In humanities class, Finn makes his students do silent reading, and Grayson notices he looks upset. When the principal, Dr. Shiner, comes to talk to Finn, Ryan tells Grayson a rumor about Finn getting fired because of Grayson. Later, during rehearsal, the children are worried about Finn’s tense behavior, but he does not tell them anything. When Evan picks Grayson up from school, she gets angry at her aunt for making a big deal about Finn casting her as Persephone.

The rumor only grows the next day, and Grayson feels guilty that she may have led to her favorite teacher being fired. That Friday, Ms. Landen comes to help with the rehearsal of the play’s final scene. Commenting on the chaos happening on stage, she explains that “sometimes, everything needs to fall apart before it can come back together the way it’s supposed to” (163).

Back at home, Grayson overhears her aunt and uncle discussing the aftermath of Sally confronting Finn. Sally regrets that things have gotten out of control, but she argues that she only did it to protect Grayson. Grayson angrily retorts that she chose to try out for Persephone and that she still wants to do the play.