CHAPTER 4 – A Secret Text

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep

"Arghhh, shut the fuck up" Alex exclaimed as her right hand smashed against the top of her alarm clock.

It was 6:30 on Friday morning. The last day of Alex's first week as a Professor at Litchfield University and what a great week it had been. Although, it still didn't make it any easier for Alex to get out of bed in the morning. She wanted to be asleep so she could dream. She could dream about what she wanted her life to be, the happiness that she could experience and all the things she could see and do. Waking up was never easy. It brought with it a harsh realisation that her life wasn't a dream. It was just a life. A normal life. No one could live their dream life and Alex accepted that she had to go through the same shit as everyone else. The perfect life didn't exist. This week brought new experiences for Alex, however, and for the first time in her life, she felt her dreams and her reality grow much closer together.

"Where the hell is my phone?" Alex asked herself as she rubbed her eyes and searched for her glasses. Her question was answered as she stood up and heard a loud thud on the floor.

'Shit' Alex thought as she picked her phone up inspecting it for any damage.

For a split second, Alex thought it had been a dream… A good dream… A great dream infact, but a dream nonetheless. The smile on her face illustrated her delight when she checked her messages and realised it hadn't been a dream, this was real. This was her life. Piper had texted her. She read the text over and over and over again – feeling the same drop in her stomach every time.

Piper: Hey Alex. I just wanted to say thanks again for your help this morning, I feel much more confident with my paper now. Hopefully see you tomorrow. Piper.

As happy as Alex was to receive Piper's text message, she wasn't sure what to make of it. This didn't mean Piper liked her, regardless of how much Alex wished it was.

Alex had fallen asleep with her phone on her chest, struggling to find the words to reply to her student. She was unsure if she should reply. She knew she had to take her Mom's advice and stepping over the line wasn't an option. But she wanted to talk to her student, so she decided to send a reply. She would keep it formal, professional, student and teacher like regardless of what thoughts were racing through her mind. She picked up her phone and typed.

Alex: Hey Piper. Nice to hear from you. I'm around campus all day, so come and see me if you need any more guidance with the paper. A.

Alex sent the text quickly, she barely gave it any thought. She didn't want to overthink this, she had to go with what she felt was right. She launched her phone on to the bed and dived into the shower.

As Alex felt the hot water cover her body, she done everything she could to ignore the thoughts that were repeating themselves in her head. The thoughts that wished Piper was in the shower with her. 'Enough. This is inappropriate' Alex thought to herself as she quickly turned off the water and stepped out into the cold air, goose pimples immediately covering her entire body.

Alex done everything she could to get Piper out of her head and it worked… for a while at least. However, as she stood in her kitchen eating her cereal, her mind quickly made its way back to her student. She wondered if Piper had replied to her text. Just as she was about to make her way into the bedroom and check her phone, Alex stopped herself. She wouldn't do this. She wouldn't check her phone obsessively. She wouldn't be that woman. She wasn't that woman. Alex had never chased anyone in her life. Woman came to her and she liked it that way. She knew that if she put herself out there and cared too much, she would get hurt. So, she avoided it. This time it was different, it felt worth the risk.

She checked her phone: no new text messages. She promised herself she wouldn't check her phone for the rest of the day, she'd only look at it if it vibrated.

Alex had no classes this morning, she was only teaching in the afternoon, but she threw on her leather jacket, grabbed her helmet and headed out the door anyway. If she was at the University she could do some work and she wouldn't have as much time to think – that had to be a good thing.

"Piper? Piper, are you awake?"

Piper could hear her boyfriend wake her as he sat at the bottom of the bed. She must've fallen asleep early. The last thing she remembered was texting Alex and immediately regretting it. She knew she shouldn't have done it. Alex had specifically asked her to call if she wanted help with her paper. She didn't ask her to text and Piper regretted being so bold.

"Hey..." Larry said looking at Piper as she slowly woke up to the world.

She sat up in bed with her knees pushed up to her chest and her arms around her legs.

"Hey. Larry, listen, I'm sorry I was a bitch last night. I just really wasn't in the mood and…"

"Piper, stop…" Larry interrupted "…It's ok. You have nothing to apologise for. I should've listened to you when you said you were sick. Are you feeling better?"

"Much"

"Good. I gotta go, I have an early meeting with the publisher. I'll call you later, ok?" Larry said as he kissed Piper's knee.

He stopped in the doorway and looked back at his tired girlfriend.

"I love you, Piper"

Piper smiled in return, no sound came from her mouth.

Piper relaxed back in her boyfriend's bed. It was only 9am and she didn't have a class until 2pm this afternoon so she took advantage of the rare free time she had. She tried to process what had happened last night, why she couldn't make love to her boyfriend. Excuses would only last so long and Larry would soon realise something wasn't right. She knew what the problem was – Alex. Only Piper didn't see Alex as being a problem, she didn't want to. Alex was what had made Piper so happy this week, and she couldn't give up on that. The thought of Alex made Piper pick her phone up off the nightstand. The happiness that came over her when she saw Alex had replied to her message was unlike any emotion she had ever experienced with Larry. Slightly shaky, she managed to open the message and read it clearly.

Alex: Hey, Piper. Nice to hear from you. I'm around campus all day, so come and see me if you need any more guidance with the paper. A.

Piper couldn't believe her Professor had replied. Maybe texting wasn't such a bad idea after all. She knew she should've trusted her instincts. Piper decided to text Alex back. She thought for a few minutes before her fingertips met the keyboard.

Piper: I will, thanks. I won't be around until later this afternoon. I'm currently making the most of the morning lying in bed.

Not expecting to hear back from Alex, Piper was startled when her phone vibrated less than a minute later.

Alex: Wow. I'm pretty jealous, kid. I'm just staring at the 4 walls of my dull office…exciting, right?

Piper: Very. Shame we couldn't swap places.

Alex: True. But then you'd be in my office bored looking at the walls. Good thinking, Piper.

Piper: Yeah you're right. Will you be around this afternoon, around 4ish? I could come see you after my class.

Alex: Yeah I'll be here. Something you need help with?

Piper: Nothing in particular. Maybe we could go through my paper again? I really want to make sure it's 100%.

Alex: It's pretty perfect already.

Piper: Oh, okay, that's cool.

Alex: Piper, was there anything else you needed help with?

Piper: No, nothing. I just like hanging out with you. You're probably the coolest Professor I have…

Alex: Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment!

Piper: It was meant as such.

Alex: You're a pretty cool student too… when you turn up on time ;)

Piper: Thanks. I guess we work pretty well together then.

Alex: Yeah, I guess so...

Piper: Listen, I'm really sorry if I was being awkward the other day. All the staring and stuff…I didn't mean anything by it and I don't want you to think I'm weird.

Alex: Relax, kid. I don't think you're weird. I was flattered actually.

Piper: Oh, cool. Well I really enjoyed staring at you… as weird as that sounds.

Alex: Thanks… I guess. And that does sound kind of weird...

Piper: I meant what I said though. I appreciate an attractive face when I see one, and you're really beautiful.

Alex: Thanks, Piper. But I'm your teacher, you shouldn't really be looking at me that way.

Piper: I know. But you're only my teacher for a couple weeks.

Alex: It doesn't matter. I could get fired if anyone found out we were even texting never mind anything else.

Piper: I'm not going to tell anyone, Alex. It can be our little secret.

Alex: And how do I know I can trust you?

Piper: I guess you don't. But at least let me try and prove it to you?

Alex: Ok… Don't let me down, kid.

Piper: I won't. I'm really looking forward to seeing you later today.

Alex: I'm looking forward to seeing you too.

Piper: You know, I haven't told anyone this but I haven't been able to get you out of my mind all week.

Alex: I know the feeling. I've been thinking about you a lot too.

Piper: What have you been thinking about?

Alex: I was thinking that I'd been wasting my time over you. I didn't think you were interested…

Piper: You were so wrong.

Alex: And I'm glad I was. I got to go, Piper, I'm leading a study group in a few minutes. I'll see you this afternoon.

Piper: Can't wait.

Piper was sure her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She couldn't believe she had been so bold when texting her Professor but, Alex was replying. They were actually talking outside of school and Alex had pretty much admitted that she was into Piper too. This was all too much information for Piper to take in and it was way too early to process any of it. She moved on to her side and turned to face the window. She replayed their text conversation over and over and over again in her head before drifting back off into a peaceful and content sleep.

A mix of emotions surged through Alex's mind. As she leaned back in her leather desk chair, she tried to put her thoughts into order.

Guilt. She shouldn't have texted Piper, they shouldn't be speaking on a personal basis and they certainly shouldn't be conversing over their mutual admiration for each other. Alex had been given this placement despite her lack of credentials or experience. Professor Hastings took a chance on her and gave her a shot at this but now she was about to throw the opportunity back in his face by getting involved with a student? She couldn't do that. She couldn't let the Professor down.

Confusion. Alex didn't know how to play this. She had always been the master of handling things completely wrong. But she couldn't be wrong about this, she had to play it right to avoid getting both her and Piper into trouble.

Delight. Piper was into Alex, she had pretty much admitted it. All the thoughts and questions that had been stuck in Alex's head for the past few days had now been answered. Yes, Piper liked her. Yes, Piper had been thinking about her. Yes, Piper wanted to see her. This was by far Alex's favourite emotion and it made all the others seem completely irrelevant. She felt happiness as well as relief. Relief that her time hadn't been wasted. All the time she put in to thinking about Piper had been reciprocated. Why should their relationship stop with just thoughts?

Alex couldn't dwell on these thoughts for long. She grabbed the many folders and study material on her desk and made her way to her group. She had a job to do and for the next hour at least, Piper would have to wait.

"This has been incredibly helpful Professor Vause, you really know your stuff!"

"Anytime, Adam" Alex said as the students from her study group gathered their things and made their way back down the busy halls.

Alex loved teaching. She loved playing such a big part in someone's life. She also loved celebrating with her students when they passed their exams and had graduated. Being able to profoundly impact someone's life in such a positive way is what made Alex want to do this job.

The teachers Alex had growing up were the inspiration behind Alex's career choice. They provided her with help, support and encouragement when she was severely lacking in all three. There were times when Alex would rely on some of her teachers for advice and she was incredibly appreciative of the time and effort they put in to helping her even if it only involved listening. Alex was reluctant to go to her Mom for advice growing up. She didn't want to make her own problems her Mom's problems too. Especially when her Mom had enough problems of her own to deal with. So she relied on her teachers, and they were always there. Even though Alex's students were much older, she still sought to provide the same level of assistance and inspiration.

Alex exited the glass doors of the library and made her way down the spiral staircase.

"Hey Professor Vause" a voice amongst a crown called out.

"Hi Bennett"

"Afternoon, Professor"

"Hi, George" Alex replied to her students greetings.

The halls were crowded and Alex had to push through a number of students to finally reach the Marketing wing of the building. As she made her way through the brown swing doors, she quickly glanced to her right into Professor Hastings office. The professor was leaning back in his chair with his head in his hands. Alex wasn't sure what to do in this situation. She wanted to walk on, back to her office and pretend like she hadn't noticed the professor. His problems weren't Alex's business after all. But, the voice in her head told her to do the opposite. The voice that told her to be a good colleague and play by the rules told her to check on the Professor. So she done the right thing.

Professor Hastings door was open. She stood in the doorway for a few seconds before knocking. The Professor hadn't even noticed her, seemingly in his own world oblivious to everything around him. Alex knew that feeling. Eventually, she knocked on the door.

Nothing. The Professor didn't move.

"Professor Hastings?"

Finally. Movement. The man removed his head from his hands and looked at the brunette, forcing a smile on to his face as he done so.

"Professor Hastings, is everything ok?" Alex enquired.

"No, Alex. It's not. Come in and close the door." Alex followed the professor's instructions and took a seat across the desk, facing the white haired man.

"I have a bit of a problem on my hands" Alex could hear the worry in the Professors voice.

"Oh. Anything I can help with?"

"I don't think so Alex"

Alex looked at the Professor. She wasn't sure why she was here. If she couldn't help with whatever problem the Professor was dealing with, why had he invited her into his office?

Before Alex could question him, the Professor continued.

"You see Alex, we have rules here. Rules for both students and staff alike…"

"I understand" she nodded in agreement.

"Unfortunately one of our staff has broken these rules. I found out earlier today that Professor James has been romantically involved with one of his students."

"Oh" Alex's heart sunk. She looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact with Professor Hastings at all costs.

"Unfortunately this is something that we take extremely seriously here at Litchfield and I've no other option but to let him go."

Alex couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew the University would take this issue seriously but Professor Hasting was acting like this was the end of the world. Alex had to know more. She had to know if she and Piper constituted a 'romantic relationship'.

"How did you find out? Were they involved for a long time?" Alex asked, trying not to sound overly keen to find out this information.

The professor sighed.

"As far as we are aware, they had been involved with each other for about a month. One of the students in Professor James' class noticed that he and the student in question had been spending a lot of time together. We looked in to it and found out they had been exchanging multiple email messages a day. Once we had read the content of the messages, we had all the evidence we needed."

"Wow. That's… crazy." Alex replied, sure that her heart beat could be heard from across the desk.

"It is that. It seems like it doesn't matter what age you are, some people are still unable to obey the rules." The Professor sighed to Alex.

"Yeah it seems that way. Thanks for telling me. I have to go. I have a meeting with a student." Alex said, desperate to escape the room as quickly as possible.

"No problem, Miss Vause. Thank you for listening. I've arranged a staff meeting for 4:15pm today to discuss the day's events. See you there."

Alex nodded and made her way out of Professor Hastings office.

She leaned against the cold tiled wall outside the professor's office breathing heavily, her heart racing. The panic had set in and she was struggling to control it. She had barely gone near Piper but she could already be in trouble. What if they could read her text messages, she could be fired. She attempted to control her breathing and rationalise the situation. She had to stop things with Piper. She couldn't risk her future. As she tried to relax and calm down, the swing doors opened and a familiar figure approached.

"Hi, Professor" Piper said, smiling directly at the brunette.

"Hi, Piper" Alex replied.

"I have a study session just now but are we still on for later?" Piper asked, catching Alex off guard.

Alex put her index finger to her mouth and pointed into Professor Hastings office, signalling to Piper that the Professor was inside and might hear them.

Piper put her hand to her mouth, a small laugh escaping her lips before mouthing 'Sorry' to Alex.

Alex got out her notepad, scribbled something and handed it to Piper. Before she could watch Piper read the note, she turned on her heal and made her way back to her office.

Piper watched her Professor leave. She struggled not to. As soon as Alex was out of sight, Piper opened the folded note she had been handed.

'My office. 4pm.'

Piper smiled, put the note in her pocket and made her way to the library already wishing it was 4pm.

The feeling of deja vu was overwhelming and Piper was experiencing the same feelings that she had been a few days earlier. She was stood outside Alex's office. Her watch read 3:55pm but she wouldn't knock on the door until 4pm exactly. She could barely wait a second longer to see her favourite professor but she didn't want to seem overly keen. She didn't want to scare Alex off.

Her heart was racing and small beads of sweat started to appear on her forehead. Her hands were clammy and her breathing shallow. She had butterflies in her stomach and felt like she could vomit at any second. No one else had ever had this effect on her. This was all new for Piper and she was experiencing emotions she never knew she had.

She thought about Alex and their 'relationship.' She referred to it as a relationship because there was no other word for it. They weren't in a relationship. Piper was in a relationship with someone else. Larry. Larry was her boyfriend. Being in a relationship with him was easy. It wasn't dangerous and they didn't have to worry about being caught. Alex was just someone who liked Piper. That was all it was. There was no relationship, they had barely even touched never mind done anything else. But for Piper, Alex was inevitable. She knew it would go further. It would happen whether she wanted it to or not. She did want it. She was falling hard for Alex.

4pm.

Piper reached out and knocked the door. Within seconds, the all too familiar "Come in" sounded from within the office.

Piper stepped inside and closed the door. Alex wasn't at her desk, Piper quickly looked around the room before Alex made herself known.

"I'm over here, kid" Alex laughed, from the couch in the corner.

"Oh, hey. I didn't see you" Piper said nervously as she walked over to the couch and sat next to Alex.

"Right on time. Crazy how much things can change in just a couple days" Alex smiled.

Piper returned Alex's natural smile.

"So, listen. I have to talk to you" Alex said, as she pushed her glasses up into her hair.

Piper noticed the quick change in Alex's emotions.

"Ok…" Piper said wearily.

"We can't do this anymore. It has to end. I'm sorry"

Piper looked at Alex who was now staring at the floor.

"Alex, I told you, you can trust me" Piper leaned over and placed her hand on Alex's knee. She surprised herself with this. She was always so nervous around Alex, intimidated almost. But now, with the more time they spent together, she was feeling much more comfortable with the professor.

Alex looked at Piper's hand before turning her gaze to the blonde's face, a soft smile emerging.

"I know I can, Piper. I trust you completely. That's not the issue." Alex sighed.

"Then what is the issue?" Piper enquired, removing her hand from Alex's knee.

"I'm just terrified we might get caught. Professor James got fired today for fooling around with one of his students. I can't risk my job. My future relies on a successful placement here and I know your future relies on you graduating. I might lose my job and you might be expelled if we get caught. I can't risk it."

Piper knew that Alex was right. She had worked so hard over the past few years and she couldn't throw it all away now over a crush that would probably disappear as quickly as it appeared and as much as she wanted Alex, right here, right now, on this couch, she knew what the right thing to do was.

"You're right…" Piper replied. "…As much as I wish you weren't."

Both smiled.

"I'm sorry, Pipes. I really do like you but we need to keep it platonic…for now anyway"

Piper smiled at Alex's use of Pipes. Usually she hated it when people shortened her name but with most other things recently, Alex had changed her opinion.

"I really like you too, Alex. How long are you here for again?"

"3 weeks."

"So I guess this will be the longest 3 weeks of my life?"

"Yeah I guess so" Alex laughed.

Alex looked at Piper for a few seconds before leaning over and tucking a strand of Piper's hair behind her ear.

"Hopefully we…" Alex was cut off by the loud sound of her desk phone ringing "…Sorry, one sec" She said as she got up to answer the phone.

Piper knew she had to get through these next 3 weeks. She had to focus only on her University work and getting her degree. Alex had to take a back seat.

She overheard Alex's side of the phone call.

"Yes Professor Hastings, I'll be right there"

"SHIT!" She said as she slammed the phone down and quickly grabbed her belongings.

"Everything okay?" Piper enquired as she stood from the couch.

"Not really. I'm supposed to be in a staff meeting that started 10 minutes ago. I must be taking tips from you Chapman"

"Are the jokes about my lateness ever going to stop?"

"Probably not" Alex laughed before continuing "…I better go kid. Meet me here at 8am on Monday morning if you want to run through your paper. Have a nice weekend. Don't get into too much trouble!"

Before Piper could reply, Alex was already out of the door and halfway down the hall.

Piper closed the office door behind her and made her way down the corridor. She thought about what Alex had said and she knew she was right. They couldn't risk their future. It was as simple as that. Yet already, she was looking forward to Monday.

"So sorry I'm late. I had a meeting with a student that ran on longer than planned." Alex said as she finally arrived at Professor Hastings office.

"That's ok, Alex. Please take a seat. We were just discussing student/teacher boundaries."

Alex took her seat and listened to Professor Hastings explain the rules on personal relationships with students. She was trying her absolute best to concentrate but found her mind constantly drifting to the blonde who was just in her office. As if reading her mind, her phone vibrated with a text from Piper.

Piper: Sorry if I got you in trouble. See you Monday Alex ;)

Alex tried but failed to hide the smile on her face.

Thank you so much for your reviews! They really motivate me to write more xo