CHAPTER 31
Over the course of the next two weeks, Bella started noticing things about Finn… worrying things. Finn seemed to be a lot more distant and a lot more… emotionless. It was like the spark in his eye had been extinguished, leaving an unexpressive, restrained, unfeeling robot behind. He didn't participate in Glee as much, his grades started slipping in class, and he just seemed overall much, much unhappier. Luckily, Regionals were just around the corner and Bella hoped it would be a turning point for Finn. Maybe winning would make everything okay, at least for a short while. Maybe it would be the confidence boost Finn needed to get back on track.
The Glee club clambered onto the bus on the morning of Regionals and Finn immediately walked to the back of the bus, sitting alone. These days, Finn preferred to be alone than with people. It meant that he wouldn't be hurting everyone. Slowly but surely, Finn was digging his grave deeper and deeper and soon, it would reach the point where it would be impossible for him to climb out. Bella walked over to him and leaned against him. Bella was the only person Finn would ever open up to and even with her, it was like pulling teeth.
It was hard to believe that this was his last Regionals, if they lost, his last Glee competition. They were competing against Aural Intensity and the Warblers. Aural Intensity wasn't very good last year and the Warblers were probably suffering from the loss of Finn and Kurt back to New Directions, but there was still a chance.
The set list the New Directions had prepared was amazing. It was composed entirely of top 40 songs and the competition would open with an original solo by Finn. The boys were dressed in white dress shirts and pants with turquoise ties, while the girls were in turquoise dresses.
If they lost Regionals today, would this be the end of New Directions? They only had eight underclass members and needed twelve to compete.
New Directions went into the green room, where three of the Warblers were standing.
"Kurt, Finn, nice to see you guys," Hunter said.
"We miss you two," Blaine added.
"I can understand Kurt leaving last year, but Finn, why did YOU leave? We're DOOMED because New Directions has our two best singers!" Sebastian complained.
"I couldn't stay away from Bella," Finn replied. "It was way too hard, knowing that she was at McKinley but being in a rival school. I had no choice but to transfer to McKinley with her."
"Aww, really? You really feel that way?" Bella asked. Finn nodded.
"And more," Finn replied. "I love you, Bella. I can't spend my life without you."
Finn and Bella began kissing in the green room and everyone groaned.
"Please, no PDA," Hunter snapped. "Anyways, I hope you two have fun at Nationals, because I know you guys are going and weren't not." He led Blaine and Sebastian out of the room. Just then, Mr. Schue walked into the room and over to them. They were performing first so they didn't have long before they were on stage.
"All right, team. Pep talk." Mr. Schue said to them. They nodded and huddled up. "Look, we beat both these teams last year. We can do it again this year. Our group has grown so much. In the past 3 years, we've gone from 6 members to 13. You guys will be amazing today, I just know it. Finn, you have anything to add?"
Finn nodded.
"Yeah. I don't want you guys to think about the results while we're out there," He said. "I want you to think about what a great year we've had so far. But let me tell you all something - we're going to have a blast at Nationals in Washington."
The group cheered and Finn got ready to walk on stage for his solo. The song he was singing meant so much to him. It was, like always, a guitar, acoustic, original song. However, this song meant more to him than any other song he had ever sung. This song was for Clint…
Finn walked on stage, guitar in hand, and eyed the audience. They all looked at him eagerly to open the show and he took a deep breath and started strumming the guitar…
I fell by the wayside like everyone else
I hate you, I hate you, I hate you
But I was just kidding myself
Our every moment, I start to replace
'Cause now that they're gone
All I hear were the words that I needed to say
When you hurt under the surface
Like troubled water running cold
Well, time can heal but this won't
So, before you go
Was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind could make you feel so worthless
So, before you go
Was never the right time whenever you called
Went little by little by little until there was nothing at all
Our every moment, I start to replay
But all I can think about is seeing that look on your face
When you hurt under the surface
Like troubled water running cold
Well, time can heal but this won't
So, before you go
Was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind could make you feel so worthless
So, before you go
Would we be better off by now
If I'd have let my walls come down
Maybe I guess we'll never know
You know
You know
Before you go
Was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind could make you feel so worthless
So, before you go
To hear the actual song, click:
watch?v=jiuF1oyt-Yc
Or search: 'Before You Go (Guitar Acoustic)'
Finn sang with such heart and passion, it echoed throughout the auditorium and touched every soul in the room. Finn didn't care about that though. He wasn't singing for any of them. He was singing for Clint. He could've done something, he should've done something… anything, to help his friend. A few stray tears ran down his face as he held the final note. He didn't have much time to wallow in his sadness though. The New Directions quickly joined him on stage for their group number, Read All About It by Emile Sande.
Kurt:
I wanna sing, I wanna shout
Rachel:
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
Mercedes:
So put it in all of the papers,
I'm not afraid
Finn:
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
Santana:
You've got the words to change a nation
But you're biting your tongue
Puck:
You've spent a lifetime stuck in silence
Afraid you'll say something wrong
Artie:
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?
Kurt:
So come on, come on
All:
I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers,
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Mercedes:
Let's get the TV and the radio
To play our tune again
Tina:
It's 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events
There's no need to be afraid
I will sing with you my friend
Santana:
Come on, come on
All:
I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers,
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Mike:
I wanna sing, I wanna shout
Brittany:
I wanna scream 'til the words dry out
Finn:
So put it in all of the papers,
I'm not afraid
They can read all about it
Read all about it, oh
To hear the actual song, click:
watch?v=qTrzSKlldFc&ab_channel=TheXFactorUK
Or search… 'Read All About It X Factor 2012 Finalists'
At the end of the song, the crowd was on its feet and the New Directions relished in the applause. Bella threw herself into Finn's arms. The results hadn't been announced yet, but everyone already knew they'd won.
As the Warblers took the stage to perform, Finn and Bella went backstage to talk. They stepped outside into the light breeze and there, they saw Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury talking. Silently, they began listening.
"Will, I'm pregnant," they heard Ms. Pillsbury say. Finn and Bella's eyes widened
"What?" Mr. Schue gasped. "Is it mine?"
"Yeah."
Finn and Bella looked at each other in shock. Then, they heard a voice behind them.
"Seriously, are you guys that sexually depraved that you have to sneak out in the middle of Regionals and do it?"
They rolled their eyes and turned to see Puck and Quinn. The pair had gotten together a couple of months ago and they seemed to be extremely happy together.
"Shut up, Puck. We weren't doing anything" Finn snapped.
"Wasn't Quinn amazing?" Puck exclaiming as he kissed Quinn.
"You did a great job," Bella agreed, smiling at Quinn.
"Thanks, Bella," Quinn said. "You did too. And Finn, you did an amazing solo."
"Thanks." Finn nodded. Puck and Quinn then turned and walked away. Once they were gone, Bella and Finn turned back to each other.
"He seems to love her," Finn remarked to Bella as they watched Puck and Quinn leave. Bella nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, that's good. One less person I have to worry about making the moves on you." Bella replied. Finn laughed and kissed her.
"Aww, babe. You don't have to worry about anyone. Fabray and Antwoman Berry aren't my future. You are…"