Beca Mitchell leaned against the kitchen counter, staring down at her phone. The glow of the screen illuminated her face in the quiet of her apartment. She had just received a message from DJ Khaled himself. Her career had been rapidly taking off. By collaborating with Khaled, she sold out arenas, worked with major artists, and DJed some impressive venues. It almost felt like she was living someone else’s life with the parties, flashing cameras, famous faces, and absurd tabloids. Beca was getting used to it by now, but it still didn’t sit right with her.
“Yo Beca, we're celebrating big tonight, you in? It’s gonna be lit! You know how we do. Let me know. 🙏”
The idea of a celebrity party wasn’t exactly Beca’s idea of fun. She had always been the type to stay in and find comfort behind her laptop or to get lost in the music she was crafting. But tonight, DJ Khaled had insisted she come to meet more artists, and well, she wasn’t about to turn him down. Beca had been to enough of these events now to know what they were all about, and frankly, they weren’t her scene to attend alone. She quickly typed out a message to a person who always made these events bearable: Fat Amy.
“Amy! Khaled’s having another party tonight. Wanna be my plus one?”
She hit send, then waited. After a few moments, Amy’s reply came through, accompanied by a suitcase emoji.
“Sorry, love, I’m currently living the dream in the Bahamas. No can do. But… if you’re feeling like you need some company, you know who could spice things up.😉”
"Stacie?" Beca jokes, knowing who Amy is originally referring to.
"Don't play dumb shortstack. Have fun tonight!" Amy sends a message full of kiss emojis.
Beca stared at the text for a second. Chloe. Chloe had always been her calm in the chaos. Her best friend. The person who made her feel like she wasn’t drowning under the weight of expectations, the glitz, and glamour of the industry. Chloe was steady, grounded, and somehow managed to make Beca’s world feel a little less overwhelming.
Amy had a point. Chloe was one of the only people who could make these parties feel less… well intimidating.
Beca bit her lip and scrolled through her contacts, pausing on Chloe’s name with a string of heart emojis (Chloe added). She hesitated for a second. It was just a party, right? No big deal. It wasn’t like she was asking her to a date. Or was she? The thought seemed to knock the wind out of her for a moment.
Just ask her, Beca. It’s Chloe. She’ll be fine with it.
She took a deep breath and tapped the call button.
Chloe picked up after the first ring, her voice bright and full of warmth. "Hey! What’s up, Becs? How did you know I was just thinking about you?”
Beca smiled a little, the sound of Chloe’s voice instantly making her feel more at ease. “Hey Chloe, so… funny thing. I got invited to one of Khaled’s parties tonight, and... well, you know me. Not exactly a ‘party girl.’ So, I was thinking about you and how you should be with me?..tonight! I mean, come with me tonight, if you want? I mean, you’re great at these things, and—”
Chloe interrupted Beca's stammering with a laugh. “Whoa, whoa. Slow down there, Beca. You sound like you’re asking me out.”
Beca blinked, her face heating up. “What? No! I mean, not—” She paused, swallowing the awkwardness rising in her throat. “I just thought it would be fun, you know? I’ve got this thing tonight, and, uh, I’d feel better if you were there with me. Plus, you always know how to make things… less intense. I mean, it’s a lot of people I work with, so, you know… you’ll get to meet some important people.”
Chloe’s voice was playful and teasing, but Beca could hear that familiar smile in her words. “Oh, okay. So, it’s not about me; it’s about you showing me all your new Hollywood pals, huh?"
Beca laughed nervously, running a hand through her hair. “No! I mean, yes… okay, a little bit. It will be fun, though, and honestly, you’re the only one I can stand to go to these things with. I don’t know what I’d do without you there; You’re like… my social buffer.”
Chloe chuckled, clearly enjoying Beca’s awkwardness. “You’re lucky I love you. Alright, fine. I’ll come. But I’m expecting VIP treatment. I want to meet all your Hollywood friends and absolutely have a selfie with Khaled for my Insta. You’ll owe me.”
Beca couldn’t help but grin. “Deal. You want a selfie with Khaled? You’re gonna have to fight off about fifty other people first.”
Chloe laughed, her voice light. “I’ll take them all on then. Can’t wait to see how big-time you’ve gotten, Miss Hollywood.”
Beca smiled to herself, relieved. “Great. I’ll send you the details. See you soon?”
“Yes, see you soon!"
An hour later, Beca was pacing outside the venue, fidgeting with her phone as the crowd started to gather. The exclusive, red carpet vibe of the place made her feel a little like a fish out of water. She wasn’t used to all the attention, being a girl who spent more time in the studio than in the spotlight. But tonight? Tonight, she was going to embrace it. Or at least fake it until she could find Chloe and let her ease her back into her normal self.
Chloe was supposed to meet her inside, but Beca stood by the door adjusting her jacket. Right in time, she caught sight of Chloe making her way toward her. She had sent Chloe the dress code in advance, and Chloe had nailed it. The redhead was dressed in a stunning Black satin dress that hugged her curves in just the right way, her hair falling in soft waves down her back. The waves of her hair caught the light as she neared, and Beca felt a sudden rush of pride mixed with… something else. Something that made her stomach flip in a way she couldn’t quite explain. For a moment, everything around her blurred. It was just Chloe. The way she smiled at her, that small, knowing smile. And Beca? She couldn’t stop staring. Her eyes followed Chloe as she drew closer, taking in the way the fabric of Chloe’s dress swished with every step or the way her lips parted slightly when she saw Beca. She looked effortlessly glamorous but also like Chloe, the same person Beca had met all those years ago in the Bellas. It was hard to believe that, in this massive sea of A-listers, she could feel just as real as she did in their college dorm rooms.
Chloe stopped in front of her, their gazes still locked, and Beca’s chest tightened. She could feel the heat from Chloe’s body radiating into hers, and she fought to keep her cool.
“Chloe!” Beca greeted her as Chloe's eyes finally left Beca's to look the shorter girl up and down. This action Beca tried to go unnoticed, but it was no use as her cheeks began to redden.
“Becs! You look amazing!” Chloe said, giving her a long hug. Chloe pulls away but Beca's hand lingers on the redhead's back for a couple of moments longer.
“You too. Seriously. You look like you belong on a red carpet, not hanging out with me,” Beca teased, her words light but genuine.
“Please, you’re the star. I’m just here for moral support,” Chloe replied with a grin and then gave Beca a second hug, sensing some tenseness from the brunette. "This place is insane."
Beca forced a smile, though it felt a little tight around the edges. “Yeah, it’s a lot. I’m just trying to figure out where to hide from all the flashing lights and famous people. You know how I feel about these things. You’ll probably get more attention than I do.”
Chloe grinned. “Don’t worry I won't steal your spotlight; I’m just here to support my cool best friend." Although Chloe was trying to ease the brunette, the term 'best friends' felt unnatural tonight. “But honestly, I’m kind of excited. I feel like I’m stepping into an award ceremony or something. Hollywood glamour and all that.”
Beca couldn’t help but laugh, but the tension in her chest didn’t loosen. If anything, it seemed to tighten. She hadn’t even realized she was standing so close to Chloe until their shoulders brushed, and the contact sent an electric spark through her. Beca quickly stepped back, pretending it was nothing, but the way Chloe’s eyes lingered on her made her feel like she’d just been caught doing something she shouldn’t.
. “Yeah, it’s definitely got that vibe. Just… stay close to me. I don’t know if I can survive these things without you around.” Beca states attempting to soften her tone, realizing some scenarios that could play out tonight.
Chloe’s whispers, almost as if she could sense the undercurrent in Beca’s words. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back. You’re not alone in this.”
The music from inside the club pumped through the walls, and Beca hesitated for a second before entering. She knew what this moment was, but she wasn’t sure what it meant. She knew she had some sort of feelings for Chloe, but tonight, they seemed to be more present than ever. Beca didn't even know if she had the right to feel this way towards her 'best friend,' as Chloe stated previously. She wasn’t sure why of all nights, she had a tight feeling gripping her chest. Chloe was always so… effortless. Beautiful. Magnetic. And tonight, she was about to be the center of attention again. Chloe radiated confidence. Like she belonged here. God, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself tonight, Beca thought, her heart beating faster as the crowd at the entrance started to swell. What if she doesn’t need me anymore?
Tonight, something about it felt off. Beca had thought it would be fun, as Chloe would get to experience the glamorous side of Beca’s new life. But as the night wore on, Beca was starting to feel differently. It wasn’t that Chloe had changed; it was Beca who had. She had been so focused on her music, her career, her dream that she hadn’t stopped to consider how the world around her was changing. Or how her feelings for Chloe had quietly evolved into something more. Before Beca could analyze further, Chloe flashed her that signature smile. The one that Beca could never resist, maybe she didn’t need all the answers right now. Maybe she just needed to be in this moment with Chloe without overthinking every single thing.
“Shall we?” Chloe asked, arching an eyebrow playfully.
“I feel like I’m about to step into a movie,” Chloe said, giving Beca a playful look. “Are you sure I won’t need a bodyguard?”
Beca chuckled, feeling the familiar comfort of Chloe beside her. “If you need a bodyguard, I’m your girl.”
As they stepped inside, the thumping bass of Khaled’s latest track filled the air, along with flashing lights and a sea of faces Beca could barely keep track of. Celebrities. Influencers. Musicians. Everyone. This was the kind of event that Beca could only dream about just a year ago. As soon as they entered, Beca could feel the shift. Chloe immediately caught the attention of a few people in the crowd, just like she always did. Beca wasn’t surprised—Chloe had that magnetic quality, that ability to light up a room without even trying. It was something that had always made Beca feel both proud and a little… well, she can't quite say.
"So this is it, huh? This is your ‘Hollywood scene’?”
Beca looked around, she tried to joke her way through the nervousness. “Yeah, pretty much. Lots of glitzy people and not enough champagne to make me forget that I’m out of my depth here.”
The vibe of the place was overwhelming: a sleek, modern club with an air of exclusivity. There were producers, actors, musicians—everyone seemed to be here. Chloe smiled, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Seems like a lot of fancy people. How do you handle all this? The whole, ‘I’m the cool Hollywood celebrity’ vibe?”
Beca rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s mostly a lot of pretending to be confident. I’ve got a pretty solid poker face by now.” She glanced at Chloe, noticing the curiosity in her expression. “Honestly, you get used to it. And you learn to recognize the difference between the people who are really interesting and the ones just pretending to be interesting. Most of it’s just noise.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “So you’re telling me there’s more to this than just flashing your smile and pretending to be glamorous?”
Beca smirked, the tips of her fingers lightly brushing Chloe’s as they walked deeper into the crowd. “Well, maybe I could try that. But honestly? I prefer hanging out with someone who doesn’t care about the noise.”
Chloe’s lips curled into a grin as she gave Beca a playful side-eye. "Sounds like it's hard to let loose here, I couldn't imagine this being my daily weekend."
Beca leaned in just slightly, letting their shoulders brush. " Yeah, no way, I'm just here for Khaled, he wants me to engage in meeting more musicians. The party is definitely easier to be here when you’re with someone who knows how to have fun.”
“Someone like me, right?” Chloe shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Exactly.” Beca pauses for a moment,"Or Amy." Beca says flatly joking with Chloe which earns her a playful nudge. Beca gave her a quick, sidelong glance, catching the way Chloe was radiating confidence. The kind of confidence that made everyone else in the room take a second look. It didn’t even seem to faze her—she was effortlessly magnetic.
Beca pointed to a group across the room, leaning into Chloe. “That guy in the leather jacket? I worked with him on a project last year. He’s an absolute nightmare, but he loves making sure everyone knows he’s ‘one of the important ones.’”
Chloe let out a soft laugh, leaning in closer to hear. “So... ‘important’ is just code for ‘douchebag’?”
“Pretty much. But hey, at least he’s good at his job,” Beca added, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind next time I run into him. I hate people who try to act like they’re more important than they really are.”
“Right?” Beca agreed, her voice growing warmer as they stood closer, the alcohol loosening her tongue and making everything feel a little more fun. “You’d fit in here way better than you think. You’d be the one calling the shots in about ten minutes.”
Chloe laughed, and something about the sound made Beca’s heart flutter. “I don’t know about all that. I’m more of a ‘quiet storm’ type in this setting. I'll let them talk while just to… observe.”
Beca found herself looking at Chloe with a softness she hadn’t intended. There was just something about the way Chloe didn’t try to play the Hollywood game, how naturally she fit into the environment without needing to force anything.
“And what have you been observing, hmm?” Beca’s voice lowered now only inches away, trying to hide the slight warmth on her cheeks.
Chloe met her gaze, her lips curling into a playful smile. “You. I’ve been observing you,” she said, her voice dropping just a touch, turning the moment into something charged. “You seem pretty comfortable in this world for someone who acts like she’s ‘out of her depth.’”
Beca let out a short laugh, but it came out a little breathier than she expected. “I’m comfortable because I don’t have to impress anyone here,” she added, her eyes glinting with a teasing edge.
Chloe’s hand brushed against hers again, this time lingering just a little longer. “Is that so? No need to impress me? What if I’m the one person you’re trying to impress?”
The words hit harder than Beca expected. A few beats passed before Beca looked at Chloe, her heart beating a little faster now, her stomach doing something strange. “Well… if that’s the case, I guess I’ll have to make sure I don’t mess up.”
Chloe’s gaze softened, the flirtation still there but with something more underneath. “I don’t think you could ever mess up with me.”
Beca smiled, but the tension between them was thickening in a way that felt both thrilling and a little overwhelming. Just then, a waiter passed by with a tray of champagne, and Beca grabbed two glasses. She handed one to Chloe with a playful grin. “Guess we’ll see.”
The weight of her words lingered in the air, and Beca’s pulse raced in her ears. Her body felt too aware of Chloe’s proximity now, and the flirtatious tension between them was building in a way that was making it hard to focus on anything else. Chloe was practically glowing, and Beca found herself wanting to be closer, just a little closer.
"Alright," Chloe said, setting her glass down and moving a little closer to Beca. “You think I could get away with dancing here?”
Beca’s heart skipped at the suggestion. "You? Absolutely." She was about to respond further, but she caught sight of the dance floor. It was crowded with A-listers who knew how to dance and shine in the moment. A group of well-dressed actors were gathering around, preparing to hit the floor, loosening up, looking ready to show off. Beca was mentally battling between giving into the fun or holding back. Should she go with the flow? Or was this too soon, too out of character?
"Are you gonna leave me hanging, Beca?" Chloe’s voice brought her back to reality. Her fingers had brushed against Beca’s arm, an innocent touch, but the electricity that sparked from it made Beca flinch, her nerves finally getting the better of her.
Beca hesitated, biting her lip. "I don’t know... I’m not sure I’m really in the mood to... dance right now," she said, her voice a little quieter than usual, her brain suddenly clouded with hesitation.
But Chloe didn’t pull away. She just tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "You sure? Because, uh, I’m getting the vibe you might be more in the mood than you're letting on."
"I think I need another shot for that." Beca could feel the heat rising again, but the pressure of seeing the actors get on the dance floor, starting to show off and draw the attention of everyone in the room, snapped her back into focus. Chloe nodded for a moment and went to the dance floor, telling Beca to join after her shot if she was up for it. The alcohol had loosened Beca up just enough for her to feel the heat rising in her cheeks, the familiar flutter in her chest whenever Chloe was near. It was like a constant low buzz, this attraction—this thing—that Beca couldn’t quite name but could never ignore. And right now, as Chloe danced, there was something about her—something irresistible.
Beca leaned against the bar, pretending to scan the crowd casually, but her eyes kept drifting back to the dance floor. Chloe was there, surrounded by a handful of people, but it was clear she was the one drawing the most attention. She moved effortlessly, like the music was made just for her, her body swaying to the beat with an energy that seemed to light up the room.
Chloe’s eyes flicked over the crowd for a second, and Beca froze when their gazes met across the room. Chloe’s expression shifted into a teasing smile, a small, knowing curve of her lips. The look was soft but electric, like she was silently calling Beca out, daring her to come join her on the floor. Chloe danced as she always did, sexy and irresistible, Chloe's eyes never left from the brunette. Beca felt her breath catch in her throat, a wave of heat flooding her chest. The bartender slid a fresh shot of tequila in front of her, pulling her attention away.
When she did, she realized something—a lot of someones were staring at Chloe now. A few of the more obvious male gazes were locked on her best friend, and Beca's stomach twisted. Her protective instincts flared up almost immediately, but she forced herself to breathe, reminding herself that Chloe was confident. Chloe was capable. And, damn it, she could handle herself.
But then a comedian someone Beca recognized from just being in the Hollywood scene, stepped toward Chloe, trying to weave through the crowd to get closer to her. He moved with an air of arrogance, his body language all confidence, as though he assumed Chloe would be as interested in him as he was in her. Something in Beca snapped. Chloe wasn’t some trophy to be claimed, wasn’t some object of desire to be treated like a prize for this guy. Beca knew it was more her inner monologue speaking now, but the thought hit Beca like a punch in the gut.
She couldn't just stand there.
Beca slammed the empty shot glass onto the bar with more force than she intended, her nerves suddenly amplified, her mind scrambling to find a way to get to Chloe before the situation got out of hand. As she neared the edge of the dance floor, she saw Chloe smile politely at Matt Rife, but there was something guarded in her eyes, a flicker of hesitation Beca didn’t miss. He had to be a comedian if he thought he had a chance with Chloe, right? And before she could overthink it any longer, Beca stepped up behind Chloe, placed her hands on her waist, and pulled her close enough to feel the heat of her body. Chloe jumped slightly, startled, but then her face broke into a wide, playful grin.
“Did you miss me already?” Chloe asked turning both their backs to the male, her voice low but filled with an undeniable flirtation.
Beca’s breath hitched, but she forced herself to play it cool, slipping her hands around Chloe’s waist a little tighter. “I thought I’d come rescue you from the very interested comedian,” she said, her voice lighter than it felt, but the adrenaline coursing through her was undeniable.
Chloe’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned back into Beca’s chest, her back pressing against Beca’s body. Chloe and Beca begin to dance to the music in eachother's arms. “Rescue, huh?” Chloe’s lips brushed just barely against Beca’s ear, her breath sending a shiver down her spine. “I don’t need rescuing, Beca. But... I do like the attention.”
Beca’s heart skipped a beat at the proximity, at the feel of Chloe’s body moving against hers in time with the music. It was almost too much. Beca didn’t know how to play this game—didn’t know if she was ready to handle the feelings that were tumbling out of her. But she couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when Chloe was this close.
“You know,” Beca said, her voice quieter now, “I could’ve let Matt Rife bother you with his great jokes, but I think I’d rather be the one to entertain you.”
Chloe looked up at her, a mixture of surprise and something deeper behind her blue eyes. “Is that so?” she teased, her voice breathy, and Beca could feel the energy between them flare up again.
“Yeah,” Beca said, her confidence building, fueled by the tension in the air. “I'm much more fun to dance with.”
Chloe’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Oh, I can tell.” As the music pulsed around them, Beca let herself get lost in the rhythm, in the feeling of Chloe’s body moving with hers. "Thank you for dancing, I definitely didn't want to hear any of his jokes."
Beca chuckled a low chuckle near Chloe's neck, causing the redhead to deepen the contact against her. And for a few moments, everything else faded away. All that mattered was the way Chloe’s body fit perfectly against hers, the way their movements synced, their chemistry undeniable. But even through the haze of the moment, Beca couldn’t ignore the way Chloe's smile deepened, how her eyes glinted with mischief and something more every time they made eye contact. Maybe it was time to stop pretending.
Maybe this was more than just dancing. Maybe this was something else entirely.
As they moved together, Beca caught glimpses of the comedian who had been circling Chloe, now lingering at the edge of the crowd, clearly feeling like an outsider. He made no move to approach them again, his confidence faltering. And that was exactly what Beca wanted.
Chloe was hers in that moment. In every way that mattered.
“I think we’re drawing a crowd,” Chloe whispered now facing her, lips dangerously close to Beca’s ear. “Is that… good or bad?”
Beca swallowed, her voice barely more than a breath. “Good. I don’t mind.”
Just as Beca was starting to get lost in the moment, she felt the familiar pressure of someone tapping her shoulder. She turned to find Theo, with a slightly frantic expression on his face. “Beca, glad I found you! Hey Chloe, sorry to uh- interrupt but there’s some people who want to talk to you.”
Beca groaned inwardly, forgetting why she was here; she was still reluctant to pull away from Chloe. So, Beca led Chloe through the venue, grabbing her hand for her friend to stay close. The Brunette stops to chat with a few colleagues she worked with on recent collaborations, introducing Chloe. As she spoke with a bunch of producers she had worked closely with, Chloe stayed a little to the side, observing the conversation. She engaged input in all the right way, clearly interested in Beca's music direction. Beca could feel Chloe’s gaze following her, but Chloe seemed content—relaxed even. It was exactly why Beca had invited her tonight.
“I’m so glad you could make it, Beca,” Theo said, handing her and Chloe a glass of champagne. “Khaled’s got a whole new project he’s working on that I think you’d be perfect for.”
Beca smiled politely, trying to pay attention, but her gaze drifted toward Chloe, who was standing next to her in conversation with another musician.
“I think I’ll need to introduce you to some people,” Theo continued motioning Beca to follow.
“Chloe! Hey, come over here. You’ve gotta meet some of my colleagues.” Chloe smiled and walked over, but just as she did, Beca’s attention was pulled away by Khaled himself, who waved her over to introduce her to a group of high-profile music industry people.
“Go ahead you've already introduced me to most of them, I’ve got it from here,” Chloe said, her voice warm as she gave Beca an encouraging smile.
Beca hesitated for a second wanting to bring Chloe, but she knew the redhead could hold her own, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll be right back.”
~~~~~
It didn’t take long for Beca to get swept up in a conversation with some of Khaled’s other collaborators—big names she’d yet to work with over the past year. There was talk of tours, new tracks, and potential future collaborations. Beca excused herself from the conversation but kept getting stopped by influencers who stopped to praise her work. She hadn’t meant to, but she found herself watching Chloe from across the room as she tried to make her way over. Beca saw the redhead talk to at least five different men in the time span of 25 minutes, which only made Beca move quickly. With a deep breath, Beca turned to make her way through the crowd, ready to enjoy the night with her best friend by her side—because if anyone could make this insane, celebrity-filled event bearable, it was Chloe.
Beca’s stomach dropped as she got closer to the guy Chloe was intrigued with he was a tall, dark-haired figure leaning over as he spoke with Chloe. His eyes lingered on her a little too long, and Chloe seemed to be enjoying the attention. Until she got closer to see the Celebrity she was talking to.
Wait… Jacob Elordi? Seriously?
Beca felt a twinge of jealousy grip her chest, though she immediately pushed it down. It was ridiculous. Chloe was beautiful, confident, and everyone—literally everyone—would be drawn to her. She had always been like that, Beca quickly pushed the feelings aside. This was supposed to be fun, and she had asked Chloe to come. She couldn’t let her own emotions screw things up now, plus Chloe was single anyways.
But as Beca made her way over, she couldn’t help but feel that twist of something uncomfortable. She had known Chloe for so long—long before any of this. Long before Beca’s rise in the music world. Long before parties like this were a regular part of her life. She had been Chloe’s constant, just as much as Chloe had been hers.
She pushed the jealousy aside again, trying to remind herself it wasn’t about that. Chloe was her best friend. Nothing had changed. But as she stepped closer, she couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe... maybe something was different now.
“Hey, Chloe,” Beca said, her voice louder than she intended. Chloe turned around with a wide grin, her face lighting up when she saw Beca. Jacob gave her a polite nod before excusing himself, though not without flashing Chloe another smile.
“Hey, Becs! This is Jacob,” Chloe introduced. “We were just talking about Euphoria—he’s telling me they probably aren't going to finish it.”
Beca forced a smile. “Oh wow, Euphoria—definitely the kind of show I probably should be watching, but I’m usually too busy to keep up with all the drama.”
Jacob laughed, his deep voice easygoing and charming. “You should catch up! The set is crazy. It’s like a whole different world. I also wanted to say I'm a big fan of your work! But maybe a bigger fan of your guest” Jacob winks at Chloe, as she gives a slight nudge to his arm but doesn't remove her hand completely.
Beca’s eyes flickered toward Chloe, who seemed completely at ease in the conversation. She was enjoying herself. She was glowing. Why wouldn’t she?
But as Beca nodded and made small talk, she couldn’t help but notice how all the attention in the room had shifted toward Chloe. Once Jacob left she finally thought she and Chloe could get some alone time. Everywhere Beca turned, another celebrity was approaching Chloe, offering her a drink or asking her to dance. Where now, they were both in this group of people whose conversation she could care less about. Of course, Beca anytime she tried to interject to get Chloe alone. Beca was the one who got an invitation from influencers around her to get to know her better. Unfortunately, she wasn't focused on anyone else besides Chloe.
She felt a pang of something sharp and unfamiliar in her chest. She didn’t want to be that person. The one who got jealous of her best friend. Chloe deserved all of it—the attention, the compliments, the admiration. Chloe was amazing. Beca knew that. She always had.
But tonight, in this space, surrounded by a world of celebrities and flashing lights, it felt different. She wasn’t just watching Chloe shine anymore—she was realizing, with painful clarity, that she didn’t just want to be her best friend.
She wanted more.
Beca went to stand with her producer friends as she couldn't stand the flirting going on in the group. Plus, it was too much for Beca to always talk to people she really didn't know, especially when they kept coming up to her when she was just trying to talk to Chloe. Every time Beca glanced over, there was another celebrity making a beeline for Chloe. A director. A singer. A model. All of them, drawn to Chloe like moths to a flame. It wasn’t that Beca didn’t want her to shine. She did. But she couldn’t ignore the way her heart squeezed at the thought of Chloe laughing and flirting with all these famous faces. Beca took a deep breath and turned away, trying to focus on something—anything—else. But her mind kept drifting back to Chloe.
It wasn’t long before Beca had to step outside for a breath of fresh air. Her mind was spinning, her thoughts tangled in a chaotic mess she wasn’t sure how to untangle. She had only had a couple of drinks, but the buzz was enough to make it harder to hide what she was feeling—or maybe it was just that Chloe had this effect on her. She leaned against the side of the building, closing her eyes for a moment, hoping the cool air would help. It didn’t.
Her chest felt tight, fluttering with feelings she couldn’t quite name. She should have been enjoying herself, right? She was at the party, after all. People were complimenting her. They were eager to work with her. It was everything she’d dreamed about. But it didn’t feel the way she’d imagined. It was different with Chloe here. Being close to Chloe tonight, with everything buzzing around them, felt like… well, it felt like she was more than just a friend. And that terrified Beca in ways she couldn’t explain
She felt out of her depth, like a fish swimming against the current, her confidence faltering the longer she watched Chloe interact with other people. Beca forced her eyes open, looking at the stars, trying to clear her head. But the second she opened her eyes, she saw Chloe walking outside with a stride that was effortless, graceful, and warm.
"You okay?" Chloe’s voice was light, but Beca could hear the concern beneath it. "You’ve been kind of quiet all of a sudden."
Beca opened her eyes, startled for a moment, but then a wave of relief washed over her when she saw Chloe standing there, her presence comforting. Chloe was so real. So steady.
“Yeah, just… needed a minute,” she said, exhaling deeply, her words coming out a little softer than she intended. She wasn’t too drunk, but the alcohol was definitely making her feel more open than usual. "It’s a lot, you know?"
Chloe stepped closer, a small smile on her face. “Yeah, this place is overwhelming. But hey, I’m having a great time, and you’re killing it, Becs.” Her voice was genuine, comforting. “Everyone’s talking about your next tracks. How good you look, people want to work with you, and that’s huge.”
Beca smiled at her, but it didn’t help the tightness in her chest. Chloe’s words were like a warm blanket, but underneath them was a churning feeling, like she was failing in some way. You’re right, Chloe. You’re always right. But then, why did it feel like everything was slipping through her fingers?
"Is everything really okay, though?" Chloe pressed, her voice softer now, a hint of concern still there.
Beca looked at her, blinking rapidly to clear the fog of alcohol that had started to cloud her thoughts. “I’m just not really a ‘party person,’ you know? I mean, I’d rather be at home working on some new track. Getting it just right.” Her words came out too quickly, too flustered.
Chloe’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Beca thought she saw a flash of something deeper there—something that felt too intense for the casual conversation they were having. Then Chloe laughed, the sound light and teasing.