Penny sat alone at lunch. She munched on what the school called chicken, but it didn't taste like chicken. She was hungry enough to scarf it down. "Boo," a male voice yelled. "You suck!"
The school's choir was singing in the cafeteria. It seemed like a recruiting measure put in place by Father Marcus to build excitement for the afternoon's audition. However, he told them to sing what appeared to be their worst numbers. Constance tried to sing Ocean's notes, but her range was lower. Parts that were supposed to be a four-part harmony were now only three since Ricky couldn't sing.
Penny couldn't help but feel bad for them. It appeared Ocean was the choir's glue. Their chorus had notoriously failed at competitions, but now they would probably get laughed offstage.
The next class was gym; another class Penny shared with Constance. They were the only two girls in the locker room that weren't talking in groups or pairs. The female locker room was a notorious spot for gossip. Most of the rumors about Ocean began here.
Constance dropped her phone as the coach called everyone to return to the gym. "Hey, you dropped your phone," Penny called out. However, Constance was already halfway out the door. Penny noticed that the phone was still on.
Penny wasn't the kind of person to stick her nose in other's business. However, the text that appeared on the screen caught Penny's eye. She had been texting Mischa, a boy in the choir. Penny couldn't help but read.
Constance: It's been two weeks. I need to tell the police. They haven't found anything about her disappearance yet. What I saw might be nothing, but I can't just say a thing. It couldn't hurt to try.
Mischa had read the text but hadn't responded yet. Penny put the phone back where she found it. She quickly joined everyone else in the gym. Everyone was already stretching for a dodgeball game.
Penny couldn't focus on the game. Her mind kept drifting to the text she saw. She got hit with a ball in the first few seconds of the game. Penny slumped against the wall. I need to figure out what Constance was talking to Mischa about. I know too much now. How can I contact her?
Penny then got an idea. Guess someone is showing up to choir auditions after all.