No Good at Goodbyes

Chapter 1: The End

Author's Note: I started writing this about a week ago...? I thought about holding off on posting it in light of how nasty social media has been lately (there's a large social media component in this one)... but I figured I'd post it anyway... Please know that I was six chapters in as of last night when the fandom all went at each other's throats all night. (If you don't know what I'm talking about then please just ignore me). 

Anyway, thought I'd write a book about the breaking up of Pentatonix, because, well... I like to torture myself with these thoughts. Let me know if it should continue!

Chapter 1: The End

They could have heard a pin drop in the conference room in the shocked silence. All they could hear was their own breathing, trying desperately to stay steady.

"We're sorry. It's just... time. You know? Ten years... ten years was an amazing run."

Kevin's words reverberated in Kirstin's head like they were taunting her.

The unsigned contract sat in front of each of them, and Ben Bram looked at each of them in turn with sadness. An RCA representative cleared his throat and excused himself in an effort to give the group some privacy.

Then the door shut, and havoc broke loose.

"How could you? Did you two plan this? With no warning? Are you kidding?" Kirstin asked, her voice wavering in a low growl.

"This isn't fair. Ten years? I never GOT ten years, Kev. I got less than half of that. How could... how could you guys do this to me?" Matt nearly whispered.

Scott stared straight ahead, willing himself just to keep breathing.

Kirstin eyed the tenor next to her. She watched as Mitch tried desperately to avoid eye contact with Scott.

Kirstin knew that if Mitch looked at the baritone, he would take everything back.

Maybe she should force his head upwards, to make eye contact with the best friend he was leaving behind with no warning.

She reached out her hand and clasped Mitch's with her own. His eyes snapped upwards, filled with tears.

"I'm sorry," he mouthed.

She squeezed his fingers more tightly.

She didn't know what to say. Should she say she understood? She couldn't do that, because no, she didn't understand. At all.

Scott's chair shrieked across the floor as he stood abruptly, throwing his pen on the table. He turned on his heel and left, wordlessly.

Mitch watched with wide eyes as the blond did so, and as the door slammed, Mitch's dam broke.

"I'm so sorry. I just can't do it anymore."

His voice cut through the silence in the room, and his desperate sobs followed.

Kevin stood and rounded the table, taking the smaller man into his arms.

"You two can comfort each other all you want. I'm going to go find the person who was actually hurt the most in all of this. I can't imagine how he feels, being blindsided by his best friend like this. Kirst, come on."

Kirstin complied, unable to remain in this room any longer.

She needed to get out. It felt like someone was sucking the oxygen from the room.

They left the documents on the table, as Mitch's sobs became more violent. Ben stood, slowly, picking up the packets of paper, as an assistant entered the room silently.