Bette would never admit it to herself, but she constantly wondered who had the other half of her charm, the key, and she deeply wanted that person to find her.  Bette smiled again; actually, the smile never disappeared off her face.

‘Whoever found you,‘ Bette looked down at her charm once again, and continued ‘thank you so much….‘

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When Bette Porter lost something, she didn’t care.  Though she didn’t make much on a teacher’s salary, she came from a wealthy family.  Whatever she wanted was basically handed to her, but this time things were different, Bette cared for this lock.  If she couldn’t find it, would it mean something else?  Isolating herself from emotions kept her numb.  She wouldn’t have to feel pain, loss, and sorrow.  Maybe losing the lock proved that she was right all along; there were no so called “one life one love,” “soul mates,” or “happy endings.”  Would it finally be time to let go of what her grandmother said?  Bette would’ve been foolish if she still allowed herself to believe this.  Maybe she wasn’t capable of loving someone, anyone.  To Bette, keeping herself numb and isolated became a shield for her to never become vulnerable again.  Now with that last bit that always seemed like it was holding her down, the charm, Bette could truly move on.

“Bette, don’t give up yet,” said Kelly as she saw a rare sadness escape from Bette’s face.

Bette had been like this for over a decade.  When Bette was younger, she was always tough, she never liked to cry or show emotions, but she was truly happy.  Before, Bette would never force herself to shut down and shut out the world.  However, ever since her grandmother’s death, Bette completely changed, she became vulnerable, and that vulnerability led Bette to put up a fa&#231ade.  She looked tough, strong, and undefeatable on the outside, but on the inside, she was completely broken, and severely wounded. 

Though time would heal her wounds, they could never bring her to a full recovery.  It was like someone had literally broken her heart into a million pieces, and with time, the pieces were slowly and painfully put back together.  Bette knew she could not deal with another heartbreak or loss.  If she had to suffer through that pain again, she was sure her life would be over.  Therefore, if Bette didn’t allow herself to love, and care, she wouldn’t risk getting her heart shattered again.

“I don’t see it out here, and I’ve looked everywhere,” a defeated Bette replied.

“Well, maybe someone will find it later.  Let’s go back inside and give them your number in case it turns up.”  Kelly felt there was little hope, but she didn’t want to give up.  Hope was what her sister needed.

They headed inside and exchanged information with the librarians and employees there.

“I’m sure it’ll turn up Bette, just have some faith.”

“I hope it’ll turn up too, but I really doubt it.  Let’s just grab a bite to eat now.”

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As Tina was driving, she felt something pressing against her thighs, “Ow…” reacted Tina.

Trying to see what was jabbing her, Tina took one hand off the steering wheel and reached into her pocket, and pulled out the charm; she quickly glanced at it.

Upon her quick glance, Tina felt like her heart was being pricked by a needle.  She could’ve sworn she felt someone’s heart shatter.  Her natural reaction was a twitch, and with the charm in her right hand, she moved her right hand to her heart keeping the charm in her lightly clenched fist.

To anyone else, that charm probably wouldn’t have stood out.  It was plain and simply designed, probably too ordinary for the typical teenager or young adult to want to buy, but Tina liked it.  A part of her wanted to keep it, but her conscience kicked in and told her to do the right thing.  Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you.  If she had lost this, she would want someone to return it back to her.

‘I better turn back, and see if they have a lost and found,‘ thought Tina.