Author's note: Almost on time... I just wanted to say that I know nothing about photographing or how magazines work but I try to research stuff, so the things would be even somewhat accurate. Anyway, there may be (will be) some mistakes, so just ignore them :D Btw, I don't think I have mentioned it anywhere but Piper moved to Boston.
IMPORTANT QUESTION: I've been writing usually from Piper's POV but would you like me to write more from Alex's POV?
Enjoy!
Piper was woken up by a loud thud. She startled awake and quickly sat up on her bed to look around. It was silent for a while and Piper checked the clock. It was 3 a.m. and she was going to go back to sleep when she heard it again. This time Piper realized that it didn't come from her own apartment.
It came from the apartment next to her and Piper groaned. She would be very disappointment if Alex turned out to be that kind of neighbor who stayed up all night and kept her neighbors awake. Piper just laid back and closed her eyes.
After one more faint thud, it went quiet and Piper could fall asleep again.
Piper's inner clock woke her up around seven. She was tempted to just stay in bed instead of getting up and going for her daily run. Even though she had been up only for few minutes after she woke up at night, it still made her more tired than usual.
At last she got up and went to put on her running clothes. It was warm even if it was an early morning, so she went with running tights and a tank top. She quickly put her hair up on a messy ponytail before taking her phone and headphones and leaving the apartment.
She subconsciously glanced at Alex's door and stopped when she saw keys in the lock. Piper wondered if she should just ignore them or do something. She didn't think that Alex would be so stupid that she'd leave keys in the lock on purpose, so Piper figured that she must have been tired or otherwise distracted when she had come home last night.
Piper decided just to drop the keys from the mailbox, not wanting to leave the keys in the lock and not wanting to disturb Alex.
When she had done that, she turned around and was going to continue her way outside when she heard the door to open.
Piper turned around again to see Alex standing there only in her pajamas that contained shorts and baggy T-shirt.
"Well, good morning", Alex greeted with much deeper and raspier voice than usual.
"Oh my god, I didn't wake you up, did I? I mean your keys were in your lock and I thought that I'd-"
"Relax kid", Alex interrupted as she bent down to take her keys. "You didn't wake me up. I mean if I were asleep, I certainly wouldn't have gotten up and come open the door in ten seconds."
"Right... But why are you awake at this hour?" Piper questioned.
Alex chuckled. "Why am I not allowed to be awake at this hour? I mean you're too."
"I didn't mean- I just... I heard you were up still in the small hours, so I just assumed that you wouldn't be up yet", Piper rambled.
"Oh, shit. I woke you up, didn't I?" Alex asked apologetically as she leaned against the doorframe.
"I mean... uhh, well, yeah. But it was nothing, I fell back asleep quickly."
"Sorry about that. I went to a couple of drinks with my friend yesterday and that turned out to be a couple of too much drinks. I don't even know how I got home last night", Alex chuckled as she rubbed her eyes.
Piper stared at Alex. She was hungover, had slept about four hours, had no make-up and she still managed to look that good?
Alex raised an amused eyebrow at Piper's staring. "Well, anyway, thanks for the keys. Wouldn't want anyone breaking into my apartment... Although, it's probably not breaking in if there's keys... Oh my god, I'm way too tired and way too hungover to think shit like this. You go to your..." Alex trailed off as she gestured towards Piper's attire. "Run? Please tell me where you get energy to go for a run at this time of day?
Piper laughed. "I have no idea."
"Well, have a good run, I'm going back to sleep", Alex chuckled.
"Thanks. Good night then?"
Alex laughed again. "Good night."
Piper grinned even when Alex had closed the door, she didn't understand why talking with Alex always brought a smile on her lips. Alex just always knew what to say to get Piper smile.
Piper shook her head before starting to make her way down the stairs.
Piper had just got out of the shower when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Piper Chapman?"
Piper tried hard to contain her excitement. "Yes, that's me."
"Hello, this is Amanda Turner from the Believer magazine."
"Hi", Piper greeted with a wide grin. She tried not to get her hopes too high up but usually when the interviewer called, you got the job.
"I was calling about that photography position you applied for. Are you still interested?"
"Of course!"
Piper heard Amanda chuckle on the other side of the call. "I guessed as much. When you'd be ready to start?"
"Immediately. I mean not immediately but like on Monday?"
"Monday? That would be great. How about you come at my office at 9? Then we can go over the details and sign the contract."
"Yes, that sounds good."
"Congratulations, Piper, you've got yourself a job. I look forward to working with you", Amanda said with that same kind of kind tone she had used in the interview.
"Likewise", Piper replied, barely repressing her enthusiasm.
Amanda chuckled again, probably hearing Piper's eagerness. "Alright then, see you on Monday. Bye."
"Yeah, bye!"
When the call ended, Piper jumped on her bed with a wide smile. She couldn't wait to get to tell the good news to her parents and Polly.
However, she got up quickly and started to clean the apartment. It wasn't messy but Piper wasn't in a mood to get chastised because she kept a book on her coffee table instead of in the bookshelf.
After making sure that the apartment was nearly spotless, Piper checked the clock. It was 11.30 a.m. She thought that now would be a good time to start cooking. Piper had decided to make some smoked salmon with potatoes and salad. Well, more like she bought smoked salmon and is going to put in in the oven.
Just when Piper had taken the salmon out of the oven, her doorbell rang. She took a final look around the clean apartment before went to open the door.
"Piper!" Carol immediately exclaimed as the door was open.
"Hi, mom", Piper chuckled as she embraced her mother in a hug.
"Have you already settled in? Did Larry help you with the rest of your things? Oh, it smells good in here. When have you learned to cook salmon?" Carol chattered as she stepped further into the apartment.
Piper and her dad exchanged an amused eye-roll before Piper hugged him too. "Hi, dad."
"Hello, sweetie", Bill greeted her daughter as he closed the door behind him.
"Mom, I already forgot most of the questions you asked but I just put the salmon into the oven. That wasn't too hard."
Carol gave Piper an amused look. "Of course, you did."
"Hey! What was that supposed to mean?" Piper asked in mock hurt.
Before Carol got the chance to answer the doorbell rang again. Bill opened the door as he was standing the closest to it.
"Polly, Pete", Bill nodded in acknowledgment. "Nice to see you again."
"You too", Polly smiled.
Bill stepped aside, so Polly and Pete could get inside.
"Hi", Piper greeted her friends as well. "Welcome to my humble home", Piper joked as she went back to the kitchen to finish the salad.
"Have you heard anything about the magazine?" Polly asked immediately as she made her way after her.
Piper turned to face her best friend and couldn't help grinning uncontrollably, the salad already forgotten.
"No way!" Polly exclaimed.
"What? What magazine?" Carol asked puzzled.
"There was a photographer's position open in the Believer magazine. So, I applied there and went to an interview", Piper explained. "They actually called me a little while ago... I got the job!"
Piper barely managed to keep her balance when Polly bounced to hug her. "I knew you would!"
"What, like an internship?" Bill asked curiously.
"No. A real, fulltime job. Obviously, there will probably be some sort of probationary period, but yeah..."
"That's amazing, honey!" Carol smiled widely. "But why you didn't tell us that you had started looking for a job?"
"I thought it was clear that I'd be looking for a job. Somehow I have to pay this rent and other stuff. I didn't tell about this particular job because I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up", Piper tried to explain, still not fully understanding herself that she really got the job.
"We're so proud of you", Bill told Piper as she went to ruffle her hair, something he did a lot when Piper was younger.
"Thanks."
"Well, now we have two bottles of champagne and two reasons to celebrate", Pete spoke as she lifted the champagne bottle. "Congratulations, Piper."
"That's true", Polly nodded in agreement. "But can we start eating? I'm hungry."
"The food is almost ready, I just have to finish the salad. It won't take long."
"I'll help. It'll be faster", Polly said.
"Do you guys want to open the champagne already or wait after the food? I have some wine with food", Piper asked as she walked into the kitchen area.
"Well, if it doesn't take long to make the salad, I think we can wait?" Bill suggested.
"The salad will take five minutes max."
"In that case, we can definitely wait", Bill nodded as he already went to sit at the table.
"So, where's Larry?" Pete asked conversationally.
"Uh... He went to watch some football with his friends", Piper shrugged as she recalled their fight.
Polly sent her a curious look, probably noticing Piper's weird tone. Piper just mouthed 'later' and Polly nodded in understanding.
When everyone had eaten, they opened one of the champagne bottles and drank it while talking about Piper's new job and other things about the new city she had moved. Her parents were living about an hour drive away and Polly had also moved to Boston with Pete.
"Well, I think we should get ready to leave", Piper's dad said after a couple of hours.
Carol and Bill got up and both hugged Piper. "Take care of yourself. "
"Of course", Piper responded. "Bye! And drive safe!" she called out after them.
"-ly", Pete grinned when the door had closed.
Piper furrowed her eyebrows before starting to explain. "You know, either form is correct. Safe is a flat adverb and-"
"Okay, okay! I don't need to hear a lecture about grammar", Pete hurried to interrupt.
"Apparently you do if you don't know what is a flat adverb."
Pete sent Polly a begging glance but she just grinned. "You should have known better than to try correct Piper's grammar."
"Should we go home too? We said the babysitter that a couple of hours", Pete changed the subject.
Polly thought about it for a couple of seconds. "You can go, I'll come a little later. I have to talk about something with Piper. Girl stuff."
"Alright then. It was nice to see you again Piper and don't worry, I'll check out what is a flat adverb!" Pete said as she waved at Piper.
"You'd better", Piper joked chuckling.
When Pete had left Polly turned back to Piper. "So. Larry?"
Piper sighed as she went to sit back on her couch. "I don't know... It just... We never do anything nice together and he is just always writing."
"Have you talked about this with him?"
"Yeah, yesterday. When he asked about the football match, I tried to talk to him about this but it led only to a fight. He just stormed off and I've not heard anything about him since."
"Wow... When was the last time he has taken you to dinner? Like to an actual restaurant?"
Piper avoided Polly's eyes. "Our first date?"
"WHAT?! Piper, please tell me he has at least done something for this relationship."
"He's been nice. He listens and knows when to order take-out."
"Piper. That's not how a relationship works. That's how friendship works."
"But we have sex!" Piper tried to argue.
"Is it even good?"
The blonde went silent.
"I'll take that as a no", Polly said with a sympathetic voice.
"It's decent. It's not bad per se, but he could pay more attention to my needs."
"Have you gone any dates? Have done anything together outside of your apartments?"
"I used to drag him to a café with me but he just always ended up writing, so I haven't even bothered lately. We have been a few times in a movie theater but lately, we literally haven't done anything. He didn't even help with moving at all. I guess he's a bit mad that I didn't move in with him."
"You need to talk with him. Like force him to listen if he doesn't want to. Because you deserve happiness and that relationship does not sound happy. Talk with him", Polly encouraged.
"But... I don't want him to feel obligated to do anything for me."
"If he really loves you or even cares about you, he wouldn't feel obligated to do anything. He sure as hell should want to please her girlfriend. If he doesn't then... I guess he isn't the right guy. Please, don't let that to continue like this because then you'll only regret it later."
"I'll talk with him", Piper nodded with a thankful smile.
"Good. I really hope you guys manage to get it to work but if it doesn't... then I'll be here for you."
"Thanks, Polls."
On Monday Piper found herself again sitting in Amanda's office.
"Are you excited?"
"Yeah", Piper grinned.
"Nervous?"
"Maybe a little", Piper admitted.
"That's okay. This is your first job after college, it is important", Amanda smiled gently. "But to the point. As you probably already figured, you're not going to have regular working hours. Obviously, your job is to photograph but you have to remember that you don't decide what kind of photos will end up in the magazines. Do you know who does?"
"I guess an editor?"
"Exactly. Our managing editor generally decides what we publish and what we don't. She listens if the writers have an idea for a picture and I'm sure she'll be happy to hear your opinion too since you're the actual photographer. But she makes the final decision what will be published", Amanda explained.
"Got it", Piper nodded in understanding.
"So, from now on, you'll be working mostly with her. She contacts you when there's a need for a photo and you'll discuss the options with her and maybe the writer and then you'll take the pictures and send them to her."
Suddenly something popped on Piper's mind. "What... what if the photos that I take isn't what she's looking for?"
Amanda chuckled. "Then they're not. No one expects you to be able to read minds. You go there and take a different kind of photos and if she doesn't like any of them which is very rare then she explains what your photos lack or what they need more and you try again. It's rare that the editor demands one specific kind of photo and anything else won't work. But situations like that she might accompany you and she can show what kind of photo she is looking for."
"Oh, okay."
"But like I said, these situations are rare and you should be fine by just taking different kind of pictures that you think fits.
"Good to know."
They talked about the wage and other practical things before they signed the contract.
"Great. Now when we have got that out of the way, you can get to know some people and stuff. My assistant, Jessica, can show you around and introduce you to some people. When you're done with the tour, pay a visit to the managing editor. She probably wants to see who she will be working with, and I'm sure you do too. Then you just can go home or stay here and get to know people, you'll be informed immediately when there's an assignment for you", Amanda smiled. "Welcome to work at the Believer, Piper."
"Thank you."
After that Amanda called her assistant in and instructed her to show Piper around.
"So, I think it would be the easiest to start from here, top floor", Jessica started as she led Piper out of Amanda's office.
Jessica showed Piper where all the important offices were, where the writer's offices were and where Piper could edit her pictures if she didn't have editing software on her own laptop. Piper asked her some questions and Jessica answered them and told her a bit about her own experiences about working here. At last, they went back to the top floor.
"And here's the managing editor's office. She might come off as a little intimidating but she is actually really nice when you get to know her", Jessica told Piper as she pointed at the door.
"Thanks", Piper smiled. "I guess I'll see you around?"
"Yeah, see you. I hope that you'll enjoy working here."
"I think I will", Piper responded before turning to knock on the door. Her eyes found the little sign next to the door which read: Managing editor, Alex Vause
Her tall neighbor immediately popped into her mind but she didn't dare to get her hopes up since there probably lived dozens of-
"Come in."
Well, there was no mistaking about that voice. Piper didn't know why she was suddenly panicking. Her hot neighbor who had been flirting with Piper since she moved was going to be her almost boss?
Piper gulped before opened the door carefully and stepping inside.
Alex looked up from her computer screen and confusion showed on her face as she recognized Piper. However, her facial expression turned soon into a wide grin. "Please tell me you're our new photographer."
Piper smiled sheepishly. "I am."
"Come sit?" Alex asked as she pointed at the chair in front of her desk.
The blonde nodded before sitting onto the chair stiffly, not knowing what she should do or say.
"Relax, Piper. You look like a kid who got called into principal's office for the first time", Alex chuckled as she clicked something on her computer before fully facing her.
"Sorry", Piper said quietly as she ducked her head in order to hide the soft blush covering her cheeks.
It was adorable, really. Piper obviously didn't know what to do with herself and was nervously fumbling with the hem of her shirt.
Alex didn't want the younger woman to feel uncomfortable, so she started talking. "I assume that Amanda told you all the basics?"
Piper looked up and nodded. "Yeah."
"Great. How would you like me to contact you when I got an assignment for you? Would you rather an email or that I'll just turn up on your doorstep?" Alex couldn't help herself.
She was pleased with herself when she heard Piper let out a small laugh. "Email is just fine."
"Wait a second, I'll check if Amanda has sent me your contacts..." After a while of searching, Alex found what she was looking for. "Oh, yeah here they are."
She furrowed her eyebrows as one of the unopened emails caught her eye. "Who the fuck thinks we're going to publish an article about gasoline prices?"
Piper's eyes widened. No way.
"What?" Alex asked after noticing Piper's weird reaction.
Piper didn't know if she should laugh or cover her face in embarrassment. She ended up doing both.
"What?" Alex repeated amused.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing", Piper responded. Alex didn't need to know that Piper's boyfriend had written it.
Alex narrowed her eyes suspiciously before opening the email and checking the writer's name. Larry Bloom.
Suddenly she remembered something and snapped her gaze back toward Piper. "Please tell me your boyfriend Larry didn't write this."
Piper bit her lip as her cheeks reddened even more. "Unfortunately, he did."
"Oh my god", Alex shook her head. She didn't know Larry but Piper seemed too good for him. "Not to disrespect your boyfriend or anything but our standards are way higher than gasoline prices."
"I know. And he knows it too but he doesn't want to accept it."
Alex gave an understanding nod. "Anyway, everything should be good. I'll get a few articles tomorrow morning, so I'll email you tomorrow. If you have anything to ask you can email me or call or whatever", Alex said as she gave Piper her contacts. "You can also just come to ring my doorbell if you prefer face to face chat."
Piper chuckled softly. "I'll keep that in mind."
Thanks for reading! Like always, please review and tell me what you thought. HAHAHA, I know everyone is just waiting for Larry and Piper to break up...