𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 | s. lopez

Nationals

Juniper groaned and placed a hand on her aching forehead as she laid on her back across a table. The New Directions were supposed to be rehearsing for nationals, but it ended up turning into a screaming match.

"Fight, fight, fight, fight!" chanted Sugar.

"Would you all shut up?!" Juniper yelled.

"He's studying for geography while we're trying to rehearse!" yelled Sam. "It's bogus!"

"I already know the dance!" shouted Puck. "You dance like you got your feet caught in bear traps and you're trying to gnaw them off!"

"Still waiting for you all to shut the fuck up!" yelled Juniper, sitting up and burying her face in her hands. Rachel sat down next to her and gently rubbed her back.

"Mr. Schue, are you aware that while we're arguing about jazz squares, Unique is being handed a key to the city by Rahm Emanuel?" asked Kurt.

"Plus my blanket and my pillow fell in the pool," said Brittany as she looked out the window. "Disaster."

"Look, I think everybody is just a little tired," said Artie. "We've been rehearsing for three straight hours."

"Only straight thing I ever did," mumbled Juniper, running a hand through her brunette hair.

"Yeah, and we'll rehearse all night if we have to," said Finn. "We can rest after we've won!"

"Just because we lost Mercedes doesn't mean we can't be anything less than perfect," said Rachel, forcing a smile through gritted teeth. "Perfect!"

"I miss Mercedes!" whined Sugar.

"That's easy for you to say," said Artie through a mouthful of popcorn.

"You know what? Hey!" yelled Santana, getting everyone's attention. "I don't want to hear any of this, 'we can't do it without her.' Because guess what. We don't have a choice. So be warned. If you are not giving this everything you've got, I will go all Lima Heights on your sorry asses."

Juniper snapped her fingers. Santana sat down next to her and the brunette rested her head on her shoulders as the Latina wrapped an arm around her.

"Listen to yourselves," said Mr. Schue.

"I know. I'm sorry. I always go to the yelling place," said Santana. "I have rage."

"No, it's a good thing. A great thing. There is so much passion in this room. Even all your arguing, it's about the work. You guys really want this. Okay, so let's take a half hour break, and then we'll run it from the top."

"Mr. Schue, is it okay if we keep going?" asked Tina. "We've got the first slot, which is the death slot. We have to be amazing."

"Yeah. 'Edge of Glory's' a bitch," said Quinn. "I said I'd be dancing by nationals. I'll be damned if I don't."

"Okay. Then let's keep going," said Mr. Schue. "Mike, help the guys out with the choreography. Artie, help Puck with his geography. Ladies, 'Edge of Glory.' Come on. Brittany, run us through it."

"From the chorus?" asked the blonde.

"Yeah, from the chorus. Let's do it."

****

"Alright, gather around everyone," said Mr. Schue. "I just want to say a few words before we go out there."

"Hold on, Mr. Schue," said Finn. "You've given us a lot of pep talks over the years, but I remember you told us once that you know a teacher's job is done when his students don't need him anymore."

"Okay, Finn, the floor is yours," said Mr. Schue.

"Last night we all sat around in a circle after you went to bed and we told stories. But then we went around the room, and everybody said what they wanted to win this thing for, and we all said the same thing. We want to win this for you."

"Thank you, Finn, all of you. I love you guys so much. Alright, showtime. Hands in everyone."

Everyone put their hands in.

"Now I know you weren't planning on doing a show circle without me," said Mercedes as she came into the greenroom.

"Mercedes!"

"You're alive!"

"Yeah, thanks to Sue. She's a miracle worker," said Mercedes as she joined them in the circle.

"Oh, well it's amazing what a little TLC, some cortisone, and a witch doctor will do," said Sue.

"Thank God you're okay," said Quinn. "That means I'm not gonna have to fall on my face during that Troubletones number."

"Screw that. This is our last time performing together," said Mercedes. "You're doing it. And so are you, Tina. I'm not taking no for an answer. Plus I have so many steroids going through my body right now, I may turn into the Incredible Hulk if you piss me off."

Everyone laughed.

"Okay, if we don't get out of this greenroom soon, none of us will be performing," said Mr. Schue, clapping his hands together. "Let's go!"

Everyone put their hands in the middle and shouted, "Aaaamazing!"

****

****

It was time for the award ceremony. Juniper was standing in between Santana and Quinn, holding both their hands tightly as the judges began to announce the winners.

"In third place, all the way from Oregon, the Portland Scale Blazers!"

Juniper let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding as everyone applauded them.

"Breathe," Santana whispered to her.

"Congratulations to both teams standing here on stage. But now, it's time to announce the winner. The 2012 National Show Choir champions..."

Santana gave Juniper's hand a small squeeze.

"From McKinley High in Lima, Ohio, the New Directions!"

"Oh my god!" Juniper screamed as she and Santana turned and hugged each other. "We actually did it!"

Santana picked Juniper up and twirled her around as confetti fell down. When she put her back down, the Latina her arms around the younger girl's shoulders, pulling her in for a kiss.

****

****

"Everything okay, Juni?" Santana asked as the brunette cuddled closer to her on the couch.

"I still can't believe we won," said Juniper. "And I can't believe this year is almost over. I'm not ready to say goodbye to you."

"Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean you'll lose me," said the Latina, gently kissing the younger girl's forehead. "I'll never really leave you. No matter where you are, I'll be there in spirit."

"I love you so much," said Juniper, looking up at Santana.

"I love you too, babygirl." Santana smiled at the brunette and leaned down to connect their lips.