bechloe short stories

Russian lit

When Chloe failed Russian Lit the first time, Beca suspected that it was intentional. Chloe isn't stupid, and she had been acing the class right up until the very end of the semester, when she didn't turn in her final paper and totally bombed the final test.

But she didn't say anything, because Chloe already seemed distraught enough over the fact that Aubrey was leaving.

The second time, everyone knew exactly what Chloe was doing, and by the third time she announced that she had failed—again—it was blatantly obvious.

Still, Beca said nothing—she figured it's Chloe's life and none of her business. In fact, secretly—selfishly—Beca was glad Chloe was sticking around; she didn't have to handle the Bellas all by herself, and she got to keep her best friend.

And then the Bellas fell apart, and Beca's boyfriend became her ex and her best friend became her girlfriend.

A lot has happened in the last year.

Beca isn't sure how to broach the subject of graduation with Chloe—she couldn't even tell Chloe about her internship, for Christ's sake. Chloe has made a couple of offhanded comments about leaving the fate of the Bellas solely in Emily's hands next year, and Beca can tell that she's tempted to stay.

It makes Beca very nervous.

Beca isn't totally sure what she's going to do after graduation; she has a job offer from Residual Heat, but her dream is still to go to LA.

She knows that if Chloe decides to stay for an eighth year at Barden, Beca will will take the job at Residual Heat. She won't be able to stop herself. And it kind of pisses her off.

Everyone has been tiptoeing around Chloe, treating her like she's made of glass; no one will even utter the g-word.

The day comes when Beca has to pick up her cap and gown, and she stands uncertainly outside of Chloe's door.

Maybe she shouldn't have left this until the last minute.

Hesitantly, she cracks the door open. Chloe is sitting on her bed in front of her laptop, the reading glasses she denies needing perched on the end of her nose.

"Hey, what's up?" Chloe asks, pulling off the glasses and dropping them next to her.

Beca doesn't know how to start this conversation, but she knows that "So are you, like, gonna graduate?" probably isn't it.

(She should really just keep her mouth shut.)

"What?" Chloe at once looks on edge.

"Well," Beca says awkwardly, shutting the door behind her, "we have to get our cap and gowns today, so..." She trails off.

"I don't know," Chloe says after a long pause. She looks uncomfortable.

"You don't know," Beca repeats slowly. And, really—enough is enough. "Howcan you not know, Chloe? We are graduating in two weeks."

"I know," Chloe says defensively. "But this Russian Lit paper is really kicking my ass and—"

"Okay, enough with the bullshit," Beca cuts in. "We know you're failing on purpose. Just be upfront about it."

"Aca-fucking-scuse me?" Chloe says, slamming the lid of her laptop shut.

"You can't throw your life away over an a cappella group, Chloe," Beca nearly shouts. "What, are you gonna stay at Barden until you're 80?"

"I'm sorry that I care about the Bellas," Chloe snaps, crossing her arms. "I knowyou wouldn't get that."

"Oh, my God," Beca mutters, not sure whether she should laugh or cry. "I docare about the Bellas. I'm sorry that I care about my future, too."

"And you think I don't?" Chloe's nearly yelling now.

"You're considering an eighth year of college, Chloe!" Beca throws her hands up, frustrated. "I can't even make decisions about my future because you won't make a fucking decision!" She presses her fingers to her temples. "Graduating would've been a lot easier if I hadn't left Jesse for you," she mutters.

Chloe reels back like she's been slapped. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I can't decide whether I want to stay here and work at Residual Heat or do to LA—which, by the way, is my dream—because I don't know if you're going to be staying here for another year!" Beca shouts, breathing hard.

Chloe is silent for a moment. "You would give up LA for me?" she asks quietly.

"Yes," Beca says, her voice hoarse from yelling. "I would. I hate that I would, but I would."

"I..." Chloe looks away. "Beca, you can't give up on your dreams for me."

"I can't be happy without you, Chlo," Beca whispers. It's the first time she's said it out loud, and it terrifies her. "I can leave LA, but I can't leave you."

"Then I'll do it."

Beca's eyes snap to Chloe's. "What?"

"I'll graduate," Chloe says, nodding. "I'll turn in this paper, and I'll graduate."

"Really?" Beca watches as Chloe climbs off of her bed and comes to stand in front of her.

"Really," Chloe says, taking Beca's hands in her own. "And I'll come to LA with you."

"But—"

Chloe cuts her off by pressing a soft kiss to Beca's lips. "My decision is final."

Beca's eyes prick with tears, a million words bubbling up inside of her—likeseriously and are you sure and you can't give up what you want for me and I just want you to be happy and I love you more than I've ever loved anyone else.

Instead what she says is "okay"