WWW • prettymuch

Love Language: Part One

            COMMUNICATION a thirteen letter word meaning the sharing of information from one person to another with signs, symbols or behavior. It was the basis for many healthy relationships and friendships. BUT the thing no one tells you, the thing most people seem to forget about when they tell you that you should communicate your feelings more, is that as simple as it sounds communicating thoroughly and in a healthy manner where both sides are able to express themselves and get the proper acknowledgement from their partner is hard. You can throw out many signs and symbols, you can tell someone the same thing over and over and have it still go over their head, you can try your best to express your wants and needs and still have nothing to show for it.

Lack of communication is all that was ringing through out Imani's ears as she sat in the office of her couples counselor. She had dragged nick here because as much as she loved him, she wasn't sure how much longer she would last in their relationship pretending that everything was fine.

"Lack of communication?" She questioned the counselor, who simply nodded.

"That's what I feel your relationship is lacking, and from the issues you've discussed with me it seems that there's a barrier up between you two, there plenty tension from unsolved problems weighing on you" Imani took everything the counselor said in as her mind raced to all those times her and nick just dismissed their issues as quickly as they arose to avoid the fighting and arguments that would surely come with discussing their issues with one another.

Nick was a hot head, it's what had drove Imani towards him initially, but once they started dating the short fuse that was his temper became harder and harder to appreciate. He's never been abusive towards her not physically or emotionally, nick wasn't like that but his temper did make it harder for her to express her feelings to him, afraid that he'll blow up and leave for a three days like he did the time she told him she thought that he was overreacting about their shared male friend edwin and her seeing a movie together and just hanging out, that fight was actually the one that led her to want to seek out counseling because she was at her wits end and either they fixed their shit or she was gone.

"We don't talk about our problems, we skip right over the talking and immediately go to the making up" she said matter of factly, the makeup sex between her and nick was mind blowing and after she often forgot for awhile why they were mad at each other in the first place, until they once again reached the tipping point and all the anger and frustration with each other came rushing back in one heated moment. During those moments things are said and done that are aimed to hurt each other.

"I would really like for you to bring nick in the next time you come to see me, I know you said he's still not very accepting of the counseling but I think it would be good for him to get express where his issues with your current relationship lies. Tell him he can come in alone if he wants and then I'll set up a meeting for the both of you"

Imani thought it sounded great to get nick in here she knew he had a lot to say, she knew she wasn't innocent in the failures of their relationship she had her faults and he never had a problem reminding her of that, but she knew her boyfriend, he didn't like having other people in his business, he shot down counseling as soon as she brought it up, he didn't feel that they needed it, they were fine he said.

"I'll try my best" she said thanking the counselor and giving her a quick handshake before grabbing her purse and jacket and leaving.

The car ride back to her and nicks shared apartment was filled with a lot of throwback Fantasia, keyshia cole, and ALOT of kehlani.

When she pulled up to the apartment she saw nicks red Jeep parked out front and smiled, as her mind danced with the memories of the late summer nights spent driving it down to the beach and all the times he used to come to pick her up from campus and take her on late night road trips, before their relationship started to go down hill.

When she walked into the apartment setting her car keys down in the bowl sitting on the shelf besides the door she slipped off her shoes and headed for the bedroom.

When she opened the bedroom door her heart warmed at the sight displayed in front of her. Nick was laid across the middle of their bed, head cuddled into the pillow on her side of the bed as he let out soft snores.

"Baby" she said as she tapped him slightly causing him to grumble "nick wake up we need to talk"

Nick grumbled again and started to kick his feet in a tantrum, reminding her of a kid who's upset their parent just woke them up for school. He sat up in the bed angrily and mugged her.

"What" he snapped rubbing the crust from his eyes with his hands

"Don't start nick damn, I just need to talk to you" Imani sat on the edge of the bed, waiting on nick to wake up fully before continuing.

"And it couldn't wait until I woke up by my damn self?" He asked her but nonetheless straightened up to give her his full attention

"No" she said and he mumbled something under his breath but said nothing aloud "I wanted to talk to you about counseling"

"Mani, I already told you I wont do that. I don't need someone all in our business" nick repeated the words he had just told her two days prior"

"And I told you that we need this, we aren't fine! are you that dumb and delusional that you're blind that you really can't see it? Our relationship isn't fine it's falling apart right before our eyes and you don't want to do anything to try to salvage it" Imani was frustrated, she was growing tired of trying, she didn't even know if all of this would be worth it in the end. Nick had a stubborn streak a mile long and maybe it's best she gives up this fight before she runs herself into an early grave trying to change his mind.

"I said what I said Imani" nick said laying down and turning back over.

She didn't respond, just walked back into her living room trying her best to slide on her shoes so she can leave

Nick pounded his fist into the mattress and jumped up  to follow her

"I'm sorry" he said as he leaned against the wall watching as she tied up her adidas.

"You're always sorry nick" she said starring up at him "fuck your apologies, sorry doesn't mean anything when you won't do the one thing I feel can save this relationship"

"I'll go to the stupid counseling okay!, just don't leave" he asked "I know things have been tough for us lately and I'm sorry"

He mentally cursed at him apologizing again.

"I'll call her and make your appointment"

Nick just nodded and turned back around and headed into their bedroom.

Imani knew that getting him to agree to counseling was a small accomplishment but she finally had some proof that nick wanted to try to work things out with her.

They still had a long way to go in terms of a healthy and stable relationship but she was confident that they would get there.

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Okay here's part one, leave some comments and vote :)

Also "Love language" is the last short story in this book, it's 2 parts long and after this upcoming second part WWW is finally completed.