((This was written in between seasons 3 and 4. Anything that is incorrect or changed during season 4 I deeply apologize for. This fic also includes an OC. I got the idea for said OC from "The Glee Project" season 2 contestant Dani Shay, who is deeply awesome. Enjoy… :3))
Wade Adams walked through the halls of his new school with the confidence he only felt when he was his female alter ego, Unique. Granted he was Unique at the moment, but that was beside the point. Unique had wanted to grace the halls of McKinley High school with her presence ever since she'd heard the voices of Kurt Hummel and Mercedes Jones, but a combination of many obstacles prevented her from doing so. However, now it was finally time for Unique to shine in McKinley high and the New Directions. A slow smirk spread across Unique's face. It was her chance to succeed, it was her chance for greatness, and it was her chance to-
Cold, wet slushy suddenly splashed in Unique's face. She flinched at the icy drink and stood frozen as a group of jocks walked away from her laughing. She wiped the sticky substance from her face, thinking "My chance to get slushied, apparently." She needed to find a bathroom to clean up, but Unique was unfamiliar with the layout of McKinley High, and had no idea where to find a place to redo her makeup. She stood there, the slushy dripping down her neck into her clothes. Some students snickered. Others stared at her. The rest ignored her very presence. A small but strong hand gripped her hand, and Unique turned to see the sympathetic face of a boy.
"Slushy facials are the worst, aren't they?" he asked, taking a napkin and trying to wipe up some of the frozen drink from Unique's face. Unique watched him with a shocked expression. The boy, who had long, Justin Bieber-like hair and sweet brown eyes, smiled at Unique encouragingly. He had a higher voice, not like Kurt's, but not like a normal guy's either. He wasn't taller than her, but Unique was sure he would be if she weren't wearing heels. Surprising herself, she decided to wear more flats from now on. The boy took away the napkin. "I can only wipe away so much. You're going to have to wash your face in the bathroom."
Unique nodded. "That's what I was going to do, but I don't know where they are, fool." Unique blushed at her sudden rudeness, though the boy only smiled.
"Yeah, that makes sense. I'm River, by the way." He extended a hand in greeting
"Unique." She said, taking his hand and being surprised at the firmness of the handshake.
He put a hand on her back to guide her. "This way."
She allowed him to lead, though her diva nature would usually keep him from touching her. He stopped at a girl's bathroom and gestured for Unique to go inside. Unique did, though with some hesitation. She never felt comfortable at school bathrooms, and subsequently didn't go in them. However, when she stepped inside, no one stared at her. An Asian girl with a black dress stood adjusting her makeup. A tall girl in a cheerio's uniform pulled her blonde hair back into a ponytail. Unique regained her confidence and strutted up to a mirror. She grabbed a few paper towels from the sink side dispenser and set to work washing off the cherry drink. The Asian girl turned towards her.
"Get a slushy facial, I take it?" she asked, gesturing to the red slush coating Unique's hair. Unique bit back a bitchy comeback and nodded. The girl gave a sympathetic smile and offered her some skin cleaner. "It works great for getting all the gunk off." Unique smiled back and took the bottle of cleaner. She squirted a little in her palm and washed off the remaining slushy. The Asian girl smiled sweetly. "I'm Tina."
Unique waved softly. "I'm Unique."
Recognition dawned on Tina's face. "Unique? You mean that gu-"
Unique covered Tina's mouth with a hand. "Shh! Don't say that so loud! I'm trying to start a new life here, so shut it." Tina nodded, her reply muffled by Unique's hand. "Good." Unique removed her hand and turned to reapply her eye liner. Tina watched her with awe, respect, and a little fear. Unique rolled her eyes and put on a thick coat of her favorite lipstick, "sugar rose."
When Unique was done, she stepped out of the bathroom to find River leaning against the wall waiting for her. "You didn't have to wait for me," she said, both flattered and embarrassed.
River straightened up and smiled dazzlingly at her. "It's okay. I wanted to." Tina and Brittany came out of the bathroom.
"OH, Justin Bieber, I see you've met Unique." Brittany said sweetly. Unique gave River a puzzled look.
River sighed. "Brittany, we've been over this. I'm not Justin Bieber. I'm River Straus."
Brittany rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, and Kurt isn't a Unicorn. Don't be so silly, Justin." She turned and skipped away, her blonde ponytail bouncing.
Unique gave Tina and River a look that said "What the hell be wrong with that girl?"
Tina and River shrugged. Unique sighed and looked around. "Where's your choir room?" she asked.
River grinned brightly. "I knew you'd be interested. It's this way." He grabbed Unique's hand and towed her towards the choir room. Tina went off to get Brittany.
Unique paused in the doorway of the choir room. It wasn't nearly as big as the one they had at Carmel high, nor did it have as full a trophy case. But the atmosphere in the space was warm, and inviting. Unique smiled. Yes, this would do. Of the many chairs that sat around the room, few were filled. There was a snobbish girl in leopard print filing her nails, a guy with slicked back hair and Capri pants texting, and a nerd in a wheelchair. Tina and Brittany came in behind Unique and River. Their teacher, who was obviously Kurt and Mercedes's beloved Mr. Schue clapped his hands together once for attention. Everyone turned their heads toward him.
"Alright, everybody- It's a new year, and I know we're down several members after last year's graduation ceremony. But we need to move past our losses and move towards the successes to come. This week's assignment was to come up with an assignment that described who you are as a person so that we can pool that together to come up with our new voice- the new message of The New Directions. Sugar, you're up first." The girl in leopard print stood and nodded to the band.
They began to play, and unsurprisingly to all involved, Sugar's song choice was pretty shallow- she was singing Madonna's "Material Girl," and though her voice had improved, no one was moved.
When she finished, everyone clapped half-heartedly. Mr. Schue stood. "um... thank you, Sugar. That was very good. Who wants to go next? Blaine?"
The guy in capris (which were a fabulous shade of green, Unique noticed) took his place in front of the students and began to sing the intro to the Rihanna and Nicki Minaj song "Fly." Unique smiled at his voice, which was strong and confidant. Mr. Schue grinned at his performance, and clapped enthusiastically when he finished.
After Blaine it was River's turn. He got up and smiled at everyone, Unique especially. Unique blushed, though she was sure he wasn't interested in her. River lowered his head dramatically, and raised it slowly as the music began. Unique didn't recognize the melody at first. Then it hit her as River's gentle voice recited the words of Adam Lambert's "Underneath." She had no idea River had such pain- or such a beautiful voice. He seemed to look right at her during the majority of the song. It kind of flattered her that River would trust her with his secret troubles, despite the fact he'd shared little more than his name with her. She listened to his performance without looking away. A tear fell from Unique's eye. The music slowed to a stop, and everyone clapped.
Mr. Schue stood. "River, that was excellent. Very moving. And surprising." Unique hugged River. River hugged back, smiling at the smell of Unique's Joy by Jean Patou*.
Unique pulled back and her heart fluttered at River's smile. She never thought she would love anyone, but she would see where River led her.
((*Her perfume. ))
Unique sat back down. She watched Artie's performance of "Stand by Me," and Tina's performance of "Does that make me Crazy" by Gnarles Barkley with a smile. However, if Unique was honest with herself, she was really just smiling at the memory of River's performance. But after Tina was finished, Mr. Schue called on Unique.
"I don't have anything prepared, but…" Unique's Male counterpart Wade Adams was breaking through. Unique wasn't really sure why she should perform on such short notice, but she agreed when River gave her an encouraging smile. She stood and strutted to the front of the choir room. She paused a moment before turning around to face the students. The band played the familiar horn music, and Unique began to belt out the Commodores "Brick House." The words flowed from her mouth with Unique's usual sass and talent. The rest of the glee club seemed to enjoy it. Unique's diva side hoped there was at least a little envy behind those smiles.
She felt River's gaze on her which made Unique smile brightly. She hit the last few notes with perfect pitch and ended the song with a sassy pose. The whole glee club rose to their feet, giving Unique a much appreciated standing ovation. She smirked at all of them then sauntered back to her seat. The lesson ended with Brittany performing David Guetta's "Sexy Bitch." Mr. Schue dismissed the club and everyone prepared to leave. River walked up to Unique.
"That was a great job you did back there. I loved it."
Unique blushed but smiled smugly. "Thanks, white boy."
River nodded, suddenly seeming uncomfortable. "Anyways… Welcome to the New Directions. You're going to love it here." He pulled his backpack onto one shoulder and smiled shyly. When he turned to leave, Unique stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Um… River? Would you be interested in taking me for coffee?"
River blushed. "Uh… Okay. We could go to the Lima Bean." He offered Unique his arm.
Unique took it and they walked together to the parking lot. River led her to a normal looking four door car. It was painted a simple black. Unique got into the passenger seat while River got behind the wheel. He started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. Unique watched as Lima passed by her window, and she compared it to Akron. Lima was a smaller town, Unique but didn't mind too much. Being from a small town wasn't bad, and though Unique wasn't actually FROM Lima, she knew she would definitely include it in her autobiography. Once she became famous, of course. And she would be famous.
Unique already had the glory of being Vocal Adrenaline's star the previous year. Soon her talent and ambition would take to wherever she was most loved and appreciated. Whether that place was LA or New York didn't really matter, so long as Unique could feel true acceptance.
"Um… Unique? We're here."
River's voice snapped Unique out of here fame hungry trance. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." She stepped out of the car and closed the door with a flourish. She walked around the front of the vehicle to River who gestured for Unique to go in first. He held the door open for her and she strolled inside. Unique gave the place a quick look around. It was less than fabulous, but the smell of hot beverages and the lounging atmosphere finally won her over. Unique was beginning to notice that everything she expected she'd hate about Lima didn't seem so bad.
"Um… Can I get a latté with extra whipped cream?" River asked the barista. The girl nodded and winked, smiling flirtatiously.
Unique scowled and walked up behind River. She wrapped herself around his arm girlfriend style and said "I'll take a hot chocolate with caramel." River glanced at her but said nothing. The barista girl blushed and nodded, suddenly taking an extreme interest in the cash register. Unique dug through her bag for her wallet, but River stopped her. He paid the girl and they moved away while they waited for their drinks to be made.
River turned and looked at Unique. "Okay, what was that about?"
Unique tilted her head to the side, playing innocent. "What do you mean?"
River raised an eyebrow. "The fact that when that girl was flirting with me, even accidentally, you come up to me and acted like my… girlfriend. Why did you do that?"
Unique blushed. "Um… I thought you might want to deter the flirting," she lied.
River gave her a look. "Unique… Tell me the truth."
Unique looked away. "Damn. I've never been a good liar."
River took one of her hands. "Unique, you don't have to lie. Just tell me the truth- I won't be mad."
Unique sighed and glanced at his face. It showed no signs of anger or dishonesty, and River was smiling that dazzling smile that made Unique's knees weak. She decided to tell the embarrassing truth. "I… I like you, River. You're really nice, and cute, and crazy talented. I just didn't… I didn't want you to think I was a freak."
River frowned. "Why would I think you're a freak?"
Unique looked down.
"Being a lesbian is nothing to be ashamed of."
Unique's head snapped up. "White boy say what?"
River continued on, as if he hadn't heard Unique. "I mean, being in love with a girl might make certain ignorant parts of society dislike you, but that doesn't mean you have to hide-"
Unique waved her hands to stop him. "Being in love with a girl? Boy, what the hell are you talking about? I'm not in love with a girl."
River furrowed his brow. Then understanding dawned on his face. "Oh… You thought I was a- No, No, Unique I'm not a guy. I'm a girl. Biologically."
Unique raised an eyebrow. "You serious?"
River nodded.
Unique let out breath. "Damn. You had me completely fooled. That barista girl too."
River laughed softly. "Don't worry too much about it. Pretty much everyone is. But… does that change your feelings for me?"
Unique shook her head. "No, I feel the same. I guess because you look and act like a guy, I don't mind. I guess I am mentally gay, but biologically straight." Unique chuckled a little at the notion.
River looked lost. "What does that mean?"
Unique sighed. "Well, I'm a guy. Biologically. But I've never felt really comfortable being that, so I became Unique- the person I always dreamed of being."
River's jaw dropped. "You're a guy? How can that- Huh? You look and sound and dress like a-"
Unique shushed him. "Like I said, I'm a guy BIOLOGICALLY. Mentally, spiritually, and every other way, I'm a woman." Unique lifted her wig ever so slightly so only River would see that the hair was fake. Wade had very short hair, so whenever he was Unique, he had to wear a wig.
River noticed he'd been half standing. He sat back down and ran a hand through his hair. "Well that's… unexpected."
Unique smiled. "You never told me if you feel the same way."
River blushed and looked away. "Well… I don't know. I feel SOMETHING. I just don't know what it is yet. I just… need some time to process this." He stood.
Unique watched with worried eyes as River rushed out of the coffee shop, got in his car, and drove away.
