Writing Prompt #2

The following is a piece written for a writing prompt as we learn about writing memoirs in class. I'm not crazy about it but I figured I'd share till I come up with something more interesting to share:

 I didn't become acquainted with the concept of people saying stuff about other people to make themselves feel better until 8^th grade. I was grading papers for as a TA for my drama teacher. I was reading through play reviews for a production that I had been a part of and was shocked to see my name listed on one paper listed as the worst actress. My stomach churned as I read it. There was no criticism of my acting skills listed. Had that been the case, I would've just assumed this person obviously didn't know anything about the theater, regarded them as uncultured and less intelligent, worked my self through the oncoming self doubts, tell myself I'd been cast in the show for a reason, and ultimately, gotten over it. But the paper in front of me read:

“Bailey Loveless was my least favorite actress because I think she's really full of herself.”

My innocent, little 8^th grade eyes could not believe what they were reading. I turned over the paper to see a girl's name. Rachel Smith. I'm pretty sure that up to that point I'd have never met Rachel Smith before in my life. I read the paper over and over again, baffled and humiliated.

From there on, I paid a lot more attention to the talk that circulated the school and kept track of what's been stacked up against me with over the years. False stories and rumors continued to follow me all through my middle and high school years. I honestly don't quite understand what cultivated these. Granted, I didn't expect everyone to like me or be my best friend, but I don't think I did anything significant enough to be talked about so much. My peers saw me in shows once or twice a year but for the most part I was a quiet, generally well-behaved LDS girl who paid attention in class, spent evenings in rehearsals or dance practice, and made friends at the appropriate social level in the hierarchy of high school. I wasn't considered one of the popular kids and I never did anything to tip the status quo that rules secondary school politics. I felt like I should've been able to slip under the radar. But that was definitely not the case. I've been called every name in the book and according to my classmates, I've done it all too: cheated on my boyfriends, been drunk, gone to the Shire to get high, made out with so and so by the dumpsters out back, had a one night stand. Heck, I've even had a threesome and with brothers, no less. That was one I'd never heard before. That took originality on someone's part. All I can say is well at least I made an impression.