Their spring break had begun, so it was a lot easier for Casey to sleep in the days and not caring about what time it is to wake up. He liked to just sleep away his worries and not care about what was going on.

Unfortunately, when he did have to get out of bed, instead of at their University, he met with Snow at the Coffee shop. It was the afternoon, and the atmosphere was different than it was in the mornings, seeing more tables filled up and people chattering like real-life Twitter tweets popping out every second.

Two hot drinks sat on their table as the steam let out. For whatever reason, Snow had sat next to Casey, and he thought she was up to something.

She pulled out a laptop from her tote bag and turned it on. Once the start-up and sign in were done, she went to google and typed in something. Then pivoting her head to him. "Have you ever heard of Five Love Languages?"

"Five Love Languages?" Casey asked.

"Yep, there are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch."

The five love languages, in how she briefly explained it, become ways that people like to express love and affection. Each of them is important, but we should know the type of communication to express to our partner so they understand it well. Having different love languages between the two partners can get into a predicament that may be unwanted.

"While I was creating our list for the days, I was trying to think what could work in a relationship or what ways that might help... and I found this as an interesting subject to look more into. I thought, 'wow, this is something cool.' And now, I ought to share it with you too," Snow said thoughtfully.

She shared the laptop screen where he could see, and what appeared on it was a quiz to take. "Do you know which way you express your love?" For him saying nothing, baffled, she went on. "I figured not, so I think you should just take it. This one shouldn't take long." Snow scooted the laptop closer to Casey.

Casey took the time to answer the questions while he contemplated which was something that was more like him and what he could expect from his partner too.

He liked it when he was alone with his girlfriend at the time, and all he wanted to do was to see her more. Because it felt like they were the only two people on this planet, and nothing could prove more to him than just long-lasting moments.

Moments that couldn't be replaced, and moments he would have to sink into his mind and keep them close to his heart because they were everything.

When he finished all of the questions, his results popped up that he's a lover of Quality Time. He's someone that wants to deepen his connection with others through sharing time.

"That sounds like you," Snow said, nodding at the screen.

"Now what?" he asked. Was he supposed to know her result too?

Snow held a finger out to point at him. "Now, we are more focused on you and your experiences. I thought it's maybe finally time to share them... and I have to hear them." She raised one of her eyebrows as if saying, 'Comprende?'

She explained further. "You should tell all the things central around Quality time and what you did for her. Perhaps it's good for Storytime."

He sighed, not that keen to tell about the things between them, but perhaps she may be right. Another girl's perspective on her take on their relationship could get more valued translation into things. It might as well be something to hear.

"Hey guys!" chimed in another voice. Luna stood from a few feet away before approaching at the front of their table as her hair was in a one and done half-up half-down style. She wore a blue corduroy jacket with a white turtleneck shirt, a black long layered necklace hanging on the front of it, and simple jeans.

Casey laid his gaze at her. "Luna, hi, what are you doing here? You don't work today." 

"I came here to pick up my paycheck." She smiled, shifting her gaze at him and Snow. "What about you two?"

"Just hanging around," Snow said, offering her a socially awkward smile.

"I've only seen you two hang out here a couple of times, and it seems like you're getting along well, isn't it the case?" Luna wondered with interest.

"Not really, we're just still getting to know each other," he considered.

"And how's it working out?"

"It's okay."

He didn't want to let on with the details with her, especially not now and in front of Snow. Luna was a good listener and one of the first few people to know about his breakup with Raquel. The first few days that happened, he didn't know who to come onto, and she was there.

He buried himself with his head on the table, and she served him his coffee. She described it as someone who looked like someone had just died. He knew that feeling too, but it was his spirit that did. The one that he thought he loved will stay by him.

"Okay," Luna said, an uncertain smile situating her face. "I'll just go pick it up right now. Casey, I'll see you next time." She turned to Snow. "It's nice to see you again."

"You too." Snow nodded, and then Luna said her goodbyes to them and stepped away from them.

Casey shifted his gaze slowly back at Snow, who was expectant to hear about him and his girlfriend in the past. He looked almost uncomfortable because he didn't know what to start with or what to say. Those memories and stuff he did with Raquel lived on with him, and for someone else to hear them, he didn't know what he wanted to hear back.

"Why don't you start by telling me things that you two like to do together?" Snow began.

It had come naturally. "We don't like going out, we like The Lord of the Rings and have a lot of similar movie interests, we also watch Netflix series together, and we end up talking to each other until it's late."

"That's nice."

He missed holding her close to him. Their movie-watching activity together under the blanket fort was regularly a good excuse to have her in his arms. Raquel would put her head on his shoulder, and she clinged onto his arm sometimes with a relaxed expression.

They watched however many movies to do nothing together.

And maybe some days, they'd make out. The long and heavy ones were unforgettable.

"What is your favorite moment with her? It could be when you spent those times doing those stuff together or if you guys went out on a date. Any time in your relationship," Snow said.

Favorite moment. My favorite moment? I like a lot of them... There were a lot of moments to him that was special for him. But... Something specific, there was one.

"I remembered it's on a Saturday when I took her out to this special event happening at a museum where their garden was available for a picnic, and they made it so we can watch the sunset happening," Casey revealed.

Raquel was beautiful with that black chiffon long sleeve dress and small specs like confetti decorating all over. No green grass, pigments of flowers, or even the yellowy-orange sunset could compare to this girl. The background scenery could add quality to her beauty, but it was the way she looked at him. The wondrous look of is this real life.

It was a perfect day where they talked about the quality of life and deep talks about what could be in store for them. 

"What we talk about didn't matter or where we were, but what did was when we really connected emotionally."

Skipping the dinner talks and straight to when they went to the parking lot afterward led to that special kind of something.

Normally, in the beginning, the guy would bring a bouquet to the girl when he shows up at her doorsteps. He waited until the end of their date to present her one when he grabbed it from the trunk of his car. A bouquet of red roses brought her face to delight as she accepted them.

It was seven months in their relationship since they were a couple, and he couldn't deny any longer what he had in him. He was feeling in the mood.

Casey's face softened, and he grasped her waist, bringing her closer to him. His eyes concentrated, hard, as he looked at her in the dark, the half of the shadow to her countenance making her breathtaking. Her eyes gazed at him curiously and a smile tempted on her lips.

"What?" Raquel said, oblivious to what was growing inside him.

"Do you know what you make me do?" he asked with a smirk.

"Tell me," she challenged him.

"All the times we are together, you drive me to milestones of insanity, but I would follow you each time. You're amazing. I'm sure of it. I'm sure of what I'm going to tell you," he paused, never having to make a speech like this. This was something he didn't think he would get to, but because of her, he knew he had to. "When I'm with you, you keep me on my toes, you tell me things that I need to know. You're someone that's got thick skin and a heart like a lion. I like keeping up with banters with you. They're usually interesting enough, just like when I'm with you. I don't need cigarettes when I'm breathing in your air." Inhaling, the scent of Jasmine was intoxicated enough.

"This night is just confirmation that this feeling I have is increasing exponentially. Someone like you is meant to be in my life. Date nights are not for me, but for you, I just want to go on millions of them."

He held their stare, memorizing her beautiful face. Casey leaned his head closer, his voice lowering. "I want you to know that I don't know what the future holds, but I want it to be with you."

That's when he dropped it, the L-word. He told her I love you.

It's unbelievable at that time because he was nervous. He kept most of his thoughts inside of him, trusting it's safer that way. Their relationship starting out was like jumping over rocks in a river, careful not to slip and fall to the water. The water being the unluckiness and doomed to failure. He liked how ambitious she was and someone who was more diligent in her actions. He was careful to make sure she was comfortable around him before he made more moves on her.

She was around him when he was caverned in his complications, and then her own. Becoming friends with her was casual, and they got to bond over family issues and introversion struggles. The nights when she called him on the phone and asked to stay over at his place, and they shared a bed.

The times they had were real for him, and he was ready to let her know how serious he was by those three words. So when she registered the shock at first, he thought that maybe she didn't love him back and she wasn't ready for it.

But she did; she told him she loved him back.

There was a rush inside of him like the adrenaline never had been before, as his heart pounding when he heard her. He hadn't believed it, but it was there. So relieved, he smiled joyously and kissed her.

He was holding onto her as tight as he wanted to feel. Raquel hooked an arm around his neck, the other with the bouquet of roses in between them pressed to their chest. The desire heightened as to lift her up to sit on top of the trunk.

It was a moment of happiness for him. He was indestructible.

"I didn't know you were that romantic," Snow commented.

"Obviously, you don't know me then," Casey grumbled. That side of him was reserved for a special one, and it was Raquel.

"Okay, from that special moment you told me, it sounds like perhaps you rely on your experiences to emphasize your priorities on her. The chats and connection are what you hold onto. Whenever the little moments add to the bigger moments, that's when you realize you care about her," she addressed, gesturing slowly.

"Then, it tells me you were waiting for the right moment, or it just comes after you thought about it... how about what kind of love language does she like to express?"

Raquel's love language. He thought back about it. She was someone who wanted to look forward to something, looking for ways to relieve her duties in her way. She complained about the smallest things in life like why don't they give women the same pay for the hard amount of work, why chores never truly are done since they will become dirty again, and how cooking takes a long time to do.

Some days she comes tired and hopes for him to ask about her day. She may ask for Casey to rub her back or shoulders, then wanting him to make her a cup of tea or having her favorite snacks if she needs them. And when he would forget sometimes, she groaned and became irritable.

"She counts actions over words and someone to follow them," Casey responded.

"So, Acts of Service," Snow acknowledged.

"Now, you got me thinking... could I have done anything differently?"

His self-doubt was kicking in again. The urge of just wanting to beat himself up until he felt the pain was appropriate enough.

"No, no." Snow quickly transformed her face to worried. "Do not think that."

Casey consumed forcibly of his drink and the remaining until the contents of his cup were empty, wanting to slam it down. He became now hopeless again, his eyes falling to a dreariness and his insides swirling in chaotic confusion. The thoughts seemed to want to come back again and think about if his actions didn't match her expectations or if he may read her wrong.

Just what was he doing?

Something loud struck his eardrums until he noticed Snow patting her shoulder near him. "Do you need it?"

He was utterly dumbfounded. "Need what?"

"A shoulder to lean on."

Snow appeared to second-guess herself but stay determined. "A shoulder to lean on. A support, a boulder, for when you want to lay your problems down." She moved her gaze down, attempting to smile, but it didn't really curve and was unsettling. "You're going through tons of emotions right now. You're piling it onto yourself that you don't realize that others around you may want to care for you just out of kindness. Kyle and Malloy are worried for you too, even if they don't look like it. They're wondering how long you can hold on."

"We all need it. You, me, small children... when we feel uneasy, it seems like it's our fault and that we can't do anything. It's normal. It's okay to rely on someone sometimes."

She bit the inside of her cheek, anxious to meet his eyes. "Don't be too hard on yourself. I encourage that you lean your head here. Of course, that is if you want."

Casey gazed at her uncertainly, with the offer laid out. Her patience still held on strong, all while he was reluctant. She did mean that they were in this pact together. He agreed to learn, but he was not prepared. He would've hated himself right now.

Her tone, her sincerity, it was a lot more than what he originally bargained for.

In a quiet voice, he surrendered. "Okay."

Slowly sinking, Casey leaned his head on her shoulder as he hid his face. Her shoulder was small but sturdy. It was enough that he could just weigh down temporarily.

He wondered if heartbreak was long-lasting. It is exhausting attempting to think about what and where it went wrong.

Was their love language different from each other? Were all those times of him ignoring something that he shouldn't?

At that moment, he could feel a pair of arms wrapped around him gently. 

Do I deserve to be comforted?

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Happy start of 2021! Hopefully, the New Year will bring us to a semi-good time even though we're still inside, but stay safe! That's important.

What do you think about Casey's favorite moment when he first told his former girlfriend that he loves her? Would you believe he's like that? 

Do you have a Love Language that you might communicate best by? I'm similar to him in that aspect of Quality time as well. 

Please vote and comment as it means the world to me.