16~ Nationals Solo

*2 months later*

"You ready?" Rachel asked me.

"Absoluetely not, this time I am ninety nine percent sure I am definietely going to throw up." I replied. We were backstage in Chicago for Nationals, and I was doing ANOTHER solo song. Lucky me? Yes and no. Yes because this was another incredible song by Katy Perry, no because I could screw everything up and bye bye Nationals title.

"You'll do great, you know you will." she said.

"Thanks, here goes nothing right?" I asked.

"Here goes nothing. Let's go!" she pushed me towards the curtain, which almost made me trip and fall flat on my face. I shot her a flat look before strutting out onto the huge stage.

Millions of people, staring at me, waiting for something interesting to happen. I felt so hopeless, so small like an ant on a crowded side walk. Then I remembered some famous words Smythe said to me, not very long ago actually:

"you're really incredible Reese. You should give yourself more credit than you think you deserve..."

Maybe it's about damn time I do. Here goes nothing:

"And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I've traveled each and every highway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall

And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say - not in a shy way

Oh no, oh no, not me

I did it my way

For what is a girl, what has she got

If not herself, then she has naught

To say the things she truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes, it was my way"

His bright green eyes were the last thing to come to my mind as I finished the song. I only realised then how much Sebastian actually helped me find my wings, and although this was a sad love song, I decided to dedicate it to him...

⚥⚥⚥

"And now, it's time to announce of this year's top two individual show choir MVP awards," I didn't know what it meant, but it sounded important.

"From Vocal Adrenaline and New Directions: Wade 'Unique Adams and Reese Lavek!" hah? I won an award for something? Are you serious?

I didn't realise I was still standing there with probably a stupid look on my face until Santana and Puck pushed me up to receive my award. It was a beautiful crystal microphone, and the Unique chic/dude got one too! I gave him/her a hug and a congratulations before running back to my team. I have to say, this trophy was pretty awesome! It had my name engraved on the plaque and everything! And believe it or not, people were actually applauding!

"And now, a round of applause to your top three finalists for this year's National Show Choir Championship!" the speaker announced, and everybody did applaud. I think my ears were starting to ring, but it didn't matter, because here comes our left or right...

"In third place... all the way from Oregon the Portland, Scarle Blazers!" the roller derby team applauded themselves highly, I guess people from Oregon don't like to jump around and cheer... wow, even what I just said sounds stupid.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, quite please. Congratulations to both teams standing with us onstage. But now it's time to announce the winner," you know, I realised something, this announcer guy's voice is the same in every episode here.

Time started to slow down, even a fly that kept whizzing by looked as if it was going two or three miles an hour. My heart was beating a million miles an hour, my head started to ache, and my hand was camping up from Rachel's tight grip on it...not like I cared though. This was it.

"The 2012 National Show Choir Champions..."

It's all or nothing now...

"You should give yourself more credit than you think you deserve..."

"you think you deserve..."

"you think you deserve..."

"you think you deserve..."

"you think you deserve..."

"...from McKinley High-" was all we needed to hear to erupt into cheers. And then we have the slow motion celebratory dance, and all of the beautiful streamers coming down and raining upon us. Everybody was cheering, smiling, laughing and hugging one another...and our trophy was massive! Rachel and I didn't let each other go through that whole celebration, we just hugged each other and laughed, finally getting our happy ending.