Nationals this year were in Los Angeles at the end of April, it was the last competition us glee club seniors would compete in before graduation in late May. Mr Schue said the competition criteria for this year was open which meant schools could choose their own songs, we wanted to go with 'I've had the time of my Life' (from Dirty Dancing) as a duet for Rach and me, 'I will always love you' (Whitney Huston) for Mercedes and 'We are the Champions (Queen)' as a group number.

Mr Schue was happy with our choices, and was busy finalizing funding and travel details, while us kids were busy rehearsing until we could sing our songs in our sleep. We are determined to come home winners again. The girl's costumes are a little bit on the sexier side this time; they have tight black leggings, with a tight lacy white tunic top that comes to the middle of their thighs, as there isn't a lot of dancing in our set numbers their shoes are much higher than is normal for competition.

Time seems to rush ahead and before long it was time to leave for Nationals. The whole team is stoked about the trip, a little apprehensive but excited all the same, I mean it is Los Angeles California man! Sand, sun and movie stars, it sounded fantastic. Mr Schue had organised a bus again, this time Ms Pillsbury was coming as a chaperone as well, everyone was used to the plane now so we just all plugged in our i-pods and chilled out, it was a much longer flight, and as it was very early in the morning a good chance to sleep. Rachel was snuggled next to me her little head using my lap for a pillow, my hand rubbing her tummy and her soft cute snores lulling me to sleep as well. Arriving in L A about lunch time everyone was grumbling about needing food , so after Mr Schue got us all booked in at our hotel we were allowed to wander a bit to find somewhere to eat, most of us stayed together in a group as we'd never been here before, we found a burger bar and a sushi place just around the corner from the hotel, after we'd all ordered and collected our food we walked a little way and found a park it was really nice there, it seemed funny to just sit and watch people going about their business in summer clothes as the weather was still cool in Lima. After lunch, we just wandered about taking in all the sights and buying a few souvenirs. Kurt had his camera out and was taking photos of everyone and everything, he took some nice posed ones of Rach and me, and as I found out later some candid shots that showed just how much in love we were.

Competition day was filled with a few nerves, even though we have done this before, this is nationals we are up against kids from all over the country. Mr Schue gave us a pep talk just before our turn, saying, "I know this is the last year for a quite a few of you, but can I just say how much you all mean to me and how very proud of you all I am, and I have had the best time teaching you and hope with all my heart, that all your hopes and dreams, come true in the future and I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone. And that New Directions continues to grow and follow in your winning footsteps"

We all clapped and voiced our own thanks and would keep in touch for sure.

We went on stage determined to win, and win we did, Mercedes' solo had some people in tears, it was so powerful, Rachel's and my duet was fantastic we put all our feelings for each other into it and I think the audience could tell cause they were cheering so loud, we could hardly hear ourselves, when it came to our final song, we all walked on stage in a line and holding the next persons hand and just sang with a belief in ourselves, and hoped the judges could feel the emotion and truth as much as we did.

The National Show Choir Winners for 2012: From MCKINLEY HIGH IN LIMA OHIO, THE NEW DIRECTIONS!

Everyone was in tears and hugging each other and Mr Schue, who had come out on stage when the judges presented us with the trophy and wanted to take pictures. We just seemed to be in a trance on the way back to the hotel it was amazing that us, a little group of kids from Lima Ohio, were the best of the best in the show choir world.

I was totally blown away by the feeling and muttered to myself, "Why the freakin' hell did I not join glee club in freshman year?" I thought about all the good things I have gained since joining, and the top of that list is gently tugging on my hand to lead me into the hotel lobby, I looked down at the brunette angel that saved me from being just another jock trapped in relationships just to stay popular, and helped me figure out that I was more than just a small-town boy, and I could be anything I wanted, but most of all just loves me for me.

On the plane home Mr Schue joked about having to build a bigger display case for New Directions trophies because with every win they seemed to increase in size.

We were welcomed at school on Monday with a tickertape type parade as we made our way down the main hallway, our trophy resting on Artie's lap as I pushed his chair towards the choir room. When we came to a group of jocks, Puck included standing in the way with mega slushy cups. We all cringed and ducked our heads but kept walking determined not to let them get to us, as they let fly with the cups and covered us not with the ice-cold slushy we were expecting but with confetti. A cheer went up as everyone else standing around, started throwing red and white coloured confetti, this win felt as though glee club was finally accepted and important to the other kids and made us so proud to bring such an award to our school and prove that you didn't need to be a jock or cheerleader to be on top.

Senior prom was in about three weeks and besides graduation was the last official event to attend, as students of McKinley High school, and the school was once again covered in campaign posters and everywhere you went in school, all you heard was girls talking about dresses and spray tans or dinners and hoping the cute guy they liked would ask them to be his date.

Rachel and I were just happy to go to prom together; her Dads insisted she have a bigger budget for a new dress and extras, as this was her last formal high school occasion. She, Kurt and Mom went shopping, she had decided she wanted a more sophisticated look this year and had an idea in her head, but wouldn't tell me.

"It's a surprise baby."

"But don't you want me to match Rach?"

"Just you in a black tux and bow tie will be perfect Finny" is all she says with a kiss to my cheek.

I was in the quad in my favourite sunny spot, waiting for Rach one afternoon while she was talking with Mr Schue and her suggestions for the next year's glee club leaders, School was nearly finished, and I was lost in the past wondering where the last four years had gone, when a shadow fell across me. I turned my attention to the intruder only to find Quinn Fabray looking at me with a peculiar look.

"Hi Finn," she opens with all sultry like, "We haven't nominated for Prom court yet we need to start our campaigning. Why don't you come over to my house now, and we can get started? I have the perfect slogan all thought out" she says, and brazenly grabs for my hand.

Pulling my hand away roughly my voice hard, "What are you talking about, there's no way in hell I am going to prom with you Quinn. I have told you before we are over, I am with Rachel now and forever. So just leave us alone."

I quickly stand and storm out of the quad, just as I get to the door Rachel comes through and I hear Quinn yelling that we would be back on top and she is much better than the ugly loser Manhands. I just give Rach a hard kiss on the lips and grip her hand, tugging her out to the car park, I am so angry I kick over the trash can next to the door. Why can't she just move on and leave me alone she really seems to have gone crazy.

The big football championship game was on Saturday at McKinley and coach Beiste was all excited and extra tough at training she was determined to bring the trophy home to McKinley for the first time in 5 years, all the glee kids were going in support of me, Rach said she had a surprise for me but wouldn't say what it was. On Game day Rach finds me in the locker room and gives me a kiss and says, "break a leg."

I was sad that she wanted me to get hurt and said "Aw, come on babe that's not nice this is a very important game."

She giggles and says, "I know Finn, I was wishing you good luck in theatre speak baby."

I was relieved and answered her with a deep kiss and a squeeze of her butt. By the time I was suited up Rach had left and gone to find Kurt and everyone else in the stands. The game was tough and we weren't doing that well by the 4th quarter, and with only 2 minutes remaining we needed one goal to win. But when I spotted a tiny brunette in the 3rd row of the bleachers wearing a light blue sweat-shirt with the words TEAM FINN surrounded by gold stars, across her chest waving wildly it motivated me to do better. So, I did, I threw the ball harder to Puck who caught it firmly and ran it in for a touchdown just as the buzzer went ending the game. McKinley had won and on home turf. The rest of the team were jumping up and down giving high 5s to each other but my mind was elsewhere and I raced over to the fence gesturing for Rach to come down, before ripping my helmet off, when she got there I stood up on the ledge and reached for her giving her a deep kiss that had the rest of the crowd cheering and screaming in delight.

The Monday after the game, the football team were being hailed as gods, all the girls in school were paying us guys extra attention, especially the cheerleaders. It was difficult to walk down the hallway without being molested. It was annoying the hell out of me by lunchtime; the way random girls kept throwing themselves all over me trying to give me their phone numbers. I kept pushing them away; they could obviously see I was with Rach as our fingers were interlaced together; she was quietly giggling next to me as I turned the girls down each time and she just kept a tight hold on my hand, her ring pressing against my fingers.

"What is so funny Rach?" I asked as we got to the choir room for glee.

"I just find it funny that normally you are treated as just another guy, but the minute you help the team win a major football game all the skanks in this school suddenly decide you are worth knowing, I mean you've helped glee club win numerous competitions but no one was throwing their number at you, yet as soon as sports are mentioned, it's as though you guys became gods overnight."

"Aww, baby is you jealous?

Rach snorts "No of course not, I know you won't leave me for one of those cheap trollops it just annoys me that they don't see the real you, accept and believe in you for who you really are, they just look at you and see the championship winning quarterback, not the cute, dimpled, loving, protective guy who is meant for much more than Lima Ohio, I know and love with all my heart."

"Oh Rach, I say softly with a hitch in my voice trying not to cry, baby thank you, no one besides my mom has ever believed in me the way you do. I'm so thankful I have you and that you let me love you." I bent my neck to place my lips firmly on Rach's transferring all the love and gratitude I felt from her words.

Just before the end of Maths, that day as I was on my way to my locker to meet Rach after running an errand for my teacher, my mind elsewhere, mainly a tiny brunette, when I was held up in the hallway by a slyly grinning Quinn Fabray, who suddenly threw herself against me and kissed me.

I jumped back, pushed her away hard enough so she landed on the floor on her butt, scrubbing my hand over my mouth, "GET THE FUCK OFF ME, WHAT PART OF STAY AWAY FROM ME DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?" I was shaking with rage she had stood up and moved closer to me again trying to touch me,

"But Finn, you are popular now after winning the game and getting the MVP award, that means we are a shoe in for prom king and queen this year."

I could do nothing but shake my head in disbelief and turn around to walk away, I needed Rachel luckily the bell for last period had just gone and I knew she'd be at her locker. I found her and before she could say anything, I slammed my lips onto hers most probably bruising hers in the process, and pressing her back firmly against the lockers. But I had to erase the image of the other kiss.

"Oh my, baby what was that all about?" she says breathlessly, "N-not that I minded in the least when you are being so forceful like that, it was a very big turn on, though the school hallway isn't the place for such PDA, but besides that what brought it on?"

I sent her a little side smile happy that she like it when I was impulsive. "Well, I was on my way to meet you, coz you know that is the best part of my day, and as usual I was thinking about you and stuff… when Quinn Fabray jumped on me and kissed me, and was carrying on about how me winning the MVP award made me all popular again, and how with me by her side we would ace the votes for prom king and queen."

I could see the fury in her eyes as she listened to what I was telling her, "I've a good mind to find her and tell her to just leave you alone and get on with her life."

"No baby I don't want you to worry, you know it meant nothing to me and I don't want you anywhere near her in case she hurts you again."

The look on her face was full of concern for me but also infuriation that Quinn just wouldn't let go of this stupid dream of me still wanting her.

"Ok Finn I'll do what you ask, and I know I've nothing to worry about, she just makes me so angry, you are mine and nobody is going to take you away from me ever!" She stretched up on her tippy toes and kissed me leaving no doubt in my mind whatsoever who I belonged to, and that made me more than happy, because I knew I was never going anywhere.