The Bracelet

A few days later, Ethan was cleaning his room.

His mother had asked him to organize the shelves and old boxes that had been sitting there for years.

As he opened one of the boxes, he found a small gift bag.

Inside was an empty bracelet box and a folded receipt.

He frowned.

"A bracelet?"

Just then, his mother walked into the room.

"Oh," she said, smiling sadly. "You found it."

"What is this?" Ethan asked.

His mother looked at the box for a moment.

"You bought that bracelet for Lily on her birthday last year."

Ethan looked surprised.

"I did?"

She nodded.

"You spent weeks saving money for it. You wanted it to be perfect."

Ethan stared at the box.

He couldn't remember buying it.

But somehow, holding it made his chest feel heavy.

The next day, Ethan met Lily in the park.

She was sitting on a bench, reading a book.

"Sorry I'm late," Ethan said.

"It's okay," Lily smiled.

As they started walking, Ethan noticed something shining on her wrist.

It was a silver bracelet with a tiny heart charm.

He stopped walking.

"Lily..."

She looked at him.

"Yes?"

"Where did you get that bracelet?"

Lily looked down at it and smiled.

"You gave it to me."

Ethan stared at the bracelet.

Suddenly...

A memory flashed through his mind.

He saw Lily smiling.

He heard his own voice.

"Happy Birthday."

He remembered placing the bracelet on her wrist.

Then he heard Lily laughing.

"I'll never take it off."

The memory disappeared as quickly as it had come.

Ethan held his head.

"Lily..."

She rushed to him.

"Ethan! Are you okay?"

"I... I saw something."

Her eyes widened.

"What did you see?"

"You... wearing this bracelet."

Tears filled Lily's eyes.

"You remembered?"

"Only for a few seconds."

He looked frustrated.

"I tried to remember more, but it was gone."

Lily smiled through her tears.

"It's okay."

She gently held his hand.

"One memory is enough."

Ethan looked at her.

"I'm sorry it's taking so long."

Lily shook her head.

"You don't have to apologize."

She smiled softly.

"I'll wait."

Ethan looked at her with admiration.

"Why?"

Lily's eyes met his.

"Because some people are worth waiting for."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Ethan couldn't explain it.

Every time Lily smiled at him...

His heart felt like it already knew the answer, even if his mind didn't.

And somewhere deep inside...

Another forgotten memory was waiting to return.

END OF CHAPTER 12