"Mom, I think Jan and her new friend are seeing too much of each other and it's not healthy," Marcia said. "People are starting to talk, it's not natural for two girls to only have eyes for each other and ignore everything else around them."
Carol only nodded for her to continue.
"And Erica, she has her head in the clouds all the time. There's a rumor going around school that she transferred because of a nervous breakdown at her old school." Marcia took a long sip of milk. "Jan is so impressionable and insecure, you don't want her to get mixed up with a girl who embodies mental instability!"
Carol rolled her eyes.
"I've heard it all before, young lady," she said. "And for the last time, Marcia, I am not going to forbid Jan to be friends with Erica just because you don't like her brother."
"Oh, why not?!" Marcia groaned. "If you knew him you wouldn't want Jan hanging out with that family either!"
"Now Marcia, Erica's parents are both perfectly nice people, and the rumors about Erica are just that-rumors," Carol said. "Remember, Marcia, one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch. And from the looks of it Erica's brother isn't as bad as he is rough around the edges."
"...I guess," Marcia sighed. "But you just might change your mind when you meet this boy."
From their hiding place, Jan and Erica laughed softly behind their hands.
"Wait till Marcia finds out Derek has a crush on her," Erica whispered. "She'll flip!"
