"I'm so sorry for calling Polly, but I didn't know what else to do." Piper stood on the doorstep of Polly's home, her bags in hand. Polly had told her to come over immediately, and although they were best friends, Piper couldn't help but think that she was getting in the way.
"Don't even think of apologizing for that asshole." Polly said, pulling Piper inside. "Jesus Christ, what did he do this time?" She dragged her into the living room and took her bags from her, setting them down by the kitchen table.
Piper brought her hand up to her cheek, wincing at the burning sensation that was still present on her face. "I told him that we needed to talk about what happened the other night. He said he was totally fine with it but as soon as I brought it up I could tell he was getting angry. 'The drink' was his excuse, but I was tired of taking his shit Poll. So I told him what I thought of him, I told him that alcohol wasn't the only reason he was a violent man. He just cant control his temper, and he won't admit that he's in the wrong."
Piper shut her eyes tightly, trying not to cry as she thought of how he had attacked her. She couldn't believe that it was real.
"He just flipped. I tried to get away from him and he grabbed hold of me and shoved me into the kitchen counter. I told him to get off me Polly but he wouldn't, he just wouldn't let go. And he slapped me across the face as hard as he could, I had to put up a fight before he finally let go of me. He tried to apologize as soon as he let me go but I don't believe him. I don't believe him anymore. When I left to get into the car, he didn't even follow me. He doesn't give a shit about me. What did I do to deserve it? I'm scared of him Polly, so fucking terrified."
Polly held Piper and stroked her hair as she cried quietly. Larry had broken her.
Alex jumped up, her breathing was heavy and her t shirt was covered in sweat. She'd had another nightmare. The same nightmare she'd been having a lot. Kubra and his men were after her, they had raided her apartment and trashed the place. She had to take Kenzi and run, they had to try and get away from him. And no matter how much she struggled and fought, the ending of the dream was always the same. They caught Alex and took Kenzi away from her.
Kenzi.
Alex turned around and was relieved to see her little girl in the bed next to her. She was sprawled out and her teddy, Chip was laying on the bed in between Alex and Kenzi. Relieved that her daughter was safe, she got up and went into the kitchen to make herself coffee. It was just after 11 and usually, Kenzi was awake by now. But they hadn't gone to bed until late, and Kenzi had worn herself out playing with Piper. Even when she tried not to think about her, she was still in the back of her mind. She wondered what Piper was doing. Probably at work by now.
Once she'd made coffee, she took it back to the bedroom and sat down on the bed. Kenzi stirred slightly and rolled over, wrapping her arms around the toy. Alex smiled.
She picked up her phone and decided to text Piper.
'Hey, I know you're probably at work now but I hope you have a nice day. I enjoyed last night, and I hope you did too. Kenzi's worn herself out, can you believe she's still asleep? Call me later if you aren't too busy.'
Piper's phone buzzed. It was Alex. 'I hope you have a nice day.' It was nice to know that Alex was thinking of her, and that she cared. She checked the time on her phone and smiled when she read that Kenzi was still asleep. The poor little girl must have been tired from last night.
She thought about messaging Alex to tell her what had happened, but she stopped herself. She wasn't Alex's problem, and she didn't want to worry her. And besides, she wasn't even sure if they were 'friends'. They hadn't really spoken about the subject much. God she wanted to see her so badly.
"Piper?" Polly called out.
"In here." She replied.
Polly walked into the living room and chucked her bag down onto the seat by the window.
"Why aren't you at work?" Piper asked.
"I shut the shop for the day. I couldn't leave you here on your own, what if Larry came round? You aren't fit to talk to him, and I don't want him bothering you." She sat down and pulled Piper into a hug.
"You didn't have to do that! I'll be fine as long as I'm here. Even if he did come round, I wouldn't let him in."
Polly pulled away slightly and gave Piper the 'don't bullshit me' look. She knew for a fact that if Larry came round, Piper would cave in and let him into the house.
"What?!" Piper shouted, her voice slightly higher than usual.
"We both know you'd let him in here, you gotta stop falling for his lies Pipes!"
"I know. But I love him."
"I know you do. But you have to stand up for yourself, you can't keep letting him throw you around. What happens if I let you go back to him? He won't change, I know his type. They make promises and don't stick to them - all he cares about is himself. It will be hard for you, and I expect that you already know that. But you have to leave him. This has gone on for too long. Me and Pete are here for you every step of the way, but only you have the power to stand up for yourself."
Piper knew that everything Polly had said was right. Larry had been promising to change for a long time, but so far he hadn't done anything about it. She didn't want a violent relationship, she wanted someone who she could tell everything to without living in fear of being hurt and thrown around like a doll. Right now, she didn't even have the strength to think about him, let alone think of what she could say to end their relationship.
It was late the next night when Piper realised that she needed Alex. This whole thing with Larry was tearing her apart. He had been at the house all morning, banging on the door and shouting at her through the letterbox. Piper was terrified, he was like an animal. There was no stopping him. She had hid upstairs in Finn's room, and waited until Larry left. Telling Polly to go back to work was a decision she had regretted greatly.
"Alex?" Piper whispered into her phone, trying to wipe away her tears with her other hand." The corner of her eyes were red and raw from crying.
"Piper? And you okay? It's 3am. What's going on?" Alex's voice was even deeper than usual, and Piper instantly felt bad for wakening her.
Shit. Piper had spent so much time crying that she hadn't realised how late it actually was.
"I need you Alex. I need to see you."
"Pipes..are you crying?"
Piper had gone for a walk, she needed some air. But thoughts of Larry had swallowed her and she was finding herself unable to breathe properly from the panic attack she was having. There was no other option but to call Alex, she was the only person who could calm her down.
"Where are you? Are you at home?" Alex asked her.
"I..I'm on the Brooklyn Waterfront."
"Fuck, what are you doing Piper? It's the middle of the night. Stay there, I'm coming to find you."
She hung up and pulled her knees close to her chest as she sat on the bench. Piper wanted to be strong, but she had caved. She caved whenever Alex was around. It was cold, and the only thing Piper could see in front of her was her breath. She didn't even remember leaving the house, it was as though she had just appeared out here in the city. Her head was filled with Larry, and all of the things he had done to her. From the times when he had hurt her to the previous night when they'd had sex. She was disgusted with herself. Why had she gave herself to him? It wasn't what she wanted, the thoughts of his hands on her body repulsed her.
She felt sick. His fingerprints remained on her skin, it made her cringe. She got to her feet and threw up on the grass behind her. Her throat burned and the taste in her mouth made her sick again. What was happening to her? Larry was ruining her.
"Piper?" A voice called out.
Piper lifted her head and saw a figure hurrying towards her. It was Alex.
"What's wrong? Piper?" She was worried.
Alex pulled Piper into her arms and held her tightly. As soon as she felt Alex's touch, she broke down and began to cry. Alex's hand rested on the back of Pipers head, the other on the bottom of her back.
"Shh. Hey, don't cry. Tell me what's wrong. I'm here, nobodys gonna hurt you."
Alex's scent was calming and the warmth of her body made her feel like she was home again. Everything that came out of Pipers mouth made no sense and the crying made it hard for her to talk. If this was Larry she was talking to, he would've got angry and demanded that she talk to him. But not Alex. Alex didn't say a word, she stayed quiet. And she held onto Piper tightly, fearing that she would disappear if she was to let go.
