Chapter 29: The truth...at last

"Beth," Arnie said as Beth entered his hospital room and sat down on the seat by the bed.

"Hey," Beth muttered.

"You're mad at me, aren't you?"

Beth didn't answer, "How are you?" She just asked.

"Okay," Arnie said, "How's...Mr. Schue? Emily?"

"Em's fine," Beth said, "Mr. Schue's...He's in coma."

"I'm sorry," Arnie said, "I'm so sorry, I—"

Beth was teary-eyed again, her voice was breaking, "You know why I chose you over Zach?" She asked, "It was because I always thought you were a good man. Well, both of you are...but...I felt like...like being with you was the right thing to do. That I couldn't hurt you, because you were good,"

"Beth,"

"But I had an inkling even then that...that I shouldn't. That I should just follow my heart...Be with...with Zach," She looked him straight in the eye and bit her lip, "But I just can't do that, can I? Because right now, you need me and...and I'm not just gonna leave and—"

"I'll get help," Arnie said, "Bethie, I'll get help,"

"I don't know what I'd do if something happens to Mr. Schue...I just...I can't,"

"I'm so sorry," Arnie said.

"Don't say that to me," Beth said and walked out of the room.

xxxxx

The following Monday, Zach sat down next to Beth in the choir room. It was just a few more days before Nationals, which, incidentally will be held in Lima that year.

"You okay?" He asked her.

Beth just took a deep breath.

"Mrs. Schuester told me that Mr. Schue's still the same but...but I know he'll be fine."

"What if he doesn't?"

"Beth," Zach said, "It will be fine."

"Everything's just going crazy," Beth said, "I haven't seen Arnie since that day...I don't intend to, I don't know, I just—"

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Zach said, "He'll come around, You'll talk, things will be better,"

"No," Beth said, "This time, I just can't..."

"What do you mean?"

Beth didn't say anything.

Zach took a deep breath, "You know what Mr. Schue would probably say at times like these?"

Beth looked at him,

"That no matter what," He said, "The show has to go on. We have to practice. And fight."

"I don't think I can—"

"You can," Zach said, "Look at everyone in this room. You don't know but they look up to you, Beth, and sometimes, even at times like these, you have to stay strong. I'm here, okay? We'll do this." He took her hand, "Together."

Beth looked at him and nodded her head, "Okay," She muttered.

"Okay?"

"Yes,"

Zach smiled a bit, "Guys," He said, "Come on. We have to practice. When Mr. Schue wakes up, I'm pretty sure he'd want to see that we're doing something. Then we'll visit Emily, later, okay?"

"Come on," Anton Treshor said, "Let's do this."

Beth smiled a bit," Thanks," She told Zach.

"Don't mention it," He shot back.