The old would frequently tell the youth

That sometimes it is better to not know the truth

The truth can be too painful

And act like a knife

Get too close

It will scar you for life

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Ever since Jules got invited to Randall's party, everything at school became more rowdy. Many students she had never seen before would congratulate her. She didn't understand why it was such a popular and exciting topic. It was only her first day and things were already quite overwhelming.

Jules tried to bike as fast as she could after school and let out a long sigh of relief once she got home. She was hoping that her school experience would be smooth, but maybe it was normal for a school setting to be chaotic and eventful.

To ease her mind, she took a long shower before praying the rosary in order to offer up her worries to God. She felt better once she was done. Praying the rosary reminded her that God would always be there for her.

The sound of keys rattling instantly brought a smile to Jules' face. Her mother was home.

Ms. Moore walked in with three brown bags dangling from her arms.

"Hello dear, how was your day?" Her mother asked before giving her a peck on the cheek.

"It was different."

Jules tried peaking into the brown bags but her mother quickly moved them away before she could.

"No, peaking. It's a surprise for your birthday."

"Let me guess, you bought ingredients for cherry pie."

Her mom sighed, "You don't let me surprise you anymore."

"It's hard to keep it a surprise when you do it every year. Doesn't mean I won't love your pie just as much."

"I've been bless with such a great daughter," her mother gave her another kiss on the cheek, "tell me more about your day."

"I got invited to a party that will take place at a boy's home Friday night."

Her mother paused putting away the groceries.

"Oh."

Jules had a feeling that her mother would not be fond with her going.

"It's okay if you don't want me to go."

"Do you wan't to go?"

Jules thought about it. "I don't know what I want. I've never been to a party before."

Her mother paused in thought.

"What's the boy's name?"

"Randall," Jules replied.

Jules knew the answer just by observing her mother's facial expression.

"I love you sweet pea, I really do and I wan't nothing more but for you to be happy. But I don't think you going to this party is a good idea. Kids these days like to drink and smoke at parties. I would be worried sick if you went."

"Alright momma, I won't go. I told Randall that I would ask you first anyhow."

Jules could care less about the party but was more worried about having to reject Randall's invite. She hoped that wouldn't put her on the academy students' bad side, but it wasn't like she had a choice in the matter anyway. After all, it was a sin to disobey your mother.

Since the day had been very exhausting, Jules decided to go straight to bed after dinner and her nightly prayers.

However, she gave up on trying to sleep after tossing and turning for so long. She wasn't sure if it was because she was nervous about having to turn down Randall's invite or if it was because she couldn't stop scratching the strange itch on her neck. Maybe it was a rash. She could ask her mother about it tomorrow.

"Jackpot baby! I told you I'm good at this!" A female's voice was suddenly heard in the distance. Jules looked at the clock. It was past midnight. She was bewildered that people were still going out this late.

Jules giggled to herself. If one was caught walking around outside cheering this late at night in Reville Oaks, they would immediately be labeled as crazy and possibly be sent to a mental institution. Dalmellington was a nice breath of fresh air. This city was friendly and welcoming. This city was beautiful. This city was lively.

And indeed it was lively. It was filled with workaholics busy supporting their family or trying to become rich, rebellious teenagers that were busy partying or gaining popularity, and--oh my--the Dealers. This was slang only a select few of unfortunate souls understood. It was a term used to reference the creatures from the dark side such as the unexpected visitors walking closer and closer to Jules' cozy, safe apartment. Jules who was fast asleep with a naive smile plastered on her face had no idea just how filled the city was of the Dealers. If Jules had looked outside of her window, she wouldn't have seen friends casually hanging out. It wasn't someone cheering cause they won the lottery. In truth, it was someone cheering that they had successfully located the address of their next victim.

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The next day was filled with unexpected events.

In her first period class, people bombard her about a party she wasn't planning on attending. She tried telling everyone that she wasn't going but the class seemed to be so excited about the topic that they didn't give her a chance to speak.

"Hey, I've heard that the Academy parties are so awesome that use real diamonds instead of a disco ball."

"I'm friends with one of the Academy student's second cousin's ex-boyfriend and he told me that they hire world famous chiefs and bartenders to cook the food and serve drinks."

"I'm pretty sure Gordon Ramsay was there at the party last semester."

"No, no, I'm pretty sure it was ..." The gossip about the party continued until class started. This occurred in all her classes. Jules heard so many different things about the party that she didn't know what to believe anymore.

Abby had waited for her once again outside her classroom before lunch. When they walked into the cafeteria, she became very aware of all the eyes that looked her way.

"Just ignore them. Everyone just wants to see what the lucky girl looks like. It's a big surprise to everyone. Usually, a star athlete or hot popular person gets invited. And the council president typically chooses a person in the middle of the semester after analyzing everyone. But Randall chose you not only on your first day here but also on the first day of the semester. It's never happened this early before."

Jules was unsure if it was a good idea to let Abby know now that her mother didn't want her to go. Everyone was so excited for the party even though they weren't going. Jules felt like she would disappoint and may even anger her classmates if she turned down the invite. But her sense of duty as a daughter to her mother dominated her worries.

One thing didn't quite make sense to her though.

"Abby, I have heard many people say different things about this party. It seems like no one actually knows what happens at this party. But if this is a tradition done every semester, then doesn't the person invited know about it?"

"Yes, those invited know about it but it's a rule that they cannot share what they see or do."

Jules felt weary with Abby's reply.

"Why is that? Do bad things happen."

"I'm not sure. I think it's a way to keep Dalmellington High students excited and curious about it. It makes them fight to get invited so that they can experience something that is unknown and envied by others. That's what I think at least." Jules noticed that Abby was toying with her earring once again. It seemed to be a bad habit.

Jules looked at the center of the cafeteria and saw that the Academy student council was absent. This made her anxious and relieved. She was relieved that she didn't have to reject their invitation at the moment but was anxious because that meant she would just have to do it later.

"The student council skips lunch some days for their meetings," Abby informed when she saw where Jules' eyes were lingering.

Everyone had talked to her excitedly about the party all morning that she was surprised to encounter someone in her 6th period history class who didn't feel the same.

"I still don't understand why you were chosen. You don't seem very special to me." A guy sitting to the desk on her left commented.

"You're right. I'm not better than anyone else here," Jules replied.

"True. But there are people, like me, who deserve the invite more than you."

Jules didn't know how to respond so she replied with the next best thing she could think of.

"What's your name?"

"Jack."

"Nice to meet you Jack, I'm--"

"Jules. I know. The whole school knows. Damn, I really thought that since you didn't have the looks that you would at least have some brains. I see I was wrong."

Jules did not get offended by the comment because no matter what others thought of her, God would love her fully and eternally. She thought of John 4:16.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

"I think we could be good friends if we got to know each other," Jules said optimistically.

Jack laughed bitterly.

"Trust me. We could never be friends."

"Why is that?"

"I don't like you."

"You don't know me."

"I don't want to."

Jules once again did not know how to respond so this time she didn't.

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The quietness that greeted Jules at home relaxed her. Her second day of school was easier than the first. Hopefully, days would continue to become easier as she adjusted.

Jules did her usual routine: shower and read the Bible. She was in the the middle of reading the Gospel of Matthew when her mom came home.

"Jules!"

Jules almost dropped the Bible at her mother's sudden shout.

"Yes mother? What's wrong?"

Her mother's hair was a bird's nest and she was panting as if she had run home from work.

"You left out a very important detail yesterday dear."

Jules looked at her mother confusingly.

"What do you mean."

"About Randall."

Jules' confusion doubled.

"Mother, I truthfully have no idea what you are talking about."

Her mother put up her hand to signal that she needed some time to catch her breath.

"I met his mom today while at work. Grace Williams. The mother of Randall Williams. But most importantly, the wife of Bernard Williams! He's one of the most notable donors in this city. He's also the CEO of the company that owns the store I work at. Their family donated 5 million dollars to Catholic Churches all over Dalmellington! Could you believe that Jules?"

Her mother interjected once again before she had time to react, "You must go to that party! Their family is so praised and honored here so I trust that you could benefit from being friend's with Randall. His mother even told me that he was such a good boy."

After hearing so many rumors about the academy students, Jules decided that she would find out the truth herself. She would go to the party to figure out whether or not the academy students were good or evil. She was tired of being confused and determined to seek the truth.