Beca seemed to be the first to arrive. At least, she hadn't seen anyone else. She sat down in the furthest corner of reception and started tapping to the music pumping through her headphones. It was a mix of Toxic and Cheap Thrills that she had made especially for the Bellas.
Even though she was a professional musician now, Beca still enjoyed making mixes. They were mainly just for herself to listen to but she was hoping one of the Bellas would ask about her mixes so she could show them this one.
Suddenly a hand grabbed Beca's earphones off her head.
"Boo."
"Chloe!" shrieked Beca. The receptionist gave them a withering look.
Chloe hugged Beca who immediately stiffened and patted her awkwardly on the back.
Next came Flo and Cynthia Rose, closely followed by Lily. Then came Fat Amy and Emily and suddenly the Bellas were all back together again. Aubrey led the group to check in and they were handed five tents.
"Aca-scuse me!"
Aubrey elbowed Fat Amy and as she opened her mouth to say something even more obnoxious, Aubrey smiled at the receptionist and ushered them all out.
"Why are we staying in tents? I want a spa, foot massage, soft comfy..." Amy counted off on her fingers.
"Well, this trip is for sentimental value." Started Chloe, "Remember last time when we did all those team building activities and slept in the tent together? We're doing it all over again."
She smiled at them all as they groaned.
"Does that mean I have to get caught in a bear trap again?" Smiled Beca, looking at Chloe.
Her blue eyes twinkled as she laughed. "Not unless you really want to!"
The girls continued to chat as Aubrey led them to where they would be setting up their tents.
"Okay two per tent and one group of three." Announced Aubrey as she dropped the tents.
"Come on Ashley!" Said Jessica as she picked up a tent.
"You're with me Bree." Bellowed Fat Amy, winking at Beca who turned red and glaced at Chloe.
"Becs, we're sharing." announced Chloe, dragging her away with their tent under one arm.
They were followed by Cynthia Rose, Stacie and Lily who opted to be the group of three and Emily and Flo who got the final tent.
All the Bellas (attempted to) set up their tents. Fat Amy sat on her suitcase as Aubrey set up their tent and then proceeded to help the rest of the Bellas.
Aubrey had become a doula and absolutely loved her new job. Her bossiness had worn off a bit and she found babies so cute! Amy was living on the money that she had refused to give her father. She spent it extravagantly but even so, it didn't look like it would run out any time soon!
Emily and Flo were doing okay. They had been living together in New York for the past year so they made a good team. Business at Flo's juice truck had continued to flourish and she had hired some extra staff to help with the workload. Emily was still writing and recording music. Her first album that had been produced by Beca and Theo had done really well and given her some great contacts to help in the next steps of her career.
The first step the duo took was to read the tent's instruction manual, unlike the majority of the girls. They were pegging down the tent and only needed a few pointers from Aubrey as to how to use the mallet. They then proceeded to insert the poles and managed to make the tent stand up. The same could not be said for the rest of the Bellas.
Jessica and Ashley seemed like they would have been good at putting up a tent but they had made one crucial mistake, their tent was upside down. The two girls had put together the poles and had everything laid out but had no idea what to do next. They waved over Aubrey who pointed out their mistake and then, seeing that the situation was under control went to help Cynthia Rose, Lily and Stacie.
Cynthia Rose had finally gotten married to her long-time girlfriend, Raelynn. They had settles down together in Maine and ran a cafe. Lily was also married. She lived in Washington with her partner DJ Looney who she'd met on the USO tour. No one knew what she now did but she was no longer as shy. She would still come up with the strangest things to say, but not as often any more. Stacie lived in Maine as well and often visited Cynthia Rose and Raelynn. They would often look after her daughter Bella for her while she worked. The three made a good team and Cythia Rose was instructing them on how to put the tent together. Having been in the army for a short time she knew what she was doing.
Last but not least were Beca and Chloe. Chloe had completed vet school with flying colours and opened up her own studio in Atlanta. She had a small apartment nearby and loved what she did. Beca was still working with Theo to produce her own music. She was well known in her industry and good at what she did, but wasn't famous to the outside world. She lived in Atlanta as well but often travelled for her job. Even so, Chloe and Beca often got together.
Despite their success in their careers, the two girls were absolutely hopeless at putting up a tent. They were in helpless giggles and clearly had no idea what they were doing. Aubrey clapped sharply to get their attention and then instructed them on how to put the tent together.
Eventually everyone was set up and they could begin the activities.
The first thing they did was the log challenge. They had done it last time but that didn't make them any better at it! While they sang 'Be our Guest' from Beauty and the Beast, they struggled with their challenge. The aim was to get one team to get from one side of a log to the other. However, the remaining Bellas had to stand on the log. Neither team was allowed to fall off so everyone was forced to cling to each other for dear life.
By the end everyone was breathless and more than ready for a break. Emily was as red as a tomato from laughing so much and the rest of the Bellas didn't look much better. Fortunately, this time around, the retreat wasn't as brutal so everyone sat around with fruit and water, trying to regain their breath (and dignity).
The rest of the day flew by in a blur of activities. By the end everyone was thoroughly worn out! The Bellas showered and then fell into bed, much to tired to stay up and talk.
...
Chloe woke up to find that it was still dark. Dang it! She turned over to look at Beca who was still fast asleep and snoring gently. Chloe smiled, she was so cute!
"Night Becs." She whispered before closing her eyes and nodding off to sleep.
...
Beca woke to the beautiful smell of bacon and eggs. She kept her eyes closed and savoured the sent, wondering what she should do. A cooked breakfast was one of the best things in the world but so was sleeping in!
The decision was soon made for her however by Chloe hitting her in the face with a pillow.
"Wakey wakey, eggs and bacey!"
"Mmmmm, Chloeeeeeee. Not yet!!!"
"Come on sloth, time to get up! Today's gonna be great! I can feel it already!"
"Just a bit longer?" Beca whined.
"No way, we've got a big day and we aren't gonna get any breakfast at this rate!"
"Fine"
Beca rolled over and opened her eyes, greeted immediately by a frowning Chloe with bed hair. Beca smiled, she was so sweet and caring, she was pretty sure she wouldn't have enjoyed being a Bella half as much if bubbly, happy Chloe wasn't one.
When they had first met at the activities fair, Beca had thought she had seemed weird and acapella was seemed such a nerdy club to join. She hadn't even considered auditioning. But then Chloe had seen her naked and there are some things you kind of have to do after that experience. Since then Chloe had continued invading her personal space and giving her spontaneous hugs until their friendship was sealed. Now they laughed and joked with each other and had become really close.
Beca groaned and got up.
The girls stumbled out of the tent to see Aubrey making breakfast on an open fire. Amy was beside her, scoffing the bacon as fast as it was being made. Beca swiped a bit off her plate and inhaled it before Fat Amy had even realised what had happened. Chloe laughed and all three girls looked at her questioningly. Chloe shook her head at them.
"Nothing"
"Sure sure," countered Beca sarcastically before giving her a wink.
The rest of the girls got up soon after that, guided by the smells of a wonderful cooked breakfast. Aubrey really was a great cook, and Beca was willing to tolerate this week if this kind of food was what was on offer all week!
Author's Note
Hi there! Thank you so much to those who have read my story so far. It means so much that people bother to read it! I'll keep writing and hopefully more people will read! Also feel free to comment or message me with what you think, I'd love some feedback!