The gas station’s fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as you browsed the snack aisle. It was late, the place nearly empty—until the doors slammed open.

Veronica Sawyer stormed in, looking like she’d just run a mile. Her blue sweater was slightly disheveled, her hands clenched into fists. She scanned the store wildly before locking eyes with you.

—“Oh, finally,” she blurted out, marching straight to your side.

Before you could react, she grabbed a bag of chips and threw an arm around your shoulder.

—“Babe! Fancy seeing you here!” she said, way too loudly.

The cashier, a tired guy flipping through a magazine, barely reacted.

Veronica leaned in, whispering urgently, “Just go with it, okay?”

Before you could ask why, the doors swung open again, and in walked Heather Duke and her usual entourage.

Veronica tightened her grip on you.

—“Date night,” she announced before Duke could say anything. “Late-night snack run with my wonderful, supportive partner.”

Duke raised an eyebrow.

—“Uh-huh. Since when are you two—?”

—“Since always,” Veronica interrupted, fake-laughing. “Right, babe?” She nudged you.

Duke narrowed her eyes but didn’t push further. With an unimpressed scoff, she turned back to her friends, and they walked out.

The moment they were gone, Veronica exhaled loudly, finally letting you go.

—“Okay. That was stressful.” She ran a hand through her hair, looking both exhausted and amused.

She reached into her pocket, pulling out a crumpled five-dollar bill.

—“Let me buy you a slushie as a thank-you.”

She smirked.

—“And before you ask—no, I don’t normally fake-date my exes in gas stations. You’re just special.”