the couches around the coffee table. Chloe lit up when she saw Beca come into the room. "Beca Mitchell!" The redhead beamed and giggled when she realized she was being loud.
Oh, man, drunk Chloe. Beca placed her bag by the edge of the couch and moved to sit by Chloe, who immediately left no space in between them. "Guys, the Sun isn't even fully down yet. How is she this drunk?"
"I am not drunk! I just had some jiggle juice with Amy." Beca gave said blonde an accusing look.
"What? It isn't my fault the ginger can't handle my own special mix." The blonde shrugged casually as she took up half the love seat. Fat Amy looked extremely comfortable being where she was.
"You know you have classes tomorrow right?" Beca asked as she examined the mason jar they had been using as a cup on the table. The liquid inside was a dark brown and smelled like fruit and mouth wash. "And I'm pretty sure this is gonna kill more than brain cells."
CR was the one that spoke up then. "Relax B. Classes are super laid back on Halloween. It's like the professors know students won't be there." She took a drink of her own beer.
"Yeah B. Becs. Beca." Chloe giggled as she rested her head on the brunette's shoulder. "Take a chilly pill." She giggled some more and the other two girls smiled, amused at the redhead.
Beca was reminded of a dark haired German messing up the exact same saying earlier today and smiled too. "Okay. Why were you waiting for me exactly? It looks like you started already."
CR and Fat Amy spoke at once. "Food."
"You need five for night rituals." Lily mumbled.
Beca frowned and Chloe perked up and focused on Beca's face. "Yes! I want pizza from that place you like with the cheesy bread. Please?"
"They don't deliver."
"Please?" All three girls dragged out at once. Beca groaned and rolled her eyes.
Before she knew it keys were being dropped in her lap. "Take my car. We can't cause, you know, safety first." Chloe grinned at Beca.
"You guys suck." Beca said while grabbing the keys and her bag from the floor. She moved to the stairs to go up to her room. She heard a yell from the living room.
"That's not the way to pizza."
"Shut up." Beca called back, mimicking the way they dragged out their words. In her room she placed her bag down and changed into more comfortable clothes. She did not care who saw her so it was good enough. She was about to leave when a small thought crossed her mind. She retrieved her bag and pulled out the songs page and looked at the set of numbers on top.
Well, there it is. A number. Her number. Beca stared at it for a little longer, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she has the Kommissar's number. She felt silly for getting hung up on it. People exchange numbers all the time in a platonic way. It's what adults do. And you're one.
She tried not to think too much more on it as she entered the number in her phone and left her room. She caught one more look into the living room and noticed Stacie had taken her spot on the couch. She shook her head lightly.
"I'll be back later, nerds!" She called out to the room.
"Bye!" "You're a hero!" "Later!" "Thanks, Becs!" Beca heard as she closed the door and made her way to her favorite pizza joint in the area. It was barely ten minutes to get there but waiting on the order would be about twenty. After she made it, ordered, and sat in Chloe's car to wait, she became bored. Her phone's game apps were not holding her attention.
It was almost 7:30 when she found herself eyeing the new addition in her contacts. Her thumb hovered over the entry 'Tall German' for a long while. Beca set the name to the first thing she could think of. She would only change it when the damn woman would give her real name. This is stupid. She's a business client. Strictly professional. I can send a professional text in the evening on a Wednesday. That's something adults do. She sighed deeply and opened a new text message.
B: Hey, it's Beca. Just wanted to let you know I'm busy.
Beca eyed the text and huffed frustrated, erasing the line. 'That sounds so stupid'
B: Hey, it's Beca. I won't be able to meet tonight. The Bellas need me.
Just for food but whatever. Beca eyed the text a little while before deciding it was good enough. It was only polite to let Kommissar know that she could not meet. She dropped her phone to the passenger seat and tried to build up the courage to hit send.
That is when she noticed it had been twenty minutes and her order should be done. She went inside to pick it up and got back into the vehicle. The smell of pizza made Beca really just want to get home quick. The boxes of pizza and cheesy bread were placed on top of her phone making Beca forget what she had been doing. Her journey home felt longer and shorter at the same time.
Upon entering the house Beca was surrounded by greedy hands. She was left at the front door empty handed and hungry. "Hey! I deserve first slice!" She yelled following the hungry horde of drunk girls into the living room.
Pizza was devoured quickly by all. They sat on the couches and floor laughing and talking about their past Halloween tales. One of the girls said something about a creepy German folktale they heard and Beca instantly thought of the blonde Kommissar. Crap. I didn't text her at all. Beca checked the time and saw that it was almost nine. It's probably too late, right? No, she couldn't be asleep so early. Beca went back to her text messages as she mentally debated. She deleted the previous draft. Just keep it simple.
B: Hey its Beca.
She wondered if she should add more but decided against it. Just go for it! Beca pushed herself and she hit send. As soon as it was sent Beca felt relieved and anxious about a response. She half listened to the girls talk as she fiddled with her phone in her lap. A very long couple minutes later her phone dinged. Beca hurriedly opened it.
TG: Hallo, little one. How are you?
B: Good. I meant to text earlier that I'd be busy tonight. Well not really but the Bellas kinda needed me. So…sorry.
Great, now I'm rambling in text
TG: It is okay. You said you would be.
B: Yeah I guess I'd let you know. And now you have my number. In case you needed it.
B: And how are you?
Smooth Beca. Nice recovery.
TG: Thanks I suppose. I am doing well. I am getting ready to workout soon.
Beca tried not to imagine the tall blonde in workout leggings and tank top. She did try but she failed.
B: Right of course you workout this late. While I just stuffed my face with pizza.
Why did I say that?! Ugh good move.
TG: I do workout in the mornings too. DSM does afternoon sessions during practices as well. What does pizza have to do with it?
B: So half your day is being in the gym? I would never do that. And I mean I feel like a fatty because I just ate a bunch of pizza...and hate the gym.
TG: I do not spend so much time daily but I do keep a rigorous schedule as best I can. Not just in a gym. You should not feel that way at all. Tiny mice need their wheel of cheese ja?
Beca huffed at her phone. Now she's got the mouse puns. I shouldn't be surprised about her working out so much. Her body always looks so- Beca blanked out for a second, unsure how to describe it as well as uncertain if she should be thinking it. Beca looked around the room in a bit of a daze. She was not sure of what to say so she would go back to her default.
B: Whatever.
That'll show her. She thought sarcastically. Beca dropped her phone to the couch, for a moment ignoring any response the blonde would give to that. The Bellas had enough of Halloween stories and moved to teasing each other about past party shenanigans. Chloe had gotten Stacie, Jessica, and Ashley to dancing there in the living room. Beca did not even know they turned the music up so loud.
Beca was resolute in ignoring the small vibration from her phone for as long as possible. After a few tentative drinks from her own cup she dared to open the new message.
TG: Your harsh words wound me. Is the tiny mouse not as feisty as I thought? Who shall I play with now?
B: You know what, shut up. Shouldn't you be busy with your workout?
TG: I am good at multitasking and doing push ups one handed.
Beca stared at her phone. She would not even try to deny that she was imagining that. At that moment Chloe decided Beca had been quiet too long for the night. The redhead jumped on Beca's lap surprising the brunette.
"Beca! Where have you been all night?" Chloe practically shouted in Beca's face. A couple other girls watched their co-captain's antics.
"Dude, I've been here."
"Nuh uhh you aren't." Chloe wiggled around on Beca's lap reaching for the phone still in her hand. "All you've done is look at your phone! OMG Beca are you texting somebody!?" Before Beca could do anything to stop her Chloe had her phone and jumped away from the brunette.
Some other girls that heard 'ooh'ed out loud but most resumed what they had been doing before. Beca tried not to panic about the situation and played aloof. "Chlo, seriously, give me my phone."
The redhead ignored her words and looked at the unlocked phone. Stacie came up beside her to look too. The taller brunette spoke up first as Chloe was still trying to get her eyes to adjust to the small screen. "Who's 'Tall German' Becs?" She called out loud.
Aloofness gone. Beca shot up with an outstretched hand. "Give it back!" This got more girls' attention and they decided to join in on keeping the phone away from Beca.
CR piped up when the phone was handed to her and Fat Amy kept Beca away at arm's length. "Damn girl, he's telling you bout his workouts and everything?"
Amy's eyes widened. "Tell him to send a pic!"
"No! Guys seriously, knock it off!" Beca was close to resorting to fighting dirty. CR tossed the phone across the room to Stacie. Beca watched as she looked at the phone with a small smirk.
"Tall German says, 'does the cat have your tongue, tiny mouse?' Oh gods Becs, does he already have a pet name for you? That's so cute!" Stacie grinned as the Cheshire cat then as she wiggled the phone in Beca's direction. "What should we reply with?"
Beca's heart pounded uncomfortably in her chest. "Don't!" She quickly smacked Amy in the head with a couch pillow and lunged for Stacie. The taller woman used her longer legs to jump on the couch and hop over it. The Bellas were laughing at the pair and resolved to slowing Beca down.
Why am I friends with these jerks again?
"There. Done." Stacie said proudly as she stopped moving, a smug smile on her face. Beca stopped dead in her tracks. Oh god this can't be good. Beca ignored the cold feeling in her gut as she went to get her phone from Stacie.
B: Only if you're the cat.
"What the actual fuck, Stace! That's so not cool!" Beca's hands shook slightly as she tried to think of a way out of it. I can just text the truth. It's not my doing. That probably just made things super uncomfortable.
B: Ignore that please. My friends stole my phone and decided to be jerks. Sorry.
Beca glared at her so called friends as they settled down in the living room. The music had been turned down and it seemed that the night had slowed down a bit. Chloe giggled and took a deep breath as she sunk into the couch. She patted the cushion next to her for Beca to sit. Beca remained still.
"Oh come on Becs. We're playing. Don't be mad at your bestest friends in the whole aca-world." She pouted slightly and her eyes shone with tears. Beca rolled her eyes, knowing this tactic too well but still being a sucker for it.
She groaned and finally went to sit beside her friend. Chloe instantly brightened and any sadness in her features dissapeared quickly. "I'm still upset." Beca grumbled but the words were lost to the redhead currently laying down and snuggling onto her lap.
"You're upset? I got a pillow to the face." Amy said from the love seat. The girls just laughed. "You got nothing on a wild dingo though."
"Anyway, Beca, who's the Tall German? What's his name? Where'd you meet?" Jessica and Ashley spouted off quickly.
"Yeah." Everyone chimed in.
"Didn't take you for a schnitzel lover, shorty." Amy added.
Beca rolled her eyes. "It's not like that...or whatever you're thinking. I just work with them. We're kinda working on a project. That's it."
"Yeah, sure, coworkers talk about working out and tongues." Amy said.
"That's out of context." Beca defended.
"But he definitely complimented your figure." Stacie added. That confused Beca.
"What?"
"Really, Beca? Wow you're so clueless. When a girl says I feel fat or whatever and a guy says that she shouldn't feel like that, it's basically a compliment."
Beca was still lost but Chloe's sleepy looking form piped up. "Yeah. Like you shouldn't feel that way, baby, 'cause you look so fine to me." The Bellas laughed at Chloe's poor imitation of a man. Sometimes she couldn't control when her deep voice would come in. This time was definitely a bust.
"Whatever. That's not what they meant cause it's not like that between us." Beca said finally.
Stacie shook her head lightly. "No way, Becs. I'm right. He's flirting and you're just clueless."
"Clueless!" Chloe yelled throwing her arms straight up almost knocking Beca in the face. "We need to watch that! Let Cher help and answer all your romantic questions." The Bellas laughed again but actually liked the idea.
Their impromptu dance party turned torment Beca party turned into a movie night. Snacks and more drinks were gathered and the girls got comfortable in their seats. As Beca settled on the couch by a clingy Chloe and tipsy Stacie, she checked her phone.
TG: From what you have told me about them I understand.
Beca felt a little disappointed with that response but she was not sure why. Her feelings had been confusing her a lot lately and that was odd. She was never one to express her feelings but she at least knew them. She never talked about them, if she could help it, but she understood them.
Her mind was half on the movie's blonde lead and half on the other blonde. Beca was forced to many movie nights and sadly she has seen this one at least four times. The movie was fine and a bit funny but she hated the repetition. Especially since the ending was predictable. The girl gets the guy. Even though her mind drifted from Cher to the Kommissar and back, Beca found herself thinking on the movie. Cher finds Josh annoying, Beca gets that. If that was the case then why does Cher flip her mind in one evening of soul searching monologue? If you think someone is annoying then they are. It would not make sense to just suddenly decide you like them.
Beca could not think around it and decided the characters in the movie were stupid. She failed to see how her thoughts applied to her situation though. As the night wore on and the girls began falling asleep where they were, Beca thought about Kommissar more than she thought she would.