Chapter 17: Homework
Both girls felt like the next weeks went by too fast. They saw each other as often as they could without making it too obvious to Carol. Two weeks after the ball they walked through the park close to their homes and talked.
"Did Mr. Honders give you that stupid homework too?" Alex asked.
"The essay about what we see in our future? Yes." Piper laughed remembering how everyone in her class had complained about that assignment. They were supposed to write an essay about their plans for their future and where they would like to be in a few years. The problem was that they'd need to put quite some effort into it as it got marked and Piper really didn't want to get a bad grade just because of one stupid essay.
"Do you have any idea what we're supposed to write in this? I don't have any clue what I want to be yet, or what exactly how I want my future to be. Well I know I would like you to be in it and of course my family, but that's about it." Alex answered truthfully.
"Yeah. No idea. The same for me though, I'd like you to be there too. But I really don't have any other idea. But I intend to get a good grade. So I'll think of something. If that comes true in the end doesn't matter. I think the only thing he wants to achieve with this is to make us think about it." Piper explained.
"That makes sense. You want to do it together?" Alex asked.
"Sure. Together we'll have the best ideas. And surprise Mr. Honders with our considered essays." Piper laughed. She was looking forward to the day they would do that. First, she would get to spend time with her girlfriend, second doing this homework with Alex would be way more fun than doing it alone, third she could tell her mother she'd go do homework with a friend and not completely lie to her this time. She hated lying to her but every time she had told her she was going to visit Alex she had started a discussion with her mother about not seeing her anymore. So she recently had avoided the argument by telling her mother something else when really she spend time with Alex. Sometimes she said she'd visit Polly, sometimes she told her she'd spend time with Nicky. Which wasn't always a lie. Lucky her mother didn't know Nicky liked girls too, otherwise there'd be even more arguments. Her friends always had her back fortunately and would tell her mother they'd spend the day with Piper if she'd ever ask.
"Probably. Tomorrow after school?" Alex asked.
"Mhm. There was something tomorrow. Somehow there is a bell ringing. I can't think of something right now but there is something." Piper said trying hard to remember what was planned for the next day.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Alex asked jokingly and laughed.
Piper didn't notice that Alex was joking and replied quickly and a little anxiously. "No. NO. Of course not. I love spending time with you. But seriously I don't remember right now what I had planned tomorrow. Maybe I got it saved in my calendar…" she trailed off and took out her phone.
"Pipes. Hey." Alex stopped Piper from walking and made her look at her. "I was joking. I know you wouldn't make up a reason not to see me." Alex tried to calm her.
"Oh. I didn't… Sorry." Piper said blushing a little. "I was asked to pick up Cal and take him to a friend." she said relieved that she finally remembered what she had to do and why she couldn't do the homework with Alex after school.
"You're cute when you blush like that." Alex said straightforward.
"Should I say thank you now?" Piper chuckled.
"I don't know. Just a true statement." Alex replied. They kept walking silently for a while.
"How is the situation with your mom?" Alex asked after a bit cautiously.
"Not improving really. As I told you she always started a discussion that I am not supposed to see you everytime I told her I'd come over. So I avoided that discussion by telling her I'd go see Polly or Nicky." Piper told her.
"So Nicky is okay?" Alex said surprisedly.
"As long my mom doesn't know about the fact that she likes girls too, yes it is." Piper said half apologetically.
"Well I guess that's good. Otherwise she'd maybe get suspicious that you visit Polly too many times a week." Alex chuckled.
They kept walking. Piper wanted to take Alex's hand so badly but as it was close to home she was scared that someone would walk by and see them and possibly tell her parents. Instead of doing it she decided to say something.
"I wish we could walk through the park and I could hold your hand without being scared that someone sees us." she quietly admitted.
"I would like that, too. But you don't have to do anything you're not ready for." Alex replied.
"Well, I wouldn't care about people in school. Let them talk, whatever. I'm just scared about my parents finding out. I mean, you know how Carol's reaction was…" Piper explained.
"It's okay, Pipes. I can totally understand that. I hope that someday we will be able to do that. To hold hands when we feel like it, show to everyone around that we're in love." Alex said.
"That would be amazing. I don't want to be forced to pretend to be someone that I am not. Which, considered by what my parents expect, shouldn't be a hard thing." Piper laughed, even though she didn't feel like this was funny, it was rather sad, but somehow the situation had its own comedy. "But anyway. I could come to you tomorrow after I dropped Cal off at his friends place and we could start with the essay?"
"I would like that." Alex replied and they walked back. Carol had texted Piper that she was expected home so they slowly walked towards the Vauses house.
"Goodbye. I'll see you tomorrow." Piper said as she was about to walk home.
"Yes. See you tomorrow." Alex replied and moved closer towards Piper. They kissed and Piper walked home.
The next day school passed pretty quickly and of course Alex and Piper spend their breaks together.
"Hey guys. Mind if I sit?" Polly asked when she approached Alex and Piper already sitting on a table during lunch break.
"You can sit with us Polly." Piper replied.
"So, have you heard yet?" Polly asked looking at both of them.
"Have we heard what?" Alex asked back.
"Oh, well. Some students noticed you two hanging out a lot. And some say that maybe you are together. But it's mostly just talk, I mean they know Alex is gay but they also know you have been friends for a long time. So I don't think anyone really has a clue." Polly explained.
Alex didn't say anything but just looked a little worried at Piper, seeing how she reacted.
"Oh let them talk. First, they don't have any prove, second, well it's basically the truth, third, we can just tell them we've been friends for all our life and still are." Piper said trying not to overreact. She was in fact scared that somehow someone said something and it found their way to her parents and that would lead to a big fight with her parents. She had no idea what they would do if they found out. Her dad had been pretty absent and hadn't said a word about the discussion Piper and Carol had. Piper had no idea what her father thought about all of this but a very clear idea how her mother would react.
"You sure Pipes?" Alex asked cautiously.
"What could we do about it anyway?" Piper replied.
"Well, we could ask more people to sit with us. Usually it's just the two of us, which can be suspicious. Or we could spend a little less time together and just hang out with our other friends more." Alex suggested even though she wasn't a big fan of those ideas. But it was the only thing she could think of to maybe make people talk less about them and thought about the fact that they could be together less.
"Okay. I'll agree to the first idea. No way we are seeing each other less. I like to spend my time with you. If necessary I'm okay with the rest of our friends being there too." Piper replied.
"Sure. Then we'll ask Nicky if she wants to join us for lunch the next days. Where has she been recently anyway?" Alex wondered.
"Hanging out with Lorna?!" Piper guessed.
"I thought she goes to another school?" Alex was surprised.
"No. I think she's in Nicky's parallel class." Piper answered.
"Oh. Okay. Then we could ask Nicky and Lorna. If we find them." Alex added.
"I hope it's okay for you, Pol, if we ask you to sit with us? More than once a week?!" Piper asked her friend who had mostly been sitting with her boyfriend and only once in a while joined her for lunch. "You could ask Scott if he wants to join?!"
"I'll ask him. Does that mean every lunch break?" Polly wanted to know. She too enjoyed the time alone with her boyfriend.
"Well, maybe not everyday. But as you noticed we probably need some company so people don't keep talking. I really can't have my parents finding out about this." Piper explained.
"Do you really think they care about school gossip?" Polly asked incredulously and Piper told her how her parents found out about Alex being gay and her mother's reaction.
"Ouch." Polly said after Piper finished. "That's bad. And I can totally understand you that you don't want her to know. It must be hard though. To keep it away and hide the fact that you're in love?!"
"It sure is. But it's easier than arguing with my mom. I'm scared she will send me to some boarding school or something far away so I don't even have a chance to see Alex if she found out about this. That's basically my biggest fear." Piper explained the horror audible in her voice.
"Hey. Don't be scared. We're all here for you. We'll do our best so your mom doesn't find out." Polly tried to reassure her.
"Thanks Pol. Let's hope this never happens." Piper replied.
"Until your mom is ready or you are done with school or moved out or whatever you can always tell her you are visiting me when you meet Alex. If she calls I'll tell her you're with me." Polly offered.
"Thanks Pol. You're the best. I wish I didn't have to lie to her but I can admit when there is something I can't change." Piper answered thankfully.
"No problem. You'd do the same for me." Polly stated and it was true.
The bell rung and everyone went back to their classrooms. When school was over she picked up Cal to walk him over to his friend.
"You know I could have walked there alone, right?" Cal asked his big sister as they were walking. He was twelve and had developed quite an attitude.
"I know, smartie, but mom told me to pick you up. I'd rather do something else instead too, but this isn't a choice we get to make really." Piper told him and saw him scrunch his face at hearing the nickname Piper had given him years ago.
"Could you stop calling me that? I'm way too old for that!" Cal said angrily.
"Why? You're still my little smart brother?" Piper chuckled.
"I'll always be your little brother and do I have to become stupid to stop you from calling me that? Because that's going to be hard, but I'll do it!" he replied.
"Okay, okay. I'll try, okay?" Piper said. "I kinda like it though, but if you want me to stop I'll stop."
"Thanks. Can I ask you something?" Cal turned to her more seriously.
"Sure. What is it?" Piper was curious what was on her brothers mind.
"Is it true what mom says?" he asked insecurely.
"What exactly?" she wanted to know.
"That Alex likes girls? And that it's not acceptable?" he voiced.
"Wow. Okay. Well it is true that Alex likes girls. But the rest mom said is not. She just can't accept it. It doesn't matter who makes you happy and who you fall in love with. If that person is the same sex as you" Cal giggled. "Oh dear, Cal. What I was saying is it doesn't matter if a girl falls in love with a girl or a boy. As long as you're happy and not hurting anyone you can basically do whatever you want."
"Then why does mom keep swearing about it?" Cal was confused.
"Because she was raised differently. Her parents taught her that two women or men falling in love is not okay and accepted in society. Plus she doesn't want to accept it. She could also decide to at least, you know, learn a few things about gay people. I'm not asking her to be an advocate or anything but she could be a bit more open about people who are different from the perfect picture she has in her mind." Piper explained and felt her anger rise a bit. She didn't want to take it out on her brother though, it wasn't his fault.
"So mom is wrong about it? There's nothing reprehensible about it?" Cal asked her.
"No. Who you love is not a choice. Your heart decides that. If you're attracted to the same sex - don't laugh - is something you're born with. And it doesn't matter who you love. Mom needs to learn that all that matters is if you're happy with yourself and your choices." Piper told him.
"Okay." he seemed to think about it. "Can I ask you another question?"
"It's 'ask Piper day'. Sure you can." Piper chuckled.
"You've been different recently. More happy sometimes but I noticed you and mom fight a lot. This is a little confusing." Cal started.
"Mom and I had discussions because she can't accept that Alex likes girls and wanted me to not see her anymore. And I didn't want to listen to that." Piper told him. "So what was your question?"
"Well basically why you fought. But also what your happiness is about?" Cal asked further.
Piper smiled. "Well. I told someone I like them and the feelings are returned. That's what made and makes me happy."
"So you got a boyfriend?" Cal asked surprisedly. Piper contemplated whether to tell him the truth or not. But she trusted her brother.
"No. I don't. Do you promise me on everything that's important to you that you won't say a word to mom about this?" she asked him even though she knew he wouldn't say anything knowing about their mothers attitude.
"I promise. Not a word." he looked at her seriously.
"I don't have a boyfriend but a girlfriend." Piper told him.
"You are gay too?" his eyes turned wide in surprise.
"No. I like boys and girls." Piper explained.
"Wow. This whole liking other people thing is confusing. I'm just going to be by myself then." Cal concluded.
"Don't say that. When there is someone you like you'll know." Piper smiled.
"Do I know your girlfriend?" Cal wanted to know.
"Look who's full of questions today!" Piper laughed. "Yes. You do. Well it's Alex actually."
"Really? That's kinda cool!" Cal replied.
"Yeah, I think so too." they both laughed before Piper turned back to serious. "But really you can't say anything to mom. I don't know what she'll do. Maybe send me to some boarding school far away. And trust me you don't want to be the only child at home." Cal looked scared as she said that.
"Oh please don't ever let that happen!" he exclaimed.
"So. There we are. I guess mom will pick you up tonight. I'm going to Alex's now. See you at home." Piper said as she walked away.
"See you." Cal shouted and disappeared in his friends house.
Piper walked on and soon arrived at her destination. The door was opened very shortly after she had rung the bell.
"Hi Pipes." Alex greeted her smiling widely.
"Hi Al." Piper smiled back, stepped toward Alex and gave her a kiss. "I've been waiting to do this all day."
"Me too." Alex replied. "Come in."
"Hi Piper." Diane greeted her as she saw her coming in.
"Hi Diane." she greeted back.
"You're barely home, are you?" she chuckled.
"Well I would ask Alex to come over once in a while but I don't think that's a good idea." Piper replied.
"Yeah. I don't think so either. It's okay. You can stay here as much as you want to. You're always welcome." Diane said.
"Thanks." Piper was indeed really thankful.
"What are you girls up to?" Diane asked.
"Homework. Basically. Mr. Honders gave us this assignment to write an essay about our futures. Guess that's going to take some time." Alex answered.
"You both together?" Diane asked surprisedly.
"No. We just decided to write it together. Well everyone writes her own but we do it together at the same time." it was now Piper to answer her question. "Both mine and Alex's class got that task."
"That's alright." Diane smiled. She remembered how she was when she had her first boyfriends and was happy for Alex and Piper that they could discover that together. Diane wondered if everything would have been different if they hadn't grown up together like they did, but guessed she'd never know. Piper and Alex went to Alex's room and got their materials out.
"So… I don't even know how to start this..." Alex said looking at her empty paper.
"Well before we really start writing we should think about what we want to be in it. So maybe we start by making a list of the things that we might want answers to." Piper started.
"Reasonable. What should be on that list?" Alex was happy Piper was there to help her.
"Well, we need to answer things like: What job do I want? How should my family life look like? What kind of person do I want to be? What do I see myself doing in my leisure time?" Piper explained.
"Good point. It's great I got a smart girlfriend." Alex chuckled.
"Yeah, indeed you're lucky." Piper teased her.
"Only through luck? I don't believe that." Alex said almost unbelievingly. She stood up and snuck up behind Piper, who didn't even notice, and started to tickle her.
"Hey." Piper screamed in surprise but soon went over to a counter attack. It was Piper who threw the first pillow and Alex looked quite surprised when she got hit by something soft.
"Wait! I'll get you back for that." Alex laughed and grabbed another pillow. In the middle of their little fight they both lost balance and fell onto Alex's bed. They laid there for a while trying to calm down and looked at each other. Both Piper and Alex felt their hearts beating. Not only from their fight but also because of their closeness. Both closed the small distance they had at seemingly the same time and kissed the other. First it started pretty innocent and sweet but soon the kiss turned more passionate. Eventually both broke the kiss to get some air.
"As much as I would love to keep laying here and enjoy this, we have to start with this homework." Piper said looking at Alex while she felt really excited and all the butterflies in her belly flutter like crazy.
"But that's no fun." Alex replied reluctantly.
"I know. But I don't want to write this on the last moment possible and then write something that I didn't think through and have no time to redo it." Piper explained and even though she loved laying there with Alex got up and returned to their homework.
"So this is our list?" Alex asked after she got up too and looked at the notes Piper had written down.
"So far. Yes. Anything to add?" Piper asked.
"I can't think of anything right now." Alex answered focussing on their task ahead.
"Okay. So before we go on let's answer those questions first. That's probably going to be the hardest part. After that it shouldn't be hard to write it in a text." Piper said. She liked when she could focus on her task and work concentrated on it, so structuring it by reciting the steps to do helped her organize and get her work done faster so she could do something else as soon as she was done. Which in this case would probably be cuddling on the bed with Alex.
"I admire your determination." Alex admitted.
"Thanks. Well the sooner we finish this the sooner we can do other things." Piper told her.
"Like what?" Alex asked with a smirk on her face.
"Like sort the books in your bookshelf. It's a pure mess." Piper said trying to keep a straight face.
"That sounds truly boring and I like it that way. All messy." Alex complained.
"It was a joke. It won't be anymore if you keep distracting me from writing this essay!" Piper explained.
"Okay. Okay. Full concentration. I promise." Alex replied and smiled at Piper.
"Great. Then take your time to think about the answers for a while. And then we can talk about it." Piper suggested. They both stayed silent for a bit and seemed to think about what they'd answer.
"Okay. I think I'm ready." Alex said first.
"Okay, let's start then." Piper agreed. "Do you want to talk about it or go straight to writing it down?"
"I think it'll be better to first talk about it. Maybe something I came up with might not work. You can tell me if something sounds strange." Alex said.
"I will. So let's start with what you want to do, what kind of job do you want to have?" Piper started.
"Well I've always loved books. So I guess my job should have something to do with books. I know it's a wide field from author through the whole process of editing and producing and so on in a publishing house to bookstores or libraries. I don't know if I am good at writing, but I'd like to try. Or if this doesn't work I'd love to be an editor." Alex declared. "How about you?"
"That sounds like a great plan. I don't know yet, really. I tried to come with something but I still have no idea. So much to just writing anything, huh?!" Piper said reluctantly and sounded a little down.
"Hey. It's okay. There are so many directions one could go in. How are we supposed to know which one is the right one for us at our age?" Alex asked.
"But we need an answer for this essay!" Piper replied.
"Okay. We'll find something. You love to run. Maybe you could be an athlete. Run competitions or something like that. You also like books a lot and are good at managing things, always keeping an eye on everything, you could easily be the manager of a bookstore or something like that." Alex pointed out.
"Wow. That does sound good. And look. Who's got the smart girlfriend now? That's obviously me!" Piper chuckled. "I really like the idea of the bookstore."
"Is this a competition of who's got the smarter girlfriend?" Alex laughed.
"If it was I'd win. Just noticing a fact." Piper smiled at her.
"Alright. So how about the other questions?" Alex smiled back and asked.
"Well… I think during college or university it would be cool to live close to a bigger city. I don't know if I want to live in a bigger city later." Piper started.
"That sounds good. We'd have to find one though that's got something for both of us or two that aren't too far apart." Alex said.
"Well that's for later, when the time comes. Right now we should probably focus on what we want for our future. But we could add the point being close to the partner." Piper started.
Alex laughed. "Partner sounds a bit like we're thirty and business partners."
"What? No. I prefer calling you my girlfriend too, but considering the fact that it's better no one knows about us besides the people we can trust, I'm gonna go for partner as it's the closest thing I can come up with while not lying." Piper explained.
"I didn't think that far, but you're right. Can I write girlfriend though? I mean I guess everyone knows that I'm gay so…" Alex replied.
"Sure you can. It's your essay." Piper said.
"Okay. Leisure time? I guess that's the last point. Then we can start writing." Piper asked.
"Well, I'd like to keep up with my hobbies I got so far. Maybe I'll discover a few new things. Plus meet my friends as often as I can and want." Alex told her.
"Sounds good. About the same for me. Though once we live closer to a bigger city I'd like to try a few things." PIper said.
"Like what?" Alex wanted to know.
"I don't know. Whatever the city has to offer." Piper couldn't give more details. She had no plan what would be awaiting her. "Let's start writing." Both girls started to write down their thoughts and checked each other every now and then asking if a phrase they had in mind made sense. Alex was done first and put her paper and pen down. Piper took a bit longer and Alex tried to wait patiently but got a bit annoyed after about thirty minutes of waiting for Piper to finish.
"You know you don't have to write a whole book, right?" she tried.
"I know. I'm nearly done." Piper said clearly still in deep thought. After a couple more minutes she was done too. "Do you want to read it to each other or just leave it."
"We could read each others and then give each other feedback. And maybe then go over to other things?" Alex replied hopefully emphasizing other things.
"Sure." Piper grabbed her paper and held it out to Alex. They exchanged their essays and read in silence.