Poison And Wine (BeChloe)

Chapter 3: Wonderwall

We exchanged stories as we savor the food. I tried to be as open as possible. I even told Chloe about my parents' divorce which is frankly the most sensitive event in my life. I told stories

about my brother - how Stan became my hero, my only friend, and my salvation. I was proud to say that not even the years and the distance have changed the way we care for each other.

We're siblings after all. I noticed how happy she is for me. And I'm happy just to know that I can make her feel happy.

After some time, Chloe asked if we could stay at the lake for a little longer and I couldn't agree more. She took my hand and dragged me towards the end of the dock. She sat down, pulling me down with her, our feet soaked into the water.

She started telling me the story about how she and Aubrey became best friends. Apparently, Aubrey was Chloe's own Kimmy Jin when they first met back in their freshman year. Chloe used to be constantly ignored by her blonde roommate, but she kept on being nice and friendly. She was able to catch that Aubrey's bitchy attitude might be caused by her dad being the ultimate perfectionist. Aubrey has spent her entire life trying to live up to her father's expectations, and well, failure is never an option. Then there was a time that Aubrey was having major difficulty in catching up with her academic requirements to the point of acquiring a flu and high fever forced her to stay in bed for a couple of days. Because Chloe is a pre-med major and being the nice person that she is, she dutifully tended to the needs of her roommate until full recovery. She even completed Aubrey's final paper for her Philosophy class. Since then, the blonde saw the genuine concern of the redhead towards her. She started opening up, became more human, and officially declared Chloe as her best friend. I wonder if Kimmy Jin and I will ever reach this status in our 'relationship' if we actually have one.

Aubrey and I are the same, I realized. Aubrey and I were both messed up because of our daddy issues until Chloe Beale painted our black and white world with rainbows because that's what she is; pure sunshine.

"Aubrey's lucky to have you as her best friend," I tell Chloe and I mean it.

"Thanks," I see the smile on her face in my peripheral view.

"When I was feeling lost and empty, all I could turn to was Stan. And it was a pretty hard set up because he was miles away. It wasn't enough that I could hear his voice through the phone. I needed somebody to hug me and comfort me through the sleepless nights."

I can't believe I'm actually saying these.

Somehow, I feel a little embarrassed because the normal Beca will never open up to anyone like this. The normal Beca is always guarded. But how Chloe manages to break into my iron walls

is still a mystery to me because then she looks at me and I have never felt so vulnerable.

"Give me your hand," I stare at her open palm waiting for my decision. I didn't even have second thoughts. I just rest mine on top of hers and I feel her hold a grip onto it. "If you let me, I'll always be here for you, Beca. That's a promise."

"Big word, Red."

She softly chuckles, "I mean it."

"And I appreciate it," I smile at her. That's the least I could do. "Thank you."

I wish she would hold my hand at least for a little longer. I feel so vulnerable but secured at the same time. But then she lets go and runs back to our picnic area. She returns afterwards with my guitar.

"Here," she hands the guitar to me.

I position it in such a way that she could see my fingers when I play the chords, "If you want to learn how to play the guitar, the basic thing to do is-"