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By RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

Those who have no sense deride their neighbors, but those who have understanding hold their tongues.

Proverbs 11:12

“Did you hear what she did last night?” The whispers were all about the school. I felt my cheeks grow hot as I clutched my books tight to my chest and hurried away from the two girls who were quietly talking over by the lockers. I felt their penetrating stares at my back as I practically ran down the hall.

Last night I had gone to a party with my friends despite my gut nerve not to. There was this guy there who was cute and charming. We tried to talk but it was too loud to hear what we were saying so we took the blossoming conversation outside. Apparently he had been the wrong guy to be seen going off alone with…

Now the rumor that we had slept together swept through the school like a virus, spreading from person to person, getting more ridiculous as it went. I tried to stop the gossip by explaining that nothing had happened. That we had just gone outside to talk. But who would believe me when the story of unexpected intimacy was so much juicer?

Hot, angry tears slid down my cheeks as I ran into the nearest girls’ room. I threw my books down to the floor and leaned over one of the sinks. My whole body shook with suppressed sobs. You shouldn’t let this get to you, I told myself, trying to calm down. It’s just a stupid lie.

I looked up into my ragged reflection. It wasn’t just that people were talking bad about me… what had me so upset was that I felt completely and utterly alone. How could no one believe me when they’ve known me for years? Why did no one come up to me and ask if the rumor was true?

My attention was brought to the door as one of my friends poked her head in. Her eyes were full of sympathy and compassion. “Hey girl, you okay?”

When I sniffed and shook my head she came in and shut the door. “Is it about the rumor that’s been going around?” I nodded. My friend bit her lip. “Well is it true?”

There it was. The question I’d been waiting for. All of my pent up anger and frustration burst out, “Of course not! But does it matter? No! Because nobody cares that I’m a Christian or that I know that having sex before you’re married is wrong! How was I supposed to know that guy had done those kinds of things! I’d just met him and wanted to talk! Then people get the wrong idea and start spreading this stupid rumor around and it’s just… UGH!”

My friend laughed and went over to pick up my neglected books. “Then don’t worry about it,” she said, handing them back to me. I looked at her, a little confused. “You know how these things go. One minute, all that people are chatting about is you. The next, they’ll be snickering about how the quarterback sleeps with a teddy bear.” She smiled comfortingly at me. “Don’t let it get you down. It’s just stupid gossip.”

For the first time that day a smile spread across my face. My heart felt light, like a giant weight had been lifted off. My friend slipped an arm around my shoulder. “Come on, I’ll even help you put people straight. I guarantee this whole thing will be gone by tomorrow.”

Sure enough, the very next day the rumor wheel had turned to something else (most likely another lie). I could hold my head up high and not be ashamed. It seemed that people had just forgotten about my little “fiasco” due to more “exciting” news. I guess all that nasty virus had needed was a remedy… the encouraging words and comfort of a good friend.