Hey everyone, back again with the next update. I told you it would be quicker than last time ;) Thank you for all your lovely comments, that's what motivates me to keep going. Also, thank you for following and favouriting the story and those who followed and favourited me. It's really inspiring to know you like the story. So, please keep commenting and letting me know what you think. As long as your all interested, I'll keep writing. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 3:
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:22am
PIPER
[Hey Alex, I'm sorry about the voicemail, as you heard I had a bit too much to drink last night. I can't really remember what I said. Shalom? I'm fine, thanks. I hope you're keeping well. Yes, I'm still living here in New York. Maybe we should change that… What did you mean by that? No hangover thankfully, just a slight headache. P x]
Alex read the blonde's text with a small smile across her face. The brunette was starting to give up hope that Piper would reply. As Alex reread the text (again, for the tenth time), she couldn't help but over-analyse her words.
'Piper's being too polite and friendly… That's her damn waspy upbringing, that's not the real Piper. 'I hope you're keeping well', that's something you say to your grandmother, not your ex-girlfriend! But at least she texted back, she even returned the little kiss at the end.' Alex thought to herself, still smiling as she typed out her reply.
Seven minutes and fourteen seconds, that's how long it took for Alex to reply. Piper sat anxiously on her couch counting the minutes go by (literally). The blonde was a bundle of nerves as she waited on her ex-girlfriend's text, she couldn't seem to sit still as she bounced her leg repeatedly and fidgeted with the phone in her hands.
Alex sent her text at 3:17am, that was eight hours and five minutes ago. Piper remembered how hectic the older woman's work schedule could be from their time together. A lot could happen in eight hours. 'Alex could be anywhere in the world by now! But Alex said she was back in New York for a while… Although, that doesn't mean much. Plenty of times she said that when we were together then suddenly, we were moving countries (again) at a moment's notice. It could be hours, maybe days before I get a reply. That's if she replies at all… Why would she want to? I'm sure women all around the world are dropping at her feet, they certainly did when we were together. Alex could have her pick of any woman she wanted! What if she has a woman…? A girlfriend? Why would she waste her time texting her ex-girlfriend? Maybe Alex was just being nice sending that text last night.' Piper was so lost in her swirling thoughts that when her phone vibrated in her hand, notifying her of a text that she jumped and nearly dropped the phone.
1 NEW MESSAGE – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:29am
ALEX
[Hey, Pipes. It happens, don't worry about it, kid. You started and ended your call by saying shalom… And no, I didn't know it also meant goodbye. I can give you a recap on your voicemail, if you'd like LOL? Glad you're doing fine, kid. Yeah, I'm well thanks. You forgot to mention the part when you said you missed me, we could change that… You free for coffee? You were always a lightweight, kid. A x]
'Pipes', 'kid'… I used to love when she called me those nicknames. It just feels wrong when Larry calls me Pipes. Shalom? What the fuck was I thinking... I don't think I've ever even used that word before. Oh god, I gave her an explanation on the word too. I just had to drunkenly embarrass myself, in front of Alex of all people! Fucking foot in the mouth disease strikes again! A recap? Fuck, I'd rather not know any more! 'Yeah, I'm well thanks', that's short and to the point. Alex isn't gonna let my drunken confession about missing her go… I can just imagine the smug smirk on her face! Coffee? Fuck! What am I gonna say back to that? Do I want to see her again, after all this time? Of course, I want to see her… I miss her. She's Alex, my Alex. But if I see her, I'll want her… I'll always want her! I can't go back to that lifestyle again. I have a new life now, with Larry. Fuck! What am I gonna do?! A lightweight… She still knows me so well. Alex is probably the only person that ever really did.' Piper thought as she read her ex-girlfriend's text. After some careful wording and rewording, the blonde sent her reply.
In the five minutes that it took the blonde to reply, Alex poured a fresh cup of coffee and smoked another cigarette. After asking Piper to meet for coffee, she was a nervous wreck.
'It's not like you asked her on a date, Vause… Woman the fuck up! It's just two old friends catching up over coffee, it's no big deal. Even if she does decline the offer. Who am I kidding? We were never friends… Not for a second. I loved her. I loved having sex with her. Fuck it… I took the chance. I want to see her. I fucking miss her. It's probably the last time I'll ever get to talk to her, hopefully in person. It wasn't just a coincidence that she called last night, with everything going on in my life right now… It was fucking fate! I had to take the chance and ask. I can't have any regrets. Not where I'm going.' Alex thought to herself as she stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray. She was debating lighting another one when her phone beeped.
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:34am
PIPER
[Sorry, it won't happen again. Alert the news: Something Alex Vause didn't know LOL. I'd rather not know what I said last night, thanks. I'm glad you're well, Al. Since I don't recall saying that I missed you, I'm going to pretend that I didn't… I hope you do the same. I don't think coffee would be a good idea, Al. I guess some things never change. P x]
As Alex read the text, she tried to swallow down the lump forming in her throat. Partly from the blonde's rejection and partly from the use of her old nickname.
'I can't blame her for not wanting to drunk dial me again, it must be embarrassing for her not to know what she said on that voicemail. 'Alert the news: Something Alex Vause didn't know LOL.' There's my old Piper… Maybe there's hope to change her mind yet. 'Al.' I haven't heard that nickname in three years, the only people that used to call me that, both left me on the same day… Piper and my mom. 'Since I don't recall saying that I missed you, I'm going to pretend that I didn't… I hope you do the same.' Then comes the rejection, that's cold, Pipes. But I can't forget that she admitted that… A drunk mind speaks a sober heart, or so my mom used to say. If she truly misses me, I can convince her to have coffee with me. I have to give it another try… It's my last chance to see her again.' Alex thought to herself as she sipped her (almost cold) coffee and lit another cigarette, before typing her reply.
Piper sat on the couch bouncing her leg, waiting impatiently on the brunette's reply. 'I subtly told her to forget about my drunken slip about missing her… I think? I hope it came across subtle and not bitchy! At least my decline to her invite for coffee was polite… I don't think it would be a good idea. It's best if we keep our distance, we shouldn't even be texting. It's a bad idea.' Piper was lost in the thoughts about her ex. The blonde only had to wait a few minutes until her phone chimed in her hand.
1 NEW MESSAGE – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:38am
ALEX
[It was nice to hear your voice, kid. Haha, smartass :P I don't claim to know everything LOL. What if I told you I missed you too? Would you still want to pretend? Come on, Pipes… It's just coffee. I guess somethings never do, kid. A x]
'It would be nice to hear your voice again, Al. I loved how husky and raspy it was, especially first thing in the morning after a wild night in bed together… Don't even go there, Piper! It's amazing how we can just fall back into old habits and easily banter together. 'What if I told you I missed you? Would you still want to pretend?' Fuck… I wasn't expecting that! Alex doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, she doesn't show vulnerability. I expected her to tease me more, not tell me that she missed me! 'What if I told you I missed you?' Technically, she didn't admit that she missed me too… But she hinted at it. Does she miss me? Does that change things? Surely, that complicates things more? 'Would you still want to pretend?' If Alex admits that she misses me, should I stop pretending that I don't miss her? It's just coffee… Two old friends (ex-girlfriends) catching up (that misses the other). Maybe I should go.' Piper thought to herself as she replied to the brunette's message.
Alex thought to herself as she reread her last message to the blonde. 'We can still banter easily, like no time has passed. 'What if I told you I missed you too? Would you still want to pretend?' That will bring out the old Piper (my Piper) … Not this waspy version. That'll change her mind.' Just then her phone beeped with a text.
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:41am
PIPER
[I can't say the same as I never heard your voice, but it's nice talking to you, Al. Well, texting… But you know what I mean. I think you're still the smartass LOL. No, you don't claim to, but you think you do LOL. Do you miss me? I don't know… I have a boyfriend, Alex. P x]
'It's nice talking to you, Al.' There's the Piper I know… She even used my nickname. Piper's still comfortable enough to jokingly tease me, that's a good sign... She's coming around. 'Do you miss me?' I knew that would get her attention. 'I don't know…' It's not a yes, but she's slowly changing her mind. Piper warning me about her boyfriend means she's considering coffee.' Alex thought with a small smile as she started typing her reply.
After the blonde sent her last text, she went to her bedroom and looked through her wardrobe. 'If I do decide to meet Alex… And that's an IF. What am I gonna wear? I want to impress her... Not in a ''look how hot I am'' kind of way, more like a ''look how mature I am'' way. Although, I still want to look hot for her!
1 NEW MESSAGE – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:45am
ALEX
[It's nice talking to you again, kid. Think how much nicer it would be in person ; ) I think you're winning the smartass competition we got going here LOL. You should meet me for coffee and find out ; ) I'm aware, kid… You mentioned the boyfriend in your voicemail. A x]
'It would be nice to see Alex in person… I wonder if she looks any different from the last time I seen her. Does she still have blue tips in her hair? Maybe more tattoos? Does she still wear those black framed, hot librarian glasses? 'You should meet me for coffee and find out,' she wants me to meet her to find out if she misses me, she even added a wink emoji… Is she flirting with me? Don't flatter yourself, Piper. Alex flirts with everyone, it's part of her charm. 'I'm aware, kid… You mentioned the boyfriend in your voicemail.' Oh, god… What the fuck did I say about him?! She called me 'kid', so she doesn't seem mad about it. I think I need to do this… I need to see her again, maybe I can finally get her out of my system. Then, I can go back to being the nice, blonde lady that I'm supposed to be.' Piper thought to herself as she replied with a surge of adrenaline rushing through her.
Alex light up another cigarette as she nervously waited on the blonde's reply. 'I'm gonna need to buy another pack of cigarettes if I keep smoking at this rate… Fuck I hate waiting! I hope she says yes this time, I don't want to sound desperate… I'm practically begging my ex-girlfriend to have coffee with me. My no longer single ex-girlfriend. It's hard enough hearing that she's in a relationship… But a boyfriend! Of course, she went back to dick! A girlfriend would never fit into her perfect, yuppy lifestyle... I never fit into her waspy life! But that's in the past, it doesn't matter anymore. It's not like I want her back… I just want to talk. Make amends, we both have things to apologize for. We were both assholes to each other. I don't want any regrets and (any more) past mistakes hanging over my head. I'll have too much time to think about them and it will drive me insane!' Alex was lost in thought, her cigarette almost burnt away, as her phone chimed.
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:51am
PIPER
[It would be nice to talk to you in person, rather than text. It would be an honour to win the banter competition against your sarcastic skills LOL. When and where do you want to meet? I did? What did I say? P x]
As Alex read the blonde's message, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face or the flutter of butterflies she felt in her stomach.
Piper had picked out the perfect outfit and made her way back into the living room as she nervously waited on the brunette's reply.
'I can't believe I'm gonna do this… I'm gonna meet Alex! Am I crazy? Meeting my ex-girlfriend? What are we gonna talk about? We didn't exactly leave it on good terms… I abandoned her when her mother died! Oh, god! I really need to apologize! Will it be awkward? Of course, it will be awkward! How do we act around each other? Do we hug? No, that seems too intimate. But we used to be overly intimate, always touching each other. It would be weird if we didn't at least hug. Fuck! Maybe I shouldn't have said yes!' Piper was lost in a nervous ramble of thoughts as her phone beeped in her hand.
1 NEW MESSAGE – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:54am
ALEX
[Yes, it would, kid. Piper Chapman, I pronounce you the banter winner (this time) LOL. Our old coffee shop… 1pm? Yes, you did… You told me about his tattoo and said I was way cooler LOL ; ) A x]
'Maybe it won't be awkward at all, we seem to be able to banter with each other just like old times. 'Our old coffee shop', I haven't been able to go in there since I left Paris. Just walking past brings back old memories of a happier time with Alex. Although the memories may be happy, it still hurts to remember them. Maybe it will be different if I'm in the coffee shop with Alex… Maybe it won't hurt as much with her by my side. Or, maybe it will hurt more knowing that the last time we were in that coffee shop together we were happy and in love. Now, we're no longer together or in love. Alex is way cooler than Larry… She wouldn't have gotten a lame Kool-Aid Man tattoo. She would have gotten something totally badass, like the time she got the 'Love is Pain' tattoo. Alex was right in the end… Love is pain!' Piper thought to herself before she texted the brunette back.
Alex light another cigarette as she paced around the living room, nervously waiting on the blonde's reply.
'Piper could already have made plans for today. It's still not too late for her to back out of coffee. She could say she's busy and suggest we do it another time and just not follow through with it at all.' Before Alex could finish her thought process of trying not to get her hopes up, her phone chimed with a new message.
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 11:57am
PIPER
[This is a first, I'm honoured LOL. Okay, 1pm… I'll see you there. Can you blame me, Al? It's the fucking Kool-Aid Man -_- P x]
'She said yes… I can't believe she actually said yes! I thought for sure she was gonna blow me off. The old Piper didn't do confrontation very well… Maybe she's matured. And she thinks I'm cooler than her boyfriend!' Alex thought with a huge grin across her face as she read her ex-girlfriend's text. A mischievous smirk replaced her grin as she started typing her reply, the brunette's nerves was replaced with confidence and cockiness.
Piper waited impatiently on the brunette's reply. 'I can't believe I'm going to see Alex… I wonder if she still looks the same after three years apart. I used to love the blue tips in her raven hair. I used to love to run my fingers through them. I wonder if she still has them… I hope so!' The blonde was lost in thoughts of her ex-girlfriend as her phone chimed with a new message.
1 NEW MESSAGE – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 12:01pm
ALEX
[Don't count on it happening again LOL. I'll see you there, kid. It was the nerdiest thing I've ever heard LOL. I can't blame you for thinking I'm cooler… But aren't you gonna call me out on it? How do you know you really said that if you can't remember? Or do you make a habit of dissing all your partners? I don't want to know what you said to others about me when we were together :P A x]
Piper's heart pounded in her chest as she read the brunette's reply. As she seen the word 'kid' she felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter. 'Call her out on it? Fuck, I can't remember what I said! A habit of dissing all my partners… Said to others about her… Is she serious? Ohh, she still knows how to playfully push my buttons. I'm not gonna give in to it… I'm gonna give just as good back!' Piper thought to herself with a mischievous smile as she typed her reply.
Alex smoked another cigarette as she waited on the blonde's reply. She sat with a smirk across her face, her nervousness was gone and replaced with confidence. The brunette was lost in thoughts of her ex-girlfriend, trying to mentally picture what Piper looked like now. If she still looked like the same sweet, innocent young woman or if she looked more mature. Alex didn't have to wait long until her phone beeped with a message from the woman currently occupying her thoughts.
1 NEW MESSAGE – PIPER
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 12:04pm
PIPER
[Don't be surprised, my banter skills have improved over the years LOL. Looking forward to it, Al : ) I never said you were cooler. Maybe I just trust you not to lie to me… I've never dissed my partners, especially YOU! P x]
'I'm looking forward to it too, Pipes. Of course, I'm cooler than that nerd! I could never lie to you, kid. Somehow, I believe that she's never said a bad word about me… Maybe because no one knew about my presence in your life!' Alex thought to herself as she read the blonde's text message.
Piper sat on the couch trying to process her emotions. She was feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement at the thought of seeing her ex-girlfriend. Piper was lost in her thoughts as she heard her phone chime.
2 NEW MESSAGES – ALEX
Text message: Friday 3rd April – 12:07pm
ALEX
[I'll have to hear this for myself LOL. Me too, kid : ) You may not have said it, but you didn't disagree either ; ) I've never lied to you, not ever… Maybe I paraphrased a little though. I know you wouldn't diss me… I still trust you, kid. A x]
'Alex still trusts me! Even after I broke her heart, she still trusts me!' Piper's heart fluttered at the thought. The blonde's phone chimed again breaking her from her thoughts.
ALEX - 12:08pm
[Go get ready, I know how long it takes you LOL. I'll see you at 1pm, kid. If we keep texting, we'll have nothing to talk about ; ) A xx]
'Alex always used to tease me that it took me so long to get ready. Wait, 1pm… Oh fuck! It's already 12:08pm… Fuck, I still need to shower and get ready!' Piper thought as she jumped off the couch and ran to the bathroom to get ready.
There you go, guys, chapter 3. Can you guess where Alex is going? Why she doesn't want any regrets? Sorry if there's any spelling mistakes, I didn't have time to proof read. I just wanted to get it posted as soon as! Let me know what you think. The next chapter will be a Vauseman reunion. Stay safe!