CHAPTER 8

0800 and Piper was walking back into Litchfield which she didn't entirely feel so bad about. Having made up with Alex, attended her grandmother's funeral and had finally finished things with Larry, she was feeling quite content. Her thoughts fell on the Jewish man as she re-entered the prison. It was him after all who was with her last time she'd stepped through the doors. She wasn't sure how to feel entirely about Larry anymore, she cared for him and certainly loved him but to have them be finished after all those years together was still a little raw. Piper knew it was all her fault to begin with but knowing he'd moved on to sleep with someone so quickly was far more damaging than she'd expected. Was he trying to make a point in hurting her like she'd done to him? He'd admitted to sleeping with someone she knew and despite asking not to know the name of such person, it now deeply bugged her. For some reason it didn't entirely feel finished between them which was absurd to admit given her confession of love for Alex. She was choosing Alex now but part of her still held onto Larry and she didn't know why. Yes he had so many qualities that made him the perfect man, he was kind, safe and probably the better choice however Piper knew she'd never love him like she loved Alex. Alex was a different type of love, she wasn't sure love could even be the best description when it came to how she felt about Alex. Either way Piper couldn't help but shake an odd feeling that something wasn't quite right as she walked back into the prison. Perhaps it was Larry or his unknown bedfellow or maybe the fact that she'd have to lie to Red about her cafe. Piper had definitely convinced herself not to worry about Alex skipping town anytime soon, after spending the whole night thinking she confidently felt like she could bet all her commissary money on receiving a visit from the tall brunette the following weekend. Altogether furlough had been an interesting experience, unsure whether to deem it a success or not, Piper was surprised how homely prison was beginning to feel as she walked back in. On a normal days she hated this place but right now there was an unexpectedly peacefulness. The sensation was odd and confused Piper, technically she'd have given anything to be out of the cold confines but now there was a strange warmth and comfort.


Back in her khakis, Piper made her way back to her dorm where she found Red relaxing on her bunk reading. "Arh the traveler returns," she announced in her slight Russian accent. "How was it? Did you visit the shop?" Putting her book down as Piper made her way onto her own bed,

"I did!" she smiled, Piper had rehearsed this bit, she was sure the real news was of no benefit to Red so what was the point in bringing her down. "It was amazing!" lied Piper pretending to reminisce. Red moved her glassed onto her head and simply beamed at Piper. "The line was out the door, so many people I'm surprised I even got in!"

"So you went in? You ordered something?" Piper hesitated at this part. She wasn't ready to explain but simply nodded.

"Mmm I got this, errr thing…" panicking she began to make a half triangle half circle with her hands,

"Oh you got a Churchkhela?" and Red pressed her hands into her chest as she gazes up to the roof in a religious fashion.

"Delicious!" nodded Piper.

"Oh at Christmas I like to turn them red and green and for Easter, I go bright pinks and blues. Thank you, you are good girl" Red smiled clasping both hands on either side of Pipers face and giving her a squeeze. "Expect something special on my next order," and she quickly left the room. Piper's smile faded as she watched the Russian almost skip away with glee (But Russians don't skip), how she was going to explain herself later. Her thought process was quickly interrupted.


"Arh Chapman you're back" smiled Nicky as she entered the space and stood in front of Piper's bunk. "Yeah just now in fact," she smiled gently patting the side of her bed for Nicky to sit. "What's news?"

"Oh nothing much," shrugged Nicky, "Excitement plus here at the old Litch! How was furlough? Make out with any hot chicks, get drunk and party, you know, made the most of it?" teased Nicky.

"It was alright, I had a good time. Actually, I bumped into Alex,"

"Wow speaking of hot chicks! You saw Vause? How is the drug dealing hussy doing these days?"

"She's…." Piper paused wondering how much she should give away. You never knew who was listening. "She's alright," but by the expression Nicky pulled she wasn't buying it.

"Alright as in 'alright I'll have the chicken' or 'alright as in not alright at all'?"

"As in she's terrified." Piper whispered matter of factly to Nicky. "It was a complete accident bumping into her," Nicky snorted at this but Piper ignored it and continued on, "Turns out Kubra, Mr Drug Lord walked and get this, I'm the only one who'd gone to jail! She's worried he'll come after her now. She actually confessed to wanting to skip town!" Piper was now talking with hushed tones; she didn't need this getting round the prison. The place was a hive of gossip and tales, No one needed to know Alex's business.

"Holy Shit Chapman, but can you blame her? She tell you where she was headed at least?" Nicky clearly not having as big of an issue with it as Piper had,

"No, I stopped her of course!" stated Piper surprised by her reaction. Nicky just looked at Piper,

"What? Why?"

"Because Nicky, she can't just run away from this,"

"Why not? I'd probably run away too if some drug lord was after me!"

"Because it's illegal and she'll just end up back in here…"

"Thought you'd like that?"

"No..." she paused uncomfortably, "Well yes I would but…" but before Piper could continue Nicky interrupted.

"I say you don't want her to leave because you're still hung up on her and cut that she lied,"

"No, I'm over it," she stated but unable to believe herself so she doubted Nicky would, "What? I really am"

"Suuure, you keep telling yourself that Chapman," and rose from the bunk.

"She's coming to visit next weekend," Piper chirped hoping Nicky could see the positive side.

"Congratulations, you two can limit you're fighting to once a week in a small cold room filled with people awkwardly looking on, sounds romantic. Look I'm happy she's staying for you, I am but personally I don't get this little game you two play." she held out a hand for Piper now, "Enough of Vause though, we're late for shop, come on!" Piper took Nicky's hand allowing the red head to pull her to her feet. The two let for the electrical shed, Piper trying her best not to bring up Alex again.