It was now March 14th and today was the biggest day for us: Regionals. I was really nervous as I got in my blue dress and tied the black ribbon in the back. I finally slid my leggings on and then changed into my leggings before putting my shoes on. I finally brushed my hair and put my makeup on. I was so nervous as we stood around the dressing room, getting ready to perform. We finally heard Mr. Schue say "Alright New Directions; it's time Go ahead and head to places. Sam and Gabriella; hurry up to make your entrance and break a leg especially with your original song." Finn gave me a soft kiss before I followed Mr. Schue and Sam to the back of the theatre so that we could make our entrance through the audience. I looked over at Sam and he mouthed 'Nervous?' I just nodded and made the motion that indicated that I felt extremely nauseated.

'You'll be fine' Sam mouthed back. We waited for a moment as we heard the host say "Please welcome our final choir from William McKinley High School, the New Directions." At that moment; we heard the piano cue and I saw Sam open the curtains on his side and with that; our duet began.

Sam:

Chances are you'll find me
Somewhere on your road tonight
Seems I always end up driving by
Ever since I've known you
It seems you're on my way

All the rules of logic don't apply
I long to see you in the night
Be with you 'til morning light

Gabriella:

I remember clearly how you looked
The night we met
I recall your laughter and your smile
I remember how you made me
Feel so at ease
I remember all your grace and your style

And now you're all I long to see
You've come to mean so much to me

Both:

Chances are I'll see you
In my dreams tonight
You'll be smiling like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you and I'll offer
All I have

You're the only one I can't forget

Sam:

Baby you're the best I've ever met

Both:

And I'll be dreaming of the future
And hoping you'll be by my side

Sam:

And in the morning I'll be longing for the night

Both:

For the night

Chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smiling like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you and I'll offer
All I have

You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best I've ever met

When we finished; the curtain opened and we joined the others. I was nervous about performing this original song but this summed up everything we had endured that had led us to this moment. With a nod to the band; we began our original song that we called 'Loser Like Me'.

Gabriella:
Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero
(Santana: huh) But hey!

Gabriella with Santana and Brittany:
Everyone you wanna be,
Probably started off like me

Gabriella:
You may say that I'm a freak show,
(Santana: I don't care) But, hey!

Gabriella with Santana and Brittany:
Give it just a little time,
I bet you're gonna change your mind

Gabriella:
All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take

Gabriella and Finn:
That's right

Gabriella with Santana and Brittany:
'Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name

Gabriella:
And I'll just look away

Gabriella and Finn:
That's right

Gabriella with New Directions:
Just go ahead and hate on me run your mouth (Finn and Gabriella: So everyone can hear)
Hit me with the worst you've got, and knock me down (Finn and Gabriella: Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out,

Gabriella and Finn with New Directions:
You wanna be,
You wanna be
A loser like me,
A loser like me.

Finn:
Push me up against the locker

Finn with New Directions:
And, hey, all I do is shake it off
I'll get you back when I'm your boss

Finn:
I'm not thinking 'bout you haters

Finn with New Directions:
'Cause, hey, I could be a superstar.
I'll see you when you wash my car.

Gabriella with New Directions:
All of the dirt you've been throwing my way,

Gabriella:
It ain't so hard to take.

Gabriella and Finn:
That's right.

Gabriella with New Directions:
Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name.

Gabriella:
And I'll just look away.

Gabriella and Finn:
That's right.

Gabriella with New Directions:
Just go ahead and hate on me run your mouth (Finn and Gabriella: So everyone can hear)
Hit me with the worst you've got, and knock me down (Finn and Gabriella: Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out,

Gabriella and Finn with New Directions:
You wanna be,
You wanna be
A loser like me,
A loser like me.

Gabriella:
A loser like me.

Brittany with New Direction Girls (Finn with New Direction Boys):
Hey, you, over there, (oh! oh!)
Keep the "L" up in the air (oh! oh!)
Hey, you, over there, (oh! oh!)
Keep the "L" up 'cause I don't care (oh! oh!)
You can throw your sticks, (oh! oh!)
And you can throw your stones (oh! oh!)
Like a rocket just watch me go yeah (oh! oh!)
L-O-S-E-R, (oh! oh!)

Brittany and Finn with New Directions:
I can only be who I are!

New Directions:
(Gabriella: Yeah!)
Just (Gabriella: Yeah!) go ahead and hate on me run your mouth. (Finn and Gabriella: So everyone can hear)

Gabriella with New Directions:
Hit me with the worst you've got, and knock me down (Finn and Rachel: Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out,

Gabriella and Finn with New Directions:
You wanna be,
You wanna be
A loser like me,

Gabriella with New Directions:
Just (Mercedes: Yeah!) go ahead, and hate on me
And run your mouth (Gabriella, Mercedes and Finn: So everyone can hear)
Hit me with the worst you've got, and knock me down (Gabriella, Mercedes and Finn: Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up, and, soon enough, you'll figure out, (Mercedes: Oh)
You are not me (Mercedes: Be)

Gabriella and Finn with New Directions:
you wanna be
A loser like me,

Gabriella:
A loser like me,

New Directions:
A loser like me,

Gabriella:
A loser like me,

Gabriella with New Directions:
A loser like me.

After singing; we had a plan and got those big slushie cups and filled them red confetti to toss. On cue; we tossed the confetti into the audience. The audience absolutely loved us and we left the stage, feeling pretty good about our performance.

Finn and I met backstage and he picked me up and twirled me around. "You sounded amazing out there" Finn told me, hugging me tightly. "As did you Finn; we've so got this victory in the bag" I commented. "I know we will and you still sounded amazing" Finn replied. We finally returned to the stage and waited for the results. The host finally handed out the awards and we took first place. This meant that we would be heading to New York in April which meant raising money for our travels. Right now; we couldn't worry because tonight was all about celebrating.

I returned to the dressing room and heard the others murmuring. "What's going on" I asked. "You have a rose Gabriella" Tina replied. "Are you sure it's mine" I asked, coming over to the table. "It was on a slip with your name" Santana replied. I picked up the rose and saw there was no name on the note and the message simply read 'I love you'. I stroked the purple ribbon and smelled the rose. I finally laid the rose down long enough to remove my makeup and then left the backstage area with the others. I walked beside Finn and asked "Did you leave me the rose?" "No I didn't but I did plan to treat you to dinner" Finn answered. I had no idea now who the rose could have been from until I saw a shadow in the corner but what made me stop was the sound of the stranger in the shadow.

Jesse's P.O.V

I hadn't given up on winning Gabriella's heart back I knew she'd probably have me kicked out of the theater if she knew I was here. Just before they went on and were waiting in the wings; I snuck into their dressing room and quickly left in time to see them begin the duet. Listening to Gabriella sing that beautiful duet made me wish that it was me singing with her. I waited patiently during the entire intermission and applauded at the end when New Directions won. I joined the standing ovation and I had to admit that I was impressed with the original song. It was better than anything I could ever attempt to write.

Quietly; I followed and watched from a corner in the theater as Finn put his arm around Gabriella's shoulder. She was now carrying the rose that I had left her. I realized that in order for her to be happy; I had to let her go but I couldn't. Suddenly; a song came to mind and in the quiet of the theatre; I began singing.

She used to cry when I'd come home late
She couldn't buy the lies I told
All she wanted was to be needed
Someone that she could call her own

The love I know I took for granted
Until she walked out of my door
Too little too late to say I'm sorry
'Cause she's not cryin' anymore

She's not cryin' anymore
She ain't lonely any longer
There's a smile upon her face
A new love takes my place
She's not cryin' anymore

I hear she's really doin' well now
She's picked herself up off the ground
I wasn't there when I was needed
But I was there to let her down

Sometimes you know I feel so foolish
If I knew then what I know now
Another tear would never fall
'Cause I'd give our love my all
If we could work things out somehow

She's not cryin' anymore
She ain't lonely any longer
There's a smile upon her face
A new love takes my place
She's not cryin' anymore

She's not cryin' anymore
She ain't lonely any longer
There's a smile upon her face
A new love takes my place
She's not cryin' anymore

There's a smile upon her face
A new love takes my place
She's not cryin' any more

During the song; I saw her looking around and I believe she knew it was me singing. When I hit the last note; I had decided that I wasn't giving up on winning Gabriella back. I knew the McKinley High prom was coming up soon and so was Nationals. These were my last two chances. I knew that I had to make one of these the moment that would make her see that I truly love her or I would lose my dream come true.