A/N: Hey guys hope you like this one, it's the longest chapter I've written for a fic ever, so let me know what you think.
I finally decided on accepting her follow request, and followed her back. It would raise questions if anyone noticed, especially if Jessica noticed, which she undoubtedly would. Something about Alex made me want risk it, something about that mischievous grin and the glint in those green eyes. I shook my head grabbing my backpack and saying a quick goodbye to my family before rushing out the door, the thought of that morning waking up in her home still on my mind.
As I took the first few steps in to the hallways of Litchfield I was comforted by how quiet it was, I had an hour before the majority of the student body got here. I immediately made my way towards the library, I pushed through the double doors to find Poussey and Taystee joking and laughing behind the desk, they paid me no attention as I slipped between the shelves. Reading offered a convenient escape whenever I had to be at home, I could put in some earbuds and let my world give way into another. I ran my fingers across the spines of the books, eventually settling on Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty. I turn to make my way towards the comfy recliner in the back corner of the library I turn the corner and immediately bump into someone. I pulled my eyes away from the book meeting familiar green ones. "Alex!" I said a little louder than I'd meant to. My face grew warm, she'd startled me. "I thought I'd be the only one here this early." My heart fluttered in my chest at her unexpected arrival.
"I needed a new book," she replied simply. "Besides, I could use a little peace and quiet," she brushed past me towards the books as she passed I caught a hint of cinnamon and lemon. I bit my lip and continued on my way, quickly finding my way to the recliner and relaxing into it. I opened my book though I now found it harder to focus knowing she was near. She seemed so cool and collected compared to my obviously flustered appearance. I sighed and tried to force myself to focus on the words on the page. My fragile focus broken again as she reappeared lying on the couch across from, her eyes didn't move from the page. I shifted in my seat, I wouldn't even finish the first chapter.
I watched Piper squirm in my peripheral vision, she would settle on a position, decide it wasn't comfortable then move again I caught her eyes flit to me once or twice. I couldn't put up with this much longer, "Pipes?" Her head snapped up matching my gaze I paused a moment taking in her features, her intelligent blue eyes, and piercing gaze, her pink plump lips that had been pressed against mine only days ago, I blinked. "Do you want to switch spots? You seem uncomfortable." She shook her head.
"You don't have to do that Alex." she checked her phone. "It's almost time to-" she was interrupted by the warning bell, and began gathering her things I did the same.
"See ya in class Pipes," I said turning towards the door.
"Wait!" she called out I paused looking over my shoulder, "Do you want to hangout after school? We could meet at my parking spot and go to-" A smirked tugged at the corners of my lips.
"Sure things Pipes, see ya soon," I said and slipped out of the library meeting, Nicky just down the hall.
"Back to your old hangouts, huh Vause?" she inquired giving me a sly smile, "Trying to forget the taste of Blondie's chapstick?" Normally I would've poked fun at her, Piper couldn't have been far behind me. I shushed her.
"Nicky, she's right there!" her eyes widened and amused grin spread across her face.
"Wait, were you with her?" she whispered. I shot her a sharp glare, but I immediately knew it effect her. "You did, didn't you?" I sighed surrendering to her.
"Yes," I replied. She was uncharacteristically quiet, however that sly grin let me know I hadn't heard the last of this.
I watched Piper across the cafeteria, she seemed bubbly and extraverted, but there was something dangerous in her eyes, snakelike. "Vause?" Nicky called out, pulling me back to where I was sitting.
"Hm?" I purred.
"Jesus, Vause it's getting worse." I rolled my eyes as she exclaimed. I feigned ignorance.
"What is?" I said raising my eyebrows in false confusion.
"Oh you know, Vause," it was her turn to roll her eyes. "She asked you out once and you can't stop staring," I frowned.
"She didn't ask me out, Nicky."
"But didn't she?" she asked playfully, "It sounded that way to me." her knowing smile made me hesitate.
"Didn't you think she was straight like to day ago?" I asking raising an eyebrow.
"That was before she kissed you Vause!" she whisper yelled. I grinned at the mention of it.
"That reminds me, I can't hang out after school." I looked down at the tray of mush before me, but I don't need to see her to hear the amusement in her voice.
"And why might that be Vause?" she tried in vain to conceal her amused smile.
"I'm hanging out with Piper," I said pointedly meeting her eyes again. Her eyes lit up.
"You should go to Red's," I scoffed. I hadn't been to Red's in a few months, I knew she'd be ashamed at my work choices, as I was. I didn't want her to be so I avoided the diner, especially since I was selling to Nicky.
"So you can humiliate me and make money doing it?" I said rolling my eyes, but I liked the idea a bit.
"Hey Vause, I just want to help- I could be your wingwoman!" My face wrinkles, at the suggestion.
"Oh god, I think your bold 'in your pussy' approach might not work great with her," The sly grin falls from her face forming false hurt,
"It gets me more pussy than you," she grumbles, though there's no real malice in her voice.
"Excuse me?" I say incredulously. "I'll have you know I get plenty of pussy."
"Just not more than me," she says not missing a beat.
"Quality over Quantity," I remind her teasingly, she scoffs rolling her eyes and I know I've won.
"Whatever Vause."
I fidget with my phone waiting for Alex to appear from inside the building. I hadn't really thought about my friends seeing Alex get into my car, it had just been so spur of the moment. Maybe I could text her and tell her I was running late. Jessica interrupted my thoughts accompanied by Polly, I stand a little taller towering over them both. "Waiting for someone Piper?" she asked clearly suspicious of my lingering presence. I nod.
"Got a group project, we're going to work on it," the lie slip easily through my lips. She nods disappointedly.
"Well, good luck." I thank her and they drive off, I immediately relaxed. Fuck them both, I don't know why I tolerated them, or tried to keep up appearances. That's not true, I know why, my parents would hate and the little facade I'd built around myself would crumble. I wouldn't know who I am. Thankfully Alex appeared pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Hey," I sounded tense even to me, I rolled my shoulders back in effort to relax. "Ready to go?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Are you okay?" she could read a little too well. I nodded.
"Yeah, I'm just tired," it was a lame excuse, but luckily she didn't push it.
"Did you have a place in mind already?" Shit, I hadn't thought about, this had been so poorly planned.
"I'll take that deer in the headlights look as a no," she smiles at me knowingly. I sighed, finally relaxing into the seat next to her, it was something about that smile.
"No," I admitted, "I hadn't thought about it,"
"We could go to Red's?" she offered quietly, the name elicited thoughts of my mother and her shallow, vapid friends. They hated Red for whatever reason, so though I loved the food I hadn't been in years.
"Sure," I said cranking up the car, she took out her phone for a moment, texting someone, then put it away as I pulled off. All of a sudden my throat dry, for the first time I had no idea what to say, "I- uh, So is Red's like your hangout?" I cringed internally at my attempt at conversation, but Alex didn't seem to mind.
"Sometimes, yeah, I always know it'll be safe." her voice sounds wistful. It made me a little jealous, I waited for her to say more, but the car stayed silent.
"Do you know Red?" I asked tenderly, she'd been a mystery to me for a very long time, I couldn't but be curious.
"Yeah," she looked as if she was going to say something else, but thought better, of it. We rode in silence for awhile for some reason I didn't feel the need to fill it. A few moments later we arrived at Red's, it rode the line between our homes. It wasn't in the the safe, withdrawn, quiet cul-de-sacs, but it wasn't in the dirty, scary, streets of Alex's home. Neutral ground.
I opened the door for her "Welcome to Red's," I couldn't help wonder if she knew. The sight of Red greeted me as soon as I stepped inside. She took me into her arms, squeezing me, I hugged her back.
"My zaja, welcome home!" she whispers and pull back to look at me, taking me in. She finally notices Piper behind me. "Who is this?" She says releasing me.
"This is Piper a school friend." she nods. Her deep blue eyes flash something dangerous as she shakes Piper's hand. She leads us to booth where she can keep an eye on us and leaves us to decide on a meal, I think she could tell Piper was not quite just a friend.
Piper's silent for a moment, "She's kinda scary," she sounds almost like a small child. I almost laugh.
"She can be like that sometimes." Piper blushes, her bright blue eyes looking downwards. I feel the urge to pull her chin towards feel her lips on mine again, instead I talk, "Don't worry, she'll learn to love you." Her eyes me meet mine again, but Nicky interrupts us.
"Are you two ready to order?" I nodded ordering my usual, Piper orders a salad. I raise an eyebrow, but don't question it and we both order waters. "Alright ladies, I'll be back with your water," she winks and walks off.
"I wanted to thank you, for Friday," she blurts out suddenly, was she still thinking about that.
"What? It was nothing Pipes," I guess no one's looked out for her before, "What'd you do about Holly and uh the guy, Larry?" She chuckles at that.
"I haven't talked to them for awhile, they texted me a lot on Saturday," she paused a moment. "I haven't even read them."
"That's a good thing," I try to reassure, resisting the urge to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Have you told any of your other friends?" she shakes her head.
"I don't know who'd they'd side with, but I am planning revenge," she gets a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Oh I've got to know…"
