Hey guys. Thanks for the nice welcome back on the last chapter. I'm glad you didn't give up on me. I definitely missed you guys (and Finchel!) but I needed some time to myself. I am planning a Season 7, so if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to send me a message on here or on my blog for this series (finchelseason5*dot*tumblr*dot*com) Anyways, I hope you like this chapter (I had the New Directions alumni sing one of my class's graduation songs to the seniors!) and review if I should keep going!
Chapter 29: Graduation 2015
The alumni didn't go back to New York right after Nationals. Finn was thrilled that his glee club had done so well, but he'd gotten prior permission from the administration to go to Ohio for a few days for McKinley's graduation. It had become a tradition for the alumni to go to Nationals and then back to McKinley for graduation. Next week he'd be doing the graduation activities with his glee club in New York, but he was glad to get to go home for a few days.
Finn and Rachel were walking through the halls when Mr. Schue came over to them. "Mr. Schue, what are you doing here?" Finn asked.
"Well, I told the glee club yesterday, but I'll tell you guys now: I'm coming back to McKinley," Mr. Schue said.
"You are?" Finn asked.
"Yeah," Mr. Schue said. "LA was great. I liked the warm weather and it paid well, but the whole time I was there, I couldn't stop thinking about the New Directions and how much I missed all of them, and the atmosphere. So I talked to Superintendent Harris and there's a teaching position open. April and Holly said that I can help with directing the glee club. Emma's going to be at home with the boys for now."
"I'm really happy for you," Finn said.
"I'm happy for you, too," Mr. Schue told Finn. "And I'm so proud of you. Your glee club was incredible at Nationals."
"You think so?" Finn asked.
"Yeah," Mr. Schue said. "You're really coming into your own as a glee club director."
Finn smiled. "Thanks." It was hard to believe that at this time next year, Rachel would be graduating from NYADA. Wow. Where had time gone?
As Finn, Rachel and Mr. Schue walked into the choir room, Finn noticed that the other alumni were already there, and the four seniors were standing in the front of the room. "Hey," Ryder said. "So it's hard to believe, our last week in glee."
"The four of us were talking, and we all agreed this was the best part of our high school years," Marley said. "So, thank you, all of you."
"To the underclassmen: you are the glee club now," Ryder added. "And all of us are always going to be here if you need us."
"As always, we do have songs prepared," Kitty said. "But we're doing it a little different from seniors in the past did it."
"The first assignment Finn gave us was for me and Ryder to do a duet and for Kitty and Marley to do one," Jake said. "So we decided that's what we wanted to do for our final week, too. Ryder and I have our song ready, and the girls will do theirs tomorrow."
Finn smiled to himself. They remembered that assignment? He felt so honored. His first ever kids he worked with were graduating, and they wanted to do a throwback to his first assignment. He watched as Jake picked up his guitar and the two senior boys began their song.
Jake: Memories fade, but they're never lost
Ryder: Colors change with time and change of heart
Jake and Ryder: If I hold onto the memories and use them to guide me
Will you be right here beside me
Everything I know is behind me
I'm starting a new life
I just don't want to say goodbye
Jake: The sun has set on everything we know
Friends we've made, I don't want to let go
Ryder: After everything that we have learned
It's our time now, it's our turn
Jake and Ryder: If I hold onto the memories and use them to guide me
Will you be right here beside me
Everything I know is behind me
I'm starting a new life
I just don't want to say goodbye
Jake: The lights go dim as we suddenly see
It's time to find who we're meant to be
Ryder: We couldn't wait for this to end
Now we wish we could start again
Jake and Ryder: If I hold onto the memories and use them to guide me
Will you be right here beside me
Everything I know is behind me
I'm starting a new life, I just don't want to say goodbye
Everyone applauded as Jake and Ryder finished their song. It was hard to believe that three years ago, Finn was the one doing the graduation songs. The glee club members began talking as the alumni got together to plan their song.
x
The alumni had been working on their song, but today would be for the senior girls to do theirs. Rachel had to admit, the group of alumni was getting big. They might need to follow the Class of 2015's lead next year and have the female alumni do one number and the males do a number or something.
Rachel stopped in the bathroom before the glee meeting and saw Kitty and Marley in there. "Hey guys!"
"Hey," Marley said.
"How's it feel to be graduating?" Rachel asked.
"It's crazy," Kitty said. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm sort of going to miss high school.
"There are times when I do," Rachel admitted. "But you guys will love New York."
"Yeah," Kitty said. "I can't wait to get to see Artie every day again."
"And both apartments are always open for you three," Rachel said. "Speaking of which, Marley, since Ryder and Kitty have to live in dorms at their school next year, we can try to figure something out for you at one of the apartments..."
"I don't think you need to worry about me," Marley said. "After Nationals, Caitlin added me on Facebook since we're both going to NYADA. We've communicated through Facebook a lot, and we decided to be roommates in the dorms."
"Really?" Rachel asked. "That's great! Now we don't have to worry about you getting a roommate like my roommate..."
"Yeah," Kitty added. "And I've been talking to some girls in a Facebook group for incoming NYU students, so I think I'm pretty close to finding a roommate, too."
"Good," Rachel said.
"Yeah, I think it's going to be great," Marley said as Kylie came into the bathroom. "And there's our new female captain."
"I'm really proud of you," Rachel told Kylie. "You're going to be great. So will Jack."
"It is in your blood," Kitty said.
"Yeah, we'll have to get Beth to come here so she can be glee captain, too," Kylie joked. "Then all three of us will have been."
"Sounds good to me," Rachel said. She looked at her phone. "We'd better get to the choir room."
"Yeah, you two need to sing your goodbye song," Kylie told Kitty and Marley.
The four girls went to the choir room. Rachel went to sit with Finn as Kitty and Marley went to perform.
"So here it is," Marley said. "This is our goodbye to you. I just wanted to tell you guys that I love you, and I'm going to miss everyone so much."
"I may not have always show it, but I love you all, too," Kitty said. "I may make fun of you guys, but it's my way of showing my affection. Please, keep in touch, and enjoy our performance."
Kitty: Here we are now
Everything is about to change
We face tomorrow as we say goodbye to yesterday
Marley: A chapter ending but the stories only just begun
A page is turning for everyone
Kitty and Marley: So I'm moving on
Letting go
Holding on to tomorrow
I've always got the memories while I'm finding out who I'm gonna be
We might be apart but I hope you always know
You'll be with me wherever I go
Wherever I go
Kitty: So excited I can barely even catch my breath
We have each other to lean on for the road ahead
Marley: This happy ending is the start of all our dreams
And I know your heart is with me
Kitty and Marley: So I'm moving on
Letting go
Holding on to tomorrow
I've always got the memories while I'm finding out who I'm gonna be
We might be apart but I hope you always know
You'll be with me wherever I go
Kitty: Its time to show the world we've got something to say
A song to sing out loud we'll never fade away
Marley: I know I'll miss you but we'll meet again someday
We'll never fade away
Kitty: So I'm moving on
Letting go
Holding on to tomorrow
I've always got the memories while I'm finding out who I'm gonna be
We might be apart but I hope you always know
You'll be with me
Marley: So I'm moving on
Letting go
Holding on to tomorrow
I've always got the memories while I'm finding out who I'm gonna be
We might be apart but I hope you always know
Kitty and Marley: You'll be with me wherever I go
Wherever I, wherever I go
At the end of the performance, the alumni and current members of New Directions cheered before Jack and Kylie stood up. "As the new captains, Kylie and I have assembled a number for the seniors," Jack said. "We all want to thank all four of you for everything this year, and last year, too. You guys are so talented, but you were also such great leaders and always there for us. You always made everyone feel included and special. This is for you guys." The other underclassmen joined them at the front of the room to sing their tribute.
Jack: I bless the day I found you
I want to stay around you
And so I beg you
Let it be me
Kylie: Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever
Let it be me
New Directions underclassmen: Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love
What would life be
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you'll love me only
And that you'll always
Let it be me
Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love
What would life be
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you'll love me only
And that you'll always
Let it be me
At the end of the underclassmen's song, Rachel noticed the seniors looking emotional. This was the last time students who'd been at McKinley during her time in New Directions would be graduating. The alumni family was growing, and in a year, Rachel would be graduating from college. She didn't feel the same way about graduating college that she did when she graduated high school.
x
The next day, the alumni would sing for the seniors. Finn had picked out a song for them to do, and he had to admit, this was going to be a bit tough. The last of the group that he worked with on his own would be graduating. Yes, Kylie was still going to be around, but she joined after Mr. Schue came back. He'd been the one in command at the beginning when Marley, Ryder, Jake and Kitty were starting out. It was because of his time leading this group that he was doing what he was doing now. Since he'd picked the song, the alumni had decided he should talk before they sang. "The alumni have picked out a song to sing to you," Finn said. "I know that this is the end of an era for you guys. We know you'll miss the glee club, and it was clear yesterday that the underclassmen are going to miss you. But we want you guys to know something we've learned since we graduated: just because you've graduated doesn't mean you aren't part of this group anymore." The music began as Rachel opened the song.
Rachel: Letting go
When the day comes that I must say goodbye to you
It's the last thing in life I ever want to do
Kurt: I know it has to be
But it's so hard for me
New Directions alumni: Letting go
Facing off with the truth that it is time to part
Giving way to the day that may well break my heart
It's not a thing I choose for when I have to do
Finn: Letting go
Moving on with my life
Into the time to come
Day by day, page by page
Blaine: When will the time by done
But I always knew that's what I have to do
Sam: For I know the only way to grow
Is just by letting go
New Directions alumni: Letting go
When the time comes I know
I will return someday
But till then, this is when I will have to find my way
It's a fact of life
Though it isn't fair
There will always be
All the love we share
Still the hardest thing
Is letting go
The current members of New Directions applauded at the end of the alumni's song. Tonight, the Class of 2015 would be walking the stage and officially become alumni of McKinley High. But like Finn had told them, they'd still be part of the group. After all, Marley, Ryder and Kitty would be in New York, close to many alumni, and Jake would be at University of Lima, so he'd be close enough to McKinley to take part in any reunions there.
x
The graduation ceremony had been held, and the glee club, past and present, were having a party at Kitty's house, since her house was the biggest. "Sparkling cider!" Sugar announced, pouring glasses for everyone. "In honor of our newest graduates!"
"Are you going to drench me again?" Rory asked.
"You better not!" Harmony said, putting her arm around her boyfriend.
"No," Sugar smirked, drenching Joe with the sparkling cider.
"Hey, guess whoever dates you has to deal with that," Artie said.
Kitty hopped on Artie's lap. "But you won't be doing that to this guy again!" She kissed Artie. "Gosh, I'm so excited for New York!"
"Me too," Ryder said. "I can't believe we're really going to be there."
"You guys will love it," Tina said.
"Well, I'll have other people I know at Lima," Marley said.
"You will," Blaine said. "It'll be cool to have someone from McKinley in the general vocal music program rather than performing arts."
"New York is getting taken over by Glee alumni," Mike pointed out.
"Yeah, but we're making it awesome," Sam said.
"And soon we'll all be at our wedding, too!" Puck announced, hugging Quinn.
"How is the planning for it going?" Unique asked.
"It's great," Quinn said. "We're all expecting you guys to sing at the wedding."
"Come on," Kurt said. "All of us will sing at the weddings of everyone here."
"The question is: who's next?" Rachel asked. "I bet it'll be Mike and Tina or Sam and Mercedes, though weddings are in the future for Kitty and Artie, and Ryder and Marley..." She also had a feeling Brittany and Santana would get married one day, but since they weren't together now, she didn't want to say it out loud.
"Whoa, planning ahead for everyone much, Rachel?" Mercedes asked.
"Hey, that's what she does," Finn said, kissing Rachel. "Let's all toast to the Class of 2015." The group clinked their glasses together and cheered, knowing that like the song had said, they'd be with each other, wherever they all might go.
SONGS: Hold On To The Memories by Corey Tynan (performed by Jake Puckerman and Ryder Lynn), Wherever I Go by Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment (performed by Kitty Wilde and Marley Rose), Let It Be Me by The Everly Brothers (performed by New Directions underclassmen) and Letting Go from Jekyll and Hyde (performed by New Directions alumni)
Chapter 30 preview: The New Yorkers go back to New York, where the seniors from Finn's glee club graduate. The group also gets ready for Puck and Quinn's wedding.
10 reviews unlock Chapter 30!
