Chapter 9: Meeting friends
Piper finished and got dressed into a new set of clothes while Alex wore the same as yesterday.
"So did you have to do anything today so I could drop you off or maybe we could spend some time together before I have to go back on Wednesday?" Piper asked as she joined Alex on the couch.
"No, I worked overtime to cover the weekend because I was hoping we could spend some time together but unfortunately I have to work on weekdays so I wont see you off" Alex said and they both smiled sadly but with hope in their eyes.
"So what to do first?" Asked Piper
"So I was thinking that we should firstly go to my place so I could change into a clean set of clothes, then we will decide then after".
"Okay let's go then". Alex just stood up without a word and offered her hand for Piper to take. They walked out of the hotel room without letting go of each other's hand. They both enjoyed the feeling it brought and at the same time, they looked at each other and smiled.
They walked in silence to the elevator and in the lobby but Alex broke the silence.
"I feel like I'm doing the walk of shame because of the clothes but the only difference is that I'm not alone". Alex said and they both laughed at this.
When they got out of the door, they found that Larry was already outside waiting for them with a big smile but it faltered when he saw that Alex was still around and worst part they were holding hands.
"Good morning Larry" Piper said politely with a smile.
"Good morning Pipes… hmm I mean Piper. Sorry for the slip up". At this, Alex gave him a cold stare and Piper saw her so she squeezed Alex's hand lightly. Alex turned to her and smiled softly then kissed Piper on the cheek.
Piper decided to give Alex a kiss on the lips just to assure her that she was hers and hers alone. It was short but sweet and filled with many promises. Larry tried to look away but could not. They got in and went off and they kept their hands locked together.
…..
They got to Alex's apartment and she went to change quickly while Piper got a chance to really look at Alex's apartment. She really liked it because it was just so Alex. There were book shelfs by the wall and Piper touched their spines reading the titles. Most of the books were worn out to show that they have been read countless number of time.
Piper moved to the other side of the wall and saw Pictures of Alex with a bush haired blonde. Moreover, the other ones were of an older version of Alex, which Piper assumed it was Alex's mother.
Alex got back and found Piper by the pictures and she was holding one of her and her mom laughing while sitting outside. They looked genuinely happy.
"That's my favourite picture. We were having a cookout with Nicky by my mom's last year". Alex said while peeking through Piper's shoulder.
"You look really happy here". Piper commented
"We were laughing at a joke Nicky made about an eggplant".
"Who is Nicky?" Piper asked with her voiced marked with a bit of jealousy.
"My childhood best friend. She has always been around and we actually moved here together".
"When last did you visit your mom?" Piper asked when she saw the sad look on Alex's face while looking at her mom's photo.
"Last year December. That was when we had the cookout. With the job I have I can barely get free time and I have to help her with the bills so she won't have to work three jobs anymore like when I was in school". Alex said turning away from Piper so the latter won't see the tears shinning in her eyes but the blonde had already seen this and made a mental note to do something because she hate seeing Alex like this.
"So were to now?" Piper asked changing the subject of which Alex was happy about.
"If you want I could go show you where I work and maybe, just maybe if you're lucky I can make you my favourite Vanilla milkshake," Alex said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Then what are we waiting for? Come one" Piper dragged Alex by the hand and Alex laughed heartedly.
…..
While in the car…
Alex told Piper that she is going to meet her friends and the latter was having a mini panic attack.
"But what if they don't like me Al?"
"They're going to love you Pipes, don't stress yourself okay?" Alex made soothing circular patterns on Piper's hand. Piper sighed heavily and hoped that they like her because they are her girlfriend's friends. "Hmm Girlfriend, I like hearing it and saying it" Piper thought and smiled to herself.
"What are you smiling about?" Alex asked with her attention on the blonde.
"Nothing" Piper said and smiled. Alex was about to ask what but they had already arrived at Red's. Larry opened the door and they got out and told him they will call him to come fetch them later, for now he can go.
"Piper can I talk to you for a minute please" Larry said unexpectedly. Both Alex and Piper stood there holding hands and listened to what he had to say.
"Alone please" he added when he saw Alex making no move of leaving them alone but Piper held onto Alex's hand tighter.
"Are you fucking kidding me" Alex thought but did not say it aloud.
"Look Larry its fine whatever you want to say you can say it in front of Alex", Piper said.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me some other time. I know this is not professional but the thing is I really like you and…"
"Are you fucking kidding me Harry?" She could not hold it in anymore, she was getting frustrated.
"I wasn't talking to you," Larry said tersely
Before Alex could say anything Piper answered
"Look Larry I will stop you right there. First off, yeah what you did is very unprofessional and I will be sure to ask for a new driver next time. Secondly, do not never talk to my girlfriend that way, understand? Lastly, I will never go out with you. In the meantime, call for another driver to come replace you before I do it myself. Have a nice day".
Larry was speechless for a moment but before he could stop the words from stumbling out of his mouth, he mumbled, "Fucking dykes" Alex turned and gave him a hard punch square in the face and broke his nose.
"If I ever hear you say that to Piper again I will do more than punch you Barry". They retreated into the diner and the moment they opened the door, Poussey, Taystee and Nicky were onto them.
"Damn Vause that was hard-core badass but what did Jew-fro do to get a rise out of the all mighty Vause?" Poussey asked.
"Man that was some crazy shit going on out there". Taystee added.
"Enough about that I'm interested in the blonde hiding behind ya there Stretch".
"Guys quit fooling around and get me some ice will you and then I will introduce you," Alex said to them then led Piper to sit on a barstool and she said next to her by the counter.
"I'm sorry about them, they can be a bit too much sometimes," Alex said to Piper.
"Aww come on Vause you love us," Nicky said following the duo but stood on the opposite side.
Poussey came back with frozen peas pack and a cloth for Alex to put on her hand.
"Piper this is Taystee, Poussey and Nicky," Alex said while pointed at them as she said their names. "Guys this is Piper, my girlfriend" she added with a smug look on her face.
"Hi guys, it's nice to finally meet you," Piper said politely.
"Well damn Vause you did well for yourself. Nice to meet you blondeie. What's your last name?" Nicky said
"Chapman"
"Good I will call you Chap… Wait a minute, are you by any chance related to the owner of Chapman Corazon?" Nicky asked in shock
Piper looked at Alex for a silent conversation to ask if she can tell her friends, sort of asking for confirmation and Alex nodded silently.
"Bill chapman was my father yes"
"Damn girl, can you feature me in your magazine? I could be the crazy-haired woman who never combed her hair in her lifetime. That outs to make a hit," they all laughed at this.
"Nicky give her some space alright"
"Nice to meet you chapman" Poussey said
"Yes nice to meet you. It's good to finally see the girl that made the tough badass Vause giddy and all smiles like a crazy person," Taystee added and the trio laughed while Alex's ears turned red at the tips.
Taystee and Poussey went on to attend new customers that just came in and Nicky stayed and teased Alex on how smitten she is. Piper was laughing and having the time of her life. Alex was glad that her friends took a liking to Piper and that Piper was having fun.
Piper excused herself to go to the loo and left Alex with Nicky.
"So stretch did you get some yesterday?" Nicky asked while wiggling her eyebrows.
"It's not like that, Nicky. I really like her okay and she is so different. I really want to see where this will lead to and I'm willing to take a risk," Alex said with conviction.
"Damn Vause she must be really special, I mean girlfriend? Nevertheless, you got my support man. I'm just glad you are finally happy"
"Thanks Nicky, it really means a lot. And one more thing…" Alex told Nicky about their plans for the future.
"So what do you think Nicky?" Alex asked her friend seriously.
"That is your choice to make Alex, but you know that I got your back and I don't mind visiting you if you decide to go. You know mommy dearest pays for everything as long as I stay clean. For once do what is right for you man". First name basis is serious so Alex took what Nicky said to heart
"Thanks Nicky. I just have to talk to my mom".
"You know Diane will tell you the same thing. So is she at least a good kisser?" Nicky said changing the subject.
"Quit it Nicky" Alex said dismissing her friend's question.
"But I got to say she is definitely a ten Vause"
Alex did not get a chance to reply because Piper came back and sat down and Alex's hand immediately found hers and the blonde smiled.
"A friend of mine is just around the block and she wanted to see me before I go back. Is that okay with you?" Piper asked Alex
"Of course it is. Then I will also get to meet your friend and don't have to plan for another time" Alex smiled at Piper. Piper typed a message and turned back to the conversation.
"So what did I miss while I was in the bathroom?" Piper asked while placing her phone on the counter.
"Besides the fact that Alex said you snore? Nothing much" Nicky said in her serious tone
"Nicky" Alex shouted at her best friend in horror and looked at Piper with a pleading look for the blonde to believe her.
"She is lying Pipes"
Piper just laughed and said its fine. They chatted for five minutes before Lorna came into the diner. Piper saw her and stood up to give her friend a hug.
Nicky was awe struck and she just sat there and gasped at the short brunette that just entered the diner, who happens to be Piper's friend.
"Close your mouth Nichols or flies will get in" Alex said and chuckled but Nicky did not have a comeback as she usually does and Alex could see that her friend actually liked Piper's friend.
"Guys this is Lorna and Lorna this is Alex, my girlfriend" Lorna looked at Piper and the latter gave her a look that said we would talk later.
"And this is Alex's best friend, Nicky" Piper pointed.
"Hi guys. Nice to meet you" Lorna said in a thick Brooklyn accent. Nicky shivered by just hearing the voice of the brunette.
"Nice to meet you too Lorna" Alex extended her hand to Lorna and nudged her friend to get her out of her stupor to greet Lorna.
"Hmm… yeah nice to meet you Lorna, I'm Nicky. Please have a seat" Nicky extended her hand to Lorna and electricity caused through their bodies and Lorna Smiled while Nicky went on to pull out a chair for Lorna trying to distract herself, which shocked Alex to no end.
"Can we go sit in the booth so we could be able to order something to eat while sitting comfortably?" they nodded and followed Alex to the booth she was referring to and Alex let Piper slide in first then sat after her and Nicky did the same with Lorna.
"So what do you want to eat Pipes?"
"I don't know. What do you recommend Al since you work here and know the best meal?" Piper said with a smile and looked at Alex.
"Well for starters, Red makes the meanest chicken soup ever. Then you can have the Quesadilla and you can choose whichever dessert you want.
"Cool and I want the milkshake you promised me for dessert" Piper said and looked at Alex with puppy eyes.
"Of course" Alex smiled and Nicky whispered… "Whipped" and covered it with a cough but nevertheless Alex heard her but chose to ignore her and focused on Piper instead.
"Gosh who could deny her with that look on her face?" Alex thought and without thinking pecked Piper on the lips. They had forgotten that they are not alone. Nicky cleared her throat and made a gagging sound "You guys are going to make me throw up" and Alex just gave her a look, which just said 'do you really want to go there?' and the crazy haired woman went quiet.
Piper and Lorna just smiled at each other. Taystee came to take their order, Alex and Piper ordered the chicken soup for starters and then decided to share the Quesadilla because they served a lot of them Nicky ordered a Beef Burger while Lorna ordered some Oysters. They all decided on the soup for starters and Alex's milkshake for dessert.
The meal came and they ate in silence with just a few comments here and there complementing the food and then Alex went to make the milkshakes for them. Red came into the diner while Alex went into the kitchen and she was shocked to see her.
"I thought you are off for the weekend. What happened?" Red said in a thick Russian as she came into the kitchen
"Hi Red! Yes, I am but I had brought Piper to see where I work and meet my friends so I might have mentioned my special milkshake, which she asked for. I hope you don't mind?" Alex said while busy mixing the ingredients.
"Whipped already I see Vause. Not at all, as long as you pay for them" had she replied but only as a joke?
"Of course" Alex quickly said seriously though.
"So tell me where this famous Piper is?"
"She is sitting with Nicky and Lorna in our usual booth" Alex said and continued to pour the milkshake in the glasses.
"Oh I saw them there but I didn't know. Which one is she?"
"The blue-eyed blonde" Alex answered with a smile and a tint of blush on her cheeks.
"Nice choice, she is beautiful"
"She really is" Alex said in a dreamy voice. Red was smiling a bit because it was the first time she saw Alex like this. Alex took the milkshakes back to the booth. They drank and chatted for a while before Lorna excused herself.
"I really have to go guys but Piper please call me soon and maybe we could meet before you go," Lorna said as she stood up to leave.
"I also have to go, do you mind if we share a cab?"
"Of course not" Lorna smiled and waved at the duo.
"Later Vause"
"Bye" Alex and Piper said in unionism.
Piper and Alex said down for a while. They both knew that Piper was set to leave on Wednesday and they did not know when they would see each other again. They decided to go to Alex's apartment because it was close by. They just wanted to spend as much time together before they have to part ways for who knows how long.
They decided to walk there but when they came to the park Piper stopped walking and took sharp breaths then it dawned on Alex that it was actually Piper's first time here since the attack.
"Are you okay Pipes? I am so sorry I totally forgot. Please breathe with me slowly. In… out… in… out" Alex said frantically but remained calm for Piper's sake even though she was panicking inside and she made soothing circular patterns on Piper's back and the latter is breathing came back to normal after a short while.
"Thanks Al. I really needed to do this even though it was not planned. I am okay now so let us go. Piper said and began to walk towards Alex's apartment. They were holding hands so Piper squeezed Alex's hand to assure her that she was okay. They walked to the apartment.
…END OF CHAPTER…..