Chapter 3:
I get up off the mattress that shouldn't even be allowed to call itself that and grab my shower caddy. I walk to the shower and see Alex. She's drawing on her eyeliner with... a sharpie? That cannot be healthy for her eyelids. I turn my head and see Chang stop brushing her teeth with salt to look at her almost as shocked as I am.
"Hey Lesbian! Chemical in Sharpie make you go blind!" Chang says and goes back to her salty routine.
Alex glares and goes back to her routine.
"You know, she's actually right. It's basically just several types of alcohol and ethanol." I say to her.
Chang smiles at me and nods. Alex glares at me too.
"Chang, I'm genuinely curious. What the fuck does salt do for your teeth that is worth that?" I ask.
"Cleans and strengthens." she says.
"Seriously? That's fucking cool! I know that yappy chick is always going on about her natural remedies but you seem so humbled."
"Soso is my roommate. She's a lovely girl." she says.
She grabs her box of salt and walks away. I turn to Alex. She's brushing her teeth with toothpaste.
"I swear if you ask me what toothpaste does for my teeth I'm going to punch you." she says.
"Yikes. Why are you so cranky?"
"I don't know. Guess it just seems weird... Us hanging out with Piper wanting to know our every move."
"Did she say something to you?"
"No but Flaca has been watching us like a hawk. And she's basically Piper's little bitch. She does whatever Piper asks for a little extra cash to help her sick mom. It's fucked up."
"Well, so what if she does know?"
"It just makes me paranoid, okay?"
"Okay. I'll talk to her."
"Really?"
"Of course." I say, smiling at her.
"Look I really want to get to know you more. Do you maybe want to go see the movie tonight together?" she asks, blushing.
"I'd love to."
We both blush and laugh a little. I get into the shower before someone steals my spot. These showers are still filthy but much better than the ones in Max. At least there's no guard watching you and taking mental pictures for his jerk off session later. I get out and dry off my hair. Alex has left. I look at the clock and realize breakfast has just started. I throw on my clothes and as I'm walking out nearly run right into Piper.
"Chapman. Can we talk?" I ask.
"Um, sure. What?"
"Stop keeping tabs on me. And Alex."
"What I do is none of your business. Or did you forget what I'm capable of?"
"Oh! What you're capable of? You're just a whiney little white bitch who's been over privileged her entire life! You want to go up against someone who knows what it's like on the streets? I could make you hurt in places you didn't even know you could feel pain."
"I'm not scared of you, Stella. Or Alex. Or anyone. This place needs me. The inmates, they need me." she smiles.
I laugh quietly and look up to see her still smiling. The rage takes over my body and I punch her in the face as hard as I can. She falls to the ground and her mouth drops open. I kneel beside her.
"You. Are. Nothing. Leave me alone, leave Alex alone, and stop being such a manipulative little cunt to Flaca."
I get up and walk away. I walk to the library and only one guard stops me.
"I forgot my coat in the library the other day." I say as an excuse.
They let me through. I can tell by his eyes he's only letting me through because he doesn't think I'll do anything to risk getting thrown back in max. I walk into the library and find the fake wall. All of Chapman's money is still there. Did she really think no one else would look here? I grab it all and stuff it down my pants. I walk back past the guard and shrug as if to say "guess it's not there". I walk into the breakfast line. Morello walks up behind me.
"I heard there was a little fight between you and Chapman in the showers." she squeaks.
"Wow, things travel fast here." I say.
"Not really. I was in the showers. See? Wet hair." she laughs.
I get my tray and see Flaca. She looks both regretful and scared of me.
"Hey, Flaca? I really need to speak with you in private when you get a chance." I say.
"Oh... Okay." she looks terrified.
I give her a reassuring smile and grab my food and coffee. I go sit by Alex and Morello follows. Chang walks over and points to a spot by Morello.
"This spot taken?" she asks.
"Nope. Have a seat." I say before anyone else can tell her to go away.
I glance over and see Chapman looking like she's just seen her own death. So dramatic. Alex notices too. Morello laughs to herself.
"What happened to her?" Alex says.
"We got into a fight." I answer before Morello can.
"You and Piper? Over what?" she asks.
"You. Me. Her being on a power trip. Flaca. I think it was a much needed punch. I guess it technically wasn't a fight. More of, she got in my face and I punched her lights out." I say.
"You did that for me? Or us.. I guess?" she asks.
"Absolutely."
She looks shocked but happy that someone would defend her like that. Flaca walks up to me.
"You ready?" she asks.
"Yeah. Be right back, ladies. Don't fight about the harmful effects of Diet Coke while I'm gone." I say.
We walk to the freezer in the kitchen. She pulls me in and closes the door. I'm pleasantly surprised that her Latina Mother isn't here. In fact, no one is except us.
"Look, I'm really sorry. Chapman paid me to watch you and Alex. I didn't want to but my mom is real sick, you know?"
"Flaca, can I call you that?"
"No one asks, but I actually prefer Marisol."
"Marisol, I'm not mad at you. I understand the bad things a person can do when put in a situation like that. I hit Piper because she started all this. She manipulated you for her own personal gain. I have something for you." I say.
I pull out the money and hand it to her. Her mouth drops and she starts crying so hard I worry she might pass out.
"This is 2 grand..." she says.
"I know. I took it from Piper. You give that to your mother and don't ever let that controlling bitch make you do a damn thing ever again. Deal?"
"Deal. Thank you so much." she says, grabbing me and hugging me so tight I can hardly breathe.
"Now. We gotta get back out there before any CO's find us. Find the little yappy white boy guard who looks like he's never needed a razor. He's the one Piper uses. He can get the money to her." I smile.
We laugh and I help her wipe away her tears and look like she hasn't been crying. She stuffs the money down her pants. We walk out and go back to our normal daily lives as if nothing had happened.
