CHAPTER 50
The McKinley High Senior Prom was coming up, and everyone was buzzing. People were starting to campaign for Prom King and Queen, girls were talking about dresses, and guys were talking about which hotel room to book 😉. Finn and Bella were walking to the choir room, laughing at the various prom royalty candidate posters. Finn turned to her.
"You sure you don't want to run?" Finn asked her. He himself didn't care much about prom royalty, but he knew how much girls did. Bella shook her head.
"Nah. I just want to dance with the love of my life. And then have a little fun afterwards." She winked at him. Finn groaned in anticipation. They hadn't been intimate with each other in almost 2 weeks - they wanted prom night to be extra special.
"You, Bella Sutton, are going to be the death of me." He murmured and she laughed. They finally made it to the choir room, but Mr. Schue wasn't there yet. He was all the way across the school, in Principal Figgins' office.
"I have some bad news." Principal Figgins told Mr. Schue and Coach Sue.
"Will Schuester is leaving McKinley to start a hair gel company. Oh, William, I am devastated. Positively horny with grief. As a going-away present, here's a spray bottle of hairspray. You know, as a startup booster." Sue remarked, obnoxiously. Will rolled his eyes. Seriously? Again with the hair jokes.
"No, no." Figgins said. "Prom is in one week and my favourite band cancelled."
"What band?" Mr. Schue asked.
"Air Supply, William. So I'm inviting my next favourite group: the New Directions!" He exclaimed.
Nope! No way!" Sue exclaimed. Mr. Schue sighed.
"Um… I actually agree with Sue. I mean, normally we would jump at the chance to perform, but… I mean, we've got Nationals in three weeks, which means that we have a lot of rehearsals. And a lot of funds to raise just so that we can afford the trip."
"William, this glass is half-full of dreams for all of us." Figgins said. "I have decided to give all the money to the Glee Club that I was going to pay Air Supply! So that's $400 right there for you."
"I won't allow it. I'm the prom coordinator and I was not consulted." Sue butted in. "Each year, I honor the prom with a bowl of my family's secret punch recipe, made all the more meaningful to me because it's the punch bowl my grandmother drowned in. And each year, that punch bowl is spiked. Such lawlessness will only be encouraged when being screeched at by that Glee Club!"
"Sue, it is not a discussion!" Figgins shouted. "We are in the lurch!"
Sue sighed.
"Fine. Well, then let me take this opportunity to make a request. Here's a list of the worst songs ever performed by the Glee club." She said, whipping out a piece of paper from her pocket.
"You just carry that around?" Will asked, on the verge of laughter.
"Number one…" She said, ignoring Will. "Run Joey Run. You should literally apologize to America for that one. Number two, the ingenious mash up of Crazy in Love and Hair. Now I know you must have been pretty tired when you slapped that baby together."
"If you'll excuse me." Will interrupted and walked out the room.
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Mercedes and Santana walked into the choir room together.
"I've been to Ann Taylor Loft, Filene's Basement and like 6 Forever 21s, and I cannot find a dress that fits." Mercedes said to her friend. "I'm gonna be forced to make my own dress for prom."
"Don't, you'll seem poor." Brittany commented, sassily.
"You can't make your own dress! Prom is like our Oscars. It's seriously like the most important night of our lives." She said.
"What about getting married?" Tina asked.
"Oh, you can get married as many times as you want. You only have one shot at your junior prom." Quinn said.
"Glad I dodged that bullet." George whispered in Finn's ear. Finn snickered.
"So, who are you taking?" He asked his friend.
"A Cheerio I started hanging out with. She's pretty cool. She's a junior. Her name's Kitty Wilde."
Suddenly, Rachel walked into the room.
"What are you guys talking about?" Rachel asked, grumpily. She had been in a bad mood all week.
"Prom dresses." Mercedes answered.
"Thank God I don't have to worry about that. I'm not going."
"Why not?" Kurt asked, confused.
"Because nobody's asked me." She replied. Before anyone could say anything else, Mr. Schue walked into the room. He walked straight to the board and wrote one word… Prom. He then turned back to the class.
"All right guys… Prom."
"Please tell me we're not doing songs about Proms." Finn pleaded. Everyone laughed.
"Nope. We are the prom." Mr. Schue answered. "Figgins has asked us to perform. Now I know this isn't ideal with Nationals coming up, but we really don't have a choice. And we could really use the money. But I know that prom is a special rite of passage. I'm gonna make sure that all of you guys get a chance to enjoy the dance too. So, we're gonna stagger the performances so that each and every one of you has plenty of time to dance with your dates."
Rachel suddenly stood up.
"Excuse me." She said, and then walked out of the room. Mr. Schue raised an eyebrow.
"What's up with her?" he asked.
"Rachel doesn't have a date for prom." Bella explained.
"So? I don't have a date." Puck said. "I'm just going to dance, and then all of your dates are gonna ignore you and come dance with me, so… your dates are really my dates."
"Have you ever thought that it's comments like that which is why you don't have a girlfriend?" Finn remarked. Everyone sniggered. Even Puck laughed.
"I'm gonna go talk to Rachel." Kurt said, leaving the room. Once he was gone, and the chatter in the room had started again, Finn turned to Bella.
"Yeesh, I feel kind of bad for her. I know what it feels like to miss out on big life experiences." He murmured. She kissed him.
"Don't feel bad. She brought this on herself. I mean, she would probably have a date at this point if she was a little nicer to others and not a total bitch all the time."
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Rachel was sitting in the auditorium, hiding amongst the seats, feeling sorry for herself, when suddenly, a voice called out.
"It's good to see you again, Rachel." Jessie St. James said. Rachel spun around to face him.
"J-j-jessie… what are you doing here?" Rachel stammered.
"I mean, how was I supposed to know that I was actually supposed to show up to those classes at school? I was majoring in show choir. I just assumed it would be like at Carmel and the school would get some Asian kid to take math and English and Scientific for me."
Rachel looked down.
"That's awful." She murmured.
"I came back to see you, Rachel." He said. "What I did to you… that's my one great regret."
"Yeah, it was horrible. One day you were telling me that you loved me and then you were inexplicably throwing eggs and water balloons at me the next."
"I know. I know. I traded love for a fourth consecutive National Championship. It was a bum deal. For a first, maybe, but for a fourth, no way. I've come to make amends. So what are you doing for Prom…"
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When Finn asked about a corsage, Bella had only asked for a single flower that she could put in her hair in any color. This had puzzled Finn so he asked Santana for advice. She had advised him to go with white gardenias with a white bow. White would go with any color.
The day of the prom arrived and Finn spent that Saturday scrubbing his old faithful blue truck inside and out. He really wanted to get a limo for Bella, but she wasn't interested in one. That old truck held a world full of their best memories together. No need to change things now.
Finn started getting himself cleaned up for their big night around four. He never got to go to prom last year - he was in Hawaii at the time - so he was actually looking forward to it. George and his mom were watching a hockey game on TV when Finn came down the steps in his tux. They were speechless when he came downstairs. He looked like a model, with his black tux with a white shirt, and a silver bow tie.
"Oh my," was all Mrs. Shelley could say as she looked at her son from the top of his perfect hair down to his shiny black shoes. "I am so proud of you. Bella's going to be blown away when she sees you."
"Wow Finn, you actually look halfway decent. Like you haven't just picked up whatever clothes are nearest to you from the floor." George got up from the couch and walked over. "You may be elected prom king just on write-in votes alone."
"Bella and I aren't running." Finn said as he fixed his disobedient bow tie.
"But you're the quarterback, so you may well win. That's at least how it was when I was at school." Mrs. Shelley said.
"I don't know, and I honestly don't care. I just want to spend a fun night with my girlfriend." Finn said.
"Ask Henry and Janet to take lots of pictures of the two of you together and we want duplicates," Mrs. Shelley smiled.
Finn nodded, grabbed the small box with the flower inside, and left the house. George was leaving in around 30 minutes, as him and Kitty wanted to be 'fashionably late.'
Finn pulled up in front of Bella's house and parked his truck in her driveway. Holding the flower box in his hand, he rang the doorbell to be greeted by both Henry and Janet.
"She'll be right down. Let me go and tell her that you're here," Janet said as he pointed at the couch for Finn to sit.
"She's coming," Janet said a few minutes later while Henry adjusted his camera on the tripod.
Finn got up and walked over to the foot of the staircase and waited for Bella to appear.
When she did, she was a vision in silver. Her dress was a long strapless mermaid style dress that accented her curves perfectly. A slit in the side showed off her perfectly tanned left leg and her sparkly stiletto heels.
Slowly Finn regained his ability to speak and when he did he said, "You look so beautiful. You'll be the most gorgeous girl there. I didn't know what kind of flowers to get you, but I know that you like gardenias," Finn said, offering her the flower.
"Would you help me pin it in my hair?" Bella asked. "I want it at the back, behind my ear."
"Sure, I'll be glad to help you, but you know that I'm all butter fingers."
As Finn helped her secure the gardenia in her hair, he couldn't resist the urge to kiss her swan-like neck that her up-do revealed.
Finn escorted his date back down the stairs as she clung to his arm for balance. Her sparkling Cinderella shoes with the three inch stiletto heels made the stairs difficult.
"The two of you will be the most handsome couple there," Janet gushed as she met her daughter with a kiss on the cheek. After the usual barrage of pictures, Bella said that they had better be on their way if they were going to make it on time. Finn escorted Bella to his waiting truck, and after helping her in, he got into the driver's seat. Closing the driver's door behind him, Finn turned to Bella before starting the truck.
"I'm sorry that my old truck isn't going to turn into a coach with eight white horses that you deserve. It's just a pumpkin. It's a clean pumpkin, but still just a pumpkin."
"Old Blue is perfect. I don't need a limo or a coach with eight white horses. We started falling in love in this truck, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Bella leaned over and gave Finn a kiss as his arms wrapped around her. "Are you sure that you still want to go to the prom?" Finn whispered between kisses.
"All in good time, babe." Bella winked. Finn groaned in anticipation and reversed out of the driveway and drove to school.
When Finn and Bella entered the gym, all eyes seemed to be on them. Finn in his black tux and Bella in her silver gown seemed to be glowing. Their friends had secured a corner of the gym and had saved two seats for them.
"Do you two realize that the two of you are the hottest couple here?" Mercedes whispered to Bella when Finn left to get some punch.
"Aw! You're too nice." Bella smiled, blushing.
"I'm not exaggerating. You're the most breathtaking couple here, and I wouldn't be surprised if you and Finn are elected prom queen and king."
"We're not running," Bella assured Mercedes.
"Kurt wasn't running last year, but he won on write-in votes. And Finn's the star Quarterback - he's bound to get quite a few votes."
Finn came back shortly after, and him and Bella to the dance floor and watched their friends sing on-stage. Finn would be singing two songs - one at the middle and one close to the end of the prom - so he had plenty of time to dance with his gorgeous girlfriend. Eventually, Finn was tapped on the shoulder by George, telling him to come to the stage to perform. For Finn's first song, he was performing with George, Liam and Harry, and they were performing an upbeat, fast song. They decided on the ever-popular One Direction hit - Perfect.
Liam:
I might never be your knight in shining armor
I might never be the one you take home to mother
And I might never be the one who brings you flowers
But I can be the one, be the one tonight
George:
When I first saw you
From across the room
I could tell that you were curious (oh, yeah)
Girl, I hope you're sure
What you're looking for
'Cause I'm not good at making promises
Finn:
But if you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms
And if you like having secret little rendezvous
If you like to do the things you know that we shouldn't do
Then baby, I'm perfect
Baby, I'm perfect for you
And if you like midnight driving with the windows down
And if you like going places we can't even pronounce
If you like to do whatever you've been dreaming about
Baby, you're perfect
Baby, you're perfect
So let's start right now
Harry:
I might never be the hands you put your heart in
Or the arms that hold you any time you want them
But that don't mean that we can't live here in the moment
'Cause I can be the one you love from time to time
George:
When I first saw you
From across the room
I could tell that you were curious (oh, yeah)
Girl, I hope you're sure
What you're looking for
'Cause I'm not good at making promises
Finn:
But if you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms
And if you like having secret little rendezvous
If you like to do the things you know that we shouldn't do
baby, I'm perfect
Baby, I'm perfect for you
And if you like midnight driving with the windows down
And if you like going places we can't even pronounce
If you like to do whatever you've been dreaming about
Baby, you're perfect
Baby, you're perfect
So let's start right now
Liam:
And if you like cameras flashing every time we go out
(Oh, yeah)
And if you're looking for someone to write your breakup songs about
Baby, I'm perfect
Baby, we're perfect
Finn:
If you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms
And if you like having secret little rendezvous
If you like to do the things you know that we shouldn't do
Baby, I'm perfect
Baby, I'm perfect for you
And if you like midnight driving with the windows down
And if you like going places we can't even pronounce
If you like to do whatever you've been dreaming about
Baby, you're perfect
Baby, you're perfect
So let's start right now
For the actual song, click:
watch?v=Ho32Oh6b4jc
At the end of the song, they got a cheer from the dance floor. The boys stepped down and Finn made his way back to Bella. She kissed him.
"Babe, that was great!" She exclaimed. Finn smiled.
"Thanks. I still don't know how you got out of singing anything." He grumbled. Bella laughed and tugged him onto the dance floor.
"What can I say? I can be very persuasive." She said. The two of them slow-danced to the next few songs - Bella wrapped her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his around her waist. They were both completely at peace, their hearts beating softly against one another, ignoring the whole world around them. As far as they were concerned, they were the only ones in the world - they had each other, and that was all that mattered. Finally, Finn was called to sing for the second time, right before the crowning of Prom royalty. He approached the piano, and sat down. Rather than a fast song, he decided on a love ballad. He started gently tickling the piano keys, and then started singing. It was a slowed down, ballad version of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.
I think you're pretty
Without any makeup on
I think you're funny
When you tell the punchline wrong
I knew you got me
When you let your walls come down, down
Before you met me
I was alright, but things
Were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine
Let's just talk all through the night
There's no need to rush
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever
You make me feel like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
When you're around me
Life's like a movie scene
I wasn't happy
Until you became my queen
I finally found you
My missing puzzle piece
I'm complete
Let's just talk all through the night
There's no need to rush
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever
You make me feel like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
I'ma get your heart racing
If that's what you need
In this teenage dream tonight
Let you rest your head on me
If that's what you need
In this teenage dream tonight, tonight, tonight
Tonight
You make me feel like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
And my heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and don't ever look back
Don't ever
I'ma get your heart racing
If that's what you need
In this teenage dream tonight
Let you rest your head on me
If that's what you need
In this teenage dream tonight, tonight, tonight
Finn looked at Bella the entire time he was performing, and he watched how emotional she got by the end. When he stepped off stage, Bella flew into his arms and kissed him.
"I love you so much." She whispered.
"Love you too." Finn murmured as they sat down. Suddenly, Principal Figgins stood up and the spotlight shone on him.
"First I have an announcement to make…" Principal Figgins said. "There are reptiles living in McKinley toilets no more. The family of snakes have been safely removed to the zoo, where they can live out their lives in the toilets there."
Everyone cheered. The snakes in the bathrooms were a huge problem throughout senior year. In the few times Finn had gone in, he had found a number of Garter Snakes lurking in the shadows. Luckily, Garter - or Garden - Snakes were non-venemous and therefore harmless, so Finn just picked them and moved them when they came near, unfazed by the frightening reptiles. He was used to having unwanted animals around him from when he lived on the streets. Bella, on the other hand, was irrationally petrified of snakes. One morning in March, she literally called him at 5 in the morning, crying hysterically, asking if he could get rid of a snake that was in the garden.
"And now, this year's Prom court. Nominees for the Prom king are… David Karofskys, Noah Puckerman and Rick the stick Nelson."
Finn watched as the 3 guys walked on stage gleefully. Of the three guys, Puckerman was probably the least bad, but they were all pretty annoying people. Rick the Stick was the reason why Finn didn't join the hockey team in junior or senior year. Talent wise, Finn was definitely better than anyone on the McKinley team, but hockey guys were even bigger dick heads than the football team, and there was a huge rivalry between the two teams. The last thing Finn wanted was to be stuck in a turf war between the two teams. He had voted Puck for King but he thought that Karofsky would probably be the one getting crowned.
"Nominees for Queen." Goggins continued. "Are… Quinn Fabray, Santana Lopez and Brittany S. Pierce."
The girls cared a lot more about prom royalty than the guys did. Quinn, Santana and Brittany strutted over to Principal Goggins on stage, and they waved at the adoring crowd. They weren't kidding when they said that prom was like their Oscars! The three girls, who were normally the best of friends, would be competing against eachother tonight.
"This year's Prom King…" Figgins said. "Winning with majority of the vote, our MVP Quarterback, Mr. Finn Hudson!"
Bella squealed in happiness for her boyfriend, but Finn groaned in annoyance. He had a bad feeling that this would happen; he really didn't want the extra attention. More attention meant more drama, and all Finn wanted was to finish senior year safe and happy, with Bella right next to him. Reluctantly, he stood up and Bella pushed him towards the stage. He stepped on stage and shook hands with Figgins, before having a pathetic plastic crown placed on his head. The crowd were roaring with cheers, and Finn could see Puck, Rick and Karofsky scowled at him from the side of the stage.
"And the winner for Prom Queen is…"
This was another issue that Finn had. Every dance since freshman year, Quinn had been crowned Prom Queen, and probably would be again. Finn really didn't want to have to slow dance with his and George's ex-girlfriend - the girl who had caused him and his best friend so much pain. He had voted for Santana, and wouldn't mind dancing with her at all, as they were close enough as friends that the close contact wouldn't be weird. And there wouldn't be rumours started by the rest of the school, as Santana was openly gay, and they knew how close friends Finn and Santana were. Finn wouldn't have even minded dancing with Brittany - she was really sweet and again, it wouldn't be weird as Brittany was openly gay. The three candidates waited nervously as the prom Queen was announced, their hands shaking, and Santana and Brittany's pinkies intertwined.
"Santana Lopez."
Finn let out a sigh of relief and he clapped along with the rest of the school as Santana sauntered over and accepted her tiara as Queen. Finn and Santana were quickly coronated, and they were lead to the center of the room for their King-Queen dance. Bella and Brittany watched them, so much love in their eyes. Quinn, however, was angry. She stormed off stage and left the building, not to be seen again for the rest of the night. As Finn and Santana danced, they chatted.
"Congratulations. I know how much you wanted to be queen." Finn said as he twirled Santana. She smiled.
"Thanks. It's nice to finally beat Fabray at something, and be the Queen for just one night. Did you know she literally beats me at everything?!"
"That's not true." Finn laughed.
"It is!" She exclaimed. "She's the head Cheerio, I'm deputy. She's more popular. She's hotter. She's nicer." Santana said. Finn shook his head.
"I disagree. First of all, you're a much nicer person than she is, on the inside. Quinn puts on a kind personality to draw people in and manipulate them. That's not cool, if you ask me. You on the other hand, are much nicer than her, but you push people away with sarcasm and insults. Like remember when my mom died? You stayed with me for a whole month after! I bet you Quinn wouldn't do that for anyone."
Santana shrugged.
"Ok, fine. That doesn't take away the fact that she's hotter than me."
"Again, I disagree. As far as I'm concerned, you're the second most beautiful girl in this room, after Bella." Finn said as the two of them danced. Santana winked at him.
"You flirting with me, Hudson?" She joked.
"You wish, Lopez." Finn laughed. The song then ended and Bella and Brittany joined them.
"Hey guys, I hope you two aren't falling in love over here." Brittany joked and they all laughed.
"Britt, you have nothing to worry about. I'm waaaaaaay out of her league anyways." Finn replied, winking at her. Santana raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, is that right?" Santana laughed. "Anyways, Britt and I are going to go now. We'll see you guys on Monday?"
"Yeah, see you then." Finn and Bella said, hugging the two girls and watching them leave. There were only a few people left in the gym, scattered around the room. Bella then turned to her boyfriend.
"Hey babe. Do you want to go now? Our hotel room's waiting." Bella whispered seductively, nibbling on his ear. Finn practically jumped up.
"Don't have to tell me twice." He murmured, and they ran out of the gym together, and over to Finn's car. While Finn was driving, he could feel his phone vibrating in his pocket. After the third time, he pulled the annoying thing out to check it. He raised an eyebrow.
"That's weird. It's Santana." He said, and then he picked up the phone.
"Hey San. Miss me already?" He remarked. He could immediately sense something was wrong. He could hear Santana sniffling on the other end of the line. She had been crying. "San, you okay?" He asked worriedly.
"F-f-fi-fi-nn." Santana stammered. "Me and Britt… we were attacked."
A/N
I am planning to, after I finish this story, write a sequel, which is a five years later story. It will contain the same characters but with huge plot twists. My question to you guys is should I just tack the story onto the end of this one, or should I use a new story and call it Part 2? P.M or review your recommendations.