Perfect Timing and a Perky Redhead

Chapter 4

Music got Beca through every painful experience in her life. It was the constant that convinced her to pursue something music related and, combine that with her intelligence and her introverted personality, led to the idea of becoming a DJ. So, she explored many types of music, and held onto the songs that sounded the greatest to her. Music could get her through anything.

However, she began to seriously doubt that mantra as Bella rehearsals continued.

Fucking cardio, Beca thought to herself after running up and down those fucking stairs for twenty minutes straight after Aubrey got pissed at the new Bellas for singing off time and dancing awkwardly and incorrectly. Chloe had ran with them as well, but she was so used to the abuse that she barely broke a sweat from the running, and kept cheering on everyone (with winks typically in the brunette's direction).

Through the three weeks of rehearsals so far, two members had been kicked out already for sleeping with Trebles (something Beca found ridiculous, but whatever), they had sang songs that were definitely not from this century, and Beca had developed interesting relationships with the two co-captains.

Chloe loved to teach Beca, help Beca, talk to Beca…all in ways that usually involved touching or flirting. Beca had no complaints there.

Aubrey hated Beca. Agonistic behavior was constantly flowing from Aubrey only to be answered with Beca's extreme sarcasm and smirks. Beca found it amusing at times, but now it was just getting exhausting fighting with Aubrey every single day.

As practice ended (early, thank God, because Aubrey was near stress-vomiting), the tall blonde asked to see Beca for a minute. The young brunette groaned.

As everyone exited the rehearsal, the DJ felt a pat on her back from a large blonde girl named Fat Amy. The Australian muttered, "May the odds be ever in your favor, young Mockingjay." Beca chuckled at the reference to one of her favorite book series and said her farewell to Amy. The brunette enjoyed the very diverse group they had (except Lily was still a bit questionable because frankly she scared Beca slightly), and wished Aubrey would let their diversity show through the music. Ha, good joke, Beca thought bitterly to herself.

"You need to take those ear monstrosities out for our performance next week, Beca," Aubrey abruptly stated.

Beca rolled her eyes and put on a fake smile, "Wow. You know, I can tell you must really like me."

"I'm your biggest fan," Aubrey deadpanned. She didn't see any allure that Chloe saw in the younger girl. In fact, Chloe was the only reason Aubrey hadn't kicked out Beca yet. That and, though Aubrey would never admit it, Beca did have a good alto voice.

Beca rolled her eyes and turned to walk away. "And don't break the vow, or you'll be out of here," Aubrey stated offhandedly.

Beca froze and turned back around. "What are you even talking about?" Beca asked a defensive tone lacing her voice. What was this chick's problem?

"I've seen you getting pretty close with that new Treble, Jesse, and I'm just reminding you that no one is an exception to the rule," Aubrey stated firmly, slightly glaring at Beca. Part of this was concern for the vow, but the other was Chloe's incessant ranting about 'that stupid treble guy' who is apparently 'cock-blocking' Chloe left and right. Aubrey figured she could possibly find some information to help her best friend out right now.

Beca wanted to laugh and say something along the lines of don't worry about him, it's your hot redhead of a best friend you should worry about me fucking, but thought better of it. She didn't want to even reassure the tall blonde that the stupid vow was never going to be broken. She wanted to give Aubrey some anxiety…she just hoped the blonde wouldn't throw up.

"Look, Aubrey, you've already lost two girls to that rule. You're not prepared to lose another, so what I do is none of my business."

Aubrey was slightly intrigued at the lack of denial from the younger brunette, but much more pissed off about the response to care. Stupid freshman. "I can see your toner through your jeans!"

Beca felt a wide grin break out on her face. "My what?"

Aubrey huffed. "Toner? It's a musical boner. And frankly, it's distracting."

Beca laughed, "Sorry, that's actually my dick." I can't even with this girl right now. "I got to go do homework now, bye Aubrey. I'll try to not flaunt my dick in your face anymore."

Beca wished she had been kidding about the homework thing, but unfortunately, there she sat at her desk doing some book work for her Calculus I class. She was sick of getting lectured by her dad every time she didn't hand in an assignment, and he reminded her about their deal for her moving to Los Angeles at the end of the year if she wanted, but she had to do well in school.

She tried not to think of Chloe when she thought of L.A. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, Beca ultimately decided.

I hate this derivative bullshit, Beca thought to herself. She began to space out with thoughts of Chloe instead of focusing on the difficult problem. Things were going great with the redhead, really. The two had consistently been flirting with each other during rehearsals and when they saw each other around campus. Unfortunately, there had been no more shower meetings, but Beca still had a sliver of hope whenever she went to shower. Regardless, Beca was happy with their progress.

The brunette was pulled from her musings when an old song began to blare through her large headphones. She smirked at the familiar notes of "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana registered. Rock was one of her favorite genres of music by far. She hoped to go to another rock concert again soon. Maybe Chloe could join me.

"She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak," Kurt Cobain sang through Beca's headphones.

I wonder if Chloe's a pisces…Beca pondered. She then frowned slightly. When is Chloe's birthday anyway? Beca thought back to all of her conversations with Chloe and tried to remember if birthdays came up. Guess not.

Beca leaned back in her chair and thought hard. She had a pretty decent memory, so she felt that she would be able to easily recall what she learned about Chloe.

Alright, well…She sings.

No shit, Sherlock?

Okay, okay…Aubrey is her best friend!

How about something that isn't completely obvious?

Beca groaned and threw her hands over her eyes. Her internal battle within herself was not helping her remember the details about Chloe she had learned. The DJ sat and focused extremely hard, reviewing all of her interactions with Chloe from the past few weeks.

…Oh my God. I don't know anything about her. I don't even know her favorite color! I don't even know her major!

The brunette wanted to slap herself. She had been so excited to flirt with her soul mate that she hadn't even bothered to take time to try to get to know her.

Great start, Beca.

Beca considered texting Chloe right then and there to hang out when she realized she didn't even have the redhead's number. "Are you kidding me?" Beca muttered to herself. She glanced over her shoulder, glad that Kimmy Jin was still studying at her friend's place – Kimmy Jin probably already thought Beca was psychotic. The brunette talking to herself wouldn't improve her case against that theory.

The DJ decided with certainty that tomorrow, after the Bella's rehearsal, she would ask Chloe to hang out so that they could actually talk to one another. Beca thought back to her earlier talk with Aubrey, and chuckled to herself (maybe Kimmy Jin was onto something with that 'crazy' theory).Aubrey would definitely be seeing Beca's toner again tomorrow as soon as the perky redhead would walk into the auditorium. Focus on getting to know her, Beca thought to herself. She just hoped it would work.

And, okay, maybe she was hoping for some more flirting too.