Sticks and Stones

Friend

Noun- A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

Deceive

Verb- To cause someone to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.

Lie

Noun- An intentionally false statement.

Verb- To intentionally use false statements, in some cases to hurt another person.

Rumor

Noun- A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.

Bully

Noun- A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.

Verb- To use superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically by forcing him or her to do what one wants.

We've all heard the stories. We all know one I'm sure....a bully I mean. We've all made those mistakes. That's what trust does to us. You think you've made a new friend and so, you let your guard down. You think that it's going to all be fine and that your so called "friend" will always be there for you. That's when it hits you. The lies and the rumors.

Remember all those times that you've been at a sleepover and you've said something like "Okay I think I can trust you but you can't tell anyone..."? Sounds pretty familiar to me. Your friend will usually say "I promise I won't tell anyone." If only those statements were true. I'm sure they usually are...at first. I know, I know I'm not so innocent either. These situations usually go a little like this:

"I'm not sure if I can tell you..."

"Come on, don't you trust me?"

"Yeah but..."

"Come on, I won't tell anyone."

"Alright but you can't tell anyone that I told you...I like (Johnny?)"

"I promise I won't tell anyone."

The next day at school people start talking. The friend who promised to keep the secret joins in with the gossip. She doesn't know what she's doing. She wants to fit in just as much as you do. She hears some gossip going around about (Johnny?) so she jumps in and tells everyone that she knows who likes (Johnny?). Everyone is intrigued and asks who it is. Her conscience tells her what she's doing is wrong but she takes a different direction.

"Molly likes (Johnny?)" she says.

The rumors spread around and get twisted into something bad and I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. It turns from "Molly likes (Johnny?) and is thinking of asking him to the dance" to "Molly and (Johnny?) hooked up behind the school last night." It ruins reputations and crushes self esteem. I guess I would know because I've been on the wrong end of those rumors. My name is Bryn and I can tell you everything there is to know about high school, whether that's bullies or those screwed up rumors that always seem to make their way around the school. This is my story and how it finally came to an end.