Hello Nigeria!

Chapter 11: Panic!

"Isabella Ene Smith! Get down here right now. We are running late," mum yells from downstairs. I would laugh at her bad pronunciation of my middle name but my mind is too clouded with worry to sense humor.
 
I throw pillows around but still cannot find my phone. Picking the bag I took for yesterday's shopping, I empty it on the bed once more, hoping the phone will just pop out but no, it is not there. My heart rate picks up and I suddenly need air. Calm down, you'll find it. With two deep breaths, I make up my mind to go to Church without my phone.
 
"Ene, could you give me a shot with your phone?" Kemi asks and my eyes bulge. Kemi is a friend we met at St. Peter's parish. The moment she knew our tribal names, she decided to refer to us by them.
 
"No," I blurt.
 
"Why not? Come on, use it joor. I like your camera. Mine's rubbish," she whines while I rack my brain for an excuse.
 
"Are they taking pictures? I'm in," Caleb chips in from where he is standing before jogging towards us with his friend. When we first came to the parish, I did not make friends but the moment I became friends with Kemi, I was automatically friends with many other people. Now, some of the boys won't stop calling me.
 
"Shift jare. I don't want to take any picture with you," she orders with a scowl when Caleb tries to put his arm around her waist.
 
"Why na? Okay, okay, I will make it up to you. Today," he cajoles her but she ignores him. I am just standing there, wondering which camera they want to use to take the pictures.
 
"Girl, where is your phone?" she asks, referring to me.
 
"I did not bring it today," I finally declare.

She frowns, "why? Don't tell me you committed an offence and your mother took it from you," she rambles on and Caleb and Osita begin to tease me.
 
With an eyeroll, I let a lie slip off my tongue. "Today is no-phone day for me, so I left it at home." I am not sure they are buying my story but I shrug it off and walk off to find Nes.

"Hey, Nes!" I call out when I see her and walk to her. "Oh, hey Fletcher," I greet with a smile and pass Nes a mischievous smirk. She glares, signaling me to quit it and I chuckle.
 
"Hey, Bella. You look gorgeous today," he complements my outfit and I blush. Okay, the boy is a real gentleman. No wonder he has Nes trapped.
 
"Um, Nes? I'll see you around," he says before flashing me the million-dollar smile he has probably been feeding Nes and walking away.

Ooh, cute! Okay Bee, stop being weird. With wide and curious eyes, I turn to Nes.

"Duh," she deadpans and walks off.

I let out a short laugh, "I haven't even said anything!
 
***
 
"Guys, Bee can't find her phone," Melody announces and everyone looks at me. We are eating ice cream at pink bubble ice cream shack.

Kevin clears his throat after swallowing a spoonful of vanilla ice cream, "since when?"
 
"This morning. I woke up and could not find it," I pause to look at their faces. "I still can't." Jasper lets out a sigh that draws my attention.
 
"So that means you were robbed," Melody states, distracting me. Almost everyone at the table roll their eyes at her point and she shrugs.

"Did you see it when you got home yesterday?" Jasper asks, looking intently at me. I try to avoid the stare but fail woefully.
 
"No. I was very tired and in dire need of a hot bath and blankets that I forgot to even check for it," I reply still looking at him. His stare tells me that he knows what is on my mind and is confirming it to be true. But I don't want to believe it. My phone can't be stolen. Not by that innocent looking boy he almost beat up yesterday. That phone is quite expensive. My uncle had given it to me as a present when he visited us in Texas months ago.
 
"That guy took it," he finally confirms it in words and I almost start crying. My sweet phone. Just before my birthday!

Alice drops her spoon into the empty ice cream plate and places her hands on the table, saying, "how are we going to handle this?"
 
"Have you told your parents?" It is Ayo. I immediately shake my head.