Junior Year

96

On Saturday morning, Puck picked Quinn and Olivia up and brought them to McKinley. The New Directions were all meeting up early so they could rehearse before the bus arrived to take them to Regionals.

Everyone was nervous, but excited to perform at Regionals in front of such a big audience.

"Before you go out there, I just wanted to say that no matter what happens, I'm proud of you guys." Mr. Schue began. "You have been through so much and worked so hard to get here."

"We got this, Mr. Schue." Finn smiled.

"Alright." Mr. Schue smiled back as he put his hand out. "Show circle. Olivia, David, hands in."

Quinn put her hand on top of Puck's and smiled at her friends.

Olivia and Karofsky put their hands in, too.

"Ahhhmazing!"

-

"I'm so glad that's over." Puck noted as he walked off the stage after the New Directions' set.

Quinn shook her head. "You were great."

"Me and Finn were off." Puck told Quinn as he walked into the greenroom.

Quinn furrowed her eyebrow and followed Puck inside.

"You guys were great!" Mr. Schue exclaimed as he hugged his students as they entered the room.

"Now all we have to do is wait." Finn said with slight relief.

"You guys were great." Mr. Schue repeated. "Whatever happens now, happens."

"We should go watch the Warblers perform." Rachel suggested as she looked at Kurt. "It's the right thing to do."

Kurt nodded in agreement.

The New Directions returned to the audience and took their seats as the Warblers took the stage.

Quinn took Puck's hand and leaned her head against his arm.

Puck smiled. "I didn't step on your toes, did I?"

"Just watch the Warblers." Quinn responded.

When the Warblers were done performing, there was a brief intermission while the judges made their final decision.

The New Directions waited anxiously in the greenroom again.

"No matter what happens, I just wanna say thank you to all of you for welcoming me into the club." Olivia said with a smile as she looked at Artie.

"Yeah, me, too." Karofsky nodded. "I know most of you don't trust me, and I'm sorry, but I'm really glad to be here."

Quinn squeezed Puck's hand.

"We should go back inside." Finn said. "They're gonna announce the winner."

"Let's go." Mike agreed.

The New Directions and their coach went back to the auditorium and stood on the stage with the other teams.

They all held hands and closed their eyes while they waited to hear.

Quinn was in between Puck and Olivia. She squeezed their hands.

"And the winner of the 2011 Show Choir Regionals Competition is..."

Quinn held her breath nervously.

"The New Directions!"

Everyone started cheering and hugging each other happily. Quinn kissed Puck and smiled at him when they parted. The couple began hugging their friends and Mr. Schue.