Raindrops sprinkled down from the night sky. Thunder rumbled off in the distance. Emma wasn't too keen on getting wet, so instead they walked through the McKinley High halls for the final time. They stopped at the teacher's lounge first so she could fix her makeup; a little bit of mascara had run and marked her cheek. Emma wiped it away and reapplied her lipstick. "All good."
"Let's just walk and see where our feet take us, hey?" Will suggested.
They wandered aimlessly around the building hand in hand, the pair reminiscing of good times and bad. Fights they had broken up, Kurt throwing up on Emma's shoes, Sue's ridiculous comments about Will's hair and the time when Emma stood up to Figgins after the Regionals loss last year. Her office was now a hollowed-out shell; she paused outside for the longest time, peering through the glass windows.
Their last stop was at the choir room. Will unlocked the door and turned one set of lights on, enough to see but not draw attention to anyone that may be walking by. He closed the door behind them and took a seat at the piano. The room, normally bursting with music and voices, was now quiet as a mouse.
"So…are you feeling any better?" Will crossed one leg over the other.
"A little, not much," Emma owned up as she fiddled with her clutch.
Will sighed. "Take a seat Em." She sat down next to him. "Does Carl know? That you're scared?"
Inaudibly, Emma replied, "No. Not the real reasons behind it."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not going to dump even more of my problems onto him. He already has to deal with my OCD and all that comes with it."
"But Em, that's a part of you. If Carl loves you... I know if I were… uh, well, you know… you should be able to talk to him about anything. You're a unit; a family. I mean, you talk to me."
"It's different with you, Will."
"I don't see how."
"Please understand; Carl is very accommodating and caring, when he's not working late or called out. It's been such a rotten week and he's been there for me when he could. It's not fair on him; I love Carl too much to become more of a burden. And I might be afraid of change, but it might make me a stronger person and help me overcome my OCD."
"It's not healthy keeping everything bottled up, Em."
"Where were you this week, Will? Where was the friend that I could always talk to?"
"I've treated you horribly, Em, giving my word not to screw up our friendship. I couldn't face you after Regionals, but I'm not going to hide my feelings anymore. So I wrote a song for you."
"You what?"
"Just listen." He propped up some sheet music, placed his fingers on the keys and began to play. The melodious ballad swelled as his voice sang delicately to the hand-written lyrics.
One kiss changed my entire life
A whirlwind of magic and wonder
Thought it was goodbye
Yet I was wrong
Your tender lips touching mine cannot lie
He turned his head in Emma's direction. Emma sat quietly, focussing on Will's hands gliding over the ivories.
I can see the sadness in your eyes
You've never taken me by surprise
I know you so well
You won my heart
Captured by your sweet personality I fell
You were my destiny
We could have had a fine romance
But for now let's make a memory
Let's have one last dance
Will stopped playing, yet the melody continued to flow from the tips of his fingers, into the deepest corners of his mind. He hoisted her off the piano seat, swinging her out into the open space of the choir room.
"Let's dance Emma, just one more time," Will spoke as he began to sing a Capella.
Emma, I need to tell you so much
But for now I've only got tonight
It's hard to explain
Words unspoken
I'll never see your beautiful smile again
They dance around the room, taking their time, letting the lyrics do all the work.
You were my destiny
We could have had a fine romance
But for now let's make a memory
Let's have one last dance
"Will, you're making this hard for me," Emma gently wept on his shoulder.
"Sshhh… it's okay," the suave glee coach comforted her before continuing.
I don't wanna walk away with regrets
And you need to know the truth
Adorable eyes
Dry your tears
Holding you close, can't say my goodbyes
My heart is torn in two
And I don't know what to do
But everywhere you go
Take my love with you
He spun her under his arm, letting her twirl back into his chest, then spinning her again until they were face to face.
You were my destiny
We could have had a fine romance
But for now let's make a memory
Let's have one last dance
Let's have one last dance
Dipping her as he sang the last line, Will looked into her glorious eyes, returning her smile. "I-uh, I had to tell you how I felt. For me, song was the only way. I hope you understand." Will brought her back up to eye-level. His urge to kiss her right then and there was overshadowed by the urge to hear her response. So he restrained himself.
"I do. What you did, just then, was so sweet and so beautiful. And so touching. But it's only made my heart break even more." Her glistening eyes fixed on his, the only pair of eyes that could reach and stir his heart.
"Well, I have something that will cheer you up," Will reached into the hidden pocket in his jacket. He pulled out a blue box with gold trim and placed it in Emma's hand. "Go on, open it!"
"Will, what have you done, I…ohhh…" Emma caught her breath. The box opened to reveal an 18k gold treble clef brooch, encrusted in diamonds. "I-I think I'm going to cry again. It's so pretty. You shouldn't have." Emma kissed his cheek. The tears began to fall for what seemed like the millionth time that night.
"Here, let me put it on you." Will unhooked the treble clef from the backing board and pinned it onto the right side of Emma's dress. The brooch glistened in the shadows. She attempted to dry her eyes, but they kept overflowing.
"It's a goodbye present. I-uh, I bought it the day after we kissed for the first time and wanted to get you something special. I know how much you like vintage items. And this was perfect. I've had it in my closet for the longest time. In the days after we'd decided to not date until my divorce was final, I would look at it, waiting for the moment when we could finally be a couple. Although that never eventuated, I want you to have it in remembrance of our friendship. So whenever you wear it, think of me." Will's face twitched; his forced effort to stop from breaking down failed.
"Don't cry, Will." She stroked his cheek. He placed his hand on top of hers.
"I still love you, Emma," Will finally confessed, concentrating on the floor and the soft touch of her hand on his face.
"I know you do."
"You do?"
"Uh-huh."
Will edged closer. "H-how do you feel about that?" He tried to read her face, wishing, hoping, that she felt the same.
"I-I have very strong feelings for you. But I can't love you back. I'm so sorry." Emma took a step back, breaking contact with the man in front of her. The man who so clearly adored everything about her. The man who only a moment before was singing a song he wrote for her. The man whose life she just completely shattered.
Will felt his heart tumble and hit the floor, smashing into pieces. "No… No."
"I'm committed to Carl. We're husband and wife. Tomorrow I'm leaving with him." Emma could only be honest with him. It was the truth. The truth that she had to say, even if uncertainty skulked like a phantom around the words she spoke.
"I don't care if you are husband and wife. Don't go. Stay with me. Please."
"I can't stay with you. I took vows. I'm married. Don't make this difficult than it already is. We have to stop. The looks, the embraces, the affection; everything. I'm just as much to blame and I hate myself for letting it get this far, but we need to let go." She turned away from him, crossing her arms. A sympathetic hand came to rest on her shoulder.
"No matter how hard I've tried, I can't rid you from my system. I've become lost in you. And I'll be lost without you. I've tried to understand the reasons why we keep doing this to ourselves. We're connected Emma, through and through. Like a magnet and steel, a moth to a flame –"
Emma turned, interrupting, "Moths that are drawn to flames only get burnt."
He shook his head. "Not you. Not me. Not this time. You once said that some things are worth fighting for. And Emma, you're worth fighting for. You're everything to me." He reached for her, still not ready to admit defeat.
"I'm also everything to Carl. He loves me; he's a good man that only wants the best for me. He's helping me overcome my problems, puts me on a pedestal and damn it Will, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me!"
"If he's the best thing that ever happened to you, why did he take you to Vegas to get married? Away from your family and friends, the most important day in your life and no one knew? Huh? Answer me that!" Will shot back. Harsh, Will, harsh. Thunder rumbled overhead. The storm was closing in.
"Oh Will, why are you doing this? Is this my punishment because I said no? You choose to denigrate my decisions and my husband because I choose to stay loyal to the man I married? You said you were happy for me; I'm following my dreams, remember? It's the last time we'll see each other, let's not argue." Her hands began to shake.
"I'm trying to make you understand that Carl, as wonderful a man as you claim he is, only married you because you still love me!" Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the room for a split second.
"That's a lie!" Emma retorted. He's being so cruel. That was the moment when she finally broke. Her right hand became uncontrollable, but extremely accurate as it smacked Will across the cheek. The same cheek she kissed moments before. It stunned him for an instant; he knew it was well deserved.
A jolt of despair struck her foundations, tears raging. "If your intention was to destroy whatever moral fibre I had left, you have succeeded." I just hit Will. Oh gosh I just hit Will! Emma was shaking, eyes never breaking contact with his.
Will clenched his teeth, his cheek smarting from the pain. "I want what's best for you. Despite everything, you still have a naivety about you, which I hope he's not taking advantage of. Emotional injury is hard to cure." He bowed his head. "I love you Em; possibly too much. Regardless of what I think, it's your life, your marriage, and your future. I have no right to criticise your decisions or judgement. You're right – you're following your heart and dreams like I told you to. I've done everything I said I wouldn't. Plus I ruined prom for you. If this ends our friendship, totally understandable."
Emma said quietly, "I think it best for the both of us if I go home. I don't belong here anymore." She pulled the tiara off her head and stepped into the hallway. Being a princess didn't live up to her expectations.
How did everything turn so sour? Too much, too strong, too soon. Will knew all the risks, but had never prepared himself for this kind of rejection. For any rejection, although he thought there would be a slight possibility she'd choose Carl, but a better chance of choosing Will. He pictured her jumping into his arms; happy her hero Will rescued her from a marriage that wasn't really a marriage. They'd leave prom early and drive back to his place, where they would collapse in his comfortable bed and just sleep, holding each other. For that was all they needed – closeness, contentment and peace. Sex with Emma didn't enter Will's mind; he wanted to take things slow, until they were both ready to commit to something greater than themselves. No more rebounds, no more rushing, only a permanent reunion. A second chance to get it right.
The rain pounded harder on the roof, Lima would be in for a massive storm tonight. The town would be fine tomorrow, but nothing could mend the storm that demolished Will and Emma's friendship.
No answer on Carl's mobile. And the room phone went straight to mailbox. He was always unavailable at the most inopportune times. Again and again she tried, frantic to get out of the school. Nothing. Maybe he was called in for another emergency. She called for a taxi instead.
Will noticed she was having trouble getting in contact with Carl. "Do you want me to drive you to the hotel?"
"I'd rather wait out in the rain for a taxi," Emma said flatly. She was drained.
"But you'll get soaked. And surely sitting in a taxi creeping of germs will flare up your OCD…"
"All my energy and rage is gone. I don't care anymore."
Will knew when to back away, but wanted to say one last thing. "Emma, I appreciate you being angry with me. But believe me, if anything goes wrong, if it doesn't work out, if you need a shoulder to cry on, if you change your mind, I'll be waiting."
Emma turned on her heels and headed for the bus stop.