A new beginning

.51.

An hour later, me and the rest sit in the waiting room while nurses and doctors examine Beca.

,,I can't believe this is happening." Jesse says, while walking around. ,,This is the second time Beca's in here! She should be living happy with Chloe, not lying here in a hospital!"

,,I know. Everything was going fine and then..." Emily swallows.

,,This, I know." I finish her sentence and put my arm around her shoulders.

,,Why can you be so quiet about this? It's your girlfriend who's in here now."

,,I know Benji, but she isn't in that coma anymore. She just had too much to drink."

,,Well, it's a good thing you found her, Tom. Otherwise..."

,,Someone would've noticed her. But... yeah, I'm glad I found her when I did." I still don't know why Tom is still here and with Kaitlyn, but right now I can't be mad.

,,Aw, baby... you were so brave." Kaitlyn says and I feel like I have to puke.

,,Thanks, Kaitlyn." He answers her.

,,Hey Kaitlyn, thanks for coming with us. It means a lot. I know we haven't always been eye to eye, but... thank you." I say, for the sake of Beca.

,,Hey, I care about Beca, too. But I'll let you all be alone with her. You're her favorite people, after all." Kaitlyn gets up to leave and put a hand on Tom's shoulder. ,,See you later, babe? I'll take care of you."

,,Right... see you later." Kaitlyn stride out of the hospital.

,,Hell of a birthday, huh? How'd the rest of the night go? You two finally get together or what?" Jessica asks Benji about Emily and him.

,,It's complicated." Benji answers.

,,Oh sorry, I just thought -"

,,Don't worry about it." While everybody talks, I find myself staring at the closed door to Beca's room on the ward. Mitchell walks over and sit down next to me.

,,You've been pretty quiet."

,,So have you."

,,Listen, Chloe... I'm sorry about what I said back there. I was out of line."

,,No, Mitchell... you were cruel. Even if what you said was true, you didn't have to say it like that."

,,Look, everything I said earlier... I just said it cause I was hurt."

,,What do you mean?"

,,I actually do have feelings, funny enough."

,,Could've fooled me."

,,Look, Chloe, I'm trying to apologize, okay? I'm sorry. None of this is your fault. Just stop beating yourself up over it."

,,Okay, I'll try Mitchell. But it's not easy."

,,I know. On the bright side, you've definitely got something emotionally powerful to write about for Vasquez."

,,That's not funny!" I yell at him angry.

,,Yeah, I know." Just then, the door to Beca's room opens. Tom hurries over, before I can move, to talk to the doctor.

,,Is she okay? Can we see her?" Tom asks him. Why is he so careful about Beca? Tom and the doctor exchange a few words and Tom walks back to our group, his expression only slightly relieved.

,,What did the doctor say?" Jesse asks Tom immediately.

,,She said Beca's gonna be fine, but they want to keep her overnight just in case."

,,Well, can we at least check on her?"

,,She said no visitors."

,,What?!"

,,Chloe, we are allowed to take her home tomorrow afternoon."

,,Are you sure?"

,,Yes Chloe."

,,Okay, let's head back to the beach house and get some rest. It's been a crazy night... for all of us."

,,By the way, Mitchell. Thanks for your help, man." Tom says.

,,Of course."

,,Tell Beca she'll have a free latte waiting for her at the cafe when she's feeling up to it, okay Jesse?" Jessica tells him.

,,Will do."

The following afternoon, we return to the hospital and check in with the receptionist. A few minutes later, a nurse fetches Beca from her room on the overnight ward. She meets me in the waiting room, looking bashful but healthy.

,,Beca!" Jesse yells and gives her a hug.

,,Long time no see." Emily says with a grin.

,,Hey, guys." Beca walks over to me, biting her lip. The rest of our friends give us some space. ,,Hi." I take Beca's hand and pull her down a hallway away from the rest of our friends. ,,W-where are w-we -" Once we're alone, I turn to Beca and press my lips against hers, silencing her. She shivers, then starts kissing me back. Finally, I pull away and stare into Beca's eyes, feeling tears willing in my own. ,,It's okay, Chlo. The d-doctors say I'm g-going to b-be fine, b-but it's a g-good thing you g-guys g-got me here so quickly. Otherwise..."

,,I don't even want to think about that. Last night was scary enough."

,,I k-know and I'm really sorry. I... I k-kind of lost m-myself for a w-while there." Beca holds my hand. ,,B-but it w-won't happen again. I promise. In fact, I'm thinking of taking a little b-break from d-drinking."

,,Probably a good idea." I squeeze her hand. ,,So do you want to get out of here? These doctors definitely aren't as hot as TV has led me to believe." Beca gives a tired smile and nods.

,,Let's g-go."