"Thanks for doing this, Kurt. You too Mercedes." Unique said from the back seat of Kurt Hummel's SUV. She hadn't known what to do when River left. Unique didn't have any friends at McKinley, or Carmel for that matter to come get her. She'd never been really close to her parents. So instead of walking home in her heels, she called one of the only two people she admired- Kurt. Luckily for Unique, Mercedes was with him when she called, so the soul singer was in the passenger seat of the countertenor's car.
Kurt smiled at Unique in the rearview mirror. "Don't worry, I don't mind. We were just watching Ugly Betty reruns." Mercedes turned in her seat and squeezed Unique's hand encouragingly.
"I'm glad you felt you could turn to us. And I'm so sorry that River didn't see in you what we see in you- a strong, loving, and talented woman."
Unique smiled at them. "Thanks again. Really- I'm glad to have friends like you two." She had always felt a little hesitant calling Kurt and Mercedes her friends, as she hadn't ever confirmed that they were- but any doubts in her mind were erased when Kurt had pulled up in front of the Lima Bean, Mercedes in tow.
"Now, there is one order of business we'd like to discuss while we have you captive here." Kurt said, his tone teasing.
Unique blinked, surprised. "What's that?"
Mercedes smiled and began to explain. "You see, Kurt got Blaine to love him with a song. Sam got me to love him with a song."
"So what song are you going to sing to get River to like you?" Kurt interjected.
Unique frowned. Why hadn't she thought of that? But then again, Kurt and Mercedes were both older and had more experience in the field of romance. Unique shook her head. "I don't know. I hadn't even thought of that."
Kurt and Mercedes considered for a moment. "Well personally, I've always know stage and screen to be far more romantic than top 40 songs," Kurt offered.
Mercedes rolled her eyes, but said "Then what would you suggest?"
Kurt thought. A thick silence fell over the car as he weighed his options. Unique looked at Mercedes nervously. Mercedes gave her a smile.
Kurt smiled also. "Well, based on the difficulties that are keeping you apart, I would suggest… 'Without Love,' from Hairspray."
Unique sighed in relief. "Thank god, one I've actually heard of. But I don't remember that one."
Kurt grinned and played with the buttons on his radio. Soon the 6o's style music was drifting from the speakers. "It's one of my favorites. Blaine and I sing it in the car all the time."
Mercedes snickered. Unique tried to hide her smile. Kurt raised an eyebrow angrily.
"What? There is nothing wrong with singing in the car. Now shush and listen to the lyrics."
Mercedes stopped and Unique focused hard on the lyrics. She smiled after the song slowed to a stop. "That's perfect. Thanks Kurt." He smiled and nodded at her in the rearview mirror. Unique thought for a little bit before saying "Do you guys mind being there? When I do the song? Just in case I need moral support."
Mercedes looked at Kurt, who looked back at her. "It would be nice to see our old friends again. It could be our last chance before we leave Lima next spring," she said softly.
Kurt nodded. "Yeah, it would. I'm sure Mr. Schuester would love to have us back, even for a day." Unique crossed her fingers hopefully. "Alright, I'm in." Kurt said grandly.
"Me too," Mercedes said, flashing her teeth in a big smile.
Unique smirked. "Good. I was hoping you would."
"Kurt? Mercedes? What're you guys doing here?" Mr. Schue asked excitedly, pulling them both into a hug, which they returned.
"We thought it would be great to see everyone else again. Well, everybody who's still here." said Mercedes. Kurt nodded in agreement.
"Well we're all so glad to have you guys back. Would you guys care to give us a performance."
Kurt smiled sweetly. "We'd love to, but there's someone else we think should go first…" Kurt and Mercedes turned, gesturing to the door. Unique strutted into the choir room.
"Hello, everyone. You know, I hear about your romances all the time. Mike and Tina, Kurt and Blaine, Sam and Mercedes, The legendary Finn and Rachel…" she smirked. "But now fools it's time for Unique to have her own romance." her head snapped to the band. "Hit it!"
They obliged, playing their instruments loudly and in perfect sync. Unique looked at everyone and began to sing.
"One I was a selfish fool, who never understood.
Never looked inside myself- though on the outside, I looked good.
Then we met and you have changed, the girl I've been so far.
River I'm in love with you, no matter who you are!"
She sang the chorus and verses with passion and such emotion she thought Tina would cry. The whole time however, she didn't look at River. She didn't want to see his reaction until the song was done.
"Without love, Life is like the seasons with no summer.
Without love, life is rock and roll without a drummer.
River I'll be yours forever cuz I never wanna be
Without lo-o-o-o-o-ove, oh River never set me free."
The song came to an ending and everyone clapped, completely blown away. Finally, Unique turned to look at River.
At first, River looked stunned, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. Then he just looked sick and depressed.
"I… I can't… I don't…" He stood and ran from the room. Unique watched him go with a shocked expression. She looked at Kurt and Mercedes, unable to speak. The whole room was silent.
Kurt spoke first. "That was… I'm so sorry for you Unique." This let open the flood gates, and everyone began to talk.
Mercedes hugged Unique, telling her it would be alright.
Tina was crying.
Sugar said "I don't think he liked that song very much."
Brittany looked puzzled. "Why is Justin Bieber so upset?"
Blaine stood up and offered Unique a ride for coffee so she could talk it out, which she respectfully declined.
Finally Mr. Schue put a hand on Unique's shoulder. "Go after him, Unique."
Unique nodded and raced out the door. She didn't know where to look, and River had disappeared. Taking a guess, she headed down a hallway, calling his name. The hallway ended in set of double doors, which Unique opened. It was the auditorium, empty at this moment, but Unique thought she heard a voice, soft and hurt. She silently followed the sound, and as she got closer, it sounded like River. It took all her self-control to not run to him and pull him into a hug. Finally, she caught sight of him, sitting in a seat near the front row, head phones covering his ears. He hadn't noticed her yet, and she realized he was singing.
He had his eyes closed. She heard him serenade the empty stage with Adam Lambert's "Better than I know Myself," his voice filled with such need and pain. Unique couldn't take it anymore. She ran to him.
"River!" she called.
His eyes snapped open, and he turned to face her. At first he looked surprised, then confused. "Unique? How did you find me?"
"I took a guess," she said, hardly able to stand his guilty expression. "River what are you doing here? If you don't feel like I do, then just tell me. I'll understand," Unique said, knowing full well she'd never be able to move on if River rejected her. "If you don't love me, then I can give you your-"
"I do love you!" he cried, his eyes filling with tears. "But I don't deserve you, Unique. You're funny, and beautiful, and talented and nice… And I'm…" he looked away. "Just a loser with mental problems."
Unique slapped the hell out of him, one quick, brutal strike across the face. He clutched his cheek, not injured but really surprised. "Now white boy, you listen to me and you listen good. I don't give a damn if you're a boy, a girl, both, or neither. You are strong and sweet, and the nicest, most accepting person I have ever met. I love you, and whether or not you choose to love me for me is your problem, but I sure as hell aren't gonna let you keep us apart because you think you don't deserve me. Now calm down before I slap you again."
River opened his mouth to say something, but he stopped. His shocked expression melted away. He stood, and because Unique had worn flats today, he had to look down at her.
"I…" River was at a loss for words. He settled for kissing Unique softly.
Unique's eyes widened in shock, but they quickly fluttered shut. She began to kiss back. Unique melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. River held her close, one hand on her waist, the other palming her cheek. The kiss was innocent and gentle, but Unique felt a hollow spot somewhere inside of her fill up. It felt as if some part of her had never been truly complete, like it was empty and fragile. But now that part of her was singing with joy. Her knees felt weak. It was the single happiest moment of her life. After a little bit, they pulled away.
Unique smiled up at him softly. "Thank you. For giving me my first kiss."
River blushed a little, but said "Yeah, that was mine too. It was…"
"Amazing?" Unique offered.
"Perfect," he said softly before kissing her again.