[CUT TO: INT. TEACHERS LOUNGE – DAY]
Ken crossed his arms and huffed. "You're right. I'm overreacting. The herd will take care of it."
Will raised a brow. "The herd?"
"The student body," Ken replied. "The second someone tries to rise above - be different - the herd pulls them back in. So. Oh, and by the way, thanks for putting a good word in for me with Emma, buddy. I guess you just want her for yourself, huh? Adios, amigo."
[CUT TO: INT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL – DAY]
Rachel and Finn stood in line for snacks, with Elena standing between them and Will and Emma nearby.
Rachel smiled at Finn. "You're very talented."
Finn blinked. "Really?"
Rachel smiled with practiced confidence. "Yeah. I would know. I'm very talented, too. I think the rest of the team expects us to become an item. You, the hot male lead, and me, the stunning young ingenue everyone roots for."
Finn interjected. "Well, I, uh, have a girlfriend."
Finn nodded. "Really?"
Rachel tilted her head. "Who?"
Finn smiles. "Quinn Fabray."
Rachel blinked in disbelief. "Cheerleader Quinn Fabray? The president of the Celibacy Club?"
Elena, hearing this, raised an eyebrow. She remembered meeting Quinn, Santana, and Brittany at that party—not once had Quinn mentioned a boyfriend. Elena crossed her arms, quietly stewing in confusion.
[CUT TO: INT. QUINN'S HOUSE – NIGHT]
Finn and Quinn were making out on the couch. Finn reached down to touch her butt, but Quinn stopped him and sat up.
Quinn said, "Wait. Let's pray."
[CUT TO: INT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL – DAY]
"For almost four months now. She's cool. Mmm, I wonder if they have Sour Patch Kids," Finn said, glancing down the line.
Rachel and Finn moved forward.
Will eyed the concession stand. "Those kielbasas look like they've been in there a while."

Emma offered, "Do you want to go halvsies on a PB and J?"
Will smiled. "That sounds perfect."
Emma said, "Yeah?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Will turned to the people in line. "Sorry. Excuse me."
Will and Emma moved to sit down together.
"I haven't had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a really long time," Will said.
"Really?" asked Emma
Will said, "Yeah. My wife's allergic to nuts."
Emma smiled softly. "Well, that's really sweet, though–not eating something because she can't."
Will said, "Oh, yeah."
"It's really nice. Oh, that's really noisy. But they're clean," Emma added, handing him half the sandwich.
Will took a bite. "Oh, my gosh."
Emma asked "How, um... How long have you two been married?"
"Mm, five years last March," Will answered.
"Really?" Emma asked.
"Will said, "Yeah. But we've been together since high school. I mean, she was my first girlfriend, actually.""
Emma asked, "Was it love at first sight?"
"Will said, "For me it was. I don't know. She used to be filled with so much joy.""
Emma asked, "And now?"
The lights flickered.
"Will said, "Oh. Showtime. You don't want to hear about my marital problems.""
Emma leaned forward. "Oh, no, I do. I-I do. I mean, I-I'd love to hear. You... I mean, I'm not happy that you have marital problems, but people talk to me a lot 'cause I'm a guidance counselor."
Will gave a quiet laugh. "Okay, here's the thing. Terri rides me hard, and I've always appreciated it. I figure she just wants me to be better, you know? But lately, though, I keep asking myself, better at what? Making money? Being upwardly mobile? I don't know. I-I love her. Don't get me wrong. We just got to get back on the same page."
Emma smiled again. "Do you like the sandwich?"
Will took another bite, grinning. "Oh my God, it's like the best I've ever had."
[CUT TO: INT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM – DAY]
Will, Emma, Elena, and the New Directions were seated together, about to watch Carmel High's glee club perform. Will leaned over to the others.
"Hey, guys, so this is supposed to be our competition, but, uh, I honestly don't think that they've got the talent that we've got. But let's be a good audience, all right? Give 'em some of that old McKinley High respect."
A voice over the speakers boomed. "Please give a warm Buckeye State welcome to last year's regional champions, Vocal Adrenaline!"
Vocal Adrenaline took the stage and performed Amy Winehouse's "Rehab." The performance was incredible—slick, professional, and jaw-dropping. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Tina turned to the group, her eyes wide. "We're d-d-doomed."
Elena stared at the stage, stunned. "Damn," she whispered. "They're good."
[CUT TO: EXT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL – DAY]
Finn walked past a group of Carmel High drummers, his head down. As he rounded a corner, Puck and a few other football players stepped into view, armed with paintball guns.
"Chicks don't have prostates. I looked it up," Puck said with a smirk. "You broke the rules, Finn, and for that, you must be punished."
Finn raised his hands. "Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. You've got the power here, okay? You-you don't have to do this."
The players didn't hesitate. They opened fire, pelting Finn with paintballs.
[CUT TO: INT. WILL'S APARTMENT – NIGHT]
Will entered the apartment, tired but relaxed. He froze when he saw Terri waiting for him with champagne, a glowing smile, and a banner that read "Congratulations" hanging across the doorway.
"There's my baby," Terri beamed.
Will blinked in confusion. "Wow, honey. This is amazing. What-what's the congratulations for? The kids haven't won anything yet."

Terri grinned wider. "I'm pregnant."
Will's eyes widened. "Really?"
Terri nodded. "Yeah."
Will stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Terri, don't mess with me. Oh my God, this is amazing. We're going to be a family. Oh my God. Oh! Can't believe it."
[CUT TO: INT. AUDITORIUM – DAY]
Will stood at the front of the auditorium, facing the New Directions. Their eyes were filled with anticipation.
"You're leaving us? When?" Artie asked, his voice uncertain.
"Well," Will began, "I've given my two weeks' notice, but I promise I'm gonna find you guys a great replacement before I go."
Mercedes sat forward, brows furrowed. "Is this 'cause those Carmel kids were so good? Because we can work harder."
"This isn't fair, Mr. Schuester," Rachel added. "We can't do this without you."
Finn shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "So does that mean that I don't have to be in the club anymore or...?"
Elena, seated beside Finn, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, if you're leaving, does that mean I can go back to pretending I'm not in this weird little musical prison? And not gonna lie Carmel was good."
Will offered a weak smile. "This isn't about you guys. Being an adult is about having to make difficult choices. It's not like high school. Sometimes you have to give up the things that you love. One day you guys are going to grow up and understand that."
He looked at each of them. "I have loved being your teacher."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.
[CUT TO: INT. AUDITORIUM – DAY]
Will packed up his things at the front of the stage. He gently picked up his guitar and began singing John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane," his voice low and filled with emotion.

[CUT TO: EXT. MCKINLEY HIGH – DAY]
Emma sat outside, flipping through the school yearbook. She paused on Will's photo and slowly drew a heart around his face.
[CUT TO: INT. CLASSROOM – DAY]
Will filled out a job application for H.W. Menken, his expression tight with uncertainty.
[CUT TO: INT. TEACHERS LOUNGE – DAY]
Emma entered and overheard two teachers chatting nearby.
"I heard he's having a baby," one of them said. "That's why he gave Figgins his notice."
[CUT TO: INT. CLASSROOM – DAY]
Will sat at a desk, still filling out the application. Emma walked up and offered a gentle smile.
"Need help grading those papers?" she asked.
"It's actually an application for H.W. Menken," Will replied. "They're hiring. Come on. Accounting is sexy." He chuckled. "I'll miss you."
Emma's smile faltered slightly. "Before you leave, can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah."
"I made an appointment for you tomorrow in the career center. You need some guidance."
Will shook his head softly. "I'm having a kid, Emma. What I need is better benefits."
"Just come, Will," Emma said, voice barely above a whisper. "For me."
[CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY – DAY]
Finn shut his locker and nearly jumped when he found Rachel standing right beside it.
"Didn't see you at Glee Club today," Rachel said.
"Is that still happening?" Finn replied.
"I've taken over. I'm interim director, but I expect the position will become permanent."
Just then, Quinn and Santana entered, walking with purpose. Elena, now in a red Cheerio uniform, was being dragged along with them like a reluctant puppy.
"Hi, Finn," Quinn said sweetly, then turned to Rachel with a cold smirk. "RuPaul."
"Hey," Finn mumbled.
Quinn narrowed her eyes slightly. "What are you doing talking to her?"
"Science project–we're partners," Rachel offered quickly.
"Christ Crusaders tonight at 5, my house," Quinn said to Finn before brushing past.
"Sounds great," Finn replied, following after them.
Elena looked between Rachel and Quinn, her brow furrowed. The memory of the party resurfaced—Quinn had acted like she was single the entire night. She stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly. "If Quinn is dating someone, then why did we—" Before she could finish, Santana clamped a hand over her mouth with a warning look and swiftly dragged her away.
Once they were far enough down the hall, Santana hissed under her breath, "You can't tell anyone about what happened between the four of us."
Elena blinked, genuinely confused. "Why?" she asked.
"We just had sex," Elena added earnestly, lowering her voice. "And, by the way, you, Brittany, and Quinn had really nice penises."
Santana groaned and rubbed her forehead. "You seriously can't go around saying that stuff, Elena. People already think we're weird."
"But it's true," Elena said with a shrug. "It was fun, and you were all really nice to me. I don't get why it has to be a secret."
Santana crossed her arms, glancing around the hallway nervously. "Because not everyone at this school is cool with what we did, or who we are. You say stuff like that, people are going to judge us—hard."
Elena frowned, confused. "But we didn't hurt anyone. And it made me feel... wanted. Safe. I liked it."
Santana's expression softened for a moment before she looked away, but her brow furrowed slightly at Elena's words. "Yeah, well... sometimes it's easier to survive high school by pretending. Even if that means hiding the truth."
[CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY – Rachel and Finn]
Finn hesitated, glancing back. "Look, I-I should go. I can't do Glee anymore. It conflicts with..."
"Your reputation?" Rachel interrupted. "You've really got something, Finn, and you're throwing it away."
"I-I'm going to be late," Finn muttered.
Rachel stood firm. "You can't keep worrying about what people think of you, Finn. You're better than all of them."
[CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY – LATER THAT DAY]
Elena was walking alone, trying to shake off the awkward energy from earlier when Rachel rounded the corner and spotted her.
"Elena!" Rachel called out.
Elena turned, cautious. "Yeah?"
Rachel stepped closer. "Why did you leave the club? You were good. One of the best."
Elena folded her arms. "Because it's complicated. People don't like complicated, Rachel."
"That's not true," Rachel insisted.
"Then maybe it's because I don't like being part of something that feels so... exposed," Elena said, then offered a small, tired smile. "And besides, Quinn never told me she had a boyfriend. That's just messy."
Rachel tilted her head, puzzled. "Wait... what does that mean?"
Elena simply walked away, leaving Rachel more confused than before. As she did, Rachel called after her again, but Elena deflected without turning back, her voice calm and even. "I know you like Finn, Rachel. That's what this is really about, isn't it?"
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