Dying hope

Chapter Ten: Hard Decisions

As soon as Beca opened the front door to her home she saw her dad sitting there, with a face of relief but then it turned angry. "Beca Ruth Mitchell! I can't believe you didn't tell me you liked Chloe?!" Beca's dad asked her incredulously. Beca's was so confused at this point, wasn't he supposed to do the punishing now? I thought this is what happened in a normal teenagers life. They get home late, boom they automatically get in trouble. Her dad wasn't always a normal dad, but still she would appreciate some grounding. So she doesn't have to make a fool out of herself around Chloe anymore. Beca's mouth was agape while looking at her dad, "I-I, aren't you supposed to be grounding me or something? Dad I don't think this is in any parenting book you have read recently." Beca's dad chuckled "Okay I may admit, I did anticipate you coming home late. Since you are supposed to be having a normal teenage life, but I'm still a little bit peeved off that you didn't contact me or anything." Beca's dad said grabbing Beca's jacket from her hand and hanging it on the coat rack next to the door. Beca cringed, "I'm sorry dad, I was with-" Beca's dad interrupted with his squealing, "you were with Chloe weren't you?! Oh I knew it! I'm so happy for you!" Beca's dad immediately engulfed her with a tight hug. Beca groaned as she was squished with enormous might, who knew her dad had hulk strength. "Dad please, I think my eye just popped out of my socket." Beca said out of breath. Still with excitement he let go of Beca, "Sorry I'm just excited." Beca's dad said smiling brightly. Beca huffed in annoyance, "Dad I don't know what you think is happening between Chloe and I, but nothing and I mean nothing is going to happen between us." Beca said firmly, walking to the couch and plopping down. He gasped in surprise, following straight after Beca on the couch, "what do you mean nothings going to happen between you guys?! Chloe is clearly into you and you vice versa." He said in a duh tone. Beca stuttered, "I-I'm not into her like that! I swear!" Beca's dad laughed "oh come on Beca! I'm not entirely blind, just because I wear these glasses does not mean my vision is completely impaired." Beca huffed "Dad I'm serious. Nothing can happen between us. I mean it just...can't." Beca said sadly looking down at her lap. He sighed somberly "Beca I know you may think you're not worth loving because of what you're going through right now. But trust me kid, you're gonna make it. I know that we had some tough times...with your mom and all." He said wistfully. Beca's face fell, he never talks about her anymore. Just him mentioning her makes tears spring to her eyes. "I-....I want you to be happy. No matter if that means living it for a short time. Your mom and I, we had a good run. When we first found out she had tumors, she...she told me to not to be sad when she was gone. To remember her as she was, to not think about the future. To live the fullest life I can even if it meant it was without her. And I did try, for the longest time I did..." Beca's tears sprang freely now. "As the great Shakespeare once said, "Why, what should be the fear?
I do not set my life at a pin's fee." He said with a grin, looking at Beca slyly. Beca chuckled with tears in her eyes, "Really Dad? Always with the Shakespeare quotes." He laughed along with her, "He always knows what to say, that's what I admire about him. But whatever you choose you want to do, I'll be right beside ya kiddo. Forever and always." He said grabbing Beca by the shoulders holding her tight beside him. Beca sighed sinking into him. God I really love my dad.

Monday morning at school: As soon as Beca walked in she was bombarded by a half naked Benji running into her in only in his boxers, "Benji?! What the hell man?!" Pushing Benji off her. He was in hysterics, "Beca you've got to hide me! Those jocks are out of control! I was trying to take my morning shower in my own house but my heat was turned off when my little sister was doing her morning experiments, I-" Beca interrupted him, "Okay Benji I don't need the details of everything that happened this morning, just the minor one of you explaining to me why the hell you're half naked in the hallway and why the so called "jocks" are chasing you." Beca said annoyingly, taking off her jacket to cover Benji's waist. He thanks her then continues to half ass explain that the jocks caught him in the gym showers and how he was so careful to hide from them in gym class this long, that he completely forgot they had early morning practices Monday. Today apparently was the dreadful Monday. Beca usually doesn't know what day it is half the time but ever since she decided to not talk with her friend or "she who shall not be named" for two days. She knows it has been fifty hours, ten minutes, and five seconds since she has last texted her or even acknowledged "she who shall not be named" texts. It's been a crazy weekend by herself, but nonetheless she's going on strong. Beca sighed, "Benji if these guys have been harassing you for god knows how long, why don't you tell the teachers or stand up for yourself?" Beca asks him curiously. Benji was about to answer her but he heard the dreadful cry of rage from none other than Tom, the bane of his existence in the long hallways behind him. Luckily for him the big crowd of students suddenly came in the front doors rushing inside were covering him and Beca. "You're dead when I find you dork!" He squeaked and pulled Beca forcefully behind him running out of the school. "Listen it might seem normal where you come from to stand up to your bullies but here we run and hide from them." Benji said haste-fully still pulling Beca behind him running to hide their forms by the side of the building. Beca scoffed, "Okay first of all where I come from we stand up for what's right, which should be in every location. Second of all, this is ridiculous. You can't keep hiding from your problems. That's not how the world works Benji." Benji chuckled "well right now it's how I'm staying alive. I don't know if you noticed but I faint if I even see a hint of blood anywhere, let alone on my own face." Benji said gesturing to his already frightened face. "There you are! Think I wouldn't find you magic boy?!" Oh here we go Beca thought sighing, all she wanted to do was be invisible today but seems like everyone else has different plans. There Tom was with his jock buddies behind him laughing at his stupid magic boy joke. I mean seriously do these guys have brains? She's getting real tired of the stereotypes in this school. Beca heard murmuring not so far away and already a crowd was starting to form behind Tom. She really has bad luck, I mean come on! Benji squeaked, "Well I'm not really magic, I just do magic tricks." Benji said nervously, already shaking beside Beca. Tom growled I mean literally growled, "I know you're not magic ya dweeb! Oh I'm so gonna hurt you good." As Tom was about to lunge for Benji, Beca pushed him back with all her might. She sent him flying into his stupid jock buddies behind him. The crowd gasped. "What the hell? Stay out of this new kid, this is none of your business." Tom said pushing his jock buddies off of him, who was currently trying to help him stand upright. Beca chuckled "hmm I don't think so. Listen up you pathetic little boys. If you don't stop messing with my friend Benji here, I'll personally make it my business to kick your ass back to the stereotypical high school movie you came out from." The crowd roared with laughter. Tom sputtered with rage, "I warned you. I don't usually pick fights with girls, but you're asking for it!" He said pointing at Beca menacingly. Beca huffed "Well come on then tough guy, bring it." She rolled up her sleeves, oh she's so going to enjoy this. Tom lunges at her, she quickly pushes Benji to the side. With speed she punches Tom right in his throat as he's about to grab her, making him fall to his knees and starts choking. The crowd gasped. The jocks just stood there with their eyes wide and mouths agape. Good she has their attention. As soon as Tom looks like he's about to regain his breath Beca kicks him in the right side of his face with the tip of her shoe. Tom groans as he's fully on the ground now. Beca knows he won't be on the ground for long so she steps back and prepares herself. Tom stands up coughing holding his face, "You bitch! I was gonna go easy on you, but now I'm gonna beat you so bad they won't even recognize who you are!" Tom said seething. Beca laughed while getting into her stance, "Funny, that's exactly what I was going to say to you." Tom in full out rage started throwing punches. Beca managed to dodge them all except for the few which landed on stomach. She's used to the pain though, boxing is really a good life tool. Can't say that much for history class though. Beca put in some good punches on Tom's stupid face. By the time Beca and Tom were rolling on the ground the campus security pushed through the awed crowd. "That's enough!" They quickly started pulling Beca off of Tom after she landed one really good punch to his right eye. Beca was squirming to get out of their hold, as was Tom but what stopped her dead in her tracks was that voice. "Beca stop!" Chloe pushed passed the crowd and even the third security guard pushing the crowd back. "Chloe?" Tom stopped too, looking back and forth to the now named new girl Beca. Beca gulped, great first she decides to ignore her now she's getting a full front seat to her boyfriend getting the shit beat out of him. This day just gets better and better. Finally the principal pushes past the crowd, "Beca Mitchell and Thomas Baker in my office now!" Beca was too busy looking at Chloe's beautiful hurt baby blue eyes as her and Tom were forcefully taken to the principals office to even care about what was to come. The only thing she did know though was her dad is gonna be so pissed.

"I can't believe you Beca! The one time you were doing good and you decide to beat up someone again! I thought we were passed this angry at the world phase?!" Beca's dad angrily whispered at her while holding her arm and leading them out of the principals office to the front of the school doors. Of course there was a crowd of people waiting for them. Some of them where clapping while the others either looked scared of her or in awe. Beca hated this part. Yes she's done this before, let's just say plenty of times to the point where it doesn't even faze her when there is a crowd waiting for her. There always is, but it's different this time. This time She passed Chloe, dang it she said her name. Oh well she definitely was gonna talk to her now anyways, since she beat up her boyfriend. Her eyes were still blue and beautiful but her face...it was hard to read. Beca couldn't tell if Chloe was glad to even see her or if she was relieved she even looked at her. Beca was finally led outside the school doors towards her dad's car. "Dad, listen it's not even my fault! My friend was gonna get plummeted by that guy if I didn't do something!" She yelled out desperately. Her dad sighed, "Beca I know you think what you did was the right thing, which I'm not saying it wasn't. But that kid in there could press charges, and where would you be huh?! Back behind bars again? I'm sure there could have been another option then beating that kid's face in!" Beca's dad said throwing Beca's bag in the back of his Jeep forcefully. Beca groaned, "I know dad but-" he opened her side of the car door for her, "Don't..just get in the car please." He said sorely. He wouldn't even look at her, Okay that stung a bit not gonna lie. Beca sorrowfully got into the car. Welp this day couldn't get any better.

Chloe watched as Beca was led outside to her dad's car. Of course she was right behind them the whole time watching from the distance. She wanted an opportunity to talk to Beca but it looks like she won't be getting one any time soon if the look on her dad's face is anything to go by. As soon as they sped off Chloe got into her car, and followed after them.

Authors note: wow I didn't think I could continue this story, but it seems like I still got it. Let me know what ya guys think. Also the person who said they wanted the characters name to be capitalized more, you're welcome. I didn't have to give in to your request but oh well, what do I care?