Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

RYLEE

M y heart pounded in my chest as I frantically tossed everything out of my suitcase in my cheap hostel room in Rome. Clothes, toiletries, souvenirs, everything was scattered across the floor as I searched for my passport. I ran my hand inside every pocket in my suitcase. I turned it over and shook it, hoping it would fall out. When it didn't, I picked up each article of clothing and gave it a good shake before carefully putting it back in my suitcase.

With my suitcase packed and still no passport, I dropped to my knees and looked under the bed and the table. When I couldn't find it, I stripped the bed and shook out the blankets. Still no passport. My breath hitched in my throat as panic started to settle in.

"Rylee, are you okay?" My roommate, a friendly Australian tourist named Emma, was hovering by the door, her eyes wide with concern.

"I can't find my passport," I admitted, my voice shaky. "I'm sure I had it in here."

"Okay, okay, let's just stay calm," Emma said, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her. She moved toward the pile of clothes on her bed and started to sift through them methodically. "Maybe someone accidentally picked it up thinking it was theirs."

I frantically pulled open drawers and rifled through them, finding nothing but empty wrappers and old city guides. I was supposed to be hopping on a flight to Ireland soon, but without my passport, I wasn't going anywhere. Panic surged through me. I was in a foreign country. I couldn't leave and I couldn't get home without it. I grabbed my phone to call down to the front desk. Maybe it fell out of my purse somehow. I didn't know how that could happen, but it was not in my bag.

"Hi, um, has anyone turned in a passport?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"No, I'm sorry," the receptionist replied. "Nothing has been turned in."

"Thanks," I mumbled, hanging up.

The Australian couple I'd become friends with over the past five days walked into the room. I had made some friends, a few single women around my age, and two single brothers from Canada, and they were all coming to see if I was ready to go. They walked in and saw me on the floor.

"What's going on?" one of them asked. They were all looking at me with concern.

One of the brothers squatted down in front of me, his big brown eyes locking on mine. The brothers had been a blast to get to know, and they were easy on the eyes, but they weren't Simon. I was on the trip of a lifetime, surrounded by gorgeous single men that were interested, and I was thinking about Simon. It pissed me off to no end. He didn't deserve my thoughts. It wasn't like he was thinking about me. Unless he had an itch to scratch.

"I've lost my passport," I managed to choke out.

His expression changed from concern to alarm. "Are you sure? Have you checked everywhere?" His gaze darted around the messy room, taking in the tossed clothes and other belongings.

"Yes," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. "I've checked everywhere."

He frowned, then stood and began helping me look again. His brother joined him while Emma continued sifting through her stuff, just in case it had somehow ended up mixed with hers.

I had to find my passport. Otherwise, my Contiki tour was going to leave without me. I would have to meet up with them once I got a replacement. That meant going to the US consulate and waiting days to get a new one, not to mention spending even more money. And being stuck alone after making plans with my new friends that were on their own adventure. We were all feeling like rolling stones with no direction. We decided to roll together. But it looked like I was going to be left behind.

Everyone in the room helped me look. We turned the place upside down, checking every nook and cranny. No luck.

"Maybe we should retrace your steps from yesterday?" Claire suggested, one of the single young women from Colorado.

"Good idea," I agreed, feeling a sliver of hope.

"I'll go with you," she offered.

"Thank you." I smiled, feeling damn near devastated.

We left the hostel and began retracing our steps from the day before. We checked the restaurants we'd eaten at, the old church we'd walked through, and followed our exact route through an outdoor market.

Nothing.

It was gone.

"Do you think it was stolen?" I asked. "Did I get pickpocketed and not even know it?"

"It's hard to say." Claire sighed. "I'm so sorry."

Despite Claire's comforting words, a deep pit of despair was beginning to form in my stomach. "What am I going to do?" I asked, feeling the first prickling sting of tears behind my eyes.

"Well, we'll need to notify the authorities," Claire said with a decision in her voice. "Maybe there is a chance it was turned in."

I nodded. Another glimmer of hope fought off the tears. We walked to a police station and made the report. Unfortunately, my passport had not been turned in. Defeated, we started walking back to the hostel.

"I need to use the Wi-Fi," Claire said as we passed a café. "I have to let my friends and family know where I'm headed next."

"I'll be waiting out here," I said.

I didn't want to waste money buying something at the café, which I would need to do to sit inside with her. I sat on a stoop outside yet another church, holding back tears. My trip had been ruined before it had a chance to get off the ground. Things had started off so well. I truly thought I was on to something with this trip. Yes, I thought about Simon a lot, but I was also distracted by my new friends and all the sights. But now, I was stuck. I could maybe make more friends, but I honestly didn't know if I was going to be able to afford to do much more traveling. I would get the passport replaced, but the trip was ruined.

I was feeling sorry for myself when my phone rang. I was stunned to see Simon's name on the screen. I answered almost on instinct, my voice a croak. "Hello?"

"Rylee? Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I sniffled. "I lost my passport. Everything has been so much more expensive than I thought. I'm going to have to cut my trip short and come home."

"Where are you?"

"I haven't even left Rome." I laughed bitterly. "So much for my trip of a lifetime."

"What can I do to help?" he asked.

"There's nothing you can do." I sighed.

"I can send you money," he offered.

"Unless it's the kind of money that will smuggle me out of this country and into the United States, it's not going to help."

"Rylee, you know I have that kind of money," he said with a small laugh. "Tell me what to do. I'll do it. Anything."

I appreciated his offer. Despite it coming from him, I did feel better hearing a friendly voice. "I should have paid more attention. I have to figure this out on my own. I know I'm not the only one that has lost my passport in a foreign country."

"True," he agreed.

I watched people walking by, enjoying their trip without a care in the world. "Funny enough, I'm glad you called. It's good to hear your voice. I wish we'd said goodbye on better terms."

I couldn't believe I had just told him that. I supposed the stress of the situation stripped away all my usual snarky comments. I didn't have the fight in me. I was officially defeated.

"Do you mean that?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I do," I said softly. I saw Claire step out of the café. "I have to go. Thanks for calling."

"Let me make some calls—let me see what I can do," he insisted.

I sighed. "Okay, but there's nothing you can do. I just need to get to the consulate. Bye."

"Goodbye, Rylee."

"It looks like I'm going to miss out on Ireland," I said with disappointment. "Maybe I can catch up with you all by the time you head to Scotland. I'm hoping I can get my passport replaced soon."

"I'm so sorry," she said. "I feel really bad."

"Don't feel bad. You guys have fun. This is my own fault. I got too caught up in the moment and didn't pay attention."

We walked back to the hostel together. When we got there, the shuttle was waiting at the curb. Claire turned to me and gave me a hug. "I am so sorry," she said. "I can stay with you."

"No way." I shook my head. "I'm fine. If we don't see each other again, just know you guys totally made the last few days amazing. I'll see you on social media."

I stood at the curb, watching as the rest of my friends boarded their shuttle to the airport. They waved goodbye through the windows. I waved back, feeling devastated that things had gone so wrong so quickly.

The tour guide walked over to me. "I'm really sorry about your passport," she said. "Take this. It's everything you need to do to replace your passport. Remember to call your travel insurance when you get home. They might reimburse you for the portion of the trip you've lost. Trust me, sweetheart, you are not the first person to lose their passport."

"Thanks," I said, trying to muster a smile. "I appreciate it."

"I've seen it all, don't you worry," she continued. "And I can assure you, this will be a story for your grandkids someday." She patted my shoulder encouragingly before turning to leave.

I looked at the papers she'd handed me. They detailed the procedures and tips for replacing a passport abroad. I sighed heavily, realizing the mountain of red tape I was about to face. But there was no other way.

I watched as the bus pulled away, feeling completely abandoned and alone. I went back to my room and sat on the edge of the bed. Soon, new people would be coming in. I didn't know why I was so nervous about meeting new people. I felt like the last group had ruined me. They had been so fun and amazing and I didn't think there would be another group that would match that.

I left my bag and went to the shared kitchen to take advantage of the free tea the place provided. With my new situation, I needed to watch every penny I spent. I could eat one or two cheap meals a day. That would save some money. The tea would be filling enough.

As I stirred my tea in the small, chipped cup provided by the hostel, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my new reality pressing in on me. I was stuck here in a place that had once been the location of an exciting adventure. Being stuck here took away the excitement. I knew it was a beautiful place to be trapped, but that was not what I could see right then.

I finished my tea and decided to head back to my room. It was still early in the day, and I would need to figure out a plan. As I walked down the narrow hall, I could hear the distant chatter of a few people in the communal living area.

I wished I could be like them, unburdened by the situation that currently held me captive.