Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 38: Fragile

Suho couldn't help but feel his heart pounding in his chest as he and Zuri walked into the CVS pharmacy at around 9:45 pm. The pharmacist behind the counter gave them a curious look, one that seemed to say, "This isn't a normal couple coming in here."

Zuri was already scanning the shelves, her brow furrowed with anxiety. "Suho, we need to get something," she said urgently, her voice barely above a whisper.

Suho nodded, his throat feeling dry as they approached the contraceptive aisle. The myriad of options overwhelmed him. There were so many choices, each with its own promises and warnings.

Zuri picked up one brand, her eyes scanning the package. "What about this one?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Suho hesitated, his mind racing. "I don't know, Zuri. Shouldn't we ask the pharmacist for advice?" he suggested, glancing nervously at the pharmacist behind the counter.

Zuri shook her head. "No, we can't let anyone know. Besides, we're both adults. We should be able to figure this out," she replied, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Their frantic argument continued, with Zuri advocating for one brand, and Suho arguing for another. They whispered fiercely back and forth, oblivious to the curious glances from other shoppers in the aisle.

They got to the counter. The not so happy or even excited Pharmacist looked down at them. "What can I get you?"

Suho spoke up, his voice confident. "We need Plan B."

"Can you pay for it?"

"Of course," Suho said pulling out his card.

The pharmacist named a figure that would have wiped out a week's grocery budget for a family. Zuri gasped at the price, and her heart sank. She couldn't possibly afford it.

"Who is this for?" THe pharmasist asked as she waited with the payment.

"My...girlfriend."

"Is she here now?" The pharmasist asked taking Suho's card and ID to ensure there were no forgeries and no money laundering.

"Uh...yeah she's standing right next to me," Suho said dryly geusturing toward Zuri.

"No, she's not," the Pharmacist replied.

"What do you mean?" Suho replied. "She is!"

"No, she's not," the Pharmacist responded more firmly. "You're not a couple."

"Excuse me," Suho replied incredulously, "how dare you?"

"People that look like both of you can't be a couple," The Pharmasist replied without an ounce of regret or remorse in her eyes or tone.

"Look, we're just trying to be fucking responsible," Suho exploded, "and now you're talking about who can or cannot be a fucking couple in America. What is wrong with you?"

The pharmacist stood firm, her posture straight, and her head held high. She finally let out a sigh and grabbed a box off of the shelves behind her. She pushed the box across the counter, her gaze never wavering.

"I am not the person to judge," she replied coldly, ". And while I do not believe in mixed-race couples, I believe in getting people, who should be having sex, protected.

"If we need it and I'm willing to buy it, then just do your damn job and don't make a big deal out of it," Suho snapped, snatching his card and ID from her. He turned on his heels and stormed out of the pharmacy, his anger seething.

Zuri followed suit, her anxiety heightened by their tense encounter.

"Fuck her," Suho s aid after they drove a few blocks away.