Together forever and ever

Chapter 11: Ice cream

After the final bell rang, signaling the end of another grueling day at school, a peculiar aura surrounded Felix. It seemed as though a force field materialized around him, causing students to instinctively distance themselves. Whispers permeated the hallways, carrying tales of his recent transgression: he had stabbed someone's hand with a fork.

As I observed the scene unfold, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity mixed with trepidation. Despite the growing distance between Felix and his peers, I decided to stand by his side. After all, he possessed the rare luxury of owning a car, a convenient means to pick up my sister from her extracurricular activities.

Climbing into the passenger seat, I couldn't contain my burning question any longer. "Why did you do that in the lunchroom?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of concern and confusion. Felix, nonchalantly, shrugged in response.

"I don't know, honestly. I've never done anything like that before," he admitted, his expression tinged with a hint of remorse. The sincerity in his eyes made it difficult for me to fully believe his words, and a skeptical gaze met his. A mischievous chuckle escaped his lips as he broke the silence.

"I mean, I haven't done anything like that in front of the people at school. I guess I was just so fed up with them talking shit about you. In that moment, I didn't care about my image or how others saw me," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mix of defiance and vulnerability.

"Oh," I responded, the weight of his words sinking in, leaving me momentarily at a loss for further conversation. "Well, thank you for defending me," I finally managed to utter, my voice filled with gratitude. As our eyes locked, I couldn't help but be entranced by the kaleidoscope of colors swirling within his irises.

it was his gaze that truly captivated me. Those mesmerizing eyes held a kaleidoscope of colors, each shade representing a different facet of his personality. The deep blues mirrored his intensity and passion, the vibrant greens reflected his youthful energy, and the hint of earthy brown hinted at a grounded and practical side.

Suddenly, a melody bursts into my ears, piercing through the mundane sounds of the neighborhood - the nostalgic jingle of the ice cream truck. As if summoned by the enchanting melody, the vibrant ice cream truck appears on the horizon, adorned with colorful images.

Felix, with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, turns to me and asks, "Do you want ice cream?" His voice drips with anticipation.

"We have to pick up my sister," I reply, But as I glance at his watch, his gaze lingers on the ice cream truck, silently urging me to embrace the fleeting moment of indulgence.

"We have time for a little snack, aren't you hungry?" he persists, his voice coaxing me like a playful melody. I narrow my eyes, determined to resist the temptation.

"No, I'm not hungry," I assert. Yet, my stomach betrays me with an unexpected growl, unraveling my facade of self-control. He chuckles, his laughter echoing with a hint of triumph.

"Yeah, right," he teases, seeing through my feeble resistance. "I'm going to get one." With that, he gracefully exits the car, his purposeful steps leading him toward the vibrant ice cream truck. I release a sigh of surrender, knowing that resistance is futile. Reluctantly, I follow in his footsteps.

as we approach the colorful ice cream truck. The tantalizing scent of sweet treats fills the air,

"What flavor do you want?" Felix asks, his eyes scanning the menu board hanging on the side of the truck. I glance at the options, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Ice cream is a new experience for me, so I decide to take a chance and choose a flavor at random.

"Uh," I stammer, my eyes darting across the menu. "Mint chocolate," I finally blurt out, unsure of what to expect. Felix's face contorts with a mix of surprise and disgust, as if I've just chosen something unimaginable.

"Toothpaste?" he asks incredulously, his eyebrows raising in disbelief. I can't help but feel a twinge of defensiveness.

"Well, I happen to enjoy it," I retort, defending the ice cream I've never actually tasted. I can sense Felix's skepticism, but I'm determined to give this peculiar flavor a chance.

"Whatever," he mutters, his disappointment evident in his voice. He turns his attention to the ice cream man, placing his order with a hint of annoyance. "I'll take a mint chocolate and an ice cream sandwich," Felix declares, reaching into his pocket to pay the man.

As the transaction is completed, the ice cream man passes us our snacks, each one a sweet indulgence waiting to be savored. We find a nearby bench and settle down, the anticipation building within me. With a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, I bring the ice cream cone to my lips and take my first lick.

The initial burst of coolness floods my mouth, instantly refreshing in the summer heat. The creamy texture dances on my tongue, and then it hits me—the familiar taste of mint mixed with the subtle sweetness of chocolate. It's an unexpected combination, but one that surprisingly works.

But as I reach the end of my ice cream cone, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness. This is my first and last time tasting this peculiar flavor. It's strange how something that resembles toothpaste can bring such enjoyment. I lick my lips one final time, savoring the minty residue that lingers.

"You really enjoyed that, huh?" he asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. I couldn't help but notice the playful sparkle in his eyes as he awaited my response. I shrugged, a small smirk escaping my lips.

"Yeah, it was more than good," I replied, savoring the memory, he rolled his eyes, a hint of superiority creeping into his expression.

"There are finer things in life, you know," he scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at his dismissive comment as if my simple pleasure was somehow beneath him. But before I could retort, he turned his attention back to the whimsical jingle of the ice cream truck, leaving me to ponder the true definition of the "finer things" in life.

"You're going to have to stay here for at least three excruciatingly long hours," Felix sternly informed the man, his voice laced with a touch of annoyance. As his words sank in, the man's brows knitted together, forming a deep frown on his face.

"Hell no! I've got customers waiting!" the man protested, his frustration evident as he prepared to rev up the engine and speed away. Witnessing the man's defiance, Felix let out a weary sigh, his fingers instinctively reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose, as if trying to alleviate the mounting tension.

In a surprising turn of events, Felix's desperation took an unconventional twist. His eyes locked onto the man, a mischievous glimmer dancing within them. "How much does your daughter cost?" Felix inquired, his tone laced with an unexpected audacity. The man's shock was palpable, his eyes widening in disbelief at the audacity of the question.

"My daughter is priceless," the man retorted, his voice carrying a mix of protective love and indignation.

Unfazed by the response, Felix pressed further, his voice unyielding. "Thirty million?" he proposed, testing the boundaries of the man's resolve.

"What? No!" the man stammered, his disbelief growing more apparent with every passing moment.

"Three hundred billion?" Felix suggested, his words hanging in the air, pregnant with anticipation. The man fell into stunned silence, his mind grappling with the astronomical figure mentioned by Felix. Slowly, a realization crept into his consciousness, accompanied by a wavering smile on Felix's face.