| When Words Fail | Jesse Swanson x Reader

Performance [10]

Claire smoothed out her dress in her body mirror, giving herself a small pep talk for confidence.

"Okay, you've got this, everything is going to be fine. It's just one small performance, not a lot of people will be there!" Claire told herself as she adjusted the braid on her shoulder. A crackling sound came from her bed.

"Claire, you copy?" Beca asked. She swiped the walkie talkie off of her bed and responded quickly.

"Hey, you ready for regionals? Jesse is gonna be there." Beca teased, making Claire scoff.

"Oh, shut up, you nerd. Yeah, I'm ready. Let's just get this over with."

  The Bellas hurried into the room, stopping as they realized that a group was performing. Beca grabbed Claire's arm lightly and pointed to the Treblemakers, who were glancing back and forth between The Bella's and the group on stage. Jesse's eyes met Claire's, and she gave him a teasing wink. He rolled his eyes with a small smile before returning his gaze to the stage. Beca nudged Claire, and she stuck her tongue out at her.

"A Capella out of sock puppets," Amy stated as she lifted her hand and moved it, "Genius." The group giggled.

"Yeah, look at the black one with the white sock!" One of the girls pointed out.

"It's making a statement." The only black girl in the group shrugged. Claire gave her a fist bump.

"There's no craft there. Watching them will make you worse." Aubrey snarled lightly to the girls.

"At least they're different." Both Beca and Claire said, giving each other a smirk. Aubrey rolled her eyes. The group finished their performance as the crowd clapped and cheered. Claire glanced out among the seats, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"That's a lot of people." She mumbled, glancing back at Beca, but she didn't notice.

"Girls, hands in!" Aubrey called over the commotion. All the girls turned around place their hands atop each others.

"Remember, ah, on three. One, two..." Aubrey smiled. The girls sung off tune, some not even singing. Aubrey turned to Chloe as she gave her a reassuring nod.

"The Barden Bellas!" The person on the stage called as the crowd cheered. The girls shuffled down the rows and onto the stage awkwardly, quickly getting into their places. Beca and Claire gave each other an anxious glance as Aubrey took her place.

"One, two, three, four." Aubrey whispered, and the girls began their performance. Claire glanced out among the crowd, meeting Jesse's eyes momentarily before looking ahead of her. She didn't like the girly outfit Aubrey had put them in, but it was their uniform, so she had to wear it. She glanced at Aubrey as she began to solo, continuing to dance and sing back-up. Once she had finished her solo, Claire looked out among the group as they huddled together. Chloe was looking at Aubrey with a relieved expression. Claire rolled her eyes as the song became quieter and slower, feeling bored and a little tired as it continued on.

"John, a change of pace could not come soon enough here for the Barden Bellas." One of the referees sighed. "This is not, uh, a great way to start their season." She continued on.

"Yeah, this number is like an elephant dart to the public's face." The man next to her agreed as he looked out among the girls expectantly. Claire smirked as the beat picked up and the girls began to sing louder.

"Awe, yeah!" Fat Amy called as her solo started. She could see the excitement in the girl's face and voice as she continued to sing and dance. As the song began to end, Fat Amy threw her coat off and ripped her button up open, a few buttons flying everywhere. Claire giggled as the crowd clapped and cheered loudly, feeling like her solo had sparked things a little.