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Sometimes Things Have To End To Start A New
Beca Mitchell leaned against the corner of the bar, her drink in hand, watching as the party unfolded around her. She and the Bellas had just finished their final performance together—a celebratory encore before they all went their separate ways. It was bittersweet, but Beca wouldn’t have had it any other way.
She loved these girls. They’d been through so much together since the day she reluctantly joined the group. Who would’ve thought that agreeing to be part of what she once called a “silly and lame” a cappella group would lead to this? Seven years later, they weren’t just friends—they were her family. A group of wildly different personalities that somehow fit together perfectly. And now, standing here, Beca realized she’d achieved her dream, surrounded by the people who mattered most to her.
She chuckled as she spotted Amy trying—and failing miserably—to flirt with one of the soldiers. Beca took a sip of her drink, her eyes scanning the room for the others. Lilly—or was it Esther now?—was making out with one of the DJs they’d once competed against. Cynthia Rose, Flo, and Emily were chatting with the members of Evermoist. Jessica and Ashley were mingling with a group of soldiers, while Chloe danced with Chicago in the middle of the dance floor.
But Aubrey was nowhere to be found.
Beca frowned, scanning the room again. Where was she?
“Are you hiding, Mitchell?”
Beca jumped, nearly spilling her drink as she turned to see Aubrey standing beside her, arms crossed and an amused smile playing on her lips.
“Jesus, Posen!” Beca scowled, clutching her chest. “Do you really have to sneak up on me like that?”
Aubrey chuckled. “Sorry, Beca. But I couldn’t help noticing you’re over here sulking in the corner instead of enjoying the party. You do know it’s your celebration, right?”
“Yeah, I know.” Beca sighed, swirling her drink. “I just needed some space. People keep congratulating me, and… I don’t know. It’s kind of overwhelming.”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “Overwhelming? You’ve won four ICCAs and a world championship. I’d think you’d be used to all the attention by now.”
“That was different,” Beca said quickly. “That wasn’t just about me. It was about the Bellas. About us . Now it’s just… me. And it feels weird.”
Aubrey’s expression softened. “Well, you deserve it. You’ve worked so hard to get here, Beca. You should enjoy this moment. And soon you'll experience more of this. More people appreciating your brilliance and talent.”
Beca hesitated, her gaze dropping to her drink. “You really think I’ll accomplish something on my own?”
Aubrey stared at her, incredulous. “Are you serious? Of course you will! DJ Khaled doesn’t just hand opportunities like this to anyone. He chose you because he sees what we all see—because you’re talented, driven, and brilliant. You’ve earned this, Beca.”
Beca glanced up, her skepticism fading slightly. “Thanks, Aubrey. That… means a lot. Especially coming from you.”
Aubrey smiled warmly. “I believe in you, Beca. Although I didn't at first, I do now. The Bellas wouldn’t be four-time ICCA champions and world champions without you. And now? I know you’re going to rise even higher.”
For the first time that night, Beca smiled. It wasn’t a big smile—more of a small, appreciative curve of her lips—but it was genuine. “I’ll try not to let you down.”
“Oh, you better, Mitchell,” Aubrey teased with a smirk. “But seriously, I know you won’t.”
The two of them lingered in the corner, sipping their drinks and enjoying the rare quiet in each other’s company. The lively noise of the party buzzed in the background, but neither of them spoke for a while, content in the shared moment.
Eventually, Beca broke the silence. “So… I heard your dad came. That was nice of him.”
“Yeah, he did. Though it was kind of last minute,” Aubrey replied, her voice steady, but Beca noticed a subtle hint of sadness there.
Beca turned to look at Aubrey, studying her carefully. She didn’t seem as happy as she should’ve been. “Then why are you here with me hiding in the corner? Shouldn’t you be with your dad?”
Aubrey froze, her grip tightening slightly around her glass. She took a long sip of her drink before finally responding. “Well… he had to leave.”
She said it so quietly that Beca almost missed it. “That soon? Didn’t he just get here?”
“Yes, but…” Aubrey hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. “He got a call and had to leave immediately.”
“That sucks,” Beca said simply, before quickly realizing how inadequate her response sounded. She winced. “God, I feel like a crappy friend right now.”
Aubrey’s head tilted as she looked at Beca, confused. “And why’s that?”
Beca sighed, gesturing helplessly. “Your dad had to leave, and you’ve been looking forward to seeing him. You’re obviously upset, and all I can say is ‘that sucks’? What kind of friend says that?”
To Beca’s surprise, Aubrey burst out laughing—loud, genuine laughter that caught the brunette completely off guard.
“What?” Beca frowned, her confusion deepening. “Why are you laughing? I’m trying to feel bad here!”
Aubrey struggled to catch her breath, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Oh my God, Beca! You never change!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Beca demanded, crossing her arms.
Aubrey placed a reassuring hand on Beca’s arm, still grinning. “Beca, you’ve always been terrible at this—comforting people, I mean. You get so awkward when emotions come up. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much.”
“Shut up, Posen. I feel betrayed right now.” Beca pouted, shoving Aubrey lightly in mock offense.
Aubrey smirked. “If I really needed someone to comfort me—which, for the record, I don’t—you’d be the last person I’d go to. No offense.”
“Wow, gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Beca said dryly, rolling her eyes.
Aubrey laughed softly. “Don’t take it personally. It’s fine, really. I’m not that upset about my dad leaving. Sure, it would’ve been nice to have him stay a little longer, but it’s nothing new. I’m used to it.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel any better,” Beca muttered.
“Don’t overthink it,” Aubrey said with a reassuring smile. “Really, Beca. It’s fine.”
Beca gave her a skeptical look but nodded. “Alright, if you say so, Posen. But seriously, if you ever need someone to talk to—about stuff or anything, really—I’ll be here. I mean, I’ll probably say something awkward, but I’ll listen. You can rant, and I’ll nod along like I know what I’m doing.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aubrey replied, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Even if you’re terrible at comforting people.”
“Okay, now you’re just being rude.” Beca huffed, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement. She took another sip of her drink, the bass-heavy music vibrating faintly through the glass in her hand.
Her gaze wandered back to the crowd. Chloe was giggling as she and Chicago twirled clumsily on the dance floor. Amy was drawing cheers with her infamous mermaid dance. Emily chatted animatedly with one of the members of Evermoist, her hands flying in excitement. The Bellas were celebrating, savoring the night.
But to Beca, it felt like an ending. Her chest tightened as the realization hit—this was it. They were all moving on, scattering to chase their dreams or settle into new routines. She blinked quickly, determined to stop the tears from forming.
Aubrey, who had been quietly scanning the room herself, turned when she heard Beca sigh heavily. “Are you okay?”
“Huh?” Beca blinked and rubbed at her eyes, avoiding Aubrey’s concerned gaze. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Aubrey stepped closer, her brow furrowing. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” Beca said quickly, turning away. “I just got some dirt in my eye.” She forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Aubrey studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, but let it slide. “Alright,” she said softly, her tone light but tinged with understanding.
They stood in silence, the buzz of chatter and music swirling around them. Colored lights flashed sporadically, casting vibrant hues over the crowd. Beca tapped her fingers against her glass, the rhythm uneven as her thoughts wandered.
Then, abruptly, she turned to Aubrey. “You wanna get out of here?”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “And where exactly are we going?”
“I don’t know,” Beca said with a shrug, setting her drink down on the bar. “Anywhere but here.”
Aubrey crossed her arms, a skeptical look on her face, clearly waiting for more.
“Look,” Beca began, shifting her weight, “I love the Bellas. I really do. And I appreciate DJ Khaled’s team for throwing this party for me—it’s sweet. But I’ve had my fill of awkward small talk and forced congratulations for the night.”
When Aubrey didn’t respond immediately, Beca sighed and turned to leave. “It’s fine. I can just—”
“Alright, Mitchell,” Aubrey interrupted, finishing off her drink in one smooth motion. She set her empty glass down beside Beca’s and gave a slight nod. “Let’s go.”
Beca smiled—small, almost hesitant, but genuine—and together they slipped out of the crowded venue into the cool night air.
The distant hum of music and laughter lingered behind them as they walked down the quiet street. Their heels clicked against the pavement, the sound rhythmic and steady in the stillness of the night.
They didn’t speak, but the silence was comfortable. Their arms occasionally brushed as they walked, and for once, Beca didn’t feel the weight of the party or the future pressing down on her.
"So," Aubrey said, crossing her arms as they walked around the dimly lit street. "Do you actually have a plan on where we are going or are we just going to aimlessly walk around?"
Beca shrugged, shoving her hand into the pockets of her jacket, "Not really, I figured we just... walk around for a while. See if we can find a place to sit and... I dunno, clear our minds."
"Really Beca!" Aubrey rolled her eyes, though a playful tone crept into her voice, "If we get lost I'm blaming you!"
"Hey! I didn't force you to come with me, you know! You came on your own will!" Beca said, raising her hand in mock offence. "Besides, we have our phones. Worst case, we call someone to pick us up." Beca paused, tilting her head toward Aubrey. "Wait—you do have your phone on you, right?"
"Of course I do," Aubrey replied with an exaggerated scoff, "I've learned my lesson after getting kidnapped by Amy's father—not that I didn't have my phone on me back then, but still."
Beca chuckled, "That's good to know."
They walked further into the city, stars shimmering in the night sky above them, muted by the city lights around them. Cars occasionally passed, their engines humming softly in the background.
"I'm glad you guys were ok." Beca said after a long pause, her voice laced with genuine relief.
Aubrey glanced at her and smiled faintly, "Yeah, me too. But we wouldn't be if it weren't for you and Amy. Though, I still can't believe you had us sing Toxic while we were practically on the verge of death.”
"Hey," Beca said defensively, "it bought Amy some time to explode the yacht!"
They both laughed at the absurdity of it. But it saved them.
"Life is sure to be full of surprises." Aubrey mused, shaking her head, her soft blonde curls bouncing softly. "I mean, seriously! We joined the USO to compete with other groups and sing again as a group yet we got kidnapped by Fat Amy's father, who happens to be some international criminal!"
"That surely was one hell of a plot twist." Beca agreed. "And honestly, I too didn't expect DJ Khalid to pick me either. But... here we are."
Aubrey nodded, the weight of those three words settling between them. “Yeah. Here we are.”
For a while the only sound between them was the soft click of their footsteps, before Beca broke the silence. "Do you ever think about the future?"
Aubrey glanced at her, her brow furrowed slightly, "For you or for me?"
"I don't know? Both I guess." Beca shrugged, "I mean this is it. The Bellas are officially done. Everyone's going to their separate ways, doing their own thing. And I just..." She trailed off, struggling to find her words. "I just find it hard to believe that after all these years, wanting and dreaming this, I'm actually going to do what I've always wanted. Yet it feels like I'm starting all over again, and I don't even know where to begin."
Aubrey nodded thoughtfully, her eyes fixed on the road ahead of them, "I get that. For so long, my entire focus was winning the ICCA's, to bring back the reputation of the Bellas that I've destroyed." She paused, her voice softening as she continued, "I thought, for the longest time, that if I hadn't... you know... ruined things back then, we could've been champions you know? I was a mess after that."
Beca cringe, the image of Aubrey's infamous solo mishap flashing in her mind. "Yeah, I remember." She thought back to the time she and Aubrey used to argue with the setlist, and her controlling issues, and smirked. "You were such an asshole back then."
Aubrey let out a genuine laugh, shaking her head. "Well you're not wrong. I thought if we stick with tradition, we could prove to others that we could've won with that setlist. Then you came along, with all those 'ear monstrosities', tattoos, and thick eyeliner. You were never afraid to stand up against me, and I was too stubborn to admit that you were right. Then I gave in, and you gave the Bellas a new sound—something better. And somehow, we won. With your setlist. We were champions, and I graduated.... then it all ended." She exhaled, a bittersweet smile tugging on her lips. "After that, I had no idea what to do with my life. I was lost."
Beca looked at her, surprised. “You? Miss ‘I’ve got everything planned out to the second’? You’re telling me you don’t have your entire life mapped out?”
Aubrey laughed softly, "I mean I used to. But I spent my entire senior year obsessing with winning the ICCA's that I didn't stop to think about what comes after that. When it was over... It hit me hard..." She looked at Beca, her face vulnerable. "I didn't know who I was outside the Bellas. Even now I'm still figuring it out... Or at least I'm trying to."
Beca glanced at her, the vulnerability of Aubrey's word catching her off guard. "I... You just perfectly summed up everything I'm feeling right now. Sure, I'm finally starting to live up my dreams. But I'm basically starting from scratch again, and it's fucking terrifying."
Aubrey nodded, her expression softening, "Life has a funny way of throwing surprises at us. But if there's one thing I know, you'll figure it out. You always do”
“Thanks Bree,” Beca said sincerely.
Another comfortable silence settled between them as they wandered through the city. A few blocks later, they spotted a park and decided to sit on one of the benches.
They sat on a bench facing the ocean, letting the sound of waves crashing against the shore fill the quiet. Beca stared out at the water, trying to savor the moment—away from all the problems and worries waiting for her in the future.
As they sat quietly, Aubrey rested her head on Beca’s shoulder. Beca tensed for a moment, then slowly relaxed.
“You alright, Bree?” Beca asked, glancing at her.
“Yes, just thinking,” Aubrey replied softly, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
“Yeah?” Beca tilted her head slightly. “Penny for your thoughts?”
Aubrey stifled a laugh, which made Beca glance down at her with a questioning look.
“Okay, now I’m definitely intrigued.” Beca poked Aubrey’s side playfully. “What’s so funny, Posen?”
“Nothing,” Aubrey shook her head, then looped her arm through Beca’s. “It’s just… if you’d told me during my senior year that you and I would be sitting in a park somewhere in France, all alone, and not trying to tear each other apart—I would’ve called you crazy. I mean, what do you mean I’d actually consider this annoying little alt girl with ear monstrosities my friend? My family.”
Beca chuckled, shaking her head. “Okay, that’s actually pretty funny.”
“It is, isn’t,” Aubrey said quietly.
“Hmm. I mean, if you’d told my 18-year-old self that she’d have ten awesome friends because a certain redhead forced her to audition for a lame a cappella group—”
“What do you mean you were forced by Chloe?” Aubrey interrupted, looking at Beca, who immediately blushed and avoided her gaze.
“She didn’t tell you, I see,” Beca said, trying to sound casual.
“No, she did not. And for the longest time, I’ve wondered why you auditioned when you basically said it was lame and that you don’t sing.” Aubrey shook her head. “Imagine my surprise when you showed up last minute. So, please, Beca—enlighten me. How in the world did Chloe force you to audition for the Bellas?”
“She may or may not have forced me to sing with her… naked. In the showers,” Beca mumbled.
“You’re kidding.” Aubrey’s jaw dropped.
“And she definitely did not make me sing ‘Titanium’—which she totes did say was her lady jam,” Beca added, blushing even harder.
Aubrey stayed silent, pure disbelief etched on her face as she stared at Beca, who was still trying not to meet her gaze. After a minute of silence, Beca slowly tilted her head toward Aubrey and grinned.
“I made you speechless, didn’t I?” Beca teased with a grin.
“Shut up. I’m trying to process the information you just told me.” Aubrey gave Beca a playful shove, making her laugh. =“Also, how did you two end up in a duet in the showers?”
“Well,” Beca scratched the back of her neck. “I thought I was alone in the showers, and I don’t normally sing in front of people. So, you know, I was just singing ‘Titanium’ because I’d recently made a mashup with it. Anyway, just as I was about to start showering, Chloe burst into my stall. Completely naked, I might add. Then she told me to sing ‘Titanium’ for her—right after she said it was her lady jam, which was super weird and gross. But she wouldn’t leave until I sang, so I did. And then she started singing along with me… and stuff.”
“I feel like there’s more to that story.”
“Her boy toy was also in the showers. He told me I have a lovely voice. Tom, I think,” Beca mumbled.
“And you still auditioned after that?” Aubrey laughed, shaking her head.
“Hey, I mean, what’s the point? Chloe already knew I could sing. And my dad wanted me to join something anyway, so I figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone.”
“Well, I’m glad Chloe made you join—no matter how much I hated you back then,” Aubrey said with a smile.
“Yeah… me too,” Beca replied softly, her smile lingering.
A comfortable silence settled between them again, broken only by the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore. The ocean stretched endlessly before them, mirroring the vast possibilities ahead—uncertain, maybe even terrifying, but also full of promise.
Aubrey sighed, leaning back against the bench. “You know… I think this is the most peaceful I’ve felt in a while.”
Beca hummed in agreement, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah. No stress, no deadlines, no crazy Bellas yelling in my ear.” She smirked before adding, “Well… except for you.”
Aubrey scoffed, nudging her with her elbow. “Rude.”
Beca chuckled, stretching her legs out in front of her. The evening breeze had picked up slightly, carrying with it the faint scent of salt and the distant sounds of the city. For a moment, it felt like the world had slowed down just for them.
Aubrey’s voice broke the quiet. “I mean it, though.” She turned her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. “I know life is changing—fast. You’re about to take off, Beca. And even though I know you’ll always be you, I just… I don’t want us to drift apart.”
Beca frowned, shifting in her seat to fully face Aubrey. “Bree, why are you suddenly talking like we’re never gonna see each other again? We’re not dying.”
Aubrey let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “I know that. It’s just… life has a way of pulling people in different directions. We get busy. Priorities shift. I don’t want us to become just another ‘remember when’ story.”
Beca was quiet for a second before she sighed, tilting her head back to stare at the sky. “Well, that’s not gonna happen. You know why?”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Beca looked back at her with a smirk. “Because you’re Aubrey Posen. You don’t let people go that easily.”
Aubrey blinked, then let out an amused huff. “That’s true. I am pretty persistent.”
Beca grinned. “See? And besides, think of it this way—now you get to say you personally knew the next big music sensation before she made it big. Hell, you’re technically the reason DJ Khaled found out about me.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Oh, wonderful. That means if you become insufferable with fame, I’m responsible for it.”
Beca gasped dramatically. “How dare you? I am a humble artist.”
“Mmm-hmm. Sure.”
Beca shook her head fondly. Then, after a beat of silence, she stretched her arms with an exaggerated sigh. “Welp. Now that we’ve had our deep, emotional bonding moment, I say we find food before I start eating the sand.”
Aubrey let out a real laugh, standing up and offering her hand. “Come on, Mitchell. Let’s feed your never-ending appetite.”
Beca took her hand, allowing Aubrey to pull her up. “Lead the way, Cap’n.”
As they started walking, Aubrey smirked. “You do realize you’re paying, right?”
Beca stopped in her tracks. “Excuse me?”
Aubrey arched a brow. “You’re the future famous musician. You should start practicing how to treat your less fortunate friends.”
Beca groaned dramatically but started walking again. “Fine. But I’m picking the place.”
Aubrey smiled to herself, falling into step beside her. The ocean stretched behind them, endless and ever-changing, much like the future they were stepping into. But for now, in this moment, everything felt right.
And that was enough.