AN: Sorry about the wait (especially for my other fics which will require a little more waiting yikes). this one is running a lot more smoothly than the others right now.

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Chapter 3: I Feel Like Myself Again And Then There's You

"WELCOME TO MCKINLEY, LOSER!"

Ray barely had time to close his eyes before he was slapped in the face with red-dyed ice slush.

So this was the slushie facial that Noah had warned him about so fervently the other day. Ray didn't believe him at the time. But as he squeezed his eyes shut to block the cherry flavoured ice-slushie from getting through, he wished he heeded the warning.

He could have waited for Noah this morning, except when he called at six-thirty in the morning to wake him up; Ray got a "fuck you, m'sleeping."

Ray Berry was never late for class so his only option was to get dropped off by his father, who needed the car today for work. How was Ray supposed to know the hockey team ended practice shortly before he entered the building. Bored jocks on an adrenaline rush from practice and have access to the slushie machine? Horrible formula to start a day.

Looking at down at his sweater, Ray mourned the damage done to it. He would never be able to get the red dye out.

"I take it you don't have a fresh change of clothes?"

Ray looked down and squinted through red-hazed vision and saw a boy in a wheelchair. "No, I'm afraid I wasn't exactly prepared for this predicament."

"I'm Artie Abrams. Come on, I'll help fix you up."

"Ray Redford Berry, I'd shake your hand but I'd rather not get cherry slushie all over you."

"I think I have a spare sweater in my emergency slushie kit. Kids at orientation suggested that losers like me should keep a some just in case. I've got shampoo, soap, extra clothes and a poncho!"

"They advise kids to keep an emergency slushie kit?" Ray asked incredulously. "What kind of a school is this?"

"The kind that gets most of its funding from the athletic department."

Ray furrowed his brows in anger. "That doesn't excuse bullying."

"It does when the jocks and cheerleaders are doing it." Artie shook his head pitifully, "when it comes to us losers? Nobody cares because the school needs the money that the jocks and Cheerios bring in. Just let it go and keep your head down. You'll survive relatively unscathed being invisible."

His body shivered, part of it from the ice dripping down his sweater. The other part caused by the fear flooding in his veins. The cowardly part of him was tempted by Artie's advice. Just lie down, stay down. They can't hurt you when you're invisible. Nobody could touch you when you're invisible.

But nobody would see you when you're invisible too.

"No."

Ray Redford Berry was never meant to be invisible.

"What?"

"No," Ray repeated once more with resolve. "I'm not going to let them win. I'm Ray Redford Berry. I'm going to be a star one day and I refuse to just lie down like canon fodder while they stand and laugh."

"What can you do about it?" Artie asked bitterly. There was no escaping this vapid hole of humiliation. You just had to deal with it for a couple of years and then later on you attend the ten-year reunion a millionaire that can rub his success in the faces of the obese Lima losers of yesteryear.

Ray grasped the boy's shoulders and pleaded his case. "Artie, these are supposed to be the years of our youth! These are the starting steps to what shapes our futures. Why shouldn't we get a chance to enjoy it like everybody else? We shouldn't spend our days here in utter fear."

Artie shrugged as he handed Ray his spare argyle sweater, "I guess."

"Thanks," Ray said, expressing his gratitude. "Nice sweater."

"I know! It's really hard to find those colours in an argyle pattern." Artie replied enthusiastically. "So what are you going to do to save our wasted and fearful youth?"

Ray smiled his scary, ambitious smile and Artie felt a little creeped out by its show-face shine.

"I'm going to resurrect the former glory of the McKinley High glee club." With that he turned on the dime and strutted out more determined than ever.

Artie was left scratching his head. "The hell?"

Nobody could see you when you're invisible, therefore nobody could hurt you.

But nobody could ignore or shun you, if you were the best. And Ray Redford Berry strove to be nothing but the best.

He just needed a little reminder sometimes.

After changing his clothes he went to see if Noah had arrived to school yet.

They had a date with destiny...

Destiny that was in the form of a rather intimidating all-state champion wrestler.

Quinn tensed, overhearing Ray's impassioned ramble about not giving up. He was just am annoying walking after-school special now, wasn't he?

Why did his attitude serve to irk her more and more?

There was an order at every school. A pyramid. A ruling court. She was at the top and Quinn Fabray was born to be at the top. The losers weren't supposed to stand up and stride away with their head up at the end of the day. Lucy never did. That's why she was such a loser. Like Ray Berry.

Except Ray Berry had an air around him. Like he was better. He wouldn't just take it lying down like a good geek.

She rushed to the only place she could turn to at a moment like this.

"Coach Sylvester, we have a problem."

When Ray first planned to negotiate with Ms. Zizes, he never thought he would have to be subjected to the horror show in front of him. He wouldn't mind getting blinded by cherry slushie at the moment, considering his alternative.

Ray felt like Steve Irwin watching a predator tear apart its prey as he silently waited for Lauren Zizes to finish the box of chocolates that he and Puck gave her in exchange for her AV services. Wincing a little while she tore into the last piece, he snuck a glance at Puck who was gazing intently at the disgustingly intriguing sight.

"Those chocolates were disgusting." She said once she was finished.

"But you ate the whole box." Puck replied, a little dazed.

Lauren shrugged nonchalantly, "I had to make sure they were all bad."

"So," Ray interjected impatiently, "How soon can I get this blackmail material on Ryerson?" She raised an expecting eyebrow and Ray sighed but signalled Puck to give her another box. "Well?"

"Before the end of the week at the latest," she answered after inspecting the box. "I'll need to set up today and according to my sources, Mr. Ryerson doesn't get his perv on officially until after school. But they do tell me he holds unscheduled sessions at lunch sometimes."

All three students shivered at the thought.

"Anyways," Lauren continued, "I'll DM you on Facebook or whatever once it's ready."

She made a move to leave but Ray grabbed her arm, "Wait! Could you send it to me on Myspace? I haven't joined that particular social networking website. I still believe the Facebook won't last too much longer." He was so involved in his own speech that he did not see the look of utter disgust that crossed Lauren's face. "In fact- OUCH!"

Lauren Zizes was a tech expert and Facebook and Google were her Temples. It wasn't a surprise that she stopped Ray's misguided rant single-handedly with a single-handed slap.

"Relax Argyle Ken-Doll, it was a love tap." She patted his slightly reddened cheek, "but if you ever ask me to send you anything to your Myspace, I will rip your throat out."

Without another word she swooped up and left, leaving both Ray and Puck slightly amazed at her quick exit.

For once Ray was speechless. Checking his trousers quickly to ensure that his fear didn't extend to his bladder, he exhaled in relief when all was safe and dry.

"See Noah? It wasn't that bad. You're not in an alley wearing a catsuit and I didn't end up with any damage to my face."

It was then that he noticed Puck was still staring after the absent Lauren Zizes.

"Noah?" Scrunching up his face, Ray nudged his friend. "Noah… Noah? NOAH! We're going to be late for class."

Puck sighed in amazement, "What a woman…"

The next couple of days were quiet. Ray managed to stay close to Noah and avoided more slushie attacks but couldn't help but think the worst was yet to come. Fortunately, Zizes sped up her schedule for the frame job and today was the day that Ryerson was getting his grand exit.

Noah still refused to tell him what he did to get Lauren to re-prioritize their plan.

Ray decided he was better off knowing, especially when Noah got all dreamy-eyed whenever he brought the subject up. Not that Ray could say anything about that because Noah would just turn tables on him by bringing up Quinn Fabray. Another reason why he needed this show choir upheaval. Despite the fact that they shared several AP classes together, the head cheerleader had chosen to either glare at him with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns or ignore him completely since their meeting.

He sighed and closed his locker, leaning his head on the door. It was only the screaming that erupted in the hall that managed to distract him from his infatuated woes.

"I'm innocent I tell you! INNOCENT!" Sandy Ryerson shrieked and squealed when Mr. Figgins ordered security to take him away. "I will sue this school, Figgins! And then George Clooney will play me in my autobiographical film!"

William Schuester watched from the other end of the hall. He was definitely saddened to hear about his fellow colleague's dismissal but the only question going through his mind now was: "What about glee?"

Ray stood stalk still as he witnessed the event and in an effort to drown out Mr. Ryerson's desperate and freakishly high cries he ducked his head back in his locker. He only looked up when he heard Santana and Puck approach.

"Dude! Zizes is the MAN!" Puck exclaimed as he slapped Ray's back with enthusiasm.

"I'm sure underage virgin boys everywhere here owe you their chastity, Berry." Santana added from beside him, nonchalantly fixing her nails. "Too bad you're not playing for the other team."

Ray rolled his eyes at Santana's jab and turned to bump fists with Puck. "Yeah, all that matters now is getting Mr. Schuester to sign on as the coach."

He closed his locker and they all started walking down the hall before Mr. Schuester barrelled past them towards Mr. Figgins' office.

"I don't think we have to do much, Ray-man." Puck started, pointing at the Principal's office.

They could hear the faint sounds of Mr. Figgins yelling: "You want to captain the Titanic too?"

Ray nodded then frowned a little, looking in the direction that security hauled Mr. Ryerson off to, "I do feel a little guilty for our underhanded methods in securing Mr. Schuester as show choir coach."

"Yeah well, you would have fit in perfectly with Ryerson's army of clean cut choir boys." Santana snarked. "but you'd never see the light of competition with a team of three."

"Three?" Ray asked. When he looked in on the 'glee' meetings, there was only one student in the choir room with Mr. Ryerson.

Puck grinned, "Ryerson would have totally tried to compete too."

"Seriously?"

Raising an eyebrow, Ray saw that both Puck and Santana were nodding at the truth of the hypothetical situation.

Ray sighed and let go of any residual guilt. Ryerson definitely seemed like he would cause a lot of trouble. He also looked like he already had several standing restraining orders. Instead, Ray decided to enjoy the rest of the day while thinking about the bright future of the McKinley High Glee Club.

Realizing that auditions could be on the horizon, Ray jumped to attention and marched to the auditorium.

He needed to rehearse.

Quinn Fabray wasn't happy.

Ryerson was fired and Sue was still not talking the head Cheerio's warning seriously.

She didn't know why she felt that this glee thing would change everything at McKinley but she knew it was going to be trouble.

After the meeting with the coach the other day didn't go as planned, she refused to talk Quinn about it. Still Coach Sylvester gave Quinn the go ahead to handle it as she saw fit.

"Look Q, I don't think some new squirt on the block has a shot at changing squat here. Glee club's going to stay a pedophilic sexual harassment case waiting to happen and we both know it."

"But Coach-"

"But nothing Q!" Sue Sylvester yelled through her megaphone making Quinn flinch. "This Berry kid isn't even a blip on my radar."

Quinn huffed and Coach Sylvester calculatingly observed her young protégée.

"You know Q, you remind me of a young Sue Sylvester. If there's anything that women like us do, it's trust their instincts. So I'll trust you to trust yours and to make sure this kid doesn't ever get a chance to even graze my radar."

Coach Sylvester smiled maliciously as she dismissed Quinn, "Give'em hell, kiddo."

She could do this. She knew she could.

"I don't know if I can do this, Quinn."

The head cheerleader rolled her eyes, "Really? You're the captain of the football team, it should be you leading this school and throwing the punches! The geeks and losers need to be reminded of their place here."

"Is it really just black and white like that though?" Finn asked timidly.

Of course it was black and white. This was high school.

She huffed and starting poking him in the chest, making the giant of a boy back up in terror, "I'm right, you're wrong. I'm smart, you're dumb! Look, if we slack off on the power we have, the baseball or even worse, the hockey team will take it. They've already started and I don't know about you but I do not look good on the arm of a redhead with a mullet."

Finn nodded slowly in understanding before narrowing his eyes, "Wait a minute…"

"You love me right?" she asked, interrupting his thought process. He nodded and she placed her hand softly on his chest while getting as close to his ear as she could, "Well if you do this for me now, then we can use the Jacuzzi in my backyard when my parents are out of town for their booze cruise."

Lust-clouded eyes stared past Quinn's head and she could just feel those dusty gears in Finn's head churn the blood south. She cringed internally at the thought and mentally noted that she needed to schedule another Christ Crusaders meeting soon.

"Can't I just tell someone else to do it?" Finn whined when the haze of teenage hormones subsided.

She shook her head at her boyfriend's weak spine, "How is this any different from what you do normally, Finn? You do this or someone else does, a loser will still get slushied. You can be as morally troubled as you want to be but that doesn't make you any less guilty for just standing there and letting it happen."

The statement served to shut up the large quarterback. He couldn't deny Quinn's argument. That was exactly what he did.

Stepping back, Quinn touched his cheek, "I need to go to study hall but I better see that Berry kid covered head to toe with color-dyed shaved ice before the week is done. You're the Captain, Finn. Start acting like one."

With that Quinn comforted herself knowing that things would stay as is. The status quo would remain intact and she would be able to forget the boy with the disarming smile and shine in his eyes.

Ray Redford Berry was a loser that was too short for his age and had a nose too big for his face. He had a horrible fashion sense and was going to sign up for the gayest club at McKinley.

She didn't need to know anything else. She didn't want to know anything else.

A gentle piano and guitar melody echoed out in the halls, stopping Quinn and her bitter thoughts in their tracks.

"I am what you want me to be
And I'm your worst fear, you'll find it in me"

The voice joined the musical instruments, surpassing them in its hypnotic tone.

"Come closer"

The lull was dark but simultaneously warm. Frightening and enticing at the same time. Quinn changed her direction and moved to find the source.

"Come closer"

The auditorium. Barely used since the drama club went under, suffering from Sue Sylvester's National Cheerleading finances. There were still a few students that hung out on the abandoned stage. Brittany loved to perform on there with Santana and Quinn being her only audience. She always claimed that they were her most important audience and the only one she needed. Quinn and Santana always knew that she was destined for more than that.

Going through the backstage door she eyed the figure from the distance. He was sitting on top of an old balcony prop that wasn't situated too high.

"I am more than memory, I am what might be
I am mystery
You know me
So show me"

Ray Berry sat upon the prop grinning coyly out at the invisible audience. He stood up in time as the music began its crescendo. He was completely immersed and in his element. It left Quinn paralyzed and unable to focus on anything else but his performance; not his short stature, elongated nose nor his blindingly ugly sweater that had an owl on it could stunt his shine.

"When I appear it's not so clear if I'm a simple spirit or I'm flesh and blood"

She squeaked when Ray jumped off the balcony prop bouncing to life with the chorus.

"But I'm alive, I'm alive, I am so alive
And I feed on the fear that's behind your eyes
And I need you to need me, it's no surprise
I'm alive, so alive
I'm alive."

Quinn reddened when she saw that the boy heard her and grinned impishly in her direction. He jumped and danced fluidly, displaying styles that varied from Broadway to Jazz to Contemporary to Ballet. While he wasn't at Brittany's level which came so naturally to her, Ray definitely acted like his dancing was almost professional. Any missteps were melded into another dance move and his perfectly pitched voice managed to turn any attention away from choreographic mistakes.

Her eyes widened, too late to realize that Ray had moved in front of her and grabbed her hand towards the stage.

"I am flame and I am fire
I am destruction, decay, and desire"

She struggled but the strange boy's infectious joy disarmed her as he twirled her around and danced.

"I'll hurt you
I'll heal you"

Quinn's icy demeanour seemed to fall. For a moment she let go of any expectations both internal and external, and just had fun.

"I'm your wish, your dream come true
And I am your darkest nightmare too"

It was easy to get lost in this boy's mind-blowing voice and his gleeful dance but the strangely dark lyrics to the upbeat song made the mystery of Ray Berry even more ... what? She couldn't admit anything to herself at the moment.

A threat, a wish, a desire. What was this boy promising as he sang to Quinn?

"I've shown you
I own you"

A perfectly shaped, blonde eyebrow rose up in discontent at the verse. She could see his cringe when he saw it and she smirked. The tables were turning as she used her hands to push him back playfully as if challenging his lyrical claim. Still he didn't stop his performance and fought back by spinning around her attack quickly and tapping her on her shoulder while waving a finger as if to say: "Nah, ah, ah!"

"And though you made me, you can't change me"

Ray refused to let go of his new dancing partner for too long. He whirled around gracefully before grabbing her hand, spinning her into his arms and dipping her. Quinn gasped and let herself be serenaded by the boy that held her:

"I'm the perfect stranger who knows you too well…"

He placed her upright again then jumped off the stage, running around the seats and singing the second chorus with goofy enthusiasm.

"But I'm alive, I'm alive I am so alive
And I'll tell you the truth if you let me try.
You're alive, I'm alive, and I'll show you why
I'm alive, so alive

How this high-school kid kept his voice that loud, clear and in tune while running, Quinn would never know but she grudgingly admitted in her mind that Ray Berry was something special.

The song seemed to enter its bridge and Ray started back up to the stage, still grinning his irresistibly infectious grin.

"You can try to hide but you know that I will find you."

Quinn on the other hand was now used to his surprise twists and twirls, matching him move for move.

'Cause if you won't grieve me, you won't leave me behind…

Ray's grin widened considerably seeing that Quinn was able to dance with him so freely and fluidly. It was something to see the angel in her element. And she was the perfect partner…. DANCE partner. They didn't need to speak. A connection and spark that ignited when they first met now burst to life without traditional means of conversation.

He spoke to her soul and she answered.

It was time for the big finale and he finished on the last "I'm alive!" with Quinn back in his arms. It was strange after being the hazel orbs' subject of contempt for the last couple of days.

Hazel met deep brown with ardor and… joy?

Their faces were close enough to feel each other's heavy breaths. The spell was cast on both.

He closed his eyes and leaned in.

AN again: cruelty thy name is Nikki :3

Ray's performance was "I'm Alive" from the musical Next to Normal .

Although I'm aware of the different context it has in the musical, I felt that it provided an upbeat song they could dance to while adding meaningful lyrics to their relationships with each other and themselves.

They both have a past to own up to and the way they handle it is a main issue in this story.

...Besides when does glee ever use songs in a contextually sensical manner?

*Also cheers for the Fairly Odd Parents reference. haha

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