He stared at the TV as she glided through the red carpet in the arms of another man, a Broadway star just like herself, who reminded him so much of that St. James kid. She looked beautiful, as she always did. Not even years and age had changed that. Granted, it was only around 7 years since he's last seen her and yet he couldn't help but think that the expensive dress she's wearing and the make-up was no help at all. From what he could remember, she didn't need help at all in looking beautiful.
He never thought his life would end up like this. Eight years ago, if you would ask him how he sees himself in this moment of her life, it would be very different than this one. He was supposed to be wearing an expensive suit, sitting beside all those Broadway hotshots in some theater in NYC but he is here right now, wearing shirts and jeans, alone in his living room somewhere in Lima, Ohio.
The thing about regret is that you can't always foresee it. But if there's one shining light out of all of this, it would be that he was right. He had no doubt about this moment, it was bound to happen to her. Hearing her name called out as a nominee brought such joy and pride in his heart. He can't take credit for any of it, because it was her and her talent that brought her there. But silently he was somehow congratulating himself for letting her go because otherwise he might just have dragged her down those few years ago. She had her own future planned before he came into her life, and when he was in it, she figured him out into it too. The thing about his sixteen year-old self was that he didn't know much, not just academically. He didn't know what he wanted in his life, except that he wanted out of Lima and then when he had her, to be with her for the rest of his life. To be with her at this moment. Except that getting himself into that moment, he didn't know. And as much as she would most likely have helped him figure that out, he knew he had to figure that out for himself because if he ever messed up, he would mess her up even more.
Almost an hour has passed and it was time for her category to be awarded. It was no surprise to him at all that they called her name. Her name was beautiful, he loved saying it then. It was a name for a star and that's what she is now. As she walked up that stage to receive that award, he can see tears in her eyes. And they zoom in on the guy she's with as he stares admiring her. That should've been him. Regardless, he's pretty sure if he looked in the mirror now, his face would show the same look of pride and admiration. Maybe even more, love.
Wow, this is amazing! I would like to thank my dads who have nurtured and encouraged my dream from the very start. Many people in the past have criticized me and looked down on me because I'm different. I look different, I dress different, and my dreams are different. But here I am now. And to my gold star, thank you so much for believing in me.
A tear fell from her eye as she said that last line directly to the camera, holding on to the gold star pendant of a very familiar necklace he didn't see she was wearing until now.
I started writing this after Silly Love Songs and procrastinated a bit until I finally came around to finishing this today. I'm thinking of writing Rachel's POV but I'm not sure yet. This is my first Glee fic.