A/N: So here is the last chapter. I'm sorry for the long wait and did not think that this would be the end but after rereading the last few chapters, I decided it was time to end it. Anyways thanks to all whom read/review and I would appreciate it if you could review on this last chapter to let me know what you all thought of it. Anyways, thanks again and enjoy.
Since that moment in the choir room, Will and Rachel had barely made any contact with each other. If they did ever talk it was only about glee club and song selections. Sometimes though, Will would stare a little too long when he thought Rachel wasn't paying attention but she always knew when he was looking. She just didn't let him know that she knew. She couldn't give him the idea that she still loved him even if she did. It was over and they both knew it.
Other complications also rose when Will couldn't get Emma to come back to the school no matter how hard he had tried. Every time he called she hung up on him. He didn't know if that was a blessing or a curse but for now he was just going to deal with it. Emma had also moved out of the apartment and Shannon had accepted her into hers even if Cooter was there.
The rest of the year dragged on, but it was finally graduation day. The day where half of the glee club would leave and go onto better things. There was no doubt that Will would miss each and every one of them, including Rachel but he knew that this day had to come.
The ceremony was bittersweet as he cheered on his graduating kids such as Finn, Kurt, Mike, Quinn, Puck, Mercedes, Santana and Rachel. The tears had really got to him though when the club had put together a special number for graduation that was not only dedicated to the seniors but to him as well.
When the ceremony was over, he spotted the gang and went over to give his final good bye. He patted Mike on the shoulder and then looked around at everyone.
"Congratulation's everyone! I'm so proud of all of you and look forward to hearing about the great things you all will accomplish. This year has been full of mistakes but I'm glad that we can look past that and focus on the future and on becoming friends. I'm here if any of you every need anything," Will said with tears in his eyes. There was a pause as the club still didn't know how to feel about the whole situation with Rachel even if it was months ago. Sure rumors had floated around the school about the affair but the truth never was revealed. Only Finn knew the truth other than Emma and Shannon and surprisingly he had kept quiet about it.
"Thanks, Mr. Schue, you're more than a teacher to us," Finn said surprising everyone. Ever since he had literally fought Will, there was question on whether or not he would ever talk to him again. Will nodded in appreciation, grateful that they were on speaking terms again even if it did take the rest of the year.
"Yeah, Mr. Schue, without you there would have been no glee club and none of us would have experienced the best times of our lives," Rachel said. She truly meant what she said about glee club. If it hadn't of been for the club, Rachel would have nothing to remember high school by. The friends she made would last a life time and she would never forget the pointless arguments about solos she never got with him.
"You guys go and enjoy your day and be sure to drop by before you leave," Will said giving everyone one last hug and cheer.
After graduation came summer which meant some much needed relaxation time for Will. June and July flew by and soon it was August which meant that a majority of the graduating glee club kids would be leaving soon for college. He wondered if any would stop by and see him before they left and forget all about Lima. He hoped they would but understood if they didn't come.
As Will was sipping a beer and flipping through channels on the television, a ringing of the doorbell took him out of his trance.
"Coming," Will said hurriedly as the door kept ringing. When he opened it, he felt his mouth drop open. This was the last person he expected to see.
"Rachel," Will said not quite sure what to make of her presence.
"Hi, Mr. Schue," Rachel said shyly.
"I think by now, you can call me Will," Will said with a slight chuckle. Rachel nodded and gave him a small smile. Will watched her as she contemplated what else she was going to say. There was a reason on why Rachel had went over, she just couldn't remember what it was at the moment.
"Would you like to come in?" Will asked hoping to ease the tension.
"Yes, please," Rachel said as she stepped inside the cool apartment.
"Is there something wrong, Rachel?" Will asked as she finally sat down and took a seat.
"I'm leaving for NYADA over the weekend and I just wanted to say goodbye," Rachel said. There was more she needed to say, she just didn't know how to say it.
"You didn't have to come all the way over for that," Will said thinking there must be something more. They hadn't spoken since graduation and even then they didn't say more than two words to each other. There had to be more.
"I know. The truth is, is that I just wanted to see you one more time before I left. I wanted to make sure that everything between us was okay," Rachel stated as she looked at him, trying to figure out his facial features.
"Everything is fine," Will said with the least bit of reassurance.
"No, it's not. I can tell, Will," Rachel said.
"Well what do you want me to say, Rachel?" Will said trying not to get angry.
"I don't know, I just want you to tell me something though," Rachel said feeling the tears in her eyes.
"I don't know what there is to tell," Will said. He couldn't tell her how he really felt. She was leaving and there would be no time for a relationship.
"Well if that is all then I guess this is good bye," Rachel said as she stood up to leave. She hesitated a moment to see if Will would get up and give her a hug or at least walk her to the door but he did nothing. She felt anger boil in her veins but she pushed it back and stomped out of the room. She slammed the door when she got outside and leaned up against the wall of the building for support.
Will sat on his couch feeling like an idiot. He just let Rachel leave without saying goodbye or good luck or anything. He could tell that she was hurt and upset with him by the way she stormed out of the room. Her reaction must have meant something, it had to mean that she still had feelings for him and that she still loved him or she wouldn't have reacted the way she did.
Will quickly got up of the couch and over to his door where he swung it open with all the force he could find. To his surprise Rachel was across the hall leaning up against the wall, giving him a look that said "I can't believe it took you that long to come out here."
"Rachel," Will said as he stepped closer to her. Rachel kept her ground and just stared at him.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for everything that happened this year but I would be truly sorry if I didn't give a proper goodbye. I'm going to miss you, Rachel, more than you know," Will said leaning in and wrapping her in a hug.
Rachel refused at first but relaxed when she felt the comfort and safety of his arms wrap around her body. She placed her hands around his neck and buried her head into his chest.
"I'm going to miss you too, Will," Rachel said when she pulled away.
"You mean more to me than a teacher. You're a friend I can count on," Rachel said. She wanted to say love but couldn't bring herself to do it. It would bring too much heartache.
"I should be going," Rachel said starting to turn and walk away. When she took a step more, she felt pressure on her wrist and something pulling her back.
"Before you go," Will said quietly as he placed his lips on hers. Rachel stood there shocked but moved her mouth with his. It felt so good and she didn't want him to stop. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she happily opened. When they couldn't breathe anymore, they both pulled apart gasping for breath. As there breathing became normal, Will realized that nothing could become of them again. She was onto bigger and better things and he was okay with that.
"Promise to call me sometime?" Will asked with a grin.
"Of course," Rachel said as she once again turned to leave.
"Bye, Will," she said one last time.
"Bye, Rach. Break a leg, I know you will," Will said.
"I'll try not to break too many," Rachel said with a laugh. She continued walking when she heard Will say something else.
"Hey Rach, I expect an invite to opening night. Front row, center," Will said.
"Only for you, bye, Will," Rachel said as she finally made her way down the hall and to the elevator.
"Bye, Rachel, I love you," Will said quietly as he watched the elevator doors close around her. He took a breath and headed back into the apartment, feeling a little bit sad but mostly happy as he realized that he would always have a connection with Rachel no matter where they ended up in life and in the end he was okay with that.