Protective

Chapter 17

Isabella's POV

I was in one of my classes that I have with Britt, when our teacher got a call. She looks up after hanging up, "kids, I'm afraid I have horrible news" she pauses as I make eye contact with Brittany, "this is about Dave Karofksy. He attempted suicide earlier today" whispers broke out among the class. I felt myself shaking and my hands trembling. The bell rang, snapping me out of my daze. Britt grabs my hands, squeezing them as we walk into the choir room. I go to the back of the class away from everyone and stare down at the floor as everyone comes in and sits down. Mr. Schue walks in, "for once I-I don't know what to say" it was silent for a long time, until I felt myself start to cry. I stood up "excuse me" I start to walk out of the room, breaking into a run. I broke down crying when I made it to the bathroom, sliding down the wall. I close my eyes, putting my head on my knees as I shake from sobs. I hear someone come in and feel someone bring me into a gentle hug "breathe, babe. It's okay, you have to breath." I start to calm down, still not able to breathe properly or stop shaking. I hear them start singing. I look up as the song ended and see my sister crying also "it's okay, you're okay" she brings my head to her chest as we sit on the floor, me between her legs, as she plays with my hair "you okay?" I nod shakily "I-I should've forgave him for everything" she pulls my head back so we're making eye contact "You're not about to blame yourself for this, it isn't your fault" she shakes her head and kisses my forehead "you ready to go back in there?" I nod hesitantly as we get up and head back into the room. Everyone looks at me as we sit down. They immediately stop as Santana glares at them. For the rest of the period, it's filled with hushed whispers and silence.

We were all in the auditorium sitting in a circle "Mr. Schue, why do you have a jar of peanut butter with one spoon?" Mercedes asks. Sugar nods "yeah, there are 17 of us here, and I'm only comfortable sharing a spoon with about half of you" sugar admits. Mr. Schue smiles "well, it's come to my attention that our good friend Rory Flanagan has never tasted peanut butter" gasps and whispers break out amongst the group "Rory, if you don't mind" he hands him a spoonful of peanut butter. "Oh, God Oh, my God That's the best thing I've ever had." Rory says smiling. Kurt speaks up "Mr. Schuester, while that's incredibly moving, um, it's kind of been an emotional week for some of us" Brittany and Santana both hold my hands when he says this. "Yeah, Mr. Schue, what's the point of this?" Finn asks

"The point is Rory just had a brand-new experience, something as simple as peanut butter. You guys are young. I want you to promise me that, no matter how depressed you get, no matter how hopeless or alone you feel, you'll try your best to imagine all of the amazing experiences you have ahead of you." He says looking at everyone. "Mr. Schue" Mercedes interrupts "-look, I know we're all a little dramatic sometimes, but I don't think anyone will ever consider taking their own life" I look down as she says this. It was silent. "I did" Mr. Schue starts "Junior year. That was a tough year. I, uh, I cheated on my math midterm. Peeked at the answers of the guy next to me and the teacher saw me do it." Puck looks at him in disbelief, "Just 'cause you got caught cheating? I get caught cheating all the time." Mr. Schue nods "They called my dad at his office, and he was coming to pick me up. How was I supposed to look him in the eye? I just kept picturing my dad so disappointed in me. So, I walked up to the roof. I went right to the edge. One step and all the pain and humiliation would be over." He says looking down "is that true?" Kurt asks softly "That day, I promise you, it felt like it was the end of the world. But you know what? It wasn't. You know, for some of you, getting caught cheating isn't a big deal. But there's something, everyone has something, that might take them up to that edge. And look at all the things I would've missed out on. I would've never met you guys or Emma. I would've missed out on everything" I stay silent and decide to speak up "I almost did" I say still looking down. Everyone looks at me, shocked "what? When?" Mercedes asks looking at me. I sigh and look at my sister, she nods scooting closer to me "I-uh before our parents left us, my dad, he was-he was abusive towards me. And I uh- I was so tired of all the abuse and almost went through with it. But, then," I look at my sister "San came into my room and saw me, started sobbing and that broke my heart. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be seated here today" I smile at her as we both start crying. Mr. Schue continued "Right now, I want you all to think of something that you're looking forward to. Big things"

"Someday, I want to earn enough money to buy my folks a new place, so they don't ever have to go through losing their home again." Sam starts us off

"I'm most looking forward to meeting Rachel Berry's children." Mercedes says making everyone laugh

"I want to be there to see my kids first steps" Artie says happily

"I want to be there to see Sex and the City Part III." Sugar says smiling

"I'm sort of embarrassed to admit it" Puck starts "-but I really do want to graduate high school."

"I'm gonna petition the Army to change my dad's dishonorable discharge status to an honorable one." Finn says nodding

"I'm looking forward to graduating from Yale at the top of my class" Quinn says confidently

"I'm looking forward to the day when our grandmother loves us again" Santana says kissing my head and smiling at me sadly

"I want Lord Tubbington to kick his Ecstasy addiction" Brittany says looking at me, smiling goofily

"I'm looking forward to marriage equality in all fifty states" Blaine says, looking at Kurt lovingly

"I'm looking forward to the first time I dance at Carnegie Hall" Mike says

"I just want a song" Tina says as we laugh

"I'm looking forwards to watching my dad make a difference in congress" Kurt says happily

Everyone looks at me "I'm looking forward to making memories with you guys for the rest of my life" I smile at them

"I know this sounds silly, and the peanut butter really is amazing, Mr. Schue, but do you know what I'm looking forward to?" Rory asks "winning at Regionals" everyone cheers. I look at San and Britt "I love you" they smile at me and we hug. I look at Quinn form across the circle. She gets up and walks over to me, pulling me up and kissing me "you are so brave, you need to know that" she whispers to me once we pull away.

As we're about to perform at regionals, Mr. Schue walks in "alright, guys, listen up. Don't let them get into your heads, okay? Stay focused on what we do best. Show circle time, come on, let's huddle up! Okay, uh - Oh, Finn, you wanted to start us off?" Finn looks at Rachel and nods "Yeah. I know it's kind of short notice, but after the competition, Rachel and I are going to get married." Rachel nods taking his hand "At the Justice of the Peace, at the Lima Municipal Center. There will be some light refreshments afterwards, My dads and I were rolling finger sandwiches all night long. With everything that's happened lately, we thought a lot about what Mr. Shue said. We didn't want to wait anymore. We just want to live every day like it's our last. So we wanted to thank a lot of you guys that were supportive of our decision to get married. And-and for those of you who maybe weren't the biggest fans of our impending nuptials, we thank you also. So after we win, we would really love it if all of you would come to our wedding." Rachel nods when she's done. "Come on, bring it in!" We all put our hands in the middle of the circle "Amazing!"

As we get done we all get onto the stage, waiting for the winner to be announced. I grab ahold of Quinn and Brittany's hands as we wait. "I've crossed oceans of time to bring the results of this show choir competition. In third place, from Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow, the Golden Goblets! And now the moment you've all been waiting for. The 2012 Midwest Regional Champion from McKinley High the New Directions!" We all cheer, hugging each other.

"Hey! Are you riding with Britt and I?" Santana asks. I shake my head "no, I think Quinn's decided to go. She just has to talk to someone" they nod and kiss my head "okay, well, we'll see you there. I nod smiling. Quinn walks up to me a few minutes later "ready, babe?" I nod taking her hand as we walk to her car. We're halfway there when her phone starts vibrating "you want me to get it for you?" She shakes her head "no it's just Rachel, I'll just text her back really quick" I nod looking down at my dress, smoothing it out. As I look back up I see a truck heading out way "Quinn, Quinn!" As soon as I get out my last word, we get hit and my vision goes black.