#EatingAlone

Prompt from FanFiction User malexfaith: A birthday fic for malexfaith from her prompt requesting a BeChloe COVID-19 fic. [See the end for the full prompt.]

"Finally," Beca muttered, breathing out a sigh of relief after reading the all-employee email from the studio bosses. The person that thought they had COVID-19 had a negative test result come back. After spending two weeks in self-isolation, Beca was ready to get out of her apartment, even if it was only to do some grocery shopping. It was almost dinner time and she only had a can of ravioli on her shelf.

Beca jumped up and ran to the bathroom to shower and brush her teeth. She gathered everything she needed, including her face mask and gloves. She also opted to dress in real clothes before making her way out of her apartment. She followed all the proper 'social-distancing' protocols and made her way to the market just down the street.

She walked in and saw two people, both of whom worked there.

"Good evening," Beca said.

"Good evening," one of the workers replied. "May I help you find something?"

"No thanks," Beca said. "I'm just picking up a few necessities."

Beca walked down the aisles, placing a few things in her cart. She got to the frozen foods and stocked up on microwave meals and ice cream. She turned the corner of the paper goods aisle and stopped.

The entire aisle of shelves was bare. There was not one single pack of toilet paper or paper towels. She furrowed her brow and slowly walked the entire aisle, looking from side to side like a roll of toilet paper was going to jump off the shelf at her.

"Wow," Beca muttered. "This hoarding toilet paper really is a thing now."

Beca grabbed a few more needed items and went to the checkout. Someone had come in while she was shopping, so she stood what she thought was six feet behind them.

The cashier finished with the other person and Beca moved forward. She unloaded her cart and paid for her purchases. She packed her reusable bags and managed to get them all back to her apartment without dropping or losing anything.

Beca put her groceries away, keeping one frozen meal out to put in the microwave. She read the directions and placed the meal in the microwave, punching in five minutes. She turned on the TV and immediately changed the station from a re-airing of the President's Coronavirus press briefing from the day before.

"Moron," Beca mumbled before finding a reputable news station to listen to for the latest information on treatments and vaccines and such.

The microwave beeped and Beca got her meal. Once she was done eating, she grabbed a beer and sat in front of her computer. The TV was on low in the background while she tweeted about her trip to the market, lamenting about the lack of toilet paper. For fun, she added #NoTPtobeFound.

She posted the picture she had taken of her frozen meal once and posted it on Instagram.

BMitchNotBitch: Spoils of being single and self-quarantining with yourself. #EatingAlone

It didn't take long for the notifications to come in. Beca checked and she had several likes and a few comments on her #EatingAlone post.

She liked one post that was accompanied by a picture of a half a personal size pizza. The poster, HomeEducator, had written: This was the only thing left in my refrigerator for me to eat today. #EatingAlone

It made Beca chuckle. She was surprised when she saw a reply come through.

HomeEducator: OMG! BMitchNotBitch liked my post! #Swooning #BigFan #TheCupSongismyFave

Several new notifications popped up and Beca sat smiling and shaking her head at how one post and her liking a post could get such a reaction. Her fans were the best.

Beca re-read the post from HomeEducator and decided to send her a private message.

BMitchNotBitch: Hi. I saw your post about me liking your post and wanted to see if you were okay. Being alone during this sucks.

The response from HomeEducator was almost immediate.

HomeEducator: Is this really you? Beca Mitchell the music producer and singer?

BMitchNotBitch: The one and only, I swear.

It took a little longer for the response to come through this time.

HomeEducator: Sorry, but I had to squeal a little. I'm such a big fan and can't believe you're actually writing to me. #BMitchNotBitchFangirl

BMitchNotBitch: I don't usually 'talk' to my fans through personal messaging but I liked that you posted your dinner and that you were eating alone. Since we're both alone I thought it might be nice to have someone to chat with while sitting around by ourselves.

HomeEducator: I'd love to chat sometime. I am a teacher and we are doing remote learning so I'm busy from about nine until three on Tues, Wed, and Thurs.

BMitchNotBitch: That works out for me. I have a small studio in my apartment and will be working on some new stuff while I'm home.

HomeEducator: Anything you can share?

BMitchNotBitch: Not yet. But, if you play your cards right, I might let you hear a snippet or two.

HomeEducator: That would be so awesome!

Beca's phone pinged with a text notification; she read it and sighed.

BMitchNotBitch: I'm sorry but I'm going to have to cut this short. I got a message about some work I have to take care of. I hope we can chat again.

HomeEducator: I'm free tomorrow. How about I message you around three-thirty to see if you can talk.

BMitchNotBitch: Sounds good to me. Bye for now.

HomeEducator: Bye.

Beca checked the text again and went to work on what her boss had sent her.

~~ #EatingAlone ~~

The next day, Beca was working in her home studio when she saw her phone light up with an IG message notification. She pulled off her headphones and looked at her phone. She smiled when she saw it was from HomeEducator.

HomeEducator: It's three-thirty. Can you talk?

BMitchNotBitch: Can I get back to you in about 30? I'm in the middle of something but almost done with it.

HomeEducator: Sure. I'll talk to you in a little while

BMitchNotBitch: Awesome!

Beca put her headphones back on and finished the track. She played it back and made a few tweaks and listened to it one more time. She smiled because it sounded better than she had expected.

"I should send HomeEducator a snippet of this," Beca thought.

Beca quickly cut out a portion of the chorus and copied it into a file. She made sure it sounded good and pulled up her message thread with HomeEducator.

"I really need to ask for her name," Beca mumbled as she pulled up her Instagram message thread.

BMitchNotBitch: What's your name? It's only fair that you tell me since you already know mine. Also, here's a little something for your listening pleasure.

Beca attached the music file and hit send. She waited for a response and started to get nervous when it took a few minutes. Beca thought about sending another message when her phone lit up.

HomeEducator: OMG, Beca! That is amazing. Are you releasing this or is someone else? When will it come out?

BMitchNotBitch: LOL. Calm down. It's for my next album which I do not have a release date for. With all that's going on it may come out on iTunes or some other music download system.

HomeEducator: Let me know when and how. I def want to hear the rest of the song. The chorus is aca-amazing.

BMitchNotBitch: Aca what? And I'll ask again, what is your name?

HomeEducator: Oops, I didn't mean to type that. Maybe I'll tell you about it someday, but today is not the day.

HomeEducator: And my name is Chloe Beale.

"Chloe," Beca mumbled liking the way the name sounded rolling off her tongue.

BMitchNotBitch: Nice name. Would it be weird if I sent you my number so we could text and maybe talk? If it is, forget I said anything. It would be nice to hear another voice once in a while.

HomeEducator: 213-555-1960

Beca sat up when she saw the message. "She gave me her number."

Beca bit her lip but put the number in her phone under Chloe's name. She sent a quick text.

Unknown Number: Hi, it's Beca Mitchell. Thanks for giving me your number. Be sure to save mine.

Chloe: Done. Can I call you?

Beca: Anytime.

Beca hit send and jumped when her phone rang almost immediately. She was surprised to see Chloe's name on her caller ID.

"Hello?" Beca said into the phone.

"Hi, it's Chloe," Chloe said. "Calling you now is okay, right? It's not weird is it?"

"Yes, it's okay, and no, I don't think it's weird," Beca said. "You have a nice voice."

"Thank you," Chloe said. "I always thought your voice was nice."

"Oh, um, thank you," Beca said. "So, you have a 213 area code. Does that mean you live in the LA area?"

"Yes, I do," Chloe said.

"Great," Beca said. "Maybe when we can get out and about again we can meet in person?"

"I'd like that," Chloe said. "That is if you're still talking to me then. I have a tendency to ignore boundaries because I want to know everything about people and that turns them off sometimes."

Beca chuckled. "Hmm, maybe I need to rethink that invitation."

She heard Chloe let out a small gasp of faux indignation.

"I'm kidding," Beca said.

"Good. So, tell me a little about yourself," Chloe said. "I mean stuff that people don't know. Like I said, I'm a big fan so I know quite a bit about you from what's posted online and stuff. I know there has to be more to you than that."

Beca chuckled again. "You're right. I am much more than what you read online or hear about in the tabloids. Let me get out of my studio and get comfortable."

"Ooo," Chloe said, laughing. "It's going to be that kind of phone call. Kinky."

"Oh, my God," Beca said, face flushing. "I didn't know I was dealing with a perv."

Chloe laughed.

"Okay, I'm in my living room," Beca said as she laid on her sofa, her head resting on the arm.

"What are you wearing?" Chloe asked in a sultry voice.

"I'm hanging up now," Beca replied, unable to keep the smile from her face.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Chloe said, full-on belly laughing. "I didn't realize you'd be so easy to fluster. I have a feeling we are going to be fast and best friends."

"I kind of get that feeling, too," Beca said honestly.

"Yeah?" Chloe said. "So, start talking, Mitchell."

"Yes, ma'am," Beca said. "So, I'm twenty-five and have lived in LA for six years now. Wow, I just realized it's been that long. Anyway, I moved here when I got discovered by DJ Khaled and offered a contract when I was nineteen."

"I kind of know all that," Chloe interrupted. "Tell me something that I can't read online."

"Oh, I see how it is," Beca said. "We're getting into the TMI part of our friendship. Moving kind of fast aren't we, Beale?"

"No boundaries, remember?" Chloe asked.

"Right, you did give me fair warning," Beca said. "Okay. Here's something that hasn't gotten out about me. I, um, auditioned for American Idol when I was eighteen and didn't make it past the first round."

"Shut up!" Chloe exclaimed. "Seriously? You are so talented, how could they not send you forward?"

"Honestly, I'm surprised that no one has released the video of my audition. I was pretty bad. I was so nervous and sounded awful."

"I would love to see that. I'm sure it isn't as bad as you make it out to be. I mean, you did get a recording contract a year later."

"That's true, but it wasn't because of my Idol audition. Khaled heard me singing karaoke and the rest, as they say, is history."

"Well, I for one am glad that Khaled has a better ear than those stupid Idol judges."

Beca chuckled. "Thank you. Now tell me something about yourself."

"Um, well, I'm twenty-seven and was born in Tampa. I graduated from Barden University in Georgia with an advanced teaching degree. I moved to New York where I taught for two years before I found the job I'm in now."

"You lived in New York?" Beca asked. "How was that?"

Chloe and Beca spoke for close to two hours before Beca's stomach reminded her she hadn't had dinner.

"Ugh," Beca said. "I hate to cut this short but my stomach is reminding me that I need to eat."

"Me, too," Chloe said. "I really enjoyed talking with you. I hope we can do this again soon. And by soon, I mean like tomorrow."

"I'd love to talk to you again, too," Beca said. "And you can call or text me whenever you want. If I don't answer right away, don't worry. I'm probably working in my studio. But I promise to answer as soon as I can. Okay?"

"Okay," Chloe said. Beca could almost hear her smile through the phone. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"It's a date," Beca said. "I mean, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Not like a date or anything. Just talking. On the phone. Tomorrow."

"You are so cute when you ramble," Chloe said.

"Shut up," Beca said, glad Chloe couldn't see her pink cheeks.

"Bye, Beca," Chloe said with a laugh.

"Goodbye, Chloe," Beca said, ending the call.

~~ #EatingAlone ~~

Beca looked forward to seeing Chloe's name pop up on her caller ID. They would take turns calling; if Beca called Chloe in the morning, Chloe would call Beca in the afternoon. They texted quite a bit as well.

It surprises Beca that they still find something to talk about even after two months. Funny thing is, they are both still stuck at home and don't get out much, and yet still have something new to talk about. Beca doesn't even talk to her family s much as she does with Chloe.

Beca knew Chloe would be calling soon. They had scheduled a watch party for the season finale of Grey's Anatomy and she had to get everything ready.

Beca grabbed two beers and placed them on the table in front of the sofa. She turned her TV on, barely paying any attention to Station 19 as it played in the background.

Beca checked her watch. Just then there was a knock on the door and Beca ran to answer.

"Pizza's here," a voice called out before she made it to the door.

Beca opened the door to find her pizza sitting on the floor, waiting for her. She poked her head out the door and yelled a "thank you" to the delivery guy as he waited for the elevator.

Beca brought the pizza in just as her phone rang.

"Hey," Beca said, sitting the pizza on the table and opening the box.

"Grey's will be on in like five minutes," Chloe said. "Are you set up and ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," Beca responded. "Two beers and a pizza all ready to be consumed. How about you?"

"I got pizza, too," Chloe said. "Gotta help keep the local businesses going."

"Same," Beca said. "There's a pizza place not too far from my building that has the best pizza ever."

"I don't know, Beca," Chloe said. "I think my pizza place can claim ownership as the best pizza ever."

"I beg to differ," Beca said. "It's-"

"Shhhhh!" Chloe said, cutting Beca off. "It's starting."

"Oh," Beca said. She put her phone on speaker and sat down to watch.

Beca and Chloe made comments on the characters and what was happening on the screen. A scene where surgery was being performed came on and Beca dropped her pizza slice back into the box.

"Ew, I just lost my appetite," Beca said.

"Come on, Beca," Chloe said. "It's not that bad. It's all fake."

"Doesn't look very fake," Beca said, making the mistake of looking at the screen again. "Yuck!"

"I didn't know you were so squeamish," Chloe said. "Ugh! Okay, I see what you mean. That's pretty gross. Especially when you're eating pizza."

"Yep," Beca said. "Let me know when they stop showing it."

"They're done," Chloe said, laughing. "Do you want to keep this going and watch How to Get Away With Murder with me after?"

"I would," Beca said. "But I have a Zoom interview with Kelly Clarkson at eight in the morning. I actually need to make myself presentable so I'll be getting up early to do my hair and makeup and find something decent to wear. I really should wash clothes soon."

"Can I watch the interview live online?" Chloe asked.

"I don't know," Beca said. "I know it will be on YouTube at some point. I'll try and find out and let you know."

"You don't have to do that," Chloe said. "Just call or text me when the interview is over."

"Will do," Beca said. "Goodnight, Chloe. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Becs," Chloe said and ended the call.

"Becs," Beca mumbled with a silly grin on her face. She let out a sigh and said, "I think I might be falling in love with Chloe and I've never even seen her."

~~ #EatingAlone ~~

Beca had finished her Zoom interview with Kelly Clarkson and decided to do her laundry. She wasn't that pressed to do it but she was running out of clean pajamas.

Beca gathered up a full basket of dirty clothes and put on her mask before heading down to the building's laundry room. Someone else had the same idea as Beca noticed two dryers going.

Beca made her way to the washers and starting separating her clothes and placing them in the washer. She was dropping her coins in the slot when she heard a sound and looked up. She smiled at the person who came in and furrowed her brow. The woman had stopped dead in her tracks and was staring at her.

"Beca?" the woman said. "What are you doing here?"

Beca looked at the woman. "Um, washing clothes?"

Beca could tell the woman was smiling behind her mask. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"Oh, right, you don't know what I look like," the woman said. "I'm Chloe."

Beca's eyes widened. "Chloe? My Chloe?"

"I can be if you play your cards right," Chloe said with a smirk.

Chloe walked over to Beca and stopped. She put her arms out as if to hug Beca and Beca hesitated.

"I know we're not supposed to touch, but I could really use a hug," Chloe said.

Beca chewed her bottom lip and then said, "What the hell?" as she pulled Chloe into a hug.

"It is so good to actually meet you in person," Beca said, pulling back from the hug and moving away from Chloe. "Wait! Oh, my God!"

"What?" Chloe asked, confused by Beca's actions.

"Did you stalk me online and find out where I live?" Beca asked.

"No, I swear I didn't," Chloe said and chuckled. "I actually live in this building. Apartment 3C."

"What?" Beca asked. "You mean all this time we've lived this close and didn't know it?"

"Looks like it," Chloe said, pulling the mask from her face as she stepped closer to Beca.

"Wow," Beca said, staring at Chloe's face. "You're really pretty."

Beca realized she blurted that out loud and her cheeks reddened.

"I've always thought you were really pretty, too," Chloe said.

Beca and Chloe stood staring at each other. Beca pulled her mask down and let it hang around her neck.

"Um, this is awkward, but I really want to kiss you," Beca said softly.

"I really want to kiss you, too," Chloe said.

"But, we probably shouldn't," Beca said, leaning in slightly.

"You're right. We shouldn't," Chloe said just as their lips met.

Beca reached out and pulled Chloe closer by her hips. Chloe moaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Beca's shoulders.

"Wow," Beca whispered as the kiss came to an end.

"Same," Chloe said with a chuckle. "So, um, I know we're not supposed to go visit friends and such, but would you like to come to my apartment for dinner? I haven't been outside in almost three weeks, so I think we'll be okay."

"I haven't been outside about that long, too," Beca said. "Do you really think it will be safe?"

"I don't know what to think, to be honest," Chloe said. "But, I don't know if I can handle just talking on the phone when I know you're so close."

"In that case," Beca said. "I'd love to have dinner with you in your apartment."

"Really?" Chloe squealed, pulling Beca into a tight hug. "Is six good for you?"

"That's our usual dinner time," Beca said. "I'll bring some wine. I have a couple of bottles I've been saving for a special occasion. And I think dinner with you counts as a special occasion."

"Perfect," Chloe said and gave Beca a quick peck on the lips. "I'd better get my laundry upstairs. I need to see what I have to make for dinner."

"I have some stuff in my freezer if you need it," Beca said.

"Thanks," Chloe said. "I'll let you know."

Chloe walked over to the dryers and started folding her clothes and putting them in her basket. Beca was still standing at the washers, staring at Chloe.

"Um, Becs?"

Beca smiled at the nickname. "Yeah?"

"The washer only works if you put the money in," Chloe said, grinning.

"Right," Beca said and got her washers going. "I'll, uh, see you later."

"See you later," Chloe said and watched as Beca finally made her way out of the laundry room.

Chloe smiled and mumbled, "I am totes going to marry that girl."

~~ #EatingAlone ~~

Six months later, Beca and Chloe were having dinner together in Beca's apartment. The U.S. and most of the world was getting back into its new 'normal', whatever that is, and Beca and Chloe had been able to spend more time in close proximity. In the two months since the stay-at-home orders had been lifted, they had spent every spare moment together.

"Ooo, let's get a picture," Chloe said as she pulled out her phone.

"Why?" Beca whined.

"So, I can show you off," Chloe said. "And announce to the world that Beca Mitchell is off the market."

"You're a dork, you know that?" Beca said, smiling lovingly at Chloe.

"I do know that," Chloe said. "That's why you love me."

"I do love you," Beca said, moving closer to Chloe.

"And I love you," Chloe said, closing the distance and kissing Beca. She pulled back and said, "Now, let's let everyone else know that we love each other."

"Okay," Beca said.

Beca moved so she could wrap her arms around Chloe's waist. She put her chin on Chloe's shoulder.

"How's this?" Beca asked.

"Perfect," Chloe said and she took the picture.

They remained in the same position with Beca watching over Chloe's shoulder as she posted the photo on all the media sites.

Beca smiled when she saw that Chloe had added a new hashtag. #NoLongerEatingAlone.

Full prompt from FanFiction User malexfaith: I was just thinking with the self-isolation that people who want to meet someone, would have to do so at the moment through the internet; meaning they would be talking for a lot longer before actually meeting, and their relationship may last longer with them already knowing so much before actually meeting.