A/N: HEY, NERDS. I'M BACK. I've missed you guys! Ok so this story is something that's been floating around my head for a little while now, even before I finished my last one. I've got A TON of ideas for it, but I was having trouble getting it started. And, well, since I'm posting I've... obviously started it. I'll do my best to update weekly but no promises because of this thing called my job. If you're reading this thank you for doing so and I hope you have a great week :)
"What'd she say, your mom?"
"To my face? It was mostly disapproving looks and lots of over dramatic gasping and sighing."
They make their way to a table towards the back with their trays, each of them arranging their food the way they like.
"Are you sure you're allowed to be eating these?" Alex asks just before taking a bite of her burger.
"I had surgery because of an infection due to a dirty needle, not my diet." Nicky explains and then takes a bite of her burger. She lightly slams a fist on the table, "god these are so fucking good. I was about ready to kill my nurse if she brought me poached chicken again."
"Yeah your doctor ordered diet definitely sucked."
"Never letting that happen to me again."
"You nearly die because of a heart infection, have open heart surgery, almost don't wake up from the anesthesia and your main reason for no longer using is your boring diet. Ok."
"I'd like to see you eat that crap for three months straight."
"No thanks. Have you heard back from your lawyer?"
"Yeah, two days ago. I'm not serving time, which is fucking great."
"You should thank your lucky stars you're not in fucking jail right now."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Yeah, yeah? Nicky you had almost a kilo of heroin in your apartment when the cops found you."
"It's not like it was mine!"
"I know that and I believe you, but did you actually think that excuse would work with the cops?"
"It's not an excuse, it really wasn't mine."
Alex shakes her head unable to understand her friend's nonchalant attitude towards this whole ordeal. "What else did your lawyer say?"
"I'm not serving time, but I've gotta do a shit load of community service. And random drug testing throughout the whole time I'm serving my community." Nicky sarcastically spits out then takes a sip of her soda.
"Like what, picking up garbage in the park?"
"I'm gonna be helping out at some community center. Better than pickin' up trash."
"What do you have to do though?" Alex pops a french fry in her mouth.
"Nothing too bad. I'm gonna be assisting the activities director. Helping plan and organize community events. I'm guessing mostly stuff for kids."
"They're letting you near you children?"
"Yeah, wise ass, they are."
"I've gotta see this. I'm gonna have to visit you while you're on duty one day."
"No, you're not allowed to tag along."
"Why not? I'm your best friend Nicky, I wanna be there to give you moral support and shit."
"Yeah, you're gonna gimme a lot of shit alright."
"I could vouch for your outstanding moral character or some shit, maybe your sentence will be reduced." Alex sipped her soda.
"No one in their right mind would believe that and if they did," Nicky points a fry at Alex, "I wouldn't trust 'em."
The two ate in silence for a couple of minutes.
"I'm really glad you're ok." The brunette said as she played with the straw in her soda.
Nicky was a little surprised to hear that. Her and Alex had been friends for as long as she could remember, but Alex had never really been the kind to get sentimental.
"Yeah, I mean, I couldn't have you die on that table without leaving me everything in your will."
Nicky nearly choked on her food as she laughed. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love to keep all my shit."
"I'd put it all up for sale on ebay. Tell people it belonged to Amy Winehouse. Make back all the money you borrowed over the years."
"Well, at least I wouldn't leave behind any unpaid debts."
"Or you could, you know, pay them now."
"Where's the fun in that?"
"Mm when do you start?"
"On Monday. At least I don't have to start on the weekend."
"What are your hours like?"
"On Monday I've gotta be there at ten in the morning, but that's just for the first day. The activities director's gonna be in charge of my work schedule after that."
"Try not to piss them off so they don't give you a shit schedule."
"I don't try to piss people off. It just… happens."
"Yeah, so that summer we worked at that grocery store you weren't trying to piss off Mr. Wood?"
"Nope, not at all. Is it really my fault if people get irritated by my mere presence? Also, is it really my fault if it's so easy to make fun of his name?"
"I'm still convinced you were the main reason for his stroke."
"That's disappointing. I was aiming to be the only reason for his stroke. Maybe this time I'll try harder." Nicky smiled.
"I get my first court-ordered volunteer tomorrow!"
"I'm glad you're happy about it. Something tells me they won't be as happy. And also they're not exactly volunteering if the court ordered them to be there, Piper."
"Oh you know what I mean. This is why I got into social work in the first place, to help make a difference in someone's life. If I can change one person's life that's what matters to me."
"You're such a good person. I only got my realtor's license to get my parents off my back. Never thought I'd actually do well."
"Well, if I remember correctly you wanted to quit several times but I didn't let you."
Polly smiles and looks at Piper, "no you didn't. You are such a lovable pain in the ass."
"I'll try to take that as a compliment."
"Did they give you any info on your 'volunteer'?"
"Not much. Just their name and what time they're showing up. Their file should arrive during the week and I'll know for how long I have them exactly, what the schedule is like, etc. All I know now is they'll be working at the community center for a couple of months."
"What's their name?"
"Polly, you know I'm not allowed to share that information."
"Oh, come on, Piper, I'm not gonna tell anyone jeez."
Piper thought for a minute. "You better promise you won't tell anyone."
"I promise I won't tell anyone a random person's name. Scout's honor."
"Ok, well, her name is Nicole."
"Ugh good luck."
"…. 'Ugh'? Why 'ugh'?"
"Every Nicole I've met has been a hell raiser."
"Well, I haven't met many Nicoles, but the ones I have met have been very sweet and I'm sure this one will be too."
"If you say so."
It's after 10:30 where is she? Piper looked at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. She grabbed Nicole's file, picked up her cell phone and dialed the number in the file.
After two unsuccessful tries Piper decided to step outside. I can never get any service in here.
She walks out and immediately regrets not getting sunglasses. She lifts her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Beautiful day, huh?" Piper turns to her left and sees a woman sitting on the low ledge on the side of the building. She's got coffee in one hand, a bagel in the other and not a care in the world.
"Yeah, it's almost officially summer." Piper steps off to the right a few feet and calls the number once again. This time it rings and she waits impatiently for someone to answer.
"Yeah?"
Piper realizes all too quickly that the voice is closer than she thought it would be. She slowly turns around and sees the woman she just spoke to holding a phone up to her ear.
"Hello? Anybody there? Is this Brad? How'd you get this number you fuckin' asshole? If you call me again I swear-"
Piper walks up to her and speaks up, "wait…. You're Nicole?"
The woman looks over at the blonde, "who wants to know?"
"What's your phone number?"
"You're not shy are you, Blondie?"
"What? No. I meant, I wanna see if your number is the same I just dialed."
"Nice save." She sips her coffee and finishes off her bagel.
Piper stands there and stares at the strange woman who may very well be the person who's going to be working closely with her for the next few months.
"You here for the community service assignment too?"
"Yes. So you are Nicole?"
"Nicky. Or Nichols. Don't ever call me Nicole."
"Why not its such a nice name."
"Because it's my name and I get to decide." Nicky gives Piper her best shit-eating grin.
"Ok, Nicky it is then."
"Who're you?"
"Oh! I'm Piper." She extends her hand for a handshake.
Nicky simply stares at her hand and slowly removes her sunglasses. "Piper Chapman? The activities director?"
With her thousand-watt smile Piper proudly answers, "yes, I am!"
"Well fuck me. You're my boss then?"
"Yes, I am." Piper responds less enthusiastically.
"Shouldn't you be in the Hamptons or somewhere as equally… preppy?"
"I'm on the waiting list." She responds dryly.
Nicky looks at her a second and then laughs out loud. "Nice one." Nicky stands up and cleans up her mess, tossing it into the garbage bin nearby. "Alright, Chapman. Let's do this."
"You can call me Piper if you want."
"Are you opposed to me calling you by your last name?"
"Well, no but-"
"Great. Chapman it is."
"Why don't we go inside and get all the paper work filled out."
"Whatever you say, boss." Nicky answers with the slightest hint of sarcasm.
Piper opens the door and begins to wonder if signing up for the community service program was a good idea.