A/N: The idea for this story originated from a short story I had written about three years ago; that story's characters were based on me and my high school classmates. I have no idea what happened to it, but I recently came across a few pages of it and decided to make it a Glee story, complete with prologue. For the record, everyone is a senior in this story, so don't complain.
"You know, it feels like I'll never see this place again after graduation," Kurt commented as he and Blaine walked to the last Glee club meeting of the year.
"I know. I haven't even been here that long, but it's like a second home, after Dalton," Blaine replied, holding tight to his boyfriend's hand. The two walked into the choir room and sat in the back, hands still entangled while everyone else seemed to wander in.
"Wow, graduation, I can't believe it's really happening," Tina said, walking in, hand-in-hand with Mike.
"Guess who's singing at graduation?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"Us?" Quinn asked dully from her spot next to Artie.
"Gee, who else would sing in this school?" Santana rolled her eyes.
"Please don't make us sing "Don't Stop Believin'"," Puck complained.
"I was thinking…," Rachel started to say but Santana cut her off.
"Mr. Schue, are we really gonna give the entire spotlight to Barbra once again?" she demanded.
"I was thinking of everyone getting a solo at the ceremony," Rachel repeated, giving Santana one of her looks.
"Can we choose our solo?" Mike looked up excitedly.
"Well, looks like the vote's unanimous," Mr. Schuester shrugged.
"I am so singing "My Heart Will Go On"," Rachel said; the club was discussing their solo choices.
"Kurt, you want to do a duet?" Blaine asked. "We can do "If I Didn't Have You"."
"You are such a dork, Blainers," Kurt scoffed. "But I love you nonetheless."
"Not to rain on everyone's parade," Artie interrupted, "but wouldn't everyone doing a song be a little prolonged for the ceremony?"
"Artie, why are you doing this?" Rachel asked, standing up.
"Well, it's actually pretty rational," he said, swallowing before he looked defiantly up at Rachel. "We can do something like a huge group number where everyone gets a solo."
"Enlighten us with a song, why don't you?" Mercedes said.
"Okay," he shrugged, nodding to the band; Brad started to play a slow tune and a lot of the club perked up, recognizing the tune.
"525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? Howabout love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love,"
Artie sang and Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, and Mercedes joined him.
"Artie makes a valid point," Mike quipped when they were done singing.
"Yeah, and everyone can have a solo, or a duet, it depends on the people singing," he explained.
"All in favor of Artie's idea?" Mr. Schuester stood up; everyone raised their hands, including a reluctant Santana.
June 14, 2012: The big day. The entire senior class stood together for the photos; Kurt and Blaine smiled at each other from their positions in the alphabetically ordered group. Principal Figgins stood at the podium, calling names for diplomas and parents sitting behind the graduates, cameras and phones taking pictures.
"Kurt Hummel!" Figgins' voice squeaked through the microphone. Kurt stood up, saw his father and stepmother in the crowd of parents, and walked towards Figgins. He had gotten into NYADA and was taking the first class trip with Rachel in about two months, spending his last in Ohio.
"I found this last week and wanted to return it to you," Figgins whispered as he handed Kurt the diploma and something wrapped in tin foil. Kurt pulled a bit back and saw his Junior Prom Queen tiara, which had mysteriously disappeared after the prom. He grinned, whispered a quick "Thanks", and hurried back to his seat.
"What is it, Kurt?" Finn whispered once Kurt had sat down. Kurt unraveled the foil and placed the tiara on his head. Finn covered his mouth to stifle his laughter; Kurt hit his stepbrother lightly on the shoulder and turned to face front.
"And now the New Directions have a song to sing for us," Figgins announced. The Glee club trooped to the stage; Artie and Quinn rolled forwards in their wheelchairs and began the song. Every few verses, another member would take the stage to sing. When the song finished, everyone burst into cheers.
"See you all…never!" Santana yelled, throwing her cap into the air. Among the pandemonium, Kurt and Blaine kissed, and everyone was ready for their lives to begin.