Snow examined her outfit in the mirror once again. Was it so basic? She wore on a white crop top, a faded button-front denim skirt that stopped above knee, and a beige cardigan that hung loosely around her arms. She was sort of getting used to wearing skirts, but still didn't know if it looked good on her, but she tried. She accessorized with a rose quartz pendant necklace around her neck and a light tan beaded bracelet and a cheetah scrunchy on her wrist.

Tonight was their round two of date night. After feeling better and talking to Casey, the two of them made a few changes to their list of Relationship Things with new dates. They counted their argument and avoidance as one of them as an experience of first fight. Even though that wasn't planned out, it did look natural, and then when the two made up, it's reconciliation.

After having not worn makeup for some time, she put on light makeup. Hopefully, she looked fine. She could never really get used to herself.

Feeling like she needed to add one more thing, Snow picked up a bottle of fragrance mist from Bath & Body Works. A few spritzes to her wrist, over her chest, her clothes, and on her neck. She did it lightly so that it wasn't too much. She took a whiff of herself, smelling fruity-floral and sweet like a festive blend of sparkling champagne, strawberries, and cream.

Snow left her house after receiving a text message that he was waiting outside. Casey stood in front of his car with his hands into his jeans pocket and when he glanced up at her, he waved a hand casually to her. She tilted her head at him. Normally when he waited, he was always inside the car.

She got closer to him, and she couldn't paint a picture. She didn't know why that was. "Hi," Snow said to him.

"Hi," Casey said, his expression calm and soft.

He took a moment to observe her outfit. Why did it feel strange that he's doing it? "I like your outfit," he said considerably.

"What. Really?" She didn't look convinced.

"Yeah."

Now she's curious about how this date night was going to go. Somehow, she felt doubtful of his character.

"So where are we going?" Snow asked him.

"Oh, you'll know it," he replied knowingly, walking around the car to the driver's seat.

She opened the car door and buckled up with her thoughts wondering to herself.

"Oh my goodness." Snow gazed with wide eyes the first thing when they arrived. She recognized the sign of the place; it was where they had their first practice date. The two of them ate barbecued meat, and while that was delicious, she remembered when things were awkward on that date.

Surely they were better now than before, but she didn't want to have high hopes. It could lead to awkwardness again as she could mess up and ask the wrong questions.

"Come on, let's go in," Casey urged her.

They walked into the doors of Smoked & Served, where the familiarity of the restaurant's atmosphere flooded back to her senses. The homely yet comfortable vibes were still the same. That small table where they sat the first time—now occupied by two people—Snow thought about how anxious she was when she went through the awkward silence for the first half of it.

He led her to a different table. Just like she did the first time, she looked at him awkwardly. The past her that wondered about what she should do didn't know what to do, and the current her still didn't know what to do.

"Are you okay?" Casey asked, interrupting her deja vu moment.

"What? Yeah, of course," Snow responded.

He passed the menu to her across the table. "Order what you like."

"You should've told me where we're going."

"Oh yeah, how come?"

"Well..." She wanted to tell him it's because it brought back the weird feelings she had when she was with him at that time. She worried she could make something weird between them. Instead, she played it differently. "I have a white shirt on," she said defensively, pulling her cardigan more to the front. "I don't want to mess it up by eating sloppily."

Casey chuckled, giving her a quick glance at her top. "You're fine. You eat delicately."

"You mean to say I can't get messy?"

"I'm saying, you like to savor the taste so you remember how it feels," he restated reasonably.

Is Casey really this nice? It's so hard to believe... Snow picked up the menu stiffly.

Once they had their food to their table, the aroma of freshly grilled meat filled the air. At least there was the food that Snow wouldn't mind to happily dig in and eat. She took a piece to her mouth, and she could see he did too.

The two of them spent time eating for themselves for a short moment. While hearing the regular background noises that you'd get from a casual restaurant, her head was nothing but full of wonders. There was still an invisible wall between them that she couldn't get past. Did he still have that wall? Was he still cautious around her?

Snow took a curious glance at Casey while he was eating. He seemed to not put up a guard as he did the first time. He looked more relaxed? Could she take it as a good sign then?

Then her glance lowered to his beef ribs. They smelled so good. It's also possible he's more relaxed because he's eating good food.

Not seeing it coming, Casey put a beef rib on her plate. Shock in her eyes when she moved her gaze back to him, he shrugged simply. "I thought you might want to try it."

He's sharing his food with me? Snow thought unbelievably.

But she took a bite, and it was delicious.

The dinner was left on a positive note. Somehow, she expected that the two of them would be awkward, but instead, he engaged in the conversation with her. Whatever she talked about no matter how unsettling or funny that it looked, he put in the effort to say more than a few words. He's not talkative, but he looked interested to hear what she had to say.

Now, they were taking a night stroll in the park. All was hushed except the soft sounds of their footsteps and crickets frittering around in the grasses. The night sky was pitch black dark with faraway and small scattering stars and the moon that was serene. The lamppost glowed in bright white, and Snow could see the pretty scenery of the small playground with swings, trees that looked like shadow creatures, and painted benches with colors and drawn illustrations that were made by artists.

"So, are you liking everything so far?" Casey asked as though he was seeking approval.

Snow turned her head to him. "Yeah." She cleared her throat. "It's... romantic."

"Romantic?" he said, looking at her slightly amused.

"Walking in a park at night alone with the other person is usually romantic," she clarified.

"I would say it's relaxing, but I see it. It can be romantic." Casey seemed to sympathize thoughtfully.

This was a depicted scene from every romance novel that she read. When the girl and guy walked alone somewhere, usually in a place like this, it was pretty romantic. They talked, learned more about each other, and become closer somehow. Why did it feel like she's in one at this moment?

"What is your idea of a romantic night?" Snow asked wonderingly.

"My idea? You want my idea?" he said questioningly.

"Sure."

"Honestly, I'd just like to cuddle up with her and watch something together," Casey stated simply.

Oh. He liked to keep things minimal just like how his lifestyle was. Although, it's also kind of cute hearing it from him.

"If you're talking about something ideal, then why not go out and discover new places together?"

That idea now sounded like something she could get on board with sometimes. It felt like he was saying it to her.

"I kinda wonder what the future holds..." Snow pondered.

What could it be like to be to do something like this all the time? Just to be with the person that she really liked.

"We can't tell what the future holds," he said.

"But we can make the future happen if we want it to," she replied thoughtfully, looking over at him.

Wouldn't it be nice anyway?

Snow thought about Harry. What if they walk together like this? Talk about deep and meaningful things while getting to know each other. Her heart beating while she's close by his side. His gorgeous smile under the light of the moon and hearing his voice like a record on repeat. She would love it if she could have that with him maybe. But her courage would betray her as it did every time.

Did he see her the way that she sees in him? Would he ever be interested in her even just slightly?

She frowned, disappointed. Was it only in her wildest dreams?

"What happened?" Casey broke her out of her thinking.

She shook her head sadly. "Nothing. I'm just thinking of thoughts that won't come true."

"I got a surprise for you," he said, suddenly turning his lips to a fun-like smile.

Snow became puzzled but followed him, witnessing a side of him she hadn't seen.

In five minutes, they walked up to the most spectacular view that she had ever seen. Her eyes landed first on the splash pad area in the center just springing up the water mildly. Then there's a whole waterfront view, widening out its length, and in the distance, she saw boats and a floating dock. A bridge spanned the water there and cars were driving by.

"Sometimes events can happen around here. There's none tonight, but I thought the view looks nice enough," Casey mentioned.

"It's lovely." Snow fluttered at the sight of it.

He must have a hidden talent for finding great places. There was beauty in them. She wondered how many times he visited places like this.

"You could make a girl feel like Cinderella here." She clasped her hands together.

"You think?" he asked.

She approached the splash pad with wide eyes, feeling amazed. "Definitely. She'll love this place like I would."

"Good to know you like it," Casey said, catching up beside her.

Snow smiled at him. "What do you feel you're best at?"

"What I'm best at?" He reached up to rake his hand over to the side of his hair. "I don't know. I haven't given much thought about myself."

"You're probably great at many things. Hmm, you're great at taking people by surprise." She gestured to him. "I didn't see this coming."

"What about you then? What are you best at?"

She laughed sheepishly. The question thrown back to her was like purposely karma. "Um, wow, it's difficult to look at myself this way. I don't want to think I'm the best, but I try to think I'm good enough. Eer... not being an indecent human?"

"Then I'll tell you," Casey began. "You're good at being compassionate and caring. You listen to others without judgment, and you want to do everything that you can to help them. You even go so far as to create this crazy scheme of some kind of a Relationship Test." He scoffed. "You offer advice and display a smile of reassurance so that others may feel this genuineness from you. You have this love for friends and sometimes strangers, but I guess it's what makes you an adoring person. You're best at seeing the best in others and trying to have a connection, so there are no walls."

"You're really that observant, huh?" Snow said, but she felt capable when he phrased it that way.

"Hmm."

The wind began gathering up swiftly and having her hair moved back behind her shoulders. She felt the cold wind through her legs and wished to herself that she had pants on instead.

She heard faint laughter coming from a child as she spotted a family passing by and making their way over to see the waterfront.

Snow felt something onto her shoulders, and she looked to see Casey's jacket was removed. Having to take a second to catch on that he put his jacket onto her. He lifted his arms for her, slipping in through the holes of the sleeves, and did it on both sides. She was greatly perplexed, not having to fight it. When he finished, she looked down at herself.

His black jacket covered up almost to her knees and made her look smaller.

"What's this?" Snow asked weirdly.

Casey had on his white cashmere sweater. She thought she was the only wearing white. Because his jacket was zipped up, she didn't know he wore white as well. Were they inadvertently matching colors?

"I'm not risking you to catch a cold again," Casey scolded.

"But I'm wearing a cardigan," she said, blinking in confusion.

"It couldn't hurt to wear double layers."

"But then you—"

"I don't need it as much as you need it right now."

Snow felt her mouth shut tightly on her. It's one unexpected thing that happened after another. She just smiled at him.

He stepped forward; he came a lot closer than she anticipated. She stayed on her feet, calm and still. She watched him as Casey seemed concentrated, and he leaned his head down. She merely felt he was only inches away. It looked like he was going to kiss her. Her breath hitched a little. They were never this close before.

Instead, Casey straightened the collar on his jacket for her. He spared his time with it, and then he sniffed close enough to her neck. There was a sudden chill running down her spine.

He looked at her inquisitively. "You smell good. Did you spray on yourself?"

He noticed that? Snow didn't know how to speak, looking into his dark eyes but could see a pretty shade of brown on them. So she nodded.

"I like it," Casey said faintly, and she could smell his fresh breath mint.

He smelled good too. And looking at him, she couldn't figure out what was going on or where did her mind go.

They spent some time viewing the beautiful waterfront, and it gave her a sense of tranquility and peace. She felt warm and secure, whether it may be the extra heat his jacket gave to her or it was because she had gotten to see a different side to Casey.

At the end of the night, Casey dropped her off at home, seeing her all the way up to her front porch. A familiar aura came over, but in a good way that was different.

Snow took his jacket off of her and handed it back to him. "Thank you for lending me your jacket."

She actually had enjoyed herself tonight a lot more than she thought she would. It almost felt to her like a real date night, and it went terrific. If dates could be like this often, she couldn't wait until she could go on a real one someday with a guy she likes. Snow hoped it could turn out like this the way this night went.

"Do you like tonight?" Casey asked hopefully.

"It was pretty great. I didn't think a date could be fun like this." Snow smiled sweetly.

He mirrored the same smile on his face. "It was a fun night, and I had fun with you."

Snow shot her eyes up; she was not expecting that. Though, it's a relief. "Good night," she said softly.

She gazed at him comfortingly, and just before she would turn around, Casey tilted his head down and softly kissed her on her cheek. It lasted for a second and felt like a light feather. "Good night," he said back to her.

They waved each other goodbye as Casey slowly backed up his car, and when he was gone within the passing seconds, Snow held her cheek and felt stunned.

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Hello, happy upload day. It's Friday. I hope you like today's chapter! It's supposed to be another date kind of way. Long hauls and unexpected things are my favorites. It's just fun to travel and not yet to the destination when it comes to storytelling. 

But I know we're all most likely here for the destination 😂

The place for the park they're at is actually inspired by a real park! I thought it would look so pretty to have that out for them. I've been looking for parks with unique features. I just thought it could add some prettiness for this chapter.  

Also, the getting close to the girl just to actually fix the jacket's collar part was inspired by this web drama I saw last year, and I thought I'm totally stealing that. I literally thought they were going to kiss, but they didn't. I'll link it in the inline comment if you want to see it; the drama itself was alright though. 

I'll inline comment on Snow's outfit while I'm at it because why not let you know where my inspiration feeds from.

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