Thirty. Eight.

Gossip is a really ugly thing. Sure, it's basically what the whole media industry is based off of, however that doesn't change how terrible it can be. Rumors in particular. You know what those are. Biased, generally exaggerated claims or stories. They spread, like a case of herpes, something that nobody really wants, but if you aren't careful will catch. Only to unknowingly pass it on to the next person in a slightly more warped version than the last.

The thing with rumors is that they ALWAYS come back to the person who starts them, in one way or another. And more often that not, the person will not own up to it. Rather, they find a scapegoat. Namely, one of the people they told. It becomes an exceedingly ugly situation when the originator then claims they told nobody but that person. But you see rumors are essentially just words. Words are exchanged between individuals daily, like nothing. I know I can't remember everything I tell everyone.

My point? Be careful when you get involved in a rumor. You can't guarantee you'll remember everyone you tell. And that, in turn, may come to bite you in the ass. It could also turn a friend, or should I say scapegoat, against you....