[ WP ] You are a new student at a high school where cheating is the norm

No one likes the first day of school, but I especially hated it. When you're an `` army brat'' - the first day of school is even worse because it's almost always a *new* school. 
 
 It was my 4th school in as many years, and as I tied my shoes before heading out to the bus stop I tried to get out of it one last time. 
 
 `` Come on mom, I could do K12... they have classes online.'' 
 
 `` Peter, can we please not go through this again? You're going to school. It will be fine'' 
 
 `` Easy for you to say, you do n't have to sit there awkwardly while everyone else hangs out with their friends in home room. You do n't have to introduce yourself a dozen times. Starting over - AGAIN - sucks.'' 
 
 Mom rolled her eyes, `` You'd better go you're gon na be late.'' 
 
 I walked to the bus stop slowly and silently just as it was arriving. When I stepped onto the bus, I noticed it was almost full, with everyone talking and joking loudly. 
 
 I was so focused on being miserable I did n't even notice the papers being passed around. I also did n't notice that the bus driver ran almost every red light and blew through most stop signs. All I noticed was that the bus ride seemed much shorter than I expected. 
 
 As I walked through the busy hallways trying to find home room I tried to look casual as I eyed my schedule: 
 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 *Peter McNeil* *HR 204* 
 
 *Note: As a new student, please report to room 315 for Study Hall in lieu of your Block A class* 
 
 * Block A: Math - 410 
 * Block B: Gym - Gymnasium 
 * Block C: Biology - 217 
 * Block D: Computer Science - Comp lab 301 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 
 I finally brought my head up and noticed bunches of students passing papers around discreetly and whispering excitedly - which was certainly odd. As I headed towards room 201 I listened and caught bits of their hushed conversations: 
 
 ``....All the exams from last year...'' 
 
 ``... Remember, it's always ABCABC'' 
 
 ``... yeah Sam says he developed a new cheat sheet method over the summer but I'm sure he's lying'' 
 
 I did n't really know what to make of it all....but I'd been in weird schools before, so I knew the drill. You just need to stay silent and wait for your student ambassador to show up....they usually explain everything. 
 
 I found an open seat in the back of 204 and slid into my chair just as the first bell went off. Everyone stood up for the pledge of allegiance then sat back down for morning announcements. No matter where you go to school it's always the same. That was my experience anyway. 
 
 Morning announcements drowned on, with the Principal talking about it being an exciting new year. I was only half listening, but for some reason the principal was talking about `` The Belichick Way'' and saying that students needed to have `` Patriot Values''. I guessed that maybe this school was particularly patriotic and Belichick was some kind of General I'd never heard of. The last thing the Principal said before signing off was, `` And remember our motto...'' In unison everyone in the classroom shouted `` Do n't get caught!'' 
 
 Before I could even gather my thoughts the bell went off again, and I had to head off to room 315. 
 
 As I walked into the room I was greeted by an older woman, `` Hello, and you are?'' 
 
 `` Peter McNeil'' 
 
 `` Ah wonderful, I'm Mrs. Smith. Have a seat anywhere you'd like Peter'' 
 
 There were about half a dozen new kids in total. Each one having the same look of puzzlement that I had. I sat next to one particularly obese kid with glasses and tons of freckles. 
 
 `` Hey, my names Brad.'' he said, sticking a pudgy hand in my face. 
 
 `` Hey, I'm Peter.'' 
 
 `` So, you figure out what's up with this school yet?'' 
 
 `` Nah not really. What was all that about `` Do n't Get Caught?'' 
 
 `` Well-'' Brad was about to respond when he was interrupted by Mrs. Smith. 
 
 `` Do n't. Get. Caught. That's our motto, Peter.'' 
 
 All the new students stared at her blankly. 
 
 `` Yes, by now you all may have noticed some strange things about our school, and I'm here to explain them to you to help you as you transition from honest students and citizens who will no doubt be left behind in a dog-eat-dog world, to expert cheaters able to lie and manipulate your way into positions of power.'' Mrs. Smith emphasized *power* to drive home her point. 
 
 `` I'm sorry, what? You want us to be cheaters?'' squeaked a red head girl in the front of the classroom. `` My mom says cheaters never win, and honesty is the best policy!'' 
 
 `` Well, your mother enrolled you in this school, so obviously she knows better than that. Yes, all your parents are aware of what we do here, and want the best for you. That's why they applied to have you sent here.'' 
 
 The room was incredibly silent, as no one really knew how to react. 
 
 `` No doubt this may be a bit shocking to you all, but I assure you that you'll get used to it and eventually love our environment here. You may enjoy it particularly, Frank.'' she said with a wink at small Asian boy sitting in front of me. 
 
 `` W-why?'' responded Frank bewilderdly. 
 
 `` Go Pats.'' Mrs. Smith responded as she pointed to his New England Patriots t-shirt. 
 
 The rest of the `` Study Hall'' was nothing short of fascinating. Mrs. Smith explained the schools rules, you can use whatever means you want to attempt to get the highest grades and pass tests with minimal studying... but getting *caught* would result in stiff grade penalties and punishments for repeat offenders. The school never helped students cheat directly, they simply encouraged it. It was up to us to make friends/confidants, come up with innovative ways to cheat unnoticed by teachers, and lie our way out of anything. 
 
 As I walked to my Gym class next to Brad who happened to be in it, my head was absolutely spinning. 

