𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 | s. lopez

Goodbye

"And I said to myself, sit down, sit down you're rockin the boat," Rachel, Kurt, Artie, Mercedes, Tina and Juniper were recreating the first Glee Club number. "Sit down, you're rocking the boat!"

They did jazz hands as they finished and everyone clapped.

"That was the most ghetto number I have ever seen," said Santana.

"Why, thank you," Juniper said with a smile, taking a little bow.

"Then just call me George Jefferson," said Artie. "Because we went from the ghetto to the penthouse. National champs, baby!"

Everyone started cheering and Juniper sat down next to Santana. Mr. Schue wrote "goodbye" on the board and turned back to the group.

"This week's assignment is easy. Graduation is just a few days awa I'my. There's nothing left to prepare for. Our work here is done, so there's only one thing left to do. Say goodbye," said Mr. Schue. "Underclassmen, pick some songs to say goodbye to the seniors. Seniors, pick a song to say goodbye to us."

"A part of me wants to lock these doors and stay in here with everyone forever," said Mercedes.

"Me too," agreed Juniper, resting her head on Santana's shoulder as she wrapped an arm around the younger girl.

"We can use the wastebasket for the toilet, and then we could eat Joe for the food , since she's been here the shortest, so we know her the least," said Brittany.

"I really hope you're about to rap," said Quinn with a sad laugh as Mr. Schue sat down with his guitar.

"No such luck," he replied. "I'm leading by example here. This one is for you guys."

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"Okay, seniors, the underclassmen have something they'd like to say to you," said Mr. Schue.

The underclassman stood up and went to the front of the room.

"With all the dedications being thrown around McKinley this week, there was one that we wanted to make sure didn't get missed. Finn," said Juniper.

"Right now, you're something I never thought possible when I rolled down these halls," said Artie. "You're my friend. Our friend. Even before Glee Club was kinda cool, you had our backs. You were on the football team. You were one of the most popular kids in school. You had a lot to lose, and people forget the sacrifices you made. We wanted to thank you."

****

Santana had been dreading this all week, but with graduation just a day away she knew it had to be done.

The Latina sat in silence as she waited for Juniper to meet her in the choir room. She heard the door open, and looked up to see the small brunette walk in.

"Hey," said Juniper as she sat down next to Santana. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, as you know the school year is ending and I'm gonna be leaving. And you have to stay here," Santana began. "And I really don't know how to say this, so I wanted to sing it."

The Latina looked over to where Brad was sitting at the piano and signaled for him to start the music.

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you, tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart
Tell me your secrets, and ask me your questions
Oh, let's go back to the start
Running in circles, coming up tails
Heads on a science apart

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh, take me back to the start

Thoughts of everything both of them had been through filled Santana's head as she sang to Juniper. She was so awful to her in the beginning, but then they somehow became friends. Then that friendship blossomed into something more. Something so rare and beautiful. Something Santana never thought she'd experience with anyone.

Never in her wildest dreams did the Latina ever think she'd ever admit her real feelings. The journey was hell, but it brought her heaven with Juniper. That's why it's so hard to say goodbye.

But, no matter what happens in the future, she knows they'll end up okay. But for now, she has to do what's best for both of them. Even if it means breaking her own heart just as much.

I was just guessing at numbers and figures
Pulling the puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart
Tell me you love me, come back and haunt me
Oh, and I rush to the start
Running in circles, chasing our tails
Coming back as we are

Nobody said it was easy
Oh, it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start

Santana wiped away the tears that had slipped out of her eyes as the song ended. Juniper also wiped away a tear.

"Well, your voice is amazing, but sad songs make me really sad and I don't want to be sad," said the younger girl. "Especially since all my friends are graduating in less than 24 hours."

"We need to do the mature thing here Juniper," said Santana, taking the brunette's hands. "Long distance never works and we both know it."

"Wait-"

"You need to get better. I need to get better. I want to get better. And in order for that to happen, for both of us, we can't have any distractions. And, believe me, I really didn't want to do this. But what choice do I have?"

"Santana, we can work this out," said Juniper as her eyes filled with tears. "We don't have to break up."

"But that's the thing. We're living in this fantasy and we'd be lying if we said that we can make this work when we both know we can't," said Santana as tears started to stream down her face. "But just know that I will always love you the most. Don't ever forget that, okay?"

"Okay," Juniper nodded as the older girl wrapped her in a hug. She closed her eyes – letting a few tears slip out – and tried to ignore the feeling of her heart breaking.

****