Joe's POV

Graduation. I've yet to experience it and I won't be doing so for another year. But for Quinn, it's soon. Like real soon. I'm talking three weeks soon. That's less than a month. But Graduation isn't what worries me. In fact, I'm excited for her Graduation. What worries me is what happens after Grad. I mean, yes there's summer, but after that is University. And in Quinn's case, Yale. And you know where Yale is? Not near me.

I'm worried that when Quinn goes off to Yale, she'll meet someone knew. Like a hot professor or something. Nah, I'm just kidding. Quinn isn't that shallow. But I am still worried. She's a strong, confident woman and I'm the quiet religious kid with dreadlocks who still goes to high school. She doesn't want that. Not when she'll have smart Yale guys.

I'm just worried that she'll move on and leave me behind. And I know that she'll say that I'm just being silly if I bring it up. I suppose to some extent I am. I do find myself over thinking things a lot. I guess it's just one of those things that I'll just have to wait and see.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Quinn's soft voice snapped me back into reality.

"Oh...just...thinking" I blushed.

"About?" she prompted.

"The future" I said.

"The future is now" she said.

"I mean the distant future. Like next year" I said.

"Oh" she said. I had the feeling she knew what I meant. "Well, no one knows what'll happen."

"Precisely" I said with a sharp nod.

My Grad thoughts were put on hold when we went to Chicago for Nationals. We were all nervous yet excited. The bus ride was fun. We sang, we laughed and when we stopped for gas, Coach Sylvester drove down the block, leaving Mr. Shue behind. Chicago was great. The hotel we stayed in was great and I felt like we really bonded with each other. Then Mercedes got sick. We all panicked. She's a vital part of the TroubleTones and we were sure she was out. Even Santana wasn't thrilled with the idea of getting singing time to herself. We were rehearsing again and again and it was getting on everyone's nerves. Poor Quinn had to step in and take a spot in the TroubleTones. So she had to get her dance steps perfected, which is still hard for her. We all tried to help and she ended up managing. Thank God for Sue. She came to the rescue and got Mercedes in tip-top shape just in time. Nationals was a success. The girls nailed their Lady Gaga song and Rachel's solo was fantastic. Finn told me that some lady from NYADA came and it had really boosted her spirits on stage. Then we did the group song with was super fun and upbeat. Sure Vocal Adrenaline's performances were superb and very unique because they used these cool pinball machines, but there was no doubt in my mind, or any of our minds, that we won. It was obvious. When it was announced that we did, it was pure bliss. I don't remember much, but I remember lots of confetti and cheering and Quinn hugging me very tight. Somehow we made it from the stage to our hotel room where we partied all night. It was great. Words can't describe how much I enjoyed it. The only time the happiness went away was when the bus pulled back in the McKinley parking lot and Artie quietly reminded everyone that we still have to face the students at school. I think Brittany started crying. But we bucked up and walked into the school with pride. After all, we were National winners. And guess what? It wasn't awful at all. All the students clapped for us and threw confetti at us and treated us like celebs. It was magic. Yes, our days at Nationals was great. It was enough to make me forget my worries. Until the fun wore off and I got to where I am now, worrying even more. We bonded so well in Chicago and it only made me realize how much I'll miss them when they leave. And how next year, we may be headed to Nationals again, but it'll be so very different.

I'm not ready for that.

"Yo, Joe" Artie said, wheeling up to me in the hall.

"Hey man" I said.

"Listen, Tina and I are planning a Grad party for the members of New Directions who're Graduating" Artie told me.

"Sounds fun" I smiled.

"We hope so. Listen, it's a surprise so don't tell anyone. It'll be at Finn and Kurt's house. Don't worry, we already cleared it with their parents. It'll be after the Graduation ceremony. All clear?" Artie explained.

I nodded. "Yup. Can't wait."

"Sweet. Catch you later, then" Artie said and wheeled faster and away.

Like it or not, Quinn's Graduation was happening.

Another thing that kept my mind off the pressing Graduation was exams. These were my first high school exams and I was nervous. I studied late into the night for a week. But I wasn't as worried as some of my friends were. All the grade twelves looked like they were zombies. It was obvious that they were studying just as much as me, if not more.

Quinn and I had just finished our Chemistry exam, which was also our last exam, and I was driving home.

"I messed up that question with the moles of gold" Quinn sighed.

"I think I got that one. I messed up that one where we had to graph the change in temperature" I said. "And the first few multiple choice threw me."

Quinn sighed loudly. "I'm just glad it's over."

"Me too" I agreed.

We were quiet for a moment. Those awkward moments of eerie silence, I've noticed, have been more frequent since our fight.

"So" I said, keeping my eyes on the road as I drove. "Yale, huh?"

"What about it?" Quinn asked. There was something in her voice, that made me uneasy. It wasn't accusatory or demanding, but it wasn't a simple curios reply.

"That's where you're headed" I stated. "Are you excited?"

"Sure. I mean, I'm moving out, going to a crazy prestigious school and experiencing the world. Of course I'm excited. But at the same time, I'm nervous. Scared, even. I've been through a lot, but nothing like this."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be fine" I smiled at her. I was just playing my role of a supportive boyfriend. There was no doubt in my mind that she'll be fine.

Quinn smiled at me. "You're so sweet. What about you? I know it's a year away, but have you given any thought to what you want to do when you're done high school?"

"Be with you" I impulsively said.

Quinn laughed. "Something you can go to school for" she added.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I'll go to teachers collage and be a religion teacher."

"Oh, so you missed out on a school experience so you spend the rest of your working life making up for that?" Quinn teased.

"Right" I joked. "I gotta meet the quota."

"You're good at Chemestry. You could be a scientist" Quinn said.

"Maybe" I said.

"But don't worry about it now. You have time to think. Besides, you'll be great at anything you pursue."

"Thanks" I said. I pulled into her driveway.

"Thank you once again for the ride" Quinn said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Stop saying that everyday" I said. "You know I love driving you. Besides, it's on the way so it's not a big deal."

"Well excuse me for being polite" Quinn smirked. She kissed me quickly and got out of the car.

"See you tomorrow" I said, before she closed the door.

"No you won't" she said. "Tomorrow's my Graduation!"

"Yeah, at like six at night" I said.

"Exactly! Maybe it's different for guys, but we girls gotta get our hair and nails and makeup done."

I rolled my eyes. "So I won't see you tomorrow?"

"Not during the day. I'll see you at the ceremony, though" Quinn said.

"Okay then" I said, trying to hide my sadness. "See you."

"Bye!" Quinn winked and shut the car door.

I drove home in silence. In less than 48 hours, Quinn would be a Graduated free woman. Then I had an idea: the party. I knew what I had to do.