Free The Gossip Web by Chelsea Lynn Charters

Langer’s classroom door.
                  When I returned to class everyone was reading, and a few of my nosy classmates glanced up curiously from their books when the door squeaked open and I walked in. Taking my seat quickly, I pulled out the assigned book and buried my head behind it, ignoring the heavy stare from my teacher. Maybe Mr. Langer hadn’t bought my lie about visiting a counselor to talk about colleges after all.
                  As I pretended to read, the dance took control of my thoughts and I started getting excited. I couldn’t wait! It was like a dream come true…and I still couldn’t believe that Trace had asked me! I knew it was going to be the best night of my life. Things were finally starting to look up for me…
    10
     
     
                  BY THE TIME SCHOOL WAS OVER I was bursting with plans. I knew exactly what dress I wanted to wear and what color, how I was going to get my hair done, and what shoes and accessories I needed to buy. I don’t think I’d ever been so happy in a long time…I even ran all the way home, eager to tell my dad that I had a date for the dance. When I got there, I saw Erika’s car parked in the driveway, but I was in such a good mood that it didn’t even bother me. I wanted her to know too, just to prove I wasn’t the loser I seemed to be.
                  Racing up the porch, I pushed open the front door with a huge smile on my face. I didn’t have to search the house to find my father; I knew where to find him. The aroma drifting out of the kitchen gave his location away. I sniffed the air and smiled; it would be shrimp linguini for dinner tonight.
                  “Dad!” I called out happily as I wandered into the lit kitchen, where I found him twirling a ladle around in a large metal pot. He looked over his shoulder at me when I walked in, a surprised expression etched on his face.
                  “Why do you sound so happy?” He asked me with raised brows.
                  His question irritated me. It’s not like I wasn’t upbeat often---but nothing decent usually happened to me. I lived a crappy life.
                  “Forget it.” I stuck my tongue out at him and folded my arms. “I’m not going to tell you now.”
                  “Oh come on,” he pleaded, setting the ladle down onto the counter. “Out with it already!”
                  “Well, if you insist.” I grinned happily as I said, “Guess who has a date for the winter formal?”
                  “No! Not my daughter!” My father replied enthusiastically, wiping his hands on a white dishcloth. “Who’s the lucky boy?”
                  “Trace Gibson. Do you remember him?” I secretly hoped that he didn’t.
                  He looked furious for a second, but the expression passed. “Jade, I don’t think this is such a good idea---” My father began, but I wouldn’t let him finish.
                  “Dad, wait. I know what you’re going to say, but just hear me out first,” I interrupted hastily. “I know Trace and I have had some trouble in the past, but he’s changed. He wants to make it up to me.”
                  My father didn’t seem too convinced. “Are you sure about that?”
                  “Yes, Dad.” I told him what he needed to hear, but honestly, I was still a little suspicious of Trace myself.
                  He sighed at my response, and I knew he wasn’t okay with the idea of Trace and I being friends again. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him about Trace ignoring me in ninth grade…
                  “It’ll be okay, Dad,” I told him eagerly. “I won’t let anybody hurt me again.” Thankfully, he took the bait.
                  “Alright, if you think he’ll treat you right this time...” he replied