When Alex's alarm goes off the next morning she doesn't even hit snooze. She's quick outta bed to shower and get ready. Thankful she didn't have to deal with too much taunting from Nicki the night before. It was for the most part an enjoyable evening with the two dear to her heart. Once ready she took her stuff downstairs, but detoured for some coffee, before loading up her car and heading to the storage place.
Alex was thankful she had packed up her things by type instead of rooms, so that she could grab just the boxes she wanted in the new space. She didn't take her bed but figured she was probably in need of a new one anyways. She loaded her car and saw she was slightly ahead of schedule as she hit the road for Northampton. She pulled up to the address Piper texted her a few minutes before 11, found a place to park, then walked up to Piper's door.
Piper heard a knock and practically ran to the door. "Hey Alex come on in. We have a few minutes before we need to leave."
""Thanks Piper. Nice place you have," Alex says while following Piper to the living room. Her eyes drifted to a large bookshelf. She couldn't stop herself from checking out the titles.
"See something you like Al?," Piper asks while moving closer.
"Yeah. I'm seeing some titles here that I haven't read before."
Piper smiles "Well your welcome to read them after the move. In fact I insist that we have a huge library, just without the duplicates." Alex notices her smile increasing with every word.
"With a laugh, "Sure Pipes. I would like that."
"Do you want something to drink or maybe to use the bathroom before we leave?"
"Sure. Do you have any coffee ready? I only had one cup earlier."
"Yeah, there's part of a pot left. How'd do you like yours?"
"Straight black please. And which way to the bathroom?"
"Right down the hall, first door on your right. The second door is my bedroom."
"Thanks Pipes. I'll be right back." Alex couldn't resist peaking in the bedroom before rejoining Piper. 'Wow, she is super organized. Kinda what I expected.'
Piper hands her a to go mug. And has one of her own as well. A knock at the door, and Donovan confirms they are ready. Piper turns to Alex and tells her let's go.
Alex follows Piper and sees the security team, the one she will be replacing in a little over a week. She takes note of how the team goes about things, to see if it's any different from what she's been taught.
Piper grabs Alex's hand and leads her to the realtor. "Nice to see you again Sandra. This is Alex, she's going to be my roommate so of course she needs to see both properties so we can make a decision today."
"Hi Alex. It's a pleasure to meet you. Piper I was thinking we'd start with the 3 then swing back to see the 2. Should I ride with you again?"
Piper smiles, "Yeah that's probably easiest."
Once in the first apartment Piper watches Alex's expressions closely. Hoping that the reactions mirror what she felt the other day. Alex makes the occasional positive comment. Piper trying hard not to let her opinions color Alex's. The second property goes much the same. Piper then asks Sandra to give them some time alone.
"So Alex, what do you think? Do you have a favorite of the two?"
Alex looks Piper directly in the eyes, reading her expressions and even her thoughts before answering. "I think both properties are incredibly nice. But since I found myself intrigued my what you shared about the three-bedroom, I find myself wanting that one."
"That's the one I'm most wanting, so I'm thrilled that you agree. If your sure we can get the process going today and find out how soon next week we can move in," Piper's clapping her hands in excitement.
Alex agrees and they tell Sandra they want the three bedroom. Sandra asks if they can follow her to the office and sign the paperwork. They agree. Sandra promises to call when the seller signs and give a move-in date.
Alex is surprised that they didn't need to put down a security deposit. She asks Piper about it and discovers that Bill is handling it. And that he's offering the same deal to Piper and Alex that Bill currently has with Piper and Polly. She's not entirely sure how she feels about that, but guesses that if it was okay for Polly then she should just appreciate it. "Piper, when the rent is due do I pay the property company or your father?"
"Honestly Al, I stay out of money arrangements set up by my Dad years ago. But I'll ask him or Sandra about it if you'd like me to."
""I appreciate that Piper. But I'm probably thinking I should talk to your Dad about it, so as not to assume anything just because he handled things a particular way with Polly. Would you give me his number so I can do so?"
""Yeah, of course Alex. And your right, he would probably respect it more coming from you. Great idea."
"So Pipes," Alex says with a raised eyebrow and tiny smirk, "didn't you promise to show me places you like around here."
So Piper spends the next several hours doing just that, loving every moment she gets to spend with the raven-haired beauty, before arriving home.
"So Alex would you like to stick around awhile or is there somewhere you need to be?"
"'I really want to stay, but should I? Maybe I sure just say I have no plans and let her decide.' "No Pipes, no where in particular I need to be."
Piper smiles widely. "Then your staying. I'll either make up something or order delivery. We can watch netflix in my room. There's an automatic link in on my computer. If you'd like to find us something. You can stay out here if you like, but Polly might come in and let's just say that not only have I been avoiding her but I also haven't dropped the bomb of moving yet. So unless you love drama, you might wanna get comfy in my room instead."
"You make a good point. Maybe I should go in there."
"I sure as hell would" Piper laughs and Alex laughs with her. "Al what do you want to drink? I'll bring it in once I figure out the food situation. Make yourself at home, seriously. I have nothing to hide."
"Piper is able to find everything she needs to make a meal. She takes a beer to Alex. "So Alex, I have everything I need for chicken parm. How does that sound to you? Or would you rather eat sooner and get delivery?"
"Chicken parm sounds amazing. Haven't had it in forever." Piper notices the genuine smile on her face.
"Okay, do you want to stick with beer or switch to wine when it's ready?"
"Beer for now. Maybe a glass of wine with dinner."
"Okay it'll be about an hour. I'll keep checking back. You can start watching something on netflix or if you'd rather read there's a smaller bookshelf in here. I'm not trying to keep you strictly in my room, just warning that should Pol come in, you don't wanna be pulled into her line of fire before me."
"I will take your word for that Piper. And really I'm fine in here. Trust me after the dorm this feels like a mini-sanctuary" Alex chuckles.
Piper is half way to her bedroom with plates of food when she hears the door open. Piper quickly makes it into her room.
"P, are you here? If so, we sure as hell need to talk," Polly's voice rising with each word.
Piper sets the food down and tells Alex to start whatever she picked out for them to watch. Alex looks at her and quietly asks "Are you not going to answer her?"
"Not while our food is hot and waiting to be devoured," she whispers as quietly as possible.
Alex just studies her face, then nods in understanding. They barely finish the meal before there's pounding on the bedroom. Piper jumps at the voice and looks at Alex with discomfort all over her face, and maybe a hint of fear.
"P, I can see light under the door, get your damn ass out here now!"
"Piper whispers into Alex's ear "seems I'm called to the firing line. She's not going to stop until I go out there. If it gets too tough I'll call out you name, only you can calm me." Alex gives her a quick hug and let's her go with a nod.
Piper opens the door just enough to let herself out before closing it behind her. "Yeah Pol. I was eating and watching netflix. What do you want?"
"What do I want? You've been avoiding me for days, blowing off the last two parties we were supposed to. And that's all you have to say?"
"Pol, I've been telling you for months that I'm not into that scene anymore. We had a huge talk after my birthday about this, and yet a week of two later you're once again trying to guilt me into something I told you I wanted no part of. Seriously, I'm starting to wonder if you like me for me or the damn image that others created for me."
"Do you even hear yourself? You're talking nonsense. Ever since you started on the security detail stuff you've been acting weird. Yet you're trying to bitch me out? Unbelievable."
Piper's jaw drops. 'I can't believe my ears. Polly has a hell of a nerve to try and blame me, when I've told her numerous times over many months that I wasn't okay with what she tries to force me into. I get a backbone and suddenly I'm the villain. Oh hell no!'
"I can't believe you just said that. My not wanting any part of those parties full of fake people who are only speaking to me because of my image or my family's money. It's total bullshit and I have zero desire to be around those types of people. I've been saying this for at least half a year. Yet you don't give up!"
Polly is fuming at her. And Piper is close to loosing her shit. 'I'm so glad Alex is here. I'm really gonna need you when I drop the apartment bomb.'
"You know Pol, I'm starting to like my decision more every second. I signed a new lease today. I'm moving out before classes start. You can either move out. Or bring a new roommate in when the lease is up and re-sign under your own names. My Dad will not be writing another check to this apartment complex." Piper turns and runs back to her bedroom locking her door behind her.
"P, you bitch! Don't you run away. What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Piper curls up next to Alex. Alex wraps herself protectively around her. 'Her heart is beating so damn fast and she's shaking.' "Shhh Pipes. I'm here I've got you. Try and steady your breaths, Yeah just like that Pipes. Look in my eyes" she whispers.
Piper locks eyes and finds herself drowning in the green hues. The tension begins to slowly fade away when she's focused on Alex and her gentle touches. 'I could not have gotten through this without Alex.'
"Thank you Al."
"My pleasure Pipes. You feeling better? Care to talk about it or would you rather forget?"
"Alex, please help me forget." She pulls the raven-haired goddess even closer. Alex smiles and enjoys the embrace. They hold each other until they fall asleep.
Alex awakens early the next morning. 'That was kinda crazy last night. I know Piper was having problems with her best friend, but I thought she was exaggerating a little. Nope. How could Polly be so thoughtless and clueless. I expected her to flare at the apartment reveal, but chick was outta control even before that. I was moments away from rescuing Piper before she came back in. What can I possibly do to make her next few days as tension free as possible? She looks so adorable cuddled up in my arms. Chill Alex, she's your boss and roommate, don't read too much into this. Damn, I need coffee.'
"Alex managed to make it to the kitchen to start some coffee, without running into Polly. She makes herself a cup and returns to the bedroom. 'Wish I knew what she liked in hers. I'll just ask when Pipes wakes up.' She grabs a book and crawls back into bed with her coffee. Glancing periodically at the beautiful blonde.
Piper stretches and barely opens her eyes, trying to adjust to the light. She finally opens them and glances to her side to see Alex reading and drinking coffee. 'Even Alex's names brings a smile to my face. I wonder if she realizes just how striking she is.'
"Well good morning blue eyes." Alex says with a big smile on her face. "What's your plan for the day?"
"Well green eyes," Piper says with a small laugh. "I haven't planned it out yet. But food is definitely high on the list. And coffee."
"How do you take yours? I'll go grab you some."
"Thanks Alex. I tend to go for two sugars and just a splash of milk or cream."
"Be right back Pipes." She returns with mug in hand.
"Are you hungry for anything special? We can go out or eat here, whichever you want."
Alex smirks at the suggestion. "Anything? Pipes you know better than to put thoughts like that in my brain."
Piper blushes. "I was speaking of food."
"I was too," Alex replies with a raised eyebrow.
'Damn. She keeps talking like that and I might have to jump that gorgeous body.'
Alex, thinking she might have overstepped, "Maybe I should grab some breakfast then. Do you know where my duffel bag is? I was going to take a shower."
"I can't recall if we took it out of the car. I know the boxes are still in your car. I'll find it, give me your keys in case it's there. Go ahead and take a shower. Feel free to use anything in there."
"Thanks Piper!"
Piper checks the bedroom and living room before heading to the car. She grabs the bag and one of the boxes. Then texts Donovan to come help her grab boxes. The guys help her empty Alex's car and take everything upstairs to her bedroom.
Knocking on the bathroom door, "Alex I'm going to put your bag right inside the bathroom." The door opens to Alex standing in just a towel. Piper can't take her eyes off Alex's toned form, eyeing her slowly all the way up, finally reaching those enchanting eyes. She hands the bag over. Then turns and leaves with her face flushing a deep pink.
Alex shakes her head and softly laughs at Piper thoroughly checking her out. She quickly changes and takes the bag into Piper's room to free up the shower. "Pipes, bathroom is all yours." Alex looks around amazed that her boxes have all been placed inside. She stacks them neatly along the walls to get them out of the way, before finishing getting ready.