Belong To Me (Bechloe)

thirty one.

Beca's POV

"I'm just gonna come out and say it, Aubrey-"
"Is it something as 'unexpected' as the fact you and Chloe are a thing?" Aubrey deadpans.
"It's not to do with us," I reply, looking up at her from where I'm sitting at a picnic table. She refused to sit down, stating that 'it would ruin her routine' (presumably because she stands up all day), so instead she is pacing back and forth in front of me. Which isn't exactly the easiest situation for me to talk to her.
"Right. What is it then?"
"You know we're like, super close and you'd tell me anything..."
"Um, well, no. But do continue," Aubrey says, chewing her lip.
"Chloe and I know something's up with you."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. You don't seem to be enjoying it here, that's what Chloe said. And Nico referenced some event?"
Aubrey's face changes in recognition, but it's clear to see she's trying to hide it.
"Oh, him. That's nothing."
"Don't lie. I'm not stupid."
"I'm not lying, Beca!"
"Aubrey..."
"WHAT?" she suddenly yells. But anyone who knows me knows that Aubrey's moods don't faze me.
"Tell the truth. It's not like I'm going to spread it round. Drama isn't my middle name," I say, raising my eyebrow in her direction. Eventually, Aubrey physically admits defeat and sits down.

Reaching over to take her hand, I smile up at her. I want to be more open with people, and so far on this retreat, Aubrey and I haven't exactly been getting on the best. So perhaps now is the time for reconciliation?

"You can trust me."
Aubrey takes a deep breath and nods.
"Yes, I know. It's just... things here aren't like they used to be."
"Meaning...?"
"I took on too much. Things got out of control... I got out of control."
"In what way?" I ask, regretting asking another question as soon as I've said it. I don't want her to feel like I'm grilling her for information. I just want to help.
"There was an event. About 4 months ago. An anniversary celebration: 50 years of this place, 5 years of me running the Lodge At Fallen Leaves. But I messed up. I got so stressed and so worked up that my welcome speech turned into me shouting at all the guests and then... throwing up on stage." She puts her face in her hands.
"Woah," I mutter, her answer being completely different to what I had expected.
"And then I was made to step down from running everything. I don't know if they did it because they thought it would help my health, or they did it because they were mad - I basically ruined the event. I wanted to leave because of the shame, but my dad didn't raise a quitter, so I stayed to prove I could keep it together."
"But you don't enjoy what you do?"
"To tell the truth, no. But I remember the one time the Bellas came to the retreat and you, Chloe and Stacie all made out that I was doing such a good job, so I thought it would be worth it, no matter much I hated it. At least I was making someone proud, you know what I mean? But being good at yelling at people isn't really an attribute of the person I want to be." She stops suddenly, cutting herself off early. I want to push it, but I've already made her say enough.
"It's okay, Aubrey," I say, walking round the table to give her a hug.
"Since when were you so handsy?" Aubrey laughs sadly.
"Since I allowed myself to actually have feelings," I reply simply, standing up straight again.
"Where are you going?"
I smile.
"To go and get you out of this place." I start walking towards the main building.

"I can't just leave, Beca!" Aubrey calls, hurriedly catching up with me.
"Says who?"
"Me! And, well, the contract."
I turn to face her.
"Aubrey, they can't stop you walking out. I care about your mental wellbeing, so does Chloe, the rest of the Bellas... Stacie does a lot," I add, gauging her reaction. She nods slowly. "So we need to find you something to suit you better."
"Why are you so bothered, Beca? I presumed you only joined the Bellas for Chloe."
"Don't make me try to explain freshman Beca's motives for anything." I laugh. "But I can say this. You're family, and I care about all our family. I'm not gonna let you down, Aubrey."

"I'm still not convinced on this," Aubrey mumbles as we enter the building.
"Look." I stop her before we reach the desk. "I was a producer. Then I quit. Now I can write and sing my own stuff. It worked out."
"Way to blow your own trumpet."
"That wasn't the point." I roll my eyes. "I'm just saying it'll work out. You have to put your happiness first."

Aubrey looks at me for a few moments and smiles.
"I'm going to do it," she says, walking up to the desk.

I get out my phone whilst she's doing her thing, searching for the next flights to LA. I mean, if Aubrey doesn't work here anymore, we can't stay. And it's hardly like Chloe's in a situation that she'll want to go back to Arizona right now. So why not all go to my place?

I buy 3 tickets and send a text to Chloe, who was sitting outside Aubrey's cabin last time I saw her.

Beca | 1.43 P.M.
Hey, could you pack our
bags up?

Chloe | 1.44 P.M.
Umm, why?

Beca | 1.44 P.M.
I'll explain in a sec

Beca | 1.45 P.M.
Oh, and can you try and
call a taxi?

Beca | 1.45 P.M.
If you can manage that ;)

I laugh, reminded of Drunk Chloe again.

Chloe | 1.46 P.M.
Alright, alright! I'm on it x

-

#freeaubrey

Oh and btw, in a few chapters' time, I managed to find a way to include more of the Bellas, for those who were wondering where some of the others were 😂

But I'll include them more heavily in the sequel (which is starting to be planned 👀)