Mr Schuester stood in front of the New Directions in the choir room. They were all sat on chairs facing the back of the room, towards the raised seating area where everyone normally sat, where instead hung a pair of huge black curtains.
"Ok guys," said Mr Schue, "the seniors among you will be graduating soon."
The students exchanged a few emotional glances.
"So this week's lesson is inspired by our time together. So much has changed since there were just five of you singing Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat, now look at us – National Champions! This week I want you to perform something that never would have happened before you joined glee club. Show everyone how this club has brought us all together. And here to show us how it's done..."
Mr Schue gestured to the curtains behind him and moved back to welcome the performers. The lights went out and a single spotlight shone on the join between the curtains. Brad began a jangly intro on the piano and everyone waited in anticipation. From behind the closed curtains came Rachel's voice.
Head under water
And they tell me
To breathe easy for a while
Breathing gets harder
Even I know that
I made room for me
It's too soon to see
If I'm happy in your hands
I'm unusually hard to hold onto
Rachel's head then popped out, grinning, from between the curtains, like it was floating in mid air.
Blank stares at blank pages
No easy way to say this
You mean well
But you make this hard on me...
The lights went up and Rachel suddenly ripped open the curtains at the chorus, revealing herself, Quinn and Santana, all sporting Cheerios uniforms. Rachel flipped her high-pony around and they all danced in formation, reminiscent of "I Say a Little Prayer" and harmonised.
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or break in this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you, to stay
If all you have is leaving I'mma need a better reason
To write you
A love song
Today
They all rotated round with energetic dance moves and Quinn moved to the centre to take the lead, smiling at the rest of the New Directions, some of whom were clapping along and tapping their feet.
I learned the hard way
That they all say things you wanna hear
And my heavy heart
Sinks deep down under you
Then Santana stepped forward, jumping and dancing.
And your twisted words
Your help just hurts
You are not what I thought you were
Hello to high and dry
Rachel jumped down a step to be level with Santana and put her hands on her shoulders, singing.
Convinced me to please you
They sang together.
Made me think that I need this too
I'm trying to let you hear me as I am
Then the three of them sang the chorus together, taking turns to spin eachother around.
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or break in this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you, to stay
If all you have is leaving
I'mma need a better reason
To write you
A love song
Today
The lights went back down. A spotlight fell on Quinn and she moved down a step, and Rachel and Santana turned their backs to their audience, swaying.
Promise me
That you'll leave the light on
To help me see
With daylight, my guide, gone
Santana turned round and moved down to join Quinn.
'Cause I believe there's a way
You can love me because I say
Finally Rachel turned around and the lights went up again, the three of them with hands on hips, bouncing to the beat as she took the lead again.
I won't write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one
Then Quinn took over.
You see, I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or break in this
Then all three of them.
Is that why you wanted a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or break in this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you, to stay
They each ran forward and grabbed someone to dance with them. Rachel grabbed Finn, Santana grabbed Brittany, and Quinn grabbed Joe.
If your heart is nowhere in it
I don't want it for a minute
I'll walk the seven seas
When I believe that there's a reason to write you
Write you a love song
Today
(Today)
Hey, today
I won't write you a love song
(Yeah)
I won't write you a love song
Today!
And on the last note the girls and their dance partners gave a very theatrical bow to a huge round of applause from the rest of the club.
"That was so good!" said Finn.
"I agree," said Mr Schue, "And certainly not something that would have happened three years ago!"
"Nope!" said Rachel, "I never thought I'd see myself in one of these!" she said, gesturing to her Cheerios outfit.
"Me neither." said Santana, laughing.
"And that everyone," said Mr Schue, addressing the club, "Is how it's done!"