Rachel
Rachel Berry.
It's funny how my name was once non-existent to my fellow students yet now, I got them all lining up to get my autograph, well, for my signature to put on their yearbook. It was so weird, how everything seemed to have changed over the course of time. I was once the girl with this very big dream and now, that dream was so near my reach.
It's funny, really. I once walked the halls of McKinley high, waiting for Puckerman or Finn to give me slushy facials yet now, I walk hand in hand with Finn and Puck beside me while the two of them talked. I couldn't get how it happened and I am so thankful for it happening.
Three years ago, I was an obnoxious Jewish girl who always has a yellow gold star. I was teased. I was bullied. And now here I am. I was going to marry my high school sweetheart, go to New York to fulfill my dream, my arch enemy is now my best friend and those who bullied me are now my friends.
So many things happened. So many unforgettable things just because Mr. Schuester let us all sign up for Glee club. Glee. It was where all this happened. It was the very thing that gave me this success I am now grasping in my hands. It gave me everything I have now and though I am excited to finally leave Lima, I'm not very thrilled to leave the New Directions.
"Hey."
I smiled as Finn gave me a kiss on my forehead, "Hi."
"You ready for Glee?" he asked.
"I'm always ready for Glee."
It was the last week. And though I had perfect attendance in Glee club, I wasn't going to miss my last week in that choir room, among people who I have so many differences with yet have the same passion. We were a group, a team of students who were all lost until Glee club gave us a way to follow.
As I entered the choir room with Finn, I noticed the air of sadness. I knew the reason why. The seniors of this club were graduating. I was graduating. And we're gonna leave this all for good, forever. I felt a lump on my throat, the thought did make me sad but not to the point that I wanted to cry.
Finn and I sat down on the first row. I sat beside Quinn. She smiled at me. Three years ago, when Quinn became head cheerleader, she made my life a living hell. She rudely commented on my videos on MySpace and also insulted me whenever I passed by her in the hallways. Even when she got pregnant and wasn't a cheerleader anymore, she always insulted me. But somehow, along the way, we became friends and I was so glad.
"Alright, since this is our last week, I wanted to give this week to the seniors of the club. For you guys to sing whatever you want as a goodbye to the others."
I looked at Mr. Schue. And I swear I could see tears forming in his eyes. I could hear Tina crying at the back and Mike trying to murmur soothing things to her. I felt Finn take my hand and I smiled at him. And then I didn't hear Mr. Schue speaking anymore and I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"Rachel?" Mr. Schue said with a smile, "I'm sure you already got a song with you. Would you like to start it?"
I smiled and nodded, "My pleasure."
I stood up and took his place. I looked at each and every one of my fellow Glee clubbers. Oh how so much have changed for them. They may have still looked the same, maybe slightly older than we all first met, and sure there were some few new faces from three years ago but still, they were all family.
"Before I sing, I have something to say."
"We're all ears," Santana said from beside Brittany. She was smiling brightly at me. Weirdly enough, we've become friends, I did want to become her friend. We may have our differences, and we may fight and she may insult me more times than Quinn has, but I really did want to become her friend, "And plus, I'm sure we're going to miss those speeches of yours."
"Thank you, Santana," I said with a smile, "Now, I've been in this club for three years and am part of the original five," I said, looking at Kurt, Mercedes, Artie and Tina.
"Three years ago, I admit, we sucked. And then Finn got in the group but it didn't really help much. Mr. Schue almost had to leave us but we got him back with our first rendition of Don't Stop Believing. And then Puck, Quinn, Santana and Brittany joined. And later, Matt and Mike. And we won Sectionals. But we lost Regionals. But I was so proud of New Directions already," I said with a smile, tears shining in my eyes.
"I've always been hogging solos since day one. And I've been temperamental and bossy and you guys threw insults at me almost every day," I said laughing and watched as Quinn and Santana smile slyly, "But I grew to love each of you guys, even the new members. In the course of three years, we became more than a team."
Now I was sure that the tears were already streaming, "Mr. Schue always said that we should be a family. And we did become one. Even with our differences, and our school status. In this room, we became a family," I wiped away my tears, "And I'm so proud to say that I spent the time of my life with you guys, in this choir room, with siblings and another father I never had. And I wouldn't trade this for anything."
I smiled and whispered something to the band and to Brad and the song started playing. I wiped my tears away and smiled at them. I was amazed that I did bring almost all the girls in tears with my little speech and of course, Finn and Kurt. I looked at Mr. Schue and I smiled at him.
This is where the chapter ends
And a new one now begins
Time has come for letting go
The hardest part is when you know
I watched as Mercedes wipe away her tears. I smiled at her and she smiled back and I watched as Sam take her hand. I was happy for her. She finally had the man for her, a man that would always fight for her. Shane did too, of course, but I knew that after Nationals last year, something went between her and Sam and I knew that he was her first love. And he came back for her, and fought for her and all I can say is, after what they've been through, they should be together and Mercedes should be happy.
All of these years
When we were here
Are ending
And I'll always remember
I looked at Kurt. As I've told him when he transferred to the Warblers before, I always saw him as a competition for my solos. Yes, Mercedes had an amazing voice but Kurt? His voice was impeccable. And the way he wanted to shine too, I felt like he'd be one of my toughest competition because from the start, he wanted a solo. But now, we're friends and going to NYADA together to shine together.
We have had the time of our lives
And now the page is turned
The stories we will write
I watched as Tina lean unto Mike's shoulders. I have had to hand it to them. They were the strongest couple in Glee club, ever. And Mike. Mike was an amazing dancer and now, he has found his voice because of this club. I know that ten years later, in our reunion, I'm sure he'd be married to Tina and will be a famous choreographer, I'm just sure of it.
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget, the faces left behind
I looked at Artie and then Tina. They were one of the original Glee club members and though I know that there were times that their voices weren't heard, especially Tina's, I'm sure that next year, it will be their year. But I didn't want to leave them behind, with newcomers to tackle. But I had to, I have to. But I know that they would keep the club intact, Finn and I have talked to Mr. Schue and he agreed to make Tina and Artie captain and co-captain next year.
It's hard to walk away from the best of days
But if it has to end, I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Quinn lean over to Puck. I smiled at the two of them. I'm not quite sure if they are together again or whatever happened with Joe and Quinn but I always thought that her and Puck would end up together. Puck draped his arms over Quinn's shoulders as he watched me with a smile, mouthing to me the words, "My Hot Little Jewish American Princess". I laughed, Puck was a good friend and though he was badass, he had a heart that only Quinn Fabray could tame.
Where the water meets the land
There is shifting in the sand
Like the tide that ebbs and flows
Memories will come and go
Quinn was grinning at me. Besides Kurt, Finn and Puck, she was my only girl best friend. I was close to Mercedes and Kurt was gay but with Quinn, it was different. I never truly believed Mercedes when she told me that Quinn was actually nice because I always thought she was heartless but after Sectionals this year, she did prove to me that she did have a heart, she just never showed it but I was glad she showed it to me.
All of these years
When we were here
Are ending
And I'll always remember
My eyes went over to Brittany and Santana. Santana went so much this year and it was her last year. But I was so proud of her. She came out stronger than she had and well, she became nicer. And I was happy for her and Brittany. And we were friends now which was so amazing.
We have had the time of our lives
And now the page is turned
The stories we will write
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget, the faces left behind
I looked at Sugar and Rory. Sugar always amused me. She was funny and kooky and weird but she was so so sweet. And Rory was so sweet too. And I was glad that in my last year, I met them. And then there was Joe. I knew so little about him since he just joined the club but I saw how he took good care of Quinn and I knew that he was a great guy, but he wasn't the one for Quinn though because it will always be Noah Puckerman for one Quinn Fabray.
It's hard to walk away from the best of days
But if it has to end, I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives
Then there was Blaine. He was my Tony. He was a great singer and he had such a promising future ahead of him. But I was amazed at how he loved Kurt and that despite his brother's fame, he didn't bother using it to shine himself. Instead, he took the road step by step. And then there's Sam. Sweet old Sam Evans. He was homeless, he had to become a man sooner than he had to be but he didn't change. He was still cute, and a dork and so lovable. I've always liked him and Quinn together, despite the fact that I think they look like Ken and Barbie. They were just really sweet. But I prefer him with Mercedes now, because he seemed more happier.
We say goodbye, we hold on tight
To these memories that never die
We say goodbye, we hold on tight
To these memories that never die
My eyes then met Finn, my groom to be. It was so amazing. I've always had a huge crush on him once I heard his voice and then we got together and I was so impossibly happy. I didn't know what he saw in me. I was an obnoxious Jewish girl but well, he loved me, for all that I am. I can't be even more luckier than I am to have him.
We have had the time of our lives
And now the page is turned
The stories we will write
We have had the time of our lives
And I will not forget, the faces left behind
And then lastly, I looked at Mr. Schuester. He had sacrificed so much for all of us and sometimes, we were still so hard to handle and we still disobeyed him. But he never gave up on us. I know that despite my talent and my eagerness to success, I'd still be nothing if it wasn't for Mr. Schuester. Because even if I did have a dream when I first step foot in this club, I just didn't have the right attitude and he taught me that. He taught me more than just Spanish, he taught me how to live and for that, I'll forever be thankful for him.
It's hard to walk away from the best of days
But if it has to end, I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives
I'm glad you have been my friend
In the time of our lives
Tears were streaming down my face as I listened to the last note of the song. They were all crying, even the guys. I looked down and wiped away my tears, struggling to put on a smile, "I love you guys, so much."
And they didn't say anything, they just stood up and hugged me. And I hugged those nearest to me and closed my eyes, treasuring this moment forever in my mind. Because these people who were crowding over me, they were family.
Hello! I just wrote this for a tribute to the graduating members. I just, well, I'm gonna miss them so damn much, Glee wouldn't be the same without them. *creys* So I'm gonna start with Rachel. There would only be eight chapters, well, maybe nine. But yea. I hope you guys review! I'll try posting daily. Oh and the song Rachel sang is from the soundtrack of Vampire Diaries, it's Time of Our Lives by Tyrone Wells.
Xo,
Dani