Disclaimer: I do not own Thirteen Reasons Why or Glee or If I Die Young. But I wish I did.
Author's Note: I'm so happy with the feedback from this story. Sure there have been a few haters along the way, but there is just so much positive reviews they all cancel out the bad ones. Six more reviews or so and were at 200! I'm almost sad it's over, but don't fret! The sequel, to be called The Music Never Died, will be out in a few months. Until then I'd love it if you checked out some of my other work. I'd love to get similar responses on them as well, but hey. If I don't, I don't. Thanks again for supporting me throughout this story! ~Jackie PS: Anybody else freak out when Finn proposed to Rachel? Anybody else think they might die if she says no?
Epilogue: The Funeral
Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors
Oh, and life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
Days later, the glee club was gathered outside of Lima Memorial Church for Rachel Berry's funeral. It was a cloudless day and the sun shone bright, so it almost seemed unfitting, disrespectful in a way. Despite Rachel's unpopularity in her life, the cemetery was full of people, most of the town had shown up to pay their respects. One by one every single person walked up and looked down into the open coffin, staring down at Rachel's face with her closed eyes and pale skin, that almost seemed waxy, as if it was made of plastic. People cried, people apologized, people prayed. It seemed everyone had regrets, things they wish they could've done differently.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
"If I Die Young" by The Band Perry was playing, a song that the glee club had selected themselves. The emotional lyrics seemed to make even the toughest people shed a tear for Rachel.
And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I've never known the loving of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There's a boy here in town, says he'll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singing
Funny, when you're dead how people start listening
There was something about that line that made the New Directions feel chills go up their spines. Because they knew that one lyric was absolutely true. Death really opened eyes.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So put on your best, boys
And I'll wear my pearls...
"We have to play the DVD's," Finn said suddenly.
"What? No!" Quinn gasped.
"We already sent them to Jesse St. Jackass anyway," Mercedes added. "It's not possible, Finn,"
"Yes it is," Finn paused. "When I got home the other day, there was a package waiting for me. Rachel wanted me to be the keeper of her DVD's. They're in my trunk."
A few people looked at each other, an awkward silence ensued.
"Let's do it," Tina said.
"I agree," Mike added, his arm around Tina.
"I'll help you get them," Puck gave in. "They're probably heavy,"
Finn nodded.
Mercedes shrugged. "I have been wondering what was on the rest of the DVD's," She admitted.
"Fine," Quinn sighed. "We'll play the DVD's, we'll show everyone."
After retrieving the DVD's from the trunk of Finn's car, Mr. Schue stood up. Kurt gave him the signal, a thumbs-up, and the teacher began.
"Attention, everyone." Mr. Schue said into the microphone. "We are gathered here today to honor the life of our town's little star, Rachel Berry." There was a brief moment of silence, you could've heard a pin drop. "Before her tragic fate, Rachel left behind something. A set of thirteen DVD's, explaining why she did what she did. And it has been decided, that you all deserve to know the truth. You all deserve to hear Rachel's last words, her last song, her last thoughts and feelings. Her last message to all of you." Mr. Schue gulped. "Finn?"
The boy opened the first DVD case and placed it in the player that had been set up in front of the crowd. The DVD spun around and with a whiz, it began to play. Rachel's face appeared on the big screen, and the crowd let out a cry.
Hello. It's me, Rachel Barbra Berry. I'd say live and in video, but, if you're watching this, it means I've killed myself. So, technically I'm not alive to you.
And that's how the truth was revealed.