Author's note: I'm sorry for the late chapter, I was in Rome, so I didn't have much time to write. This is a little shorter than usually but I hope you don't mind :)
Enjoy!
"You ready? I know that I encouraged you to talk with her but if you're not ready, you don't have to talk to her yet", Alex told Piper as she stopped the car in front of Piper's building.
"No. This is something I need to do", Piper told firmly, mostly to herself.
Alex nodded in understanding but glanced uncertainly at Piper's fidgeting fingers and restless legs. "Okay. Well, you know where to find me or mom if you need anything."
"Yeah. Thank you", Piper thanked her one more time with a soft kiss on Alex's lips.
Alex hummed and pulled Piper closer, so she could deepen the kiss.
Piper moaned as Alex slipped her tongue in her mouth. Piper reluctantly pulled back after a while. "If we don't stop know, you're going to be late for work..."
"Might be worth it", Alex grinned.
"I've corrupted you", Piper laughed.
"Well, for your information, I was happily corrupted."
Piper laughed again. "Thank you, for the ride. See you later? At the bookshop?"
"Yeah", Alex nodded with a final peck on Piper's lips. "Good luck with Polly."
"Thanks. See ya", Piper said as she got up from the car and walked towards her apartment.
She walked up the stairs slowly and once she was in front of her door, she took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
It was weird. Knocking on your own door and waiting for someone to come open it. It was slightly disturbing thought that Polly had spent the night in Piper's apartment without Piper there. Somehow, she still trusted Polly enough to leave her there. This whole situation was a mess. A gigantic mess.
Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Polly with an awkward smile. "Hey..."
"Hi", Piper replied, smiling a little but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Polly moved aside and Piper walked into her apartment. Everything seemed normal expect there were a pillow and a blanket in the couch alongside with a laptop that wasn't hers. When she walked in further, she noticed also a dark blue suitcase next to the couch. Piper frowned as she again wondered what kind of parents would throw their kid out.
Piper cleared her throat as she turned to face Polly again who was closing the door. "You could have taken my bed, you know?"
Polly seemed somewhat sheepish. "I didn't want to impose more than I already was."
"Polly..." Piper sighed. "Your situation sucks at the moment. I can't honestly say that I'm thrilled to have you here but I decided to let you stay here, which means that you aren't imposing."
Polly didn't seem convinced but she nodded nevertheless. "Okay. Thank you."
Piper made her way into the kitchen with Polly following closely. She stopped to think for a while before opening one of the bottom cupboards to take a bottle of white rum.
"I thought you said you had to be at work today?" Polly asked bewildered, not thinking Piper as an irresponsible type.
"Relax, Polly. I'm not planning on getting drunk. I just really need something stronger when we discuss about... well, whatever it's about what we'll discuss", Piper told as she rummaged through her fridge trying to find something she could mix the rum with.
Polly fixed Piper with a look that was only a little bit judgmental.
Piper could practically feel Polly's stare but chose to ignore it. Ah, lemonade. That would work just fine.
"You want some?" Piper asked as she started to fix herself a drink.
"Yeah. Thank you", Polly gave in after a while of consideration.
When Piper was ready she sat down at the table with Polly and gave her the drink. "So..."
"So..."
There was an awkward silence when neither knew what to say.
"What are you going to do with your parents?" Piper asked finally breaking the silence.
Polly shrugged. "I don't know. I'm afraid they aren't going to change their opinion any time soon, so... I guess I'll just try to live on my own from now on."
"You know that they are doing the wrong thing, right? That they should definitely not throw their kid out just because you don't live up their standards?" Piper wanted to be sure that Polly knew that.
The other girl nodded as she took a sip from her drink. "I know. But it still feels like it's my fault."
Piper knew the feeling. It was the same feeling she felt when Polly turned against her. Like it was her own fault. Which it had partially been after she slept with Polly's boyfriend but anyway. "I know. You just need to truly believe that it isn't your fault before you can move on."
"How?"
"With time."
Polly seemed to finally realize that Piper was speaking out of the experience and her eyes widened. "Shit, Piper. I'm sorry. Did you... I'm so sorry."
Piper downed the rest of her drink before went to make another. "It's fine. I'm over it. Anyways, talking might help too."
Polly really looked remorseful as she looked at Piper.
"We can talk about that later", Piper said. "Now, you have Pete, right?"
Polly nodded.
"Anyone else?" Piper asked.
"Not really. After... you moved I just couldn't hang out with the girls anymore, so I've mostly been with Pete..."
"Well, you can talk whit him, right?" Piper asked, really hoping that their relationship was healthy and that she hadn't ruined it.
"Yeah. He's been awesome, suggested immediately that we could get an own place together after he comes from Canada", Polly smiled.
"It's good you have him. I'm sure he'll remind you always that it isn't your fault", Piper said as her mind wandered to Alex and Diane and how awesome they had been with her.
Polly cleared her throat to snap Piper out of her thoughts. "So... Have you made friends here?"
Piper cringed as she recalled her social history in Litchfield. "I've... not been very social after I moved. There weren't too nice people here either, so... But I have Cal and lately, I've been hanging out with my boss and her daughter. They are amazing."
Polly smiled, happy that Piper had someone. "I'm glad. Oh. I wasn't prying but I happened to see the picture in your drawer because it was open. Who was the girl, if you don't mind me asking?"
Piper bit her lip. "That's Alex. My boss' daughter. She's also my girlfriend", she stated proudly.
"You looked happy. How long have you been together?"
"Not for too long. We've been dancing around each other for a while but actually got together just few weeks ago", Piper told her, a smile appearing on her face as she talked about Alex.
"I'm happy for you."
Piper turned serious again. "I guess we should talk about Hartford..."
"Yeah. Look, Piper. I really am sorry about what I did, and I don't expect you to forgive me but I just wanted you to know I'm sorry", Polly said with a sad look.
"I know you are. And it's not like I'm completely innocent either. I'm sorry too. About Pete", Piper apologized.
Polly nodded. "I know."
Either of them wasn't ready to forgive each other yet, so they left that conversation there.
"Uhmm, how have you been holding up?" Polly asked tentatively.
Piper shrugged as she drank the rest of her second glass. Polly seemed to really want to know the answer and not just ask out of responsibility. "It's been hard. Obviously. I've been through some phases that I'd rather forget. But I've recently been better, pretty much after I started hanging out more with Alex and Diane."
Polly nodded, figuring that Diane was Piper's boss. "I really am glad that you have them."
"Me too."
Piper stepped into the bookshop, completely sober due to her stopping mixing rum to her lemonade after second glass.
"Hey", Diane was immediately greeting her as she came inside.
"Hi."
"How did it go?" Diane pried curiously.
"It wasn't too bad. We talked. We're cool, I guess", Piper replied nonchalantly.
Diane nodded. "Alright then. Do you want to spend the night at ours again?"
Piper considered the offer for a while before shook her head in negative. "No need. I'll be fine."
"Okay. You remember that your summer break starts today, right?" Diane asked since Piper tended to forget her breaks and day offs quite often.
Piper groaned. "Already? I swear it was a couple of weeks ahead just a few days ago", she complained.
Diane chuckled. "Think positively. You have more time to be with Alex now."
"True", Piper smiled.
The day went rather slowly which was fine. Piper spent the most of it reading and sometimes got up to help customers or sat down on the cash register as Diane went to take a break.
It was almost five p.m. as Piper heard a voice she would rather never hear again.
"Yes, mom. I'm in here now... Do you seriously think that I know what kind of book I should pick to her?!"
Piper groaned this was exactly what she didn't need right now.
"K. Gotta go, bye", Jessica ended her call before turned her attention to Piper. "Piper?"
"No."
"Who else could it be? No one could match to your assholeness."
Piper rolled her eyes. "Apart from you."
"What's going on?" Diane asked as she looked between the girls who were glaring at each other.
"Nothing."
"I just need a book. That's why people usually come here, right?" Jessica said in that know-it-all tone.
"You, need a book?" Piper snorted. "I'm positive you don't even know how to spell the word 'book'."
"Did you born with your bitchiness or is it a recent development?" Jessica remarked.
"Me? Oh my god, you're such a hypocrite-"
"Hey, hey!" Diane hopped in. "Let's take a break. What kind of book are you looking for?"
"Probably something that teaches her how to read", Piper mumbled quietly but loud enough for Jessica to hear her.
"Hey guys- oh..." Alex said as she came in but trailed off as she saw the scene unfolding in front of her. Jessica and Piper glaring at each other and Diane just looking confused.
"Alex", Jessica nodded curtly. "Could you keep your girlfriend in check? She starts to piss me off."
"You can't be serious right now!" Piper exclaimed.
"It's not about me keeping her in check. It's about the both of you keeping yourselves in check", Alex said with furrowed eyebrows.
"How do you expect me to keep in check near her?" Jessica retorted annoyed.
"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?"
Everyone turned to look at the door where Polly stood looking uncomfortable.
"I just wanted to go to the grocery store and ask what I should buy but you haven't unblocked my number yet so..."
Piper groaned. She really hoped that she could just leave and punch her frustration out at the near gym. "It's fine."
"No, it's not. We're having a conversation over here!" Jessica intervened as she waved her hand between them in order to emphasize her point.
"Well, I decided that our conversation is over", Piper said with a sarcastic face.
"You can't just leave from the conversation like that!"
"Watch me."
"Oh my god, you two are like children", Alex groaned. Diane was still trying to get a hold on what the hell was happening in her shop.
"Hey!" Piper turned to face Alex with an offended look. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am on your side. That doesn't mean you don't also act like a child."
"I can come later", Polly said as she started to retreat back towards the door.
"No!" Piper exclaimed before took Polly's hand and dragged her to the backroom. Seriously she would have soon punched Jessica if she had to be near her any longer.
"So, the grocery store... uhmm- what do you wanna eat tonight?" Piper questioned as she tried to forget Jessica.
"What was all that about?" Polly asked curiously.
"Nothing serious, just a bitch from my school", Piper waved it off.
"Do you always fight like that?"
"Nah, we just say some shit to rile the other on up, we pretty much hate each other. Now it just escalated for a reason or another", Piper shrugged even if she knew that Polly in town made her be on the edge. More than normally.
"Why do you hate each other so much then?" Polly asked, not giving up.
"I hate her because she's been a bitch ever since I moved here and she hates me because... Well, I'm not sure, but working theory: she's secretly gay and hates me because I'm openly something she is in the closet. Now the groceries."
Polly nodded. "Right. What if I just bring some meat and other things and we can cook something out of them?"
"Yeah. That works fine. Oh, could you also buy eggs?"
Polly nodded. "Of course."
"Great, thank you. And I'll unblock your number now."
After Piper unblocked Polly's number they walked out of the backroom and Piper saw Jessica on the cash register paying her book.
When she was ready and turned to leave she send a glare towards Piper.
"It was nice of you to come here. Please come again", Piper said with a huge fake smile.
"I'd rather not if I find you here", the other girl responded.
"Thank god", Piper stated with an exaggerated sigh.
Jessica didn't bother to answer and just rolled her eyes and flipped her off before left the shop.
"What we talked about you not aggravating her?" Alex asked, trying to come up stern but sounding just amused.
"I would stop if she did!"
Alex just raised her eyebrows skeptically and looked at Piper.
"Okay, maybe not..." Piper grinned before turned to look at still confused Diane. "Sorry you had to see that."
"I take that you two don't have the best relationship?" Diane inquired as she looked Alex questioningly, wondering if this was the girl who had been mean to Piper.
Alex nodded in confirmation at the same time when Piper huffed. "What gave it away? But it's fine."
"I really think that if you stopped responding her, she would stop", Alex gave her opinion.
"Where's the fun in that?"
"You seriously consider your fights fun?"
"I wouldn't say they're fights... More like bantering between two people who don't always see eye to eye?" Piper offered.
Diane and Alex snorted at that. "Whatever you say, Pipes."
Piper grinned at Alex. "But for real. It's not a big deal."
Alex rolled her eyes but left the topic, knowing from the experience that it wouldn't lead anywhere. "Alright, then."
"Jeez, Polls. You trying to burn my kitchen?" Piper laughed.
Piper and Polly were making food and both of them were unconsciously slipping into some sort of familiarity.
"It's not my fault if you make me do the meat when I've basically never cooked anything!"
"You can then cook the rest of your time in here then because you need to learn how to cook if you're going to live alone. Or with Pete, I'm assuming he can't cook either?"
Polly just shook her head smiling. "No. But I'd rather not give you a food poisoning."
"Okay, I didn't think about that", Piper laughed. "What if you cut the vegetables and I take care of the meat?"
"Thank god."
Alex woke up to her phone ringing. She blindly tried to search her phone before had to open her eyes because she couldn't find it.
She looked the caller and smiled when she saw Piper's name. Suddenly she sat up and answered the phone immediately thinking that something was wrong when she called her that late. Or early, Alex wasn't sure what time it was.
"Piper? Is everything okay?"
Her anxiety immediately mounted as she heard Piper screaming what sounded like her name.
"Piper!?"
"Alex. Thank god you answered", Polly's relieved sigh greeted her. "I don't know what's happening, I woke up to Piper screaming your name and she doesn't stop. I think she might be having a panic attack? I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do!"
Alex was already up as she heard the word 'panic attack'. Her heart was bounding so fast she might be soon having a panic attack herself. "Wait a second. I get my mom."
She barged into her mom's room. "MOM!" she frantically tried to wake Diane.
"What? What?" Diane immediately sat upright.
"Piper's having a panic attack! You need to help Polly!" Alex exclaimed panicked as she shoved her phone to her mom.
"Polly? Tell me what's happening", Diane requested, firmly but calmly.
Alex was pacing around the bedroom practically ripping her hair off.
"Polly you need to calm down. Your panic won't help Piper's... Talk to her. Calmly..."
"Mom. I need to go there", Alex said desperately. She couldn't leave Piper alone with this. Even though Polly was there, she didn't know where their relationship stood at the moment.
Diane nodded and motioned Alex to go. She was also worried about the girl who had captured her daughter's heart.
Diane continued to instruct Polly how to calm Piper down and how to get her breathing to slow down as Alex dressed into the first clothes she found in a record speed.
When Diane heard Alex leaving, she notified Polly. "Alex is coming there. She should be there under ten minutes."
"Thank god. I don't know what to do with her", Polly sounded thankful.
"Just talk to her and try to keep her calm until Alex gets there. I'll stay on the line until that."
Alex was driving there as fast as she could, sometimes forcing herself to follow the speed limits. She didn't have time to get pulled over.
When she reached Piper's building, she hopped out of the car and ran up to the third floor. She was slightly out of breath when she reached the third floor but didn't even notice it as she knocked on the door.
Polly answered after a short while, eyes widened from the fear and her phone in her hand. Apparently, she had just ended the call with Diane. "I'm glad you were able to come."
"Where's Piper?" Alex asked, desperate to see the blonde.
Polly guided her to Piper's room where she saw Piper sitting in one of the corners, crying and just looking so small.
"Piper?"
Piper looked up sharply, her teary eyes focusing on Alex and she got up quickly and went to hug Alex tightly.
"Alex", she breathed out as she clung her hands around Alex's torso like her life depended on it.
"I'm here", Alex whispered hugging Piper back.
Alex wasn't sure how long they just stood there, hugging each other and Piper silently crying on Alex's shoulder. She stayed quiet, just offering her support until Piper was ready to talk.
Polly had left the two of them alone at some point and when Alex's legs started to get tired, she moved them to lay down on Piper's bed without breaking the hug.
"Thank you. For coming here", Alex heard Piper mumble at some point.
"Of course. I'll be always there for you."
Piper tightened the hug and snuggled herself even closer, not wanting to talk about what happened just yet.
Alex laid there with her, offering silent support but hoping she could do so much more. Hoping she would be able to take the pain away...
Thank you for reading! Like always, please review and tell me what you thought :P Also ideas are welcome, I'm kind of stuck and don't know what should happen next... but don't worry, I'll figure it out soon :D
-Iina