Moving On

17.

2 years later...

Kirstie adjusted the beanie on top of her head and took another long sip of her almost empty coffee; winter in New York was cruel. She took quick steps as she headed towards the local coffee shop, she was craving a chocolate chip cookie.

Kirstie had broken up with Jeremy after a month of dating, she couldn't lead the poor guy on. She knew deep down that she was only with him because she felt lonely. He somewhat filled the gap, although not entirely. She knew of only one person who made her heart feel full, but that person had walked out of her life a very long time ago.

It had been an eventful two years for everyone. After Pentatonix broke up, Kevin joined an orchestra and was now performing across the whole of Europe. Mitch became a male model while also maintaining the Superfruit channel with Scott. Kirstie left the music industry and was now a full time blogger while being a YouTuber on the side. And Avi? Kirstie had no clue what became of him, it was if he had vanished into thin air. The only thing she knew about him was that he moved back to New York.

So when Kirstie's manager told her that she had to travel down to New York for business, she almost had a panic attack. She knew that New York was huge and there was absolutely no guarantee that she would run into her ex-boyfriend after all these years, but it still made her feel nervous. As much as Kirstie wanted to deny it, there was a small - okay, large - part of her that wanted to run into Avi. 

As she approached the coffee shop, she noticed a large sign standing in front of the door that made her heart drop and her eyes pop. She scanned it over and over again, making sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her, and they weren't. 

Avi Kaplan! Performing live, today only. 

She froze in her tracks and contemplated if she really needed that cookie; but then she heard that sweet, angelic voice that she hadn't heard in over two years and her legs made the decision for her. Once she actually stepped inside and saw him, all the memories came rushing back at once and it caused her to be flustered. She sneaked in without having him notice her and took a seat at a table.

"This next song I'm going to be singing is a song I actually wrote about an ex-girlfriend of mine, I hope you guys enjoy it," Avi said into the microphone and Kirstie stopped breathing for a second. Was this about her? No, it could be about literally anyone, she told herself. She tried to calm herself down and reached for a sip of her coffee, only to find it was completely finished. She quietly groaned and turned her attention to the man performing in front of her. 

"Walking down 29th and park, I saw you in another's arms. Only a month we've been apart, you look happier. Saw you walk inside a bar, he said something to make you laugh. I saw that both your smiles were twice as wide as ours, yeah, you look happier you do."

Oh my gosh, it is about me, Kirstie thought to herself. She took a shaky breath in and listened to the rest of the lyrics.

"Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you, but ain't nobody love you like I do. Promise that I will not take it personal, baby, if you're moving on with someone new. 'Cause baby you look happier, you do. My friends told me one day I'll feel it too; and until then I'll smile to hide the truth, but I know I was happier with you."

At this point of the song, Avi looked into the crowd and almost choked when he saw Kirstie sitting there, staring at him like a work of art. He felt the rush through his veins the moment he saw her and he tried to deny it, but he was happy to see her after all this time.

"Sat in the corner of the room, everything's reminding me of you. Nursing an empty bottle and telling myself you're happier, aren't you? Oh, ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you, but ain't nobody need you like I do. I know that there's others that deserve you, but my darling, I am still in love with you."

He choked up on the last sentence because he knew it was true. He was still truly, madly, deeply and crazy in love with Kirstin Taylor Maldonado, and he didn't know if that was going to change anytime soon. Kirstie noticed him struggling to sing the words and closed her eyes, hoping that it would stop the flood of tears that were fast approaching.

"But I guess you look happier, you do. My friends told me one day I'll feel it too. I could try to smile to hide the truth, but I know I was happier with you. Baby, you look happier, you do. I know one day you'd fall for someone new; but if he breaks your heart like lovers do, just know that I'll be waiting here for you."

Avi ended the song on a shaky breath and applause soon followed. Kirstie stood up and smiled sadly at Avi, clapping the loudest out of everyone in the room. Eventually the clapping stopped and everyone started buzzing, chatting about the talented man they had just watched. 

Both of them stared at each other, unsure of who should make the first move. Eventually, Avi toughened up and made his way over to where Kirstie was standing. "Hey," Avi said awkwardly. 

"Hi," Kirstie said with just as much awkwardness. Neither of them knew what to say to each other, it had been so long since they were comfortable with one another. "By the way, I was never happier with Jeremy than I was with you. I'm sorry I made you think that," Kirstie added on sadly and Avi nodded in response. 

"You look like you need another coffee and a cookie, do you want to grab one with me?" Kirstie asked and Avi smiled. She looked down at his large but soft hands and wanted nothing more than to slip her hand in his, but she knew that would be definitely crossing the boundaries; they had just met for the first time in two years.

But Avi noticed Kirstie staring at his hand and made the bold move of interlocking their hands, and felt the same sparks that he felt two years ago. He felt love. 

"Sure, let's go get one, Kit Kat."

WHJWHBFIUWJFBIWUDF THAT'S THE END OF THIS BOOK!!! I kind of wanted to have an ending where they didn't get together but they ended on a good note kinda, and who knows what will happen... ;) I just want to say thank you so so so much for everyone who supported this entire series, it means the world to me. I will probably release my new book over the weekend :) Love you guys!!