Author's note: Someday I'll be on time... Firstly, thank you for all the positive feedback! I'm so happy that you liked the first chapter and hopefully, you'll also like the next ones. Some of you were hoping to see Alex as a model. I'm sorry to disappoint but Alex won't be a model as Piper doesn't usually photograph models. Piper is going to photograph Alex later into the relationship, though ;) Even if Alex won't be a model, they will meet at Piper's new job. I apologize beforehand, there won't be much vauseman in this chapter :/
Enjoy!
"Pipes?"
"Yeah?"
"Doesn't that disturb you?"
Piper turned to look at Larry. "What?"
"That music? Doesn't it bother you?" Larry frowned as she nodded towards the wall.
Piper had heard the music that was coming through the wall but she liked it and she could concentrate better if she wasn't in perfect silence. "No, it doesn't."
Piper was working on her computer, editing some pictures and choosing what she wants to show in the interview. Larry was writing some new article on her couch and was sending constantly daggers at the wall. He apparently enjoyed the silence. "They're living in an apartment building. They should realize that here live other people who necessarily don't like their music!"
"I don't think it's loud enough to be heard in any other apartments but here because I share a wall with her", Piper retorted.
"Her? Is it the rude woman who I talked with yesterday?"
"I don't know who you talked with, Larry."
"The tall woman with black hair. I think she had glasses?"
"Ahh, you mean Alex. I don't think she's rude. She helped me to carry some boxes", Piper shrugged, leaving unsaid the 'unlike you' that she had thought about.
"Well if you're so great friends with her, you probably can ask her to tone down her music or listen with headphones?"
"Like I said, it doesn't bother me. If it bothers you, then I suggest you'll act like the grown-up man you are and go ask her yourself", Piper suggested with a sigh. Larry was acting so childish sometimes and Piper wondered when her relationship with Larry had started to feel like having an annoying little brother.
Larry looked between the wall and his laptop for a couple of times before he got up groaning. "Fine."
He left Piper's apartment and went to knock on Alex's door.
Larry was waiting impatiently for her to come open the door and soon it opened and there stood Alex looking already annoyed. "Yeah?"
"Hey, I'm sorry to bother you but I was working and your music disturbs me a little bit, so could you maybe tone it down?" Larry asked, trying to maintain polite even though the woman had been rude to him last time.
Alex just quirked her eyebrow as she leaned against the doorframe. "It disturbs you? What about Piper?"
"She said it doesn't bother her but why does it matter? I came here to ask!"
"As far as I'm aware, you don't live here. So, if you're not happy with the neighbor, I guess you have no choice but stay at your own home", Alex said just to see that dumbfounded expression on his face.
"What?"
Alex rolled her eyes. "I'll tone it down, pal. You can go now. Oh, and tell Piper hi from me", she added with a smirk before closed the door.
Larry clenched his fists irritated before made his way back to Piper's apartment.
"I can't believe her!"
Piper turned her head to look at Larry with a frown. The music had stopped, so Piper had thought everything went fine.
"But she turned the music down?"
"I swear she messes with me on purpose. For some reason she just doesn't seem to like me", Larry explained as he sat down on the couch again. "At first, she suggested that if I don't like the neighbor, I should just stay at my own apartment! I mean, how rude is that?"
Piper turned back to her own laptop in order to hide the smile that was tugging at her lips.
"And then she was just suddenly like 'I'll tune it down and tell Piper hi from me' and then she just closed the door!"
"That does sound like Alex. Though, she isn't ever rude to me but I guess that she is that kind of person...", Piper said thoughtfully.
"You have talked to her like what, two times?" Larry frowned. "And you already know what kind of person she is?"
"Well, obviously not entirely but she practically radiates confidence and the 'don't fuck with me' vibe", Piper shrugged. Larry did not seem impressed, so Piper quickly changed the subject. "So, what are you currently writing about?"
He frowned but answered nevertheless."I'm writing about gasoline prices."
"Isn't that kind of worn out topic?"
"Well... I guess a little- but it's important!" Larry defended.
"I know it is but these magazines, they are looking for something new, something unique", Piper said feeling a little sorry for Larry.
"Do you know how hard it is to find a new, interesting subject? There are probably millions of writers in the world!" Larry exclaimed.
Piper raised her hands in surrender because she didn't want to start a fight him. "Okay, okay."
[Polly] - Good luck! They're gonna love u!
[Piper] - Thanks! I'm here now, I'll call you later xx
"Piper Chapman?"
Piper put her phone in her bag and got up from the couch in the lobby before making her way toward the woman who had said her name.
"Hi", Piper smiled at the woman as she shook her hand.
"Hi, I'm Jessica. Mrs. Turner is ready to see you now", the woman, Jessica told her with a friendly voice. "Her office is the first one on the right", she continued and pointed at one door.
"Thank you."
Piper took a steadying before knocked on the door. She waited for the faint 'come in' before cautiously stepping into the room.
It wasn't a very big office but it was nicely decorated. A desk about the middle of the room, a small couch against the wall on the left, few plants in corners and a couple of paintings on the walls.
"Ahh, you must be Piper", the woman smiled as she stood up to shake Piper's hand. "Amanda Turner."
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Turner", Piper said politely as she shook the woman's hand.
"Of course. You can sit there", Amanda pointed the chair in front of her desk as she made her way back to sit behind it.
"So, do you mind if we plug your camera on my computer, so we can watch your photos? Or do you have some private photos in there?"
"Oh, no. It's totally fine. I actually made an album where I put some pictures that I figured you might want to see", Piper answered as she took her camera out of her bag.
Amanda looked delighted as she took Piper's camera and the cable Piper was offering to her. "That's very considerate of you. Tell me a bit about yourself as we wait for the camera to start?"
Piper cleared her throat. "Well, I'm 22 years old, graduated from Smith this spring. I majored in photography and minored in women's and gender studies."
Amanda nodded as she clicked something on the computer. "Why did you choose to pursue a degree in photography?"
"I've always been interested in photography. I just love the idea of capturing a different kind of moments and the beauty of life..." Piper started to explain as the certain piercing green eyes flashed on her mind. "I got my first own camera when I was ten, I think? And since then I've known that I want to pursue a career in photography."
The other woman hummed in acknowledgment. "I suppose the photos you picked is on the interview album?"
"Yes."
"Was there any particular reason why wanted to work for a magazine?" Amanda asked as she started to explore the photos.
"I mean, I'd be happy to work anywhere I can photograph... But I wanted to photograph for a magazine because the photos bring the story or the article alive, you know? I think every story, every text deserves the right kind of picture", Piper spoke confidently.
Amanda turned her gaze from the computer screen to Piper with a smile. "You're absolutely right. Do you think you could be that person? The person who is able to find and capture the rightful photos for every text?"
And that's where Piper's confidence faltered. "Uhh... Well, at least I hope so."
"Tell me a little about your work experience with photography?" Amanda asked as she turned wholly to face Piper. She had apparently seen enough, and Piper didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing.
"I started with just photographing in my relatives' weddings or other events and they paid me a little. Then when I started college, I was working as a kind of a freelance photographer but it didn't work out very well as I didn't have too much time to market myself, so I just ended up doing small gigs mostly for my friends or relatives. It wasn't enough to pay my rent and other things, so I had to find a stable job and because I hadn't completed my degree, I couldn't get anywhere I could have photographed."
"Yeah, I can understand that. I wouldn't hire anyone without a degree either."
"I know that it was a long shot to apply for photographing jobs but I needed to try", Piper shrugged.
Amanda nodded with a thoughtful expression. "The photos you had taken... they were absolutely amazing. You clearly have the eye for the perfect angle and lighting. Also, I really liked the subjects you photographed and you are able to put together so many different elements. Even though you don't have much work experience with photographing you're very talented and to be honest I'd be a fool to let you go."
Piper smiled at that. "Thank you."
"I still do have a couple of others interviews but I'll be in touch, okay?
"Yes, thank you."
"Piper! How did it go?" Polly exclaimed immediately after she had picked up.
"Hello, to you too", Piper chuckled. "But I think it went great. The woman who interviewed me, I think she was the manager? Well, anyway, she was super nice and she liked my pictures. She said that she'd be in touch", Piper explained enthusiastically.
"You're definitely going to get the job!" Polly responded as enthusiastically.
"We'll see..."
"We need to celebrate this!"
"I think we should wait until I officially get the job. But speaking of celebrations... Mom wanted me to host a house warming party. It's not going to be anything big, but are you free on Sunday?" Piper asked as she opened the door in her apartment.
"Yeah. Any particular time I should come?"
"Probably around noon? I don't think mom is able to wait for any later", Piper chuckled as she crashed down on her bed.
"Yeah, probably not", Polly agreed, laughing. "Oh! Is Pete welcomed too?"
"Of course. I only have a table for four, though, so he might have to eat on the floor", Piper joked.
"That's okay", Polly laughed. "We'll be there. And I'm going to personally kick the manager's ass if she doesn't give you the job."
"Let's hope that isn't necessary", Piper grinned. She appreciated Polly's support.
It was Saturday and Piper was coming back from the store. She had bought some food that they could eat at the mini party.
"I'm back!" She called out as she stepped into her apartment.
Larry glanced at Piper before turning her attention back toward his laptop screen. "So, how did it go?"
"How did what go?"
"The... thing. Where were you again?"
Piper stared at Larry with mouth agape. He really didn't pay any attention to her at all. "I was in the store, Larry. I even asked if you'd like to come with me."
"Oh, right", Larry chuckled, completely oblivious to Piper's annoyance. "So, about tomorrow..." he started and Piper could already anticipate where this was going.
"Ed and Mark asked me to come to watch football with them tomorrow. The game starts at 1."
"How surprising", Piper muttered as she went to unpack the groceries.
"I mean I can decline and be here instead but we haven't seen like forever and-"
"Just go Larry."
"Are you sure? I mean I can decline..." Larry repeated even though it was obvious that he would rather be there.
"I'm not going to force you to stay here when you obviously want to be watching football", Piper sighed. "I just wish you would spend more time with me. Obviously, you are allowed to see your friends but every time you're with me, you're writing", Piper complained turning to fully face Larry.
"Fine", Larry huffed. "Then I won't go to watch the football."
"Oh my god!" Piper exclaimed as she threw her arms up. "Did you just hear anything I told you? Go to the fucking football match, I don't even want you to stay when you're acting like such a jerk!"
"Fine!" Larry said angrily before he took his laptop and left the apartment.
Piper looked after her shocked. He just left? Larry was like the worst at talking things through. Well, maybe it was better this way. This way they had both time to cool down a bit. Piper reminded herself to talk about Larry with Polly tomorrow, she would know what to do.
Piper's camera that was resting on her desk caught her eye and Piper decided to go out and find something to photograph. That always calmed her down.
Piper quickly unpacked the rest of the groceries before grabbing her camera and keys and leaving the apartment too.
She saw that someone just got into the elevator, so she rushed in there before the doors closed. Piper ignored the feeling that resembled a little too much a disappointment when she saw an older man instead of the tall, raven-haired woman she had unconsciously hoped to see.
When the elevator stopped at the bottom floor, she almost rushed outside, already waiting to feel that warm summer air on her skin even though she was outside just a few minutes ago. Piper had to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight as she stepped out of the building's door. She loved summer, it was warm and bright and there was so much to photograph. Like there was in every other season too.
Piper looked around for a short while before making her mind up and started walking toward the busy sidewalk near her apartment. Today, she felt like photographing people.
"Hey there!" Someone suddenly greeted her.
Piper turned toward the now familiar voice. "Hey."
"Going to photograph?" Alex asked with an easy grin, nodding toward the camera that was hanging on Piper's shoulder.
"Yeah."
A mischievous smirk spread on Alex's face. "So, tell me Piper. Seeing as you're a photographer, could you picture us together?"
Piper snorted. "That was terrible."
"I know", Alex laughed. "I just had to."
"Do you always flirt with your neighbors?" Piper asked curiously.
"Only the cute ones", Alex answered with a wink.
Piper blushed slightly and Alex found that endearing. "Anyways, I'll get out of your hair, so you can go to photograph. See ya!"
"Yeah, bye!" Piper called out after her. It took her a while to notice that she was smiling uncontrollably. She shook her head slightly and started her short journey to her destination.
When she got to the sidewalk, Piper smiled when she saw the almost crowded sidewalk. This would be perfect. She examined the people for a while. There were men and women in suits, probably coming from work. There were families, parents holding their children's hands, so they wouldn't get lost into the sea of people. Piper could also see a couple of tourists eating ice cream and looking around in awe.
Piper started her camera and was going to take a couple of photos of the people. They were all different. Different skin colors, different backgrounds and different lives but they were still here together, creating a mass of people that were so different but at the same time so similar.
In today's society, there was a lot of racism and Piper just wanted to show that in the end, they were all similar.
When she was lifting the camera to her face's level, something caught her eye. Or rather someone. There was an older woman, probably around her sixties, sitting on the ground leaning back to the wall behind her and carving something from a piece of wood. She looked so calm and unaffected by the rush around her.
Piper changed her plan and turned her camera toward the woman. She felt bad for photographing people before asking the permission but most of the people unconsciously or on purpose changed their demeanor, so Piper had come to the conclusion that it was better not to ask permission first but after taking the pictures.
She took a couple of pictures before changing the angle. Piper checked the pictures and was rather pleased with herself. Then she proceeded to walk toward the woman.
"Excuse me?" Piper asked when she was standing in front of the woman.
She looked up surprised, probably not expecting anyone to talk to her. "Hello?
"Hi. I'm Piper", she introduced herself as she bent down a little, so she was able to shake the woman's hand.
The woman raised her eyebrows but took Piper's hand. "Eleanor."
"I was taking some pictures of you", Piper started. "And yes, I'm aware that I'm supposed to ask first but some people unconsciously change their behavior when they know they're being photographed, you know? So, I'm asking you now, do you mind that I took pictures of you? If you're not fine with it, I can delete them."
"Why would you want to take pictures of me?" Eleanor asked bemusedly.
"You know, I'm not that kind of photographer who takes photos of people because they're attractive or anything like that. I take photos of people that are representing something", Piper smiled.
The other woman looked still a bit bemused so Piper squatted down next to the woman and showed her camera's screen. "See? In these pictures you are still and calm, completely unaffected by the rushing people around you", she explained as she tried to gauge at Eleanor's reaction.
"It really depends on the person how they want to construe pictures but to me, these pictures kind of represents what life is like. I mean the rushing people reflect the changing or unexpected things in life. And you reflect that one thing in life that keeps us grounded. The one thing that just seems to be always there, like a family", Piper smiled before turning serious again. "I'm sorry that I didn't ask first. But as I said, I can delete these if you want."
"Honestly, Piper, if you would have asked before the photos, I would have probably said no. I'm not a fan of sharing anything about myself but now, after seeing the pictures and hearing the meaningful interpretation, I feel almost honored that you chose me", Eleanor smiled as she gently squeezed Piper's forearm.
"Thank you", Piper ducked her head.
"Is this going to be published somewhere?" Eleanor asked curiously.
"Oh, I don't know. I went recently to an interview for one magazine but even if I will get the job, I don't think I have the power to suggest topics to write about", she chuckled. "But if one of these photos ends up to the magazine, you'll be the first person I search."
"Thank you, dear. My daughter would be proud", Eleanor said with a kind of wistful voice.
"I'll do my best", Piper promised with a warm smile before getting up. "I hope we'll see again."
"Me too, Piper."
Piper gave her one final smile before starting to walk back toward her apartment. That interaction had calmed her down a lot and she felt going back to cook some food.
Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought! I promise there will be more vauseman in next chapter.
-Iina