The Way We Were

The Way We Try It

"I'm so proud of you guys." Mr. Shue looked over his kids. "You worked hard and put together a solid setlist. I'm sure you're going to do great."

"Mercy, can you pray for us?" Finn asked as they got in a show circle.

Mercedes bowed her head and said a prayer for strength and guidance and for humility and wisdom. She also prayed they'd have fun. "Amen."

"Amen!" The others nodded and let go of each other.

"Go out there and be great!" Mr. Shue urged.

The kids ran out on stage and began performing as their cues started.

He looked from the sidelines like a proud father. He was going to miss these kids when they graduated.

W.W.W.

"Mercy?" Rachel tapped Mercedes before she went out to sing her solo.

"Yeah?" Mercedes turned.

"I just want to say that I'm sure you'll do great even though you've never sung solo at a competition before and you're such a nice person that all those people staring at you and judging you will probably freak you out but I'm sure you'll do great. Good luck!"

Mercedes watched as the thinner girl scurried off stage. She frowned but her cue came on. She had to sing. She opened her mouth.

W.W.W.

"We won!" The New Directions chanted as Mr. Shue put their third Sectionals trophy in the case. "We won!"

"I'm so proud of you!" Mr. Shue shut the case and turned to his group. "You did it."

They cheered and hugged each other.

"This is what glee club is about." He told new members; Karen, Mari, Rory Finnegan (an Irish foreign exchange student living with Brittany) and Sugar Motta.

Mercedes went up to Rachel. "I forgive you."

Rachel frowned. "For what?"

"For trying to sike me out."

Rachel paled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm sure you don't." The others had definitely heard Mercedes. "But I have a piece of advice for you. Work on being a better person than a better singer. It'll serve you better in the long run."

Quinn jumped at Rachel but Santana held her back. "You-!"

"Quinn!" Mr. Shue snapped, disappointed in Rachel. "The competition is over. Everyone, go home."

The others gave Rachel dirty looks before leaving.

Rachel looked to her boyfriend, who raised an eyebrow back. "You don't believe her, do you?"

He took a deep breath. "Look, I'm not about that drama anymore. I've been in three high profile, dramatic relationships and I'm over it. Now I know you're only with me cuz Finn snubbed you for T-Bird and I'm only with you cuz 2/3 of the Unholy Trinity played me like a fiddle but I'm not doing this shit.

Either you're going to be a good person or I can find somebody else. I am a good person and I'll get snatched up quick. Don't let this chair and these sweater vests fool you.

Better yet I can be by my damn self. Which I probably need anyway.

Point is, you dirty. You about you. And if you're that important to you, be with you. Without me." He rolled out.

She gasped out a sob before the real tears came. Artie Abrams just told her she was undateable. This was an all new low.