Chapter Text
Beca Mitchell had never really believed in fate.
Her life was more of a carefully constructed playlist: songs blended, transitions seamless, no room for messy surprises. She kept her guard up, her headphones on, and the world- and its emotions - out. So naturally, it was the last place she'd ever expect fate to tap her on the shoulder: in the communal showers of Barden University. The day had been exhausting. Classes, club sign-ups, Jesse's relentless invitations to "Just hang out sometime," - everything blurring into a cacophony of demands Beca wasn't ready for. All she wanted was to rinse off the day, steam out the tension. Alone.
The water pounded against her shoulders, warm and heavy. Beca closed her eyes and let herself drift. Then-
A soft, familiar voice, half humming, half singing, floated through the steam. Beca's eyes snapped open. The last thing she expected- or wanted - was company. She grabbed her towel without looking, mumbling, "Occupied!" But the voice didn't stop. It grew louder, more confident.
And then there she was.
Chloe Beale.
All sun-red hair and fearless, disarming smile, stepping under the neighbouring shower like it was the most natural thing in the world. Beca backed against the wall, clutching her towel tighter, glaring through the mist. "Seriously?! What are you doing?"
Chloe didn't flinch. She sang louder, a teasing glint in her eye. Her voice- rich and warm - tangled itself around Beca's nerves, plucking at something she didn't know was strung so tight within her. "You have a lovely voice," Chloe said, cocking her head. The droplets on her skin caught the light, sparkling.
"I wasn't singing," Beca muttered, cheeks burning.
"You were humming," Chloe's grin widened, "Same difference."
Beca tried to look anywhere but at her- and failed. The air between them felt heavy, electric. The sound of the water seemed louder now, drowning out everything but the steady thudding of Beca's heart. "You should audition," Chloe said, stepping closer, voice low and coaxing. There was no mocking in her tone- just that maddening sincerity, like she could see something in Beca that even Beca didn't believe was there.
"I'm not really... into groups," Beca mumbled, trying to edge away. But the wall was solid behind her and Chloe was persistent. "Neither was I... until I found the right one," Chloe says softly. Her eyes- that impossible, ocean blue- searched Beca's face. Waiting. Hoping.
It was a moment balanced on a breath. Beca could have laughed it off, shoved past her, run for the door. That would have been easier.
Instead, something inside her cracked open- something small but vital. She remembered, briefly, what it was like to love music before it became a shield. Before she needed it so survive.
Chloe's hand lifted- slow, deliberate- and for a terrifying second, Beca thought she was going to touch her. She wasn't sure if she would have stopped her. But Chloe just tucked a damp strand of hair behind her own ear and smiled- a real, quiet smile that made Beca's chest ache.
"No pressure," Chloe said, stepping back. Her voice was lighter now, teasing. "But if you change your mind... you know where to find us."
And just like that, she turned and disappeared into the steam. Beca stood there, water dripping from her, stunned and breathless, long after Chloe's voice faded.
It wasn't about singing. It wasn't even about the Bellas.
It was about the way Chloe looked at her- like she was worth hearing.
For the first time since arriving at Barden, Beca wondered if maybe- just maybe - she didn't have to do everything alone.
She closed her eyes, leaned her head back under the hot spray, and let the thought soak into her bones.