Admiring Bea Smith from afar while she had her freedom is one thing. Being locked up with her in a fairly small building is something completely different, though. There is no escape. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to avoid bumping into her every day. It is a torture. Sometimes sweet, sometimes painful, but torture nonetheless.
The first time she saw her in person. Well, that was a life changing experience. Probably it is like that with everyone who meets a celebrity. Reality crushes with the imagination. Suddenly they are in front of you, alive and breathing. It is a shock. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Some people can get excited knowing that they really live in a world where the object of their affection and admiration does too. Some can be disappointed, realizing that the person they were worshipping as a god is very much a human being.
When Allie Novak met Bea Smith for the first in person it was none of the above. It was a nice sunny afternoon on her third day at Wentworth. She was sitting next to Kaz on the bench, her back leaning onto the table with her legs stretched in front of her, she was basking in the sun listening to the conversation her crew were having.
And then there was quiet, not literally, of course, there is never really quiet in a women prison. But her ears filtered all the commotion when her eyes landed on the mighty Bea Smith walking out from the building and then strutting across the yard. Her face showed strength and control with a small smile gracing her lips and piercing eyes scanning the yard. She must have decided that the place is safe and all is good because she smiled at the older woman walking next to her. Allie now knows it was Liz Birdsworth. They sat down to the table in the center of the yard, obviously, that was the top dog's table, that is why it was not occupied until now.
Allie couldn't take her eyes of the red hair cascading over obviously strong back and prominent shoulders. Her world crumbled and shattered into million pieces. She felt herself melt into a puddle and then being rebuilt. Everything was different since then. The world was brighter, air fresher, food tasted better and Allie felt like a completely different human being. She was lighter, happier, stronger and mostly she was more determined. She had a purpose. She knew that from the moment when Bea Smith turned around to check out their crew. Brown eyes locked with hers. That was it. Her breath hitched, her heart skipped a beat and Allie shuddered with a jolt running down her spine.
That all happened a month ago. Now, after four weeks, she is sitting in the same spot, listening to Kaz preaching about how everything is messed up and how Bea Smith is a lousy leader. Allie didn't really care about what was said. Her focus was aimed at the table in the middle of the yard. She was hoping to catch the top dog's wandering eyes again. Yes, it is pathetic, but she stopped feeling bad about it. Being able to look into those gorgeous brown eyes for few seconds is worth to chip a little bit of her pride down. Normally she was very bold and loved to flirt, but for some very obvious reasons Bea Smith renders her speechless every time. The whole situation is worsened by the fact that Kaz and Bea don't really like each other. Ehhmm, that is actually understatement – they hate each other. Bad blood between them has epic proportions. Bea Smith shopped them, making sure they ended up in this hole and Kaz can't wait to take her revenge. Meaning, she can't go and just talk to Bea even is she gathered her shit together.
Allie tore her eyes away from H1 crew and groaned. Why she had to crush on Bea Smith from all the people in the world. Ok, she knew why, she is awesome, strong and beautiful. It's not fair, though.
- Kaz, I'm going to take shower while the bathroom is not packed. – the older woman nodded and Allie quickly made it into the building. Hallways were empty, everyone enjoyed the sun outside and that was really refreshing. Walking through the quiet block was a rare and a very lovely experience. Even if she is used to the noise and everyday commotion by now, she still can appreciate and enjoy the peaceful silence.
She took her toiletries, clean clothes and a towel from her cell and aimed it for the showers. Kaz and her stupid speeches. Allie heard echoing hateful words in her ears. She loves Kaz, she really does, but geez she can be blinded sometimes. Last week they had a huge fallout with Bea, it almost ended with a fight. The top dog has no respect for Kaz Proctor before and now Kaz with her big mouth made it worse every time she opened that big clam.
Allie lost in her thoughts walked into the shower and stopped dead in her track when coming face to face with Juice and her crew. „Well, fuck!" – she thought, would be nice coming up with some good excuse turning around and leave.
- Ahh, what a nice surprise! – Juice said while giving her a very slow and disgusting once over. Before Allie could even comprehend what was happening Stella as quickly as she could with her size quickly made it to the door and cut off her only chance to escape. „Well, double fuck!" – Allie realized that her only chance is talking herself out of this. No way, she can start a fight.
- Hi Juice, how is it going?
- Fine, especially now with your lovely company. – she winked and Allie's stomach flipped.
- Thanks, nice of you to say that.
- Yes, I'm nice. I'm very nice blondie, I even volunteer to wash your back. What do you say?
- Nice offer, thanks, but I can manage.
Juice laughed and two of her girls stepped closer to Allie, one from each side. She stepped back, but they grabbed her elbows and pushed her forward to Juice. „Oh, shit! This will end badly."
- Juice, Kaz will not like this. – Allie threw in her last card.
- Kaz? Who cares love. She is not the boss of mine.
Alright, time for action, Allie yanked and shook herself trying to get away. One grip loosened but her right arm was still in a fierce grip. She started kicking and punching, but her effort and spirit were beaten up by loud laughter and a hard hit to her face. It hurt. It really did. Juice slapped her with the back of her hand hard. Allie tried to defend herself with a halfhearted kick, but the only thing she achieved was a punch in the gut. That hurt too. She gasped for breath. Juice grabbed her hair and pulled her to face her while chuckling eerily.
- I will enjoy this. – she said and Allie shuddered.
- No, you won't. – Almost quiet, calm voice echoed through the room followed by a soft thud of the closing door. – Let her go. - Juice looked over Allie's shoulder at a very confident and authoritative Bea Smith. – I said, let her go! – Nobody moved for a moment. Stella looked over her shoulder at Bea and then back at Juice. Her grip loosened enough for Allie to notice and she yanked her hand away, but before she could fend off Juice's hand and get away she was slammed into the stall.
- Hold her back while I finish this one. – Juice said and stepped into the stall standing over Allie who was lying on the floor holding her head after the impact. Stella looked a little bit unsure about the command, but when her smaller company obeyed and launched at Bea she moved too. Allie couldn't see because Juice leaned over her, but she heard an impatient, - „Are you fucking kidding me!" – and then there was short commotion. Few bangs and thuds, swearing and quiet screams.
- Juice! – This time Bea's voice wasn't quiet. It was hard, cold and angry. – For fuck sake you stupid bitch! Do you really want to end up in a fucking wheelchair!
Allie smiled – internally – busted lip and bleeding head doesn´t really allow real smile. She saw as Juice scrunched her face knowing what is coming next. She was grabbed by her collar and dragged out of the stall. Bea spun her around using the momentum to make her fly across the room slamming into the wall. Bea was already after her grabbing her head and banging it into the wall.
- This is the last warning Juice, I swear to god, you pull shit like this one more time and I will end you.
Allie crawled out of the stall and stood up. Stella was on her knees, currently attempting to stand up. The another one was leaning on the wall holding her side with a painful grimace. Allie saw as Bea turned around.
- Get out! All of you, know! – she yelled and walked closer standing in front of her. Bea watched them slowly shuffling. Stella looked back from the door watching Juice walking towards them. Her face showed clear pain, but frustration too. She was fed up of Bea Smith and her rules. This is not the first or the last time they have clashed. This time it was not so bad, but one day it will end up badly. God knows on which side. She felt blood gathering in her mouth. She wanted to spit it out right in front of the top dog, but changed her mind and rather swallowed it. Today is not the day, her head is pounding anyway.
Bea let out a relieved sigh when the door shut closed. She walked into the corner and grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser. She smiled at the young woman with concern.
- Are you alright?
Allie nodded finally being able to look into those brown eyes from close proximity.
- Thank you. – she said. Bea smiled at her and gently pressed the paper towel to her lip. Soaking up the blood then folding it and placing it on the wound near the corner of her right eye.
- Hold it here, it needs a stitch. – their fingers brushed as Allie replaced Bea´s fingers and winced when a shot of pain hit her. – Come on, I will take you to the medical.
- It's ok, no need for that. I'm fine.
- Come on!
Allie wanted to protest again, but her mouth closed shut as soon as she felt a warm hand on her lower back ushering her out. She glanced sideways at the older woman and smiled when their eyes met Bea smiled back and opened the door for her. She has seen Bea few times after that and this time she smiled at her and didn't turn her head away shyly.
Next time she was in the bathroom with Bea had special circumstances. Maxine and Boomer ushered Proctor´s crew there with the intention to teach them a lesson. Showing them who is the top dog and what that means. Tina Mercado stood next to the redhead, her expression showed total submission. She just simply waited for her fate to fulfill and she knew what it will be.
- We have rules. – Bea said looking right into Kaz's eyes. – Everyone must obey them.
She turned and hit Tina into her stomach with a powerful punch, followed right up with another one.
- One of the rules is that nobody deals drugs in here. Right, Tina? – Tina had no real chance to answer as Bea's fist connected with her jaw. Next hit landed on the same spot. The Asian fell down on her knees, grunting in pain. Bea looked at Maxine to take over and she turned to the women.
- Disobeying the rules has consequences.
- Does this make you feel good? Powerful?
- You keep your head down Proctor. Don´t mess with me. You have no idea how this place looks like when the women are on loose.
After that episode in the bathroom with Tina being beaten up things got worse very quickly. Kaz hated Bea more than ever before if that was even possible. Allie didn't like that a bit. It was dangerous and simply stupid – mostly from Kaz's part. That woman is so blinded by hate that she can't see things clearly.