Rumors

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The next morning, Bridget ended up awake before her alarm went off. Her dad was at work, while her mom was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. When Bridget made her way into the room, fully dressed and smiling brightly, her mom gave her a surprised look.

"You're up early!" her mom commented, laying a couple of pancakes onto a plate. As she set it down in front of Bridget, her mom looked her over. "Is something going on?"

Bridget began spreading butter onto her pancakes, biting her lip in order to tone down her grin. With a small sniff, she set down the knife and looked at her mom. "Brittany said that she would pick me up today." She continued to talk before her mom's surprised expression could turn angry. "I meant to tell you yesterday, but I forgot. Then you and dad when to bed and it was too late!"

Her mom let out a sigh and went back to the stove, clicking it off. "I wish you would have told me yesterday, but it's okay with me. Just be sure to buckle your seatbelt and make it to school on time," her mom said warningly, pointing a spoon at her. "If I find out that you were late, then no more rides with those girls, understood?"

Bridget nodded quickly at her mom's warning, jumping up and wrapping her arms around the woman in a tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried. Her mom hugged her back and let her bounce in place for a second longer, before gently shoving her towards the table. Bridget sat and began wolfing down her pancakes, excited to finish and see the girls. Soon enough, her pancakes were gone and she was rushing through scrubbing her plate and fork.

"Honey, I think they just pulled up," said her mom, peering out the window to the driveway. A honk followed as soon as she finished speaking. "Yeah," her mom chuckled, "they're here."

Bridget set the dishes in the drainer and grabbed her school bag. She kissed her mom's cheek on the way past. "Love you, mom!" she called over her shoulder, receiving a 'love you, too' in response. Lips curving into a wide grin, Bridget hurried down the steps of the porch and to the large red jeep parked at the curb.

"Get in, loser!" shouted Brittany through the window. When Bridget listened and was buckling herself into the seat, Brittany turned towards her and giggled. "I've always wanted to say that!"

Bridget laughed with Brittany, understanding what movie she was referencing. But Brittany wasn't anything like Regina George, despite what others may think of her. Brittany and the others were kind girls, helping those that need help, and doing their duty to the school. While others may see it as harsh, maybe even mean, Bridget saw it as something to respect. And apparently, so did others.

"Where are Danielle and Quinn?" Bridget asked as soon as she calmed down. She was able to look around the interior of the car, taking in the Betty Boop seat covers and floor mats, and had noticed the two girls missing. Arielle sat in the passenger seat up front, earbuds disappearing into her hair and head bobbing to whatever she was listening to.

"They're taking Danielle's car," Brittany answered, pulling away from the curb and starting to drive down the street. Bridget felt strange. It was the same as before, when they had gotten lunch together. She had never been in a car with anyone but her family, and sitting here in Brittany's made her feel... elated. She was finally getting out there, driving with friends. She felt - cool. Cool, now that she was actually becoming independent from her parents and spending time with others who actually drove! "If it wasn't for their skin color, age, and parents, you would swear they were twins," Brittany shook her head.

Bridget nodded, agreeing with what she had said. Danielle and Quinn were pretty close. She supposed they were like sisters - twins - since they practically knew what each other were thinking most of the time. Bridget had never met two people who complimented each other as much as Danielle and Quinn did.