This is completely AU. I based this story from a tv show in my country entitled "Dear Friend: Almost a Love Story". Bear with me with this, please. English is not my first language. Reviews are very much appreciated.

"Rachel! Will you wake up now?! You're gonna be late for school! Remember that you don't have all the time in this world! Get up or I'll bring your father up here with his belt to hit you!" Rachel's mom, Shelby, shouted from outside of her room while knocking the door loudly.

Little does her mom know, Rachel just pretends to be asleep because she wants more attention from her. But right now, she does not expect her to threaten her with his dad Hiram and his scary belt. Truth be told, Rachel's family has always been the religious ones. When someone takes a look at them walking around town to Church on Sundays, they'd say that they are a perfect family. It has been a family tradition to keep each other safe and uptight and honestly, it makes her sick sometimes. Not that she doesn't have faith. No. It's just that she wishes that sometimes, her family should be more open- minded when it comes to people whom they consider as sinners. Like those people who like the same sex, who commit crimes for the sake of money, people who cheats, and so on, and so forth. She believes that every people have reasons for doing a mistake, and she just wishes that her family understood that. Of course she knew that they would never understand. Her family does not give second chances.

She may be open- minded about sins but there are a lot of things that she still does not know. Specifically, those are the things that most teenagers talk about. Among these things are sex, boys, falling in love, and boys again. She's certain that her dad would kill her if she ever introduced or brought a man inside her home. That's how she grew up. She doesn't know exactly when will she be allowed to have a boyfriend but sometimes she wonders what it felt like to have someone to pick her up from her house and drop her to school, or to walk her to class, or to eat lunch with her, then drop her back home. She envies her classmates when they talk about dating and all she has to do is listen and nod and nothing else. Her teenage life is totally unhappy. Her gadgets are the only things that keep her sane. She likes playing PSP or DS. But she loves playing Diner Dash in her PSP.

Luckily, her school is not one of those schools where social status matters. Of course, there are popular ones but those people who are "unpopular" do not get humiliated or bullied. The statuses are either popular or ordinary. There is peace in her school and she's contented with that. But she wishes that someday, she may be one of those popular girls with a boyfriend beside her.

She fears her dad and his belt. That stupid belt serves as his weapon whenever she does something that does not please her dad. One time she went home at 5, an hour after class, and she got beaten in the ass by her dad's belt and it definitely hurt because that belt is a freaking leather. It had been a year ago since that happened and after that, she made sure that she makes it home on time after school everyday.

She does not understand his father. She actually hates him sometimes but whenever he went home with her favorite ice cream, all those anger and fear disappear. Now she thinks that maybe her dad just wants what's best for her. Maybe. But she still has to understand. Maybe it's just a matter of time.

"Yes Mom! God! I'm already awake, you don't need to call dad. I'm up!" she screamed out of annoyance. Her morning was already ruined.

"Say something like that again, and use the name of the Lord out of annoyance, and I'll definitely tell your dad about it." Her mom snapped before going downstairs to prepare breakfast.

"Ugh! Say something like that again.. blablabla! " She repeated her mom's words before jumping out of bed without fixing her bed sheets and going to bathroom to take her shower.

After getting ready for school, she went downstairs trying her best to put on a fake enthusiasm on her face as she approaches her parents. She went to her dad who sits in the center of the dining table and is sipping his coffee, then she kisses his cheek. She did not acknowledge her mother physically who sits on the left side of the table, instead she simply says "What's for breakfast?"

"How many times do I have to remind you that you don't ask that question about foods? You have to eat whatever is there because-"

"Because there are many people who can't even manage to eat. Yes dad, I'm sorry." She finished her dad's sentence with sarcasm in her voice, though she tried her best to keep it hidden in her throat.

"And you don't get to cut off people's sentences especially your parent's. Now lead the prayer so we can eat and start our day." Her father commanded.

"Yeah I get to cut them off if they keep repeating the same sentences every single fucking day." She told herself but instead she settled on leading the prayer. "In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Dear God, we thank You again for another day that we are able to gather and eat a very healthy food. Please continue to guide us everywhere no matter what we do. Please forgive us for our sins. In Jesus' name I pray, amen." She ended the prayer without sincerity, because really, her day is so ruined already, but this time she succeeded in hiding her negative emotions.

After eating, she immediately got up and headed straight to her dad's car. Yes, her dad is the one who drops her to school. Going home from school is optional. It is rather riding with her best friend Tina or taking a bus. She always does the latter because really, she can't go home with Tina because she usually hangs out with their other friends who do not have parents like hers. Sucks being tight and innocent sometimes.

She instantly unbuckled her seatbelt when they got to the school's parking lot. She almost forgot to say goodbye to his father because of her need to get him out of her sight already. But of course she did not forget. She kissed his cheek and bid goodbye.

"Make sure to be home on time. You're going to have a visitor that'll be waiting for you." Her dad reminded her. Before she even had a chance to respond and process what her dad said, he was already speeding off downtown to go to his company. She just sighed and thought that the visitor may be another "religious" uncle or aunt. Duh. She's just so sick of them.

She entered the school with a straight face then she was immediately greeted by Tina.

"Rough morning?" Tina asked. They had known each other since they started school so it does not surprise her anymore if Tina knows her better than her parents. Of course Tina does, because Tina gets to see her "schoolgirl" side wherein she contrasts most of her parents' beliefs.

"Yeah. Mr. and Mrs. Perfect Parents had me undergo a Sermon of the Mount." She replied sarcastically.

"Yeah? What have you done this time?" Tina asked trying to resist her laughter because of the mention of a Biblical event.

"Nothing! I just found it hard to wake up and then they picked on me. They're really insane sometimes I just want to be here at school than be home, you know? Sometimes, I can't even stand them." she told Tina, unable to resist the frustration from her voice.

"Aww, Girl, that's what you call "Growing up!"

"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

"Well, you can now say those things about your parents. You've never done that before."

"Course I did."

"Whatever. Come on, let's get to class." Tina winked at her then they headed straight to Algebra class.

Fortunately, her day went well today. Tina kept her company all throughout. She did not force her to talk about gossips or boys this time. She just stayed beside her and let her talk about her family frustrations and pressures throughout their lunch break.

"He also said that I'll have a visitor later. Maybe those are just my grandparents ready to send me straight to heaven." she stated not even touching her lunch food. "I bet they'd also shout at me not touching my lunch food now, that is, if they were here." She added.

"Yes. I bet." Tina replied nodding. "But on the other note, what was your father's reaction when he told you that you'll be having a visitor?"

She was unable to reply fast. Yeah right. What was his father's reaction? Annoyed, threatening, surprising, or happy?

"Uhm, well, he..he has this face whenever he has a surprise for me." She instantly smiled as realization hit her.

"See! It may be not that bad! Just you wait and see and remind me who this person's going to be! You father really loves surprises huh?" Just as Tina finished her statement, the bell rang signaling the end of lunch break.

Another three subjects passed after lunch break then it was finally time to go home. This time, Tina managed to go home on time so she accepted her ride offer. Honestly, she's excited and nervous about her visitor. But who could it possibly be? She can't think of anyone. She had never brought someone home besides Tina. At the end, she believed that it is actually one of her grandparents.

She bid goodbye to Tina when they reached the front of her house and promised to call her about the visitor.

She was at the door when she heard an unfamiliar noise from the inside of the house and she also saw an unfamiliar pair of shoes beside the door. By the looks of it, it is owned by a girl. Giving up on guessing about who the visitor is, she went inside her house and was greeted by a bear hug with no other than-

"Oh My God! Aunt Holly! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed. Wow. She was not expecting that at all. Out of all people!

Her Aunt Holly is her father's youngest sister. She's just 10 years older than her, which means she is just 25 years old. She was her favorite aunt. During summer vacations, they spend most of their times shopping or playing in the arcades. They bond like sisters and no one can separate the two of them. She was not expecting her to visit this time because school year just began and she heard that she was staying in Australia for an OJT. Maybe the gossips were wrong.

"The OJT was cancelled. I won't be back until after Christmas. Aren't you happy, huh Little Rae?" she blushed when she heard that nickname again, originally from her Auntie. Okay. She used to have a childhood crush on Holly. She thought she was sexy back then, but until now, she thinks of her that way, but not in a malicious way though. She's just proud of her Aunt Holly because every good asset of a girl belongs to her. Pretty, blonde hair, toned body, singer, dancer, and a really good sense of humor.

"Are you kidding me? I'm more than happy that you're here! I was just surprised is all. Are we gonna play arcade again? Or maybe we can play Tennis on my Wii now!" She suggested excitedly.

"I actually have other plans for us tonight." Holly whispered so only the two of them can hear.

"I told you you'll be surprised. Now help your beautiful aunt there in your room. You two would be sharing. Then get ready for dinner." Her dad broke their chat.

"Uhm, actually, brother, can I take her out tonight? I'm sure this little girl right here misses some fun with her favorite person. What do you say, Little Rae?" Holly winked at her, urging her to ride along.

"I would love to spend time with her Dad, don't worry I'll finish my homework first. Please dad. Please?" she pleads with puppy eyes.

"Where are you taking her, Holly?"

"Come on. I'm taking her to the mall and we'll play Dance Revolution!"

"Okay. Okay fine. But make sure to be home before 11."

"Yay! Thanks Dad! You're the best!" she hugged her father then dragged Holly upstairs to her room.

"Oh, kids these days.." Hiram told to no one in particular while shaking his head.