Bea and Maxine were slowly walking down the Wentworth´s hallways. After lunch, they went and visited few of their „friends" – meaning personal rats and informators. Women who were an invisible part of the top dog´s well working system. They were from different units, different crews and their task was to have their ears and eyes open constantly filling in the top dog about news and gossip. It was working, this way Bea had a chance to extinguish problems at the beginning before they become something more serious.
Unfortunately today they didn´t learn anything helpful. Kaz was keeping everything to her chest and so did Stewart. Nobody saw them together and no one saw anything overly suspicious. Bea had no idea if that is good or bad. If it is a calm before the storm or if it means that they have still time to find out what is going on before Kaz makes a move.
- I have no clue what kind of proof we can get. – Bea let out a frustrated sigh. - I wish that I could slot myself for two weeks. You know to get some break from all this shit.
- Yeah, the slot is like Hawai Wentworth style. – Maxine chuckled. – Two weeks relaxing in a quiet and peaceful environment but the view is not the best.
Their laughter was interrupted by yelling coming from the H1 as they were coming closer.
- We supposed to be a family! – They heard Doreen yelling and then Allie laughing.
- Family? Are you insane! What is wrong with you! – Now it was Allie yelling.
- What the fuck! – Bea whispered and they both sped up their steps. They ran into H1 to find Allie and Doreen standing four steps from each other in the middle of the unit yelling at each other. Allie ignored Liz who was trying to pull her away.
- Never mention that if you think that you are part of a family you should learn how to give and not just take.
- Yeah, right! Because you know so much about family! – Doreen answered.
- Maybe I´m not an expert when to comes to families, but it looks like I know more about them than you do, considering the fact that you fucked a guy once and now you think that you are a family. Fuck sake, be real Doreen!
- I don´t get why Bea can´t see that you are here with some agenda. You are here to spy or set her up. You were Proctor´s bitch and probably still are!
- I would smash your face right now, but you are so stupid it is not worth it. – Allie said as Liz tried to step in front of her.
- That is enough! – the whole unit suddenly echoed with the voice of Bea Smith – What the fuck is going on here!
Doreen glared at her and crossed her arms over her chest.
- Nothing. There is no point to explain as you would take her side anyway.
- Geezus, you are so childish it hurts! – Allie said as she stepped back. – Annoying bitch!
Bea looked at the evidently worked up blonde. She was standing behind Liz and if eyes could kill Doreen would be lying dead on the floor by now.
- Allie, go to your cell! – Two blue eyes quickly flipped at Bea. It looked that she just now realized the redhead´s presence. – Now! Go! – Bea said loudly waiting for her to close the cell door and then she turned towards Doreen. – You too! We have to talk. – Doreen turned on her heels and walked into her cell followed by Bea. Liz and Maxine looked at each other and the brunette asked.
- What happened?
- Just small misunderstanding escalating into a huge mess. We were coming back from lunch when two girls asked Allie to give a message to Bea and I think Doreen got little jealous. She was jabbing into Allie for the last hour until she flipped and here we are.
Maxine rolled her eyes.
- Those two are like two kids fighting over who is mommy's favorite. At least Doreen is acting like that and poor Allie just wonders what is her issue.
Maxine shook her head and went to the kitchen to make tea. For some reason, Doreen was really aggressive towards Allie. Maxine wondered why. Doreen never had a close relationship with Bea. She never even gave her respect Bea deserved. Mostly she just used her for own advantage. Getting in the charge of the library project or using Bea´s name as leverage with women. They have never really been friends so it makes no sense that she is jealous now. Hopefully, these spat will finish soon. They have bigger problems than this.
Not even the sun and fresh air helped Allie to calm down and forget about Doreen and her big mouth. They were sitting with Liz on the bench, legs stretched and leaning against the wall.
- She is driving me nuts!
- I have noticed love. – Liz chuckled. Allie took a deep breath and looked at the older woman.
- Is that what you think too?
- What?
- That I want to set up Bea? That I´m in H1 to spy?
- Well, honestly maybe at the beginning there was a little concern about your intentions. But Bea trusted you, so it was all good because Bea knows what is she doing. – she patted the young woman´s leg. – And now as I know you better I´m confident that you are not a spy. I think you are something else.
Allie furrowed her eyebrows and looked at the old blonde.
- What?
- In love perhaps.
Allie knew that the sheer panic on her face and the blush gave her away so there was no point to deny it. „Well fuck!" – she thought and hid her face in her hands.
- How much is it obvious? – she asked through her fingers.
- Not too much, I just had a hunch. At the beginning, I thought that it was just the very common „having a crush on the top dog" phenomenon. It happens often. But then as time passed it started to be strange. It looks like your crush won't let go.
- Who else knows?
- Nobody, at least I never talked with anyone about it.
Now at least that is some sort of relief. Allie shyly bit her lip. She knew that she have to be careful but she would never have guessed that she is failing already.
- Please don´t tell anyone. – she begged.
- Of course, I won´t but you must be more careful if you want it a secret.
„Aww fuck!" – Allie growled internally and then aloud.
- Shit!- she glanced at Liz. – I´m throwing heart eyes on her, right?
- Pretty much and you smile like a fool when she walks in. That is hard to miss too.
- Do you think she has noticed?
Liz chuckled.
- Don´t be silly! That woman wouldn´t know that you are flirting with her even if you swamped her with flowers and show the whole box of chocolate down her throat.
That sounded like a valid argument and Allie chuckled.
- She can´t know Liz, you have to kick me if I´m too obvious. I´m sure it will pass with time and I don´t want to make our relationship awkward. We live literally twenty steps from each other and probably will for a few more years so it would be really unfortunate ...
- Hey, Novak!
She was interrupted by loud calling from Mel. Allie lifted her head just to see Mel and two girls from her old crew approaching. „Shit!" – she thought. This is not good. Suddenly they were surrounded by them. Liz stood up and looked at Allie.
- Come on, we have to go, there is no time for catching up. – she sounded calm and collected. Allie had no idea how she managed that because she was shaking inside, not from fear but with anxiety. Something bad is about to happen, she felt it, she knows it. Her hunch was confirmed as soon as Mel stepped in front of Liz, blocking her way out.
- I´m sure you have few minutes, we just need to talk with our old crew mate.
- Sorry girls, we really have to go, you can find her later. Come on Allie, we are going.
Allie stood up just when Mel pushed Liz back.
- I said we have to talk!
Allie instantly stepped in front of the older blonde.
- Fucking touch her again and I will break your nose, Mel! – she said her blue eyes shining with anger. Liz grabbed her elbow.
- Allie just goes, get away for fuck sake they just want to slot you. Don´t let them drag you into some shit. – she tried to get past Mel and the tall butch one. But they didn´t let them. Allie wanted to push Mel away as she was the smallest one, but the tall one grabbed her hand. Allie yanked it free and spun on her heels in an attempt to go around them, but the third one stepped in front of her. „Well fuck!" – this is not good Allie thought. Liz was right, they are trying to provoke her, she can´t fight back or cause a scene. She would be slotted no matter what.
- What is going on here ladies?
Liz grinned as the three bitches from H3 stepped back hearing Will Jackson´s voice.
- All good mister Jackson, - she said – girls here are just worried about Allie. She looks kinda pale maybe you should escort her to H1.
- What is wrong with you Novak?
Allie felt her insides churning. „Fuck sake!" – it must be exactly Jackson who will save her ass. Life is a bitch. She had no other choice though and she has to admit that she felt relief and some kind of gratitude towards the man.
- I´m good, I just should lay down for a bit.
- Alright, come on then. – he said waiting for her to move. Liz smiled and walked after Allie and mister Jackson. They have dodged the bullet this time.
Bea was lying on her bed and drawing her frustration away. The pencil danced on the white paper with quick moves. Thank god, this day is almost over as it was a disaster, ok maybe that is a too strong word but it was a shitty day. First the fight between Doreen and Allie, then she couldn´t get any new information, Liz and Allie got almost attacked and it was topped with an unpleasant session with Bridget Westfall.
Their meetings were really good since Franky got out. Bea assumed that some of Franky´s stories made the psychologist look at inmates differently. Especially at some of Franky´s friends and for a quite long time she considered herself for one. This time it was not such a good session. Bridget had few stupid questions today and Bea doesn´t like to be questioned and confused.
There was a soft knock on the door and Bea lifted her head to see Allie waving at her through the window. Bea waved at her to come in. The young blonde quietly slipped in cradling a small bowl in her hands.
- I´m sorry Bea. – she said while sitting down on the bed.
- For what?
- For giving you hard time with Doreen. I know that we have a bigger problem now and this is really stupid and childish, just giving you an extra headache. – she kicked down her shoes and crawled up on the bed and leaned against the wall placing the bowl between them.
- I wouldn´t call it a headache, it is more pain in the ass.
Allie chuckled and pushed the small bowl towards Bea. It was a fruit bowl Wentworth style. Just some apple slices, orange, and a banana.
- Do you think that we will get grapes sometime? – Allie said as she slowly chewing on a slice of apple.
- I don´t remember ever having it here.
Allie´s jaw dropped in terror as she whined.
- No way! Sucks!
Bea chuckled the young blonde can be cute as a button. She reached for a piece of orange and took it whole into her mouth chewing slowly. She remembered her conversation with doctor Westfall from earlier. She told her about the guilt she was feeling for not being there to protect Liz and Allie to what Bridget replied that she can´t protect everyone all the time.
Yes, Bea knew that Bridget was right, but that didn´t help to ease her guilt or worries. She became a top dog for them, for her girls. She wanted to protect them and she tried with her little influence to make their life in this hell hole better. She failed Allie Novak once, she won´t let it happen again. She couldn´t help but smile at the young woman. She was leaning against the wall, legs crossed and stretched comfortably. She just popped a slice of banana into her mouth. Her hair is up just one strand is loose resting behind her ear and she looks so young and innocent that it sends a new wave of guilt to Bea´s heart.
- From tomorrow you will stick closer to me, alright?
- Alright. – Allie swallowed the banana feeling as it slid slowly down through her throat. „Closer" – geez that will kill her. Liz has already noticed her heart eyes. She will have to be more discreet. They both reached for the last piece of orange and their fingers brushed against each other and then they both pulled their hands away quickly.
- Go ahead! – Bea smiled.
- Oh no, take it! – Allie smiled.
- It is all yours.
- You know what, - the younger woman took the orange and ripped it in half over the bowl trying not to spill the juice. – Here. – she quickly popped one-half into her mouth and gave the other to Bea. The redhead instantly threw it into her mouth before the juice had a chance to spill on her hand.
Allie was looking at her realizing that she have to stop these visits. She has to stop looking for the top dog´s company if she wants to keep her feelings secret. She has to stay away if she wants to get over her so-called crush.