Mom still believes I'm going out on a date even though I've told her it's not the case twice. She knows better than me that Tre isn't exactly the kind of guy who would hang out with me willingly to keep up his reputation. So, why can't she take this absurd assumption out of her head?

By the way, I'm running late. I'm supposed to be at the back of the school by 8 sharp. Guess what? It's 7:45pm. I only have fifteen minutes. The school is twenty minutes from home on foot. I'm in trouble.

I rush outdoors, purse in tow, only to realize I've left my essentials inside. Keys, phone and wallet. How can I be so stupid. Mom has to catch up with me to hand them to me. She then comes up with the idea of taking me there.

I'd reject the offer under other circumstances; however, since I'm incredibly late and this is another chance for me to prove her I'm not going on a date in the actual meaning of the term, I accept. I hop in, my place on the passenger's seat. Seatbelt on, and now all I hope is not to meet the police. If they stop us, I'm doomed.

Mom tries to reassure me. "Stop worrying, Rieleigh. The cops are definitely busy watching the NBA in front of a pint of whiskey." She has a point. I remember I casually met two of them at a pub two weeks ago while I was there to watch a game (I honestly forgot which one it was) with Dad.

It was embarrassing to say the least. They were drunk and yelling names randomly while protesting every single foul or missed shot. Although I'd tried to keep it under wraps, Dad would tell every single acquaintance of his. Result? Rumors quickly spread in town and now we all see the police as a bunch of drunkards.

Okay, enough talking of them. Mom and I haven't even crossed paths with agents, luckily for us. By the time we arrive at school, it's two minutes to eight. Good. I'm safe. At least for now.

As I'm off the car, Mom bolts away from the parking lot before I can even say goodbye properly. At this point, all I can do is reach the back entrance and wait. It's not like anything shocking will happen. It'll be just a casual outing with Tre. Nothing can go wrong—can it?

When the clock strikes eight, Tre arrives, followed by Peri, Brix and a few other people. I've always been right when I told Mom this wouldn't be a date. This sounds more of a dubious gathering in the school's back area, if not a full fledged party. Do they plan to get me in trouble? I'm not a goody two shoes, but know better than sneaking in school at closing hours.

"Here you are, Rieleigh. However, you look so... how can I tell you? You look demure, that's it." Tre's statement confuses me. What does he mean with 'demure?' I simply didn't go overboard. I thought he'd appreciate my red dress.

Brix scoffs as she intervenes. "He meant 'simple,' Rieleigh. He's shit at making compliments, that's it."

Tre tries to defend himself. "Hey! I didn't mean to insult her! I-"

Peri interrupts him. "Come on, Tre, don't make things worse. Let's just go on!" Thankfully, Peri has just saved me from another poor figure. Honestly, I have to pay her forward, big time.

We all get inside and head downstairs. I don't recall having gone to the basement floor in, like, two years. What the heck is going on? The premise for an underground party is definitely here. I wonder whether the school has authorized it, only to brush this thought off. Who cares? It's not like anything interesting happens here.

I realize the two other people who have joined Peri, Brix and Tre are Salinda Hartsell and Ashlea Bradbury, two juniors. I have crossed paths with the former a lot, since she's in the radio club and often makes announcements on Thursdays, but not so much with the latter.

I really need to familiarize more with the rest of the student body—I've managed to perfectly blend in with only Peri and Brix by my side. It's time to broaden my horizons, though. I'm sure it'll be somehow good for me.

Suddenly, Salinda asks Peri, "Do you think the meeting has already started?" only to be shut down.

I overhear Peri reply, "Shh! Keep it down! Not in front of Rieleigh!" What's going on? Is there a surprise party? Why am I not aware, then? I love surprises! Well, not bad ones, of course.

I'm curious. How can I describe the tingle I feel on my body as we walk down the hall in the basement floor? Why do I feel like a whole new world will unravel in front of me? I have so many questions to ask—I don't even know where to start.

We stop by what seems to be an abandoned room, with the difference that it's lit. Peri nods at Tre, who opens the door and invites us all to go inside. I'm the last one to step foot in the room, after which I close the door behind me.

My previous expectations shatter as I realize there's no party in sight. How do I even explain to Mom I'm at school that late? I don't think she'll eat up the 'study group' lie anymore. I'll have to come up with something more convincing. Especially after the next revelation.

Tre grins at me; then, he waves at a group of other students sitting on desks. He turns back to me. "Welcome to the Burden of Breaking Hearts club!" The what? I thought it's only a legend by now. I heard that name by chance back in ninth grade, and then it didn't pop up ever again.

Bewildered, I ask, "Really? Who revived it? I mean, I thought it was shut down years ago, before we even joined-"

A guy who seems to be from my year cuts me off. "Darling, you seem confused. The Burden of Breaking Hearts has never died. It has simply been kept under wraps, more than ever." What does it even mean? And why does this dude look familiar?

He has to be one of those punks who skip school on a regular basis and get away with it without being held back. Again, I've only kept up with my strictly close knitted circle, so it's normal for me not to recognize many students.

The guy continues, "Peri, Brix, I thought you'd brief your friend on the group's activities." God, he's so unbearable. Can't he just shut up?

Fortunately, Brix puts him in his place. "Jeff, seriously, fuck off! She's new here!" She turns to me, her voice turning mellow and soft after dripping poison with that jerk. "Rieleigh, sorry. He's being his usual annoying self. You know, just because you don't share any classes with him, you don't have to feel uncomfortable around him. I'll put him in his place for you if you need."

"Thank you, Brix. I-"

The Jeff guy cuts me off, only to address Brix. "It's so nice of yours to babysit her, Brix, but she should be able to take care of herself without you holding her hand." I want to slap that gummy face of his. Can't he just take a hike?

Tre, seeing how the situation has escalated, issues him a warning. "One more word, Jeff, and you're out of this club, okay?"

I can't wait for the moment this Jeff gets the boot. He's an asshole.