Chapter 6:

I was in my office when I hung up the phone. I had to step away from Poussey. I couldn't let anyone see that she was still effecting me this way. I cried. Alex had told me she was getting out and wanted to see me. She wanted to be somewhere she felt safe. She explained that the reason why she acts out sometimes is because she felt neglected and left out often all of her life. I had told her to come visit me, but when she told me she would, my heart dropped. What had I just offered? I would have to be her halfway home until she could afford living on her own.

I walked back out to explain to Poussey but we were already packed so I just turned on the usual stoner radio and grabbed my food from Soso. I talked to a few people in line, handed out a few 10% off coupons and went back to my office. My phone rang again. It was a number I didn't know but I answered anyways assuming it was the prison rejecting my offer to Alex.

"Um, hi, is Stella there? Stella Carlin?"

"Yes, this is she."

"Hi, its Piper..."

"Piper? Oh my God. It's so good to here from you. How did you find my number?"

"Well, you sent me a letter on the back of your cable bill. By the way, you need to stop watching so many Ronda Roussey Pay-Per-Views, they're running you a fortune."

We both laughed and caught up. I apologized and so did she. Once we were off the phone I felt the need to tell my newest best friend, Pennsatucky. I mean, it wasn't like I had much else to do. There was no way I dare go out while our gift boxes were selling faster than Bieber tickets. I called her up and my heart melted hearing the adorable squeaky girl I'd come to know and love.

"Piper and I just made up." I said.

"What? Shut your mouth! That's awesome! I'm getting out next month, turns out when you're pregnant and Christian the church throws a fit till you get out." she laughed.

"Well, you could always visit me. And soon to be Alex."

"Nah I don't fuck with drugs anymore. I heard this monkey like almost died from eating a bag of weed once."

I shook my head and wondered how this girl had made it in the world. She gushed over her wedding and I gushed over how great it felt to finally have my life on track. I hung up and checked the clock. I had an email from Poussey saying they sold out and she had went on her break. I heard the door close and she came back in. I met her outside my office door. We swapped stories of our day and then she said something that stuck with me forever.

"Isn't it crazy? How we could do some of the worst things we've ever done and find some of the best people? It's crazy how love really does make the world go round. Your mindset and perspective, that's all you got at the end of the day."

I looked at her and realized she was absolutely right, and it was time to fix things.

3 weeks later.

I picked Alex up from the airport last night. We had just woke up and met Soso and Poussey for brunch. We all caught up and Alex had already found a job at a boutique here. I offered her a job through my company, but she didn't want her entire resume to be drug-related. Alex and I had finally made up and we were taking things slow but actually bonding. Piper visited once in a while with Larry, her husband now. And we all lived happily ever after... Just kidding. But we did really turn our lives around. Alex and I got married 3 years later and adopted 3 children, Maya, Hayley, and Greta. They have play dates with Star, Poussey and Soso's child, and Emma, Piper and Larry's child.

Everyone's lives kinda worked out. And even though at times it may feel like an episode of Friends, I couldn't be happier.