Chapter 12:
The Dalton Academy Warblers, a group from the all-boys school in Westerville, are up first. They sing an acapella version of Lenny Kravitz's Stand, followed by a call for donations in reference for Dave. It's not so surprising, considering how gay-friendly the school is, although Finn does wonder why Sebastian seems to be so apologetic when he speaks. It won't be until after their performance that Kurt will explain; that Sebastian feels guilty about his callous treatment of what should have been a peer.
Glad you came by The Wanted is next, and that's when Finn decides to stand up and clap along with the audience. He even manages to encourage the rest of the gleeks to join him.
"What are you doing?" a girl from the Golden Goblets, the third competitor in this round, asks him, confusion and disbelief clear on her face. "Why are you cheering for your competition?" If she notices the tears in his eyes, she doesn't say.
"Because life's too short," is the only answer Finn can give in that moment. He understands why she's appalled; but he can't stop. He figures it's either clapping and cheering and celebrating the joy of music, or sitting in a aheap crying his eyes out. This is better, somehow. It has to be.
Besides, they still have to sing Quinn's songs. And he'll be damned if he doesn't do them justice.
In the green room, before they go on-stage, Rachel finally registers their new songs. "Um, Mr Schue?" she asks hesitantly. Her voice is subdued, but even so, the rest of the club can hear her perfectly well. "Why are we singing a new setlist? I thought we'd decided on our mash-up already?"
She doesn't have to say that she hadn't practiced these songs; he would know that already. and no offense to the TroubleTones, but she honestly doesn't care how many times their setlist changes. The only reason they're even here is-
The thought is violently cut off as Mr Schue takes her hands in his, offering a soft smile. "It was Finn's idea, Rachel. We're honouring our teammate, who couldn't be here with us right now. Her memory."
Rachel begins to cry, because these words sound like a eulogy, and Quinn isn't dead. Yet, some small, vicious part of her whispers, she isn't dead yet. It's too much, with the way her thoughts keep swirling in her head, keep coming back to the girl who's not there.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," the small brunette mumbles, wrenching away from her teacher, and rushing towards the door.
Surprisingly, it's Santana's arms that catch her, and keep her from falling down. "Shh, it's okay, easy," she murmurs, cradling the sobbing girl. "Listen, Berry, we just figured if we couldn't sing with Q, we could still sing for her, you know? And she loves these songs."
"How do you know that?" It's barely audible, but with how silent everyone is, they can still hear her question.
This time, Puck answers, voice thick with unshed tears. "She put it on my phone, on a playlist called Hopeful. Even I can figure out that metaphor," he shrugs.
"Besides," Santana adds, "Warblers already did their little dedication for Karofsky. Whatever, they can have him. Quinn Fabray belongs to us."
Eventually, their diva is helped off the floor, and the New Directions make their way onto the stage. It's one of the few times that Rachel Berry is content just to sway in the background. She thinks that Quinn would've understood.
I have nothing left to give
I have found the perfect end
You were made to make it hurt
Disappear into the dirt
Finn has his eyes tightly closed as the words leave his mouth, feeling as though he's singing to Quinn, and her alone. It makes him feel inadequate, like he's always felt with her. But right now, that's okay. Because it doesn't mean that he doesn't care about her. He doesn't have to measure up. He just has to be a friend.
Blaine and Santana continue the rest of the song, with Puck providing supporting vocals when the latina has her solo lines. Their hands are tightly clasped, but at least they're smiling. they're healing.
As the final chorus winds down, sniffles can be heard on-stage, with tears clear on every member of the New Directions' faces. Still, they pressed on. For Quinn.
Brittany's lower register is perfect, and if anyone is surprised by how well Mike matches her,. it's forgotten in the midst of how right this moment feels They will all get through this, together. Hopeful, indeed.
Slowly fading away
You're lost and so afraid
Where is the hope
in a world so cold?
Artie and Sam continue the song, with Mercedes having some lines as well, and it's so emotional that by the end, they're all crying. But they're also smiling, and that's so much more than Finn had been hoping for.
A stunned quiet fills the auditorium as the last notes faded out, and then a massive soundwave of applause is unleashed. The results were in: the outcome clear. They've won.
"I've never been prouder of you," is the only thing Mr Schue manages through his tears, before he's pulled into the ultimate group hug. Finn catches his eye, nodding his agreement. He knows exactly how it feels.
When Quinn wakes up that evening, it's to find her room filled with flowers and stuffed toys and well-wishes; and a tall, shiny new trophy declaring the 2012 Midwest Regional Show-choir Championship winner to be her very own WMHS New Directions.
And in glee-club tradition, they've voted for their Most Valued Player. She likes the little plaque (with her full name inscribed on it) better than anything else in her hospital room.
A/N: A lot of songs and song lyrics in this one, I know, but it's what inspired the chapter, mostly. Not Alone belongs to Red, and Dear Agony belongs to Breaking Benjamin (and is also the song that was Puck's new ringtone). I think there's one more chapter left, and then we'll be done. Let me know what you thought of this?
