I was so gutted Quinn never got to pay tribute to Finn in the quarterback, so this one shot is a song I think she might have sang in memory of Finn.
She stands glancing at Brad on the piano and the students carefully watching her. "I know that Finn and I broke up a long time ago and we both moved on," She adds. "but when we were together there was a song we'd play and I want to sing it in his memory."
The room goes silent and the music starts up, she holds back tears as she begins.
"Look at the starsLook how they shine for you,"
She remembers their first meeting in the corridor, he'd seen right through her faked confidence, but instead of weaponising it against her, he'd simply gave her a smile and carried on the conversation.
"And everything you doYeah, they were all yellow,"
The room continues to be silent as they listen to her sing, and all she can think of is when they sang the song on their first date, it had come on the radio as they drove to the restaurant and he'd sang at the top of his voice so she'd joined in. She rarely let her guard down, but he'd encouraged it and she'd felt so good afterwards.
"I came alongI wrote a song for you"
She could picture him walking down the halls of McKinley as a student and then as teacher. He would have made the most wonderful teacher.
"And all the things you doAnd it was called Yellow,"
She surveys everyone's faces, they look as heartbroken as she feels. She wasn't in love with Finn when he died, she'd been out of love with Finn for a long time, but she did love him. He was a friend to her and without him she feels empty.
So, then I took my turn
She holds back tears as she remembers him believing Beth was his, the fear and excitement she saw in him and she won't forget his name suggestion of drizzle. Drizzle Hudson, she was everything that could have been when they were in love, but she would have loved to have met Barbra Hudson or whatever Rachel and Finn would have named their child.
What a thing to've done
She took in a shaky breath as she continued on with the song, she caught Kurt's eye and he gave her a small nod spurring her on.
And it was all yellow
She remembers the way he had sought her out after she'd revealed she'd into Yale and told her how proud he was, when she'd given all the credit to Rachel he'd given her a knowing smile and informed her how much he loved Rachel, she'd responded by telling him that was obvious and they'd shared a laugh. She would miss those laughs.
Your skinOh yeah, your skin and bones
She begins to cry as she sings the next line and she knows that she isn't the only one in tears, but glee club is a safe space. After years she'd learned that in the choir room it was okay to show emotion, so she doesn't hold back. She allows herself to cry.
Turn in to something beautifulDo you know
She thinks about both proms, he'd been her date both times and both times she'd ended up alone. When they'd first started dating she'd envisioned them as prom King and Queen. always at the top of the school food chain, but she knew now that it was never going to be that way. They were never meant to be anything more then friends.
You know I love you soYou know I love you so
Looking around the room she knows it's true of everyone sat watching her, they all lovedhim. How could they not? He was kind and caring and he put others first, he'd held the glee club together more times then she could count. She didn't know how they'd manage without him.
I swam acrossI jumped across for you
Mr Schue catches her eye and offers her a small smile. She responds by continuing to put her all into the song. She catches Puck's eye next and he gives her a subtle, but definite nod encouraging her on.
What a thing to do'Cause you were all yellow
She shuts her eyes and remembers the moments during and after they won nationals. He was on top of the world, they all were, but it meant so much more to him then anyone else, she knew that the win shaped his decisions. She knew that it made him realise what he wanted to do going forward, what he thought was best for Rachel, how much the win meant to not only the old glee club but the glee club to come. It was a turning point for Finn.
I drew a lineI drew a line for you
She catches Santana's eye and Santana offers her a small smile. She knows Santana is hurting far more then she's letting on, but she also knows Santana won't admit that out loud. She resolves to find a subtle way to check in with Santana, to make sure her friend knows she has someone she can talk too.
What a thing to doAnd it was all yellow
She thinks about seeing him at thanksgiving and they way he looked so happy to see all of them. Had he been more lonely than he let on? Could she have helped him?
And your skinOh yeah, your skin and bonesTurn in to something beautiful
She turns her attention to the ground, letting a few more tears fall. She's not trying to hide her emotions, she just doesn't want to show them right now.
Do you knowFor you, I'd bleed myself dryFor you, I'd bleed myself dry
She fights back sobs, as she remembers their last phone call. He called to check in with her and ask her how Yale was going and she'd answered all his questions, but she was in a hurry and it had turned into a Q and A. She wishes she'd stopped and had a proper conversation, she wishes she'd asked him how he was, she wishes she'd know it would be the last time she'd be able to speak to him. She knows most people in the room feel the same. If they'd known what was to come they'd all have given him that crucial last phone call, they'd all have said goodbye.
It's trueLook how they shine for youLook how they shine for you
She thinks about getting the call. Mr Schue had called them all individually to tell them Finn was gone. She'd been in shock. It was the last thing she'd expected for Mr Schue to say to her.
Look how they shine forLook how they shine for you
Mercedes was the first person she'd called. Together they had sobbed down the phone and shared memories of their beloved Finn. It had been the first of many calls like that.
Look how they shine for youLook how they shine
She gulps as she prepared for the last note verse. She would miss Finn Hudson everyday. They all would. She took comfort in the fact that every single person in the room with her would keep his memory alive.
Look at the starsLook how they shine for youAnd all the things that you do
Coldplay - Yellow