Casey slowed down to the view of the Indialantic Boardwalk and Seashore, a glimpse of the waves rolling up onto the sand. The sun hung over the light cornflower blue sky as it shone softly and the clouds, which dispersed unevenly. He made a right turn and came to a halt in a parking lot outside of Cold Stone Creamery.

Snow glanced over her shoulder at him with an astonishing glance. "We're at the beach?" she asked, then turned to the parlor. "Are we also getting Ice Cream?"

"Yep," he answered, and they got out of the car.

Picking out ice cream flavors was effortless for him, but of course, Snow had to take longer with it. Her defense was that they had so many different flavors, and they all looked good to her. He has somehow gotten used to her tendency of taking a long time to choose.

When it was their turn at the front cash register, Casey stopped Snow from taking out her wallet. "How about I'll take over and do the honors of paying for our Ice Cream?" he offered.

"What?" she said sheepishly. "You want to do that?"

"Why not?" Fast thinking with his hands, and before she could dispute, he handed the cashier cash from his hand. "And it's too late for you now."

The shock made visible to her countenance, and she didn't know what to say. As the cashier gave them their ice cream in waffle cones, he spoke to her. "Wow, he's charming. You have a good one here."

"Oh, um... o-okay," she fumbled. It looked like she wanted to correct him, but decided it was too awkward.

Casey and Snow sauntered out to the boardwalk while they licked their ice cream, coming down the stairs until they were at the bottom. The ground was now all sand, and when they gazed at the view, Melbourne Beach was laid back and lacked body presence. No one was in sight, and it was just perfect for him. For one thing, he was gladdened this wasn't Clearwater or Fort Lauderdale, which were more busy and active.

"I can't believe you took me to a beach. Now I remembered. I love it here, but I wouldn't dare go unless it's Summer. I wouldn't do much but admire the water or walk down the sand, finding seashells," Snow said, and she let out a small laugh.

"Oh yeah, have you collected any?" Casey asked.

"They're a small handful, but I keep them in a mason jar."

That's so girly. That thought amused him because she was a girl, and she liked these little things, seeing how she might be the kind to look at something over and over.

They paced themselves casually on the beach being side by side and held lighthearted conversations under the sun that shaded to a brighter golden yellow. In an unusual way, it felt freeing for him right now just to be outside somewhere and not having to hold care. That was saying a lot since he was not the one to enjoy the sun's presence. He didn't think he ever will, but he was not going to complain at this moment. A slight breeze blew through the air as it was cool and the right type of cool. Alongside them was the water lapping at the shore and leaving the sand dampened.

"Let's take off our shoes. I want to feel the sand under my feet," Snow urged, as he looked at her brown short ankle boots.

They set aside their shoes, and the sand crushed under their feet with the right comforting warmth. Casey knew what could heighten her experience in all this.

As she wasn't paying attention with her licking her ice cream, he grabbed her free hand, his fingers curling between the gap of hers until they touched the back of her hand and securing it in place.

Her head snapped in his direction, and she glanced down at their hands, her eyes widening and then rapidly blinking. She lifted her gaze to now look at him, astonished.

He smirked. "Do you want to have your magical moment? I'm allowing it at this given moment."

Snow didn't answer but just looked at their hands again as though it's something she couldn't fathom. But slowly, she curled her fingers and held his hand back, nodding at him with a small smile.

They were holding hands, eating ice cream, and strolling through the beach with no one else around and like no one's business. He's letting her live a total cliche moment. It's possible she's thinking of romance soundtracks in her head to match the mood and to feel like she's in this moment with him. Her daydreams running wild about perfect dates like this.

They continued to stay like this for a while, just nothing but silence with the sounds of the beach waves and even the bird calls from Gulls appearing flying in the sky. A lot of them landing nonchalantly on the sand.

Casey offered Snow a breath mint, with their ice cream that had gone to their stomach afterward, and to which they popped it in their mouth. They went near the water, and when the water came crashing to the surface it plunged to their feet, reaching ankle level and the cold temperature washing over. He had rolled up the bottom hem of his jeans since he didn't want them wet. But it looked like Snow was delighted in the feeling of the water, her toes curling in the sand.

"Oh my god, you have really outdone yourself," Snow exclaimed. "Just look at this." Her hands raised, gesturing all around her.

"It's not that much. You know it's not far," Casey shrugged.

"I couldn't care less about how close or far it is. What matters is we're here and just enjoying times like this, I love it."

He watched her eyes closed, and she inhaled in the cool air. She looked down at the water frequently and paid attention to the incoming waves, enthused when they came and hit her.

Isn't she just Snow?

Casey took out his phone from his pocket, checking on the time. 7:49 p.m. He had looked up that the sunset time on the beach starts at 8:02 p.m. and 17 seconds. The sun now was lowered to the waters, but just not yet with meeting the horizon line. The clouds were smattering of light orange and the water was reflecting off the same color.

Just when he looked at her, it was the exact moment he caught her snapping a picture of him, which she looked embarrassed that he found out.

"Sorry, I just. I was just capturing this whole moment, and I wanted you in it... I was just going to keep it secretly to myself," she explained shyly, lowering her phone.

It looked as though she would offer to delete it if he didn't like that. But he could understand the meaning of capturing moments since his camera roll included Raquel. 

"Did you get my good side at least?" Casey joked.

She nodded. "It was good, but maybe one more time? Just look off to the side or at the ocean?"

He pretended that she didn't put up the camera back as he gazed out to the sky, throwing in his short smile because he remembered how she liked his smile even though he thought it didn't seem like a big deal for him, but it caught her attention.

He heard a click went off. "Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it," she replied.

Casey glanced as she placed her phone into her back pocket. She put a strand of hair back behind her ear and used her hand as a shield to her forehead, guarding against the harsh sunlight. Her skin enhanced to toasted tan skin when basked in the sun's rays. She's like a soft color of a morning or autumn palette.

"This has been fun, right?" Snow asked, turning her heels to face him. "... I think let's say our piece to each other."

This was a long time coming, he knew. This day was preparing to come to an end just like how the sun was preparing to go down.

He nodded intently at her, and she took a step forward to him. "I texted you the details, but I'll go over it again in case you need a reminder. You would want to say to me like a rating of me as an individual, then a rating of me when I'm with you as a partner. The strengths and weaknesses. Best feature. Worst feature. What are things you have learned from me? What is the important lesson you can take away from this? Why did each of us agree on why we did this in the first place? What is something I might keep in mind like you can throw in any recommendations or dating tips I should know? Most of all, how would you rate the entire relationship with me?"

Snow raised a hand solemnly. "I'll go first since this is my whole idea, and I roped you into it."

She folded her hands together, lifting her eyes sincerely to meet with his. "We talked about first impression on our first try-out practice date. I thought you were quiet since you didn't have anything much to say. I also thought you were mysterious too because I didn't think I could get past you. When we had said hi to each other, it was just a quiet hi, and then we just sit in the same circle. The common mutuality is our friends. They tried to make us get along too, but I think both of us were awkward even though I'm sure we hate to admit it. So yes, I reserved some thoughts about you, but that's all they were. Thoughts. 

"But when I got to know you, you are so much more than that. You are thoughtful, you hold such depths, and you became kind in my eyes. Even when you don't say everything, I know you are thinking as strongly as you are feeling. It takes a while, maybe a long while, but I like that you can become my friend. I hope you know I'll always be yours too. Being just you, I would give you a ten out of ten."

Ten out of ten for being an individual? Really? He would rate himself as a six because he sucked.

"As my partner, you are difficult from the start. I did say I won't count if it has to do with your last lover. No, this is about you opening up to another person about your true self. Aside from her, I have to be the one to take the lead most of the time just so you can follow me. Now, I'm okay with doing some things sometimes, but I waited for you too, so you can develop an interest in me. Being on the same page and communicating is so important. And technically, you cheated with the honor system for a little bit." She pointed her finger sternly at him. "Be honest. You kept me in the dark about your ex-friend." Shaking her head, she let up. "But it's behind us. And then because we made up, you become someone to depend on and you took the lead. You... showed a side I haven't seen before, and I really like that. So as my partner, you're getting a seven out of ten."

He raised an eyebrow interestingly, and she answered for him. "It's because there is some drawback, and I know there's something even more incredible from you that you could show, but you're not fully there yet. Maybe it's because of me, but you have it in you."

He tilted his head, not going to disagree on that. Fair enough.

"Your strengths are attentiveness, honesty, and reassurance. Your weaknesses are closed-off, aggressiveness, and hesitation. Best feature is your sincerity. You're always sincere in what you say and do. Worst feature is your melancholic mood. With all due circumstance, you're okay, but it may not be so good with others. I learned from you that I should be comfortable in my skin and find comfort with my own presence, that there are some things I don't know, and there are more things behind closed doors, and patience. Seeing that your love for her was because it happened over time, and you weren't even looking for anyone back then. It just happened, and I want it to happen too eventually. The lesson is you helped me shift my perspective on how I should look at things, and I need to stop looking for things in others. I will try but don't think I won't try to push a little to see what could be.

"I initiated this plan because I wanted to help you, but a part of me also wanted to know if I could be fitted in a relationship. Whenever I see other couples, I think 'I wish I was in one too.' I thought it's always because there's something wrong with me, that I'm loveless and not really much worth until you happened. When we didn't know each other back then, I thought it's perfect because it's two strangers who don't know each other at all, and I wanted to know how it would be like if we went on all these dates and I act like your lovely companion. It became more than about gaining relationship points with you but earning your trust and friendship with you.

"You already have an advantage since you were in a relationship. So use that to your knowledge you already know, but just make it known about how you really feel and don't hold back. Give everything you have for that someone else and always be kind. I know it may seem like your efforts aren't always enough, but I assure you they are. If you put out everything you could, the other person will know you are always thinking of them. They will know. Sometimes the other person may not know everything you are holding back, and maybe that's why it didn't work out. I'm not sure, but just in case, say it now. At any moment you feel something is up, just say it to them. Maybe you didn't want to cause an inconvenience, but maybe that could be what went wrong? But in any case, my relationship with you... it's working towards an improvement, and I'm sure it would lead to something very positive if you do it the same with someone else. Some lucky girl will swoon into your arms.

"But if I were to give an actual grade... I'd say a B. I curved it, by the way."

Casey let out a soft chuckle for that last part. Snow's words were incredibly insightful, and he appreciated that feedback. A lot of things were given back to him like he needed someone to tell him what was wrong, and she did so thoughtfully.

"Okay, so it's my turn now," he spoke, and she nodded, gesturing him to go ahead.

He looked at her composed, a small wave splashing his feet cold. "You already know my thoughts of you as an individual. I don't think I have to repeat it, but I'll be concise: You're unlike anybody I know. You are something else. You're optimistic and mindful. Just like my first impression of you when I saw you, I didn't care or thought much about you. But seeing how you have strangely grown on me, you are like a cheerleader. Supportive, giving, and want the best of things. So as an individual, I would say nine of ten, but only because you are quite a handful, and I don't think I'm the best person to be suited around you.

"I think that any guy would be fortunate enough to come across you at least once in their life; you would be good on them. You would be willing to go through different lengths to meet me, to look past my worst, and focus on things that are directly in the moment. You would listen to me when I have troubles, you show me what affectionate could be like and that's with making time, putting things into words, and consistency. I needed someone to pull me out of the gutter not to forget my troubles but acknowledge them and face them head-on. As a partner, you're willing to sacrifice your discomfort to make me comfortable, and so you get ten of ten.

"Your strengths are compassion, empathy, and humility. Your weaknesses are your low self-esteem, having expectations and false hopes, and too much sensitivity. The sensitivity part, where you forget yourself in the process and think you don't matter as much as others do. Best feature is your smile. You smile even when things are hopeless and even smile just because you try to lighten up. Your worst feature is your suppression. Why it may not work with other guys is probably because you filter the parts you want others to see of you instead of how you would act like with around me and the guys when you're comfortable enough. Then again, I can't speak for them because guys are idiots too. I learned from you that strength is something I can choose, that there can be a silver lining and beauty in things, and sometimes trusting in someone else is a risk one can't know until they try it. The lesson is while I can't control the circumstance, I can figure out what I can do for myself.

"While my first thought to your impulse idea is that you're nuts, and you have no idea how that felt when it looked like you're proposing to me to go out with you as I moped around about a girl I cared about. But after some days passed, and I've been sitting and lying in my house about what I can do, I had nothing. But when my mind floated back to our conversation and how we had something in common, your words made a lot of sense. So I've been thinking for hours, and there were two options at the time. I either crawl to the darkness and feel unproductive or... I take you up on your offer and say yes. And... I used you for my distraction, thinking maybe you could help me get my mind off of her. So I said yes to use you, but something tells me you don't care if I did."

She shook her head, a short smile passing her lips. 

"I already threw a few words to you that there will be someone for you. Um, I don't think there's much I can give you about how to impress a guy because being you is pretty much good enough. If you're nervous on a date, he probably is too. Depending on the guy, it's most likely he doesn't want to let you know because he's trying to be cool. Maybe have a little more self-assurance for yourself and do the thing you want to do for him instead of shying away. A guy likes it when a girl knows what she wants. Whatever chance there is to take, just don't worry and do it. You can think afterward after it happens. And talk more casually instead of politely. As for my experience being in a relationship with you, you're pretty awesome.

"You would have an A."

Snow looked to him kindly and grasped for his hands in hers, squeezing them lightly. "And there we have it, our relationship test series we've gone through, we can officially move on. It's over."

She took gradual steps away so that there was some distance between them. "My, the sunset is setting now. Look at that," she said, her head slowly turning to him, "and look at you, you do look good in the sunset light." 

The sunset cropped up as a complete center to the horizon, casting its colorful gradients in sunset orange blaze. The sky painted a gentle stroke of yellow red, the arms of the color spreading out the length. It was the most beautiful and brightest as if the sky itself wanted to present them one last moment to remember and announced their goodbyes to the two of them. 

Snow, with her arms spread out, jumped up in joy, the wind blowing her hair in a breeze, and she exhibited the largest grin plastered on her face before him, the walls of her white teeth gleaming in the sunlight and her dimples coming into sight. Whether from relief that everything was over or because she wanted to make this moment unforgettable, it didn't give him a warning for this new effect.

Casey opened his eyes wide unknowingly at that one sight of her, and something put him in a catapult.

▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

Hello. Happy Friday. It's finally the ending to their relationship run. They're free to do whatever they want after this. I got a little emotional writing this whole chapter out, and I know it's lengthier with this one, but I had to do their speech like they're really giving it. I hope I did their's justice. Please let me know if I did; I sometimes will second-guess myself, so someone, just tell me. 

I always visualize that this chapter belongs to Casey. Like I knew how I wanted the ending of their relationship to come out to be for the longest time. I literally hope I serve that well because sometimes I don't know, but it's the best I could do to get it out there with him. 

The next chapter will literally surprise you because damn, just after what we went through, that will happen. Also, I never planned with them eating ice cream on the beach, but after searching for parking lots (yes, I did that), there was a Cold Stone Creamery nearby, so why not insert it and make it a game-changer. I think it made this chapter cuter, yep.

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