Hello! Thank you so much for your reviews/favorites/follows. This is my first fanfic so I am very flattered. English is not my first language so I bet there are tons of grammar mistakes and some sentences may not even make sense. I apologize in advance. As you can see from this chapter I have a very blurry storyline in my mind. But the first part of this chapter is what I've always imagined. It may take some time to finally get there. But I wanted to put a little bit here first. Please let me know if you think it is a bad idea. And if you have any suggestions/advice, please also let me know. I know I'm really not a good writer but I'd really want to give it a try. Because I love love love Vauseman. I want to give them what I think they deserve. And again, thank you so much for your support.

Chapter 3

Time: 10 years later.

Dear Piper,

I still remember that day when the sun just started to raise; the rain started to fall; and you walked away.

When I said goodbye to you, I didn't know it was actually our last goodbye. I didn't know when you said goodbye, you meant forever.

You once told me you that want to marry me; you want to have kids with me; you want to build me a house; and you want to die when you are 100 years old in my arms. You told me that you are going to grow old with you. I didn't know that all of these were merely our wishful thinking.

You didn't tell me that you were leaving me that day. You didn't give me a chance to beg you to stay. You didn't call and you didn't answer your call. All you left me was a note that wrote "Goodbye, Alex".

And then I ran away from New York. I started to learn how to live without you. And I started to believe that it's actually a good thing that you left. Because I don't need to worry that you'll leave me one day.

I never came back until today. This is my first time back in New York in 5 years. When you were here Piper, you were everything. And when you weren't, everything became you. I thought I am over you. But when I walked on the road that we walked together before, I suddenly miss you. I imagine how lonely you were when I was not with you. I sat in the café on the street corner and wondered if you would suddenly show up. And I'd give you the warmest smile.

I pretend that our story is not important, you are not important, and then I realize I couldn't. Sometimes I could actually see you, and then I realized that I was dreaming, and I'd beg that I would never wake up.

Dear Piper, how much do I want to see you again. I would not mention our past. I'd just say hi to you, and tell you, oh Pipes, long time no see.

This is our 500th diary. We wrote exchange diaries to each other since my first week in college. And we kept this tradition for 5 years. This is our 8th diary book. And I carried them with me all over the world these years.

Current time.

Piper had an operations management class on Wednesday. Ugh, this Larry guy sat next to her again. Even though Piper enjoyed MBA classes, sometimes she just couldn't stand some of her classmates. Like this Larry guy, who worked for Goldman Sachs for 4 years before came here and whenever he spoke in class he'd start with "well based on my experiences on Wall Street…" Bankers are all wankers.

And unfortunately, Larry has been obsessed with Piper since day one.

"Hey Pipes, how was your summer? Did you enjoy New York? When I worked on Wall Street, I'd always go to all these crazy exotic restaurants after a 14-hour shift." Larry asked Piper as soon as he caught the seat next to Piper.

Piper didn't answer because Alex appeared in her mind as soon as Larry said Pipes. She had no idea what Larry said. She calls her Pipes. Piper smiled. You only smile like that when you feel love.

Larry didn't continue. He saw sparkles in Piper's eyes. Unfortunately, he thought he caused that.

In the meantime, Alex was taking Microeconomics with Nicky. They were a hit at last night's frat party. It was their intention. The business was officially established. Alex was taking notes while Nicky was suffering an awful hangover. Alex loves to read and she was a straight A student in high school. She even got a perfect score on SAT. Nicky, on the other hand, got accepted mainly because her parents are alums and so are her grandparents.

Yes, Alex is a good student. And she is an even better dealer. Who says you can't be good at both?

Thursday finally came.

Alex sat on the first raw this time. She wanted to be closer. Piper intentionally moved to the other side of the class. She somehow couldn't concentration when Alex was sitting right in front of her.

"Welcome back," Piper started, "So in today's class we are going to have our first presentation. It is not graded. And the reason for this individual presentation is for me to learn more about you. I've decided not to let yourselves or the automatic system to pick your teammates for your group presentations. I will give out your group number and members base on this presentation."

"So, all of you will become business professionals in the future," Piper continued, "And one of the questions you will be expected during your interviews is 'what is your greatest strength'. I'd like you to come up to the front and share your answers with the class. No need to be nervous at all. Just consider this as a casual conversation with friends. I'll give you 5 mins to prepare. And we'll start from the last raw this time."

Piper went back to her seat. She didn't know why she wanted to keep Alex last.

"So shall we start with Lorna?" Piper said after 5 mins' up.

The cute short girl with red lipstick went up. "My greatest strength is that I am full of love. People always wanted to pursue a crazy love adventure after they talk to me."

The Taystee girl said her greatest strength is her aptitude for rote memorization. She saw something once and she got it down.

Flaca said she's almost never late (She was late today).

And then Nicky said she has an exceptional math skill ($20 bucks for a bag ain't really rocket science).

Poussey said she's passionate.

And Brook Soso said she's great at communication.

…

Finally, it was Alex's turn.

"I would do whatever it takes to get what I want. When I am in, I am all in. I can't stop and I won't stop until I get it. I don't care if I'd get hurt." Alex looked straightly to Piper as she spoke.

Piper Chapman didn't understand why, but just at that second, she was in love.

The class was over. Piper told them that she would email them their group members before the next class and reminded them not to forget the reading assignment.

Piper left the room when the classroom was empty. She went to her locker before heading back to the office. An orange notebook was waiting for her. She immediately opened it:

Wednesday, September 10.

Dear Piper,

I like to write diaries. But this is the first time I am writing to someone other than myself. I had a great day today. I had Microecon in the morning and Biology 101 in the afternoon. Nicky and I went to the dinning room on campus for the first time today. We could barely walk when we got out. I'd kill myself if freshman 15 happens on me.

And I know I will be happier tomorrow because I will see you again at 9.

I'd like to start an exchange diary with you. I will put this diary book in your locker every Thursday after class. And I will be expecting it in mine on Tuesdays before class. Write anything you wish. Tell me about your week. Tell me anything. I'd like to know everything there is to know about you.

I'm starting off a short one. I will write more next time.

Do not undress yourself without locking the door again.

Love,

Alex

Piper started to sing in her head.