CHAPTER TEN

Chapman

"D-did that j-just happen?"

(Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division plays on the background)

I can't believe I just let her do that to me. It was only a kind of mockery the first time we kissed, 'cause yeah, I initiated it, but this time, I felt something different; I sort of liked it. I touched my lips, like hers was still on mine.

I put back my iPod and earbuds on my bag. My battery's dead anyway, making their flirty conversation transparent to my senses. I don't know why I felt agitated when Nicky started being sweet to her. Maybe because it's the first time I saw them with their normal selves, that they also have a life outside those courts.

I walked a little but I don't know why I thought of going back to where this raven-haired girl with glasses kissed me. I didn't realize that I was smiling while going back to that thought. "You don't need to reminisce, Piper. She's there. In the car. Fresh." What's with the winking?

"It's not what you think."

"Mhmm." Nicky grabbed my arm, now heading towards her pick-up. "And by the way, Alex says sorry."

"I did not." I guess Nicky didn't wanna hear any more argument. She clapped her hand on Alex's mouth. "Fine. I'm sorry." It's cute how she reacted like a kid when Nicky told her to be sincere. "Okay, okay! I'll do it." I wasn't looking at her by the mirror but rather above her shoulders. "I'm sorry for being an ass. I'm impulsive. But I'm not sorry about the kiss." She says, like she usually do that to people. I guess I'm not the first. Hottie librarian looks experienced and a freaking magnet. "Hey, I'm talking to you. Are you zoning out again or you just like to piss me off?" Actually, I don't. I don't have any idea why I'm like this whenever she's around. I get angry and stuff. But also makes me want to fix myself and look beautiful.

"Okay."

"Really? That's all you've got to say?" Both of them are looking at me like I was weird or something. "Can you believe this girl?" She tapped miss Nichol's arm and said to me, "You called me a lesbian bitch. Aren't you gonna apologize for that?"

"I don't think I should 'cause you are." Why do these words keeps on coming out of my mouth? I can't control it. I'm usually like this when I'm upset. Or hurt. Nicky laughed hysterically, drumming the steering wheel fast. "And you kissed me. You should be the one to apologize."

"Ugh, so you're one of those..."

"One of who?"

"Nothing. Just shut your mouth, Chapman."

When I finally arrived at my parents' house, my lips curved nearly into a smile. I was just looking at the mansion, thinking 'bout the old days when Cal, Eve and I were still young and innocent.

The tall girl got me startled when she opened up the car-door for me. Nicky forced her to. I mumbled a, "Thank you." before walking away. She didn't answer back and they drove off.

My best friend, Lorna, was waiting for me at the pool, along with few of my staff. Magnus who's my lead painter, Dempsey who is in charge of the stocks, and Cameron, a bisexual classmate of mine in College, also co-mechanic. "Pipes!" Lorna ran to where I am, giving me a tight hug. "I've missed you." I've missed the thick Boston accent so much. Dempsey and Magnus came running, giving me another hug. Cameron, on the other hand, offered me a toast from afar. She was sitting by the pool. "Come on. Let's get you inside. Your family's waiting for you."

My mom was at the kitchen, currently closing the cabinet. Daddy was standing in front of his beloved wine rack that I made for him. "Daddy..." I went to my dad first. Mom followed after me.

I cried when the two of them hugged me. "You don't have to say anything, baby." Dad said, rubbing my back in circles. "It's okay. It's gonna be okay." I nodded, tightening my hug on my dad. I've always been daddy's girl. "Go. Your friends are waiting for you."

Cameron exhaled sharply. "Is it me or you just went from skinny to sexy? Hey, wait, is that a blown lip? Hmm, gangster." I tugged Cameron by the arm. "So, how was it there? Is it bad?" I was thinking that it wasn't really bad 'cause my lawyers visit me regularly. The thought took me back to the kiss. I was smiling all by myself and Cam noticed it. "You have a crush, don't you? Is it a jail guard or an inmate? The one who gave you the hook punch?"

"Shut up."

"Don't fool me, baby. You had the same look on that ex-boyfriend of yours years ago."

"Ugh, guilty? It's name is Justice."

"It?"

"It's sort of a long story." I snatched the beer in her hands and drink it. "How's the shop?" I asked, changing the topic.

"It's good. Your tool box misses you." Cameron leaned in close to me. "Not just those wrench, but also... me. Especially me." She was about to kiss me but I reclined. "Oh, sorry. It's just that I've missed you so much."

"Can I borrow my best friend for a minute?" Cam nodded. "Thank you." Maybe Lorna saw what was happening and that is why she pulled me away. I don't wanna embarrass Cam in front of everybody. She's a good friend, too. "Something's different. Did you got laid in there?"

"No! Of course, not."

"Then, why do you have those shimmy-thingy on your eyes?" Lorna asked, studying my face. I told her about the kissing incident. I can't help not to. It excites me. "Great. Now, everybody's bisexual." I told her about Alex and what I said to her. "You triggered your lawyer by calling her a lesbian bitch?" Lorna laughed more harder. "And you're going crazy because of that kiss? Who's the lesbo now?"

"Well, maybe because the feeling is somewhat," I paused for an air quote. "...new to me."

"So, you're saying that you didn't feel anything like this when Cameron kissed you?"

"I felt awkward after that kiss with Cam. With Alex, I felt excited... and curious. I didn't even kiss that woman back and I'm already longing for... ugh, damn it!"

"Calm your shit. You'll adjust to it real soon."

I gripped both of Lorna's shoulders lightly. "You're bisexual, right?" My friend nodded slowly. She must be thinking I went cuckoo in jail. "Can you teach me how to be gay? Ish?"

"Sorry. No can do. But you must know, that a woman's lips are softer. Kissing a girl is like eating a cherry. Delicious." Lorna kept on laughing, that she almost spilled her drink on me. "Wait! How about Cam? What are you gonna say to her?" To me, I do not have to explain anything. I'm not her ex, just her friend. Lorna, Cameron and I were friends back in College. "You rejected her and now all of a sudden, a stranger's making you crazy. What's her name anyway?"

"Vause. Alex Vause."

"Ooh! Her name sounds like a pricey meal, served in a fancy restaurant." Lorna literally hugged my arm, laughing. "When she spreads her legs for you, she'd be like... welcome to lesbo resto, where the best bachelorettes are served."

"And I'd say... I'll take the Vause ala Queen, along with the bottle of the best orgasm champagne that you have." Lorna and I burst into laughters, catching glances. Cam approached us, asking us what topic made us chuckle. But slowly, my smile faded when I realized that I wasn't a normal person anymore, "Pipes, what's wrong?" that my life will be forever changed, "Hey, look at me." because of the fact that I'm still a suspect, "Why are you crying?" that one day may be a convicted criminal. Sooner or later, reality will catch up to me.