About an hour after Penny arrived home, she decided to pick up dinner. It was another night that her parents were going to eat late. Penny's parents usually left her money for food, and she usually just pocketed it. Penny usually just ate chips and queso for dinner.
Eventually, Penny decided to go to Taco Bell. It was the nearest restaurant to her house. She wanted to try the new Mexican pizza now that it was back. The inside of the restaurant has recently got a makeover. It now had more modern furniture.
There wasn't a line for the counter. Penny walked straight towards the counter. "I'm about to go on break," the lady said. "Wait a moment, and I'll get someone to help you. Gruber!"
Noel left the break room. "Abby, you've already taken your break," Noel complained. "I just started mine not even ten minutes ago. You need to carry your weight around here, you- Penny? What are you doing here?"
"Getting dinner," Penny responded.
"Right," Noel said. "Well, can I take your order?"
"I'll take one Mexican Pizza," Penny stated. "This order will be to go. For a drink, I'll take the Baja Blast."
"Our freeze machine isn't working," Noel responded.
"Then I'll just take a large cup," Penny said. Noel entered her order into the cash register.
"That will be eight dollars and fifteen cents," Noel responded. Penny gave him a ten-dollar bill. He gave her a dollar and eighty-five cents as change and a big cup to fill up at the soda fountain. Penny quickly pocketed the money. "Your food will be out shortly."
"Okay," Penny said.
"And," Noel said. "You can't tell anyone that I'm working here. I would die if they knew what my real profession was."
Nobody at school believed his lies about him studying under Michael Haneke. More people thought Mischa's online girlfriend was real or wasn't a catfish. However, Penny saw the desperation in Noel's eyes. "Of course," Penny said.
When Penny got home, she decided to eat in the living room. Penny couldn't find any show to watch, so she put on the local news. It was only slightly better for her than sitting in silence.
"A group of hikers discovered a body in the woods near St. Cassian High School," the news reporter, Judy Lambs, said. "The body is believed to belong to one Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg."