This is a story about a naive Rachel Green, who suddenly discovers that people and life can turn out to be False Pretenses. The first chapter is short and I promise the next one will be longer. This type of story does not go along with the theme of my previous one's…hopefully will not shock anyone.

Chapter 1 – An Awakening Experience

"I'm going with him to the Badlands, and there is no way you are going to stop me", Rachel screamed at her father.

Rachel's father Leonard, turned raising his hand while voicing his command, "Listen young lady. No you won't. That freeloading Bart is nothing but a self-centered, obnoxious individual whose one main desire is just to ride his Harley around town. Rachel; please look at yourself! Lately your demeanor has changed for the worst.

Angry at her father's remarks, Rachel cocked her head and put her hands on her hips in protest, "I happen to like appearance, and so does Bart.

"Softening her tone, "Listen, Dad, I cannot always be your little princess. I've grown up. You have to accept that." Rachel feeling the argument was over, turned and walked towards her bedroom. Bart would be here to pick her up within an hour.

Her father, realizing he had not sufficiently made his point, came after her, "Listen to me young lady, you are not going and that is that!" He turned wiping the sweat off his brow.

Rachel stomped her foot in anger, "Yes I am and you can't stop me."

Leonard forcefully grabbed his daughter, and stuck her across the face with such force, that her lip began to bleed. Shocked, he stepped back and placed his hand over his mouth.

Rachel; also in a state of shock, stood frozen for a minute, than ran into her bedroom, slammed the door and locked it behind her. To support her weakened legs, she leaned back against the door. What had just occurred? Before she could resolve the question, her emotions took over and she fell onto the bed sobbing. The bed that she had felt such comfort in, suddenly felt suffocating.

After all her tears were shed, she calmed down enough for her thoughts to come together. Wiping away dried tears, her hand brushed over her lip; it was swollen. Realizing she needed to separate herself from the incident, she cleaned herself up, grabbed her car keys, along with a few clothes, and ran out of the house. She was running to the one person whom she felt would give her comfort, Bart.

Bart's sparsely decorated studio included wall photographs of Harley Davidson's. Sheets hung half-hazard across the windows. "So, what happened?" Bart inquired, while setting down beside Rachel.

Still in shock, she gathered herself together enough and began to explain the humiliating experience, "Well, my father lost his temper and struck me."

Smugly Bart chuckled while planting his feet on the coffee table, "Hey listen! My old man used to whack me around all the time. You'll get over it. Be cool!

Rachel looked over at him in shock. The person she thought would comfort her WAS self-centered …why had she not seen that before? Had this just been all fun and games?

Bart not realizing her dilemma pulled her over to him and tried to kiss her. She stiffened and pushed him away.

A disillusioned Rachel put on her coat and grabbed her purse, "Uh…I have to go."

As she drove her Mustang down Highway 85, lights of New York City reflected brightly against the dark sky. The illusion of light against dark, gave her hope. She felt like up until now, it had all been false pretenses.