Apocalypse [Pentatonix AU | Kavi / Scomiche]

Chapter 22 - Covetous

Avi stood unnoticed in the doorframe of the entrance to the cafeteria, warily watching Kirstie and Kevin speaking from afar. He was too distant to hear whatever it was they were saying, but watching them actually talking and getting along, that was enough to at least make him smile. God he missed her.

"Hey," a voice broke Avi's train of thought. It was Matt, who had brushed passed him and walked straight to Kirstie. As per usual, he was speaking obnoxiously loudly so that even Avi could hear him. "I don't think we've met," Matt said to Kevin, offering an eager hand with the only arm he had left. Avi suppressed an eye-roll. "I'm Matt."

"Nice to meet you," Kevin replied, shaking it disinterestedly.

There was a brief, uncomfortable silence, and Avi began making his way over.

"So ya'll know each other?" Matt asked.

"I've only heard about him," Kirstie replied shortly.

"I think I'm going to head inside, find my wife," Kevin excused himself. "Nice talking to you, Kirstie." Kevin walked away in the opposite direction, and Avi continued to remain unnoticed, at a considerable distance. 

"So how'd you sleep?" Matt pried.

"Not great, actually." Kirstie seemed completely indifferent.

"Well you look beautiful." Jealousy flared. "I was wondering if you wanted to go-"

"I'm really busy today."

"On a supply run?"

"I'm busy, Matt."

"Okay, that's fine." He pecked her on the cheek, only worsening Avi's jealousy. "See you later, babe." He practically skipped away, past Avi once again.

Did he just call her babe? Did he just fucking say babe?

Kirstie had turned to Matt, and in the process practically crashed into Avi.

"Oh shit, sorry," she mumbled, cheeks flushing.

"Kirstie, I've actually been meaning to talk to you." He hadn't been, at all. But seeing her with his best friend, feeling that rush of jealousy when she was with Matt, it tipped him over the edge. He had to say whatever was necessary to try to revive any friendship they had left.

"Yeah?" was all she managed. She was looking up at him eagerly.

"I just want you to know that what I said last week, I don't feel that way anymore." Lie. "I think it just had something to do with the fact I'd been alone for so long or- I don't know." Half lie. "But it's created such a divide between us and- I just want things to stop being so weird. It's immature of me and really just stupid, and I'm sorry."

They were so close. He could so easily lean forward and plant a kiss on her rosy lips.

"Hey!" a voice chimed before Kirstie had a chance to say or do anything.

Jessica ran up to them, standing a little closer to Avi than comfortable. Her eyes were studying his face, but Avi pretended they weren't on him. He only had eyes for Kirstie.

"Can you help me with something?" Jessica whispered into his ear with a smile.

He gave Kirstie one last look before turning and walking off with her.

"What's up, Jess?" Avi asked once they had gotten back into his cell.

Jessica responded by smashing her lips against his.

Her fingers tangled through his long hair, and Avi felt her grind her hips against him as she deepened the kiss. He was too in shock to react. This was the first time he'd kissed another woman since his wife died. And that made him sick.

But what made it even worse was the fact that she wasn't Kirstie.

Quickly he pushed her off, turning and running his fingers through his now knotted hair.

"I'm sorry," Jessica mumbled, sounding not even remotely sincere.

"I can't," he said, immediately reminding him of the night he admitted his feelings for Kirstie, which only worsened the sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Why not?" she asked alluringly, coming from behind and running her hands across his chest. He gently grabbed her wrists, turning to face her with a solemn expression.

He knew she had feelings for him, he wasn't an idiot. He just never expected her to act on them. Not like this at least. But he also knew how hard it was to be turned down; he'd experienced it first hand. So he couldn't lie to her, not now.

"I'm in love with someone else."

Her face fell. "Who? Kirstie?"

He shook his head. "It's not important, Jess. I like you, a lot, but I just- I can't. I value our friendship, more than anything, and I want to stay close. If that's at all possible."

"Of course."

Jessica was nodding her head, but something was clearly off. Her eyes were unfocused, clouded with anger. Avi sighed, pulling her into a hug. Maybe unfortunately, he had meant what he said. All of it.