Chapter XXXIII: Hearts Don't Lie
Liz strides into the school, scanning the hallway before spotting Wyn near the lockers. With a determined look, she walks straight to her.
"Wyn, I need to tell you something," Liz says in a hushed voice.
"What's up?" Wyn asks, raising a brow at Liz's urgency.
"There's something hidden in the bushes. Bennett planted it," Liz explains, eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Wyn's face lights up instantly. "Seriously? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out!"
Since they are early, they slip away unnoticed, heading toward the school's outdoor areas. The morning air is crisp, and the sun barely peeks over the rooftops.
Starting at the high school department, they push through the hedges, searching. Dry leaves crunch under their feet, and the scent of damp earth fills the air.
"Ugh, just trash," Liz groans, picking up an empty juice box.
Wyn exhales, brushing off her hands.
"Figures. Let's try the college department."
They make their way to the other side of the campus, their steps quick with anticipation. The college department has thicker, taller bushes, making the search more challenging. Wyn crouches down, pushing branches aside carefully.
"Wait! I think I found something," she announces, reaching deeper.
Liz leans in.
"What is it?"
Before Wyn can answer, a sudden blur of movement erupts from the leaves. A lizard leaps straight onto her face.
"AHHHH!" Wyn shrieks, stumbling back, frantically swiping at her face.
Liz clutches her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
"Oh my gosh, that was priceless! Your face—"
Wyn glares, finally managing to shake the lizard off.
"I swear, if you don't help me find this thing, I'm making you pay for this."
Still giggling, Liz holds up her hands.
"Alright, alright, let's keep looking."
But the morning search proves fruitless. Tired and discouraged, they slump against a nearby bench just as the bell rings.
Liz sighs.
"We'll continue at vacant periods, lunch, and dismissal."
Wyn nods, dusting off her uniform.
"Deal. This has to be somewhere."
After another round of lectures and discussions, lunchtime finally arrives. Liz and Wyn grab their meals quickly before heading back outside.
"This has to be the most dedicated scavenger hunt I've ever done," Wyn mutters, pushing past another set of bushes.
Liz snorts.
"Bennett always did have a flair for the dramatic."
They move methodically, bush after bush, but again, nothing. Wyn wipes her forehead, frustration creeping in.
"This is impossible. Are you sure he said 'bushes'?"
Liz nods.
"One hundred percent. We just haven't looked in the right place yet."
Frustrated but unwilling to quit, they make their way to the third floor of the main building to get a better view. As they lean over the railing, scanning the school grounds below, something catches Liz's eye.
"Wyn, look." She points downward.
Wyn follows her gaze.
"What is that?"
Nestled within the neatly trimmed bushes surrounding the grand bust of St. Paul, a small object glimmers under the sunlight.
Liz and Wyn exchange looks.
"That's it," Wyn whispers, gripping the railing.
Liz grins.
"We found it."
They don't waste another second. With renewed energy, they rush downstairs, eager to uncover what Bennett had hidden there so carefully.
Liz and Wyn rush downstairs, their footsteps echoing through the hallway. The anticipation builds as they near the bust of St. Paul, their breaths quickened by excitement.
"There!" Liz points at the shining object nestled between the bushes.
Wyn kneels, stretching her hand inside.
"Ugh, it's tangled in here—wait, I got it!" She pulls it free and opens her palm to reveal a delicate heart-shaped pendant. Its surface gleams under the midday sun.
Liz tilts her head. "A necklace?"
"Not just any necklace." Wyn examines it closely. "It looks like it can be opened, but there's a tiny keyhole here."
Liz sighs. "Great. Another puzzle."
That night, Liz drifts into sleep, and the dream world envelops her once more. Bennett's familiar figure emerges, his warm smile greeting her.
"Bennett!" Liz wastes no time. "What's up with the pendant?"
Bennett chuckles. "I'll show you something that might help you figure it out."
Liz groans. "C'mon, Bennett, I don't wanna think right now."
He smirks, wagging a playful finger. "Liz, what's the point of having a mind if we don't use it?"
Before she can retort, he snaps his fingers. The scene around them dissolves into a bustling Chinese restaurant, the aroma of dumplings and roasted duck filling the air. Liz's eyes widen as she spots a younger version of herself sitting with her grandmother at a corner table.
"Wait a minute…" Liz's gaze darts to the staircase. A slimmer, younger Bennett ascends, his red shirt standing out against the restaurant's golden decor.
Bennett grins beside her. "Recognize this day?"
Liz's heart races. "This was…"
With the presence of hearts over the place, "…Valentine's Day"
The younger Liz beams as Bennett approaches, wrapping her arms around him in a warm hug. He chuckles, returning the embrace. Liz watches as her younger self plants a quick kiss on his cheek. A fond memory swells inside her.
Grandma clears her throat. "Liz, we need to talk about your spending."
Liz flinches. "Oh no."
"You've spent too much these past two months." Grandma's voice sharpens. "Your mother's going to hear about this."
The younger Liz stiffens, clutching Bennett's arm in fear.
The scene shifts suddenly. They are now at Plaza de Regalos, strolling under warm yellow streetlights. The plaza is alive with chatter, vendors calling out their wares, couples walking hand in hand.
Liz watches in awe. "I forgot how beautiful this night was."
Bennett gently nudges her. "Look closer."
Ahead, the younger versions of themselves stop in front of a street photographer. Bennett wraps an arm around Liz, and she leans into him as the camera clicks.
Then, Bennett reaches into his pocket and hands the younger Liz something small.
"Here."
Liz's past self examines it—a tiny key.
"What's this for?" she asks.
"You'll use it someday," Bennett replies. "Next year, to be exact. For something I want to give you."
The present Liz gasps. "The year he's talking about… it's this year."
Bennett snaps his fingers, and they are back in his room. He watches her expectantly.
"So? What did you see?"
Liz's mind races. She clutches the pendant tightly.
"Bennett, you… you planned this, didn't you? Even back then, you knew you wouldn't be here. So, you left behind something I would find only when the time was right."
Bennett's eyes soften.
"Liz, I never wanted to leave you empty-handed. I wanted you to have a piece of me, something to remind you of everything we shared."
Tears sting her eyes.
"Why, though? Why did you make me wait?"
He strokes her hair gently.
"Because I needed you to be ready."
Liz chokes back a sob.
"I don't know if I'll ever be ready, Bennett."
Bennett pulls her into a tight embrace, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"You already are."
The dream begins to fade. As Liz's consciousness drifts back to reality, Bennett whispers,
"Check your purple bracelet."
Liz jolts awake, her heart pounding. She throws the blanket off and hurriedly examines her wrist. There, attached to her purple bracelet, is a tiny, golden key.
With trembling hands, she picks up the pendant and inserts the key. A soft click echoes in the quiet room as the locket opens.
Inside is a tiny, faded photograph—a picture of them at Plaza de Regalos, arms wrapped around each other, frozen in time.
Tears spill down her cheeks.
"Bennett… you never forgot."
As the first rays of dawn creep into her room, Liz clutches the pendant close to her heart, feeling Bennett's presence in every beat.