Sorry about the wait, but life and work happened and I hope you guys didn't forget about this fic...
All I have to say is wow, the response to this has been huge and far better than I ever expected. So thank you guys so much! I never anticipate this type of reaction so all I can say is THANK YOU and send virtual hugs. I only got to respond to about half of the reviews from chapter one, but just know I got them all and I read them all and I pretty much smiled like and idiot every time I got a new one or when someone added it to their favorites or followed. Every single one really mean so much to, you have no idea, so keep them coming. I'm loving writing this story and I hope you guys continue loving it too!
Disclaimer: I don't own PP, characters, ideas or anything else associated with the movie or any of the music referenced in any of my chapters! However, everything else, including all the mistakes are mine!
A big shout out goes to sugarlandaddict23 working her awesome, magical beta skills, you are the best!
Just an FYI, this is part one of their initial meeting...now on with Chapter 2!
"Hey Stace!" Beca yelled pushing the door of the Divisadero St. Deli open and stepping inside. The place was empty, which wasn't surprising considering it was more of a happening lunch spot and almost closing time. "Where's my favorite waitress?" Pounding her hands on bar she chanted, "Get your ass out here be-atch!"
"Your lady crush isn't here," sticking her head out of the kitchen door Jessica laughed watching Beca's head whip in her direction and the fists stop in midair.
Dropping her hands, Beca hopped up on the counter, "Damn that means no inappropriate banter to make Jesse blush tonight."
"I'm afraid not," moving from the doorway Jessica wound up a hand towel and snapped it on the fingers unsuccessfully attempting to press the lever down on the soda machine to fill a glass of water. A sharp pop resonated and she victoriously grinned when Beca snatched her hands back, "we switched shifts yesterday."
Beca sucked on her throbbing knuckles, "Flavor of the week?"
Adding some ice to the glass Jessica filled it with water, "You know I'm not really sure," placing a lemon slice on top she handed it over, "I think she might actually be studying."
"Stacie? Studying on a Friday?" Jesse questioned with skepticism, "I don't buy it."
"Me either," ripping open the end of a straw, Beca blew the paper in Jesse's face, "she likes to go hunting on Fridays to prey on weak businessmen in expensive suits." Dunking the red plastic in the water she took a couple sips, "You fell for it…again."
According to Aubrey, everyone was supposed to work at least one Friday night a month, no excuses. Acknowledging the fact that she'd been conned, Jessica lightly frowned, "I should've known."
"You're too nice sometimes Jess," Beca sympathetically added from around her straw.
"Damn, I saw her and Fat Amy whispering suspiciously in the back yesterday afternoon."
"Oh god those two went together," Jesse's face paled at the thought.
Beca will never forget what happened to those two last month, because she had the distinct pleasure of driving downtown at four in the morning to pick them up at a fucking Denny's of all places. When she got the call the night manager informed her that Fat Amy was passed out in a booth and Stacie was doing inappropriate things with a waiter in the bathroom. She still has no idea how they got her number, but she paid their tab and somehow wrangled them into the back of her Range Rover with a promise of the best donuts in town for breakfast.
Setting her glass on the counter with a thud, Beca heard two simultaneous groans and she grinned because she was so winning at life right now, "My turn on the drunk dial list was last weekend, who's turn is it tonight?"
Aubrey didn't want anything happening to her friends and employees while they were out quote, partaking in alcoholic beverages for recreational use during their designated free time away from the restaurant. So, in a very Aubrey controlling the situation type of way, a Drunk Dial List was created so that, if needed, there was always one person willing to be sober enough every Friday and Saturday night to call in case of emergencies. Beca thought it was a really great idea, she even commended Aubrey for it and never gave any shit when it was her turn. Because even though Beca didn't work there apparently being friends with the boss and her employee's means she was fair game. For the most part it works how it was designed, except when Stacie and Fat Amy decide to venture out into San Francisco together, because then it's just a glorified taxi service.
"It's…" Jessica turned to Jesse who was usually quiet and avoiding all eye contact, "Aubrey's."
"Oh man she forgot, she's gonna be so pissed," scratching the back of his neck Jesse looked up and he wished he hadn't because those two had huge cartoon like grins plastered across their faces, "Beca want to play some video…"
"Nope," Beca flatly cut him off.
Jesse slumped his shoulders, weakly adding, "Games tonight…"
Beca just looked at Jessica and they shrugged in unison, reaching over she sympathetically patted his shoulder, "I'm going to take a hard pass on this one bud," she jumped off the counter and purposely avoided his imploring eyes, "I'd hate to deprive Aubrey Posen of her hunky chunky man crush tonight of all nights by having an impromptu BFF sleepover party at my house under the pretenses of playing video games just so you can avoid listening to the bitching that will come when that phone rings." Picking up her glass she walked backwards and tapped her temple, "You conned me once Swanson, not happening again."
"Some friend you are Mitchell."
"Oh I'm the best kind!"
"And on that note," Jessica laughed at her friends antics, "I'm sorry your favorite waitress isn't here."
Making her way to her usual booth with Jesse following closely behind Beca gave a thumbs up, "That's ok you're my second favorite."
"What about Fat Amy?" Jesse asked sliding into his seat.
"She never gets my order right," Beca defended tossing her bag to the corner of the booth and setting her glass down, "even when I write it down and take it back to the kitchen myself." Jesse began to protest but she just cut him off, "No way dude, she thinks ketchup out the ass on everything and blue cheese crumbles on top of my tuna melt is somehow what I really want."
Jesse remembers that day fondly, Beca had simply asked for an extra side of ketchup to go with her fries and extra Swiss cheese on her tuna melt. However Fat Amy decided to Americanize it by dousing the fries until they were unrecognizable in ketchup, using white bread instead of whole wheat and adding a hefty layer of blue cheese crumbles to the top, then decorating the sandwich with a tiny American flag toothpick. Beca's facial expression was somewhere in between scared and pissed off when the plate garnished with grapes was set down in front of her. He and Stacie could hardly breathe from roaring with laughter while Aubrey didn't find it funny at all and started lecturing the Australian on how a restaurant works again and the value of returning customers.
"Technically she's not a waitress," Jessica laughed drying her hands, "she's only supposed to run the cash register and…"
"Be the drink and milkshake wench," rotating her neck Beca tried to work out the kinks, "yeah, yeah, I know…She loves giving out those Famous Amy beer specials," she drowsily added. There wasn't anything special about them, they were just a mixture of beer and whatever soda Amy pressed on the machine, "They're nasty, but don't tell Aubrey I said that because then we'd agree on something and I don't want to give her the satisfaction."
"The one with ice cream is awesome. People like it," pulling the menu from its holder Jesse opened it to the drink specials and pointed to the Not Your Father's Root Beer shake, "it's even added to the menu."
Sighing Beca dropped down onto the edge of the booth and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Whatever, you like it and you're sleeping with the owner, so that's why it's there."
The voice sounded tired, Beca was very good at putting up a front, but the usual façade of jokes, sarcasm and general badassary was slowly slipping tonight and Jesse had a good idea why.
"You want one Jesse?" Jessica asked and he only nodded his eyes never leaving his best friends face, "What about you Beca?
"Umm," Beca tapped her fingers rhythmically on the tabletop, "Can I decide in a few minutes?"
"Sure," Jessica nodded with a smile. She liked Beca, she never expected to be friends with somebody so famous and so talented, except she only found out about those qualities on accident. To her Beca was just Beca, her funny and sarcastic friend who picked on Jesse and loved driving Aubrey nuts, but who was also a really a great person. Yet tonight something seemed off, tossing the towel over her shoulder she just attributed the undo stress and tiredness to a long workweek, "Do you mind if I finish some stuff up in the back?"
Jesse shifted his attention back to Jessica and moved to get up, "You need help?"
"No thanks, the delivery was small and we knocked it out pretty quick," Jessica replied motioning for him to stay seated, "I just have to throw the boxes in the trash and rearrange a shelf."
"Ok," Jesse quickly agreed
Beca could tell just by his body language that he knew what was up, she actually felt like going home. She wasn't sleeping much again even though she tried every night, but it's a battle she frequently fights. She's lucky to get a solid, uninterrupted, three hours before waking up and wandering her house, playing video games or working on music until her body says it's time to go back to sleep. Sometimes it's an easy night and she's asleep in less than an hour, while other nights she can't go back to sleep at all. She hates it and she knows it's not right, but it's just something she's grown to deal with since her mom died.
Standing Beca took her jacket off and tossed it on her seat then set her phone on the table, "Take your time."
Maybe if Beca excuses herself for a few minutes then comes back and tells him she'll take her food to go and that she needs to get home because her dog misses her he'll buy it. It was a legitimate defense, because she did miss Gizmo, he usually tags along with her to work on Fridays, but she didn't feel like driving today. The caramel-brown haired Labradoodle with his white belly, snout and paws and the awesome white patch around his right eye is the unofficial studio mascot. He's everyone's best friend and he even has his own bed in her office and toys in the studio.
"Ok I'll be back in five," Jessica replied wandering back into the kitchen. With the door swinging behind her she added, "if not Chloe will take your orders," but she doesn't think Jesse or Beca heard.
Pointing towards the restrooms Beca mumbled, "I'm just gonna go wash my hands," and splash cold water on her face to gear up for the lie she was about to tell. Moving away from the table a hand grabbed her wrist and she looked down, "What?"
"When was the last time you slept?" Jesse's voice was quiet, but concerned, and Beca just shrugged and closed her eyes, "And please don't lie to me."
Jesse really looked at his best friend and he instantly knew why he hadn't seen her all day. She looked a little more disheveled than usual and the dark lines under her eyes weren't entirely because of the eyeliner. It was fairly obvious she way more exhausted than she was letting on and had been hiding out in her office and studio avoiding interactions with people all day. It was a constant cycle with Beca and most of the time he and Aubrey would force her to do something fun, something other than work, to really wear her out so that it resulted in her crashing in one of their spare bedrooms for the night and getting the sleep she needed.
"This afternoon I took a nap on my office couch during lunch," Shaking the hand from her wrist Beca shoved it in her back pocket. Zigzagging her eyes around the checkered black and white linoleum floor that reminded her of an elementary school hallway she muttered, "I got a solid thirty minutes in before Emily brought in my messages and lunch."
The avoidance was typical, keeping his voice even and soft Jesse pressed further, "You know what I mean…"
Beca's eyes snapped to Jesse's and they narrowed, "Do you want me to keep a fucking log book for you dude?" Voice straining at the end she tensely ran a hand through her hair while he just sat waiting, "So you and Aubrey to go over it and lecture me about how I should be sleeping more?"
"It's not normal to have weird sleep patterns like you do."
"And you really think I don't know that?" Beca lowered her voice so she wouldn't draw Jessica's attention, "Do you really think I want to sit on my balcony at three in the morning staring out at the bay because I like the views at night?" She didn't feel like playing this game right now because it's a weekly thing, "Jesus Christ give me a break ok…"
"Well you do have one hell of a view," Jesse's minute attempt at humor seemed to ease the tension between them, "one of the best in the city."
His eyes were pleading in that way that always made Beca feel guilty for being so defensive and abrasive when he was just trying to help. Dropping her shoulders she admitted, "I got like maybe four hours last night."
Jesse was surprised she'd deflated so quickly, usually there was more of a fight before he got an outright omission, "All at once?"
Closing her eyes Beca shook her head, "No…"
"How long has it been going on?"
Glancing towards the back of the restaurant Beca thought she heard the restroom door open, but she didn't see anyone, "It's been like a couple months," really she just stopped counting after two, "I don't know maybe more…"
"Nightmares or insomnia?"
Rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms Beca didn't understand the need to play the twenty question game right now. However she went along with it because she'd rather get it over with listen to his bitching drone on and on.
Blinking away the spots Beca ultimately gave in, "You know I'm missing the switch that turns my mind off."
That was a god honest fact, Beca's mind is constantly spinning with ideas about music, her work, her mom or her fear of being outed to media and then being hounded by the media. She knows she works too much and in the beginning that helped her cope with the sleepless nights, but now it's more of a hindrance than a lifesaver and as a consequence, she's taken on way more projects than she can handle. She needs some form of stability in her life that doesn't revolve around working, for once she just needs to relax and have fun.
"Is that the truth?"
"Yes…"
Beca wants to scream at him and say no it's not nightmares, thankfully she hadn't had those for years, but she won't, because Jessica isn't far away and she doesn't need another person pitying her. What Jesse and everyone else fail to realize is that she doesn't have the demons waging a war in her brain anymore. Yes, her mom's death affected her way more than she ever thought possible or lets on, but she got help for that thanks to Jesse and Aubrey and much to her surprise Stacie. Yet there's not a day that goes by that she doesn't think about it, that she doesn't question why it happened or how it could've been prevented if caught in time. That's the thing her friends just don't understand, because they haven't had someone so close to them ripped away before they ever got to say goodbye.
"Are you taking the pills the doctor gave you?" Jesse wasn't trying to reprimand her, he was just curious as to why they weren't doing their job anymore.
"No, they make me feel fuzzy and they cloud my mind," it wasn't that the prescription didn't work, it did, but Beca hated them because they make her less productive at work. Shuffling around uneasily she sighed, "I can't write music and lyrics like I normally do when I take them."
Jesse absentmindedly curved the edge of the menu up with his fingertips as he listened. He wished he had an answer and a way to help his best friend, "That's because you don't give them time to work, you stop taking them before they can take full effect."
"Oh so now you're a doctor?" Beca chastised.
"No I'm your friend," Jesse easily replied, the aggravation was building again, "you should tell him, maybe he'll prescribe something you can take only when needed."
"I'll think about it…" Beca stated with finality.
The conversation was effectively over and Jesse was surprised he hadn't been cursed out, because usually it happens towards the end of a conversation like this. However he thinks he might have gotten through to her this time and that she was considering his suggestion.
Jesse smiled and gave one final plea, "Aubrey and I just want you to be the healthy snarky Beca we know and love."
"Thanks," returning the smile Beca let the tension fall from her shoulders as Jessica returned with a gallon of ice cream and a bottle of that gross alcoholic root beer Jesse and Fat Amy love.
"Promise me you'll get some sleep tonight," He mouthed out getting up to go over and talk to Jessica.
Beca just looked at him peculiarly, but eventually lifted her hand and gave him the finger while rudely stating, "Whatever fucker…"
"See how she treats me Jessica," the girl laughed while Jesse clutched his heart, "I just got the one finger salute and she called me the F word," he whined like a little kid.
"Are you sure you guys aren't related," Jessica laughed harder when Beca pulled an offended face.
"She wishes," Jesse tauntingly replied.
Beca stopped at the entrance to the women's restroom and raised a challenging eyebrow, "Quit bitching, you're the one who wishes."
Standing up straighter Jesse crossed his arms in an attempt to be threatening, except Beca didn't back down she just stood that much taller.
"What?" Beca stepped forward, raising her fists up she took a couple test swings and Jesse visibly flinched recoiling back, "Come at me bro, I'll knock your ass to the ground."
Jessica quietly snickered, making Jesse turn and glare, "How much would I have to pay to see that fight Beca?" She asked adding a couple of scoops of ice cream to a blender then twisting the cap off the root beer bottle, "cause you can take my money now."
"It's free," Beca replied, "I don't charge admission to the gun show," she emphasized her point by kissing each bicep. "Besides it wouldn't be a fair fight, it'd be Jesse curled up in a ball on the ground screaming like a little girl and that's something the general public should get to see for free."
Jesse just mumbled, "She's right," with downcast eyes.
Chloe had just stepped in the bathroom when the bell over the front door jingled signaling new customers. She just laughed when Stacie was yelled for and Jessica quickly answered back how their lady crush wasn't here with just as much sarcasm. After that she didn't hear the rest of the exchanges because she wanted to try and get the mustard stain off her shirt.
So far Chloe's first week here has been great, she worked mainly with Jessica and they easily struck up a good working relationship and it was fun. While Stacie and Fat Amy she'd met the day she got hired and as she laughed at their antics and commentary that morning she really wasn't sure who was more boy crazy. Then there was Lily, she couldn't hear a single word the tiny Asian said and she couldn't find her half the time, but somehow the food was prepared to perfection and appeared in the window with a ding of the bell. There were never any complaints about the food or the wait staff, although she's not sure if that's because the overall experience is really that good or if it's strictly out of fear by the customers. No doubt about it this group, even the ones she hadn't met yet, were definitely a unique bunch of individuals and it kept things interesting.
Aubrey on the other hand had totally redeemed herself after their initial interview. She was actually really nice, they were never at a loss for words and Chloe had even been invited to yoga in Alta Plaza Park then dinner at Aubrey and Jesse's house Sunday afternoon. Aubrey was another interesting person with her own set of quirks, but it was really beginning to feel like she was the first true friend Chloe had made so far.
One major thing that Chloe's noticed about everyone she's met is that they're just doing what she's trying to do and that's live their lives and have fun. So it's a good change of pace to not be questioned constantly about her family and everything that happened. She spent close to a year traveling alone and never found the kind of peace and closure she was looking for, but she found it here. In fact the minute she sold her childhood home and packed up her SUV and dog and they set off across the states on a month long road trip towards their new life, she felt like a brand new person. In San Francisco she's no longer the center of attention and the person everyone in the small suburb of Atlanta takes pity on for what happened. When she walks into a grocery store or coffee shop here people don't whisper behind her back or come up to offer their condolences. She has nobody, her parents and unfortunately her younger sister, the only person in her family whom she confided in and who supported her, are gone and she doesn't need a daily reminder of that. She's just another face in the crowd here and she likes it. There's nobody left to scrutinize her about her career, who she dates or her other life choices in general. She's finally free to be herself and from here on out, the friends she makes will be her family and support system.
As Chloe looks at herself in the mirror she smiles because despite everything she's been through over the last two years, she has everything she wants and needs. And even though she hasn't written anything for Rolling Stone magazine yet, because she's been preoccupied her first week with orientation and training, she loves her job, it's absolutely perfect for her. She can't wait to get her first assignment where she'll finally get to combine music and writing, the two things she's passionate about, into her lifelong dream.
Tossing the used paper towels into the trash bin Chloe looked down at her shirt. There was still some yellow residue left even though she'd gotten most of the mustard out with soap and water, but it wasn't bad and she could deal with it for the rest of her shift. Reaching for the door handle she pulled it open and immediately stopped, Jesse was out there and in a heated discussion with some girl. She couldn't really hear what was being said and as she put more weight on the door to open it, it lightly creaked making the girl suspiciously glance around. She flipped to the opposite side and out of view and contemplated her next move. The conversation looked like it shouldn't be interrupted and after a short battle with herself she quietly shut the door and moved to the stall at the far end of the room. Biding her time for a few more minutes would hopefully give Jessica a chance to wander back out and she could exit the bathroom without looking like she'd been snooping.
Chloe was lightly singing Billie Holiday's All of Me while tucking in her shirt in, per Aubrey's dress code regulations, when the bathroom door opened and she heard a set of feet shuffle over to the stall next to her. She could just make out the scuffed maroon low top Converse tapping along to the beat before she flushed and opened the door.
Not thinking about it Chloe continued to hum as she washed her hands and she was just about to twist her hair up into a bun when the door to the stall behind her opened and a girl with brunette hair stepped out. Their eyes connected in the mirror and when she smiled the girl coyly returned it with a slight blush running up her neck while hands mindlessly tried to turn on the water.
Now that, was adorable, and it immediately dawned on Chloe that this was the girl talking to Jesse and the same one trying to escape that photo on Aubrey's desk. The brunette with the navy blue eyes was way more attractive in person and pictures definitely didn't do her justice. She was pretty in an I-totally-don't-know-it type of way and Chloe wasn't prepared for that.
Before long Chloe was glancing way more to her left then actually putting effort into fixing her hair. And it wasn't until she heard an inaudible comment over the running water and saw a lip quirk up at the corner of a mouth in amusement that she even acknowledged how much she'd really been staring.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind an ear Chloe connected their eyes in the mirror, "I'm sorry what?"
Twisting the knob on the faucet down Beca repeated her previous statement as she rinsed the soap from her hands, "Your voice," the inflection in her tone wavered slightly, she needed to calm down, but it was just so hard when a girl this stunningly attractive was smiling at her. Clearing her throat she tried again, "I said you have a nice voice."
"Oh thanks," Chloe smiled at the sincerity of the compliment, "I'd hate to take all the credit though, these awesome bathroom acoustics," she jokingly smacked her hand against the concrete wall a few times, "had a lot to do with it."
"You sure?" Beca asked turning the water off, "Cause you were almost perfectly in tune…"
Chloe wasn't sure how to answer that, she loved to sing, she even sang in an a cappella group in college, but she was far from perfect. However before she could respond to the girl was talking again.
"Look," Beca hesitantly stated seeing the perplexed face, "I didn't mean to be like a creeper or anything but I was listening to you when I was you know," rapidly gesturing over her shoulder the water from her hands flew all over the place and she watched in horror as the redhead lifted her hands to wipe her cheeks, "Shit, dude I'm sorry…" Rushing forward she reached for the paper towel dispenser, "Here I thought you could use these."
"It's ok…oh thank you," Chloe giggled as about ten crumpled up paper towels are shoved unceremoniously into her hands. Tossing a few of the wet ones in the trash she patted her neck and face dry, "You saved me from showering tonight."
For the first time ever a girl was making Beca nervous and jumpy and if she'd dared to look at her armpits, she'd probably see she was sweating too. They'd barely said three sentences to each other and she was already floundering, usually it takes her much longer and a few drinks to do that. She never knew someone could have this type of effect on her in like literally six fucking seconds.
Wiping her hands on her jeans Beca nonchalantly asked, "So do you sing in bathrooms a lot?"
"Oh totes all the time!" Chloe joked, "I test new ones out everywhere I go and today was this one's day."
"Where's the best bathroom you've sang in?" Beca asked resting her hip against the sink and crossing her arms, her confidence meter was slowly creeping back up into the positive digits.
Chloe wasn't lying she really had sang in her fair share of bathrooms all around the world. It wasn't something that she purposely did, it just happened, sometimes it was to help keep her mind off of how gross it was or because she just hated the silence. Then again the venue really didn't matter because she sings at home, in the car, while she runs and even on the elevator, she sings all the time, it's not just limited to bathrooms. She's also sang to herself in some of the best museums in the world, she remembers being in the Louvre checking out an exhibit on ancient Roman and Greek sculptures and before she knew it she was lightly humming while sketching the head of the Emperor Augustus statue she was looking at in her travel journal. Nobody really cared, she wasn't loud, and most of the time people were too absorbed in their own adventure to pay attention to the solo traveler.
Running through a list places in her head, Chloe's face lit up, "The Sydney Opera House has amazing acoustics in its bathroom, I tried it out while I was on a tour just for shits and giggles." The other girl laughed and so did she, "Oh and once I was in this tiny beer hall in the basement of a church outside of Munich, it had a polka band and everyone was singing along and that sounded amazing."
"Not a bathroom but interesting," there was something drawing Beca in. Maybe it was the way this girl gets so excited explaining a tiny little fact and how that smile brightens the entire room, she has no idea, but honestly she wants to find out more, "Weren't they singing in German?"
"Yeah, but the beauty is that after the third beer and when I say beer, I mean really huge beers," holding up her hands Chloe tried to indicate just how big those one liter glasses were that she drank, "nobody really cares and you just chant ein prosit, ein prosit der gemutlichkeit," she sang with spirit, holding up her fingers she did the countdown while the other girl continued to chuckle, "Oans, zwoa, drei g'suffa"
"And that means?" Beca rolled a hand in front of her hurrying along the explanation.
"A toast, a toast, to cheer and good times. One, two, three drink up!" At least that's what Chloe was told, but even if it wasn't that was such a great party and memory.
If the redhead's enthusiasm was anything to go by Beca would love to experience something like that, "So you eventually got the hang of it?"
"Pretty much," Chloe laughed, she just happened to be passing through when she stumbled upon this little town's celebration and she'll never forget it, "but the best part is, that there'd be like a lull in the music and somehow over the chatter and animated voices someone would stand up on a table and they'd sing the lyrics to Hey Baby," that had happened twice and it had been awesome, "and everyone eventually joined in."
"So like did you get up on a table and be a stripper too?" Beca's face flushed with embarrassment, "N-not what I meant," she quickly added waving her hands around like a total spaz. She was fumbling for words and she never fumbled for words, but the prettiest girl she's ever seen was smiling and laughing at her in this way that said no offense was taken by the stupid that literally just flew out of her mouth, "I totally meant to say serenade the audience, because your voice is fucking awesome."
Throwing her head back Chloe laughed harder, this girl really has no idea how freaking cute she is and how endearing the rambling was. Wiping under her eyes she decided to mess around a little, "No but I did a wet t-shirt contest one time in Ibiza on a dare."
Swallowing the lump in her throat Beca's mouth and brain kind of short circuited and moved on their own accord, "D-did you win?"
"Oh totes," Chloe bit her lip trying not to laugh. It was a complete lie, but they were weirdly starting to flirt with each other and she wanted to see just how many shades of red this girl could turn, "How could I not, they played that song by Drake and DJ Titanium, Hotline Bling," the brunette froze and suspiciously looked at her, "do you know it?"
How the fuck was Beca supposed to answer that? Of course she knew that song, she remembers sitting in the studio and helping Drake make the lyrics flow more evenly. She knows all it's inner workings and how he'd brought the drum and cymbal parts with him on the demo track. And she definitely knows how she used an MIDI controller to add the robotic and rhythmic tick-tocks and finally how the synthesizers were added last minute because she thought it would give everything that little extra kick it needed.
"Yep, yes I know it," Beca frantically nodded, "number two on the charts I think." The redhead raised an eyebrow and she shrugged, "Music's kinda my thing."
"Me too, then you know with a rhythm like that it's perfect to…" humming the beat Chloe lifted her hands above her head and rolled her hips as she twisted around in a full circle. Stopping she waited as the other girl's eyes to trail up her body before adding, "Win any contest imaginable."
"Definitely," Beca really wanted, no needed, to roll up her shirt sleeves, because it was like someone just more added water to the coals in the sauna, increasing the temperature and humidity tenfold. But she resisted because she didn't want to give off the appearance of being that affected even though that little display was so hot. Mustering up a crooked smile she suggestively tossed out, "You'd have my vote."
There was an undeniably sexy self-confidence surrounding the brunette and it was sucking Chloe in faster than a black hole sucks up the nearest constellation, "To bad you weren't the judge…"
"How about you give me your number and I'll call next time I am," Beca winked and just like that she was semi-back on her game, "or so we can like coordinate practice schedules and I'll operate the hose."
Chloe would give the other girl credit for that, because that was one smoothly delivered line. She can't remember the last time she outright flirted with someone and it was still as fun as she remembered. It'd been a long time since someone had taken any interest in her and it was flattering. Yet it was all too similar to how things began with her ex and that one ended up smashing her heart into a million pieces, but the vibe this girl gave off said that would never happen or so she hoped. However, because of everything that's transpired she was stingier about giving out her digits, especially to cute strangers she met in a bathroom. This one needed to put the work in a little before that happened.
"Well aren't you forward?" Chloe needed to flip the cards back in her favor so she didn't slip up.
"Will it get you to dance like that again in front of me?"
"Maybe…"
"Well in that case I can be as forward as you want."
Chloe trailed her eyes suggestively along the brunette's body, "How many lines do you have in that pretty little head of yours?"
Beca swallowed hard, "Enough to make you want to hear more, because I can go all night."
"So can I and I think you've met your match…"
"Have I?" Beca provocatively mocked unabashedly checking the girl out again. That didn't even gain her a light blush, this girl knew what she had and how to work it, "Care to test that theory?"
Chloe fully intended to do just that and taking a step closer she invaded the other girl's personal bubble. Quickly shooting a glance to the door behind her she turned back and fixed the brunette's shirt collar, "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure," Beca could smell the perfume and it was just light enough to be hypnotizing, "I'm all ears…" Standing up straighter the hand fell away as she stepped to her right. She was opting to take a more relaxed looking position, one that offered a better view of the redhead's form and also would allow her to run if needed. Except she misjudged her angle and her shoulder didn't hit the sturdy metal partition separating the two stalls like she intended. Instead it landed on a door and it immediately swung backwards towards the toilet and she let out a fearful, "Oh fuck…" as she tried to maintain her balance and not take a face first dive into the toilet bowl. Somehow the powers that be saved her from a few broken teeth by allowing her to hang onto the swinging door until it came to a crashing halt with a loud bang. Her fingers were smashed, but at least she was alive, and letting out a thankful breath she mumbled, "Get your shit together, you're ok, you got this."
Chloe peered around the corner and into the stall and she covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. She didn't know how the brunette hadn't knocked herself out with the force she fell through that door, but judging by the grumbles of disapproval, the only thing hurt was probably her pride.
"Are you ok?" Chloe tentatively asked once the other girl was standing upright again. She watched the girl spin around on one foot and stare at her with the classic deer caught in the headlights look that said she had been momentarily forgotten, "Can I get you ice or something?"
"I'm fine," stepping out of the stall Beca ran a hand through her hair, "happens all the time."
"You sure about that?" Chloe raised and eyebrow and chuckled while the girl rolled her eyes.
Beca had no idea where to take this conversation anymore because she's pretty sure she just blew her chances with that little spectacle. Except for some reason she's willing to talk about anything to keep this girl around for a little bit longer, "So go on, continue with what were you just saying?"
Grinning Chloe had the brunette right where she wanted, "Just between you and me, that song's my jam…" leaning closer she returned the playful wink she got less than a minute ago and flicked her eyes down then back up and assertively finished, "my lady jam."
Beca really shouldn't be having totally inappropriate thoughts about someone she's just met, but man was she ever. It was a strange turn of events because usually she's the one making girls act all fidgety and jumpy and well exactly like she's acting. It's not like she was the master at wooing women, she's had her fair share of rejections and a few hard slaps across the face from probably being too bold, however it didn't make her any less confident. Usually she just moved on and tried again. Tonight though the tables have turned on her so quickly that she can't even muster a proper thought, let alone a witty pickup line, to save her life. At this point, her mind and hormones are being controlled like a fucking puppet in a kids play and that puppet master unfortunately has a rocking body and a sharp tongue and they're using it to their full advantage.
"That's…nice," Beca awkwardly replied averting her eyes to the mirror. They didn't linger long because she hated seeing her petrified look reflected back at her. When she connected them with the redhead's again, she saw a look of pride in them, and it was daunting.
Humming with a nod, Chloe folded her arms across her chest and rested against one of the sinks, "I mean each time that beat drops in, damn…"
"Well I'm glad it works for you," Beca was digging herself into a hole she'll never get out of by saying that. No one has ever insinuated that they use one of her songs for that reason so this was a first and she wasn't sure if she should take it as a compliment. "I-I mean that it worked so well that you won," she backtracked, closing her eyes stupid rushed from her mouth without warning, "not that you well, you know do things to yourself with that song."
Chloe was silent just long enough for the brunette's eyes to open back up and venture to hers again. It was nice knowing she still had this type of effect on someone and she grinned, "Well you know that song only added to my victory, because I'm pretty confident about…" she circled her hand around her chest and torso, "all this."
Beca's eyes involuntarily followed the redhead's movements and lingered probably longer than socially acceptable in certain areas, but damn she couldn't help it, she liked what she saw. That girl has no reason not to be confident about it, because there was a whole lot of hotness standing in front of her right now.
And like the total dumbass that Beca is, she just locked eyes with the girl again and said, "You should be," with a coy smile.
Chloe couldn't take it anymore and laughter erupted so hard and fast from her that it made her sides hurt. She loved how this girl was awkward and slightly introverted in some aspects, yet confident and brash in others. Yet the brunette wasn't running from the obvious embarrassment and stress Chloe had unfairly put her under. The posture and facial expressions all pointed towards bolting at any second but there was something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. Something that said this girl wasn't backing down from a challenge. That's what ultimately made her break character, because she finds qualities like that in a person highly appealing.
Sobering up Chloe placed a hand on the other girl's shoulder, "I'm only messing with you, that songs still my jam, but I never did any of that other stuff."
"So no wet t-shirt contest?" Beca asked with a smirk.
"Nope," Chloe briefly shook her head, "I was asked, but I turned it down."
Beca chuckled at the omission even though something told her that this redhead easily would've won any beauty contest she entered, even a wet t-shirt one.
"Well since we're being honest I'm usually much smoother when I talk to pretty girls," Beca casually stated with a grin.
And it was almost like karma was personally kicking her in the ass because when Beca moved toward the edge of the sink, she over anticipated the distance. Instead of planting her hand firmly on the edge, it landed at the bottom of the slippery washbasin. Then just like one of those people who are totally unprepared for a freshly waxed floor, she had no stability and her hand slipped around a few seconds before it slid up and out the opposite side of the sink and sent her off balance. Due to her tired state she wasn't coordinated enough to stop and she ended up smacking her forehead against the paper towel dispenser. She was just about to do the same with the soap dispenser when a set of hands grasped her shoulders, steadied her and helped her stand upright.
"Thanks," Beca ran her fingers across the painful spot right above her right eyebrow. Even though it hurt like a bitch, what surprised her the most, was the lack of laughter coming from the other person in the room. When she cracked her eyes open a few seconds later all she saw reflected back in those insanely blue ones was concern.
Dropping her hands Chloe softly asked, "No problem, are you ok?"
"I'm you know, dope," Beca cringed, buy thank god it could be played off as pain, "or whatever."
"No actually you're really, really cute," tilting her head Chloe connected their eyes again with a grin, "And I'm not so sure how much I believe that statement you made before you decided to knock yourself out."
Something tells Chloe that maybe if they'd met in a different setting the brunette might have been a little smoother, because underneath all that nervousness was a swagger she'd never encountered before. It was different and she was drawn to it in a way that said the attraction was there and that she liked what she saw. She loved the style and how the clothes hung just right and how they were thoughtfully picked out but not enough to really care if other people liked them or not. Then there's the tattoo barely peaking out from beneath a half rolled up sleeve that made her think that if there was one maybe there was more. Finally was her absolute favorite thing and that's how she'd seen about three different shades of red run up the girl's neck and face depending on how she steered the conversation. The whole persona screamed edgy, although she wasn't really sure how edgy this one actually was and she bets behind all that dark eyeliner and badass vide lived a giant softie.
Beca shot her eyes to the ground and she scuffed a shoe against the floor, "Look it's been a long week and usually I have my shit together, but I'll be honest with you, I'm tired and you make me hella nervous."
That wasn't the worst pickup line Chloe had heard, but it was honest and sweet and it really seemed like it the truth, especially when an eye was tiredly rubbed and hands were shoved into back pockets.
Letting the eighties hella wording slide, just once, Chloe got an idea and grinned, "How about we start over and I'll give you another shot at being the smooth lady killer you're trying to be?"
"Really?"
"Sure, but there's one stipulation."
Beca stood up taller and straightened out her shirt, "You name it…"
"I want the best pickup line you have to offer," Chloe stated stepping closer.
Here they go again with this redhead getting all up in Beca's personal space and the overall effect was already setting in. Looking up Beca shyly smiled and nodded, "I can do that."
"Then hit me with it!"
This was going to be so lame, but it's all Beca could come up with on short notice and in front of someone so totally out of her league.
"Can I get a kiss right here?" Lifting her hand Beca cocked her head to the side and tapped her right cheek, "That way I can say a cute girl kissed me tonight."
"I like that one," it was creative and a little on the cheesy side, but it was endearing and Chloe couldn't help but giggle, "I'll give you an A for effort," stepping forward she pressed a brief peck to the cheek in question and pulled back, "and you got a kiss because you're really fucking cute."
Beca defensively scoffed, crossing her arms she tried to fight the smile growing on her face but it was hard when a girl like that was smiling back at her, "I'm so not cute."
"Totes are…" Giving one last wink Chloe stepped over to the door and twisted the handle, before opening it she added, "Hey once you decide you've got your shit together, come find me and maybe I'll consider giving you my number."
"Wait I can do better I swear…"
The door quickly opened, than closed and Beca didn't even bother trying to finish her sentence because it would just be a lost cause. A girl like that probably got hit on a thousand times a day and she'd already made a fool out of herself at least eighty times in the span of five minutes so there was no need to risk potential injury again. Maybe it's best to leave their brief encounter here because it's highly unlikely that they'd ever see each other again. Better yet, maybe she'll take this as a learning experience on how to not to hit on girls especially when one of her main tactics backfired on her big time. The wink trick was one of her signature moves, nobody else is supposed to use it, and it was and in the most seductive way possible.
"Hot girls like that will be the death of me someday," Beca groaned looking at herself in the mirror before turning the faucet on and splashing her face with cold water.
Thanks for reading!
Part 2 of their meeting is coming next!
Like it? Love it? Hate it?...I want to know what you guys think, again it's my first totally new fic in forever. So leave me a review or drop me a PM I'm all ears! That's the only way for me to know if you guys are liking what I'm doing and helps me to shape things!
For the few of you who have asked nicely and messaged me I'll state it again like I did last chapter, I'll write and update this as soon as I have chapters written, so I can't really give you a so called "set schedule" because I always tend to break it anyway haha. Now I don't mind you guys messaging me to see how the chapters are going, in fact I kind of love it when people message me, and I'll most certainly give you an update if you ask nicely, please no demanding. So with that said I'm going to try and not to keep you guys hanging longer than 1-2 weeks at the most. Remember this isn't my only fic I'm writing :)
Until next time...