Text me back

New phone, who dis?

I set up my room, occasionally glancing back at my phone to see if anyone had texted me.

I just got my phone for my birthday, but no one has texted me on it yet. I got so used to it blowing up from group chats that it's weird to see how still it is.

I sighed and flopped against the bed. Suddenly, my phone chimed.

Unknown number

Penny do u have notes for the math quiz? My dog actually ate mine...

Sorry?

Yeah, Idek until he barfed all over the tile...

New phone. Who is this??

Oh, shoot. Ur not penny?

Nope.

When u get this num??? 😭

Like a day ago.
Who are you?

U go to Northwood?

Yeah 🤨
I'm transferring to there.

Sweet, I'm Kaleb Rosati.
We'll probs have class together.

I'm Leah Bishop.

I like ur name. U play chess?

Ironically no.

I can teach u.
I'm pretty gud at it.

Thanks? Didn't you need to ask Penny for math hw?

Oh, shit yeh.
I'mma save ur num. u seem chill.

lol okay?

[Contact saved. Kaleb Rosati]

I stared at the screen, amused. His grammar was terrible; it was like I was having a stroke reading his texts.
Suddenly, another message popped up.

Unknown number

Penn, did I leave my jacket in your room? I can't find it.

I'm not penny.

Why do you have her phone?

I don't.
She must've changed her number because another person texted me, thinking I was her.

Ok. Just delete my number.

Wait.
Do you go to Northwood?

Yeah.
How did you know???

I'm transferring there. The person I mentioned was one of the boys from there.

Still, delete my number.

You're not going to tell me who you are?

Nope.

Okay. Well, I'm Leah.

Ok.

...
Your turn.

No.

[Contact saved. Jackass]

I rolled my eyes, annoyed. I was about to respond when another text arrived, and then another, and another.

I clicked on the first one.

Unknown number

Pennsylvania, did u hear about Val and Mikey?

Pennsylvania???
I'm not penny... for the third time now.

Oh. Mb. Who is this?

Leah Bishop. I'm transferring to Northwood.
I assume that's where you're from?

Yee
I'm Benedict Monday.
Yes, like the day.

Cool name lol.
So, still wanna spill the tea about "Val and Mikey?"

Sure.
So, Valerie is the popular girl, for context, and she was dating Mikey, the football captain, and guess what?

What

Turns out he broke up with her in front of everyone and revealed he liked Penny.

Ooo, I'm invested.

I'll find out more details.
TTYL!

[Contact saved. Benedict Monday]

Unknown number

Penny, do you know if Mr. Gilbert is doing a quiz tomorrow?

Not penny, but I go to Northwood.
Is Mr. Gilbert the math teacher?

Oh, sorry, I must've texted the wrong number.
Yeah, he's the math teacher.

Then, yeah, there's a quiz. I heard from another student.

Shoot. Well, thank you.
If you don't mind me asking, who is this? I'm trying to save everyone's contacts for a new group chat since no one made one for all the Juniors this year. 😙

I'm Leah Bishop.

Kk!
I'm Sasha Granville, btw!

[Contact saved. Sasha Granville]

I clicked on the final message, anxious to see who it was.

Unknown number

Hey Penny, tell your sister to call me.

I'm sorry, not Penny. I go to Northwood, and you're probably from there, so let's get that out of the way.
You're like the fifth person who's texted me thinking I'm Penny.

Who are you?

I'm Leah Bishop.

I have never heard of you.
My name is Valerie Saltz. I'm sure you'll hear my name everywhere, though.
My dad owns the shopping mall, so I'm kind of a big deal.

Ookay.

You'd be better off on my good side. Remember that.

[Contact saved. Valerie Saltz]

I sighed, turning off my phone.
I should really start making plans for tomorrow. But first, I'd better help my mom unpack the kitchen, or else it's fast food for the seventh day in a row.

I quickly hopped to my feet, pulled my door open, and jogged down the hallway to the stairs. I could hear the TV faintly and my mom and dad chatting.

"Turn that up, will you, darling?" my mom asked, and I rounded the corner to see a breaking news broadcast.

"Hiya, mom. Whatcha planning for dinner?" I asked, leaning on the table and glancing at the half-unpacked boxes.

"Mmm, I was thinking of butter noodles and salad. We need something a little light after all the junk food we've eaten."

My dad turned up the TV. '...Seventeen-year-old Penelope "Penny" Alsmore was found dead this afternoon behind Northwood High. No information has been given yet, but we suspect foul play.'

"Oh my god..." My mother gasped. I froze. Penny? The same Penny people have been texting me about all morning?

Suddenly, my phone started blowing up, and I got a sick feeling in my gut. Something tells me that I'm not going to like it here.