August Reveries (FreenBecky)

Chapter 13: First Time

"Here's your mango chocolate ice cream," Frans said, sliding into the booth and passing Patricia her cone as they sat facing each other.

"What did you get?" Patricia inquired, licking the melting spots of her ice cream.

"Vanilla topped with choco syrup."

"Vanilla? That's... boring," Patricia remarked, a playful smirk gracing her lips.

Frans gasped in response and went on to cover her ice cream's invisible ear using her free hand, feigning worry that the inanimate dessert might feel offended. "Don't insult my ice cream. It's got feelings, you know."

Patricia chuckled, waving her hand to dismiss the older woman's silly comment. "But I said what I said. Vanilla is just so plain. It's so... vanilla."

"Well, everyone's entitled to their own opinion," Frans countered, gesturing with her cone emphatically. "I say vanilla is more than just plain. It's a classic, timeless flavor that pairs perfectly with almost anything—chocolate, strawberry, cookies—you name it. It's the most versatile flavor to ever exist. Isa pa, it can enhance the taste of other desserts and even cocktails. And even on its own, it's perfectly sweet and creamy. Not boring at all."

Patricia was genuinely impressed by Frans's passionate defense of her vanilla ice cream. She took a moment to process before responding, "Alright, jeez, I stand corrected. Vanilla isn't boring."

"If you ask me nga, tingin ko chocolate is the most overrated flavor," Frans continued, scooping her ice cream and popping it in her mouth as she looked over the younger woman across her with a challenge in her eyes.

This time, Patricia was the one who feigned insult, and for the next minutes or so, the two fell into a friendly debate, with the younger woman defending the honor of her chocolate ice cream while Frans sang praises for her vanilla. In the end, they agreed to disagree and went on to enjoy their respective ice creams, easing into another rather lighthearted conversation.

They went for another round of treats, with Frans relishing a refreshing mango-flavored milkshake and Patricia indulging in a banana split topped with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream. By the time the younger woman finished her dessert, she felt thoroughly sober.

"... I told you already, I was a theater kid—joined the club during my senior year," Patricia said while taking a sip of her strawberry milkshake.

Frans, mildly concerned about the younger brunette's sugar intake, attempted to dissuade her earlier from ordering her third round of sweet indulgence, but Patricia proved stubborn. After a brief exchange, the older woman relented, allowing Patricia to have one last frozen delight.

Patricia continued, "... and honestly, I really enjoyed it. I think it's more challenging than acting on camera because, on stage, you need to memorize everything and be quick with ad-libs if you forget your lines. Plus, it shouldn't deviate too much from the original script. On top of that, it's just one take because the audience is right there in front of you. There's very little room for error."

With her chin resting on her hand, Frans listened intently to the younger woman, occasionally nodding or tilting her head as she absorbed the younger woman's words.

"Have you ever tried acting on camera?" Frans inquired.

Patricia shook her head. "Well, if you count acting for a school project, then yes. But that was a long time ago... probably back in junior high when I was still studying in Thailand."

"But you didn't pursue it? Was it because of your mom's disapproval, similar to how she disapproved of your aspiration for music? 'Lam mo di ko pa rin get why she's holding you back."