The day after their coffee outing, Chloe found herself thinking about Beca more than she expected. Their conversation had left an impression on her. There was something about Beca's openness that felt like a privilege to witness. It wasn't just that Beca had shared a piece of herself; it was how she'd done it, with such quiet strength, as though she was trusting someone to see her, really see her, for the first time. And Chloe couldn't help but want to offer Beca more than just a listening ear.

At work the following day, Chloe found herself walking by the music studio when an idea popped into her head. It was an opportunity she had been meaning to extend to Beca for a while, but after hearing more of the woman's story, it felt like the right moment to make it happen. Chloe paused for a second, pulled out her phone, and sent Beca a quick message.

"Hey, Beca. I was thinking of inviting you to the studio sometime this week if you're interested. No pressure, of course, just a casual, fun thing. Let me know!"

Chloe sent the message and set her phone down on her desk. It didn't take long before the familiar ping of a new message popped up.

"That sounds… actually amazing. I'm a little nervous, but I'd love to try. When do you think we could do it?"

Chloe smiled at the response. She knew Beca had always been tentative when it came to music, but she could sense that Beca was ready to take the next step. Chloe quickly typed back.

"How about tomorrow evening? It'll be just us, so you can feel as comfortable as possible."

Beca's reply came almost instantly.

"Tomorrow works. I'll see you then. Thanks for the opportunity."

The following evening, Chloe arrived at the studio early to prepare. She hadn't told Beca much about what to expect, keeping it lighthearted. She wanted Beca to feel free to experiment without the weight of expectations. She set up some basic equipment, including a keyboard and a few microphones, and made sure the space was welcoming and relaxed.

When Beca arrived, her eyes were wide, taking in the room full of musical instruments and equipment. Chloe stood by the door to greet her, offering a welcoming smile.

"Hey, welcome! How does it feel to be on the other side of the studio?" Chloe asked, her voice light.

Beca gave a small laugh, her nervous energy palpable but not overwhelming. "It's… a little intimidating, actually," she admitted, glancing at the equipment around her. "I've never really worked in a studio before. I've done some writing on my own, but… this feels different."

Chloe stepped closer, placing a hand on Beca's shoulder with a reassuring squeeze. "That's totally fine. We're going to keep it low-key. Think of it as just us hanging out and having fun with music. You don't have to be perfect."

She nodded slowly, taking in Chloe's words. Chloe watched as Beca's shoulders relaxed a little. She could see the anxiety Beca had slowly fading, piece by piece.

"So, what do you want to start with?" Chloe asked, motioning to the equipment.

Bec hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Maybe… I don't know. I've always liked the idea of writing something, but it's been so long since I've really put my thoughts into a song."

"That's completely okay," Chloe said, moving to the keyboard. "Let's start with something simple. I can play a few chords, and you tell me what comes to mind. No rules, just whatever you're feeling."

Beca smiled faintly, her hands nervously clasped in front of her. "I'll try," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chloe played a gentle, simple chord progression, allowing the space to fill with sound. Beca seemed to close her eyes, and for a moment, it was just the music and the quiet between them. Chloe watched her carefully, noticing the way Beca's expression softened. It was as though she was opening up in ways she hadn't expected.

Then, Beca began to hum, a low melody that followed the chords Chloe had played. Chloe paused, allowing the sound to fill the space.

"That's beautiful," Chloe said quietly, her voice full of admiration. "You're really good at this, Becs. You should have more confidence in your talent."

Beca shook her head, her cheeks flushing. "I don't know. It's just… it's hard to believe in it sometimes, you know? After everything that happened with my mom, I never really knew how to keep going with it."

Chloe gave her a soft, understanding smile. "You don't have to believe in everything all at once. Sometimes, you just need to take small steps. But you've already made a big one by being here with me."

Beca's eyes met Chloe's, her expression softening, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

"Okay, I'll try again," Beca said, her voice stronger now. "Let's see where this goes."

Chloe smiled, her heart swelling at the sight of Beca's growing confidence. "I'm right here, Becs We're in this together."

For the next hour, they experimented with different melodies and lyrics, allowing Beca to feel comfortable and explore her music without judgment. Chloe helped her set up a basic structure for the song, offering feedback and encouragement along the way.

By the end of the evening, Beca's shy smile was gone, replaced by a look of quiet satisfaction. She had created something of her own, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she belonged in the world of music.

As they wrapped up, Beca looked at Chloe, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Chloe. I don't think I would have ever tried any of this if you hadn't pushed me to."

Chloe smiled warmly, feeling a surge of affection for the woman in front of her. "You did all the hard work, Beca. I just provided a space for you to shine."

Beca's smile deepened, and as she left the studio that evening, Chloe couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of something bigger. For both of them.