Chapter eight

Piper POV

"Holy shit, babe," Alex said as I reached the group in the corner. "You wanna get out of here?" she asked after she had pressed our lips hard together.

I laughed a little but was internally happy that I had this effect on her. "Al, I just came here. Let's stay for at least twenty minutes."

"Okay, but if your hot ass isn't out of that door in twenty minutes, I will drag you out."

"It's a deal," I said and hooked her little finger with mine to signify a pinky swear.

"Piper, I am soooo happy that you're here, these two have been arguing whether Harry Potter one or star wars one is the most classic all night," Lorna said and came up to me to give me a tight hug.

"Can't you let that go? Movie night was weeks ago," I said and chucked of their stubbornness.

"And I still stand by Harry Potter," Alex said and looked over at Nicky.

"Well, I stand with stars wars, and with my big ass, you will never be able to move me," Nicky said.

"Let's go dancing," I said before they started to arguing again.

"That is a great idea, Piper," Lorna said and dragged Nicky to the dance floor.

Alex took my hand and guided us to a good space on the dance floor.

I am happy that I didn't have to work tonight because this is probably the last time we will be able to go to the club before finals start.

"Oh no," Nicky said and started towards the exit.

Alex turned towards the exit. "Fuck."

I turned towards the exit to see what the deal was, and then I saw her. Sylvia. Alex told me about Sylvia for some weeks ago, and even though I find it a little disrespectful to Sylvia that Alex went out with me when they were together, I still don't like her much.

I've never meet Sylvia, but I could see that she looked mad, and she was heading our way.

"Great," Alex said and took my hand and shoved me a little behind her.

"So, this is the cunt huh?" Sylvia asked and pointed at me, but looked angrily at Alex.

"Sylvia, I don't want to do this again," Alex said calmly.

"This is the cunt to ruined us?" she asked and this time she was looking directly at me.

"Don't drag her into this, we were already ruined."

"I think you should leave, Sylvia," Nicky said.

Sylvia gave Nicky a look but soon landed her eyes on me again.

"I think the bitch should leave," Sylvia said and grabbed my arm.

"Why should I leave?" I asked and forced my hands to me.

I saw it coming from miles away. I had already seen her clench her fist, but I was too slow to react. I could feel the pain from her fist spread through my face, and when her fist left my face, I was left with a burning sensation. I immediately felt myself losing balance, fortunately, Alex reacted quickly and took a firm grip on both my shoulders to keep me steady. I could see her saying something, but because of the ringing in my ears, I didn't understand what she was saying.

She looked over at Lorna for some seconds and said something to her. I could see Lorna nod her head before she came over to me and placed an arm around my waist and then Alex let go.

Alex POV

"I think the bitch should leave," Sylvia said and grabbed Piper's arm.

"Why should I leave?" Piper asked and I could see that she was struggling with loosening her arm from Sylvia's grip. I was ready to help Piper with her arm when Sylvia fucking punched Piper in the face. Even though all I wanted was to punch Sylvia for hurting Piper, I could see that Piper wasn't doing so good, and I managed to take a grip on her shoulders before she fell.

In the corner of my eye, I could see Nicky stepping towards Sylvia, and I decided that I would let her deal with her right now.

"Piper," I said clearly.

"Piper," I said again as I could see that her eyes didn't quite focus on me. "Can you hear me?" When I didn't get an answer, I took that as a no. I swear to god, I am going to fucking kill Sylvia.

I needed to get Sylvia out of here before I did something that could lead me in prison, but I knew that Piper still was dependent on me keeping her steady.

"Lorna, can you come over here and help Piper over to the chair?" I asked Lorna and made a gesture towards a bar stool that was close by. When I was 100% certain that Lorna had Piper steady, I let go of her and turned towards Sylvia.

"You fucking shit," I said and shoved her hard backward.

I was about to do it again, but Nicky held me back and nodded towards the bar. There I could see the bartending heading towards us, and I could also see Piper resting her head at the counter while Lorna tried to get in contact with her. It broke my heart watching Piper struggling, and all I want is to be there for her and help her, and hurting Sylvia won't help Piper get better.

"I think it is time for you to leave," the bartender said and started to guide Sylvia out.

"No, I am not done here," she said and tried to force herself out of his grip.

"Hey, back off and get out of here." This time she listened to him.

The second she turned her back to us and walked out, I headed over to where Piper was sitting, now with her eyes closed.

"I still don't think she can hear anything," Lorna said and looked at Piper with concern.

"Pipes," I said and stroke my arm softly on her shoulder. She opened her eyes a little but shot them close again as if she was blinded by the little light in the club.

"She seems pretty dizzy and I am honestly just waiting for her to throw up," Lorna said.

"Maybe we should take her to the hospital?" Nicky said and examined Piper's face.

I could see that her face was already bruising up, and she also appeared to be dozing off, which I don't think is a good idea.

"Nick, go out and see if you can get hold of a cab," I said but kept my eyes on Piper.

"Hey, Piper," I said and mentally nudged her in the shoulder. When she didn't react, I tried again and again, but she seems to be too far gone.

"Alex, I got one," Nicky said and came over to us.

Since I can't get any contact with Piper, I decide that the only way to get her to the cab, were if I carried her. I place on hand safely under her, and the other on her back, and carefully lifted her up from the stool.

Alex POV

"Okay, Piper Chapman, how are you feeling?" a doctor asked Piper and pulled up a flashlight to examine her.

"Nauseous," she answered as the doctor placed the flashlight in front of one of her eyes.

"Dizzy too, I suppose?" he asked and repeated the routine on her other eye.

She nodded a little as an answer.

Piper had woken somewhere on the way to the hospital, but she seemed to be very confused about her whereabout, and I tried my best to calm her down. We had now been sitting in the ER for two hours while some nurses came by every half-hour to examine her.

"You were there, right?" he asked and looked at me.

"Yes."

"What were her symptoms?" he asked and picked up a pen.

"Umm, in the beginning, she seemed to lose balance and I don't think she was able to hear anything. I also noticed that she was having trouble focusing. After a little while, she became more dizzy and nauseous, and then she was just gone," I said and thought back on the night we have had. I don't think I have ever been this scared before.

"Okay, it seems like Piper had a really hard hit to her head, and that has resulted in a mild concussion. We would like to keep you here in the ER for a few more hours just to observe you, but if your symptoms remain the same, you will be able to go home. A nurse will come with some medicine for you, just to get control over your nausea and some pain killers. If you have any more questions, or if something here, like the lights, are triggering your symptoms, please let us know." he said and gave us a last smile before he moved on to the next patient.

I sat up from a chair beside Piper's bed and seated down beside her. She rested her head on my shoulder and held her hands in mine.

"You don't have to stay," she said with a quiet voice.

"What?" I asked, wondering if I had heard her right.

"This. You don't have to deal with this."

"Pipes, I am going to take care of you okay? There is nowhere else I'd rather be," I said and placed my arm around her shoulder. She snuggled herself closer into my side, and then she closed her eyes.

Alex POV

"Hi, honey," my mom said as I quietly closed my bedroom door behind me. "How is she?"

"A little better, she's hasn't slept much today, but she still needs a few more days with rest."

"I'll be quiet tonight, then," mom said and went over to the kitchen area.

"I don't think you have to. Noice doesn't trigger her symptoms anymore, it is mostly lighting," I said and sat down on one of the stools at the counter.

"You think she is up for some food?"

"Nah, she is asleep right now and I did manage to get her to eat a yogurt before she went to bed. She's not that into food right now." I said and rested my head on my elbows.

I am really tired. I am too afraid to go to sleep while she is sleeping, incase her conditions worsen or she has to vomit and choke to death. And then I don't want to go to bed while she is up, because I want to spend all my time with her.

"Because of nausea?"

"Yeah. I really hate seeing her like this," I said and tried to contain my frustration.

"I know, sweetie. Hopefully, she will be her full self in a couple of days," mom said, stroking my arm.

"Yeah, hopefully. I think I'll go to bed now." I said and raised from the stool.

"Okay, honey, good night."

"Night, mom," I said and turned around, just to see a calming, warm smile before I went into my pitch dark room.

As I blindly made my way over to my bed, I was barely able to see my sleeping girlfriend on one side of the bed. I gently kissed her on the cheek, and I could feel the warmness from her bruised face on my lips.

As I moved my lips from her cheek, she stirred. "Just how unstable is this Sylvia person?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I said and laid down in the bed.

She sat up and looked at me seriously. "It was a very clear message. I know what you did, bitch, and I want you to know that I know."

I really want to reassure her that she is not the reason why all this happened.

I placed my hand over hers and gave it a little squeeze. "Look, being with you was my choice. I wasn't happy."

She looked down at me with a sweet smile. "And then I took advantage of that."

"I am a grown-up, Piper," I said and chuckled.

"Do you think that she's gonna come after me?"

I smiled a little from her adorable worrying, but I have to admit, that I was a little worried myself. "Look, I think that she needed to get it out of her system, all right?" I took a lock of her hair and twisted it around my finger. "Sometimes you gotta rage in order to move on."

I could see that she was hesitating, debating whether or not to say something more. "Did you love her?"

No.

"No," I said and now I am the one who is hesitating. "But I love you."

I know this should freak me out, but I actually found out about my love for her for some weeks ago. And then I did freak out. The first time was just one month into the relationship and it was also after sex, and I have read somewhere that you shouldn't say it after sex. There have been many times I have wanted to tell her, but I don't want to go too fast and scare her away. But now, there was no doubt that I love her, and I am ready to take the next step.

She had the biggest smile as she was looking warmly into my eyes. "You do?"

I have never felt this vulnerable yet so sure before.

She laid down beside me again, and I brushed some hair behind her ear before I stroke her hand.

"I don't say that to everyone," I said as she touched my chin. "You have to say it back."

Her blue eyes were filled with happiness and warmness. "I love you, too."

I smiled and pressed my lips passionately against hers, before I pulled her tight into me, and never wanted to let go.

A/N:

I swear this was the last time Sylvia would be there.

Things escalated quickly, and I hope you don't think I took it too far.

You know the drill, please leave a review, and next up, a little holiday special.