closed for: nicky ( @capaddes )
the grocery basket hanging from soledad's arm was already fuller than she'd intended it to be. coffee creamer, pasta, fruit, cat treats she absolutely didn't need despite not owning a cat, and a bottle of wine she'd inevitably convince herself she deserved later. standing on the tips of her toes, she reached toward a box sitting on the highest shelf and immediately realized she was several inches too short for this battle. without looking over, she let out a soft laugh and held her hand up toward whoever happened to be nearby. “sugar, can i borrow your height for a second?” she asked, still stretching unsuccessfully toward the box.
she finally dropped back onto her heels, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she adjusted her grip on the basket. “i swear every grocery store does this on purpose,” she said absentmindedly. “they see people my height walk in and decide today's the day to make us work for our dinner.” a soft laugh escaped her before she finally turned her head to properly thank them, only for her expression to falter ever so slightly for a fraction of a second. "oh.” she said simply, her smile disappearing instantly. for a moment, she simply stared. nicky santoro.
it was ridiculous, honestly, how one person could somehow embody years of memories and years of resentment all at once. her mother, the debt, the second job she had to get. all the things she'd never told him and all the things he'd never bothered to ask about. “right.” the word came out flat, cold, without an ounce of emotion. “i didn't realize i'd be running into my monthly expense while grocery shopping today. are you here to tax this too?"