Pearl stared intently at the cold drinks on the shelf of the grocery store. Lined along the racks were many, many cans of alcohol, beer to be exact. She had gone out shopping while Garnet worked an afternoon shift, enjoying her time at the store as she browsed for things that were needed on her organized list, though the wretched liquid wasn't one of them. Before she had moved in with Garnet, had recently graduating at college, Pearl had a very strong alcoholic addiction, it had started with wine, then to beer, and then to the hard stuff: liquor. It had affected her performance during dance routines, as she would have a hangover the same day. In her train of thought she was surprised at herself that she graduated with such a weight on her. Her, once roommate, now girlfriend, had convinced her to see a therapist and see if Pearl could stop drinking so heavily, it worked, though now she caught herself staring at the endless collection of beer in the cold section of the store. Pearl tried to walk away and go to another aisle of the store, only to bring her back to the same section, a hand reached for a can but she stopped midway, knowing she shouldn't do this-
"The store will be closing in an hour, please hurry with your selections and head on out the door, thank you!" The overhead intercom of the store blared, interrupting the woman's thoughts. she rushed to the self checkout (since it would be faster) and started scanning her things, only to be stopped by a, 'Please show your ID to the nearest cashier,'
What? That only happens when-
Pearl looked down at her hand and saw an aluminum can, her focus switched to the woman standing next to her, waiting for her ID,
"Oh! U-um, uh, sorry, ma'am.." She fished in her purse and handed a plastic card, after a minute or so the cashier handed it back and walked away.
Pearl finished scanning and payed, heading for her car with her things.
A glance or two was made at the paper bag as she drove home.
When Pearl arrived, Garnet was home watching a movie, she paused it with the remote and looked over to her girlfriend standing at the doorway,
"Ah, I see you're finally home," She chuckled at Pearl, "Enjoy your time?"
"Um, yes I did," Pearl flatly responded. To that, the darker woman looked in confusion.
"Somethin' wrong?" Garnet asked with slight concern. Pearl realized that she was staring blankly and snapped back to reality,
"H-huh..? Oh, I-I'm sorry, I think I spaced out there.."
Garnet giggled and Pearl instantly melted, the taller woman got up and turned off the television with the remote and walked over to Pearl, pecking her on the cheeks. The lighter one blushed,
"I'm gonna head off t'bed, you can join later if you please," She smiled and walked off to the bedroom they shared, the door shutting after.
Pearl gulped and started to sweat, remembering she had just purchased a can of beer and has just got off her horrible habit. She walked into the kitchen, kicking off her shoes first of course, she started to place groceries into cabinets, the fridge and freezer, and putting some flavor packets in the drawer. Finally reaching into the bag to grab the forbidden liquid and observing it, still cold. Leaving everything else on the counter, Pearl snuck into the bathroom and locked the door behind her, opening the beer with a fssh. She took a reluctant sip, eventually chugging it.
After doing so, she brushed her teeth to try to rid, or at least, mask the horrid scent that was on her breath and headed to bed, long after Garnet was asleep.
Pearl remembered why her addiction was so bad.