The skies over Halewood were the color of spilled milk and sunflowers.
Birds chirped in soft harmony. The breeze smelled of wild herbs and grass. It was the kind of day where time itself seemed to pause — as if the world wished to give two souls a moment just for themselves.
That morning, Lysia came to Caelum's door holding a wicker basket almost her size.
"Picnic," she declared.
"Just us."
He blinked.
And nodded. "Okay."
The Secret Hill
They walked a little farther than usual.
Beyond the neighborhood.Past the stone fence.Through a patch of tall clover where butterflies drifted like petals.
Eventually, they reached a small grassy hill tucked behind a sleepy oak tree.
It wasn't much.
But from the top, you could see the rooftops of the town like tiny puzzle pieces — and the distant glimmer of a lake just beyond the trees.
"This is my secret place," Lysia said, proudly laying down the basket. "You're the only one I've ever brought."
Caelum looked around.
"I like it."
She beamed.
Lunch and Laughter
They sat side by side on a checkered cloth.
Inside the basket were two sandwiches (peanut butter and honey), apple slices, and a single lemon tart split carefully in half.
Lysia talked the whole time — about a bird that stole her pencil yesterday, about her dream to become the smartest person in the whole world, and how stars were probably just really big fairies with candles.
Caelum listened.
Smiled.
Laughed softly when she insisted he eat the crusts or "the bread spirits will curse your mouth."
A Sudden Question
After they finished, she laid back against the grass, arms behind her head.
Caelum followed.
The sky above was vast and slow, dotted with a few drifting clouds.
"Hey, Cael?"
"Yeah?"
She didn't look at him.
Just whispered:
"Do you think people can fall in love more than once with the same person?"
He turned his head.
She was staring at the sky — but her hand had inched closer to his.
He was quiet for a long time.
Then said softly:
"Only if they're really lucky."
She turned her head too, finally meeting his gaze.
"Then… I must be the luckiest girl in the world."
An Almost Confession
There was a flicker in her eyes.
A softness not quite six years old.Not quite explainable.
Like her heart had reached further back than her memory could follow.
She didn't know why she said that.
But something inside her — something deep — told her it was true.
You've loved him before.
And you're loving him again.
She reached over.
Clasped his pinky in hers.
"Don't go away, okay?"
Caelum squeezed gently.
"I'm not going anywhere."
System Log – Emotional Resonance Confirmed
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM – OBSERVER MODE]— Event: [Pinky Promise – Soul Synchronization Surge]— Subject LYSIA GREY: Emotional Recall Alignment Strengthened— Synchronization: 29.5%— Dream Awakening Threshold: Near— Risk Level: None— Comment: "She does not remember the words… but she remembers the weight of your heart."