Buy-One-Get-One Love, I'm the Extra
My boyfriend, Nathan Linden, refuses to participate in buy one, get one free promotions with me, so every time we go out on a date, my best friend, Candace Lane, always ends up joining us.
"Buy one free one at Lucky Star Beverages! Don't miss out!"
Nathan immediately calls Candace, then places his order first without missing a beat.
Candace doesn't take long to arrive and accepts the iced coffee Nathan passes her. The straw is already stuck into the drink.
The pair begin to talk about a mutual game they play, getting into a heated discussion that causes their faces to flush red.
I tighten my grip on the receipt I'm holding. The milkshakes are clearly on promotion too, yet every time, I'm the odd one out and have to order for myself.
By the time I receive my milkshake, Nathan and Candace have already exited the shop.
I hurry over to the cinema across the street to meet up with them, only to see the two of them arguing.
As it turns out, Nathan's credit card allows him to enjoy 50% off if he buys two tickets, but he has no intention of giving that second ticket to me.
When Candance spots me, she urges me, "Lily, quick! Go buy a ticket for yourself. The movie's going to start in ten minutes."
Then, she shoves a bucket of popcorn into my arms and adds with a shy smile, "Here, the popcorn was buy one, get one free too. You can have this bucket all to yourself since you eat so much. Nate and I can just share this one bucket."
I pause and glance between the two.
Their movie seats are next to each other, and their favorite drinks, phone casings, and even the keychains hanging from their backpacks are all the same.
Suddenly, an epiphany crashes over me.
Since they love buy one, get one free promotions that much, I'll just back out of this relationship.