Rachel was taking a stroll down the fluffy white sidewalk, taking in all her surroundings and breathing some fresh air. The brunette kept walking till she saw a mob of people who seems to be surrounding Michael Jackson. Rachel shook her head and muttered to herself "A celebrity will always be a celebrity no matter where you are"
She kept on walking till she finally came to a stop at her house, twisting the knob to go in "Dads, I'm-" Rachel stopped herself, this might be the 20th time she has done that, but who can blame her? She has lived with her parents for 15 years, who is used to the daily "Hello, baby girl"
Ever since the tragic incident that happened two years ago, she can never seem to get used to her new life style. Living alone, cooking for herself, watching over her family from above and seeing how broken they are; it's nerve wreaking. And most importantly: She can no longer live her dream that she's been preparing for ever since she was a little girl.
Rachel brushed off her thoughts and wiped her tears. The brunette walked into her empty, lifeless house and started to make her dinner.
"Rachel, could you help me with your food? I might burn it again" Rachel imitated her father's voice
"Sure daddy" She took off the plastic cover from the frozen meal and places it in the microwave
"Thanks baby girl"
"You're..we-we.." Rachel couldn't handle in anymore, she ran to the couch and poured out all the tears she's been holding in since two years ago.
Rachel does it every night; talk in her parents voice so she wouldn't feel so lonely, but it never worked, it only made it worse.
Since no one was around her, she cried and screamed as loud as she can. Feeling her throat start to weaken, her lungs struggling for air, and her eyes becoming sore from all the tears she's been shedding. Rachel ignored the microwave, sounding off that her food is ready, and just went straight to bed. Ready to begin another pointless day.
All night, Rachel had been tossing and turning trying to fight the urge to start crying again or fighting off her nightmares.
"Dad!" Rachel yelled "Daddy!"
Rachel fumbled out of her bed and ran downstairs to pour herself a glass of water. Her fathers always gave her glass of water when she's sad or thirsty. Thanks to her parents she has to question herself every time she drinks water.
She sat herself on one of the stools in the kitchen, she didn't want this. She never imagine having a life like this, Rachel thought it was supposed to be a better life. Why did people say that when someone dies they go to a "better place"? This place is even worse! None of your relatives or friends are here for you. If Rachel were to somehow come back to life, she would tell all the churches to go fuck themselves because heaven isn't what it's cracked up to be.
"Why did I do this?" Rachel whispered, she could hear the words echo through her ears.
The next morning, Rachel was awoken by the sound of the mailman at her door. Which was strange since she would never get mail unless it's coupons. She straighten out her back and fixed her hair, she was hesitant at first, but she got over it.
"How may I help you?" Rachel asked sternly
"Are you Rachel Berry?"
"Yes"
"This is for you" He handed her an envelope "Take care Miss Berry"
She closed the door and stared at the piece of paper that had the initials AAP. Rachel eagerly opened it as if it were a letter acceptance from NYADA, oh how she wishes it was from NYADA.
"Dear Rachel Berry,
We're here to inform you that you have been selected to join the Angel for Angel Program (AAP). The AAP is a program that allows you to return to earth to help a child in need. You will be given your own set of wings and angel dust (we'll explain what that does later). If you wish to accept this offer then please contact us at 123-987-66340 to set up a meeting. Thank you.
Signed, Luke Clark."
Rachel couldn't believe what she had just read, she wasted no time getting on the phone and setting the meeting. Once they established everything on the phone, Rachel sat on her couch and sighed happily. Just think in a couple of days she's going back home to finally come face-to-face with her parents once again. Oh, and that she has to help a poor defenseless child while she's there. Rachel didn't seem that excited about that part, she has to spend her time with another stranger than see her parents.
After her excitement dialed down, she just realized what she has done. She just got offered up a program, that she's never heard of, and has to go back to earth with no explanation other than the meeting on Sunday. Only one conclusion popped into her head: That this whole thing is a big scam to take her money...wait, what money? She had no job, the food from the store is free. Everything is free in heaven. Besides, the program is free...what if this was a trap?
Why would it be a trap, traps are runned by villains and there were no villains here. The more she thought about the program the more confused she gets. In this difficult time this is where she needs her parents more than ever, actually, she always needs her parents. For now, all she did was count down the days to the interview.
Rachel stepped out for a bit to clear her mind, once again she walked the streets and headed to a pond she found a year ago. The pond has always been her best place to relax, think, or escape that lonely house of hers. She sat on the benches and watched the ducks paddle their way across the pond.
"Why so glum, chum?" A soft voice came from behind Rachel
"Hello Daisy" Giving her a weak smile
Daisy is a friend that Rachel made when she first got here. Daisy and Rachel have a lot in common: they both love to sing, both 17, and both shared the same death. Daisy has long dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes that Rachel adored. She can swim in those eyes for hours.
"Rachel..what's on your mind?"
How can she tell her only friend that she's leaving? Rachel took in a breath "I'm offered to join the AAP"
"Awesome! The AAP, that's amazing Rachel!...what's the AAP?"
Rachel chuckled "It's a program where I.." Rachel lost her train of thought when she saw Daisy's smile form into a frown "Have to go back to earth"
The blue-eyed girl furrowed her brows "You're leaving?"
"Just for a while"
"You can't leave. Who's gonna be with me when I have Movie Fridays?" Daisy's chest started to heave
"Daisy, breathe! I have an interview on Sunday, so it's a yes/no situation"
"How do you feel?"
"What?"
"How do you feel? You're gonna go back to earth"
"I feel...so many emotions. I'm shocked, happy, scared"
"You're happy. That's all that matters right now. Please be safe, earth is a filthy place"
Rachel is surely going to miss her. And she's right, who will she be with on Movie Fridays? The two girls just spent the rest of the day at the pond talking and feeding the ducks. Daisy offered to sleepover at her house since they only have a week left to see each other. Rachel gladly accepted it.
Their days have been nothing but fun and tears. They watched movies, ate a lot of junk food. Well, Daisy did. Rachel drank her green juice which to her friend said it tasted like water down grass.
The Sunday came quicker than they expected. Rachel gave her friend one last hug before she left for her interview. As she was walking she thought about how different it will be like, no more fluffy sidewalk, no happy faces. Even if she tried to convince herself not to go, her heart was telling her something else, and her feet didn't listen to her brain when she said to turn it around and head home.
Her heart started to pound against her chest when she walked through the building doors. She signed herself in and waited for her name to be called. Rachel couldn't contain her excitement knowing that she will leave this place to go back to her home.
"Rachel Berry, Luke Clark will see you now" The receptionist said nicely
A tall man escorted her to Luke's office, Rachel examined all the little details just to make sure it's not an evil trap. She sat down on the leather chair and was now face-to-face with the one and only Luke Clark.
"It's nice to meet you Rachel Berry" Luke smiled
"Likewise"
"Now, as you read on the letter, you are one of the few people who have been selected to join the AAP. But you're wondering "why me?", right?" Rachel nodded at his question "You see, we keep a record of everyone who comes to heaven. Speaking of records, I have yours right here"
Luke licked his thumb and turn page after page in Rachel's folder. The brunette was sweating bullets, who keeps records of people's deaths?! She saw Luke furrowed his brows and gave Rachel a shocked yet pity look
"Oh..Rachel. I'm so sorry.."
Rachel shook her head "You have nothing to be sorry about"
He gave her a firm smile and continued "Well, we read the records and some people from earth are dealing with the same thing. So, the whole point about the AAP is to guide them to another direction other than death"
Rachel was disgusted, the nerve of this man "So you want me, a girl who's already dead, to help a living healthy person live their life?"
"Do you want to see another child die? Being taken away from their family and friends?"
"They're going to die anyways! So why does it matter?"
"Just because you were taken away at an early age doesn't mean they have to, too!"
Rachel had no other words, that sentence just made matters even worse. She felt her tears swelling up, but she can't cry. At least now not.
"I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean it. I lost my temper" Luke laid back in his chair, massaging his temples "That's how I came here..because of my temper I'm here and not down there with my family"
"I'm sorry. I'm only two years into this life style and the subject of this is still sensitive to me"
"I understand. If you're not up for this program then it's understandable"
Rachel mentally did a pros and cons list, so far pros are winning. And oddly there was no cons.
"Sign me up"
Luke explained to her that she has to stay on earth till her mentee is stable enough to handle their problems on their own. He gave her, her own wings and angel dust. The angel wings are to let her mentee know that she means no harm, only her mentee can see them, but to the rest of the world she as seen as a regular person. She can choose to be seen or heard if she really wants to. The angel dust is to lose a certain amount of memory, say for instance if someone who recognized you and exposes your death then just flick some dusk on them and they will forget who you were.
Luke also handed her a copy of who she will be assigned to.
"You will be leaving tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Make sure to arrive at their house and watch over them. You can come back, but if your mentee is calling out for you then you have to return to earth, is that clear?"
"Crystal. Are there any do's or don'ts about being a mentor?"
"Just two: Don't be a bad influence. And Do guide them to success and stability"
Rachel smiled "I can do that, I have been- I've done it for the past 15 years"
"Rachel, your death was not your fault"
The brunette didn't respond, she didn't want to. Rachel turned on her heel and headed out to pack up her stuff. Luckily Luke gave her a suitcase that you can stuff your belongings and could easily be fitted into your pocket. Before Rachel could walk out, Luke had one more message for her
"Before you go, make sure you wear this" Luke clicked a device to her wrist "This is to let you know if there's an evil spirit around. Make sure you don't get close to them, they will turn you into one of them"
"This assignment suddenly got dangerous for my liking" Rachel let out a stiff laugh
"You'll be fine. And remember if you don't want to be seen, your inner thoughts will calculate it and you'll be invisible. Try it out"
Rachel closed her eyes and thought 'I don't want to be seen' she felt a tingle through her whole body. She opened her eyes "Did it work?"
Luke seem impressed of how quickly Rachel had learn "Perfect"
Rachel happily exited the building with her new pair of wings, people gave her confused looks, but she could care less. When she got home, she went straight to packing her stuff. Rachel still couldn't believe that this is happening, she going to see the real world all over again. Rachel heard a knock at the door, she knew who it was so she snapped her fingers and then an angry Daisy appeared
"You know I hate it when you do that. Are you that lazy to open the door now?" Daisy rubbed her head to relief some pressure
"Sorry Daisy, I'm just so excited!"
Daisy saw how Rachel already packed all of her things into the suitcase "You know there's a thing called folding"
"Well, I only have tonight to get ready. I leave in the morning"
"WHAT!"
"It wasn't my decision!"
"Can't believe this. Why didn't you tell me this sooner?!" The blue-eyed girl yelled
"So I can avoid being yelled at!"
Her friend took deep breaths to calm down her body "Sorry..I'm just really going to miss you"
"You know, I can visit from time to time. We'll be able to do our Movie Fridays"
Daisy smiled and let Rachel finish packing. At least she'll know that her best friends will always find time for her.
Once morning had struck, Rachel triple checked her check list, locked her doors and went to the same building from yesterday to meet with Luke. Luke was actually pretty excited too, he greeted Rachel and gave her the directions to her mentee's house. It took Rachel aback when she found out that she lived in Lima, Ohio, which makes it easier to see her dads. Luke showed her the way into another room with some sort of chamber device, Rachel gave him a scared expression
"Don't worry, Rachel. It's safe. This is a teleportation chamber, it's going to teleport you to earth"
"When I get there, will I be visible?" Rachel's shaky voice escaped her lips
"No, you'll be invisible. Once you're ready to expose yourself then you know what to do"
Rachel turned her hands into fist and gave the man a nod that she's ready, Luke carefully walked Rachel into the tiny chamber and locked it, just in case she freaks out and ruins the exportation. He counted down from 5 to 1
"5..4..3..2..1..Lima, Ohio!" He pulled the lever
Rachel felt a ton of pressure on her body, she could barely breathe, is this how people felt when they went through this? It didn't look like that in the movies! What felt like forever, only took 2 minutes to get to earth. Rachel felt the concrete beneath her feet, the cold wind hitting her cheeks. She missed how the sky looked in the mornings, pink with some yellow from the sun.
Rachel walked down memory lane with her eye filled with unshed tears. She almost forgot why she was there till she dropped the directions to her mentee's house. She picked it up and tried to read the directions, Rachel was always bad at maps. Her mentee's house was only a block away from her old house, she walked for about ten minutes till she reached her destination.
The brunette was about to ring the door bell till the door flew open and was met with a drained blonde. Rachel froze, suddenly terrified if the blonde could see her, but when she walked right through Rachel her question was answered. Rachel followed the blonde to her car and decided to take a drive with her, she kept staring at her and trying to figure out why this girl seem to live a bad life. The blonde didn't have any cuts or scars indicating self harm, no marks or bruises showing that she lived in an abusive family.
They came to a stop and Rachel recognized this place; it was her old high school. It hasn't changed a bit since Rachel was here. Then again, it's only been two years. Her thoughts were brought out by the sound of a car door closing and a blonde leaving. Rachel quickly followed the girl and tried to examine why she was sent to her. Rachel looked around and saw some new addictions to the school like, more trophies, new school lunch, and a plaque with her name on it- wait, hold up..
Rachel stared into the shelf where all the trophies where and saw her picture on the plaque, it read "Rachel Berry. Gone to soon, but heaven needed another angel. We'll miss you." The brunette scoffed at the plaque, who was gonna miss her? Who did this stupid dedication to her? If she could, she would have gotten that plaque and thrown it on the floor. She felt a pain to her chest when she read the words "gone to soon" yes, it was to soon, but you can't control death.
While Rachel was still looking at her plaque, she heard a cry coming from down the hall. She ran towards the sound and found an angry blonde covered in a red icy beverage. The brunette looked around and found the idiots who attacked the poor girl.
"What the hell, Karofsky!" The blonde yelled, wiping the red gunk off her face
"You still want me to bow down after you joined glee club? You're a joke, Fabray!"
The blonde shoved the football player to the lockers and made her way to the bathroom, Rachel followed her. She saw the blonde grab some paper towels and started to clean herself up. 'Should I tell her now?' Rachel thought. Can this be the right moment to expose herself? 'Well, obviously she's just been humiliated. Help her, Rachel!'
The brunette's heart began to pump harder and faster, she's not ready, but this isn't about her, it's about the blonde she's supposed to take care of. She used all her will power to expose herself, feeling that tingle run down her body. Rachel took a few steps towards her and lightly tapped her shoulder she stepped back to give the blonde some space. The blonde gasped, trying to steady herself on the sink.
"Quinn Fabray..I'm your guardian angel"
