Chapter 16: Family game day
The next morning Piper woke up and smiled. Wait - was that all a dream - or did she really tell Alex that she was in love with her. She touched her lips. She could remember feeling lips on hers. She was pretty sure it were Alex's too. Or was it a overly realistic dream? Piper was confused. She needed proof that this really happened, god, she needed it to have happened. She heard her phone ring. Someone had texted her.
[Alex: Good Morning, Pipes. Can't wait to see you today. :-)]
Piper felt excited. This meant yesterday in fact wasn't a dream.
[Piper: So yesterday really happened?]
[Alex: ? Like any other day before that. But if you mean confessing feelings then yes.]
[Piper: Yay. For a moment I thought this was all a dream.]
[Alex: It stopped being a dream yesterday…]
[Piper: It just seemed too good to be true.]
[Alex: It is. So, when do I get to see you today?]
[Piper: I could come over?! Or do you want to do something, like go swimming, we haven't done that in ages.]
[Alex: Anything would be great. Why swimming exactly?! There is a lot of things we haven't done in a while?]
[Piper: Something else then? Suggestions? I like water. And you. In a swimsuit.] Piper giggled as she sent this.
[Alex: Look who's all flirty now!]
[Piper: So, do I need to pack my swimstuff?]
[Alex: Pack it and we'll decide when you're here?!]
[Piper: Sounds good. I'll be there as soon as I can.]
Piper jumped out of bed, got dressed and collected a few things to take with her. She grabbed her bag and went downstairs to get something to eat before heading over to see Alex.
"Look who's risen from the dead." Danny commented as she came to the kitchen.
"It's not that late, Danny!" Piper replied.
"Hey!" Carol stopped them going on. "Good you're finally here, Piper. We've decided to do a Chapman's family day as now Danny is here too and we're all together."
'No. Not today.' Piper internally cursed. "I, uhm, actually had plans for today."
"Well, you can do whatever it is any other day, this day will be a day this family spends together. No excuses." Carol insisted.
Why exactly today? All Piper wanted was to see her -girlfriend? They hadn't officially called it that, but Piper was sure she couldn't really call Alex her friend anymore. This was the first time Carol ever had the idea of a family day. Why exactly today? She'd never been so insistent about everyone spending time together.
"Please, mom. Can't we do that another day? Danny will be here for the next two weeks! We could also do that tomorrow?!" Piper suggested.
"What is so important that you can't postpone it?" Carol was now curious.
"Nothing." Piper gave in quietly still cursing internally. She couldn't tell her mother about what had happened the day before with Alex. She'd just play along and then hopefully get out when there was a good moment. She quickly texted Alex.
[Piper: I am so annoyed. Exactly this day Carol insist on having a family day, playing games and stuff. I tried but I can't get out of it.]
[Alex: Oh great. Since when do you guys do family days?!] Piper had to smile a little by Alex's sarcastic reply.
[Piper: Since today. I'm trying to get out as soon as I can. I'm sorry.]
[Alex: Not your fault. Good luck though. I'll be waiting here for you.]
[Piper: I can't wait to see you later.]
Piper's last text made Alex smile. She was impatiently waiting to see Piper too. They sat at the breakfast table as Diane watched her daughter go from really happy and anticipating to annoyed.
"Everything okay, hon?" Diane asked.
"Urgh. Well… Piper wanted to come over and now she just texted that Carol wants to do a family day and there is no way to get out any time soon." Alex told her.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I'm sure though this isn't on purpose. Carol doesn't know and probably just enjoys having her kids around. It's not wrong to want to do something with everyone while everyone is together." Diane explained.
"I don't get how you can be understanding with her like that. Piper told me yesterday what it was you two fought about couple weeks ago." Alex started. Diane looked surprised.
"I know it is hard to understand. And even if I don't like Carols views, she is a mother and likes spending time with her kids. Same as I like spending time with my children." Diane told her.
"Yeah, but you don't disapprove of me seeing my best friend because she likes girls." Alex argued.
"Well, I'm hopeful that Carol will learn one day that all that counts is her kids happiness and not if they prefer girls or boys. Same as she doesn't judge them if they prefer pizza over pasta. It's not a choice you make, it's a thing of personal taste and preferences. One you were born with. People shouldn't judge other people, especially their own kids, over their preferences whether it comes to food or your choice of partner." Diane said. Alex in this moment was even more proud than ever before to be her mother's daughter. She went over and hugged her. Diane looked surprised for a second but soon reciprocated the hug.
"I couldn't have asked for a better mother. I love you." Alex whispered in her ear which made Diane the happiest person ever and she felt tears rise in her eyes.
"I love you too, honey." Diane quietly replied and kissed Alex on the cheek. "What do you want to do until Piper can sneak out of the family day?"
"We could play something?!" Alex suggested. She liked the days when they could spend time together. It was great that her family was so close, she always felt safe to be herself around everyone, a fact she knew wasn't a given thing. She saw how Piper struggled with the expectations of her parents and how much of herself she could show them without them disapproving.
They agreed on a game and played for a while. It seemed like ages but they had a lot of fun when suddenly the bell rang. Alex jumped up. "I hope this is Piper." she exclaimed and went to answer the door. Diane and Louis smiled at the excitement. Soon they heard excited chatting from the hallway. Both girls came into the living room with the biggest smiles on their faces. Piper shortly said hi to Diane and Louis and they went to Alex's room.
"God, are they cute." Diane whispered to Louis.
"Young love." Louis smiled.
In Alex's room Piper and Alex had made themselves comfortable building a nice place to sit closely with the blanket and pillow.
"How did the family day go?" Alex asked a little curious.
"It wasn't that bad. We played a few games until my mother was satisfied with the time everyone spend together and finally let everyone go. It felt like days though." Piper said, cuddling into Alex. "What did you do?"
"We played games too. It was fun. I'm glad though you're finally here." Alex smiled at Piper, enjoying having her so close.
"Me too." Piper said and returned the smile, turning her head slightly so she looked at Alex directly. Alex lowered her head a little and kissed Piper sweetly.
"Mhm. I love doing that." Alex said looking into Piper's eyes after breaking away from the kiss when both girls needed to breathe.
"So do I." Piper replied. They just lay there for a bit cuddled into each other holding hands and enjoying each others presence.
"Wanna watch a movie?" Alex asked after a while.
"Sure." Piper replied. They started a movie and cuddled up on their improvised couch-like bed. "By the way. Does your mom know? When I came in it seemed a bit like that?!" Piper said and Alex told her how she had had talks with her about having a crush but not telling her who it was and about her mother making the connection somehow and asking her about it.
"Well, it must be great to have a relationship like that with your mother. Sometimes I wish my mother was a bit more like Diane. More than sometimes, to be honest." Piper said truthfully.
"It is. I can tell her anything. She's like a best friend. Next to being my mother." Alex said sincerely.
"I literally know no teenager beside you who would say that about their mother." Piper chuckled.
"Yeah, well. None of them have the luck of having Diane Vause as their mother." Alex replied.
Piper laughed and nodded. "You're a lucky girl."
"I definitely am. I got a great family and you here with me as my - girlfriend?" she said half asking. Piper's reaction was a wide smile. "So this is a yes?" Alex asked to be sure.
"Yes. It is." Piper still smiled brightly and moved closer to kiss her now girlfriend.
"This is my lucky weekend. Maybe I should play the lottery. I've got so much luck I'd probably win." Alex beamed.
Piper laughed. "Maybe you should. I guess we're both lucky."
They finished the movie and as it got later Piper unfortunately had to go home.
"I'll see you tomorrow at school though." Piper smiled.
"Where Nicky is going to be all over us with questions of what happened." Alex added sarcastically.
"I'd be curious too, if I was her." Piper replied.
"She's gonna be 'finally they won't complain about unrequited crushes anymore.'" Alex tried an imitation which made Piper laugh. Alex loved hearing Piper laugh.
"Anyway. I'll go home now. As much as I'd like to stay." Piper said and they went to the hallway and the door. On the way out Piper quickly said goodbye to Diane and Louis and then made her way home. But not before she gave Alex a sweet goodbye kiss.
The next day at school Piper was really late as she had overslept and ran to her class. This meant that she unfortunately didn't see Alex before school but she comforted herself with the fact she'd see her girlfriend - she loved calling her that in her mind - during the first bigger break. But first she of course saw Polly who had been curious ever since she noticed the change in Piper at the party.
"Hey, Piper!" she stopped her while they had to change rooms between lessons.
"Hey, Pol. What's up?" Piper asked.
"I was about to ask you that question. You're different since saturday?! The recent weeks you always seemed occupied with something in your mind and now you seem all glowy." Polly stated.
"That's because I am happy." Piper replied.
"You want to tell me the reason of your happiness?" Polly kept asking.
"Well, I could say that I've told somebody that I liked them this weekend and that person feels the same and that makes me pretty happy." Piper gave away. She wasn't sure how open Polly was towards girls dating girls.
"What? You didn't even tell me there was someone you liked? Who is it? I am so happy for you. Now we can go on double dates?!" Polly exclaimed excitedly.
"Woah, slow down there. I just told you and you're already planning double dates?" Piper asked unbelievingly.
"I suggested, not planned. But stop avoiding my questions. Why don't you want to tell me who it is?" Polly pushed.
"Well, what if I told you it was a girl?" Piper cautiously whispered to her.
"What? Piper since when are you g…" Polly started but Piper quickly shut her up by holding her hand over her mouth.
"First of all, if you were meant to say gay, I'm not. I like both. Second of all could you shout it across the whole yard, so everyone knows?" Piper asked sarcastically and looked at her annoyed.
"Sorry." Polly said quieter. "So you got a girlfriend?" she asked wide eyed.
"Yes." Piper answered and smiled widely.
"Who?" Polly asked again.
"You won't let go, huh?" Piper chuckled. Just then they ran into Alex who smiled widely at her. Unfortunately they didn't really have time as both were on their way to another classroom.
"Hey Pipes." Alex greeted.
Piper smiled back. "Hi Al. See you during break at the picnic tables?"
"Sure." she replied and turned to go to her room.
"Oh my god." Polly exclaimed. "It's Alex, isn't it?"
"Shh. Yes." Piper confirmed.
"Woah. I thought you were best friends?!" Polly was surprised.
"We were, are. I mean, she still is my best friend. But we both noticed at different points that what we feel is more than friendship." Piper explained.
"She is your girlfriend and best friend?" Polly asked incredulously.
"Isn't it possible to be best friends with your girlfriend, or boyfriend if you know each other very well? I think both works pretty fine." Piper told her.
"Well, best friend is usually for friends… And girlfriend for someone you have feelings for. But whatever, I guess somehow that could work together." Polly pondered. "Please tell me about saturday?!" she begged.
"Later, okay. The bell is going to ring any second." Piper said and as if on cue exactly that happened. After the lesson they went outside to meet with their boy/girlfriends. Piper promised to tell Polly as soon as they had time but right now she wanted to spend her break with Alex same as Polly went to find Scott.
"Hey, Pipes." Alex greeted when she saw her approaching the picnic table.
"Hey girlfriend." Piper smiled widely.
"I like when you call me that." Alex said happily. "But what happened to keeping it secret for now?"
"There is literally no one here beside the two of us!" Piper looked around.
"True. Come here." Alex replied and patted with her hand the place next to her. So Piper sat down next to her.
"We could catch up on that swimming sometime this week if you want to?" Piper suggested.
"I would like that. End of the week? How about Friday after school?" Alex offered.
"Sounds great." she replied.
They kept chatting and as they were still alone with no one around they used their chance to exchange a few kisses. Unfortunately the break was over too soon and they had to go back inside for the next lessons.
"See you at lunch?" Alex asked.
"Of course." Piper replied and smiled at her.
On their way in she ran into Polly. "Hey, how was your break?" Piper asked.
"Great, Scott and I found a rather quiet spot and talked a little and I tell you, Piper, he is such a good kisser!" Polly raved about her boyfriend. "How about you?"
"Well, pretty much the same." Piper smiled.
"You still owe me a story!" Polly stated.
"I don't owe you anything." Piper gave back. "But if you're nice I'll tell you the story. Later, though."
"Allright." Polly said as the bell rung.
Lunch break came around soon and they headed towards the cafeteria. "Sit with us?!" Polly asked.
"I promised to meet Alex." Piper only replied.
"Then you two sit with us?" Polly changed her statement.
"I'll ask her." Piper said looking around trying to find the black haired girl. She eventually discovered her strolling in with Nicky.
"Hey, blondie." Nicky greeted when they got closer and Piper rolled her eyes at the nickname.
"Hey." was her annoyed reply. "Polly asked if we want to sit with her."
"Another day?!" Alex asked.
"Okay. I don't mind. She'll just wonder. Why don't we go over there?" Piper pointed at an empty table and they sat down putting their trays in front of them. Nicky looked at both of them to find out if there had been any conversation about someone having feelings or if they were still both too scared to admit.
"I really enjoyed the party this weekend. Mostly because I could see Lorna in that gorgeous dress she was wearing but it was a good party." Nicky started trying to get them to talk. "How about you guys?"
Alex and Piper looked at each other. They had to tell their friend but no one really wanted to tell their friend. Alex eventually started.
"It was a good party that is true. But I most enjoyed the little walk Piper and I had." Alex said.
"Why that? Please feel free to fill me in on some details." Nicky nearly begged.
They laughed. "Well Piper told me what it was our mothers fought about and that Carol obviously found out about me liking girls and said some not so nice comments about it." Alex kept on telling.
"So that was all you talked about?" Nicky seemed almost disappointed. She had sensed something was different between her two friends but she didn't want to presume anything so she was waiting for them to tell her.
"No. Let me finish!" Alex said. "Piper also told me, that her mother told her to not see me again because she is homophobic. But I'm happy she didn't listen."
Nicky waited for her to go on but Alex stayed silent. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?!" she said annoyed.
"Well then you know how you are sometimes!" Alex laughed and Piper joined in.
"Nicky. Remember what you said the other day, when we met at the diner?" Piper asked.
"What exactly?!" Nicky asked but had an idea what Piper was hinting at.
"Well, let's say I thought about it, took the risk and it turned out pretty well." Piper smiled.
"I knew it would." Nicky smiled back. "Finally. It's been hard keeping in mind what I could say and what not, you guys!"
"Wait. What are you talking about?" Alex asked confused.
"I met with Nicky the other day. I needed someone to talk about how I felt about you who could maybe give me tips?! And Nicky said that maybe the party would be the right time to tell you that I liked you and risk it. I initially didn't want to because I was afraid I'd ruin everything, but Nicky encouraged me to go for it." Piper explained.
"I couldn't believe that you two have a crush on each other and both are too scared to do anything about it. So this was an easy to solve problem once I could convince at least one of you that it might be a good idea to talk about it." Nicky told them.
"Well I'm glad you did." Alex said and smiled widely. "Because now I finally got the girlfriend I wanted for sooo long."
"I'm happy for you two." Nicky said sincerely. "Now we can double date." she joked.
"Not you too!" Piper exclaimed and both Alex and Nicky looked at her surprised. "Why is everyone so keen on double dates?! Polly had the same idea."
"Wait - Polly knows?" Alex asked surprised.
"Well I had to tell her. She noticed my happiness and I told her how I told someone that I like them and it turned out we had the same feelings and when we ran into each other this morning between lessons she kinda figured it was you." Piper explained.
"And I thought you wanted to keep it secret for now?" Alex again pondered. "Surprises me a little to be honest."
"Well I guess close friends are okay. But everyone who needs to know, knows by now. So no telling more people." Piper replied.
"How many people do know?" Nicky wanted to know.
"Well, the three of us and Polly." Piper answered.
"And my mom, and probably dad." Alex added.
"Oh yeah, right." Piper remembered.
"Your parents already know?" Nicky was surprised.
"Well my mom has been overly perceptive my whole life. I told her about having a crush on someone but not who it was. I think at some point she figured out it was Piper and when I came home saturday all happy she asked me about it. And she'd know if I lied." Alex explained.
"And she's cool about it?" Nicky wondered.
"Yeah." Alex shortly replied and they finally ate their lunch which was half cold already.
They soon had to go back to their classrooms. The rest of their school day was really uneventful. Some of the teachers gave them a big load of homework and Piper was pretty annoyed as it meant less time she could spend with her girlfriend. Which was basically the only thing she really thought about for most of the time. In her math class after the lunch break she was so absent minded that Polly had to pinch her to get her attention back from her daydream and Piper noticed she had drawn little hearts with an 'A' in the middle all over her folder without even noticing.
"How could I not notice your crush before?" Polly whispered to Piper her question being rather rhetorical.
"No idea." Piper answered anyway. "And it's not just a crush."