A/N: book referenced is Course of Action by Gun Brooke. People have asked for a chapter two so here it is. Enjoy! Reviews=happy writer. :)
Chapter Two
It's been five months since I came to Linchfield. Finally I'm not the shiny new toy. For the most part, people leave me alone. Like high school, there are clicks. I've found myself in the misfit group. It's mainly me, Alex, Morello, and Nicky. "So, what are you going to do for the "talent show"?" Nicky sat beside Alex at the table.
"What do you mean by "talent show"?" I mimicked her air quotations.
"It's mainly to keep us preoccupied. Whoever thinks they have a talent can sign up and in two weeks they perform for everyone. It's entertaining." Alex explained as she snatched the orange off of my tray.
"Hey…" I tried to reach for it only to have Alex to pull it away.
"You don't even like oranges. Therefore, your oranges are mine."
"Bouw chica wow wow. That's what she said." Nicky never missed a beat. Alex and I laughed as Morello nearly spit out her juice. "You make it so easy. I can't help it."
"Uh-huh, sure. Have you ever done anything for the show?" I took a bite of my bacon biscuit. Red might be scary but she can cook. I think we would all starve if someone else got assigned to be head cook.
"No. But I still watch. There are a few good singers in here."
"And dancers." Morello chimed in. "It's a pretty good show. Are you going to do anything?"
"I doubt it. I'm not really good at anything." Silence fell between the four of us. "Well, there's one thing I was good at…" My voice trailed off as I glanced towards Alex. "But it's illegal."
"We made one hell of a team Pipes." Before Alex could continue, Pornstache announced that breakfast was over.
Xxx
"You're planning something, I can tell. What is it?" Nicky elbowed me in the side. "You're staring at the toaster like it has the answer to life in the bottom."
"Not sure what I'm going to do. Honestly, I don't know what I could do but I want to do something." This toaster didn't want to come apart. I was tempted to stab it with the screwdriver.
"You'll think of something. We've never had a writer before. Maybe you can write something?" My hands stopped immediately. "What is it?" That's it. Maybe I could solve two problems in one sweep. I have finally admitted to myself that I'm in love with Alex but I've not been able to tell her. I'm sure she knew but there's no way she would make the first move. Not after what I did. If I wanted Alex back I had to do something big. "Earth to Chapman?"
"Thank you Nicky." I couldn't stop the grin that made its way from ear to ear. "You're a genius."
"Not that I'm arguing with you but how am I a genius?" Nicky and I walked outside to the table to eat our lunches.
"Because I think I can win Alex back and have something for the show."
Nicky's eyebrow rose. "Well it's about damn time you make an actual move! The dance you two have been dancing the past five months is annoying. I just want to lock you two in a small room until you kiss or something. The tension is killer." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "So, what are you planning?"
"I may write something. I took a few creative writing classes in college so I might put that to good use. I just have no idea what to write. But it'll deal with me and Alex."
Xxx
The raven haired woman radiated power and turned heads wherever she went. Her badass, don't fuck with me attitude made both men and women bow to her. She was strong but gentle. And she always knew how to have a good time.
"There you are."
I jumped when I heard Alex walking towards me. Closing my notebook quickly, I looked up. "Hey, how are you?" Thankfully, I was able to slip the small book under my legs before Alex noticed.
She watched me skeptically as she took a seat. "What are you up to? You disappeared after dinner."
"Nothing much. Just came to get a few books to read." I motioned towards the small stack of romance novels someone had left on the table.
"Uh-huh." Picking one up, Alex thumbed through it. "This one sucks. I have a few in my bunk that are better; if you'd like to borrow them."
"That'd be nice." I tried to stay casual.
"I know you're up to something Piper." Alex placed the book back and folded her arms on the table. "But obviously you don't want me to know about it since you're currently sitting on it."
"Damn it, Alex." I huffed but refused to move.
"Piper, this is me we're talking about. You know I have an eye for details. The only reason I got caught smuggling was because one of the other girls got caught and drug us all down with her. If it was just me, I'd be half way across the world by now."
"On some beach drinking a margarita?" Memories flooded my mind. All the late nights Alex and I shared on different exotic beaches enjoying a fire and each other's company. We were all each other needed.
"Among other things." Her voice was soft. The look in her eyes told me she shared my thoughts.
"Alex, we're going to get caught." I laughed as I pulled my lover down for another searing kiss.
"Says the woman who's currently pulling me on top of her." Our tongues danced as she leaned us down on the large towel. Our toes buried in the cool sand.
"I don't care." I loved the feeling of Alex's hands running over my body. She always made me feel safe. "Alex, I love you." A soft smile crossed my lips as green eyes met mine.
"I love you too Piper."Alex smiled as I tangled my hands in her hair and kissed her deeply once again.
"We better get back to our bunks. It's about time for another check." Alex's voice broke me from my thoughts.
"Yeah we should." That night I knew what I would be dreaming of. Or what I hoped to dream of.
Xxx
"Hey, not lesbian." I jumped as Nicky walked into my bunk. "God you're just like Vause. If you're reading, everything else vanishes."
"Yeah well, it's a good book." Placing a slip of paper in the spine, I closed the book and placed it beside me. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to see how your plan was going. That's Alex's isn't it?" Nicky took a seat on the end of my bed.
"Yeah, she let me read it. I'm already on chapter five. Quite a page turner."
Nicky's brow creased. "Didn't you just get that this morning?" I gave a slight nod. "Good God. You two belong together. She reads just as fast as you do!"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, Heaven forbid we wanted to read the same book at once."
"You know, it's not nice talking about people behind their back." Alex folded her arms and leaned against the concrete. "How's the book?"
"I really like it. Annie and Carolyn need to just give in. It's obvious that they love each other."
"They really do. Though, they have a set back before getting together. But it ends nicely."
Nicky watched the two of us continue to discuss the book. Finally picking it up to look for herself. Both Alex and I stopped talking mid sentence to watch her. "Calm down. I'm not going to lose your place."
"Knowing Piper, she probably made a mental note of what page she was on anyway." Alex's eyes went from the book to me and narrowed. "Isn't that right?"
"Page seventy one." All Nicky did was shake her head.
"Well, I have to go for janitorial duty. Damn meth head." Alex sighed in frustration. "Later."
"Bye." I watched her walk away. As I watched, I got the overwhelming urge to run my hands through her long black hair. It was always so soft.
Nicky waited until Alex was gone before she spoke. "How close were the two of you?"
"Alex was the love of my life…." My voice trailed off. She was long gone but I still looked at the open door.
"Was, huh? I think she still is. No one looks at each other the way the two of you do and aren't in love."
Groaning, I hung my head. "Shut up."
"How's the writing going? I'm guessing that's how you're going to win her back?"
"It's coming along. It's hard to write when she knows I'm up to something."
"Yeah. It's hard to get away with a lot in here. Since there are people watching you constantly. But it seems you have a little system. Hiding out in the one stall with a door gives you some privacy."
"Yes that does help. But others get pissed off when I use it for too long during certain hours."
"Yeah. We do." Nicky narrowed her eyes. "Just make it count Chapman. Alex is tough but you complete her somehow."
"And she completes me…."
Xxx
"Piper what's this?" Larry was furious as he held the black, one shouldered, long sleeved shirt. "I know this isn't yours. Is it hers?" There was venom in his voice. "You said you got rid of this years ago!"
"Larry, sit down before you get thrown out." I motioned for the officer to sit. "We need to talk." I was slightly glad Alex had been thrown in the SHU for a day. There was no way she could overhear this conversation. I wanted to be the one to tell her when the time was right.
"Yeah, you've been lying to me. I find your ex girlfriend's shirt in your stuff. This being after you said you threw it out."
With each passing second the words got closer to being blurted out. "Larry, I'm breaking up with you. Polly will be there this weekend to get my stuff. You've been an ass these past few months and I'm sick of it. I know you want to become a writer but for God's sake if you're going to write about my past ASK ME ABOUT IT so you don't get EVERYTHING wrong!"
"What do you mean?"
"The whole part about my past; that wasn't an adventure or a rump. That was my life." My voice rose slightly.
"Chapman." The officer warned. "Cool it."
Larry was quiet a moment. "Who is she?"
"Excuse me?" Our tempers were about to get the best of us.
"Who is she? Is it her? Is she in here with you?"
That was it. I wouldn't allow him to disrespect her again. "Yes she is in here with me." I paused. "And her name is Alex."
Larry leaned back in his chair. A silent rage washed over him. "The tall one with black hair and glasses?"
"Yup." There was a triumph in my voice for some reason. It felt good to admit I was leaving Larry for Alex. Well, I hoped for Alex.
"You fucking whore." Being called names didn't faze me anymore. I just watched as he walked away.
Xxx
As I heard footsteps approach, I looked up. "You're out."
Alex grinned as she walked into her bunk. "And you're in my bed."
I looked around quickly. "It seems that I am. I have something for you." Alex watched skeptically as I pulled out a paper bag. "I couldn't wrap it; sorry."
"What is it?" Alex took it into her lab as she sat on the bed. Her eyes grew when she saw the black shirt. "My shirt…."
"Larry found it." Alex's eyes met mine. "I broke it off with him. I always thought he never understood the real me and his article just proved it. He got so much wrong."
Alex studied me a moment. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Great actually." We sat in an awkward silence. "That was your favorite shirt. Well, your favorite shirt that you'd let out of your sight."
"Yeah, I searched for this for years." We laughed. "Out of all of them, this is the one you kept. Sadly, I can't wear it in here." Alex unfolded the garment and held it up.
"You always looked awesome in that. Especially with the ends of your hair blue."
"Is someone getting nostalgic on me?" Alex narrowed her eyes. "Thanks for giving it back."
"You're welcome, Alex."
xxx
"Chapman, you're up." Healy motioned towards the front of the room.
Standing slowly, I opened my notebook. My nerves were getting to me. I wanted to run but I knew I couldn't. If I wanted Alex back I had to do this. "Not sure I can compete with the rap battle we just saw but here's a story I wrote." I paused to look over the crowd of women. Nicky and Morello smiled. They knew what was coming. Before I started to read, I looked at Alex. Something about her put me at ease. "No one realizes how quickly our life can change. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst, but sometimes….both happen. And if you're lucky enough it'll become good again in an odd twist of fate." As I read on, it became obvious the story was about me and Alex. Her eyes were intense as she watched me. I felt naked and vulnerable. "The raven haired woman radiated power and turned heads wherever she went. Her badass, don't fuck with me attitude made both men and women bow to her. She was strong but gentle. And she always knew how to have a good time. The blonde loved her girlfriend with everything she had. Sadly, she fucked up big time. But fate brought them back together. She had another chance to see the love of her life and tell her what she truly felt." I looked up from the paper; my hands trembling. "I'm sorry I hurt you. But, I love you more than anything."
The room was silent. No one moved or spoke a word. I looked to Alex. I wanted her to do something; to say anything. "You fucking writers." She shook her head with a big grin. The room erupted in applause. When I sat down, Alex placed her arm around my shoulder pulling me close. "We'll talk later."
Xxx
Later that day, I walked by Alex's bunk. Of course she was reading. "Hey."
Closing her book, she looked towards me. "Hey." Lying on her side, Alex rubbed the bed before her. "Come be my little spoon. Big Mary is on duty." Alex draped her arm across my hip holding me tightly. I loved this. I missed feeling safe in her arms. "That took balls Chapmaan."
Turning in her arms, I faced Alex. "I know. But I had to do it." I searched green eyes for a sign to continue. "I love you Alex. I never stopped loving you."
"Obviously. That story kinda spelled everything out pretty well." Leaning forward, Alex placed a tender kiss on my lips. Familiar warmth spread through me. Her lips felt the same as they did all those years ago. "I love you too, Piper."