Inspired by a True Story

For English this week I was assigned to, "select one lesson I'd 'learned' or began to learn, as the result of a specific incident and write on it ." In other words, think of some dumb thing I did and write a story on it. Sadly quite a few blunders came to mind. I settled on the one below and finished my final draft this morning. Since you all like to tease me, I figured I could give you some material. BTW, I changed a few names to protect the innocent:-)

An Ordinary Piece of News... ~L.M.S.
…Told with the normal straight face and level voice. Sure, she was smiling, but anyone would think that was due to the fact that she was relating a pleasant article of intelligence, one I had been hoping would happen. As she would know, I believed her.
Later that day I told my sister with excitement.
“Lucy is going to be in my grade!”
“Really?” Deb seemed quite perplexed. “Why isn’t she going to graduate this year? Poor Girl. Who told you?”
“Mrs. S., Lucy’s mom told her. Lucy’s so much fun, I’d be sorry to see her go this year. I think she just wasn’t ready to leave home yet. Now we have two more play years together.”
My sister seemed satisfied with my information, but didn’t share my excitement; she was more prone to pity. Now, I’m not a person to gossip or to spread unconfirmed rumors, but I was excited that one of my favorite home school friends wasn’t going to move off sooner than I was ready for, so I shared it with a few people. All asked about the same questions as my sister, I was never doubted though, because I had it from an irreproachable source.
Now I wish I’d kept my big mouth shut, especially at Track a few days later.
“So Lucy…” I said as soon as I’d caught my breath after catching up to her. “I’m so pumped about the next two years; we’re going to have so much fun!”
“Yeah, I guess so,” She gasped as we rounded the turn. “I’m nervous about my senior year; I hope I don’t get a huge part, or a lot of lines.”
“Oh don’t worry,” I steered around a puddle from the recent rain. “You and I still got a whole year till we got to worry about that, it’s only our Jr. Year.”
A puzzled look crosses her face. That should’ve been ample warning for me but I plunged on.
“Yeah, I was practically giddy when I heard we were going to be the same grade, I couldn’t believe-“
“Lydia, what ARE you talking about?” She abruptly interrupted me and considerately slowed her gait. “Are you graduating this year with me? I’m a senior.”
“What?” I stopped altogether. “But… I… Didn’t… oops.” I suddenly felt quite warm and could sense my face reddening. “Oh, never mind, just ignore me.” PLEASE, I added under my breath. Thankfully just then the coach cautioned us to keep up with everyone else and hurry.
*****************
“Lillian Mae, did or did not your mom tell me Lucy was doing her Jr. Year again, thus coming back to my grade?”
“You mean about last week?” She gave me “the look.” “Don’t tell me… It was a joke, you knew that didn’t you? You believed her?? Lydia!”
“No further comments at this time.” I responded miserably to her pealing laughter.
As I set about setting all the people straight that I’d misinformed I was thankful I hadn’t told too many friends. I reflected on how gullible I could be, definitely something to work on. I now knew I needed to not believe quite everything I heard.