Hey! :D The songs I used for this chapter are Set Fire To The Rain by Adele, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, Your Guardian Angel by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Light Up The World by the Glee Cast and Seasons of Love from RENT. Enjoy!
The Vocal Adrenaline soloist was standing in front of her teammates, grabbing the microphone with both hands. A soft piano began to play, and Barbra bit her lip. If the girl was as good as Jonathan had said, then beating Vocal Adrenaline was going to be harder than they thought.
Dolly closed her eyes and began to sing, at the same time that her partners began their amazing choreography.
I let it fall, my heart,
And as it fell you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me
Everyone gaped at her. Dolly had a strong, powerful voice, but it was soft and sweet at the same time. They had never heard something like that.
My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet
Dolly pointed at the audience, her voice and technique so perfect that is was breathtaking.
But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew.
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.
The girl extended her arms and belted out the chorus, while the rest of the Vocal Adrenaline members sped up their choreography and helped her with background vocals.
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name
Elizabeth knew she should have been worried about the girl's talent. But her voice was so angelical, and she sang in such a heartbreaking way, that the only thing she felt was amazement.
When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together
Nothing gets better
Dolly frowned and shook her head while she sang. Her teammates kept dancing behind her, executing their hard dance steps effortlessly.
'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew,
All the things you'd say,
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.
When Dolly began to sing the chorus again, there wasn't a single person in the audience that wasn't captivated by her.
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name
Jonathan couldn't take her eyes from her. He had heard Dolly singing before. But in that moment, she was singing with such passion, and she was putting so much feeling into the song, that the boy could have sworn that instead of a girl, it was angel singing.
I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
Well, it felt something died
'Cause I knew that there was the last time, the last time
The girl gripped the microphone tightly with both hands. She closed her eyes while she sang the next verse.
Sometimes I wake up by the door,
That heart you caught must be waiting for you
Even now when we're already over
I can't help myself from looking for you.
The members of Vocal Adrenaline danced in time with the music, complementing Dolly's voice perfectly with their movements.
I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name
Dolly extended her arms again, singing even louder and more beautifully than before.
I set fire to the rain,
And I threw us into the flames
Well, it felt something died
'Cause I knew that there was the last time, the last time, oh, oh
She closed her eyes, singing the last lines while her partners' choreography slowed down.
Let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn
Immediately after the song was over, everyone in the audience gave Vocal Adrenaline a standing ovation. Jesse had a smug smirk on his face while he clapped.
Everyone on the stage surrounded Dolly, who was smiling broadly and bouncing excitedly. The curtain fell, hiding the happy kids who celebrated their amazing performance.
More groups performed after Vocal Adrenaline, and it was almost time for New Directions to go on the stage. The kids were getting more and more nervous with each second that passed, especially while they watched their competition. All of the groups were good, if not amazing.
Just when it was time for New Directions to perform, the announcer said that there would be a small break. Everyone stood up to leave the auditorium. As Barbra walked towards the bathroom with Elizabeth and Sam, she heard her father's voice behind her back.
"Hey, St. James!"
The girls turned around to see Finn walking angrily towards Jesse, who had his hands in his pockets and was looking at the gigantic man with his eyebrows raised.
"My nephew told me that you were messing up with my daughter." Finn said, frowning deeply.
"Oh, did he?" Jesse said, looking at Adam, who was standing a few steps behind Finn, glaring at him.
"Now, listen to me." Finn took a step towards Jesse, who swallowed loudly, scared by Finn's expression and voice "I don't know who you think you are, but if you mess with my family again, I will destroy you."
"Dad!" Barbra said. She began to approach her father, but Elizabeth grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
"Stay here." Elizabeth said "I wanna see this."
"I mean it, St. James." Finn continued, shooting him a glare that reached his very soul "No one messes with my baby girl. And if you do, I will not hesitate in breaking your stupid face and using your own bowels to strangle you."
"Did you come up with that by yourself or did you get it from the internet?" Jesse asked.
When Finn was about to answer, Rachel grabbed his shoulder and stepped forward to stand between both men.
"Finn, stop it." she said. The she looked at Jesse "Jesse, I like you. I appreciate your talent and strong personality."
Jesse smirked, and Finn frowned.
"Rachel!" he said to his wife, who raised her hand to shut him up.
"But," she said "If you mess with my family again, I'm going to let Finn mess with your face. I may even help him."
Jesse's smirk vanished from his face immediately, and Finn smiled broadly at his wife.
"Have a nice evening." Rachel said with a polite smile, before she spun around and walked away, followed by her husband.
"I love you so much." Finn said. Rachel beamed at him.
"I know." she said, taking his hand.
Barbra watched as her parents reentered the auditorium with Adam and Elizabeth's dads. The girl smiled when she saw Jesse's indignant expression. Elizabeth and Sam burst out laughing.
"I love your parents so much." Sam said.
"Me too." Barbra said, entering the bathroom.
Elizabeth sighed and closed her eyes. She felt a familiar hand on her shoulder, and she smiled when she smelled Sam's perfume.
"Are you nervous?" Sam asked.
"Of course I am." Elizabeth said while her girlfriend massaged her shoulders gently "What if I forget the lyrics or sing out of tune?"
"Lizzie, you practiced this song like a thousand times." Sam said.
"I know, but…"
"You're going to be amazing." Sam assured her, smiling gently at her. Elizabeth smiled back at her and nodded.
"And now, from Lima, Ohio, New Directions!" the announcer's squeaky voice reached the girls' ears.
Elizabeth heard the audience clapping, and she knew she had to go on the stage. Before she stepped forward, she looked at her girlfriend.
"Can I get a kiss for good luck?" she asked.
Sam pressed her lips softly against hers.
"Now go." she said.
As soon as the applause died, Elizabeth stepped into the stage and walked to the microphone that had been positioned there beforehand. She nodded slightly, and the music started.
The girl sighed and closed her eyes, remembering Sam's words: You're going to be amazing. With a little smile on her lips, Elizabeth opened her eyes and began to sing.
We'll do it all, everything
On our own
We don't need anything
Or anyone
Backstage, her friends smiled. Elizabeth's voice was just angelical.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Elizabeth grabbed the microphone with both hands while she sang. Her eyes shone under the spotlights, while her voice flowed easily from her lips, loaded with feelings and passion.
I don't quite know how to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
Elizabeth found her dads among the spectators. They both had tears in her eyes, and they were smiling sweetly at her. She smiled wider while she sang the next verse.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Elizabeth sang a little louder, completely immersed in the song. She didn't notice Sam looking intensely at her from backstage.
Sam smiled. Her girlfriend had never looked more beautiful.
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
The girl closed her eyes while she sang the next verse. All the nervousness she felt before was gone now, and all she cared about in that moment was the song she was singing.
Let's waste time chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
Elizabeth opened her eyes and raised her arms slowly. When she started the next verse, her friends began to step into the stage to take their positions behind her. They sang with her.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
The kids kept singing together, smiling at a marveled audience.
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Elizabeth extended her arm towards the audience, singing with her friends.
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see
Sam didn't take her eyes from Elizabeth. She didn't want to blink, afraid to miss something, afraid to waste a second to look at the wonderful girl that was standing in front of her.
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
Elizabeth sang the last lines by herself, smiling softly and holding the microphone with both hands.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Everyone in the audience clapped and cheered loudly. Elizabeth grinned broadly and looked at her friends, who looked just as happy as her.
When people stopped clapping, another song began to play. Elizabeth slowly joined her friends until they were all standing in a line. Sam stepped forward, singing.
When I see your smile
Tears roll down my face, I can't replace
Elizabeth stepped towards her, singing her lines.
And now that I'm strong I have figured out
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul
Sam joined her for the last line of the verse.
And I know I'll find deep inside me I can be the one
While their friends sang the background vocals, the girls sang the chorus together, smiling sweetly while walking around each other.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
They began to walk on opposite sides. Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder while she sang, looking at Sam.
It's okay, It's okay, It's okay.
Sam sang her part, glancing over her shoulder too.
Seasons are changing
And waves are crashing
And stars are falling, all for us
Elizabeth stopped walking and turned around while she sang.
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one
The girls began to walk towards each other again, singing the chorus.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Sam looked straight into Elizabeth's eyes while she sang, meaning every word she was singing.
Cuz you're my, you're my, my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Elizabeth took Sam's hand before singing her part.
Cuz I'm here for you
Please don't walk away and
The girls turned around to face the audience, belting out the next line together, still holding hands. The rest of the kids danced behind them.
Please tell me you'll stay, whoa, stay whoa
Elizabeth and Sam faced each other again, singing their hearts out. Their friends kept dancing in pairs, singing with them.
Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray
The girls began to walk backwards to join their friends while they all sang the chorus together.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Once again, the spectators clapped loudly. Some of them even gave them a standing ovation. The kids exchanged glances. It was time for the last song.
The music started, and the kids began to take their positions, with their backs turned at the audience. When Barbra began to sing, smiling confidently, they all turned around.
Hey, hey, hey
You and me keep on dancing in the dark
It's been tearing me apart
Never knowing what we are
Barbra began to walk among her partners, while they danced and walked around the stage.
Hey, hey, hey
You and me keep on trying to play it cool
Now it's time to make a move
And that's what I'm gonna do
Tom sang the next line, smirking.
Lay it all down
Hannah appeared on his left side, singing her line while she danced.
Got something to say
Tom sang the next line, smiling at her.
Lay it all down
This time, Anna appeared on his right side, singing and dancing.
Throw your doubt away
The boy smiled at both of them this time.
Do or die now
The twins sang their line together.
Step on to the plate
Tom jumped forward, singing his line.
Blow the door wide open like up up and away
The kids sang and danced together, smiling broadly.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
When they began the chorus again, the people in the audience stood up, screaming and clapping.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
Jake stepped forward to sing the next verse, pointing at the cheering audience with a huge smile plastered on his face.
Hey, hey, hey
You and me turn it up 10000 watts
Tell me why we gotta stop
I just wanna let it rock
Then, Jonathan sang the next verse with Amanda.
Hey, hey, hey
You and me keep on staring at the road
Like we don't know where to go
Step back, let me take control
Tom and the twins took care of the next verse. Hannah and Anna danced on each side of the boy, erupting amazing exclamations from the spectators, who marveled at the amazing way they moved.
Lay it all down
Got something to say
Lay it all down
Throw your doubt away
Do or die now
Step on to the plate
Blow the door wide open like up up and away
When the kids began to sing the chorus again, Alma screamed, grinning broadly. She had never felt more proud of them.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
The kids never stopped dancing, and they kept singing with big smiles on their faces. It was clear that they were having fun while they performed.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
Jake sang the next lines, standing in the middle while his friends danced even faster than before.
Hey hey hey you
Hey hey hey you
Hey hey hey you
Hey hey hey you you you you you
This time, Barbra and the twins sang the next verse. For the first time throughout the song, no one moved.
Lay it all down
Got something to say
Lay it all down
Throw your doubt away
Do I die now
Step on to the plate
Blow the door wide open like up up and away
The kids jumped on their spots and sang the chorus again with Barbra on the lead. They danced and moved around the stage again.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
The audience was crazy for them, jumping, screaming and clapping non-stop.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
The kids sang the chorus for the last time, running to stand on their initial positions.
Let's light up the world toni-i-ight
You gotta give up the bark and bi-i-ite
I know that we got the love alri-i-ight
Come on and li-li-light it up
Light it up tonight
When they finished, they let their heads fall. But they looked up when they heard thunderous applause coming from the audience. The kids smiled broadly. They were clapping for them.
As soon as the curtain fell, everyone cheered and ran to hug everyone around them. Finally, they shared one of their group hugs, laughing loudly.
"The list is up." Jake announced.
The kids exchanged nervous look. Everyone was too nervous, and no one wanted to check the results. Finally, Alma sighed and ran her hands down her dress.
"I'll go." she said, shooting them a reassuring smile before walking over to the list, which was hanging on the wall.
The teacher closed her eyes and sighed before looking up to see the results. She saw that Vocal Adrenaline had placed third, and she heard them cheering loudly. Alma kept reading the names in the list. The closer she got to the tenth place, the more nervous she got.
Finally, after a few eternal moments, Alma turned around with a sad expression. The hope in the kids' expressions vanished immediately, and Alma shrugged sadly, walking over to them.
"But… we were amazing…" Elizabeth said, flopping down on the floor.
No one said anything. Sam sat next to her and grabbed her hand.
"Hey." Adam said, approaching them. Kurt, Blaine, Finn and Rachel followed him close, wearing sympathetic expressions "We saw the list."
"Sorry, kids." Finn said, shrugging.
The kids sighed and looked down, depressed. Finn and Rachel exchanged glances and looked at them again.
"Hey, at least you placed eleventh!" Finn said "When we first competed at Nationals, we placed twelfth."
"Yeah." Kurt nodded "But I think that was because Finn and Rachel made out in the middle of the stage."
His words managed to make the kids laugh.
"That's right." Rachel said "We were seriously depressed, you know. What you know what happened the year after?"
"We won." Finn said "Actually, we placed first and everything."
The kids exchanged smiles. Yes, they had lost. But they would try the following year, and even if they didn't won, it wouldn't matter. Because they were together, and as cheesy as it sounded, that was all they needed to be happy.
"What are you doing?" Barbra asked, sitting down next to Jonathan. The boy was smiling at his phone.
"Oh, just texting."
"Who?" Barbra asked, interested.
"Promise you won't get mad at me?" Jonathan asked.
"Why would I get mad at you?"
"I'm texting Dolly, the soloist of Vocal Adrenaline."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We exchanged numbers after the competition."
"Hey, that's cool!" Barbra said, nudging him "She seems nice."
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"I'm texting the enemy!"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous!"
Jonathan smiled at her, and his smile grew bigger when he got a new text. Barbra's lips curled up in a smile. She was glad to see the boy happy.
Right then, Spencer entered the choir room. He had one arm around Kevin's shoulders, and the other one was around Hannah's. They both looked really uncomfortable.
"Hey, guess what!" Spencer said to his friends.
"What?" David asked.
"I caught these two," Spencer said, pointing at Kevin and Hannah "making out in an empty classroom!"
"I knew it!" Anna exclaimed, pointing at her sister.
"Spencer, I'm going to kill you…" Kevin said, glaring at the boy.
"So… are you two official or what?" Lucy asked.
Hannah and Kevin exchanged a look. They smiled, and Hannah grabbed Kevin's hand.
"Yes." they said at the same time.
The kids erupted in cheers and laughter. Just when everyone was asking to see them kissing, Alma and Brad entered the choir room. William and Sue stepped in after them, and Emma was the last to enter, carrying a big cake in her hands.
"Hey, kids!" Alma said.
"What's with that cake?" Sam asked.
"It's a congratulations cake." Emma exclaimed, placing it on top of the piano with a big smile.
The words 'Congratulations on Placing 11th' were written on it. The kids smiled.
"We're really proud of you, kids." William said, and Brad nodded.
"I'm not." Sue said "I'm only here William made me come."
Everyone in the room rolled their eyes, before Alma gave her students a sweet smile.
"I can't believe we made it this far, kids." she said "A lot has happened in this last two years. You have changed my life, guys. I couldn't have asked for better students."
"Miss Schue, you're making us cry!" Amanda said, and everyone burst out laughing.
"What if we perform the last song of the year?" Alma said, clasping her hands together.
The kids were together in the auditorium. They were all smiling widely under the spotlights. The music began to play, and they sang together, exchanging warm smiles.
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?
One by one, the kids began to hold hands, still singing together. Alma smiled tearfully at them.
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
The kids never stopped smiling, still holding hands.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
They sang a little louder, pouring their whole heart in the lyrics.
How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love. Seasons of love
Elizabeth sang the next verse, tears shining in her eyes.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.
Sam sang the next verse, tightening her grip on Elizabeth's hand. She, like all her friends, had tears in her eyes.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
Jake closed his eyes and sang the next lines.
In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
Tom smiled at his boyfriend before singing the rest of the verse.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.
The kids sang together again. The tears in their eyes were ones of sheer happiness. They were happy to be together, like a family. Because, after all, they were a family.
It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
They pointed at Alma. The teacher laughed and got on the stage with her kids to sing with them, tears running freely down her cheeks.
Remember the love!
While her friends kept singing, Elizabeth sang the next verse, closing her eyes.
Oh you got to got to
Remember the love!
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love spread love
Measure, measure your life in love.
Finally, they sang the last lines, with their heads held high, and their hands linked together.
Seasons of love, seasons of love.
William, Brad, Emma and even Sue began to clap when they finished. The kids and Alma laughed and wiped their tears before sharing a big group hug.
"Thanks." Sam said, grabbing their orders from the cashier.
Sam handed Elizabeth her coffee, and they sat in a nearby table. They sipped their coffee in silence, until Sam spoke.
"I know I should be sad that we lost, but all I can think about is how lucky I am to have such an amazing group of friends."
"I know." Elizabeth said, smiling "And we still have a year until we graduate."
"What are you going to do after high school?" Sam asked.
"Barbra and I have decided that we want to go to NYADA, the same college her mom and my papa attended." Elizabeth explained "We want to be performers."
"That's amazing!"
"What about you?"
"I want to be a writer." Sam said, smiling "I want to write all kind of stories."
"And where are you going to college?"
"I don't care, as long as I'm with you."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Yes. And…" Sam sighed and took her hand "I know it's too soon to decide this but… I would love to live with you after high school. What do you think?"
Elizabeth placed her hand on top of Sam's.
"I think you already know the answer." she said.
Sam leaned over the table to kiss her girlfriend. They girls parted with smiles on their faces.
"Oh, Elizabeth Hummel-Anderson, I love you so much…" Sam said, and Elizabeth blushed.
"I love you too."
"Awww…" the cashier cooed, and she blushed when the girls looked at her "I'm sorry! It's just that…" the girl smiled "You two are really cute."
Elizabeth and Sam laughed.
"Shall we go?" Sam asked, grabbing her coffee and standing up "My dad is coming today, I want to wait for him at home."
"Let's go." Elizabeth said, standing up too, coffee in hand.
The girls walked out of the coffee shop, holding hands. Both of them were smiling, thinking about the wonderful life they had ahead. A wonderful like together.
Oh, my God, I'm crying! This was the last chapter! I will write an epilogue, don't worry :) It should be finished by the end of the week. Please, leave a review :D