Belong To Me (Bechloe)

twenty seven.

Beca's POV

So it's been 5 hours now and still there's no sign of Chloe. I'm guessing she's in Aubrey's cabin - it's the one place I haven't checked - so I'm trying to avoid needing to get anything from my bags. Luckily, the only thing I've needed is suncream and that's something I can just steal off other people. I mean, I'm paler than vanilla ice cream, so convincing people I burn easily hasn't been too much of a problem.

The reason I've been so focused on not burning is that I don't fancy being all red and shiny, when looking good is the desperate tactic I've resorted to when it comes to getting Chloe's attention. Bit stupid, I know, and obviously I know Chloe isn't that shallow, but it's worth a try. I mean, it's not like we're not physically attracted to each other.

"Aubrey wants to know if you want to join everyone else cooking at the campfire," Chloe says suddenly, appearing beside me and interrupting my thoughts.
"Oh, um," I stutter as I stand up quickly from the ground to close the distance between us - although, yes, I am still shorter. "Sure. Are you gonna be there?"
"Yeah." Chloe sighs, leaning against a nearby tree. "But I don't wanna talk to you."

My mouth drops open at her words. But why should I expect anything different? She's only talking to me because Aubrey asked her to.

"Okay," I reply, rolling my eyes. "But you're gonna have to eventually. Aubrey was right when she said I didn't hate you."
Chloe makes as if to leave, but stops.
"You don't?" she asks cautiously.
"Nope." I look up at her, her intense eyes holding my gaze. "It was... just a lot of stuff at once."
Chloe falters a little.
"I, I know. I shouldn't have... God, I'm so embarrassing," she mutters, moving away. "Maybe you should stay away from me, I can't do anything right." She sighs, walking in the direction of the campfire at a quick pace.

~~~

Chloe's POV

I know I walked off on Beca earlier, but now that we're sat on opposite sides of the campfire, I can't keep my eyes off her. But I can't let her figure out I'm staring.

I think Aubrey sat us separately on purpose - sat us both here so we could "socialise with some new people", otherwise known as "sort out our 'issues' through some sort of non-verbal communication that clearly neither of us have the mastery of". If awkwardly catching each other's eye once in a while is supposed to be progress, I'm not buying it. It's clearly not helping anyone.

"I'm going to bed," I announce, standing up.
"And, uh, Chloe, where exactly would it be that you are going to do that?" Aubrey asks with a knowing smile that already makes my stomach knot with anxiety.
"Your cabin?" My answer comes out more like a question.
"Oh, no, Chloe, there's enough tents for you to join in with sleeping in the great outdoors. Isn't that what a retreat is all about?"

A couple of people around the campfire nod and murmur approvingly, causing me to clench my jaw. My day really couldn't be going any worse.

"Oh, don't tell me - you'll make me share with Beca?" I add, sarcastically.
Aubrey nods slowly.
"Everyone else has already been assigned a tent. It figures."
"Oh my God, I was joking! Aubrey, you're heartless. You're supposed to be my best friend-"
"Oh, come on!" Beca interrupts, rolling her eyes as she stands up. "Chloe, I don't hate you! You don't hate me! What's the worst that can happen with us sharing a tent? Who cares if you kissed me? I'm the only one involved and the only bit of shit I gave you for it was at the time, because I wasn't ready! Stop hiding away in embarrassment. No one else is bothered."
"No one else is bothered?" I repeat, tearing my eyes away from Beca. "Glad to know that it meant something to you... Of course Chloe Beale falls head over heels for a straight girl," I say, mumbling the last part.
"You know that's not what I meant!" Beca shouts.
"Then just leave it! This is why we can't talk to each other! Whatever this is, whatever we had, it's always been destined to explode, Beca. We're like the Sun and the Moon - we exist together and everything seems great to everyone else, until we realise we're always gonna be that set distance apart. And that breaks me, Beca, I can't take that! But I ruined whatever compromise we had. We'll never actually be together, I have to face that." I glance up at Beca one final time. It's clear to see we're both breaking, but nothing will change now. "Aubrey, just show me where that tent is," I mutter.

I just have to accept that things are the way that they are. I will never get to be Beca's girl. And she'll never belong to me either. And now I've got to share a tent with her, which is my idea of torture.

I guess it's fair to say I wish this night was over.

-

We love a bechloe tent share 😏👌
...or maybe we don't considering they're not exactly on great terms 🤔