Remind Me I'm Alive (Bechloe)

Searching for Meaning

"And that is Checkmate," Beca said as she moved her knight to take Chloe's queen.

It was a normal Saturday afternoon. Chloe and Beca had spent the morning volunteering at the shelter. After, the two returned to Chloe's house, where Cora, Fat Amy, Emily, and Stacie were caught up in their usual Call of Duty marathon.

It had been Beca's idea to play chess while the others played their video game. However, she wasn't prepared for how bad the redhead would be at the game. Or for the fact that despite her friendly nature, Chloe was quite competitive.

"No fair," Chloe pouted. " I want a rematch."

"Dude, no. We've already played five times, and you haven't even come close to winning," Beca replied, trying not to make eye contact. She knew that she would end up saying yes if she looked into those baby blues. It didn't help that the redhead was wearing a green tank top and matching shorts, which perfectly complemented her eyes.

"So what?" Chloe said, ignoring Beca's statement and began setting back up the board again. "Come on, Becs. Just one more game. I'm starting to get the hang of this."

"Chloe, don't take this personally, but it's not fun playing against you. You're too simple-minded."

"Hey!"

"It's not a bad thing. But to be good at chess, you have to think a few moves ahead. It's something you have to be taught." Beca said as she finally worked up the courage to look at Chloe in the eyes. The redhead had the saddest look on her face, and Beca knew she had to do something. So she added, "Here, I'll teach you. Em, come and play Chloe and I."

"Can't. We're in the middle of this," Emily said.

"Please, Emily, you are literally the worst at this," Fat Amy snapped at Emily.

"It's fine. I've gotta go to work anyway," Cora said as she got up from the living room couch. "I'll see you ladies tonight."

"Fine, I'll play," Emily said, following her best friend to the other side of the room where Chloe and Beca were. Beca moved from her place on the couch to the L-shaped sofa to sit next to Chloe. Emily took her place across from the pair. Chloe wasted no time snuggling up next to Beca. The shorter woman had accepted the fact that the redhead was going to be in her bubble.

"Okay, Chloe. So we go first. Tell me what to do."

"I move a pawn," Chloe said as she moved her hand over a pawn.

"You could, or," Beca said as she grabbed Chloe's right hand and guided her hand back towards the horse. "You could move your knight first."

"Oh, is that what it's called?" Chloe said as she moved the piece.

Beca felt her chest tighten as their game progressed. Chloe was basically sitting on her lap. She also insisted on whispering in Beca's ear every time she had a question so that Emily wouldn't hear her plan. That, along with her perfume, was driving the smaller woman crazy.

Without thinking, Beca wrapped her right arm around Chloe's waist. She didn't even notice it until Chloe rested her left hand on Beca's bare knee.

I definitely should've worn pants, Beca thought.

Once the shock wore off, Beca found herself comfortable with the position she was in. There was something about this that felt right.

As they played, Emily felt her phone vibrate. The younger woman pulled her phone out of her pants to see who it was. There she saw a text from Fat Amy. After their meeting, the Australian had set up a group text for the four women so they could share how they planned to hook Beca and Chloe up.