The Gossip Web Read Online Free

grimly, I lowered my head onto my desk, trying to escape. I closed my eyes and thought of Trace, wondering if he would believe that horrid rumor. I was quite certain he wouldn’t; he wasn’t one to gossip. It was one of many qualities that I admired about him.
    That realization brightened me up a little, but as people around me continued to mumble insulting comments, I knew that the end of the day would not come fast enough. I decided to just keep my eyes fixed on the chalk board and pretend to be invisible. If only I were transparent, maybe then everyone would just leave me be.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    3
     
     
    THEY DIDN’T STOP LAUGHING until the sixth period bell rang. Then, almost instantly, it was as if nothing had happened. The entire student body forgot about me. I knew why: they just wanted to get out of there and go home. I know I did. My whole day had revolved around Gloria and her wickedness. Like usual, it had been a nonstop nightmare.
    While I was walking home, it suddenly dawned on me. Not only had they dismissed the harassment, but they had also dismissed me. It kind of irked my brain when I realized that I was that easy to forget about. Not that I wanted them to continue badgering me---but they could’ve at least took notice of how terrible I was feeling, how much pain they had caused me throughout the day. Why did they do it? It was all thanks to a dangerous six letter word.
    I hated gossip almost as much as I hated the people who did it. It’s a terrible nuisance that puts you through complete hell for no reason whatsoever. Frankly, half of what Gloria reports isn’t the truth. But does anyone care? No. It doesn’t matter what Gloria Malone says so long as it comes out of her mouth. West Haven High is her domain and she’s queen within it’s walls. Gloria is aware of the power she holds, which is why she weaves her gossip web, coating the school with her lies, turning it into one huge network of deceit. Gloria’s not entirely to blame though; she has her minions do most of the dirty work.
    Girls like Camille and Lacey spread her every word, destroying the reputations of students they feel deserve to suffer. Their prey are less than social, and I’m always at the top of their list. Since I don’t defend myself, they use it to their advantage, but I avoid the battles the best way I know how. I just try to be invisible, and it often works…but not always. There are still times when Gloria finds ways to outdo herself, making me feel like the most pathetic person alive. Many nights have I cried over her stupid insults and pranks.
    I’m not proud to admit it, but I used to want to be like the populars. I had always craved to know what it felt like to be envied the way Gloria was. Though, as the years have gone by, my desire to be like Gloria Malone and her clique has withered away. At one time, I used to think she was a queen, just like the rest of West Havenbrook High. However, my opinion of her these days is less than grand: I simply think she’s a callous bitch. Now, instead of praying to be like them, I pray for them to just leave me alone. As pathetic as that may sound, I don’t care. I just want to get through high school painlessly. Is that really too much to ask? Apparently it is, if your name is Jade Cannon.
    By the time I got home I was fuming, and it didn’t help matters when I found my father’s latest girlfriend lounging out on the deck in a crisp white two-piece. How productive she was.
    “Hello, Jade,” she waved cheerfully, scooting up straight in the patio chair. As she waved at me, her short blonde bob was tousled by the wind, making her appear even more beautiful than she already was. Oh, how I hated her beauty, yet secretly wished to belong to that gene pool.
    I didn’t return the smile as I stomped up the steps and into the house, where heavenly fumes drifted up my nostrils. Now that gave me something to smile about. Rushing into the kitchen, I laughed