CHAPTER 3:
Arriving at the center, Stacie found the other Bellas as they were waiting to perform.
"Stacie," Chloe called out, spotting her as she approached. "You made it."
"I couldn't leave you girls to have all the fun," she smiled, trying to keep her spirits up.
Some of the Bellas offered words of encouragement, and others offered a friendly embrace. Beca gently rubbed Stacie's arm, offering only a sympathetic smile. Stacie couldn't look at anyone directly; they all meant well. She knew she needed to keep her composure for the competition. Instead of finding the words, she kept her face forward but gave a slight nod and grateful smile in return.
The Footnotes were up first. After their performance, it was time for the Bellas to go onstage.
"Remember, guys. The top two teams go to the finals, so we just have to beat one. If we do the routine exactly as rehearsed, we'll get there," Aubrey reminded them.
As the Bellas made their way onstage, Beca once again questioned if what Aubrey said about the routine helping them advance would be true but didn't say anything. Aubrey blew the pitch pipe and led them into the first song in the set, which is the exact same song used in the previous competitions. She may have been too blind or oblivious to not realize something was wrong, but Beca wasn't.
During the routine, she looked around and noticed that the audience looked like they were about to fall asleep, and the judges were giving disapproving looks. The Footnotes were teasingly dancing in the wings. At that moment, Beca thought, 'well, if Aubrey won't do anything about this problem, I'll just have to take matters into my own hands.' Halfway through the song, she did so by attempting to mash-up "The Sign" with "Bulletproof." Once Beca chimed in, the audience and judges started to wake up a bit which was definitely a sign that change can be a good thing. Usually a good leader would notice the audience and judges' new reaction, but not Aubrey. Once the Bellas went backstage, tensions flared between her and Beca.
"What gives, Beca?! Were you trying to screw us up?" Aubrey asked.
"Are you serious?" Beca asked.
"Dixie Chicks serious!" Aubrey said.
"Okay, I'm sorry if I messed you up, but in case you didn't notice, everyone pretty much dozed off during our set," Beca pointed out.
"It's not your job to decide what we do and when we do it. Why don't you ask the others what they thought of your improvisation?" Aubrey said as Amy chimed in.
"I think it was good. But it would've been nice if we were given a heads-up," Amy said.
"Exactly! I told you she wasn't a Bella," Aubrey huffed.
"Is that what you think? Well, I'll have you know last Christmas I had a dream where I realized being a Bella is who I'm meant to be," Beca remembered.
"Well, maybe next time you go to sleep, you ought to have a better dream," Aubrey fired back.
"Oh, you did not just say that!" Chloe said, defending Beca.
"Your attitude sucks; you're a grade-A pain in my-" Aubrey started only to be cut off by Beca.
"Alright, THAT'S IT! You've been rather honest about your feelings for me, so let me return the favor: you're a selfish jerk, you're a terrible leader, and you wouldn't know a good tune if it bit you in the aca-end!" Beca yelled before taking a few deep breaths.
"Wow," Chloe said, astonished.
"But if this is what I get for trying, I'm outta here," Beca said before storming off.
"She's right, you know," Chloe said before going after her.
"Guys, I don't mean to break up this argument, but my plane leaves in a few hours," Stacie said.
"Oh, yeah. I guess we won't make it back in time now if we stay for the awards ceremony. I'll text you the results when we find out, okay?" Aubrey offered.
"Thanks, Aubrey. See you in a week," Stacie said as she headed for the exit.
"Beca!" Chloe yelled before catching up to her at the exit door.
"What?" Beca asked, still frustrated over what happened.
"Listen, I'm sorry she reacted like that, okay. If it makes you feel any better, I thought what you did was great," Chloe said.
"Thanks. I'm glad I have some support at least," Beca said.
"Are you sure you don't want to stick around?" Chloe asked.
"I think I'll just take a cab back to campus. I'll text you later," Beca said.
"Before you go, I think Stacie is heading back to campus," Chloe said as Stacie caught up to them. "Stacie, Beca was going to catch a cab back to campus. Do you mind if she rides with you instead?"
"Sure, Chloe. See you in a week. Let's go, Beca," Stacie offered with a smile.
