Regency Academic School (RAS) in Vernon, New Jersey

Johanna, Carmen, and Antonio would go to the Jersey Shore and soak up the sun; however, RAS took the opportunity away. They were on their way to their new high school for a summer retreat on June 27, 2016. Vernon is one of the few places in Sussex County to have civilization, Johanna thought as Daisy drove for about two hours with him and his friends in the back seats. The teens saw neighboring towns with farmlands of nothingness. Not many chain restaurants existed for the three to recognize from Jersey City. The wind was the town's loudest voice they could hear.

Antonio complained to Johanna, "I still don't get why us, you know. Why are we so special to this school?”

She replied, "Maybe, RAS is a majority-white school that needs to increase its diversity. They specifically need us: half Asian/White, Black, and Hispanic students. That will help its student population.”

"That's true, Jo."

"Look," Carmen jumped in the chat, "at least, the school is showing value for all people and calling out injustice like Masonry High. You remember our Social Justice days, don’t you?”

"I do," Johanna replied again, "last year in late July, we all marched in Newark for that protest. Ma was upset about what happened to Sandra Bland. My parents have to be strict with my little sister and me so they can keep us safe. You're both lucky to dodge those chats; even though ma is a detective, she has to remind me that some cops do not look out for our best interest. I just want to stay alive without having a target on my back!"

"Johanna, we all know this injustice has been a disease for a very long time and never ceases to end, but change will happen. Our new school's mission is to use education to promote good morale for the real world! Education and advocacy eradicate racism and violence!"

"Look, all will fully accept diversity in this world if all can truly respect it, not just preach. If you remember the brochure from RAS, they only showed six Black and eight Spanish students. Maybe, the school was falsely advertising and ripping us off!”

"Enough!" Daisy yelled while driving. "I knew this was going to happen among you three. Yes, racism still exists with police brutalities and economic inequalities, but we should not give up on hope! Some ignorant people are blind to see every person is beautiful, peaceful, and diverse created by God, Himself. He does not care about your race, class, gender, or sexuality because He loves you unconditionally! They don't see inclusiveness yet, and it is such as shame since we're in the twenty-first century, you know? As for your new high school, it forbids racism and is committed to making changes by advocating you, three, to be the proactive agents of change.

"Now, I will explain once more why you all are going with a bit more detail: all your moms, Uncle Paul, and… Antonio's father went to RAS. It is your birthright to, at least, participate and see if you can get placed in the Elite Honors class. It's not the end of the world! In the past, RAS accepted your parents in their Elite Honors classes. This special Honors group not only deals with real-world scenarios but also, the members take on 'unimaginable' circumstances."

"Like what,” Antonio interrupted, “aliens taking over planet Earth?”

"Tonio, you never know what will come next in this crazy world of ours! If a black president can run the United States, then a woman can too! Now, do I make myself clear, you three?”

All three teens gently nodded as Daisy calmed down. While gazing out the window in the front passenger, Carmen reminisced about her sweet Florida days before moving up to New Jersey in middle school. She remembered enjoying the warm outside, playing, and exploring the beaches of Miami every day with her parents and Eduardo. From Little Haiti to Coconut Grove, many events were happening and places to see in its diverse neighborhoods: watching the Miami Marlins play baseball live, celebrating her Cuban culture at Calle Ocho, seeing the animals at Zoo Miami; and so much more. It was her family's privilege to live in the lively city. Her happy childhood was engraved in her mind even if her father passed away; it kept his spirit alive in her. I miss those simpler times, Carmen thought.

Once they arrived at 8:50 AM, the group did not expect how huge Regency Academic School was. The green, woodsy campus had three baseball fields, two basketball courts, and one tennis court. The teens knew they stuck out like sore thumbs. Johanna was not impressed with the typical rich-preppy school and assumed there were snobby people. A valet guy in his twenties appeared and requested Daisy for her keys after the group grabbed their belongings.

Antonio whispered to his most reliable friend. "What school has a valet anyway? It's just a high school!"

Daisy snapped at her little cousin's rude comment, "Tonio, settle down! Not everyone is a snob!"

"I am just saying it is–”

"We don’t have time to argue! We need to register in the foyer, everyone. Then, you all go to your assigned lockers. Antonio, you need to change into sneakers, not wear flip-flops. Carmen, hair must be in a ponytail for the first day. Let me see your backpacks before we go in.”

Daisy sifted through each backpack when they were in the main foyer; she knew Johanna's would be the heaviest based on how bulky it looked. She glared at her as she removed her graphic novels. She wanted to make sure she would not get bored on the retreat; however, the female adult mercilessly threw them in the garbage. Antonio and Carmen quietly gasped as they saw Johanna's reaction with other students staring. She turned her head towards her little cousin, who had a few more in his backpack; it did not take a wizard for her to spot the covers. Suddenly, an older woman with platinum hair appeared at a baked goods table with assignment pads in her hands.

Daisy hugged the woman and greeted, "Hi, Mrs. Dayan, long time no see!"

Mrs. Sara Dayan, happy to see her former pupil and her group, replied, "It has been a long time, indeed, Miss Garcia. Vice Principal has a nice ring to it."

"Of course, VP Dayan, and I noticed your baked goods are a big hit as always."

"And, I see you and your pupils are the last to arrive on time. So far, you’re doing a good job as a first-time Alum Guardian."

When the foyer's grandfather clock struck 9 AM, Mrs. Dayan handed out a notebook to each pupil. The RAS faculty member mentioned that the actual retreat would begin in thirty minutes. She knew the teens would complain.

The Vice-Principal continued, "You see before me your gender hall. Your given assignment pad's back has your locker number for this retreat and the upcoming school year. When you go to your assigned lockers, you will put all your electronic devices inside, prohibited from this summer retreat. You can also put other items you reconsider not bringing as well."

Johanna yelled, "Daisy, I could have put my novels in my locker, not in the garbage!"

"Are you sure they are in the garbage, Miss Pierre?" she insinuated her to look in the girls' hall, "I am sure you will see them there.”

Mrs. Dayan grabbed various baked goods for each teen after hearing a grumble from Antonio's empty stomach. The students smelled the aroma of the delicious cookies, soothing for them to eat. They were irresistible not to taste the tasty treats.

Afterward, Carmen realized, "Mrs. Dayan, did you write the letter for Daisy to read to us?"

The Vice-Principal was gladly astonished and answered, "Yes, Miss Lopez, how observant you are. I wrote all letters to your Alum Guardians! There are six transfer students with you three, which means there will be two transfer teams. That's a new record for us!"

“That’s interesting; then that means thirty incoming juniors are participating in this year’s summer retreat, correct?”

“The biggest number of participants in RAS history goes head-to-head in ten teams of three, yes. How thrilling it will be! Only twelve will qualify in the Elite Honor's Class; we're the only two schools with this special program. Dear, please make sure your students fill out their forms before the retreat starts."

Daisy passed the documents to her pupils before entering their separate halls. Milo turned the back of his assignment pad to see the number 9 for her locker number. I wish I were not alone, he thought. He hesitantly entered with his belongings after waving bye to the girls and Daisy. Johanna and Carmen ran inside their hall with bliss as their Alum Guardian followed behind. The eager girls saw a variety of bird drawings and statues in their narrow corridor. They carried their stuff to their assigned lockers, 7 and 8. When Johanna opened locker 8, her jaw dropped in shock to see all her graphic novels on the top shelf of her metal locker. It is not possible, she ghastly thought.

Carmen nudged her and proclaimed, "These lockers are so better than the ones in Masonry High. I think Antonio will be okay on his own in the boy's hall. You're okay?"

Johanna put her cellphone on top of her newly placed novels and stuttered, "What the hell, they are here! What kind of school is this?!"

Carmen paused for a moment and said, "Maybe, Daisy had a copy or something just to fool you, Johanna. You know she is a tease, once in a while."

“Or maybe, the valet guy is the real culprit, and she was his accomplice. It is still sneaky, Carmen."

Suddenly, the pair heard another girl with a British accent shout, "That valet guy is a volunteer and my brother, Greg Karat. I am his younger sister, Ginger."

Johanna and Carmen turned around to see a tall girl with pale skin and reddish-brown hair at locker 3. They briefly gaped at the beautiful girl as she brushed her silky hair. They did not believe Ginger was a high school student. She could be a model, Carmen thought.

Locker 3 asked the two, "Are you surprised to see a Brit in school? You know RAS is usually an international boarding school. You, commoners, are a rarity in this institution.”

Johanna nudged her envious friend and said, "We are transfer students; we belong here too like our parents."

"You two are odd. I wonder if you will even survive the retreat.”

"Don't worry, and we will! I wonder why you’re not home in England.”

"I get annoyed with that comment! Look, I have been attending this 'fine' institution to stay away from my crazy parents... You both don't know who I am?"

"Are you an angry Hermione?"

Carmen slapped her forehead in embarrassment as Ginger nodded in disgust. The British girl silently judged them as bizarre creatures from a different planet. She had no idea she would encounter strange American girls her age. She thought they would be mature like her. Her expectation for his summer retreat significantly lowered.

Ginger said as the girls finished putting their stuff in their lockers, "We only see a quarter of our class year since we're all related to alum. My mom mentioned that not many try out for the Elite Honors unless something extraordinary is in their legacy. We got lucky, I guess."

"You're right about that," Carmen commented, "I still can't believe we, city gals, got accepted in the first place. As you said, we're a 'rarity,' right?"

"I mean, I don't see many Americans attend this school. You must be ‘exceptional’ ladies."

"Well, there's a first time for everything!"

"Girls," Daisy rejoined with her pair of girls, "I'm glad you're acquainting yourselves with another student. It's so nice to meet you, Ginger. We all must be on our way to the cafeteria and not worry Antonio too long. Let's go, everyone!"

Johanna almost got carried away earlier, assuming Ginger acted like a bully. With everything going on around her, avoiding trouble in high school is a constant feat. She did not want to stir any quarrel on the first day. Her parents taught her how to be the bigger person when things go astray. The three girls and Daisy reunited with Antonio and another boy, approaching in their direction with their backpacks. Daisy directed the teens to walk to the cafeteria.

The male student introduced himself as Bastian with dark olive skin and black hair and asked, "Did you see a group of girls with your brother? Those BAP fangirls are crazy!"

"Wait," Carmen interrupted, "you're a BAP member?!"

"What does BAP even mean?” Johanna asked. “Brits Are–”

Antonio, embarrassed of his friend, answered quickly, "It's a boy band, Johanna! Ginger Karat only makes guest appearances; her older brother Greg is an official member of BAP, which stands for Brits Always Pick."

"It is an 'out of this world' boy band." the mostly red-headed girl interjected with spite. "For you all, I won't be guest-starring for long; I am going to be an actual star!"

Bastian asked her, "Where and when if I dare ask, Ginger? I say once you appear on TV, you're already a star! You three can call me 'Bas,' for short. Now, where is that Georgie Porgie?!"

Daisy ordered Ginger and Bastian to rejoin with their Alum Guardian outside the gym, not to miss their appointed time. The two looked at the clock and dashed out the door. Before shutting the door, Bas waved bye to the group and Daisy.

"I take my thoughts back about Ginger." Johanna regretted it. "What's her problem with us?"

Antonio carefully replied, "It's not us; maybe, she is taking out her issues on us."

"Or," Carmen jumped, "she's upset of us, commoners, being in this retreat."

"Why would she be upset?"

Johanna grunted her educated assumption, "We don't exactly fit under this school's social standards in her eyes."

Daisy interjected, "It will change when we enter this retreat, and she will thank us later. Again, at least you're getting to know a few RAS students already. We will see the two and this Georgie Porgie again."

She then directed her teens to a table where they could fill out their forms. Johanna asked her friends if they thought RAS was a strange place. Her two friends did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Antonio's paranoia kicked in when he saw the questions on his form:

Name three traits people will describe you.

What are your favorite hobbies? Do you do physical activity? If so, please explain.

Describe two strengths and weaknesses. What are your goals before and after graduating high school?

Were they vital, he thought while freaking out. He took a deep breath and answered the best he could.

Kind, shy, and nervous, do I need to say more?!

Going on the internet, watching TV, and hanging out with my friends. I walk Carmen's dog, Oasis, and play basketball with Johanna whenever I can.

I am honest and caring; I have bad anxiety and low self-esteem. I want to graduate high school and go to college.

Antonio was the first one to give his form to Daisy. He could only think about the present, not consider the future. He struggled to talk about his past, especially his abusive year with his biological father, Aaron Russo. His mom, Reyna, worked extra shifts as a nurse to regain financial stability when he got fired from his computer sales job; alcoholism consumed the man. When Antonio came out that same year, his mom warmly supported him; his miserable father was the epitome of the extreme, polar opposite. He attempted harshly to make his son manly again by beating him up daily. The fateful summer of 2012 changed everything when Paul witnessed his disturbed friend hurting his son and wife. He immediately called Johanna's mom to come and get back up. Paul brought a startled Antonio to safety as Reyna bravely injected Aaron with Trazodone as sedation. Although the police and Judith put him behind bars, he managed to escape before hearing the verdict of his trial. No one had heard him since that day. Antonio thought he ran from his torment; however, the Masonry High School shooting brought it back to life.

He was surprised to see Johanna and Carmen taking their time with the form. They are not essaying questions, Antonio thought anxiously. I want to go to this summer retreat and not be late!

Concerned about her little cousin, Daisy asked while comforting him, "Is something eating you up, Tonio?"

Antonio impatiently replied, "I want to go on this trip! I don't want to answer questions about the future! What if it is not bright, you know?"

"Hey, it’s okay to not worry about the future. You live in the present, I know. We both know about the past. I am sorry for almost calling your dad–”

"At this point, Daisy, call him whatever! I know I am a better man than he was or is. My dad is just a coward who should have gotten to therapy like mom and me. He brought misery onto us; it wasn't okay! For a while, I thought I did something wrong and blamed myself for coming out too early."

"You did not do anything wrong, Tonio! Do you hear me? There's no perfect time to say what you have to say. The Big Man created you in His Image and will always love you like us, your cousins and Aunt Marisol, your mom, and Uncle Paul. I am so proud of who you are today and thankful you overcame that dark obstacle."

"Well, I have another one to deal with now.”

"It will take time, but I am here for you; that’s what family is for, kiddo. Don’t forget Uncle Paul saved your life that day first, not us. We helped with the trial until he got away. What a schmuck!”

"Anyways, about the present, do you like Nursing?”

"In the past, I rebelled. Auntie Marisol pushed me into it, but eventually, I learned how to love and appreciate my profession. I could not have done without, you know..."

"Do you miss him, Daisy? Your–"

Moments later, Johanna and Carmen gave their forms to his older cousin. Antonio was uneasy not seeing the two fighting and his cousin not answering him. While walking outside to RAS's gym, he could not figure out if maturity hit his friends early or not; he briefly glimpsed at Daisy's short sorrow as she read each document to herself. He just wished she would open up as he did earlier.

The group saw a short man with maroon hair waving to them. Once they arrived, Daisy passed the student forms to him. The three teens examined black curtains blocking the front door and a big crate with camouflage vests in it. The male faculty member briefly skimmed each document before giving the students' belongings to Daisy. Carmen noticed he was wearing a name tag displaying, "MR. KNIGHT." That same man held his whistle and blew it very hard for all to hear.

Mr. Nigel Knight welcomed the group and began, "This is where your summer retreat will take place. You all look prepared for the introduction. Miss Garcia, I see all your paperwork is in order. Well done!"

Antonio raised his hand and asked, "We're just going inside the school gym, right? What's so special inside?"

Mr. Knight softly chuckled and replied, "Ha, you're just like your dad, Mr. DeLuca."

"Wait, he’s not my–”

"Future juniors, on your right, you will be wearing your team vests for the rest of this trip, so we don't lose track of you. Please put them on and place your backpacks in that same box. Your assignment pads should be in there as well, yes? Good! Your Alum Guardian will bring the team box after you all step inside. Don't make that worried look, Antonio. Your cousin will follow you and your friends later on. Once you make the second right in the gym, you cannot come out. Ask your questions or go to the bathroom now before you dare to enter.”

"Luckily," Daisy said, "no one has to go since I told them to use the bathroom before heading outside. What a good tip, Miss Garcia. They are indeed ready to go!"

Johanna then asked Mr. Knight, "What's the second right you are referring to us? Isn't there a basketball court like other school gyms?

Mr. Knight replied, "Trust me, y'all have a ball! Loosen up a bit, will you? You're poor lad and lassies!"

Daisy confirmed each teen's notepad was in their backpack and proclaimed, "Kids, brace yourselves for the time of your lives! Zipper up your vests! You can go in now."

Once the teens stepped inside through the black curtains with their vests on, they were in awe of the various garden hedges, seeing a small map on their right side. It showed the short, beginning route until the trail stopped into a big cloud. I wonder how this private school could afford a small English garden in a gym, Carmen thought.

"So,” Antonio nervously said, “this is NOT a normal school gym!”

Johanna hid her nerves and replied, "It's just for the retreat, that's all."

"The garden hedge entrance has a nice iron gate. Let's get going, right?!"

Carmen then asked, "We just open the gate and enter without knowing where the clouds lead us?"

"We shall see," Johanna responded, "which were Uncle Paul's words, not mine."

"Are you sure my step-dad said that?” Antonio doubted her as he opened the small gate.

The three teens slowly walked inside, petrified. The gate closed automatically afterward. Antonio ran back, attempting to open it again. Carmen tried to climb over it yet slid back to the ground.

"It’s not letting us go back!” the anxious boy yelled while shaking the gate. “Are we going to be murdered?!”

Carmen shrieked in panic, "No, we will get out!"

Johanna asked her friends to stand back as she tried to barge the gate open. Her failed attempt left her with a sore arm. She was bewildered by how something small could not be opened easily.

"When we get back," she grunted as the group kept moving forward, "we'll notify Mr. Nigh or Lilia about the damn gate."

Antonio and Carmen looked at their friend oddly. Johanna continued to say Mr. Nigh and Lilia when he meant to say, 'Mr. Knight' and 'Daisy.' Johanna is talking gibberish, Carmen thought.

Antonio confronted his weird-talking pal in confusion, "Who is Mr. Nigh, and why are you saying my cousin's middle name?!"

"I don’t know, Milo, for both questions! Wait, I just said your middle name naturally.”

"Are you serious, Stefanie?! Damn it, Stefanie, I am saying yours now!"

Carmen halted the irritated pair before moving forward and interjected, "Okay, it sounds like we can only say our middle names on this retreat. This school is curiously clever, I guess. I'm just interested in where you got your middle names. My middle name is Palomar for my mom’s maiden name; nothing special there.”

"Well, my friend Stefanie got her name from a famous tennis player while I got Milo from… a popular chocolate drink. My mom gets a kick out of it. It's super tasty!"

Stefanie (Johanna) and Palomar (Carmen) both chuckled at the origin story Milo (Antonio) told. They needed a little bit of laughter and relief before continuing their journey. They held each other's hands as they finally made the second turn without looking back. The day was turning night quickly up on the ceiling. RAS certainly has expensive taste in theatrics, Stefanie (Johanna) thought while walking with his friends. They suddenly saw shooting stars up above. Then the three abruptly dropped into free-falling. They could not hang onto anything as they screamed in fear and terror to their impending doom.

"IS THIS OUR END?!” Milo (Antonio) agonizingly cried out to his friends. “WE’RE GOING TO DIE!”