If there's anything I've just come to learn through this so-called 'meeting,' it's that barely anyone knows me. Not counting Peri and Brix, of course. I've been able to blend with the crowd for a long time, meaning that I've managed to stay out of trouble. It came with a price, though: not standing out.

So, how come have I become a target for The Burden of Breaking Hearts? What have its members found in me I don't know yet? Is there anything I can do to sort it out, or simply get out of here? How long can I keep this secret without being caught in the mess? What's certain is that I have to come up with a convincing strategy, otherwise I might be trapped in dangerous schemes.

Brix singles me out as she finds a secluded corner for the two of us to talk. She tries to reassure me. "Listen, Rieleigh. I know, it's hard to explain, but, please, trust me. I-"

I hiss back at her. "How long have you and Peri hidden this from me?"

She justifies herself. "We weren't supposed to tell you anyway. Look, I get you're upset, but-"

"Can I just go home?" Frustration mounts inside me as Brix grabs my wrist to stop me from leaving the basement. As if I'd even tell anyone else about what I've found. Does she not trust me anymore?

I attempt to correct myself. "I mean, if I can, of course." Brix tightens her hold on my wrist. What the fuck is going on? Is this some sort of ritual when I'm brainwashed into following the club members in their activities, even if not exactly legal?

Not only Brix, but also Peri and Tre owe me more than an explanation. I'd better not hear any lame excuse from them, though. I've had enough. I understand this is a super secret club and not a word about it should spread, but this is too much. I can sense danger here. I'm in deep trouble.

When Brix finally lets go of me, I turn my back at her, feeling betrayed, and go take a seat as far from her and Peri as possible. I end up sitting the closest to the exit door, actually. I don't trust anyone and I don't see the reason why I should. Peri occasionally throws a glance at me, but I either ignore it or respond with an ice cold glare, making her cower.

A red haired girl sitting next to Salinda, noticing my odd behavior, points at me. "Is everything okay?" she asks. I don't answer. She frowns at me.

"Meghan, don't feel so put off. Rieleigh is new in this club; plus, she is quite close knitted. She only hangs out with Peri and Brix." I don't know if Salinda wants to bail me out of a potential poor figure or subtly mock me. I'd like to believe it's the former, but to me it appears it's the latter. I know I should be more trusting, but how can I, when everyone here is so ambiguous?

Out of a sudden, Peri stands up and takes place at the center of the circle. "Girls, guys, we have two announcements to make." As my best friend speaks, I turn my attention fully on her. I wonder what the club's plans are. Do they entail throwing a huge party? Or do they know damning secrets about the school they plan to use as leverage?

Whatever this is about, I feel like I'm now part of an undercover mission, which means no slip ups are allowed. As much as I hate this situation, I'm deep into it and have to accept it, no matter how painful it is.

Peri continues. "First of all, as most of you know, Lana Sikes is set to move to another State on Monday. This means she has already left the club. She couldn't come here tonight, but she has left a letter for us to read."

"Can we read it now?" asks Ashlea, who's unfortunately sitting next to Jeff, that asshole.

"Later. Next, we have to welcome our new entry... Rieleigh Colson." What? Me? Isn't there some sort of entrance test? Don't I have to, like, apply for a spot in the club?

Never mind. Since I'm here, I might as well seize this opportunity and bask in the glory. So, I stand up and reach Peri at the center of the room.

I nervously introduce myself. "Hi... As Peri said, I'm Rieleigh. I'm new in this club, of which I didn't even know its existance until like... an hour ago. Well, I wouldn't have known if it hadn't been for my friends and Tre." I want to slap myself. Why the fuck am I coming up with so much nonsense? Can I just think straight for once?

Apart from Jeff, Ashlea, Meghan and most of the other club members in the room are glaring at me. Only my friends and Salinda are not. The latter gives me a thumbs up as encouragement to continue, which I do.

"I hope to bring a new perspective to a club and, why not, show my quirks and talents and-"

Tre cuts me off, confused at my latest statement. "Rieleigh, this isn't an ordinary club."

"What do you mean?"

"It isn't a club for talents or skills," he explains. So, why does The Burden of Breaking Hearts exist?

"So, what do you do instead? I assume you're in charge of school events, then. Like parties, or something like that."

"Kind of," answers Brix, who wants to make up for the sort of "betrayal" at my expense. She continues. "We do throw parties, but this is more of an excuse for us to dig anything compromising on fellow students, or on teachers, or people outside school."

"You don't have anything on me, do you?" Curiosity rises as I ask this question. I wonder what people actually think of me.

Jeff, who has listened to the entire conversation with a smug smile plastered on his face, scoffs. "Oh, please, missy. What kind of secrets would you have? Oh, that you pick your nose in the middle of the quiz?"

Peri sighs. She, like me, has had enough of that buffoon. "We've already warned you, Jeff. You don't want to be kicked out of the club, do you?"

He sneers in return. "You know what? I've had enough of you, Little Miss Perfect. Who the fuck do you and your entitled friend think you are?" He crosses his arms as everyone else throws pointed glares at him. If his plan was to wreak havoc all along, then he has succeeded.

I can't let him get on the way anymore. All he does is make me and my friends feel like shit. I approach him, study his look and stare into his eye orbits filled with hatred and contempt.

With my hands on my hips, I say, "Don't talk to Peri like that again, or I'll make you regret it." For the first time since I started high school, I feel really powerful. It's like a new energy blazes into me, running through my veins and fueling my desire to be someone who stands for what I believe.

Jeff stands up, pushes me aside and heads to the door, yelling, "You know what? You fucking won. I'm out of here. I'm done! Rest assured, you'll pay for it." That said, he bursts out of the room, slamming the door behind him as he's out. Thank God!