A Teen

I'd ransack my self, check all my hidden pockets for change. Then money had some value, even though we thought it didn't (if only we saw how bad things would be now). I'd manage to gather ten Naira notes and twenty Naira notes's from my school money and from mother's bag that she wouldn't even notice.

I would run to the 'girl wey dey sell card' in the street. I'd purchase hundred naira card, it was important. Even though the hundred Naira credit from last night was still in my phone. But this one was important, because I'd have to call her after dinner.

'Hello' I'd say.

'Hello'

My heart would skip a beat and even though we were three seats away from each other, in class all day, I'll still ask,

'How are you?'

'I'm fine'

'How was your day?'

'fine. Yours? '

Finally, i get my chance to express myself,

' Fine. I spent most of it thinking about talking to you'

'But I was in front of you all day, why didn't you come over.'

'I don't know. You're always with people. I don't want our class mates to start gossip with us'

'hmmm'

'have you eaten? '

'yeah. '

'What did you eat? '

My phone would beep twice and a feminine robot voice would warn 'You have one minute left'.  I'd feel like a genius, good thing I bought card.

'Rice and stew' , it's always rice and stew they eat.

'Hmm. Yummy!  And you did not call me to join you.'

'If I called you would you come? '

'But you didn't. See, my card will soon finish. I'll call you at midnight ehn?'

'Okay.'

'Goodnight.  Sleep t-'

Another beep, ending the call because my card was exhausted.

I'd be staring into space, on the varendah smiling into the night after the call. I'd be lost deep in thought, till my brother would pinch my shoulders,

'Mummy say make you come chop.'