AN: Hello! Sorry for the wait, but I hope the length is worth it - I am still trying to find a steady rhythm when it comes to word count and time. There will be a kind of unexpected surprise in this? I'm not actually one hundred percent sure myself, but I was writing the plot out a bit more and I realized I could totally fit this - thing - in. So, surprise in the next chapter - kind of? Anyways, enjoy!
Chloe enjoyed physical contact, she's all about physical affection. She has ever since she was a small freckle-faced toddler, and the trait has been carried on all the way into her adulthood. She enjoyed it, she loved it – craved for it even. So personal boundaries is something she always thought, 'Huh, why would this exist?'
Meeting this petite little alternative girl one day totally flipped her world upside down.
She'd never met anyone who was so opposed to physical contact, someone who seemed so distant and sarcastic when compared to those around her. She'd never met someone who was her total opposite, and it irked her in a way she can't explain. But she wanted to get to know her, to chip away at those walls and really see who was behind them.
And if she's honest, it was actually kind of easy to get Beca's walls to flake away – though there's still little bricks around her feet sometimes – Chloe proceeds to simply step right over them.
As days went by, and years passed, Beca became more open to physical contact from her. And Chloe became more aware of when she should and shouldn't initiate it.
At this very moment, she had no clue as to what she should do with her hands. She should do something, right? Maybe not? She couldn't help but find this whole thing a bit humorous. Whether it was the situation as it is, or if it was the face Beca was pulling right now. She couldn't hold in the loud, throaty laugh that came out of her mouth – despite her efforts to keep it down.
"Dude – why are you – ugh," Beca covered her face and scrunched her eyes closed, probably until she could see stars. Chloe sputtered out apologies between her barks of laughter, but she just – couldn't stop! Gosh, it was just too funny not to laugh.
"This so isn't funny." Beca buried her face deeper into her hands, letting out a groan. The redhead's laughter died down to giggles, until it eventually subsided, leaving her with flushed cheeks, and a hint of a smile lingering on her face. Now was the time to initiate contact, she thought.
"It's kinda funny." She bit her lip as she stared at the brunette, pondering what she should do now. She still wasn't so sure, but she knew she didn't want her friend to hide from her. Because although Chloe loved physical contact, she really loved making eye contact. And eye contact with Beca was super hard to get – but when she did get it, she savored it, basked in it.
Slowly, she reached over and tapped twice on one of Beca's hands. There was a small puff of air that came from between the DJ's palms before she squeezed her hands impossibly closer to her face. The redhead drummed her fingers on Beca's hands a few more times.
"Knock, knock."
"Nobody's home." The shorter girl grumbled, though it was a bit muffled from under her fingers. Chloe dropped her hand with a sigh. She knew how Beca was, this is how she acted. But then again, maybe she wasn't just being a closed off little goofball. Chloe's eyes shone with amusement.
"Beca Mitchell," She scooted closer to the edge of the bed, closer to Beca who was still hiding behind those black-nailed fingers.
"Are you embarrassed?" She said it in a teasing tone, trying to urge the other girl to stop shying away from her. She wants to see that cute little face she's come to love.
Beca's hands flew away from her slightly pink face, and her eyes popped open widely.
"I'm not embarrassed – I'm just – can you not," She let out the longest groan Chloe's ever heard from her, which is actually pretty long – and kind of impressive. The redhead chuckled quietly as she snagged one of the now loose hands and held tightly – though the other girl did try to flinch away. It didn't bother Chloe much though. Once she's got her grip, she doesn't plan on letting go. Like a pit-bull. Bite down, and lock on.
After a few moments of taking deep breaths, the younger girl shut her eyes. Her other hand played with the stitching on her desk chair, Chloe could practically hear the cogs turning in her head.
"I'm not embarrassed." It was quiet, but firm this time as opposed to her awkward mess of words prior. Beca shook her head slowly, finally giving Chloe that eye contact she'd been wanting so desperately for the past ten minutes.
"I guess I feel, I dunno, misunderstood? God," A small smile ghosted on the brunette's lips as she began to play with the ginger's index finger.
"That sounded so angsty teenager of me – sorry you had to hear that." Chloe bit her tongue between her teeth whilst sporting a toothy grin.
"You were an angsty teenager once Bec, you don't have to apologize." She watched as the brunette bit her cheek thoughtfully, nodding a few times.
"Old habits die hard." Beca mumbled, shifting her eyes to the floor and then back to the redhead's own.
There was another pause before Chloe was beginning to really feel the tension in the air. So Beca felt misunderstood, which is understandable. Because they aren't more than best friends no matter what people see and think. Their relationship is how it is, everyone knows that. They're Beca and Chloe.
The redhead ran her thumb over Beca's knuckle, watching as goosebumps rose all up her arm. It gave her a weird tingly feeling in her chest, seeing how the quick action affected the other girl. She suppressed a grin.
"I'm sorry that he couldn't understand," Her tone was a soothing one, one that was used solely for Beca when need be. But then one of her own thoughts cut off her mini speech she was preparing to give her.
He didn't understand, sure, but why would Beca break up with him if he didn't understand? Wouldn't she just explain it to him, lick his pride a little and then things would be fine?
"Chlo, you okay there?" She snapped her attention back to those dark navy eyes, blinking a few times. Should she ask? She shouldn't, right? No, she shouldn't. She won't, maybe another time would be more fitting.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Chloe plastered a signature smile on, possibly a bit too big, but the bigger the better. Beca narrowed her eyes, studying her friend for a few seconds.
"You just seemed zoned out, and you looked – uh, confused?" Chloe's eyebrow quirked up before muttering a small 'oh'. She shook her head, brushing it off.
"I was just thinking about everything, you know." Beca nodded a few times. Chloe could tell that they needed to switch the subject now, this talk didn't seem to get them anywhere, but at least they talked – a little bit. As if sensing what the redhead was thinking, Beca slapped Chloe's knee gently, giving it a small squeeze.
"How about we take the Bellas out somewhere? We've all been a bit on edge – graduation is right around the corner, and then worlds," She let out a breath to end her sentence that was turning into a ramble, Chloe noticing the small twinkle in her eye as she spoke. It was true, they've been so stressed about every little thing, and maybe the distraction would be beneficial for all of them – not just for Beca.
"I think that's exactly what we need. What'd you have in mind?"
/
Beca's never really been a competitive type. She likes to win, sure – but she was never too upset if she didn't end up coming in first. She enjoys the process, the performance, the game, whatever.
This however – was not one of those times.
Beca and her co-captain were the last to wait on their rental shoes as the other Bellas wandered over to their two lanes. She leaned her elbow on the counter, turning her gaze to Chloe to give her one of her signature 'I'm a badass and I know it' looks. The redhead knowingly rolled her eyes.
"You ready to have your ass handed to you, Beale?" This was something Beca loved about their relationship. She loved the back and forth, the inside jokes, the ease, the blushing – though she'd argue that last one until the day she's lowered into her grave – but over all, she just loved talking with Chloe. It was easy, it was welcomed, unlike most of the conversations she has with people.
"I don't know, can you even reach it, Rebeca?" She so did not use her full name. Beca puffed before narrowing her eyes and then leaning to the side away from the counter. Taking an over exaggerated glance to the senior's backside, she shrugged.
"You wanna see if I can try?" She never usually had the upper hand when it came to the teasing banter with Chloe. Usually she was a stuttering, awkward mess. But she felt oddly confident. Something in the air, she just felt – lighter or whatever.
There was a moment where the other girl seemed stuck, a light blush tinting her cheeks. But it was quickly gone and replaced by her playful demeanor in all of four seconds.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Assuming the conversation ended there, Beca smirked to herself. She totally had the upper hand, what a great change of scenery before her.
"Then again, you probably already have it figured out considering it's given your full attention during Bellas' practice." Spoke too soon. The brunette choked on her spit, trying to lean back onto the counter, but slipping a few times. She shook her head. That was so not true. She didn't ogle her friend and objectify her like that! She wouldn't do that. She's just trying to get a rise out of you Beca, don't let it work.
Okay maybe like – once – but everyone has! She had to watch otherwise they wouldn't be able to get the choreo right.
"Not that I'm complaining," Beca pursed her lips, biting on her cheek roughly until she could taste copper on her tongue.
"The attention isn't unwanted." Chloe ended her sentence with a slow wink, successfully hindering any brain activity going on up there in the DJ's head.
This always happened when they got into their little groove of talking. There was always light flirting – Beca couldn't deny that. It was pretty downright and playful, innocent even. Well, usually. But it's like every other word out of the senior's mouth is a blush-bullet right to her face that makes Beca's palms sweaty, and her vision foggy.
The redhead let out a little growl, and made a clawing motion with her hand before chuckling.
"Wow, do I amuse you?" The woman in front of her kept giggling like a school girl, covering her mouth with her hand as if Beca not being able to see it would actually hide her laughter. It didn't.
"You're a sick, sick person Chloe Beale."
"Sickly vying for your undying attention, Beca Mitchell." Chloe pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, sighing loudly as she pretended to swoon. Beca scoffed.
"Eight and a half and a seven?" Oh thank God.
Beca turned to the teenager behind the desk, nodding in the general direction of him as she swiped her slightly smaller shoes from the counter top.
She settled down on one of the plastic chairs behind their lane, grumbling over having to use the velcro clad shoes instead of laced ones.
And then the teams were being situated.
Beca almost immediately grabbed on to Emily, declaring she had dibs because come on – it was freaky how good the freshman was at bowling. They'd gone a few times prior, this being their fourth time that year, and every single game the tall girl played she absolutely dominated.
Chloe pouted at the brunette.
"Aww, no fair." Though the big pink lip that was jutted out was oh so friggin' cute, Beca's game face did not falter. Well maybe a little bit, but not too much.
"I called dibs. So suck it." She motioned a very inappropriate gesture, the other woman gasping in shock. Fat Amy approached from behind Chloe, resting a gloved hand atop her shoulder.
"Don't worry Ginger, back in Tasmania I was known for my ball play," The blonde glanced a look at Beca, and then Emily before coughing.
"-And bowling."
Beca gave her friend a weird – and slightly horrified – look before clapping her hands together.
"Let's just grab our," The brunette sputtered for a moment, exhaling deeply. "Balls, and – yeah, yep." Come on Beca, you're a fucking grown-up, you can say balls. Shaking her head momentarily, she sauntered off to the many rows of bowling balls. Settling for an eight pound green one, she made her way back to the lane, setting it down on the rail. After a few minutes, all the girls had theirs chosen, Emily handling the button board thingy. The thing that controls all the – the scores on the TV and – stuff.
"Team name, Cap?" The tall girl asked. Beca wondered for a moment, thinking for something witty, or funny, or maybe just initials. She snapped abruptly, startling the freshman.
"Flashlight?" The legacy nodded at the name, her excitement growing exponentially.
"Amy wants our name to be Muffgate, so." Beca snickered at her fellow captain whilst giving her a pity stare. Chloe scoffed.
"Oh yeah, laugh it up Mitchell. But you won't be laughing when you get beaten by a team called Muffgate."
"God, you're right." She nodded seriously, her lips thinning from holding in her giggles. Beca crossed her arms, coughing before glancing up to one of the two TVs in their lane. Looks like Emily will be going first, then Beca, Amy, and then Chloe.
/
"Yes! Eat it!" Beca thrust the air, spinning around to do a small victory dance. It was her fourth strike in a row, and she really wanted Chloe to know that team Flashlight was winning.
Stepping down from the small step, Beca flounced towards the redhead, ready to flaunt her streak in her face when she realized she wasn't looking at her. Chloe had her head down, biting her lip at her phone along with a furrowed brow, a look of confusion? Concentration? Beca's cockiness died down as she sat beside her friend.
"You okay Chlo?" She asked quietly, seeing as she's concerned for the girl – and Amy having somehow gotten her ball stuck in lane 30 when they were in lane 14, they have a lot of time to waste. The redhead looked up, a bit sheepish as she locked her phone.
"Yeah, yes. I'm having a wonderful time." Beca could just be reading into things, but the smile on Chloe's face wasn't reaching her eyes like it usually did. Her fingers were fidgeting in her lap, though wrapped around her pink-case covered phone. And her eyes were averting every few seconds.
Beca sighed.
"You're an awful liar," Beca gave her a half smile, watching as Chloe's cheeks reddened. She bit the inside of her cheek before laying a hand on her shoulder, squeezing softly.
"But you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to." Beca nodded once to confirm her statement, seeing Chloe's 'I-am-totes-okay-why-do-you-ask' expression slip away. She leaned into Beca's touch, inhaling deeply before she spoke – and Beca listened the whole time.
Up until Chloe started talking about Tom.
Now that – that's a name she thought she'd never hear again. Well, she hoped she'd never have to hear it again, or see him again, or have him in her best friend's life again. But here she is, listening – as she used to when he first came into their lives – listening to Chloe talk about how he was back, how he wouldn't stop texting her, calling her.
And Beca just wanted – she doesn't know. Air? Or maybe like – a really big knife. He was the worst boyfriend of all the boyfriends she's met of Chloe's, just thinking about it made her skin crawl.
And now he's back – in Georgia. Great.