Goin' to the Chapel... (PTX Kavi)

{2}

{Avi}
I bowed before the roaring crowd, the last Pentatonix crowd I would perform for... A few months back I made the official announcement. With my best friends by my side, I tearfully explained, as best as I could, that I wasn't able to continue with Pentatonix. Of course I was trying to pursue my own music career, but it seemed the older I got, the less I could handle this lifestyle, this pace of life, these distances... It was all just too much...
For my sake, and for the sake of my band... I would need to take a step back. I needed to step back to let the talented people I loved so dearly blossom without me holding them back.
It's been months since we've sorted all of this business out. Many talks... many, many tears... but I believe we've made peace with it now...
On this day, however, the change is becoming a reality. It's my very last performance with the band. Bittersweet... more bitter... than sweet.
When I turned to face my friends I was greeted with open arms and tearful smiles. Two small arms slipped their way inside my jacket to wrap firmly around my waist. It took me off guard until I peered down at the tear stained face of Kirstie. Poor thing. Her small frame was swallowed up into the group hug of her male band mates. The moment we pulled away she took off to head backstage, not even looking back. Mitch's worried face followed her, he gave one last wave to the crowd, a 'thank you!' and shuffled off after her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I packed up the last of my things from the dressing room, nearly ready to head for the airport. I couldn't get Kirstie out of head for some reason. Something in me wanted to at least check up on her. I gently knocked on her dressing room door and waited to hear a quivering voice say: "It's open." When I came in she stood, balling up a used tissue in her hand. "Hey!" She said with fake enthusiasm as tears still streamed down her cheeks.
"Are you okay?" I asked timidly. She silently nodded turning her back to me. She tried to quickly clean up her face. I came up behind her and gently massaged her shoulders down from their tensed up position. She briefly let her head drop back as she let out a breath.
"Yea I'm fine." She said shrugging off my hands. She then began shuffling her bags around mindlessly. She was trying to avoid looking at me...
"You mad at me, Kirst?" I asked. I wouldn't blame her if she was.
"No," she chuckled, "no I... I'm sorry, Avi."
"For what?"
"I just feel so guilty..." she whispered. I grabbed her shoulders so we could speak face to face.
"About what?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{Kirstin}
"About what?" His big green orbs burned holes into my very soul. They were hypnotic really. They gently forced me to give in. I opened my mouth and no words came out. I studied his face. Avi was simply too young to be as tired-looking as he was...
"Kirstie."
"What?" I must have zoned out there...
"Guilty about what?"
"I uh... I'm sorry, Avi." I sighed
"For what?" He persisted taking a step closer to me.
"I know I've been a shit friend..."
"Nonsense"
"I've been a shit friend!" I insisted, "We're supposed to be 'best friends', remember?" I asked. Once upon a time, that was a true statement. "And I can hardly be bothered to text or call you... and I didn't even congratulate you on your EP." I choked out a sob as my guilt came rushing back to me. I was crying again... he scooped me into an embrace, trying to hush my cries, "And now you're leaving..."
"Shhhh..." he tried to wipe my tears.
"It's really over now."
"No, it's not over."
"It's over," I whispered, "and I ruined our friendship."
"Hey, hey..." he said, "You did not ruin our friendship." He said hugging me again. I focused on the small circles he was drawing on my back and caught my breath again. "You've had a lot going on..."
"It's no excuse...."
"Give yourself some credit, Kirst." After a moment I broke away from the hug he still held my hands and swung them back and forth. "It's all in the past." He whispered, "We all get to start anew now." He said, "I don't want you upset, and I certainly don't want you feeling guilty... certainly not over me."
I nodded, wiping my eyes, "Thank you."
"Hey, you've got a wedding coming up..." he smiled.
"Ugh..." I groaned. For a moment it had completely slipped my mind.
"What? Is something wrong?" He asked. I was glad to see he was just as protective over me...
"Nothing!" I insisted, "There's just so much left to do..."
"It will be a beautiful day!" He smiled that Avi smile of his... "I know it."
"Are you coming?"
"Uhh,"
"'Cause you haven't RSVP'd yet..." I said pointing a manicured finger at him. He cleared his throat, nervously shoving a hand into his pocket.
"Yea, of course," he smirked.
"Oh thank God!" I sighed. "You know I need you there..." I blushed
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He smiled.
He opened his arms for a hug. I just looked at him. He should know better... He raised his eyebrows expectantly at me. Some friends have a special handshake, but Avi and I have a special hug...
I fished for the zipper of his jacket, slowly pulling it all the way down. I could hear his breath hitch, and his torso tense up. I always wanted to hug Avi from the inside of his jackets. I mean, that was our thing. I slipped my hands around his waist and gave a gentle squeeze as I relaxed in the safety of his warmth, his scent. I can't believe I ever gave this up.
I smiled up at him.
He smiled down at me, his soft eyes giving me all the reassurance I needed.