Like Wildfire

I have a bad habit - no, an addiction - that I am trying to rid myself of. Falling in line with the female stereotype, I love to get some good gossip. But lately I've been thinking that this might not be such a good thing. I have read way to many novels and seen way to many romantic comedies to not know that gossip only leads to misunderstanding and hurt feelings among friends and lovers. It seems that the world would be a much better place if people would just keep their noses in their own business.
The number one reason gossip is not so hot is the most obvious - it often leads to death and destruction. Maybe not death, per se. But definitely destruction. Destruction of reputations and relationships and communication and - other things I'm sure. Because the problem with gossip is that it is gossip. I would say that seventy percent of the rumors one picks up are either completely made up, or based on a misunderstanding of the victim's actions. The other twenty percent are always certainly, dreadfully exaggerated. Chances are, Suzy hasn't been going out with every boy in school. Just one, or four, maybe. You can see how such gossip has grossly distorted the truth surrounding Suzy's actions, and consequently, she will forever be known as the school -this word has been censored-. There, a good reputation ruined, because people didn't bother to check their facts. They just gobbled up that juicy gossip without first realizing that it needed a grain of salt.
The number two reason that gossip is an absolutely unacceptable pastime is that it ruins first impressions. Everyone knows that the first time you meet someone is in the top ten most important moments of that relationship. But if you already have this picture stuck in your head of Suzy being a complete -this word has been censored- , then you probably won't give her the time of day. You'll always have that idea of her, every time you see her from now on. It will be nearly impossible to get around it, even when your own experience with Suzy shows you that she's a perfectly nice girl and all that gossip was probably just mean gossip. In the back of your mind you'll always be thinking -this word has been censored-. And so, because of gossip, you have had a first impression ruined, and lost the chance of ever having a meaningful relationship with Suzy. Besides, even if you didn't believe the gossip, who wants to be seen consorting with such a character? Your reputation would be ruined!
It doesn't even matter that Suzy is completely innocent of (almost) all misdeeds and just wishes that someone would give her a chance. No, gossip has destroyed all hope of her ever having a BFF ever again. She'll probably have to transfer to another school. And you know how gossip spreads.