Say Something (A Pentatonix Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-One:

Warning: Mention of blood...

     "Darien Koop?"

    The man, draped in a Pentatonix Havana sweatshirt from their recent album, pursed his lips as he answered with pleading eyes, "Kirstie, I've heard about Esther, and I just want to know if she's okay. I know I'm not exactly innocent since I did cheat on her once and that we divorced a long time ago, but I still care for her. Please tell me if she woke up."

     "It's alright, Darien..." Kirstie began, not really knowing what to say. "But she hasn't woke up yet. She's still in a coma."

"Oh." His face fell as she observed the reaction with confused pity, not knowing whether she should comfort him or if she should remember that he cheated on one of her best friends.

She decided on the former, noticing the devastation in his eyes, as she gestured to her phone and said, "I'll let you know when she wakes up."

Darrien gave her a weak smile, thanking her as he hugged her and she simply patted him on the back. She watched as he left, walking back to the parking spaces in the stretch of sorrowful sky that began to sob for the frozen girl in all of their thoughts, Esther Kaplan, whom they all hoped was to be brought back to them and safe forever.

And the stars didn't shine that night, Kirstie had noticed. Not even the stars that had always twinkled in Avi's eyes.

•••

"Want coffee?" Mitch spoke, getting up to go to the cafeteria, as Scott was about to yawn the same thing.

    Kevin didn't answer.

"Hey Kev, how about I get you some coffee and breakfast?" Kirstie encouraged, trying to get their friend out of his head before he continued to internally destroy himself. "We can walk together if you want."

This time, he just shook his head, and actually looked up towards Avi, now sitting on the bench besides Kirstie, who looking gruff and bitter, and Kevin's eyes expressed words only Avi could understand as Avi mumbled, "I know everything you're doing right now is for us, but he just wants to be left alone right now."

"But you two still need to eat," Kirstie said, crossing her arms with a frown.

"I can wait," Avi intoned finally, glancing back down to a still Kevin.

"Wait 'till what? Avriel Benjamin Kaplan, if you expect to stop eating until Esther wakes up then you're out of your freaking mind!!" Kirstie snapped, pulling her boyfriend's arm, who simply pulled his arm back in annoyance and anger, accidentally pulling the pregnant girl with her, and having her collapse under him against the hard, tiled floor.

She screamed in pain. Avi's eyes widened as he moved off of her rapidly, holding her as she swatted his hand away, glaring and held her stomach protectively with Mitch and Scott trying to help her up. Kevin had looked up again at this point, looking worried for his friend, as he stood up and called for a nurse. Avi, turning bright red, noticed the crimson sliver slithering down her bare leg, his eyes even bigger than before; the nurse hurried and called for the other nurses to bring a stretcher, and everything was a blur as she ended up in the mix of blue streaks of fabric and oozing blood and echoes of cries and muted apologies.

"Mitch," she gasped, holding out her hand for one of her closest friends to come with her, rather than the love of her life who accidentally forced her into this state.

    Mitch simply glanced over with shock at Avi and then turned his heel to follow a terrified Kirstie.

    Kevin nudged Avi to tag along; after all, he needed to check on his girlfriend and child, even if it was best for them to have some space...