Chapter Text
Los Angeles, The City of Angels, Tinsel town, La-La Land, or in Beca Mitchell’s case, home. She skipped the whole college thing and has anchored herself in LA for the past 5 years. Was it worth it? Beca thought so. Instead of wasting 4 years at school, she grinded for the last 5 years to become a well-respected name in the music producing industry. Sure, it had its perks of being around famous people all day and the money and recognition was a plus. But one thing has been nagging at Beca for the past 5 years, the single life.
She wasn’t really into the douche b’s she interacted with all day. Some nights at the clubs where she would DJ for fun, she received plenty of attention and would bring a dude home on occasion only to be disappointed when they’re gone the next morning. She ultimately stopped trying on a relationship in general and just lived her life. Even if it meant sitting at one of the finest club/restaurants in Los Angeles alone.
“Hey Howie, table for one as usual.” Beca said with a sigh.
“I’m sorry Miss Mitchell, but the whole place has been rented out this evening.” Howie said embarrassed.
Beca looked at Howie confused, and stared at the empty building,
“Are you sure?”
Armando, the manager saw Beca at the front trying to gain entry, so he stepped forward to explain to the situation to his number one customer.
“Hello Beca. Howie? Please go check on the arrangements upstairs, I’ll tend to Beca.” Armando said waving his hand dismissively at Howie and grabbing a menu for Beca. “I’m so sorry Beca. I instructed him to turn down all customers tonight. We had to even cancel our reservations.”
“Big night tonight?” Beca asked intrigued.
“Only the biggest night in the history of biggest nights.” He added enthusiastically.
“So, what gives? What’s going on tonight?” Beca said curious.
“Only the biggest birthday bash in all of Hollywood.”
“Go on,” Beca added getting annoyed.
“Emily Junk’s big birthday bash! She’s celebrating her 23rd birthday here tonight!”
Beca choked on her complimentary water, “Emily Junk? As in the artist of the year Emily Junk?”
“The very same. Do you know what this means for us Beca? Our name will be all over the tabloids and social media. E! Network will be here!”
“Holy shit that is huge. I’ve been dying to collaborate with her, but her current label has got her chained down.” Beca said twirling her straw around in her water.
“Well maybe tonight you can get to meet her, get the ball rolling?” Armando added trying to cheer his number one customer up. “Anyways, you still want your usual? The Wild Mushroom Ravioli?”
“Actually, I think I’ll try the Green Chili Pork. And may I get a glass of the Red Wine?” Beca asked.
“I see we are living on the edge tonight.” Armando smiled as he jotted Beca’s order down. “I’ll be back with the wine sweetie.
Armando rushed back to Beca with a bottle of wine and a glass. He poured her a glass and corked the bottle, “I’m so sorry I had to seat you way back here. The party is due in 10 minutes and I wanted you to be in peace.” He said with a smile.
“It’s ok, Armando, I really don’t mind.”
Armando graciously bowed and returned to his crew who were putting the finishing touches on the upstairs party pad. Beca noticed the DJ station and at least hoped the DJ was decent. She waited patiently, watching the groves of people file in and the lights went dim and the music start jamming.
It was at least 45 minutes before Beca got her food and the party was in full swing.
“I’m so sorry Beca, I truly am. All our cooks are concentrating on the party. They finally got it made and do not worry, it’s all on me tonight.” Armando added.
“No, it’s ok, the wine was keeping me company.” Beca added with a smirk.
“Ok, if you need anything flag me down, but I gotta run right now. The VIPs have arrived, and I must greet them.” Armando said kissing Beca’s hand and rushing off out the door.
It was just a minute or so when Beca heard the DJ announce the arrival of the birthday girl. The spotlight shined on her as she climbed the stairs and cameras started flashing. Beca sighed as she watched Emily get lost in the crowd along with her posse.
It was times like these when Beca wished she had friends. She’s always been by herself, going all the way back to her parent’s divorce. She pushed away anyone who cared about her and distanced herself. She’s been in Los Angeles for 5 years and Armando was the closet thing to a friend she had. She pushed the negative thoughts out her head and picked at her food.
She sat at her table for an hour just picking at her food. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it, because she did. It was just the fact that she was too caught up in the party going on upstairs to really care about food. Bad thoughts filled her head once again. Thoughts such as, “I could kill myself right now and no one would notice.” Or her favorite in general, “Does anyone really give a fuck that I even exist?”
Her answer would soon come, because although it was her party, Emily had to get away for a moment. So, on her way to the ground level bathroom she noticed a tiny brunette around her age sitting in the corner looking lonely.
“Hello.” Emily greeted, jolting Beca out her daze.
“Holy shit dude! Don’t do that!” Beca said clutching her chest.
Emily giggled and threw her hands up in surrender, “May I have a seat?”
Beca looked at her suspiciously, “Sure.”
“I was on my way to the bathroom and you looked like you could use a friend so...” Emily said trailing off.
“So?” Beca said in disbelief.
“So, I decided to check on you. It must be lonely being here alone while a big ass party is going on. Sorry if we interrupted your dinner.” Emily said.
Beca smiled, she really liked this Emily girl, she was sweet and not a total snob you typically find in Hollywood.
“Don’t worry about it. I come here all the time by myself. And I don’t mind the party, I DJ a lot in my spare time, so the crowd isn’t bothering me.” Beca said taking a sip of wine. “I’m Beca by the way.”
Emily looked at Beca with interest, “Beca, as in Beca Mitchell?”
“The one and only.” Beca added.
“Holy shit!” Emily yelled. “Can I totally have your autograph?”
Beca looked at Emily in shock, “You want my autograph? Why?”
“Dude! I’m a huge fan of yours! I seen some of your YouTube videos and I also heard the stuff you did with Camila Cabello. I envy your skills!” Emily said going all fangirl on Beca.
Beca was stunned, she couldn’t believe her ears. “You envy me?”
“Yes! I can’t wait to switch labels! I totally want to collaborate with you!” Emily said with a screech.
She handed Beca a pen from god knows where and had Beca sign her t-shirt. You would think the girl had hit the jackpot.
…
Back upstairs, Emily’s posse watched her from above with this random girl.
“Who is that?” Chloe said joining Aubrey and Stacie at the railing.
“I’m not sure, they’ve been talking and giggling for 15 minutes.” Stacie pointed out.
“The girl signed Emily’s shirt? Maybe she’s famous?” Aubrey added.
The girls shrugged that possibility off and continued to study this unusual alt girl.
…
“Would you like to join my party? I mean if you want that is.” Emily said trailing off.
Beca wanted to but she had to get going. Sure, it was a Saturday night, but she stuck to a curfew. And she knew by going to this party she would end up dragging some dick home to only get screwed over and left heartbroken again. So, she frowned and started,
“I’m sorry….” Beca stopped as her eyes roamed upstairs and locked onto the beautiful blonde that was overlooking her with two other girls.
“What is it Beca?” Emily said snapping her fingers in Beca’s face.
“Who is that.” Beca said never taking her eyes off the blonde.
Emily turned and looked, “Who? The brunette, red head or blonde?”
Beca giggled at the different varieties of hair color, “Well actually all three. But the blonde for sure.” Beca stated.
Beca didn’t think she was gay. But one look at Aubrey and she was really considering trying it out.
Emily smiled, “The brunette is Stacie. She is my manager. The red head is Chloe, she oversees my social media, and the blonde is Aubrey. She is my fitness and vocal coach.”
“Dude what? They’re like the same age as us?” Beca stated confused.
“Yeah, well they’re actually 26. We went to college together. We were in an A Capella group, The Barden Bella’s. I wrote several songs my freshmen year and they decided to use them. We used them, won, and I got credit for them. Naturally several labels took interest in me and here I am.”
“So that qualifies them to oversee you?” Beca giggled earning a playful slap on the hand.
“Yes. They’re all professional in their work. And being my friends is the best. We get to travel all over together.”
Beca once again slouched in her seat, again, she wanted something like Emily had. A solid core of friends. Emily noticed Beca’s change in behavior and mentioned Aubrey again, earning a rise out of Beca.
“Would you like to meet my friends? They’re super cool. I think you’ll like Aubrey the most.” Emily said tugging Beca up from her seat and dragging her towards the stairs.
“Looks like I don’t have much of a choice,” Beca said trying to keep up with the long legs of Emily.
…
“Poor girl. She looks so lonely.” Aubrey said watching Beca slouch back in her seat as she finished picking at her food.
“Looks like Aubs has a crush Chloe!” Stacie ‘whispered’ into Chloe’s ear.
“Hey! I heard that. And no, I don’t!” She said defending herself.
“Aubrey likes the little Alt girl!” Chloe jumped and squealed.
“I hate you two I swear.” Aubrey added resting her chin on her propped-up arm.
“Oh, you love us Bree!” Stacie yelled. “Just like that little Alt girl.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes. She hated these parties, Stacie and Chloe would always tease her when they got drunk and always tried to get her some lady action.
Aubrey turned around to face her friends once more, “Listen, I don’t like her ok? Besides, I have no idea who the hell she is or even her name.”
Chloe and Stacie smirked before Stacie spoke up, “Well tiger, it looks like you’re gonna get to find out that information.”
Aubrey had no idea what Stacie meant, so Chloe turned Aubrey around and that’s when she noticed Emily dragging Beca towards the stairs. Aubrey’s heart pumped 100% faster and her pale face exposed her blush easily in this dim lighting.
“Shit’s about to get hot in here Stace!” Chloe beamed.
“Remember Aubrey, use two fingers. Kind of pretend you’re on tinder. Swipe right for awhile and the left. Finish her off with the come here motion. That’ll get her.” Stacie said.
“Aubrey choked on her water, “Why the hell would you tell me that?”
“Because I figured you needed a pep-talk. Now straighten up they’re almost here.”
Aubrey started to panic but it was too late, Emily had arrived with Beca in tow. She was way shorter than she imagined. But Aubrey didn’t mind, fun sized was her type of her girl anyway, and this girl was gorgeous up close.
“Stacie, Chloe, this is Beca. Beca this is Stacie, and that is Chloe.” They all formally introduced, and it was Aubrey’s turn. She was dying on the inside, fainting was a real possibility.
“Beca this is Aubrey.” Beca smiled as she tried to hide her blush in which Aubrey noticed, toppling her over the edge, “Aubrey this is Bec…” Emily couldn’t finish. Aubrey, in all the excitement, passed out”
“What the hell was that about?” Emily said worried.
“She’s got the hots for Beca.” Stacie said getting a nod from Chloe as well.