Every parent wants different things from their children, but most children only want love and affection. Some choose a bad path in order to get it. But can we blame them?

"Remi, your prom dress will arrive at your house tomorrow. Try it on, and if you need any changes, tell me," Cody says.

"Did your parents hurt you again?" Remi asks him with a hint of worry, touching his bruised lip.

"Please, I don't want to talk about it. It's not new anyway," Cody replies and takes both of her hands.

Remi sighs. She knows she can't force him, he will tell her when he feels comfortable.

"When you want to talk about it, I will be there for you. Okay?" she reassures him and kisses him on the forehead, trying to show her concern.

Cody is thinking about what happened in the morning with his parents.

In the morning (flashback)

The Michelle family is having breakfast, and Cody is getting ready to go to school. His father, Bernard stops him before he can leave.

"Cody, I made a prom dress for your girlfriend. Make sure you win the title and get the recommendation letter," Bernard says in a stern tone.

"I don't know why you're obsessed with these things. I have good grades too, Dad. Have some trust in me," Cody pleads.

Cody doesn't like his father constantly nagging him to get a letter of recommendation. His mother, leona gets up from her chair and goes near her son.

"My son, we are doing this for your own good," she says, patting his shoulder. Cody is about to say something back before he is stopped by a harsh slap from his mother.

"Don't talk back. If you are at least as good as Arik or Athena, we wouldn't need to worry about you. Do as your father says," his mom fumes. "Whenever I meet your friends' moms, they always talk about their child's achievements. Do you know how embarrassed I was? As a Michelle, you must at least win the title," his mom says, expressing her disappointment.

Cody's eyes become teary but he refuses to let them spill. "Yes, Mom," he says, his head lowered.

He doesn't want to cry in front of them. He wants his parents to have some faith in him. But to his parents, their status is more important than their son's feelings.

To earn his parents' faith, he needs to win this prom title. He'll do anything in his power to get it.

Back to present

Cody drops Remi off at her house. She walks into the living room, where she sees her mother and eight-year-old brother playing.

"I'm home," she says, announcing her presence.

Her voice stops the playing duo. Her mother, Nora Heather, looks up at Remi.

"There are some snacks in the kitchen." She then continues to play with her son.

"I have prom in four days," Remi reminds her mother.

"Yeah, I know. Your school is giving out recommendation letters this year, right? I heard about it," Nora says in a casual tone.

"Yes. Cody's dad made me a prom dress so I could win the prom title and letter. Because, clearly, someone doesn't have time to shop with their daughter," Remi says, trying to express her anger.

Nora stops playing with her son and makes him go to the bedroom. She doesn't want him to see what would happen next.

"You don't want your son to see your real face, huh?" Remi says scornfully.

"That's enough, Remina. What do you want?" Nora asks, crossing her arms.

"What do I want? I want my mother to ask how my day was. I want my mother to ask me what I'm going to wear to prom, who my partner is, and if I need anything from her. I just want quality mother-daughter time. Is that too much to ask?" Remi burst out in front of her mother.

"You are not a child. I can't give you all my attention," Nora says, not understanding what her daughter is saying.

"Why? Is it because I'm adopted and he is your biological son?" she mumbles.

"Oh, boy. Stop being dramatic. He is just eight, he needs my attention more than you!" Nora shouts at her daughter.

"You only adopted me for glory," Remi rants on. "Famous Actress Adopts Child: Good Deed. You wanted that headline. You used me for the media; you don't care about anything I do. Whether I win the title or attend a top university, it doesn't matter. All I ask is 1% of the attention that you give your son. But you've never even treated me as a Heather."

The tears are racing down her cheeks. To the outside world, she is Remina Heather, the eldest daughter of prominent actress and producer, Nora Heather. But in reality, she is just a tool for her mother to gain more fame.

"I can't do this anymore," Nora snaps. "What did you do to get my attention? Did you become the school president, like your friend Athena, or at least make the school heartthrob fall for you like Brielle? You can't do anything. You have to thank me for the wealth you have. So stop being a brat and go to your room."

Remi is in agony. She craves her mother's attention and wants to be recognized as her daughter. She thinks hard, and after a minute, she comes up with an idea.

If I win the title and letter of recommendation, then everyone will talk about me. Mom will finally praise me and give me attention. Yes, I need to get ahold of that letter, Remi thinks to herself.

Arik comes home and freshens up. He hears a knock and turns to see his mother standing in the doorway.

"How was school, honey?" His mother, Lizzie, asks him.

"Not bad, I guess," he replies with a smile.

"Your prom is near, right?" she asks. When he nods, she continues. "You know, this prom is going to be different."

"Acadia's prom is always different from other schools', Mom. That is nothing new."

"You're wrong, honey. This year is very different. There is a rumor that they are giving out recommendation letters," she explains. Arik is surprised to hear this.

"So, are you asking me to win the title?" he asks.

"Don't be silly. I don't care about those titles," she says, making Arik happy. He figures that most of his friends will know about this by now and want it for themselves. He doesn't want to compete with them.

"Honey, who is your partner for prom? Is it Athena?" Lizzie asks in a positive tone.

"Mom, please. Athena is my best friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm in a relationship with Brielle, she's the one I love."

"But, Arik, I don't think Brielle is a good match for you. Look at Athena. She is perfect in every way. Her father is a congressman, and her mother is a chairwoman of an MNC company. You guys have known each other for five years," his mother says, trying to convince him

"Mom, please stop. I don't wanna talk about it. Brielle is the one for me, and I hope you respect my decision," Arik says and walks away, leaving his mother to worry by herself.

She just wants the best for her son.