My OC looks like Aly Michalka, but with brown hair.

Let me know what you think and check out my other stories!

I strolled to my house leisurely in the early hours of the morning. Today was a school holiday, but I had stayed at a friend's house the night before to avoid going home. When school was usually in session, I would walk home, always ending up arriving at my house hours after school was over, but I didn't really mind. My dad was an asshole. He wasn't physically abusive or anything, but he was definitely verbally abusive. We tended to avoid each other most of the time. He worked the graveyard shift at work, meaning that since I walked home from school, he was leaving an hour or two after I arrived. During those hours I would clean the house, or chill at one of my two favorite neighbors houses. Vincent was only three years older than me. He dropped out of high school at 15. Now at 19, he worked odd jobs to help bring money in for him and his younger siblings. I'd lived in the same house for as long as I can remember, and I remember the moment that my favorite neighbor moved in.

I remember at 7 years old I was excited that Ray Ferrier was here, because he had a son that was my age, and a daughter not too much younger, though she was still an infant at the time. He was recently divorced which meant that his kids weren't there all the time, but when they did come over, we always had a blast. I kept in touch with them through texting, emails, and phone calls when they weren't at Ray's. Ray was still a pretty cool dude. Once he realized that I was being left home at nights while my father was on his shifts, he had me come over to chill while I did homework and passed the time by. We were strangely close. He was the cool Uncle I always wanted as a child. I smiled at the thought as I strolled down the street, pausing when I heard a familiar engine and a car honk.

"Kylie! Want a lift?" Ray asked. I nodded, jogging to the passenger side of the car. Ray wasn't old yet, but he was definitely late 30's. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a rather short frame. He was strong from the sports and odd jobs he did, but he had a kind smile and a twinkle in his eye whenever he got excited about something.

"Thank goodness you showed up. I thought I was going to have to walk the whole way home!" I replied. Ray chuckled at me.

"And heaven forbid you have to do exercise." I nodded in agreement even though I knew he was teasing me.

"When do your kids get here?" I asked excitedly. Ray's face beamed at the mention of his kids, bringing a smile to his face that really only his kids could do.

"They're actually there right now." Ray told me.

"You got the times mixed up, didn't you?" I asked. Ray sent me a sly grin as he adjusted his New York Yankee's ball cap.

"You know me so well." He glanced at my hat. "I thought I told you not to wear that trash in my car." He smiled so I knew that he was kidding. My hat was a worn down Atlanta Braves cap. It was my mom's favorite team and use to be her ball cap. It hid my shoulder blade length chocolate brown hair underneath it since it was up in a bun.

"Don't worry. We're almost home and then I won't be tainting your precious Camaro." I sassed. Ray squinted as he looked at me, causing me to chuckle. "I'll give you an hour or so before I come over to hang out. Is that good?" Ray nodded in agreement. We cut off a car as we took a left turn, skidding and driving way too fast before Ray pulled in to park. Marry and her husband stood outside their car as they waited for Ray. I hadn't seen Robbie or Rachel in two years. I had always had a crush on Robbie, but it was never really returned. We both got out of the car. Ray casually grabbed the trashcan as he took it to the road.

"8:30? Did we say that?" He asked innocently. I trailed behind him more slowly.

"We said 8:00." Marry smiled at me. "Kylie Stewart. How are you doing sweet heart?" I always loved that she remembered my name, even though she never lived next door to me. I guess I should have remembered her husbands…Marry had shoulder blade length strawberry blonde hair. She had a gentle face, soft, warming smile and kind pale green eyes. Everything about her screamed motherly. Her being a few months pregnant only added to the look.

"Pretty good. It's good to see you again." I smiled back, shuffling my green converses nervously. Talking to people that I didn't normally talk to always makes me shy. Ray chose to ignore the conversation as he checked out their car.

"Hey, this is one safe-looking vehicle you got yourself here, Tim." Oh, so that's what his name was. "Congratulations." Oh Ray. You're so awkward.

"Thank you." Tim mumbled staying completely calm throughout the awkward exchange. There were a few beats of silence before my front porch door swung open, banging against the wall and catching everyone's attention.

"Kylie. Damn it girl! I thought I told you to come straight home! There are dishes that need to be done. And who the hell is suppose to make me breakfast." My father yelled at me. I mumbled a goodbye as I turned around, keeping my head down as I walked quickly to my house.

"It would probably be too much of a stretch for, I don't know, the adult of the house to do it, now wouldn't it?" Ray yelled sarcastically. I smiled, glad that I had someone who was standing up for me.

"Mind your own business, Ferrier!" My father yelled back, shoving me the rest of the way into the house. "What are you doing out there with that older man again? You whoring yourself around?" I scrunched up my face in confusion, glancing down at myself. I wore blue jeans that hugged my long legs, but weren't tight enough to be skinny jeans. I had on a plain blue V-neck t-shirt that didn't even go low enough to show cleavage, and I had a black hoodie over the shirt. How was that even remotely slutty? I didn't answer and moved straight to the kitchen instead. Best to just get the chores over with and ignore him as he goes on his usual tirade. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see it was a message from Robbie.

From: Robbie

Come save me. I'm bored already.

I chuckled before sending a text.

To: Robbie

I can't. I have some chores I have to do. Go bond with your father. I'll be over as soon as I can.

I didn't have to wait but a few seconds for the reply.

From: Robbie

That sounds like a terrible idea. I don't have anything in common with the man. I'd rather hang out with you.

I knew he didn't mean it that way, but my heart still did little flip-flops when he would say things like that.

To: Robbie

Just shut up and go throw a baseball with your father or something.

I rummaged through the fridge, trying to decide what to make for breakfast, but was distracted by my phone again.

From: Robbie

You're evil.

I laughed out loud before quickly smothering it as my father told me to shut the hell up.