The Cure

‍ ‍Sometimes knowing more than we should can make us a target. Secrets can be dangerous—unclassified information. By declining their invitation, I could become that target. The answer was no, and I had to act before they did.

Normally, I would have tossed garlic powder into their eyes and reached for my wooden stake… but fortunately for them, I had recently passed an ethics class. I thanked them and took the paper. It stayed in my pocket until they left. Sure, I debated cheating, but what would Ashley think? What about my parents… my grandma? I had left cheating in high school, and that was where it would remain—a distant regret.

The cure to every bad consequence is avoiding the decision to actively engage in poor behavior. I went to the bathroom and shredded their notes. Yes, I still desperately wanted adventure… but maybe another day. For today, I had to study.

The secret society slowly vanished back into the shadows. I passed my math test, and the semester ended. I graduated from the junior college and entered U of H–Clear Lake.

With most of my math courses complete, I spent a lot of time in the writing lab. Studying became easier, and in some cases, I didn’t even need to open my book until the test approached. My hard‑earned B’s slowly became well‑earned A’s.

Although U of H–Clear Lake was relatively uneventful, there was darkness drifting through the college. I caught a glimpse of horror in the library as familiar laughter broke the silence.

Some members of the secret society had entered the grounds. They were gathering for what appeared to be a study session from their same dangerous playbook, which I had avoided semesters prior. They were planning to cheat on their final exams.

“God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13