Nationals

We were first. First is never good. You don't get to see your competition first and decide if you're gonna do bad or good.

"We're up in five." Ryder said. He took my hand. "You okay?"

I shook my head.

"We should've told Mr. Schue. He's gonna kill us." I said.

"No he's not. This setlist is better and it'll be more touching." he said. "Don't worry. Let's go."

We did our show circle, which started with a prayer to Finn, led by Artie, who was the only guy that's known Finn longest.

"Finn," he started. "these songs will never be sung better then you sang them, but we'll try our best. We'll win this for you, Finn. We'll win this for you."

"Hands in the middle everyone!" Blaine said. We put our hands in the middle. "For Finn."

"For Finn!" we all exclaimed and threw our hands in the air. Everyone clapped and we exited to the stage.

Artie, Tina and Brittany went on stage first. The rest of us stood behind. They were doing solos first. Mr. Schue came up to us.

"What are they doing? Marley and Jake are singing the first solo." he said.

"We changed the setlist Mr. Schue." Blaine said. "You'll see."

"Ladies and gentlemen. Straight from Lima Ohio, the one and only New Directions!"

The curtains opened and the music started. Artie wheeled forward to start the song.

Artie: "I can't fight this feeling any longer

And yet I'm still afraid to let to flow"

Brittany: "What started out as friendship

Has grown stronger

I only wish I had the strength to let it show"

The rest of us came in, singing in the background as Tina sang the next part.

Tina: "And I'm getting closer then I ever thought I might"

All: "And I can't fight this feeling any more

I forgotten what I started fighting for

It's time to bring this ship into the shore

And throw away the ores

Baby I can't fight this feeling anymore"

I turned and nodded to someone standing back stage. He gave me the thumbs up and typed in something in his laptop. The lights on the stage went out except for three spot lights on Artie, Brittany and Tina. A projector that was set up in front of the stage started playing a sideshow of pictures of Finn.

Artie: "My life has been such a world wind since I saw you

I've been running round in circles in my mind

And it always seems that I'm following you girl

Cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find"

Tina: "And even as I wander

I'm keeping you in sight

You're the candle in the window on a cold dark winters night"

All three: "And I'm getting closer that I ever thought I might"

All: "Cause I can't fight this feeling any more

I forgotten what I started fighting for

Even if I have to crawl upon your floor

Come crashing through your door

Baby I can't fight this feeling anymore"

Everyone got into positions for the next song as the music faded away. The audience cheered and Blaine spoke up.

"We dedicate our performance to Finn Hudson. May he rest in peace."

We began vocalizing for the next song. Out of the corner of my eye, I seem Mr. Schue put his hand to his heart, remembering this song.

Blaine stepped forward and began to sing.

Blaine: "Just a small town girl

Living in a lonely world

She took the midnight train going anywhere"

He stepped back and I stepped forward to sing my part.

Marcia: "Just a city boy

Born and raised in south Detroit

He took the midnight train going anywhere"

I looked behind me as I stepped back to look at the picture that was on the screen. It was of Finn and Rachel in New York when they went to Nationals the first time. I smiled as the tears began to form.

Ryder: "A singer in a smokey room"

Unique: "The smell of wine and cheap perfume"

Both: "For a smile

They can share the night

It goes on and on and on and on"

All: "Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Street light

People

Living just to find emotion

Hiding

Somewhere where in the night"

Marley: "Working hard to get my fix

Everybody wants a thrill"

Marley and Jake: "Paying anything to roll the dice

Just one more time"

Kitty: "Some will win"

Kitty and Artie: "Some will lose

Some were born to sing the blues

Although the movie never ends

It goes on and on and on and on"

All: "Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Street light

People

Living just to find emotion

Hiding

Somewhere where in the night

Don't stop believing

Hold on to that feeling

Street light

People

Don't stop believing

Hold on to that feeling

Street light

People

Don't stop"

The crowd cheered as we ended off the same way the New Directions did when they first performed this song. We all got into a straight line and bowed. Everyone cheered louder.

"Rock in paradise Finn!" Artie called before we left the stage.

Mr. Schue had tears in his eyes as we walked up to him.

"That was awesome guys. A lot better then the original set list." he said. "I think Finn would've loved that."

We all smiled at each other.

Sam called, "Group hug!"

We all laughed and hugged each other.

•

The other two choirs performed, but none of them got the same applause we did, which we seen as a good sign.

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for broadway legend, Mandy Patinkin."

I bit my lip to keep from screaming. I was a huge fan of Mandy Patinkin. I loved him on Criminal Minds and on broadway.

"We thought it was gonna be a tough decision, but, when they performed, we knew who had won." he said. He looked at the envelope in his hand. "Third place, the Unitards."

We looked over as the Unitards slumped a bit, but accepted their award. Next was second place. I took Ryder's hand in mine and squeezed it. He did the same.

"And in second place," Mandy said. He paused dramatically. We held our breath.

"Throat Explosion. In first place, The New Directions!"

We all screamed and celebrated as Tina hurried ahead to get the trophy. We all hugged each other and celebrated as Vocal Adrenaline looked at us with sad looks. It was their second year in a row losing.

Mr. Schue took the trophy from Tina and held it up in the air.

"For Finn!" he exclaimed.

"For Finn!"