In 7 Days [Book 1]

Chapter 66 - Long Live

The end of the year was nearing, and the seniors seemed to be embracing the last days instead of trying to slow it all down. I saw them making trouble for all the teachers they wouldn't miss, and enjoying every last second they had as a student at William McKinley High. I liked to imagine that was how I was going to say goodbye to this place in two years time. 

I walked into Glee club that afternoon alone, only to find the room was empty. Taped to the piano was a messy looking, purple piece of card, cut into the shape of a star. Scrawled onto the card was a message for me. 

Marley, we're in the auditorium! 
Love the Glee club! 

The words were in unfamiliar handwriting - messy, but still fairly neat. I wondered briefly why the note was addressed to only me, and why it was written in unrecognizable handwriting. I was so confused, so I left the empty choir room and headed to the auditorium. 

When I got there, it was empty just like the choir room. I headed down the steps, and noticed a giant purple arrow taped to the brick wall. 

Marley! Sit down!

Despite being confused, I sat down in the second row of seats. All I could hear was my breathing. What was happening? I was about to stand up to leave when a voice that could melt my heart started speaking. "Marley Rose."

On stage stood Ryder in a baggy purple jumper and white jeans, with a big smile on his face.

"What's going on?" I asked. 

"You'll see." He pulled a paper plane from his back pocket and aimed it right at me. It came crashing into my lap, and I noticed there was a tiny purple tiara attached to it. I laughed and put it on my head. Familiar music started playing around me, and I knew what was happening - he was serenading me! Butterflies grew in my stomach and I could feel my face beginning to go pink.

Ryder:
I said, remember this moment, in the back of my mind
The time we stood with our shaking hands
The crowds in stands went wild
We were the Kings and the Queens
And they read off our names
The night you danced like you knew our lives would never be the same
You held your head like a hero on a history book page
It was the end of a decade, but the start of an age

Ryder stood centre stage, eyes burning into mine. As soon as the chorus begun, he pointed to the steps on the side of the stage and the rest of the Glee club walked in, throwing purple confetti into the air. It was the most beautiful sight.

Ryder with New Directions:
Long live the walls we crashed through
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you
I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered

Ryder:
I said remember this feeling
I passed the pictures around
Of all the years that we stood there on the side-lines
Wishing for right now
We are the Kings and the Queens
You traded your baseball cap for a crown
When they gave us our trophies and we held them up for our town
And the cynics were outraged, screaming "this is absurd"
Cause for a moment a band of thieves in ripped up jeans got to rule the world

The rest of the New Directions stood behind Ryder singing... and I started crying again. I was going to miss him so much.

Ryder with New Directions:
Long live the walls we crashed through
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you
I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
I'm not afraid
Long live all the mountains we moved
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you
I was screaming long live that look on your face
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered