"I want some milk tea," Kenneth said after he got to her.
Beatrice thought for a bit, considering her diet, before shaking her head.
"Why? Are you on a diet?" Kenneth seemed to have read her thoughts.
"I indeed thought about my diet, but I shook my head because I stopped myself from thinking about it. Let's go get some milk tea," she said with a laugh.
That's right, she'd stop thinking about her restrictions right now. She would just enjoy this night before returning to reality.
Kenneth chuckled, and this time the two of them went ahead and bought some cheesecake milk tea.
Kenneth suddenly laughed while they walked side by side, enjoying their milk tea.
"What's wrong?" Beatrice furrowed her brows.
"Well, I am just thinking if this is how it feels like to be on a date," he replied.
Beatrice was stunned but snapped out of it after a bit.
"Maybe? I've never been on one myself," she replied.
"You never had a boyfriend?" Kenneth asked, looking at her in disbelief.
"I am too focused on my acting that I don't have the time to think about that," Beatrice shook her head with a laugh.
"But I suppose it is more shocking to know that you have no experience in dating," she added.
Kenneth finished his drink, throwing the empty cup into the trashcan they passed by before placing his hands behind his back.
"I guess we are alike on that part. I enjoyed basketball too much that I have no time to think about dating anyone."
Beatrice laughed, "A lot of ladies must be jealous of basketball to get all of your attention."
He beamed at her while placing his thumb and pointer finger in that familiar check position under his chin.
"I am just that handsome, I guess."
Beatrice ended up laughing at his antics.
"I really can't compare to your confidence."
"Nah, it is simply because it's the truth. My confidence is just an added charm," he bobbed his brows up and down.
Beatrice shook her head in amusement.
"Anyway, thanks for accompanying me today," he then said as they got close to the bus station.
"No…"
She looked at him seriously.
"Thank you for taking me out today."
She knew from the get-go that it was just an excuse on his side.
Inviting his teammates or Luca and the rest to the arcade, everything was an excuse.
He had noticed her condition a while ago and, in his own way, invited her to cheer her up.
Looking at her seriousness, Kenneth knew he was already caught.
"I did invite you because it seemed like you needed it, but I seriously enjoyed the time we spent. That's why I'm thanking you still. It was an experience worth remembering for a very long time."
Beatrice smiled widely, "Yes, it is indeed."
They arrived at the stop, and he looked up, seeing that the next bus would arrive in another ten minutes.
"I heard you were asking Harmony to look at you doing your play. Was it something for university?" he asked seriously.
"Yeah, it was for a theater group."
"Hmmm, I don't know if this will help, but I may have been attracted to acting by Luca and Harmony's acting, but I've been watching you act since I got the desire to start a career in it as well."
Beatrice listened to him seriously.
"And your acting is what inspired me even more to push through with my plan."
Beatrice didn't know how to receive his words.
"You are portraying your characters very well. Showing the emotions they feel through your eyes. Even pulling me to feel what they are feeling—happiness, sadness, anger."
He turned when he saw the bus coming.
"You are a great actress, Beatrice. You will surely reach greater heights because what you have, more than the capability and looks, is the love for acting."
Beatrice blinked.
"You have it. Not because I heard those words from you or from someone close to you, but because I could see it every time you act in a play. The same love that Justin shows every time he gets to perform with his violin. You have both the passion and perseverance."
"I…" she started.
Kenneth smiled, "Your bus is here. Go back home, take a warm shower, and sleep early. Your problems may be heavy right now, but you will get past them. I know you can. I'm confident that you'll be able to do so."
"…"
"And here you go. A little something to help you face the challenges you're facing now."
He handed her a paper bag from the retail store he went to a while ago.
"Goodbye and goodnight. It may not be now, but you will be able to do it. You may face failure, but I know you will succeed."
After that, he turned her around as the bus' door was already open before gently pushing her to enter.
Beatrice blankly went along with his action, and by the time she snapped out of it, she was already sitting by the window while he was waving his hand with his bright smile.
Then the bus started moving, and she could only wave back.
She looked inside the bag and found chocolates in it, even a box of milk chocolate.
She noticed something else and pulled it out.
It was a small post-it with a short note together with a paper-folded flower.
'To the future best actress, here's some sweets for your spirit. You can do it. From your number one fan.'
A tear dropped from her eye as she giggled, "That's some hurdle you want me to achieve there."
She caressed the words best actress.
"I suppose I have to respond accordingly," she muttered as determination returned to her eyes.
Once she got home, she would face distress, but compared to the past few months, this time she wouldn't be disheartened.
What happened today was the reality she had been running away from. And Harmony was right, she was also trying to run faster in order to get out of that place as soon as possible.
And that wouldn't change; she'd keep running, but this time, it was no longer to get away but instead to reach her finish line.