Okay, so the song list for The Quarterback is out and while I like those songs, I am a bit disappointed that they don't have the songs I wanted them to sing. Of course that's basically me every episode. But I digress. So, this will most likely be a bit AUish since I'm adding songs that aren't in the episode (That we know of).
I do not own any of the songs. They belong to their respective artists.
The next morning went slowly. When Blaine, Sam, and Tina first arrived at school; everything went normally for everyone. Students rushed to their lockers or hung with friends totally unaware of the tragedy that happened.
"I wonder how or if Principal Sue will announce it." Blaine wondered aloud.
"She probably will. I mean, they announced Karofsky's suicide attempt even though he didn't go to McKinley at the time." Tina shrugged. "Why not Finn's death?"
"All right, future sweater-folders and janitors. Get your lazy asses to the auditorium now. I have an announcement to make, and for some reason the school board- and Will Buttchin- I mean, Schuester- want me to make this announcement in person." Sue announced over the P.A.
"Well, there you go." Sam shrugged.
Artie rolled up to them. "Hey, guys." He said cheerfully.
Tina did a double-take. "What the hell are you so cheerful about? I thought you and Finn were friends or something."
"We are." Artie said simply. "I'm sure he'll be here. I wonder what the announcement will be."
Sam, Tina, and Blaine looked at each other awkwardly. "Um…Artie…"
"We better hurry. You know how Sue gets when people straggle." He wheeled off.
"I think he's in denial…" Tina commented.
"I think you may be right." Blaine replied. They headed to the auditorium. Sue stood at a podium and Will, Emma, and Shannon were sitting on chairs behind her.
"All right, everyone, listen up, 'cause I'm only going to say this once." Everyone fell silent, some half-dreading Sue's announcement. "I regret to inform you that Finn Hudson died in a car accident last night. And for some reason, his funeral will be held right here in this auditorium this coming Saturday at noon."
Everyone was either in shock or they started crying and/or talking amongst themselves. Sue continued. "I know, I know. 'How will we ever get by without him?' Well, here's a news flash for you Finn-worshippers: life goes on even if people don't. Trust me- I know. So, with that, classes will continue on as always."
Sue stepped down and Emma walked up to the podium and cleared her throat. "Um, if anyone wants to talk about it, my door is always open."
XXX
The day continued on silently for the seniors, juniors, and sophomores who knew Finn. In a few of the classes, the teachers and students ended up talking about Finn and their good memories with him. Finally, it was time for Glee. Will hadn't arrived, so the kids sat in silence.
"How's his family?" Marley asked Blaine.
Blaine exhaled slowly. "Devastated. They spent most of the night calling family members, making arrangements for the funeral, and posting the obituary."
"I feel so bad for them. Especially his parents." Unique spoke up shaking her head sadly.
Will walked in quietly. He stood strong during everything that's going on. He wanted to for the kids. "Okay, guys…I know this is going to be a hard time for all of us. Especially those who were closest to Finn. But death isn't just about mourning loss. It's also about celebrating life and remembering the good times we shared with those who are gone. I spoke with his mother earlier, and she says Finn's wishes are for us to sing at his funeral. So in preparation for that, I want you guys to memorialize him in the way we do everything here in this room- by singing. Sing your feelings or thoughts about Finn, and we'll start working on our setlist for the funeral."
"How many songs are we singing?" Kitty asked.
"Three." Will replied. "All right, let's get started." The door opened, and Santana, Mercedes, Mike, Puck, and Kurt walked into the choir room. "Hey, guys. What brings you here?"
"Well, we heard that New Directions are going to sing at the funeral, so, we wanted to avoid that awkward moment where we feel like we should be up there singing even though we don't know the damn lyrics." Santana replied. She sat in the back. The rest of the present alumni sat by her. "Ooh, speaking of- Kurt, do you know if your cousins are going to do that? Maybe we should invite them, too."
"No, they won't. Don't worry." Kurt replied dully.
"Where are Quinn and Rachel?" Artie asked.
"Quinn is going to try to make it to the funeral, and Rachel can barely leave her room." Santana replied.
"Okay, well, the more the merrier." Will smiled.
XXX
After rehearsals, Ryder slowly made his way to the auditorium. Even though he only knew Finn for six months, he still felt like he's known him for years. Finn was like an older brother to him. He's never experienced a death before. He didn't know what to do except grieve and wonder why it was Finn and so soon. He sat on a stool and took a deep breath and started singing Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah".
XX
Rachel sat morosely on her couch in her pajamas. Her dads were out of town on a Mediterranean cruise. The minute they heard the news, they made arrangements to travel home, but they wouldn't be for at last a few days. She was fine with it. She needed time alone to cope. Rachel dialed Finn's number. She knew he was not going to answer, but she just wanted to hear his voice.
XX
Kurt was hit hardest after Burt, Carole, and Rachel. Blaine brought him home and held him in his arms. Kurt cried himself to sleep.
'How many tragedies am I going to go through? God hates me that much?'
XX
Puck sat in his and Finn's dorm room, thinking. Finn died so young- before he even got to live his dream and marry Rachel. He wanted to do something to honor his late best friend. But what?
XX
Carole slowly went through some of Finn's belongings. She found that box he told her about before he died. She got choked up at the thought that she lost her husband, almost lost her second husband twice, and now she lost her baby. It was like part of her soul had been ripped out. Grief overcame her and she just sat there, crying. Burt came in and wrapped her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.
'Losing your spouse is one thing, but children should never die before their parents.' She thought mournfully.
XX
Kurt got a headache from crying so much. After he went to sleep, Blaine put a cold washcloth on his forehead, kissed his cheek, and lay down next to him, holding his hand.
XX
Emma was growing concerned for her husband. Will is the type of man who feels like he has to be strong for everyone. But he hasn't really had time to grieve himself. She leaned against the doorframe to Will's office and watched as he went through the sheet music for the setlist for the funeral. He came across a picture of Finn and was about to start crying, but shook himself out of it. He had to be strong for the kids.
XX
Some of the students, including Glee and the McKinley High Titans, dedicated a row of lockers to some sort of memorial for Finn. They wrote good-bye messages and taped them to the lockers. They put candles, flowers, stuffed animals, drumsticks, and football and Glee memorabilia in a circle.
XX
Kurt also went through some of Finn's things. He found his old letterman jacket. He slowly put it on and brought the collar up to his nose. Even though Finn hadn't worn that jacket for a year, it still smelled of him. Kurt sniffed and cried.
XX
Puck went to the army recruitment center and filled out an application. Joining the army seems like the perfect way to honor Finn. Both Finn and his dad were kicked out of the army, so, what better way to redeem that than to join himself?
XX
Rachel slowly sorted through the box she had kept of things that reminded her of Finn. Sadness and anger welled up inside her. Why did he have to go so soon? They were supposed to live happily ever after and have kids together! She sniffed, stood up, and threw the box at the 'Finchel' bulletin board she made and put up on the wall. She slid to the floor and broke down crying.
XX
Kurt slowly walked to the row of lockers where he and Finn first encountered each other. He flashed back to that first meeting and fought back tears. He leaned against the lockers, closed his eyes, and slowly slid to the floor.
XX
Rachel slowly walked into the choir room and caressed the drum kit. She sat down and let out a few tears. She looked up as she heard someone walk in. Will walked in carrying a plague with a picture of Finn on it. Rachel wordlessly stood beside him as he hung the plague on the wall. The caption under it read:
Finn Hudson
1994-2013
"The show must go...all over the place...or something"
Rachel sniffed and let out a sob. Will pulled her into a comforting shoulder hug.
XX
As Ryder finished up the song; Jake, Marley, Unique, and Kitty walked into the auditorium. Ryder took a deep breath and cleared his throat.
"That was beautiful, Ryder." Unique said.
Ryder nodded and smiled. "It sucks that Finn had to go so soon."
"Yeah." Marley nodded in agreement. "I know we've only known him for six months, but…he still means a lot to me."
"Yeah, same here." Ryder nodded again.
"This is messed up, man. People our age or even a little older don't normally die." Jake commented.
"Well, at least he's in better place now." Kitty said.
"I feel like we should sing something to…to Kurt and Rachel and Puck and Mr. Schue and Artie." Marley spoke up. "You know, to cheer them up and let them know they're not alone. They were closest to Finn."
"I think that's a great idea." Unique replied. Ryder, Jake, and Kitty nodded in agreement. They started brainstorming.
XXX
Back at the Hudson-Hummel's house, Carole, Kurt, and Burt finished cataloguing Finn's things silently. Burt took Kurt's and Carole's hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze.
"I know this is…the hardest thing we've ever had to go through. But we're still a family." He said that last part to Carole. "Kurt and I, we're your family."
Carole sniffed, swallowed, and pulled her husband and stepson into a hug. She choked out a sob. "I'm so glad I have you two."
Kurt also fought back tears. "I'm sorry I didn't come home for the holidays last year."
Carole and Burt pulled away from him. "What?"
"If I'd known…that it would be the last Thanksgiving and Christmas the four of us would spend together…I would have…driven back." Kurt shook his head, full-on crying now. "I was just s-so caught up in my new life in New York and I let stupid Rachel convince me to stay in the city."
"Oh…" Carole pulled him into another hug. "You didn't know. Nobody really knows when the last time you'll ever see someone you care about or the last holiday you share with them. And we all understood why you didn't come home. But let's not dwell on that. You can run from the past or you can learn from it."
Kurt swallowed and nodded. "I love you guys."
"We love you, too." Burt replied, wrapping his wife and son into his arms again.
That was the day Kurt promised himself to never miss another family holiday no matter what the circumstances are.
Wow. Now, I have to figure out how to fit in the songs from the episode for this story. I was hoping to have this done by Thursday, but, it doesn't look like that's happening. Oh, plus, I'm going out of town on the 16th through the 20th. My family's going to Disney World! Woot woot!
Now I keep thinking about how Finn and Kurt and their families will never go on trips to Disneyland or Disney World together. Kurt, sure, but not Finn. I'm so depressed about that. I even planned out a fanfic where they would go, but…well…