An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
The lighting was bright and had colder tones while the temperature said otherwise. There was a long line behind Kiara as she pulled her empty insulin bottles out of her purse.
"I really need this. I ran out of my long and short acting. My reserved vile is basically gone. It's very dangerous if I don't have this, I hope you know that,"
The pharmacist began typing away in her computer. The line behind Kiara groaned from the long wait. She avoided looking back and tapped on the small glass.
"I understand that, but I'm sorry, your prescription can't be filled until Friday,"
Kiara hated the look on the pharmacists face. The pity. The look made her feel as if she were beneath everyone else. "I can't go four days without—"
"Your insurance doesn't cover your prescription. So if you can't last four days, I recommend paying up front," The pharmacist was beginning to run our of patience.
"And how much is that?" She unzipped her purse and started searching for cash.
"Three hundred for the longest acting and two hundred twenty dollars," The pharmacist double checked on her computer before nodding.
Kiara counted the money she had on her, which wasn't enough.
She slowly lowered the money back into her purse while the pharmacist pointed out the obvious. "Oh, that's not enough,"
Kiara glanced back to the long line of impatient customers behind her, sighing, groaning, and a crying baby in the back. She pursed her lips and zipped her purse closed. "I guess I'll wait for Friday,"
She walked out of the pharmacy and wanted to slam the door shut, but the doors were automatic. Elena stood at the end of the building with her phone in hand, concentrating on whatever she was doing. once her friends footsteps grew closer, her eyes lifted from the screen.
"Well?" Her phone was put into her purse before crossing her arms over her chest.
Kiara shook her head and rolled her eyes. "They said I had to wait 'til Friday. Basically I have to fend for myself until they refill my prescription,"
Elena let out a scoff and began walking down the sidewalk next to Kiara. "That's ridiculous. Fuck health insurance, honestly. They're risking your life because what, they're picky about what diabetic medications they want? If I were you, I'd either get a sugar daddy or marry one of those marine guys from the party,"
A grimace grew to her face. Both were both perverted, one was an option she'd never consider, and the other only sound convincing in the moment.
"Ew, no. I'm not babying some gross old man nor am I marrying some misogynistic asshole who would be proud to serve our prejudiced country,"
Elena gave her a side glance before clearing her throat. "Is there something you want to discuss with the class?"
"Nope, theres nothing to talk about," Kiara shook her head while hitting the unlock button on her key fob. "Though, I'll just stick with feeling anxious if I'm getting the internship,"
"How long ago did you apply?" The subject was changed, and she was thankful her friend wasn't objective.
"Well... about a month ago," She climbed into her driver's side, inserting her key into the ignition and started the older Nissan model.
The windows were instantly rolled down to cool the suv down. The breeze of the late spring air filled the car and blew through the soft set of curls on her head.
"Maybe you're one of the few that they're considering and you happen to be one of the best," She tucked her darker hair behind her ear to avoid it getting in her face.
"I hope so," She sighed while tucking her hair behind both ears. She decided to circle back around the first topic in the conversation.
"I babysat my landlords kid, I serve doordash, I've had countless part time jobs on and off... But I have to fend for myself because my insurance doesn't take the insulin that I need. Thats bullshit!"
Elena nodded and grabbed Kiara's hand. "You need to ask your parents. You need to at least try for a solution,"
Although it wasn't ideal, she was running out of options.