CHAPTER 1 - Introductions

"FUCK" Piper screamed as she glanced at the alarm clock on her night stand. "Why the hell didn't you wake me, Larry? She turned to her sleeping, dead to the world boyfriend and waited for an answer.

"LARRY" she shouted as she pushed the scruffy dark haired man so hard he had to grab the side of the bed to stop himself from hitting the wooden floor.

"Piper, why are you shouting? It's Monday morning for God's sake." Larry replied. At least that's what Piper thought he said. She couldn't really make it out in between all the yawning and eye rubbing.

"Now come on, back to bed and we can have some fun" He continued as he wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist and placed his lips on the woman's neck.

"It's 9:15 Larry. My Marketing Management seminar starts in 45 minutes and I have crazy lady bed hair, I look like shit and still have yesterday's underwear on" she replied quickly escaping Larry's clutches.

"You look as beautiful as you did the day I met you"

"Fuck you" Piper replied with a hint of a smile on her face.

"You said you had 45 minutes until your class so by my calculations that gives us around 15 minutes to make the most of each other…I'd say that's more than enough time…wouldn't you?" A mischievous grin appeared across Larry's face.

"Larry, stop. I'm serious about this. I have 3 weeks to try and learn this shit" Piper said while she tossed clothes around the room looking for something that was almost wearable.

"Pipes, relax. It's only one class, you can catch up next time…Come on, you're not going to leave me here all alone in this big, warm, comfortable bed are you?"

"Larry, don't do that" Piper replied. "You know how important this class is. In less than a month, the semester will be over and I really don't think my parents will be too pleased when they find out their genius daughter failed all her classes because she spent too many mornings in bed with her boyfriend."

Piper's parents had high hopes for their daughter's future and anything less than raving success wouldn't be good enough for the affluent Carol and Bill Chapman. Piper's father was a Director at one of New York's biggest marketing and PR companies. Piper hated those companies almost as much as she hated their employees. You know the type – where all the girls look like Barbie dolls and every guy thinks he's God with a sports car.

Bill Chapman had worked in sales for most of his life and he was used to getting what he wanted - both professionally and personally. He and his wife had witnessed their attempts fail with their son, Cal, who was now 'happily unemployed' despite their best efforts. The Chapman's didn't take pride in seeing their son with no ambition – regardless of how happy he said he was. They saw it as an embarrassment to the family name and vowed never to let Piper get into the same mess. The truth was, Cal was happy in his own world, doing his own thing with nothing to worry about other than tomorrow's weather. 'More exhilarating than embarrassing' Piper often thought to herself. But she could never live happily again if she let her family down like Cal did – her parents would make that an impossible task.

Bill took it upon himself to negotiate a deal with one of the Senior Partners at the firm and he was guaranteed that Piper would be offered a position within the company after she graduated. Bill knew it was a risk. He would be responsible for Piper and for all the mistakes she would probably make while she was under his supervision. 'Still, it had to be better than another unemployed child' he thought to himself.

"YES. She got it, Carol." Bill enthusiastically shouted through the phone to his wife. Both of them took great delight knowing that Piper would have a stable, safe and respectable job. However, much like their son, Piper's happiness and comfort – or lack thereof – never came into consideration.

"Wow, Dad, that is so kind of you. Thank you. I can't wait" She lied to her Dad when he told her the news.

Piper always wanted to make her parents proud and even though she wasn't jumping for joy at the thought of heading straight into a creatively challenging and overly stressful environment straight after college, this was being handed to her on a plate so she wouldn't be stupid enough to turn it down.

"You're welcome, sweetie. Now, just make sure you graduate!" Her Mom chimed in.

That was easier said than done, Piper thought to herself. She was smart, at least she used to be. All through high school Piper would finish each year top of her class. Even now, when she looked around her apartment, there were books everywhere. Jane Austen here, Mark Twain there and Stephen King in the corner. She was never without a book in her hand. Even on the crowded Subway first thing in the morning surrounded by sweaty men with bad breath, she would be perfectly relaxed in her own world reading her favourite book and imagining herself being somewhere else completely.

Things changed when Piper started at Litchfield University. She often asked herself what caused this change. She couldn't concentrate as much in class and she never even thought of looking at a textbook unless there was a Professor telling her to do so. She put this down to turning 21, getting her own place, too many parties or even just the freedom that comes with going to University. She had done ok in her first 3 years at the school but she was on a slippery slope. She needed these last few weeks of her final semester to go well or she could kiss her graduation, her work placement and her parents pride in her goodbye.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot. Get ready and I'll drop you off" Larry replied apologetically.

"No. I'll be quicker on the subway. But, thanks." Piper said as she practically ran into the shower.

Piper was never one for quick showers. Being in the shower was one of her favourite places to be – whether she was there alone or someone joined her. She enjoyed the feeling of the warm water on her skin covering her body. Getting clean in a relaxing, hot shower was her favourite way to start the day. Today wasn't that day. She was in and out of the shower in 4 minutes. She knew this was the exact length of time as she was consistently checking her phone to calculate just how late she would be to her first class of the day. 'It's all right' she thought to herself as she stepped out of the shower onto the cold marble bathroom floor beneath her. 'Professor Peters is old. She probably won't even see me if I sneak in quietly.'

"Shit" she shouted as she checked the time once more.

She looked in the mirror and ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. There was no time for her to even think about straightening it, so she decided to leave it as it was. 'Wavy hair is in fashion now anyway…right?! She thought to herself while brushing her already pristine white teeth.

Piper dashed out of the bathroom, noticing that Larry had fallen back asleep on her bed.

"Ass" she said quietly, jealous that she wasn't in his exact situation right now.

Jealousy was never good on Piper, she hated being jealous of someone or knowing she couldn't have something – it drove her crazy.

Through the piles of clothes covering the bedroom floor, Piper finally found something to wear. Navy ripped jeans and a plain white tee.

"Man, everyone is going to be so impressed by how much time and effort I put into my outfit today" she said sarcastically, to herself.

The truth is, Piper could wear a paper bag and still get wolf whistles in the street. She was naturally beautiful. Tall but not too tall and thin without being skinny. Her golden blonde hair sat perfectly on her shoulders and her green eyes often captivated anyone who was lucky enough to get close to them.

"Hmm?" Larry – being one of the lucky ones - questioned as he awoke for the second time that morning.

"Nothing, babe. I have to go. There's coffee in the kitchen. Polly is out all day so stay as long as you want." Piper shouted – her voice getting quieter and quieter as she ran towards the front door.

"Ok have a good day, Pipes. I love…" Larry couldn't finish his sentence. He was interrupted by Piper slamming the front door shut.

"Man, I can't believe it's your first day already! You nervous?" Nicky Nichols asked her dark haired friend who sat opposite her in the local Starbucks while she sipped on her skinny caramel latte and checked out the hot waitress behind the counter.

"Actually, yeah I am a little. Trying to deal with kids only a few years younger than me is pretty daunting, you know?"

"Ah come on Vause. It's the kids who should be nervous"

"I don't think we can really classify 22 year olds as kids anymore though" Vause replied, checking her watch anxiously.

It was Alex Vause's first day teaching at Litchfield University. She had never taught anyone anything before – unless you count teaching her best friend how to kiss when they were younger. And even that experience didn't go well - thankfully her skills have improved massively in that area over the years. She landed this placement through an old friend who knew a Professor at the University. When she was told they had an opening for a substitute Professor, she immediately put her name forward - expecting to hear nothing more of the opportunity. However, thanks to Alex's enthusiasm and ambition when talking about her future teaching career coupled with her friends glowing recommendation and Professor Hasting's need to find a substitute quickly, she got the job.

She felt her stomach drop as she checked her watch for the hundredth time that morning. Alex Vause didn't get nervous easily. Hell, everyone knew her as the badass who always got whatever – or whoever – she wanted. But right now, in this moment, sitting in this coffee shop one hour before her teaching her first class she couldn't recall ever feeling so scared.

"Hey, it's only a few weeks. Then you can get the hell out of there and get on with your life." Nicky replied as she grabbed her coffee and headed for the exit. Nicky winked at the waitress behind the counter before turning back to her best friend "Kick some ass today, Professor Vause!"

Alex smiled as she watched her frizzy haired friend head out the door and step onto the hot, sunny and crowded New York City sidewalk. Nicky was half right, Alex thought to herself. She only had to teach at Litchfield for 4 weeks. If everything went well she would get the position at NYU which she had been after for months. 'No fucking up' Alex repeatedly said to herself as she downed the rest of her Americano, put on her black leather jacket and got ready to make her way to Litchfield for the first time.

Alex stood up and immediately noticed the guys in the group that sat at the table next to her instantly direct their eyes towards the brunette. She could feel their gaze on her as she made her way towards the exit. Alex was used to guys and girls alike finding her attractive. She was tall. Very tall. She had a deep voice which she hated but everyone else found incredibly sexy. And her long jet black hair sat perfectly on her chest.

"Um hey.. Excuse me?" Alex heard someone call out to her as she reached out to open the door.

She spun her head round to be greeted by a plain looking guy in a grey hoodie waving at her to come over to their table.

Figuring that she'd forgotten something, she turned around and made her way back to the table she'd just vacated.

"Yeah?" She questioned as she looked at her coffee shop neighbours.

The guy in question stood up and walked towards her. He was incredibly thin, in desperate need of a shave and his long light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. 'Oh God, I really don't have time for this' she thought to herself as the guy got closer.

"Hey. I'm Johnny. Sorry for shouting on you, I just wanted to say hey really" He said nervously, his voice shaking.

"Do I know you?"

"Um..no..I don't think so"

"Ok…" Alex said, waiting for Johnny to continue.

"I thought I'd tell you that you look absolutely incredible and I wondered if you'd maybe like to hang out some time." The man continued, waiting with bated breath for Alex's reply.

"Sorry, I don't think so" The raven haired woman replied as she turned on the heel of her biker boots and made her way to the exit once more.

"Oh come on gorgeous, just one drink?"

"Listen, Johnny, I'm running late so I'm gonna save you some time here." Alex replied as she turned to face Johnny, this time with a slight annoyance in her voice.

"I'm more interested in taking your friend over here out for drinks.." she continued looking towards the beautiful tanned brunette girl sat at Johnny's table "..than I am of ever seeing you again."

"Wow, what a bitch" she heard Johnny whisper as she made her way to the exit.

Johnny got the message. He walked back to his seat feeling slightly ridiculed while the tanned girl next to him looked at the floor trying to hide the smile that was plastered all over her face.

Finally, Alex managed to get out of the coffee shop. Her long black hair blew gently in the wind as the breeze hit her face. Her watch read 9:05. '55 minutes to go' she thought as she strapped on her helmet, her leather gloves, threw her right leg over her motorbike and started the engine.

'Why do I always get the crazies hit on me? Why is it never anyone who I'm actually interested in?' Alex thought about these questions as she sped through the queues of traffic on the highway slowly seeing the outline of the Litchfield campus get closer.

"Hi. I'm Alex Vause. I'm here to see Professor.."

"MISS VAUSE" she was interrupted by Professor Hastings coming towards her as he pushed his way through the doors of the main Litchfield lobby.

"It's so good to have you here. All ready for your first day?" The professor enquired.

"Absolutely" Alex replied with a slight confidence that even took her by surprise.

"Great. Let me give you the tour." He said opening the door and gesturing for Alex to take the lead.

Professor Hastings was the head of the Marketing department at the University. He was also the one who got her this job. So she had to be on her best behaviour when he was around – something Alex was never very good at.

They walked around the campus together, with Alex towering over him. Professor Hastings was a small man – he couldn't have been more than 5ft5. Alex had come to this conclusion while the Professor was boring her to death with a story about the history of the university. He was in his 60's. He had white hair – balding in the middle, a white moustache and wore small oval-shaped glasses.

Alex could feel the students' eyes on her as she entered the Business Studies building – her second home for the next few weeks.

"Who's the new girl? She's hot" she overheard a young man in a 'Litchfield Soccer Team' t-shirt ask his teammate as Alex passed them in the corridor.

A small smile appeared on her face. 'I guess I'm not that old after all' she thought to herself as she nodded along to whatever Litchfield history facts Professor Hastings was rhyming off now.

As they walked through the halls filled with students Alex couldn't help but notice how aged the University looked and how she'd hate to have to work at such an old fashioned institution permanently.

"So, what do you think, Alex?" The professor enquired as they stepped in to a large and spacious but very dark office on the top floor of the Business building.

"Love it. Very modern." Alex lied. She had to stay on the Professors good side.

He chuckled "Glad you think so. This is Professor Peters' office. Obviously she won't be using it for the next few weeks while she's on jury duty so it's all yours." He said as he walked towards the door.

"I have to get going – I have a quick meeting with the faculty before my lectures begin. Make yourself at home. And good luck with your first class" Professor Hastings continued as he exited the office.

"Thanks" Alex shouted after him, but he was already gone.

Alex looked around the office. It was dimly lit with a large desk in the corner facing the door and a brown leather couch opposite the window. It was going to take a lot of effort to make this hole feel like home but she'd do her best.

"All right Vause. Time to get to work" Alex said out loud as she grabbed her papers and headed to the classroom.

Alex arrived at the classroom 10 minutes before start time. She figured she'd need that time to do all the important stuff she had to do. Like, become familiar with the layout of the class and write her name on the whiteboard. You know, essential stuff. 'MISS VAUSE'…No that's too formal she thought. 'PROFESSOR VAUSE'…Too pretentious. 'MISS ALEX'… "That's just weird" she said out loud to herself as she settled on writing ALEX VAUSE in capital letters across the board.

The new professor thought she was feeling a bit more confident about teaching her first class but her stomach dropped again when her first student arrived.

"Um…I'm looking for the Advanced Marketing Management seminar?" The young man asked Alex looking rather confused.

"You've found it. Come in." The brunette replied.

Before she knew it, the room was filled with 29 young adults all in their twenties looking at her expectedly. 'Here goes nothing' Alex thought to herself as she put on her dark-rimmed glasses, stood up from her chair and made her way to the front of her desk.

"All right everyone." Alex started as she sat on the edge of her desk and faced her new class.

"I'm professor Vause – but please don't call me that because it makes me sound much older than my short 26 years. You can call me Alex..."

"Looking good Alex" whispered one of the boys in the second row as he smiled and winked at his new professor.

Alex ignored his incredibly inappropriate comments and continued "...I know you were expecting to see Professor Peters here today but she's currently enjoying some free lunches and time away from you guys on jury duty so you're stuck with me for the rest of the semester"

"Fine with me" Alex's admirer in the second row continued.

Once again, she ignored him while the voice in her head repeated 'shut the fuck up dipshit.'

"…I like to think I'm a pretty cool teacher. You can turn up to my class if you want to. If you're not here I'm not gonna chase you down or call you out on it. It's not me who'll be sitting these exams in a few weeks. I won't stand for any bullshit though. So be honest with me and I'll be honest with you. I think we can..."

Alex was interrupted by a figure she saw standing in her doorway at the corner of her eye.

"Can I help you?" Alex asked as she turned to face the blonde girl for the first time – a quiet "wow" escaping her lips as she suddenly found herself fascinated by the green eyes staring back at her.

"Um...no...sorry. I'm late and I was just looking for the Professor…"

"I am the Professor" Alex said, not taking her eyes off the blonde still stood in the doorway.

"Oh. Oh I'm so sorry. I thought..."

"Stop apologising" Alex smiled and interrupted the girl before she got even more tripped up over her words.

"Take a seat, kid" Alex continued – her eyes following the student around the room as she took her seat in the front row.

"What's your name?" Alex enquired.

"Piper. Piper Chapman."

Please review and let me know if I should continue...