BECHLOE WEEK 2023

Summary: Chloe doesn't want to go to her ten-year High School reunion, but she goes anyway. She's been hiding a big secret. What will her old friends say when they find out?


Chloe Beale sighed as traffic crawled along at a snail's pace. She heard her phone ping with a text and quickly glanced at it. She sighed heavily when she saw it was from her (former) High School best friend, Aubrey Posen.

Aubrey: Chloe, I heard you were in town, and everyone at the reunion is asking about you. Are you coming?

Chloe glanced around and, not seeing any police cars or anyone looking at her, quickly typed out a response. She hit send and dropped her phone in her lap.

"Finally," Chloe silently cheered when traffic began moving.

As she continued driving, she glanced down at her phone occasionally to see if Aubrey or anyone else had texted her. Seeing nothing, she ran a hand through her hair and sighed again.

Meanwhile, ten minutes away, Aubrey was standing with some of the former members of their Senior cheer squad, looking at her phone.

"Chloe texted," Aubrey said. "She said she's coming and is about ten minutes away."

"That's good," Stacie said. "We haven't seen her in more years than I can remember. I can't wait to catch up and find out what she's been up to."

"Aubrey, you're her best friend," Jessica said. "Do you know what she's doing or even where she ended up?"

"I was her best friend," Aubrey said, her cheeks flushed as she looked down at the ground.

"What happened?" Ashley asked. "You two used to swear you would always be best friends, no matter what was happening in your lives."

"I, um. I kind of reacted badly to something she told me," Aubrey said. "By the time I realized how badly I screwed up, she had stopped talking to me. I'm actually surprised she responded to my text just now."

"What did she tell you?" Amy asked. "And when?"

"It was about six years ago," Aubrey said. "And, uh, I can't tell you because it's not my story to tell. Besides, you probably wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Now we have to know," Stacie said. "What could she have possibly told you that we wouldn't believe?"

"Maybe she's a spy," Lily said.

"Why is that your first thought, Lily?" Jessica asked, chuckling.

"Either that or she's a stripper," Amy said, shrugging. "I mean, she always was a little wild back then."

"She's not a stripper," Aubrey said, shaking her head. "Or a spy, Amy."

"Then what is she doing?" Ashley asked.

Aubrey shrugged and remained quiet.

"We'll have to ask Chloe when she gets here," Stacie said, turning to Amy. "Amy, whatever happened to Bumper? We thought you two would surely be married with a couple of kids."

"He liked me fat," Amy said. "As soon as I started losing weight, he dumped me."

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 1 ~~

Outside the main hall where the reunion was being held, Chloe stood searching for her name tag. When she found it, she stuck it to her chest. She then smoothed down her dress and went inside, stopping by the door. She stood and looked around.

"There's Chloe," Jessica said.

All the girls turned to see Chloe looking around the room. She gave a small smile when she noticed them and started walking over.

"Hey, Chloe," Stacie said, hugging Chloe. "You're looking good."

"Thanks, Stacie, so are you," Chloe said, pulling back and looking at the other girls. "How are all of you?"

"We're good," Amy said.

"Amy?" Chloe asked, eyes wide. At Amy's nod, Chloe's smile widened. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," Amy said. "I lost almost eighty pounds and feel pretty amazing."

"Congratulations," Chloe said, then stood with her hands in front of her, staring at the door as if looking for someone. "Has anyone seen Beca? She said she'd be here."

"Beca Mitchell? Why are you looking for that loser?" Alice, their former Cheer Captain, asked, joining the girls.

"She's not a loser, Alice!" Chloe said. "You never liked Beca because she ignored you no matter how much you tried to bully her."

Alice glared at Chloe, and Chloe glared at Alice. Alice was the first to break the glare when a man joined them. Alice wrapped her arms around the man's waist.

"You girls remember Tom Henderson, right?" Alice said. "We got married right after we graduated from college."

"Girls," Tom said, acknowledging the group and stopping his gaze to leer at Chloe. "You look gorgeous as always, Chloe."

Alice backhanded Tom's chest.

"What?" Tom said, rubbing his chest. "She does."

"Come on," Alice said, grabbing Tom's arm and dragging him away.

"I see he still has the hots for you," Ashley said to Chloe.

"That's too bad. I didn't want him then, and I certainly don't want him now," Chloe said, looking over her shoulder to see him smirking and winking at her. She shivered, saying, "It's just so creepy the way he's always staring at me."

Alice saw him staring as well and grabbed his face to turn it back to her.

"Are you married, Chloe?" Jessica asked.

"Not yet," Chloe responded. "But I am engaged, and we're getting married next year."

"Where's the guy who won your heart?" Amy asked. "Didn't he come with you?"

"I'm not engaged to a man, Amy," Chloe said.

"But, you just said-" Jessica started to say. Her eyes widened, and she whispered out an "Oh!"

Aubrey looked at Chloe; the rest of the girls awkwardly stood there, not knowing what to say. Stacie's face suddenly broke into a smile.

"So, who's the woman that tamed Chloe Beale?" Stacie asked, smiling at Chloe. "She must be hot. Look at you; of course, you'd marry a hot girl."

Chloe smiled and said, "Oh, she is definitely hot."

"Where did you meet her?" Jessica asked.

"Um, school, actually," Chloe said.

The room started buzzing with excitement, and Aubrey looked to see what the buzz was all about.

"Beca Mitchell just came in," Aubrey said. "I really didn't think she'd show, what with her being famous and all."

"I told you she said she'd be here," Chloe said as she watched Beca look around the room. "She's as much a part of the class as we are." Chloe waved and called out, "Beca!"

Beca turned her head when she heard her name. She smiled when she saw Chloe and made her way over to the group of girls.

"You're looking good, Chloe," Beca said.

"Thanks," Chloe said, hugging Beca. "So do you."

"Conrad, I see you haven't changed much," Beca said. "Has anyone managed to tame the hunter yet?"

"Not yet," Stacie said, smirking. "But he does keep me busy."

"Why are you late, Beca?" Ashley asked, getting Beca's attention.

"Oh," Beca said. "My concert ended later than I had planned, and we got stuck in traffic leaving the Atlanta Coliseum."

"Since Ashley and I were going to be here for the reunion, we thought about getting tickets to see you," Jessica said. "But it was for tonight, and we had already paid for everything to attend the reunion. I still can't believe we went to school with a Grammy award-winning pop star."

"That's okay," Chloe said. "Beca added another concert here in Barden tomorrow night."

"Yeah," Beca said. "Kind of a homecoming event. It's sold out, but I could probably get you tickets if you'd like."

"Really?" Jessica squealed.

Beca suddenly frowned when she saw Alice Michaels walking over with a smug look on her face. She had a death grip on Tom's hand as he hurried behind her. Alice stopped in front of Beca.

"I can't believer you decided to show your loser face here," Alice said. "What have you been up to these past ten years?"

"Shut up, Alice," Chloe said. "Google Beca's name and you'll see what she's been up to. Unlike Tom, Beca's career took off after High School and is still going strong."

"Tom played college football and was scouted by the NFL," Alice practically shrieked.

"I heard the Jaguars picked him last in the draft that year," Amy snickered.

"And I heard they ended the season with their worst record ever, and he was cut," Ashley said.

"And, after that, I heard that no other team wanted him," Stacie added.

"I heard the only job he could get was as a High School gym teacher," Jessica said.

"Teaching is a noble profession," Alice all but screamed at them. "He's also the football coach and has the winningest record in the school's history."

Chloe and Beca hid their smiles behind their hands. Alice saw them and was seething. She looked at them and growled as she tried to stare them down.

Beca gave her a smug smirk and said, "So, you and Tom are married?"

"Yes, we are," Alice said, then smirked, asking, "Are you?"

"Not yet," Beca said. "But I am engaged."

"Oh, really," Alice said smugly. "What kind of loser did you find to want to marry you?

"Chloe's not a loser," Beca said, smirking at the gasps from everyone around them.

Alice looked at Chloe, sputtering, "Wait! What? You're engaged to this loser? You're not even gay."

"I am gay, and Beca is not a loser," Chloe said, holding up her left hand toward Alice. "Would a loser be able to afford an engagement ring like this?"

When Alice's jaw dropped, Chloe reached out to pull Alice's left hand toward her; she looked down at Alice's ring, squinting to see the small diamond.

"Was this all Tom could afford?" Chloe asked, holding tightly so Alice couldn't pull her hand back.

Beca looked at the ring and said, "I heard Tom's been having trouble holding down a job since he no longer plays football."

"Oh, babe," Chloe said, grinning at Beca. "You missed the news. Tom is a High School gym teacher. And, apparently, the football coach as well."

"Really?" Beca said, smirking as she looked at Tom and Alice. "I guess it's true what they say."

"What is it they say?" Amy asked, egging on Beca to continue.

"Those who can... do," Beca said. "Those who can't…teach."

The girls snickered at the looks on Tom and Alice's faces.

"So, what do you do, Alice?" Stacie asked. "You know, while Tom is teaching and coaching High School football."

"That's none of your business," Alice said haughtily. "Come on, Tom. I'm bored with these girls. Let's get a drink."

Tom dutifully followed Alice, cringing slightly at the laughter that followed them.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 1 ~~

After Alice and Tom left, the girls turned to Chloe.

"We all knew Beca was gay back in High School," Stacie said. "But, I must admit I'm surprised to learn that you're gay, too. You dated that hotty Chicago all through Senior Year."

"I was her beard," a male voice said, joining the conversation.

"Chicago!" Chloe squealed, hugging the man. "I thought you weren't going to be here."

"Our plans changed," Chicago said, releasing Chloe to turn to the man next to him. "And Jesse insisted we had to come."

"Hey, girls," Jesse said, putting his arm around Chicago's waist.

"What? You and Chicago are together?" Stacie asked, looking from one to the other. "I had crushes on both of you. I am seriously starting to question everything I ever knew."

"Chloe, exactly how long have you known you guys were all gay?" Amy asked.

"I knew I was gay back when I was fifteen," Chloe said, chuckling. "I didn't know about Chicago until the beginning of Junior year. We were both afraid to come out to our parents, so we made a pact that we would date, so no one would know we were both gay. I found out about Jesse when Chicago introduced him as his boyfriend about six years ago."

"You can imagine my surprise a couple of years before that," Chicago said. "My college roommate said he had a hot cousin I just had to meet; turns out it was Jesse. That was eight years ago, and we've been together ever since."

"Okay," Aubrey said. "That explains how Jesse and Chicago got together. So, Chloe, how did you and Beca get together?"

"I got a job in LA," Chloe said. "Beca and I remained in contact after graduation, and when I told Beca about moving to LA, she invited me to stay with her until I could find a place. I always had a crush on her but was afraid to pursue anything. Once I was in LA, I didn't have to hide who I was, so I asked her out. She was surprised but said yes, and here we are six years later, engaged and planning our wedding for next year."

"I'm really happy for you both, Chloe," Aubrey said. "Um, Chloe, do you think we can talk privately?"

Chloe looked at Beca.

"I think you should," Beca whispered. "You used to be best friends, after all."

"You're right," Chloe whispered back. She turned to Aubrey. "Let's talk."

"Thank you," Aubrey said. "Let's go outside if that's okay with you?."

"That's fine," Chloe said. She leaned in and kissed Beca. "I'll be right back."

"Take all the time you need," Beca said as Chloe turned to follow after Aubrey.

The girls watched Chloe and Aubrey walk away. Jessica turned to Beca.

"Would it be weird if I asked for an autograph?" she asked. "And maybe a picture?"

"Me, too," Ashley quickly added.

"Nope, not at all weird," Beca said, chuckling. "Come stand over here, you two."

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 1 ~~

Aubrey led Chloe outside to a bench in front of the venue. They sat, and Chloe turned to look at Aubrey.

"I owe you a huge apology," Aubrey blurted out as Chloe stared at her. "When you told me you were gay, I just-." Aubrey ran a hand through her hair. "I kind of hated you."

Chloe scoffed. "I thought since you were my best friend, you'd be the one person who would be accepting and understanding."

"I did understand," Aubrey said quickly. "I hated you because you went on and on about LA and how you could be yourself out there where no one knew you. I wanted. No, I want to be as brave as you. And Beca. You are both living your lives and being your true selves. I want that. I want all that!"

Chloe furrowed her brow and looked at Aubrey; Aubrey looked down at the ground and didn't say anything. Chloe cleared her throat and smiled.

"Is this your way of telling me that you're gay, too?"

Aubrey swallowed and looked around. Seeing no one, she nodded and said, "Yes."

"You know I'd still be your friend, whether your gay or straight, right?" Chloe asked.

Aubrey let out a small sob and said, "Thank you."

Chloe pulled Aubry to her and let her cry. After a few minutes, Aubrey pulled away, wiping her face.

"I'm sorry," Aubrey said. "I should have been the friend to you that you are being to me. I don't deserve you."

Chloe smiled and said, "When Beca asked me to marry her, my first thought was, I can't wait to tell Aubrey and ask her to be my Maid of Honor. Then, I remembered how you ghosted me after I told you I was gay."

"I am sorry about that," Aubrey said quietly.

"I know," Chloe said, wiping a tear from Aubrey's cheek. "I've known you practically my whole life, and I know how you think. And since I know the real you, it's easy to forgive you."

"You forgive me?" Aubrey asked.

"I do," Chloe said. "And I want you to be my Maid of Honor. It wouldn't feel like I was getting married without you standing beside me."

"I'd be honored," Aubrey said.

"Great!" Chloe said and smiled. "And, you know what else I want?"

"What?"

"I want you to visit LA, stay with me and Beca, and be yourself. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a woman with whom you can be your real self."

Aubrey choked out a laugh and smiled. "I'm glad we're friends again."

"Me, too," Chloe said. "Let's get back inside. Beca's probably wondering what's taking so long."

"Okay," Aubrey said, standing and smoothing down her dress. "Let's go."

Chloe stood and wrapped her arm around Aubrey's; they walked back to the reunion, laughing and talking.

~~ BeChloe Week 2023 - Day 1 ~~

Inside, Beca kept watching the door, waiting for Chloe to come back from talking with Aubrey. She cringed when Tom Henderson sidled up and stood next to her.

"So, you must get a lot of action when you're on the road," Tom said, sipping his drink.

"What? No," Beca said, shaking her head. "I'm with Chloe and don't need any action from anyone else."

"Riiight," Tom said, smirking. "How much are you paying her to pretend to be your date?"

"What?!" Beca asked, looking at Tom like he had two heads.

"Oh, come on, Beca," Tom said. "You don't expect everyone to believe that you, Barden High's super loser, snagged the most popular girl in our class. No way that happened. So, the only explanation is you must be paying her. I've always wondered what it would be like to fuck Chloe Beale. So, how much are you paying her to do that? I'd like to get in on that action!"

"You sonofabitch!" Beca yelled.

The next thing anyone knew, Tom was on the ground, holding his hands over his bleeding nose, with Alice kneeling next to him.

"You bitch," Alice screamed at Beca. "You broke his nose."

Chicago and Jesse were holding Beca back when Alice started screaming at her. They let her go when Chloe reached them.

"Beca!?" Chloe said. "What happened?"

"Tom was being a dick, so I punched him," Beca said.

"You broke his nose, you fucking psycho," Alice yelled, stepping toward Beca.

"Back off, Alice," Beca said, holding her stance. "Or I'll do the same to you."

Alice stopped and looked around at everyone staring at her. Chicago helped Tom up and pushed him toward Alice.

"You two should leave," Chicago said. "Nobody wants you here."

"Yeah, Alice," Stacie said. "Your days bullying Beca and everyone else is over."

Alice looked around to see most of the crowd nodding in agreement. The other girls were gathered around Beca and Chloe, glaring at Alice.

"You and Tom should probably leave now," Aubrey said. "Or we'll let Beca have a go at you, too."

Alice didn't say anything as she grabbed Tom's arm and dragged him out of the room as most of their classmates cheered and waved goodbye.

"Are you okay?" Chloe asked, pulling Beca into a hug.

"I'm good," Beca said. "And to think, before Tom started talking about you, I was thinking that maybe we should apologize to Alice for how we treated her tonight. But now, not so much."

"Her bullying wasn't cool when we were teenagers in High School," Ashley said. "And it's not cool now. We're twenty-eight, for goodness sake; she needs to grow up."

"You'll get no argument from me on that," Beca said.

A slow song came on, and Beca smiled and held out her hand to Chloe. "Care to dance?"

"I'd love to," Chloe responded, taking Beca's hand and following her to the dance floor.

Once there, Beca pulled Chloe to her and held her tight.

"How did your talk with Aubrey go?"

"We're friends again," Chloe said, looking around. "You'll never believe what she told me. I'll tell you about it when we get to your hotel. I don't think she wants anyone else to know."

"Okay," Beca said. "I can wait."

"I love you," Chloe said, leaning in to kiss Beca.

"I love you, too," Beca mumbled against Chloe's lips before deepening the kiss.

The next song was livelier, and the other girls joined Beca and Chloe on the dance floor.

"Reunions aren't so bad after all," Chloe thought as she and Beca danced the night away with their old friends.