Chapter Text
Beca’s first day of college was upon her, Barden University was the destination. It was perfect not only because her father worked there, but it was one of the few colleges that proudly accepted and worked with people like Beca, the deaf.
Yes, it is true, Beca was deaf. She had been all of her life and it was a huge milestone and accomplishment to her that she could make it to college. She never thought of herself any less compared to normal people and accepted the challenge early on that she was different. Back home, it wasn’t nearly a challenge, because everyone knew everyone and helped her succeed, but now at Barden, it was obviously going to be much different.
People didn’t care who you were, or what condition you suffered, as long as they could laugh at you, they were going to make it happen. So that’s why Beca was frantically searching the quad during the activities fair looking for her service dog Shooter. He was her hearing dog, helping her in case of alarms or other loud noises that could potentially harm her.
Beca looked high and low for Shooter, she was starting to get worried. No one knew she was deaf and she couldn’t audibly call for the dog or help. The perpetrator’s just watched on laughing at her.
“Tom your such a jerk!” Aubrey hissed walking off back to her booth.
“Aubrey wait up! Bye baby!” Chloe yelled back to Tom and his fellow jocks.
“Aubrey why are you so upset?” Chloe asked.
“Chloe, we have work to do. We have to find 8 smoking hot girls with bikini ready bodies that can sing. Not making fun of some alt girl.”
“Oh calm down Bree. We will be alright. Hey look its her!” Chloe pointed out to Beca who was still looking for her dog. “Maybe we could ask her?” She said jokingly. “Hi!” Chloe waived frantically gaining Beca’s attention.
Beca hurried over to the two beautiful girls booth in hopes they found her dog. She stood as she waited for them to talk so she could try and read their lips, but she couldn’t. The red head just laughed at her and the blonde one looked sympathetic.
“Chloe Beale I’m ashamed of you, did you know she was deaf?” Aubrey huffed, storming off, not wanting to hear her answer. She motioned for Beca to follow her and led her right to Shooter who was tied off to a bike rack.
Aubrey stood aside as Beca ran and hugged the dog tightly, undoing his leash and standing to face the blonde. Beca held her hands to her heart and smiled, thanking the girl. Aubrey motioned in the air as if she was writing. Beca nodded her head and Aubrey turned a flyer over and wrote on the back.
“You’re welcome, I’m sorry I had no idea you were deaf. Sorry about my jerkoff friends. -Aubrey.” Aubrey turned to show Beca and the shorter girl smiled and snatched the items from Aubrey.
“Beca Mitchell-Thank you, and it’s ok, guess I will have to get used to it here.”
“Beca…” Aubrey spoke softly. Heart breaking for the small brunette. She pulled her phone out from her pocket and showed it to Beca, who pulled one out as well. The girls switched phones and texted each other. Aubrey shot her an extra text asking her if she needed any help at all, she was available.
Beca and Shooter rushed to her father’s office to share the good news. She was signing so frantically he laughed trying to keep up.
“Wow kiddo. Sounds like you made a new friend. And do not worry, I will have a talk to the Dean about people harming you. Its unfair.” He signed back at his daughter, Beca reading his lips, and hand movements.
Beca went back to her personal dorm at Baker Hall. It was specifically designed for her and her dog. It had its own bathroom and several advanced warning and helping features for her. Beca was the first deaf student to attend Barden University, so she was busy emailing her professors about her needs and what to expect with her being deaf. She tried to keep it simple, trying not to differ too far from other students, but one thing she had to have, was a translator.
Beca waited at the campus coffee shop waiting for her translator to show up when she saw a familiar blonde waiting in line. Beca caught her attention and Aubrey happily walked over and joined her, smiling at her golden retriever as she sat down.
“Hi Beca.” She wrote down, “Whatcha doing?”
“Waiting on my translator, they’re late.”
Aubrey smiled and slightly giggled. “I think you are wrong.”
Beca scrunched her nose in confusion, “Well blondie I don’t see a translator here, so I guess I am right.”
Beca watched as Aubrey picked her hands up and signed, “No, I think I’m right.”
Aubrey stared at Beca who looked to be shocked, excited and confused. Aubrey just sat and watched the many facial expressions cross the younger woman’s face.
“But how? You could sign this entire time?” Beca replied back.
“Well I had to practice again. I am very rusty, please forgive me.”
Beca was smiling like a child on Christmas. She already had a rough start at college but the one nice person who helped her, understood her and was willing to help, that made Beca feel like any other person.
“I don’t understand. Don’t you have classes of your own?” Beca signed confused.
“Technically yes. But I graduate in December and we have almost every course together. You must be a wiz kid. These aren’t easy classes.”
Beca smiled at the compliment, “Just as long as I don’t harm your grades, I’m glad to have you.”
So that’s how it went for the first few weeks off school. Aubrey and Beca attached at the hip. Aubrey would translate for the teacher to help Beca and Aubrey was impressed how easily this stuff came to Beca. She was a genius, and by helping Beca, it actually helped her with her understanding as well. They spent most of their free time together which didn’t go unnoticed by Chloe.
“I don’t know what you see in her Bree, you keep ditching me for her and I want to know what she has that I don’t.” Chloe argued.
Aubrey pulled Chloe deeper into the kitchen so Beca couldn’t watch them argue.
“I am her translator Chlo, why are you making a big deal about this?”
“Because before she came along, it was just me and you. Now you drag her and that mangy ass dog everywhere with you.”
Aubrey shot a glare at Chloe, “Chlo…”
“What? Are you afraid she’s going to hear me? SHE’S DEAF BREE.” Chloe yelled in the direction of Beca.
It was true after all, she was deaf, but Shooter wasn’t, and Beca could read body language. The flinch from Shooter told her yelling was involved and so as quietly as possible, she gathered herself and slipped out the door.
“Chloe Beale, I don’t know what has crawled up your ass, but you need to stop. Ever since Beca has stepped onto this campus, you’ve had it out for her and its going to stop.” Aubrey bit back causing Chloe to back off.
“I just don’t understand why you have to follow her everywhere. She has her dog.”
“Chloe how would you like to be deaf? On this big campus with all these people and you cant talk to any of them? You’re different because you cant talk and need constant help? I’m just doing what I think is right.”
Chloe sighed defeated; Aubrey’s words had won this battle for now. “Ok, but why did you invite her to tryouts? She cant sing or hear? What good is she?”
Aubrey threw her hands up in complete disgust, “You’re unbelievable.” Aubrey stormed off from the kitchen and back into the living room scared shitless when Beca and Shooter were gone.
Aubrey quickly tried to fish her phone out her pocket, damn skinny jeans she thought, always slowing her down, she pulled up Beca’s name and composed a message.
“Beca where are you!?”-Aubrey
“I knew you guy’s where arguing about me. Shooter gave it away.”-Beca
“Oh it was nothing, please come back?”-Aubrey
“I’m ok. I think I will let you have some alone time with Chloe, she seems upset with me.”-Beca
It amazed the hell out of Aubrey on how smart Beca really was. For someone who couldn’t talk or hear, she was very clever and picked up things quick. Just because she was deaf, didn’t mean she was stupid, and Aubrey respected her so much for it.
“She’s just being dumb. But ok? Please let me know you’re safe, and I meant what I said earlier, I want you to come to the Bella’s Auditions with me. Maybe help out with finding new members? I can use an assistant.”-Aubrey
Beca walked into her dorm building slightly excited at Aubrey’s message. She finally had someone who actually worried over her and the fact she was concerned made Beca’s heart warm.
“I’ll be there😊”-Beca
“Oh good she’s gone.” Aubrey heard as she was pulled away from her chat with Beca.
“Excuse you?” Aubrey asked.
“Beca, she’s gone. At least she can take a hint.” Chloe said sipping on wine.
“Jesus Christ! What the hell has gotten into you.” Aubrey said stomping out of the apartment leaving Chloe alone and further upset.