LA Gang (Book 2)

1. We're back

1. We're back 

It's been two weeks since Matt and Mitch left the hospital. Scott and Avi have been spending this time together as much as they can. Today, Mitch and Matt are returning, and Scott couldn't be happier, but he has to tell some bad news to his friends.

"Hello!" Matt said, entering the room he still shares with Scott.

"Matt!" Scott said and went to hug his best friend.

"How was your time at home?" Scott asked.

"Boring, I missed you."

"I missed you too, a lot."

"Did you get any temporary roommate while I was not here?"

"Just a guy that stayed here for like three days after his appendix almost busted."

"How's Avi?" Matt asked, and Scott's expression changed. He knew Avi was not doing good. He kept getting sicker and sicker these past few weeks.

"I have something to tell you...but where's Mitch?" Scott said quietly.

"Here!" Mitch said, interrupting the conversation, but his excitement went away when he saw the expressions on his friends' faces.

"What's wrong?" he asked curiously.

"I have something to tell you guys," Scott started. "Avi's sick, really sick. His liver is not working anymore, and they haven't found a match for him. It all started a few days after you left...h-he was in a lot of pain, and all his skin was yellow. T-they took him away, I called his parents, but they were on a business trip, so Esther came. She has been with him the entire time, the doctor tried surgery to fix the damage, but it didn't work. They said Avi won't make it past tonight," Scott said, sobbing. Mitch and Matt were crying too.

"Do Kirstie and Kevin know?" Mitch asked.

"Yes, Avi told them already. They were here a few times, but right now, only Esther can visit him," Scott said, still crying.

"W-why...why didn't you tell us?" Matt asked.

"Avi made me promise not to. Y-you were finally home, and he didn't want to bother you," Scott answered, tears falling.

Mitch started to console Scott by rubbing his back. This wasn't the news he expected to get when he got back. Matt was in shock, he didn't know what to say or what to do. They were going to lose their friend.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Mitch asked.

"Esther says Avi wants to video chat before..." Scott trailed off.

"Let's call her then," Matt said, and Scott face-timed Esther, she answered, and they noticed how her eyes were red. Esther greeted them and told them that their parents were finally there, and the boys were relieved but angry, Avi's parents only appeared when their son was extremely sick.

"He wants to talk to you guys," Esther said, passing the phone to Avi.

"Hey guys," he said groggily and everyone was heartbroken to see Avi so weak.

"Hey big daddy," Mitch said and Avi giggled, making the others smile.

"I just wanted to say goodbye." Avi started. "Mitchy, thank you for bringing light to my life. You are very funny and sassy, thank you for being kind all the time. I'll miss you." He said.

"I'll miss you too Avi, thank you for being an amazing friend," Mitch said and started crying.

"Matt, thank you for being so charismatic and energetic. You always bring a good vibe and make everyone smile. I'll miss you, newbie," Avi said to Matt and he giggled through his tears.

"Thank you, Avi, for looking after us, I love you," Matt said and started crying even more.

"And Scott...thank you for making this journey fun. When I came here I thought I would never make a friend, but you were there first and I appreciate you for that. Thanks for your energy and silly jokes that make everyone laugh, and for having a heart of gold," Avi said. Scott couldn't say more than just a goodbye to Avi before Esther hung up.

Scott, Mitch, and Matt were shocked; none of them said anything for a while, the only sound was of their quiet sobs and sniffles.

Kevin and Kirstie were entering the hospital together, mentally preparing to see Avi for one last time. They walked together through all the halls of the hospital until they reached the ward Avi was being kept in. Kirstie broke down when she saw Avi, Kevin, just took out his phone and called Esther. She answered and passed Avi the phone so he could talk to his friends for the very last time.

"Hey bro," Kevin said, looking at Avi through the glass that separated them.

"Hi, Kev. I missed you," Avi said weakly.

"I missed you too. I came to say goodbye," Kevin said crying.

"Bye, Kev. Thank you for my brother. I will miss you," Avi said, crying too.

"I'll miss you more, I love you,"

"I love you too. Please, take care of everyone."

"I will," Kevin and passed the phone to Kirstie.

"Hi princess," Avi said.

"Hi, baby. I love you," Kirstie said and Kevin put his arm around her shoulders.

"I love you too. Please, find someone that would love you as much as I do and treat you like the princess you are," Avi said looking into her eyes.

"I don't think I can, but I'll try," Kirstie said. "Thank you for being my first and last love, I will never forget that," Avi said closing his eyes.

"I will never forget you," Kirstie said and cried even harder, hiding her face in Kevin's chest while he just held her.

That night, Avi passed away with Esther by his side and he said goodbye to the people he cared about the most. Avi didn't care his parents weren't there, his friends and his sister were there, and that was more than enough for him.

A/N: Book 2 is here :)