"well what should I do?" I looked at the girls hopelessly, "if I drop out now, I'll look like a puss. But if I fight him, my chances at getting on the team are slim." ugh why must my life be so difficult.
Why couldn't I just be born in the right body, why couldn't my mom just be alive, why couldn't my best friend just be alive, why couldn't I just go to school and not get threatened.
"Beck, are you ok? you're crying." Stacie asked, I felt my face and it turns out I was. "Sorry, this day has just been really stressful." my voice cracked towards the end, most of my emotions were due to the change in my hormones but also this day has really been a battle. "I'll catch you guys later." I'm pretty sure the girls didn't hear what I said because I whispered it before walking off. I decided that I'm not gonna fight Tom and just wait until tryouts, that way once I'm on the team and my position is secured-should I make the team that is-then if me and Tom still had problems I'll fight him.
As I went towards the front of the school, none other than Tom, Chicago and some of their 'goons', came up to me right as I could see the door, Tom pushed me into a set of lockers before looking at me, "aw, lil baby go cry cry." he said in a mocking baby voice, making a crying motion with his bawled fists. "Bro just chill alright, I don't want any problems." I clenched my teeth, "does that mean you're backing down from our fight. What a wimp." Tom cackled, my tears soon become hot tears as anger became my prime emotion, "Back. Off." I felt my hands forming fists as I tried to fight the urge to drop kick his sorry ass, "what're you gonna do? You can't take all of us." Tom scoffed, I started to feel corned, which only made me madder.
I only like being in select small spaces, like my room away from the world, but if a lot of people are around me at once, in a tight spot-like me up against some lockers and 4 to five people surrounding me per say-I start getting claustrophobic and I use violence as a way to fix that scary feeling, where my chest gets all tight and I can't breath, my doctor calls it anxiety, which produces a panic attack because my body goes into some kind of shock or something. Anyways, I was getting to the point where I was about to have a panic attack, but I knew I couldn't resolve to punching, not this time, not with tryouts right around the corner, so I did the next best thing, well looking back now, it wasn't the best but I thought so at the time. I tried to push past Tom, which only made him push me further into the lockers, so yeah pretty dumb of me, because now I felt it, my chest went tight and my breath was labored as I shrunk into the lockers until I fell to the ground, curling up like a ball. "Dude this kid is going psycho." Chicago piped up, "let's get outta here, it's no fun when they get like this." Tom said retreating. But that did nothing, because I still felt cornered and was already mid panic attack.
Some other students in the hall just watched, as I lay in my tears, holding myself, trying to catch my breath, but I couldn't it felt like my throat was closing up, like I was drowning, like I was in a bad dream but couldn't wake up.
That's when I seen her, my saving grace, Stacie was running towards me, before she was kneeling at my side, coaching me through this, "hey hey hey, just breath, you're gonna be ok, your dad is on his way from the other hall. Just breath. In and out, deep breaths, just like that." Stacie said, as I copied her, although my breaths were choppy I was regaining most of my air back. "Beck!?" my dad ran over to me, kneeling next to Stacie, "w-what happened?" my dad asked, but he wasn't asking me, he was asking Stacie, "I don't know, me, Bree, and Chlo were talking back at the arts hall, when this kid came up to us and said, "you're friend Beckett is having some sort of episode in the front of the school" so I ran up here, and because my legs are a lot longer I got here before them." Stacie said, pointing towards the others who were stopping kids from taking videos. I hadn't noticed them before, it felt like it was just me and Stacie, crazy isn't it.
"Beck are you ok, can you hear me?" my dad asked, and I nodded, "I need you to answer verbally bud." he said, "don't call me bud, it's weird." I said trying to ease the tension, which gladly worked because my dad chuckled and so did Stacie, "come on, let's get you off this floor." my dad said, as he helped me off the floor. "What happened kiddo?" my dad had finally asked me, as the other two girls came over after getting the recorders to back off, "claustrophobia equals panic attack." I said, as if that explained everything, "yeah but why were you feeling claustrophobic? What triggered it?" my dad asked in more detail, "I don't wanna get into it right now ok, so can you just back off I'm starting to feel cornered again." I said, and everyone took a step back, "thanks, now I'm heading home, group chat later?" I asked the girls who nodded. Chloe being the person she is, made a group chat for us, that way we could all talk if individual texting and forwarding messages got to complicated.
I finally walked out of the school, breathing in the fresh air, air that hadn't yet been infiltrated by the smell of sweaty teens and their potent sexual desire. I walked towards my bike and pulled my helmet on after putting on my earbuds, and turning my music up to max volume, I played some of my own mixes, that may or may not have been made for a specific leggy brunette.
As I pulled into our house's driveway, my phone went off, signaling that I had a message, when I got into the house, I opened my phone and checked the message, it was a mass text from an anonymous number, that had a video of me a few minutes back at the school. Guess the girls weren't quick enough after all. I didn't even need to play the video to know what happened, I just lived it after all. So I instead headed upstairs to take a shower and cool off, as I stepped under the water, I felt like the days events wash away, all the sweat and grime, all the tears, all the emotions, gone.
After I got out of the shower, I stood in front of the mirror, I looked at my body and cringed, I had the best abs, the best toned legs, the best arms, but my chest was the worst, I felt like vomiting looking at the way my chest hung, I quickly looked away, reaching for my binder in the process, once I put it on I could look at myself again, but this time my body found something else to hate, the thing in-between my legs, I've talked to my dad about top surgery, and he agreed, saying we need to see about some things, but that it could happen if I was sure. But I myself haven't even thought about bottom surgery, let alone talked to my dad about it. I mean, was I ok with just a packer or did I really want more. So as I looked at my woman parts, and then at my face that had been neatly shaved, I couldn't help but feel like it didn't fit, because it didn't. So I put my boxers and packer on, and put on my t-shirt, after that I felt 10x better looking at my self in the mirror. I even had a mini muscle show where I flexed and took some pictures. I meant to send three of those pictures to a folder on my phone, that had pictures of my transition, but accidentally sent them to the group chat, "shit shit shit!" I said under my breath, the replies were instant. The first image was of me flexing my arm, the second was of me raising my shirt just enough to see my abs and bottom half, the last was just a selfie, because why not.
Beck(5:56 pm): *three images*
Stacie(5:57): the second one is already my lock screen
Aubrey(5:58): sorry B, but I'm not sending any back, I don't roll like that
Chloe(5:58): hot bod ;)
Beck(6:00): *replied to Aubrey* so. Funny. :|
Aubrey(6:01): whatever. What are those for anyways? I doubt you meant to send them the the gc
Stacie(6:02): idc about why I'm just lovin' it ;)
Beck(6:04): I meant to store them in a folder but sent 'em here. So please for the love of what is good, let's not talk about this.
Chloe(6:05): no way, this is gold. Fyi I think those daily runs are working for ya ;)
Stacie(6:05): back off woman, gay or not idc back off
Aubrey(6:06): cool it Stace
Beck(6:06): I'm going to bed, you people are weird
Stacie(6:07): the only weird one is you, it's 9pm and you're going to bed ?
Beck(6:08): what can I say, this day was emotionally draining
Chloe(6:09): we should talk about that, like what happened after school
Stacie(6:10): yeah and are you ok
Beck(6:10): yeah, I'm good just a lot happened
Aubrey(6:11): what about in the bathroom
Chloe(611): BREE! I specifically told you not to talk about that
Stacie(6:13): talk about what, and what happened in the bathroom also if all three of you are meeting up, why aren't I included...I thought we were friends
Beck(6:13): *Beck requested a FaceTime*
Chloe(6:14): *Chloe has joined the FaceTime*
Aubrey(6:14): *Aubrey has joined the FaceTime*
Stacie(6:14): *Stacie has joined the FaceTime*
I set my phone up, so that it was on my nightstand facing me, as I laid on my bed. "I bet you guys have lots of questions." I started and they all voiced their agreeance, "hold on." Stacie said, before she hung up and a few seconds later she was in the same frame as Aubrey. "Alright, you can start." she gave the ok, and I started. "Well when I was nine, I was diagnosed with claustrophobia, after I got locked in a bathroom stall, the kind with no open bottom so you can't crawl out. So I often avoid small rooms with a lot of people, or staying near an exit to prevent me from feeling boxed in. The reason I had a panic attack was because, when I was leaving the school, Tom, Chicago, and their other friends, pushed me into some lockers and surrounded me, which triggered me. Normally in situations like that, I resolve to fighting, but this time I didn't and it totally backfired." I took a breath after I finished.
"What about what happened in the bathroom?" Aubrey asked, "we still need to talk about that, but just me and you, and maybe Chloe." I answered, Chloe should be there for moral support, and cause she knows Aubrey better that way in case it doesn't go right Chloe can talk some sense into Aubrey. "Why not me too, am I not important enough to be there?" Stacie asked, I could hear how hurt she was at the fact that I didn't want to include her, "trust me Stacie, it's better if you're not there, that way you can see me the way you do now, for longer. At least before you hate me." I smiled sadly, "I could never hate you." Stacie said softly. "Get a room!" Chloe said, easing the tension, "whatever, I'll see you later. Night." I said before hanging up. I was in bed scrolling through social media for a while when my stomach started growling, and I realized that I hadn't eaten since lunch at 12 and it was currently 9:30pm, and with the change in my body, I used a lot of energy in a day. So I closed out of my phone and went downstairs to find something to eat, I looked through the cabinets and found some instant noodles, package secured. I put them in the microwave-don't come for me, using the stove felt like a lot of work-and when they were done, I went back upstairs to eat them.
Tomorrow was gonna be Wednesday, which meant there would only be two more days until basketball tryouts.
-Time Jump, Friday-
The rest of the week went by fairly quick, yeah there were the occasional, "look at the crazy kid." from a few people, but after a not-so-subtle threat, and reminding them what I did to Chicago they backed off. Besides I didn't really have time to worry about them, because tryouts were today.
I climbed out of bed before my alarm again, this time due to good adrenaline, I went on my daily run, but this time without Chloe because she said she had to be at school earlier for something. After my run I did some more exercises in the garage before heading in to take a shower. I decided to were grey sweatshirt under a white and blue t-shirt some white jean shorts and some retro sport blue 6's. I grabbed my sports bag and bookbag before going downstairs, I grabbed a packaged protein shake and a poptart and left the house, getting on my motorcycle.
When I pulled up to the schools parking lot, I seen that the girls were already here and parked next to them. "Hey." I said as I got off my bike, "hey Beckett." Stacie said, and I couldn't help but stare at her, she was wearing a tight white shirt with shorts so short I was sure her own mother would dress code her. "Hey." I said again practically drooling, "I think you're staring." Chloe whispered in my ear, "what? Oh!" I blinked regaining my focus looking anywhere but at Stacie, "so, are you excited for tryouts today?" Aubrey asked, "yeah I guess, I've been scouting out my competition, but you could hardly call them competition." I said rather cockily, "I hope you can swallow your words." an annoying voice said, "Tom, what do you want?" I said as I turned around to face the boy.
He was about the same height as me, 5'9 maybe, pretty bulky but definitely smaller than me, which told me that he didn't take his exercise routine that well, probably worked out twice a week and drunk a few protein shakes here and there. "Oh ya know, just wanted to see if you were doing ok. I can't beat your ass at tryouts if you're not on your A-game, that wouldn't be fair, now would it?" he smiled, and man would I give up my soul just to punch that smile right off his face, "I guess it wouldn't." I rolled my eyes, "guess I'll see you at tryouts, bud." he said before knocking my poptart out of my hand and walking away. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath, he wasn't worth my time, "better get to class, we don't wanna be late." I said, walking towards the building, not bothering to wait for the others.
The day went by just as quick as it started, and before I knew it I was changing in the locker rooms, I decided to use a stall so I didn't risk getting exposed. I just wore a plain black t-shirt and some basketball shorts with my lucky black and gold Kyrie 6's. I wore them anytime I played basketball, because they made me feel unstoppable.
I went into the gym and there were already a bunch of boys talking, and signing up for what position they wanted to play. I went up to they paper and seen that Tom put his name under small forward, the same position I wanted, and only one of us were gonna be starters, and I was determined that it'd be me. "Oh well if it isn't Beckett!" I heard a familiar voice, "Kyle, Jordan." I greeted the two, I hadn't really had a conversation with the two since we meet in the diner, but I did have a few classes with them and would occasionally give them a head nod or something. "Dude, I said you can call me Jordy or JJ, my dad's name is Jordan, I'm just a jr." Jordy said, "alright. So what position you two going for?" I asked, "point guard." Kyle said, "shooting guard. What about you?" Jordy asked, "small forward." I said, and both of them looked at me like I was crazy, "are you CRAZY!? The one position you should never go for, you go for." Jordy said, "yeah dude, Tom is gonna wipe the floors with you. Last year Tom was small forward, and ten other SENIORS tried out, and Tom was only a freshman. If that doesn't say anything, I don't know what will." Kyle said, as he shook his head, "well maybe it's time for somebody to overtake him." I shrugged, "alright, but if you get the chance, don't cross Ryder, if you're going after Tom, that's enough trouble to last you the rest of high school, Ryder McFaye, trouble for a lifetime." Jordy said, before the coach blew his whistle.
I don't know who this McFaye kid is, but I'll try to steer clear of him. I ran out onto the court where the coach had us line up. "Alright boys, tonight is gonna be HELL, from right now-" he looked at his watch, "2:57, to 8:30pm, you are mine. You are gonna go through a lot, because I wanna see if this years team is gonna be full of men, or SISSY'S." coach said, as he walked up and down the line, "say it, don't spray it." someone said, and all commotion stopped, "who was it?" coach asked, and one of the assistant coaches pointed to a tall kid with blonde hair, "drop and give me fifty. When you're done with those, everybody is doing laps." everyone groaned and the kid dropped to the floor, doing some pushups, "when one person slips up, everyone takes the heat. That's how I run my team, and if someone has a problem they can leave. Now everyone better start some laps around this gym, 15 laps and the last person done is cut." coach said before he blew his whistle, and everyone took off. No one wanted to be last so they ran fast, unlike a few of us who jogged, you may be wondering why, and that's because all the people who are running are gonna get tired and slow down, and those of us that just jogged will have an advantage, their were about 50 kids in the gym so the chances of you being last were pretty slim anyways. I noticed a few people started to lag behind, those were the runners and I was on my tenth lap, so I speed up a little, a few people I passed were stopping to get water, or catch their breath, but I couldn't worry about that, I was close to being done, 3 more laps. When I was on my last lap, I ran the whole way, until I made it back to the coach where he told us to line up when we were done. There were only two other people there when I finished so that was good.
About ten minutes passed and more people had lined up, there were about three more people running, all on about their fourteenth lap, people were shouting and cheering for their friends, and finally one person remained. "What's your name kid?" coach asked, "Andy, Andy Miller." he said as he caught his breath, one of the assistant coaches brought over a clipboard, handing it to coach Smith, "well Andy, you've just been cut. Get outta my face." he said, the kid grabbed his stuff and left the gym, "wished that was you." I heard Tom say behind me, "could say the same thing." I said.
Coach Smith had all the freshman in one line, sophomores in another, juniors in another, and seniors in another. "Were gonna do basic exercises. The first five to stop, ARE CUT! Freshman- pushups, sophomores- sit-ups, juniors- planks, and seniors- burpees. Were gonna rotate for the next hour, and then we'll start playing some ball. I hope you kept up with your exercises boys cause you're gonna be sore tomorrow." he blew his whistle and the movement began. I can do about 50 good sit-ups before I feel the pain, so I was kinda hoping somebody would quit.
I was nearing 40 sit-ups when somebody-a freshman dropped to the floor crying, "name?" coach asked, "Ma-Mattie Parlor." he stuttered, "well Mr. Parlor. YOU'RE CUT! Now go wipe those tears of my floor!" he crossed the name off his clipboard, "everyone else can stop, and rotate, seniors on pushups, freshmen on sit-ups, sophomores on planks, juniors on burpees." coach started us up again. I'm gonna be honest, I don't do planks as often as I should, so I don't know how long I could go.
My arms were shaking and my abs were tight with pain, I held my breath as to stop from moving so much, but I didn't know how long I could keep holding on, my palms were sweating and my forearms were bruising under the weight of my body, not to mention my toes that were going numb from supporting me. Then luckily-or not-two guys in my line collapsed, meaning only two more people had to get cut before we could stop, and I was hoping that wouldn't be me.
Finally after having to do burpees and pushups two more people got cut. And they weren't me, one junior and one senior. Coach blew his whistle, telling us all to line up, then another coach came over, introducing himself as coach Jackson the assistant coach, and he'd be taking half of us to make a team and we'd go up against coach Smith's team. He took 21 boys leaving 22, and just as luck would have it, me and Tom were on opposite teams, he was with coach Jackson me with Smith. I was waiting for directions when a taller kid came over to me. He was Latino, had black hair that was slicked back a few strains getting lose, and wore his sleeves cuffed on his short sleeved shirt. "Sup I'm Ryder." he stuck his hand out, "uh Beckett, but everyone just calls me Beck." I shook his hand, "I've seen you play at the gym, you're good kid." he said, "thanks." I said, still being on high alert for any red flags, "I know you've probably heard things about me, like I'm bad new or some shit like that. But that's only to people who've crossed me, and you haven't so you're good. Besides, we have a common enemy. Tom, and his little bitch Chicago." Ryder said, as he looked over to where Tom was messing with some kid, "yeah, he's kinda a jackass." I chuckled, "well when we're done with tryouts, meet me out front, I have a proposition for you, and you're gonna wanna hear it." Ryder said and I nodded.
Soon after that coach gave us our positions-which were based off what you signed your name under-and we started the game. the other team had ball first, so I was on defense, guarding Tom of course, "careful, don't wanna get hurt." he said as he dribbled the ball, "is that a threat?" I narrowed my eyes at him, "oh no, me never, that would get me kicked off the team, well should I make it, and we both know I will." he smirked, "well don't hold your breath, cause there's a new kid in town, and they're taking you down." I said as I stole the ball, taking it down the court and hitting a three. "That's what I'm talking about!" Jordy high-fived me.
The game had continued like that for a while, until we were neck and neck, with twenty seconds left, I was guarding Tom, and some other kid had the ball, he went down the court but didn't have a clear shot, I could see he was about to pass the ball to Tom, so I positioned myself in a way where it looked like he could catch the ball and get a layup, but right as the ball was in mid air, I stepped up, grabbed it and ran down the court, passing it to Jordy who then passed it back to me, giving me enough time to dunk the ball at the last few seconds. My team high-fived me and slapped me on the back as we celebrated, we heard the whistle blow and lined up. "You were great out there, under pressure but never phased, good communication, inclusive, I seen everyone touch the ball at least once. That's the kind of team I want! The kind you should want! Do you, want that kind of team?" coach asked, and the gym roared with agreeance, "good. Me and coach J are gonna go talk, and see who we think are good enough for our team. Hit the showers, and be back in about an hour." he dismissed us.
Everyone headed to the locker rooms and to the showers, lucky for me there were shower stalls that locked, so I took a quick one and changed in the stall. I just put on some sweatpants and a hoodie, with the shoes I wore for tryouts. For the remainder of the hour, I just talked to Kyle and Jordy, they were actually pretty cool, not at all like the girls made them out to be, and I need more dude friends, not that I'm complaining about hanging out with girls like them, but if I wanted to look tougher I needed male friends.
Kyle was the calmer of the two, he was mixed, had curly hair that was shaved on the sides and the ends were dyed blonde, he often wore high end clothe brands, Nike, Jordan, Balenciaga, Dior. Nice stuff, so his family was definitely doing well. Jordan, aka Jordy, was African American, lightskin, a lot more energetic but not in an annoying way, he had a lot of hair that he often kept in braids, and had a good sense of style, not like Kyle, but not just a white shirt with black pants, more like urban streetwear kind of look, lots of layers-like me. But yeah, they were cool, and turns out Jordy had a girlfriend, her name was Kameron, and she was in my dance class. After a while, we were all called back into the gym, coach Smith was standing holding a piece of paper, that one could only assume was the sheet that showed who made it and who didn't.
"You all came in here today as boys, but now you're gonna leave here as MEN! You ran those laps and didn't give up, you did those exercises and didn't cry once. I've been doing this for a while, for the last decade I've been a coach, and I've seen many come and go, and only so many of them become real men. So even though almost half of you have been cut, you still gained something, my honor and my respect. Without further ado, the new team for this years season." he taped the paper to a table and stepped aside.
I took a deep breath as I went up to the table and held my breath as I read the list.
Louis Austin
Andrew Boston
Henry Franklin
Winston Fryer
Miles Garcia
Nickolas Henny
Tom Kennedy
Alexander Kopek
Ryder McFaye
Beckett Mitchell
Daniel Monroe
Philip Morrison
Jordan Ranz
Jesse Swanson
Kyle Vinny
"LET'S GO!" I shouted loudly as I jumped in the air, I made it and so did Jordy and Kyle. Sadly Tom did too, but now that I knew Ryder also had it out for Tom, I knew we could take him down. "Sorry to those of you that didn't make it, try again next year if you have a chance, but those of you who did make it, practices are Monday through Thursday, from 2:30 to 6:30, I know it says 4:30 on your schedules but that doesn't include sports sadly, Fridays you rest, Saturday you play games. I wanna have a good season this year, we went to states last year, lets get to the championships this year. Go home, get some rest, and I'll see you back here Monday." he said before we were all able to leave.
I was about to exit the building when I remembered that Ryder wanted to talk, so when I exited I looked around for him and saw him leaning against what I'd assume was his car. "What'd you want to talk about?" I asked, when I reached his car, "well first off, congrats on making the team, I had no doubts. Second, we can't talk here, meet at Benny's tomorrow at 12pm." he said, "alright, I'll be there. And congrats dude, you were great." I gave him a fist bump before heading towards my bike. When I could actually see my bike, I seen Tom standing there, "what do you want?" I asked as I neared the vehicle, "oh nothing, just wanted to say congratulations, and that if you think you're gonna be a starter, that you should probably bring a butt pillow, cause I heard it gets sore sitting on the bench all day." he said, "yeah well after this year, it won't be 'you heard' it's gonna be 'you should know' cause you'll be the bench warmer." I smirked, before getting on my bike and driving off.
When I got home, I was gonna go in, but decided to go over to Chloe's for a sec. I go up to the door and rung the bell. "Yes?" a redheaded man opened the door, "is Chloe here?" I asked, he looked me up and down before he replied, "she went to the store with her mom, she'll be back in about ten minutes." he answered "oh, alright, see ya round." I said as I started to walk away, "hold on kid." he stopped me, "yes sir?" I asked looking at him, "you like basketball, I'm watching a game?" he asked, "uh yeah." I said, and he open the door a little wider, "come in." he said and I did.
"My names Chris. I'm Chlo's dad." he said, leading me to the living room, "Beckett. I moved across the street a few months ago, and have since became well acquainted with Chloe and her friends." I said. I noticed that the game was the Hawks vs the Heats, "what team you go for?" Chris asked, "I'm from Maine, but never really like the Celtics, I've always been a Warriors fan, and they're doing good this year, cutting it with 25 wins so far. How bout you?" I asked, "I've lived here since I was born, so I was born and raised a Hawks fan." Chris said, "guess this game isn't going in your favor then." I said as Huerter hit a three, "sure isn't. Want a soda?" Chris asked as he was getting up, "sure thanks." I nodded. He left for a bit before coming back with two Pepsis and some chips, "hope you're not a coke fan." he said handing me a can, "nah this is fine." I happily took it, cracking it open.
I got to know Chris some more, and it turns out he played ball in high school, even got a scholarship to Bradley, but after an injury in his junior year, he had to give up the game, and his hip, having to get a hip replacement at the age of 21. Now he is the chief firefighter. "So do you play? You seem like you know your stuff." he asked, "oh, yeah, tryouts were actually just today, and I made the team. I was coming over here to tell Chloe." I said, "that's great, what position you go for?" Chris asked, "small forward hopefully." I sighed, "what was there somebody else looking to get the position too?" he asked "yeah, this guy named Tom, he's been on my case since school started, and now this. I mean he was ok, but I'm pretty sure I was better." I said, "I guess I'll have to see for myself, I always go to the games to support Chlo anyways, so I'll see how good you are." he said. We watched the rest of the, getting to know each other some more, and I could confidently say that if he wasn't twice my age and was in my grade, we'd probably be best friends.
I heard the door open and in came Mrs. Beale carrying some grocery bags, I hurried up to help her, "I got it Beckett." she said, "no I insist. It's the least I could do, I barely pay attention in your class while you make an effort to try and shove things in my brain." I said making her laugh, "well if you insist." she handed over the bags and I put them in the kitchen, Chloe coming in soon after me, "Beckett? What are you doing here, it's like 9pm?" Chloe asked, giving me a hug, "well I came over to talk to you, but then you weren't here and your dad let me stay and watch the game. Also your dad is pretty cool." I said, "ew, those word should not go together." Chloe cringed, "whatever. Let's get the rest of the stuff." I followed Chloe out.
"Thank you for your help Beckett, it's much appreciated." Mrs. Beale thanked me, "like I said, it's no problem, Mrs. Beale." I said, "oh please, call me Julia, it's after school hours." she said, "got it." I said, "come on Beck, we have to get you away from my parents before they become your best friends." Chloe said dragging me upstairs, "uh, it was nice to meet you Chris." I said, right before we exited the downstairs area, "likewise kid." I heard.
We had made it up to Chloe's room, and I took note of things, this was like the second time I had been in there, we normally hang at my place and the first time I was in here I couldn't focus on the scene because...well you know. She had a lot of posters on the walls, some of boy bands, some of girl bands, some were classic movie posters. She had a full bed, like mine, but her comforter was yellow and white, she also had a matching desk and nightstands that went with the backboard. Her room was nice, I have to say, and pretty clean. I sat at the desk and waited for Chloe to come out of her closet, she said she wanted to change, when she finally came out and settled on her bed I told her. "So I made the team or whatever." I said, adding some extra nonchalantness, "YOU WHAT!? OMG BECK!" she jumped up and ran over to me, pulling me up from the chair, hugging me, "yeah it's like whatever." I chuckled, "oh yeah, it's just 'whatever', NO, this is huge, there were a lot of other kids wanting to join and you were one of the lucky ones. OMG!" Chloe shouted, "calm down, your parents are gonna think we're doing weird stuff in here." I joked, and she playfully slapped my arm, "oh shut up." she said, before she went back to her bed. "So, what was it like? What did you have to do?" Chloe asked, and I told her everything that went on.
I lost track of time, but after a while a younger girl burst through the door, "CHLOE, what did you do to my computer? I can't find it!" she asked "Charlie, how many times have I told you to knock, before you enter. And I gave you you computer back, now scram." Chloe told the younger girl, "oh, you didn't say you had company. Hey I'm Charlie, and you're hot." she walked over to me, "I'm Beckett." I said, "as in The Beckett Mitchell, as the cool new kid who beat up Chicago, as in the same one who made the basketball team!?" she asked and I nodded, "...and you're friends...with my lame ass sister!" Charlie practically screamed, "I mean she's not that lame, a little maybe, but not to bad." I laughed, "ha ha, real funny." Chloe narrowed her eyes at me, making me smirk, "but hey, you are my best friend, so obviously I have to like you a little bit." I said, "whatever, if you wanna hang with someone actually cool, hang with me. And who knows, maybe one day we could be more than friends..." Charlie said, before Chloe kicked her out. "Well you've met my sister, she's only a freshman, but sometimes she acts like a senior." Chloe rolled her eyes, "I wish I had another sibling, being the only child sucks sometimes, but at least I get all of my dads attention and love, well at least now I do." I smiled sadly, "what do you mean?" Chloe asked, "this dates way back, to before I started my transition. And why my parents got a divorce"
A/N: Congrats, you made it through this chapter, and there were a lot of words. Fun Fact; the whole basketball thing, actually happened at my school, we had to do a whole bunch of exercises and laps, and every time someone complained or made a joke, we had to do more things. Some of it was adding dramatics but it was excruciating to say the least-but at least I made the team.
Anyways- I don't own Pitch Perfect or it's characters. Nor do I own the brands mentioned in this story.