Work Text:
False Confidence
Everybody knew Stacie Conrad. Hardly anyone spoke more then one suggestive sentence to her, but everybody knew her. Long legs, big tits, and a personality that would make a porn star blush. She was popular for it. Nobody, on the other hand, knew Anastasia Conrad. The only child of Marcus and Olivia Conrad. She was bookish and awkward, and anything slightly dirty went over her head. It was adorable how naïve she was. Long books and big glasses was her personality.
Anastasia hid within Stacie, trapped in an abyss of forgotten hopes and ideas that would never see the light of day again. There were glimpses now and again that she was still alive in there; a new wave in genetics or an element that was discovered recently and the enthusiasm was barely concealed in her eyes. It only lasted a moment before being smothered; most leave it as a trick with the lighting. Stacie knew sex, not molecular science.
So, when Beca found a new issue from a science company with Stacie's name on it Beca didn't know what to think of it. It was stuffed under the couch cushion neatly. Too neatly. If someone was hiding it from her it wasn't well done, everyone knew the pillows slip from the couch frame everyday. It happened so often it became a competition between most of the girls to see who could do it the least. It had gotten so bad that half the pillow was on the floor before she put an end to it and tucked it back. This would be only a temporary spot to place it, even placing the pillow back wouldn't hide it, the pillow would simply move again within the hour. Beca had only found it after being thrown over the back of the couch by Amy after the Aussie had tried to burp her, claiming her height made her a baby with no self-control. It was humiliating but she got left alone after a rant to anyone present.
She had known Stacie wasn't entirely honest with all her interests. Beca was one of the few people in the Bella house who could respect someone's wish for silence. It helped that people often spoke freely around her when she wore her headphones, they weren't noise cancelling and she kept the music quiet enough to hear when she was needed.
Beca had heard the brunette make phone calls to other universities and colleges asking questions about subjects before. She had put it up to friends needing answers, or just confusion in certain areas. The leggy brunette always left the room before she could hear the ending of her first sentence.
Beca had brought the magazine into Stacie's shared room, sliding under the pillows with a note
You Left This
-Beca
She wasn't sure why she signed it, her mind coming up with different scenarios that could be amusing if she had left it blank, but she did. Stacie had hidden it, granted poorly, but she had wanted to keep it a secret. Beca could respect it enough to hide it from other Bellas until Stacie was ready. God knows she has enough secrets herself that would never come to the light of day.
It took a week for Stacie to confront Beca about the book. She had known it was coming. Stacie wasn't exactly subtle with her confused looks and questioning eyes. They were growing more desperate as the days passed. Whenever Stacie had tried to talk to her someone, mainly Chloe, would call them away. The fifth time it happened Stacie had lashed slightly out stating they had to go to the shops. Despite the fully stocked cupboards. Snack shopping, if the shouts of requests were to go by. No-one argued her which left Beca looking helplessly back at her friends as she was dragged away. Literally. Her arm had an indent for an hour after.
Stacie didn't speak at first, opting to soak in the awkwardness first. "You know." It was a statement that Beca didn't think would be first. An accusation, yes. Threats, probably. But Stacie was calm. It was strange, she felt like a child whose mum was about to say the classic 'not mad just disappointed' speal.
"I think I do? Don't know why it's a big deal but I'm not going to tell someone." Stacie looked at her, taking in the details of her face, searching. Beca wasn't sure what for until she spoke again.
"You're being sincere. I thought you and Chloe told each other everything." Beca snorted but didn't comment on it. The shelves were far more interesting than those can of worms. "Why?" Stacie's voice was small, insecure. "Why are you keeping it a secret?"
"Well, one, I don't really know what part of this I'm hiding. And two, I know what it's like to have someone tell people something they shouldn't."
"The science book, I don't want people to know." Stacie chose not to comment on Beca's second reason. She could see the tension build up in the girl's shoulders. She placed a hand on her shoulder, looking into the aisle of toiletries, not commenting on their clear distraction.
Beca turned to her, a clearly forced cheeky smile on her face. "What book?"
Stacie smiled back, genuinely. "No clue. You brought it up." They turned from the aisle they were in, now not having to hide their intentions behind products they didn't need. They went straight to the snack aisle. Beca was half tempted to drag her arm down the shelves to tip everything in, she had enough faith that they would all be gone within the month. Between cravings and Fat Amy's careless pranks they won't last a week. They were all fed up with sweeping the dust from fallen crisps by now.
Stacie went more towards the sweet tooth section, savoury snacks were okay, but she was in love with salted caramel. Didn't matter what form it was in, she was even willing to be an old lady for the butter candies, but if it were caramel in any essence of the word, she couldn't help herself. It was a mystery how she could go through so much. Even compared to CR's Twizzlers collection it was impressive. Beca didn't understand how the girl didn't have a constant sugar high.
An entire trolley later and they were finally finished shopping. Granted it was a smaller trolley, but it was still the same, four bags filled to the brim with sugary delights. A college students wet dream. They never brought it up again that day.
They never spoke about it until Stacie barged into Beca's room. Her being Captain fortunately gave her a solo room, perks when she stays awake mixing. It wasn't uncommon for people to let themselves into her room, mainly to wake her up, but this wasn't even Stacie trying to creep in to scare her. This was a full-blown sprint, right down to the panting. The tall brunette could only manage a 'hide' as she tossed a book towards Beca before looking towards the bookcase in the room. It was mostly filled with records but there were textbooks for school on it. In a small corner. Covered in a thin layer of dust.
Beca didn't study much.
Stacie pulled one off the shelf at random while Beca sat confused with the book Stacie had thrown at her laying helplessly in her lap. She barely had time to comprehend anything when her door opened again, Chloe this time. "Seriously, dude?" Beca's aggravation was apparent as she subtly moved her laptop over Stacie's book.
"Sorry, Becs, looking for Stacie." Beca silently points to an area behind the door. The redhead looks towards Stacie, who, admittedly, plays the caught in the act look perfectly.
"Hey, Cap senior-"
"Are you okay?" Chloe's voice was filled with genuine concern. Her eyes twinkling with honest intent. Stacie backed up slightly, while she was used to Chloe's honest farm girl persona it was another thing to have it stare back at you.
"Yeah… why wouldn't I be?"
Chloe's face twisted; her features pulled into a more confused state of concern than before. "You ran all the way up here so quickly. I thought something was wrong."
Stacie forced a look of understanding onto her face. "It's nothing. I had to show Beca something." The brunette looked down, she didn't like lying to someone she cared for.
"Was it your parcel?" Stacie's head shot upward. "You sort of got a bit weird when Lily tried to read some of it."
"It's alright Stace, you can tell her." Beca interjected. The other two girls turned to look at her, confusion marring their faces. "I know it's embarrassing but Chloe can keep a secret." Beca tried to convey her true meaning. While the two of them were talking she had looked down, it was another volume of the science magazine. If Lily had tried to look at it then they were safe, the girl was too quiet to understand but if someone else had… Stacie wouldn't like that.
"I can't." There was so much vulnerability in it that Chloe crumbled slightly inside. The brunette wanted to say but there was something blocking her from doing so.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, but if somethings happening you have to tell me." Chloe looked at her as if she were a wounded dear about to run.
"B." They locked their gazes. Stacie's green eyes held desperation while Beca's were just apologetic.
"She's studying physics." Stacie was about to interrupt her, her heart breaking from the apparent betrayal but Beca continued. "She asked my help to get the basics down, I took a couple classes throughout high school. She wanted to look smart for her date."
Chloe stood still for a couple seconds before whirling on Stacie. "Why would you keep that a secret? That's awes."
"She's embarrassed Chlo."
"How long has this been going on for?"
"Not long, we've just gotten to scalars in conjunction with sound waves." Beca knew Chloe never took any physics classes during her education. The redhead could understand Biology no problem but anything else was jumbled garbage so she could string together basic sentences using real terms and she would agree.
As predicted Chloe nodded along like she understood. A proud smile on her face as she hugged Stacie. "That's amazing, congrats."
Stacie mumbled a quiet 'thank you' before she was let go. "If you two need space, I'll get it for you. We could cut Tuesday practice, or at least move it so you can get studying. Or we cou-"
"Chloe! It's fine. We were going to meet up when we can, I don't think Aubrey would like you moving practice for me." Stacie was slowly processing what had happened. It was a variation on the truth, granted not a particularly good one if Beca's knowledge gets called into question. It also allowed her free time to be herself, unfortunately, for Beca, she was stuck with her. But they were still lying. While she was willing to bend the truth, no-one had asked her what her major was, she wasn't comfortable lying outright. Beca, on the other hand, seemed to be able to.
"If you're sure." Stacie nodded. Chloe hugged her one last time and moved towards the door when Beca spoke up.
"Chloe?" She turned around. "Can we keep this between us?" Chloe simply winked and left them alone.
They both released their breaths. "What just happened?" Surprisingly, it was Beca that spoke up first.
"I think you're tutoring me now? Although you might need to brush up on physics terms." Beca kept her bewildered expression. "Scalars don't go with sound waves, scalars are more along the lines of distance or speed, things with determinable magnitudes." Beca's eyes were glazed over slightly.
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to be stuck learning scientific jargon instead of you now?"
Stacie only smirked mischievously. "See you on Tuesday Professor." Beca sighed, this was the last thing she expected when she woke up.
Stacie crashed her tranquillity again the next day. Her arms filled with multiple science books and multiple snacks. She didn't wait for Beca to wake up or even acknowledge her when she dropped the stack on top of her. Completely ignoring the spare bed beside her. The girl only laughed when Beca jumped upwards, startled and tired.
Her bleary eyes settled onto Stacie's figure. The death glare she was giving was half-baked, resembling her squinting more than anything threatening. Beca smashed her face back into the pillows, her reply barely understandable. "Why?"
Although Beca couldn't see it, she could practically feel Stacie's panicked excitement. "Physics 101." Stacie sat herself down on the girl's bed, mindful of where her feet were, and started to open books.
"Stace, it's not even 9 yet. Let me sleep." Beca had to stop to check the time, sighing when she saw how early it was compared to how she felt. Her alarm was about to go off soon, but it didn't make this any better. "Weren't we going to do this next week?" When you don't have to wake me up Beca added internally.
"I know, I know, but I couldn't sleep so I got these sorted out for you." Beca could feel the brunette motion to her assorted collection. "Then when that didn't distract me enough I made myself a pot of coffee, sorry if I tangent I'm super caffeinated, and decided I could show you some stuff before your first class. You know, if Chloe actually checks things we'll be caught, thank you by the way for coming up with something. Now I don't have to hide the magazines as much, I can say I got them as a gift for you, or for a 'date'." Beca stops her before she could continue to ramble by placing a hand on hers. Her other hand starts to rub the sleep out of her eyes.
"Let's do this." Stacie smiled in return, passing over two books and a chocolate bar.
"So, you told Chloe we did scalars, do you know how they work?" Beca only gives the girl a 'really' look. "Right, sorry. Scalars and vectors go hand in hand so lets start with vectors, they are more like math so are easier to remember. Vectors measure distances in both math and physics but they are slightly different in each class because mathematicians don't need to interpret the geometry of the systems they are studying. Vectors are used often as a push or pull force, they need to possess both a magnitude and a direction. Scalars on the other hand just need magnitude such as distance, speed, time and velocity. It is usually used with the formula; average speed= distance divided by time." Stacie looks back at up at her instead of her twiddling hands. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Beca's smile was genuine while her eyes were stuck in a state of awe. "I'm glad I get to see this side of you."
Stacie looks down, a soft blush on her cheeks. "Anyway, if we want to find instantaneous speed we can use the trolley experiment…" Beca lets Stacie continue, merely lifting her pencil up, grateful Stacie let her take notes and started to pay attention. Who cares that she missed philosophy, this was more than worth it.
Beca wished she had paid more attention in class so she could at least spare herself some of the torture she was experiencing. She could understand the electrical side of Physics, but the moment latent heat and calculations came into play Stacie's voice transformed into a foghorn. It wasn't horrible, afterall it was a crash course so, sparing in depth analyses, Beca could find where to get calculations for what was needed. Granted it took a few weeks, most of which weren't scheduled visits and just Stacie waking her up with coffee. As much as she liked snacks she appreciated the caffeine more.
They had started to meet on Tuesdays like they had told Chloe they would, but they added Thursdays as more of a solo ordeal. Stacie would sit with her magazines or homework while Beca was allowed to mix in peace. It helped keep up appearances if the 'knowing' glances from Chloe were to go by. Beca was pretty sure half the Bellas thought they were banging. Not that she could blame them, the last time she had spent as much with someone was Jesse. Granted this was much more entertaining than being guilt tripped into watching the entire works of his favourite directors. Although the horror movies were decent, most had strange twists that she couldn't see coming, but they grew repetitive. Not that relearning was any better but Stacie had an enthusiasm that was more endearing than obsessive.
They had started to meet in cafes between classes, not to learn, but to socialize. They weren't close before but spending hours melting brain cells together brought them together. Beca learned Stacie's go to order was a cinnamon latte, reminded her of home during the fall. Apparently the Conrads would take a day off to spend with Stacie, each bringing a book and simply sat together reading. Enjoying the time in each other's presence with a hot drink beside them.
Stacie had learned that Beca didn't like music was younger. Young Beca had always thought that those absorbed by music were hiding things. Or at least trying to hide from them. Her father was a prime example of that, he would always try to drown out the sound of his shouting by placing the radio by her bed. It had worked until the batteries had died one day, allowing her to witness each hurtful phrase passed between her father and mother. Since then music was both a blessing and a curse; it helped her find a sanctuary, something that could drown out her thoughts, but it would always spark memories when it was shared between people. Concerts and radios always brought her to tears unless she was preforming it herself.
It was during one of their lunch meets that they were spotted by Amy. The Aussie had invited herself and sat down, interrupting their conversation with crude jokes. Completely ignoring the tension at the table. Stacie had been talking about going down to visit her family during the winter break when the blonde had arrived, preventing her from inviting Beca to a museum exhibit before she left. She shot a short glare towards Amy, not that the girl saw it in her heated performance of her dingo wrestling days. Beca looked only half invested in her antics, the other half shot her a concerned/apologetic look.
Beca had noticed the stress in Stacie's joints for the last few days but never had an opportunity to confront her about it. Chloe had escalated their rehearsal times and any other spare time Stacie had was spent revising for her lab assignment. Her teacher had surprised them by doing their practical work before their prelims causing havoc on her organisation for the year. They were only told a week prior and this was the first time since that she had actual free time to spend with someone. And she was actually looking forward to it.
There was never any pressure when she was around Beca. The brunette, while snarky, never judged her or her actions. Sure, there was the occasional 'why?' when she hid something but she never pushed further than that. It was a nice change. Chloe always demanded answers, Amy never knew subtlety if it hit her in the face and CR was too busy staring at her chest to listen properly. Any other Bella never spoke to her. The DJ understood secrets, even having her own that she could speak openly when she wanted and shut down and enjoy the company any other time.
They lived in a mutual partnership. Neither asked for more than the other could give.
Until Amy interrupted their lunch that was. Cutting Stacie off in the middle of a heartfelt invitation with nothing but crass news and self-proclaimed truths. None of the Bellas knew what was going on between the two brunettes, and to be honest neither did they. They hadn't spoken about what they were, more than friends, definitely but other than that they had no clue. Beca never spoke of her exes and Stacie hardly spoke about any dates that she would have. Not that there was any anymore, she hadn't went on a date for at least a month. Hoping that Beca would take her out on an official date, not just to coffee shops and study lessons.
Stacie had found a sound exhibit that she had thought Beca would like. It was circulating around the country and was finally within reach. She was going to make the first move, so she wanted something that combined both their interests, Beca's music infatuation and Stacie's knowledgeable side. She had researched enough that there would be an audio tour through headsets, allowing Beca to be comfortable with any loud noises without being completely silent. Neither was good with awkward silences, and, from Stacie's experience, first dates were full of them.
But Amy had interfered with jabs about their 'relationship'. Granted the girl meant well, she was simply glad that 'Steca' was real. It didn't take her genius IQ to know that it was a ship name. But it was a tough pill to swallow when she couldn't get a word in to confess her feelings without Beca thinking it was pressured by Amy. Stacie gently tucked the tickets back into her jacket pocket. She sat back into her seat, dejected, and listened as Beca laughed with the blonde. She couldn't pay much attention.
She didn't notice the looks that Beca had sent her way. Didn't notice the tense atmosphere that permeated around the DJ, nor the forced emphasis in her laughter. She only started to notice things when her name was spoken.
"-Stacie and I." That got her attention, as well as the teasing glint in Amy's eyes.
"Huh?" Amy started to stand up, laughing her lungs out.
"Nothing, Princess, just stay here with Charming over there."
That didn't help. "What?" Stacie looked back and forth, only getting a sheepish look from her friend. "How did you do that? She never leaves before 3 hours."
Beca picked up her mug, obscuring her face. "I might have said we were on a date." Stacie merely leans forward, tucking her arms under her head. Beca sighs. "I said that we were on a date." Beca's lips pick up sarcastically. "Happy?"
Stacie stares at Beca, taking in her features. There is the usual sarcastic lilt to her face, the uncaring way she holds her body but her eyes told a different story. They were gazing solely onto her hands, flexing around her coffee mug repeatedly. Beca was too nervous to hide her discomfort and fear. It was unusual to see the DJ so unsure of herself. Taking pity on the shorter girl, Stacie took hold of her hand, garnering the girl's attention.
"Would you like it to be?" She knew her eyes were puppyish in that moment, but she couldn't bring herself to care about that. Beca's smile was enough to hide any insecurities of her decision.
Beca grasped Stacie's hand tightly. "I would like that. Very much." The girl looked around them, spotting nothing that could interrupt them, surged her lips onto the other's. Neither resisted, taking in the moment. It was a fleeting one but it shared enough emotions to count as their first kiss. "I have wanted to do that for a while now." Gaining no verbal response Beca opened her eyes. Stacie was stuck in a daze, her fingers grazing her marked lips, right where Beca's lipstick had smudged hers slightly. When Stacie didn't move for a few minutes, Beca started to panic. "Shit, I'm sorry, I should have asked. I'm sorr-" Stacie cut her off with another one.
She pulled back long enough to speak. "I wanted to do that too." Beca couldn't stop the goofy smile from taking over her face.
It was a few weeks later that Stacie brought up the tickets. She had kept them safe in her wallet, biding time, hoping she could use them. Ever since Amy's interruption she had been happier than she ever could imagine. Neither girl had made planned dates yet, not that she had minded, and stuck with their scheduled meetings. They had silently agreed to see how it went without pressuring the other but this was a once in a decade experience, especially for a student's budget.
She didn't have a plan on how to bring it up. She didn't know if it was better to go for a romantic, proposal style or more blurt it out over coffee. She knew, objectively, that Beca would prefer the latter, but her heart was leaning towards the former. It would be their first outing after becoming semi-official. She could deal with the fall out. She hoped.
She phoned in sick to both school and Bellas the next day. She wanted to get this right, it was the most stressful thing she ever had to plan. Sure, she had dates in the past but the majority only wanted to sleep with her without seeming sleezy. Hell, the last date she had went on was in middle school and that wound up a disaster. She had to get five stitches on her leg from falling on the wrong side of ice skates. Her date wouldn't stop crying and she was forced to phone her own ambulance because he was in such a state.
Stacie subconsciously rubbed the faded scar under her knee. No matter how that night ended it was still one to remember. It even gave her an idea. She knew Beca hadn't dated recently, Jesse excluded, and even before then there wasn't anyone that she knew of. Why make things complicated when the format has already been created. She was going to make this a better day homecoming day.
She just needed some help. And fast.
Beca ran across the pavement, her feet thumping heavily with each step. Her breath was lost three streets back, despite her cardio routine this still left her winded. Her eyes caught the glowing sign towards the end of the road, adding fire in her soul. Her body was streaming in sweat, despite the rare downpour that had emerged that day.
She was late and Stacie was going to kill her. Luke had stopped her from leaving the radio shack. Despite her constant reminders that she had to finish at 3 he piled more CD's than he even used that day. It seemed almost deliberate. It reached the point that she had stormed out, her pile still half full. She had stayed more than half an hour longer than she was required and that was enough for her. She'll make up for it in the future but for now she had a schedule to keep and that includes the weekly Bella rehearsal that she was running towards.
She was thankful that that Jessica (Ashley?) had decided to commemorate their first Win in the Bellas with an official sign. Despite coming to the same building for the last year, in her state she could have taken another block before her brain caught up to her.
The DJ's body collapsed against the door of the rehearsal spot, forcing it open. Her chest heavily as she tried to explain her tardiness. She didn't look up as she peeled her jacket off of her, her bag already having fallen off of her shoulders long before. She didn't notice the lack of noise nor the absence of her teammates. Never even noticed the flickering of candles and the assembled table, full of her favourite foods.
"Beca." Stacie stepped towards the girl. Her arms outstretched, ready to centre her if she had to. "It's alright."
Finally, Beca looked up, and around her. Absorbing every detail. No Bellas. A dressed up Stacie. No plastic chairs. No cardio. A beautiful Stacie. No piano. Food. Stacie. Stacie was smiling up with a hint of concern in her eyes, she truly was an angel. "You did all this?" Her voice was small as she followed the fairy lights with her eyes. They were twinkling lightly, bouncing an aura of fantasy around the room.
Stacie reached backwards to scratch the back of her head, a nervous habit she hadn't quite gotten rid of yet. "Um, yeah. I just thought that we could spend the day together." Noticing the tears in Beca's eyes she quickly hurried an apology. "Which I should have asked before hand. You were probably busy with mixing for this rehearsal. We can get the others back here and pack-"
Arms wrapped tightly around her, blocking the words from flowing further. Her arms wormed their way around the smaller girl. Her head tucking itself into the nook of her neck, she was hardly able to hear the mumbled gratitude. Beca pulled back enough to look into Stacie's loving emerald green eyes. "You did this for me?" Stacie could only nod. The emotion in Beca's voice was enough to get caught in her own throat. "Thank you."
There was no sarcasm hidden beneath the words, more disbelief. As if she couldn't fathom that she allowed to have someone care. It ignited something within Stacie that she didn't know if she wanted to stop. She was going to prove that the DJ was worth the world. What better way than affection?
"Of course. Come on, I want to show you something." Beca looked at her in disbelief but held her tongue when she had started to argue. She owed Stacie enough not to fight this part.
Stacie walked them towards the makeshift table, it wasn't elaborate, reused from the stall they would use from the activity fayre. It was familiar and perfect. The leader pulled the chair out for her date before making her way towards the other end of the table. "I am going to be honest; I don't know what happens after this. I've never really had a date mean as much as this one does. I'm not saying that to pressure you or anything but I want to do this right."
"I'm not sure either. This is my first date outside of a coffee shop." Beca admitted quietly. Her confidence waining. "One step of at a time?"
"One step at a time." Stacie agreed. "So, I can't cook. I'm going to tell you now that the only thing I made on this table is the salad, even then Brey saved it." Stacie smiled cheekily holding a plate out towards her. "Can I interest you in a semi-cooked burger and oven-cooked fries?"
Beca takes the plate with both hands, hovering it towards Stacie for a moment. "I would love some milady. Can I interest you with some bottled water?" Lifting one of the two bottles towards her girlfriend.
"Why, thank you kind sir." Her head tilted in a silent 'thank you'.
They sat down to eat their meal. Laughing through every conversation, even more so when Beca conducted a spectacular spit take when Stacie was telling her about an accidental self-wedgie. Poor kid didn't understand how supergluing themselves to a flagpole could end badly. Got 2 days off after the humiliation but his petition for longer breaks weren't taken seriously.
Beca didn't have a rebuttal against that from her school experience. Well, nothing appropriate while eating.
Their food lasted longer than either one thought it wood. Half an hour in and they were still working their way through the fries but they had moved closer to each other. Their legs grazed against each other as their conversations shifted more towards their future. "Why physics?" Stacie looks towards her. Beca wasn't sure what was in the brunette's face that told her she wouldn't like the answer but there was an uneasiness in the air.
Stacie took a breath before she responded. "Because it makes sense. My life wasn't difficult in the typical way; I come from money, and money can make problems disappear. No friends? Drop your wealth casually and people start flocking you. Bad grades? Bribe the teacher. I spent the first 13 years of my life thinking I was the popular girl because of who I was not who my parents are."
"Who you were?"
"I was bookish and would cancel plans to stay and do homework. Turns out my 'friends' were getting bribed by my parents. I don't blame mom and dad for it, they were worried for me, but it made me realise what people truly cared about. So, I started to change, slowly of course. I got my parents to stop any influence they had on my friends and became alone.
I would watch the others from the background, trying to find out where I went wrong. So I found people were more carnal than I. I preferred reading to sports. Tea to sneaking alcopops. Eventually it became a game to me. Trying to find variations in each person I came across to find the ultimate popular kid.
I had been writing it down during one of my classes when I noticed similarities between them. How certain people could represent the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. Each group of people would have people that fall into subcategories but are necessary to be a complete friend group. It made things logical rather than chaotic sociological issues. I became more interested in understanding where I fit in with things that I spent the entire summer holiday studying the subject, way more than I needed to, and created the ultimate electron. Someone who would never be part of the group but was needed for the nucleus to mean something."
Beca watched her with a mixture of sadness and respect. She knew that Stacie had a reason to hide her brain but she didn't realise just how it came to be. She had seen glimpses of the Anastacia with the girl but that wasn't what she was expecting. She loved both sides of the girl.
"Did it work?"
"Eventually. People thought I was a new student, I went by a different name, stopped wearing my glasses and hardly spoke about class without someone else bringing it up. Turns out despite all my research I hadn't thought to learn the more crass side of conversations. That changed soon after puberty. Boys couldn't help themselves." Beca clasped her hand.
"I'm sorry." Stacie started to shake her head, attempting to deny Beca's part in anything. "No-one should be forced to change themselves for other people. Especially not you. You are amazing, whether you're Stacie or Anastacia, I am lucky to get the chance to know you. Even more so to call you my girlfriend." Stacie chuckled, her eyes were tearing up but she pulled the girl in for a hug, planting a watery kiss to the girl's cheek.
Beca just held her until she was ready.
After 5 minutes Stacie pulled back. "I'm sorry. This is supposed to be a happy day but here I am crying on you."
"Don't worry about it. Crying isn't the worst thing to happen on a date with me."
"Yeah?"
"Oh, yeah. Once had a man come to a date dressed as a superhero. He tried to convince me that he was powered on hook-ups."
"What?"
They both laughed, leaving the confession in the background.
"I don't want this night to end." Stacie looked towards her watch, it was only 7. Her heart pounded as she reached into her pocket. Her fingers grazing her wallet with a heaviness that rivalled anxiety. She opened her wallet but hid the tickets as she spoke.
"It doesn't have to. I got these a while ago. Would you like to go?" With that, Stacie gently handed them over. She held her breath as the girl read over the tickets, he eyes widening at some of the facial impressions made.
"You got these for tonight?"
"Yeah, if things didn't work then it wasn't a big deal but it seemed like something you would want to do." Stacie looked up. "Is that okay?"
"Stace, this is amazing, you didn't have to but thank you." Beca kissed her on her cheek. "What's going to happen about in here? I don't want to leave it but dismantling seems disrespectful to your work."
Stacie's hand remained on the cheek. No matter how many times they kiss, it always surprises her how much of a reaction she has to it. "Um… Leave it? I can get it before class tomorrow." She goes to blow out the candles. "Grab your bag, we got places to go."
"Babe!" Stacie screamed as she entered the girl's room. The DJ shot upwards, sleep causing her eyes to start to squint.
"Wha-" She was cut off with a kiss and a smothering hug. They had been dating for a few months but she still wasn't used to Stacie's energetic nature.
"I got it! I actually got it!" Stacie thrusted an envelope into the younger girl's hands. Pausing only for the woman to read what was written. Beca's eyes enlargen with each paragraph she read. Once she reached the end she squealed pulling her girlfriend into her arms.
"This is amazing! When do you start?"
"Next school year. It will also count towards extracurricular learning. But they might be able to get me an in." Stacie bounced upwards again. "I can't believe I actually get to be a TA next year." With that she gleefully left the room with the promise of coffee.
Beca knew that Stacie didn't want to be a TA forever but she was happy that her girl got given a chance to improve her odds of what she really wanted to be. Not to mention it was a confidence boost that she really needed. While they had been working on incorporating Anastacia's smarts into her everyday life it still became a challenge to publicly advertise it. Which prevented her from truly helping her chances at a future career. Here there weren't anywhere to hide, she would be TA Conrad. Beca couldn't be prouder.
Beca chuckled before following the girl out her room, catching her in the kitchen in a tight embrace. The envelope hanging loosely in her grip. The Bellas were now used to their gross PDA (not that they ever did this in the public, well, outside the house.) but this was a new level even for them. Amy, taking charge yet again, snatched the envelope out of their hands and started to read it out loud, despite the constant attempts to thwart her.
Chloe eventually interfered long enough to retrieve it for herself. Glancing over it again. "You're going to be teaching Physics next year? Why didn't you tell us?"
The love birds looked towards each other in guilt. "Oops?" The sprinted out the door. Ignoring the thousands of questions behind them. They had a coffee date before they were conscious enough to answer everything.