Chapter 3

Last month, we had plans to see a movie.

We’d just gotten to the theater when Mia called.

She wanted him to go swimming with her.

Just like today, he hesitated for a moment, then said to me, “Laura, how about you skip the movie today? I’ll take you another time.”

He chose her over me.

I didn’t say anything.

After he left, I bought a bucket of popcorn and a Coke by myself.

For the first time, I walked into the theater alone.

That was when I realized.

Going to a movie by myself wasn’t that hard.

Giving up something that didn’t belong to me.

Was even easier.

“Okay. Whatever you say.”

My expression was calm.

Anderson’s rigid face visibly relaxed.

He sighed in relief. “See, you’re so reasonable. Mia’s always making a fuss. Hard to deal with.”

He seemed to be criticizing Mia.

But his words were full of obvious indulgence.

He didn’t know.

I was never the “reasonable” type.

I just didn’t care about him anymore.

“Oh, right. Mia says there’s a new Mexican restaurant in the West End. She wants us to go eat there now.”

I was about to refuse.

But he showed a look of helplessness. “Mia really wants to go.”

Then.

I ended up at the Mexican restaurant with Anderson.

As I dipped my food in hot sauce, Anderson said, “I thought you didn’t like spicy food?”

“I always have. You just never knew.”

I flipped through the menu and ordered some dishes I liked.

I also ordered a strawberry ice cream.

Mia saw that and quickly ordered a mango ice cream.

But Anderson frowned in displeasure.

“Aren’t you on your period? You shouldn’t eat cold stuff,” he scolded.

Then he crossed out her ice cream order and changed it to a fresh orange juice.

Mia didn’t look angry at being scolded. Instead, she smiled brightly.

“So what if it hurts? I’ve got you, so I’m not scared!”

I used to feel that way too.

Back then, Anderson would make me warm milk every month when I was on my period.

When I was rolling in pain, he’d have red-rimmed eyes full of worry.

His warm hand would cover my cold belly.

His gentle voice would tremble slightly.

“I wish I could take the pain for you. You wouldn’t have to suffer like this.”

Back then, I thought the same as Mia.

As long as he was there, I wasn’t afraid of the pain.

But ever since Mia came from her hometown, he stopped caring about me.

Now.

Watching them flirt without caring about anyone else.

I felt like an extra, out of place.

Then.

A waiter placed a milkshake with two straws in front of them.

“Today is our boss’s tenth wedding anniversary,” the waiter said softly. “To celebrate, every couple dining here today gets a free milkshake.”