The Bully

4

Beca opened her locker and something rolled out towards her. She picked it up off the ground and examined it. Coca-Cola flavored chapstick with a note attached.

"It's my favorite flavor, I thought maybe you'd like it, too."

Beca took the chapstick and threw it away. Chloe had been watching the entire time and felt a tear trickle down her cheek when Beca threw away the gift. This was going to be harder than she had expected.

---

"She threw it away." Chloe sighed as she walked into her house.

"Aww Chlo." Kelly said and hugged Chloe.

"Get her something she can't throw away." Paige suggested. "Like a hamster!"

"Or a fish." Kelly glared at her wife.

"Yeah a fish is a better idea." Paige admitted.

The three went to the pet store and picked out a beta fish. They got it a bowl and some food.

The next day, Beca opened her locker and saw a fish. How is Chloe getting in her locker? Chloe's mom was the vice principal and had the keys to every locker in the school. No one knew that and Chloe liked to keep it that way.

"His name is Mr Bubbles. I'm really sorry that I was mean." The note read.

Beca looked down at the fish then around to see if Chloe was watching. She spotted Chloe "hiding" behind a trash can. Chloe wave with a smile. Beca couldn't believe Chloe was really that sorry. She brought the fish over to Chloe and placed it beside the ginger before walking away.

Chloe sighed and picked up the fish bowl.

---

"It's useless!" Chloe said to her moms and held up the fish. "Even Mr Bubbles thinks this is helpless!"

"How about you just invite her over. Obviously this gift thing isn't working out." Kelly said. "We can cook a nice meal and it'll be great."

"She won't say yes." Chloe sighed.

---

"Invite her over, Becs." Jenna said. "Please?"

"I don't know, Jen." Beca sighed. "I guess it won't hurt."

---

"Hey, we need to talk." Beca and Chloe said in unison.

"You first." Chloe said.

"Uh, would you like to come over and maybe talk for a little bit?" Beca asked.

"I would love to! I just have to ask my moms." Chloe said and took out her phone.

"Hi Paige!" Chloe said when her mom picked up. "Beca invited me over to her house tonight, can I go?"

"Oh my god!!! She invited you?!" Paige yelled.

"Yes." Chloe said, trying to stay calm because Beca was watching her.

"Of course you can go!" Paige yelled. "I love you darling."

"Love you too." Chloe said and hung up. "It's fine with them."

"Cool. I'll meet you outside after school?" Beca said.

"Sure!" Chloe replied, silently screaming inside.

---

"So...how far away do you live?" Chloe asked while they were walking.

"Only like a twenty minute walk." Beca replied.

"Oh." Chloe said.

They had been walking for ten minutes and Chloe was starting to get tired. She had taken off her shoes because they were giving her blisters. No wonder Beca always wore converse.

"Why did you name the fish Mr Bubbles?" Beca asked.

"He makes bubbles when he breathes." Chloe replied. "I thought you'd like him."

"Winning me back isn't going to be that easy." Beca replied.

"I figured as much." Chloe said. "Why'd you invite me over?"

"It was Jenna's idea." Beca said.

"Who's Jenna?" Chloe asked.

"My sister." Beca replied. "She's not a slut by the way."

"I never said she was." Chloe said.

"Yes you did." Beca said. "In sixth grade you said she was because she has a son."

"How old is she?" Chloe asked.

"Twenty four." Beca replied.

"How old is her kid?" Chloe asked, then realized what she'd said. "I'm sorry, that sounded rude."

"It's okay." Beca said, realizing Chloe hadn't meant to offend her this time. "He's six."

"That's cute." Chloe replied.

"Well, here it is." Beca said and looked up at the large building.

Chloe remained silent. The building wasn't the nicest thing she'd seen and she didn't want to say something mean by accident.

Beca led Chloe up the stairs and to a door on the third floor. She put her key in the lock and opened the door.

"Bec Bec!" A little boy ran to greet them. Then he noticed Chloe. "Stranger danger!"

"It's okay Mason, this is Chloe." Beca said.

"Hi Chloe!" Mason greeted.

"Hi." Chloe smiled.

Jenna rounded the corner from the kitchen and smiled. Chloe was much taller than Beca, but looked like she was done growing, so maybe Beca would grow to be the same height. They would make a cute couple, in Jenna's eyes.

"Hi, I'm Jenna." Jenna said.

"I'm Chloe." Chloe replied. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too." Jenna said. "Is pasta okay for dinner?"

"Of course." Chloe smiled.

"We'll be in my bedroom." Beca said and led Chloe to her room.

"Cute." Chloe said as she walked in. It was a small room with white walls covered in posters.

"Thanks." Beca said. "We need to talk."

"Sure." Chloe said. "What about?"

"You were mean to me because you liked me?"

"Yes. I still like you."

"How?!"

"You're really cute. I love that."

"I am not cute."

"Yeah you are."

"Whatever."

"You think I'm using you." Chloe said, like she could read Beca's mind.

"Of course I do! You were a total jerk to me and then you show up out of nowhere and try to make out with me!"

"I'm sorry." Chloe said, sincerely.

"It's gonna take a lot more than a wimpy apology." Beca said and she meant it.