A/N: One word; GRADUATION! Yup, yup, this is it! Time to say goodbye to high school. But, is it a goodbye for Starla and Carson? We'll find out! Plus, here's a twist; long distance, two ceremonies. Can they deal with the situation? Enjoy :)

Lucky Strike - Chapter 9

Ooo, you make me live

whatever this world can give to me

It's you, you're all I see

Ooo, you make me live now honey

Ooo, you make me live

It was the happiest Saturday morning for Clover High School graduates. They finally reached their graduation day, where they could wear their graduation gowns and caps. The day where the graduates would get their diplomas had arrived. They would have their tassels on their caps switched from one side to another. Their parents would cry because they were proud of their kids—finally they had grown up and ready to start another life.

You're the best friend that I ever had

I've been with you such a long time

You're my sunshine

And I want you to know that my feelings are true

I really love you

You're my best friend

Clover Choir, with the help from the drama department, sang Queen's 'You're My Best Friend' as their principal called the graduates one by one. Scott Thomas took the solo, as he swung around through the legendary hit. Wearing a black gown with its matching cap, the graduates came out from behind the curtain of the school auditorium.

Ooo, you make me live

I've been wandering round

But I still came back to you

In rain or shine you've stood by me girl

I'm happy, happy at home

You're my best friend

As Carson waited for the teacher to call his name and walk on the stage, his heart couldn't stop beating really fast. His turn took forever, even though his name began with the third alphabet. He couldn't wait to walk on the stage, take his diploma, then throw his graduation cap to the air—and maybe someone from the audience would catch it like a wedding bouquet.

Ooo, you make me live

Whenever this world is cruel to me

I got you to help me forgive

Ooo, you make me live now honey

Ooo, you make me live

"CARSON PHILLIPS, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, JOURNALISM." The principal called out Carson and right after that he ran to the stage excitedly. When the principal called out the university Carson was going to, he felt like he was still in his own dream. He felt like he never made it this far, like it was all just a fantasy—but it wasn't.

You're the first one when things turn out bad

You know I'll never be lonely

You're my only one

And I love the things

I really love the things that you do

You're my best friend

The principal switched Carson's tassel, then gave him his diploma. Carson held it in the air proudly. He wanted to cry at the moment, but he wasn't a cry baby. All his hard work, sweat that he let out might and main, had paid off.

A few moments after Carson moved away and let the kid after him got his diploma, Carson caught a glimpse of Starla by the audience. She was standing beside Sheryl, wearing a pink flower print dress and a matching scarf, clapping her hands proudly for her man. Carson was happy that their plan worked—that both of them could go to each other's graduation. Carson couldn't take his eyes off Starla's beautiful wavy locks and her eyes that shot a sharp sight at him. Carson wished he could go to the place where his girl was standing, but he had to wait for all students to get on the stage and officially became grads.

"MALERIE BAGGS!" Malerie came out from the curtain. She had her beautiful goldilocks curled out and wore a pair of soft lenses. Under her big glasses and ponytail, she hid a beautiful figure. Graduation was the right time to show Malerie's beauty to the world.

Carson, as Malerie's one and only best friend, was dazed by her. He never knew the girl was going to do a special self make over and it turned out really good. After she got her diploma, Malerie joined Carson in the middle of the stage. She lunged her arms on Carson. Carson said, "My best friend has turned from dorky geek to drop dead gorgeous!" Malerie laughed out loud and replied, "Thank you, Carson. My mom did this for me. She said I could use the lenses once in awhile to attract guys," Carson knew who Malerie got her eyes on; Scott Thomas. She knew her love was just a fantasy deep inside her hopeless dream—since the boy was gay—but Malerie thought Scott could change his mind, just like the way Nicholas Forbes digged girls when he was clearly in relationship with Thomas. Malerie elbowed Carson and glanced at Scott, who was impersonating some Freddie Mercury charismatic stage act. "Girl, you can do better than that! There must be someone who will love you for who you are." Carson said. "Speaking of love," Malerie glanced at Starla and said, "Your girlfriend and your family have gotten really close. And since this is like the first time I see your girlfriend, I must say she's beautiful. You're one lucky man, Carson." Malerie and Carson threw smiles at each other. "Thank you." Carson thanked.

Ooo, you make me live

I'm happy, happy at home

You're my best friend

You're my best friend

Ooo, you make me live

You, you're my best friend

"SCOTT THOMAS, NEW YORK ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS—" it was time for Scott to take his diploma and officially became a graduate. He stopped singing and gave the mic to the choir, then took his diploma. Carson was amazed by the achievement Scott could get. He thought Scott was just a school cliché, where he ended up stuck in Clover. And... Wait, did he just say NYADA? Carson remembered the time his 'long-lost twin', Kurt, told him that he was going to NYADA. Whoa, don't tell me they're going to the same school.

"Scott, NYADA?" Carson pulled Scott's sleeve, which caught Scott in just a snap.

Scott nodded and said, "Yup, bitches, I'm going to Broadway. NOTHING CAN STOP ME NOW!" As he sashayed away to Mr. Principal.

The choir sang a usual graduation hymne when the graduates gathered on the center stage and got ready to throw their caps to the air. "1, 2, 3!" They flew their caps until they reached the ceiling and confetti spread around the sky. Balloons, bubbles, and joy fulfilled the whole auditorium. It was a perfect ending for perfect four school years.

When the graduation was over, everyone got busy with their own stuff. Some gathered with their friends, some gather with their families, and some others just ditched the ceremony without any companion. After Malerie went away with her family for some delicious treat, Carson gathered together with his family and Starla. As soon as they met by the exit, Carson hugged and shared kisses with his parents, April, and Starla. Carson smooched his girfriend's lips gently, as they circled around each other's arms on each other's bodies. "So, when will you go to Illinois? You know I can pay for your trip, you can call me any time." Neal asked his son. Carson smiled and answered, "I guess I will spend my summer here first, then split maybe two weeks before summer is over." He embraced Starla beside him. "Finally, I can call my son the Northwestern Guy. And you have a very supportive girlfriend right here." Sheryl rubbed Carson's head proudly. Starla was flattered right after her future mother-in-law told her she was supportive. "Thank you, mam, and your son is a great man." She said. "Yeah, sure he is. I'm one lucky mom." Sheryl said, she couldn't stop smiling gleefully.

"Stars, let's go home!"

Claire shouted from the far. She ran to her cousin and pulled Starla's hand. Starla refused to come with Claire and said, "Umm, I don't think so. I have to catch my graduation ceremony and Carson will take me back to Lima. I've put my suitcase in his trunk, in case if you're wondering." Claire sniffed her nose, so this is why she visits Clover. Claire walked straight to the exit, then she made a final stop behind Carson and bumped her shoulder at Carson in purpose. "Well, whatever. I got into Juilliard dance department and I won't see you guys ever again." She said. "Seriously? Juilliard? Since when did you guys have the aim to get out of Clover and be someone?" Carson furrowed. "Well, you said someone has to be ballerina." Claire replied, as she tried to remind Carson about the conversation they both had months ago. She winked and bitched out of the auditorium.

Starla, still hanging on Carson's arm, asked Carson and the Phillips, "Hmm, do you want to grab some lunch before we go? Maybe you guys are hungry, I can wait in the choir room until you get back." "Nah, I don't want you to be late for your graduation." Carson answered, then he kissed Starla's forehead gently. Starla was lucky to have a loyal, charming, and caring boyfriend like Carson. "Mom, dad, April, we're going to Ohio. I'll be back by tomorrow, okay?" Carson asked for permission to his family. Sheryl, who understood her son's condition perfectly, allowed him to go. "Okay. Take care of yourself." She rubbed her son's head. Carson nodded. Then, Carson took Starla's hand and dragged her out to the parking lot. They ran through the hallway—full speed—then, jumped into Carson's car and left the town. Carson had to do the Clover-Lima journey all over again for the third time, but he didn't mind as long as his love was beside him.


Mr. And Mrs. Blair were worried about Starla. They hadn't received a news about their girl and where she was now. The graduation ceremony was a few minutes away and Starla wasn't there. The Blairs regretted their decision to let Starla go to Clover. Starla had broken her promise to go home on time. Now the Blairs could only pray for Starla to be there, all dressed up, punctually.

five hundred twenty-five thousand

six hundred minutes

five hundred twenty-five thousand

moments so dear

five hundred twenty-five thousand

six hundred minutes

how do you measure- measure a year?

The New Directions kids performed in the graduation. A year ago, the seniors, Finn Hudson and Noah 'Puck' Puckerman, sang Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days in the ceremony. But, this time was different— the sophomores also sang on the auditorium stage. They wore all-black formal dresses for girls and shirt + pants for boys. They sang a mash up of Rent's "Seasons of Love" and Vitamin C's graduation anthem "Graduation Song (Friends Forever)".

Starla's parents took seats beside Marley's parents—their parents got along very well—and waited for the Principal, Principal Figgins, announced the names of the graduates.

in daylights, in sunsets

in midnights, in cups of coffee

in inches, in miles

in laughter, in strife

"Come on, fast, go! Can you drive faster? God, please, stop Principal Figgins from announcing my name!" Starla cried over the fact that they were still on the school front gate. She couldn't stop crying and screaming on the top of her lungs. Carson was burned and he needed Starla to stop shouting. "Yes, yes! We're coming to the graduation! Shut your freaking mouth, please!" Carson's ears were burnt with anger. All he wanted to do was throwing a ball of shitty socks into Starla's mouth, so she would stop yelling at him.

in- five hundred twenty-five thousand

six hundred minutes

how do you measure

a year in the life?

Carson and Starla had no choice—they parked Carson's car in the middle of traffic, while Starla was grabbing her bright red graduation gown and cap, and putting it on. Starla jumped out of the car, followed by Carson who got out from the driver seat. They ignored the sound of people honking at them because they were so late for the event. Carson and Starla could hear the new directions singing in harmony, and that was where they were heading.

how about love?

how about love?

how about love?

measure in love

Starla ran fast to backstage. She shot her own body like a cannonball and let her walk through the crowd of grads. Carson took a seat beside Kurt, who was waiting for Blaine to come out. Without other glee club members around them, their face were like peas in a pod. People were mistaken them as if they really came from the same womb.

seasons of love

seasons of love

"STARLA BLAIR!" Principal Figgins called out Starla with his rich Indian accent. And just in time, she opened the curtain on the backstage and ran to the stage.

The entrance was beside the place where the glee club sang, so as soon as she found the right key to the next lyric, she sang it together with Marley and Unique. Hand clapping were echoed all over the auditorium and some of them did a special standing ovation—including Starla's parents and Carson.

"Toldja she could make it." Mrs. Blair whispered on Mr. Blair's ear.

five hundred twenty-five thousand

six hundred minutes

five hundred twenty-five thousand

journeys to plan

Dynamic duo Marley and Unique took the next verse by themselves as Starla took her diploma and had Ms. Pillsbury switched Starla's tassel. Just like Carson, she held her diploma high in the air proudly. Her happy tears started to roll down and almost ruined her eye liner.

From the stage, Starla could see her parents cheering from the audience. She laughed at how funny the way Starla's parents supported her like football spectators. On the east side from where the Blairs were standing, Starla gazed at Carson who was standing next to Kurt—who was standing too. Carson smiled proudly and didn't stop clapping his hands. Unlike Starla's parents, Carson kept his cool and cheered his girl the way people usually cheered at someone—with more love and feeling.

Starla was in her glory, she had reached the top of her school life. 4 years of education had paid off by entering one of the prestigious universities in the world. She had shown everyone she had done her best at last.

five hundred twenty-five thousand

six hundred minutes

how do you measure the life

of a woman or a man?

"BLAINE ANDERSON!" Just like Starla, Blaine burst into the song. He ran by the wing door and passed by Kurt, who was cheering for him enthusiastically. Last year, he stood by the audience to cheer for Kurt, but now he was having his own moment.

in truths that she learned

or in times that he cried

in bridges he burned

or the way that she died

It was a repetition for Blaine. After he got his diploma, he joined Starla, Sam, Sugar, Brittany, Joe, and Artie on the center stage. They sang along with the sophomores—Marley, Unique, Jake, and Ryder—and formed a harmonized choir.

"TINA COHEN-CHANG!" Tina was the one who had the grandest and most comical enter—she hid behind the drum set and popped out after Figgins called out her name. Tina's glee club friends laughed at her, but she didn't mind with it. Tina sang the verse in solo, with the choir backing up her vocal.

it's time now- to sing out

though the story never ends

let's celebrate

remember a year in the life of friends

After Tina went to the stage to receive her diploma, she joined other New Directions kids. Confetti flew around the auditorium and the grads kicked the balloons that fell from the ceiling. It was a moment of joy. If school was a fairy tale, graduation would be the happy ending.

Tina and Brittany ran to the band and sang the Vitamin C hit. Brittany started to cry after she found out that she graduated. She flunked out last year and this year she proved that she could do better in her education, and she could join Santana for some college journey.

remember the

As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

Come whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever

For half of the New Directions members, it was the last year of their school. They had to move forward and study in a higher level—college. Tears and joy filled the room and love flew around the atmosphere.

La, la, la, la:

Yeah, yeah, yeah

La, la, la, la:

We will still be friends forever

how about love?

how about love?

how about love?

Tina took a solo. She circled her arms around Starla, Brittany, Marley, Sugar, Kitty, and Unique. It was the last hug she had before she finally got out of McKinley High School.

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?

Can we survive it out there?

Can we make it somehow?

I guess I thought that this would never end

And suddenly it's like we're women and men

Brittany took the next part. She kept her hands around the girls and they swung around through the melody.

Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?

Will these memories fade when I leave this town?

I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye

Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

The New Directions and other graduates sang the Graduation Song chorus, as tears fell from everyone's eyes and the confetti got thicker and thicker around the room. It was their final moment and the climax of the ceremony. No matter who they were—jocks, nerds, theatre geeks, gays—the graduates united as one.

As we go on, we remember

All the times we had together

And as our lives change, come whatever

We will still be friends forever

As we go on, we remember

All the times we had together

And as our lives change, come whatever

We will still be friends forever

Forever

Seasons of love

The song was over with Wade 'Unique' Adams belted out the final part. The ceremony was a wrap. It ended perfectly, just like what the teachers and students hoped. The McKinley High School class 2013 had finished their up and down high school journey. They had finally earn the prize of their sweat and hard work—graduated and said goodbye forever to high school. There would be no more bullies and who-eats-whom law, because they finally had their own ways ahead.

After the graduation ceremony ended, Starla rushed to meet her parents, who were waiting for her by the audience. "Congratulations, kiddo!" Mr. Blair patted his daughter's shoulder proudly. Starla smiled, as both parents circled their arms on the girl. "We really need to celebrate this. How about we go to Breadstix and have a lunch there?" Mrs. Blair asked Starla. It sounded great in Starla's ears, besides she needed to fill her stomach after all the Clover-Lima journey. "YES! I'M FAMISHED!" Said Starla, rubbing her empty belly. Then, she remembered there was a guy who was waiting for her. He was Carson. Starla smiled and said, "Hey, I'll go check on Carson and ask if he wants to go to Breadstix with us." "Sure, hun." Mrs. Blair answered, smiling. Then, Starla ran after Carson and approached him.

Starla stopped and gripped Carson's shoulders who was facing the opposite side. He was talking to Kurt and Blaine and congratulated Blaine on his graduation. "HEY!" Starla exclaimed on Carson's ears. As soon after that, Carson grabbed Starla's waist, lifted and twirled her body around, then hugged her tight. "Oh, look, it's my Harvard Princess!" Carson panted after the heavy lifting. He put his girl down and Starla asked, "Do you want to go to Breadstix with my parents? We're going to have a little celebration and I insist you to come with us." Carson had nothing to do in Lima, so he agreed to go to Breadstix with the Blairs. "Sure, sounds great!" Besides, he had to support his girlfriend fully. Then, the two followed Mr. And Mrs. Blair to the exit and went straight to Breadstix for some tasty treat.