The gates of New Horizons Christian College were tall, black wrought iron with golden lettering. Beyond them: red brick buildings, white columns, trimmed hedges and students walking the paths, all models of decorum. Ben adjusted his backpack and stepped out of his dad’s car, heart thudding with anticipation and something harder to name. He smiled weakly as his parents prayed over him one last time at the curb, hands gripp...

Ben's lips parted, but no words came out. His pulse thundered in his ears. He managed a shaky nod, barely visible. “What do you mean, help?” Claire’s gaze held his, steady and calm. She didn’t rush. “You know what the rules are,” she said. “You know what’s considered off-limits.” He nodded, slowly. “Vaginal sex. Before marriage. It’s a sin.” “Exactly. That’s the line. That’s the thing they build the purity talks around. T...