Authors Note - Hi, thank you so much for all the reviews and PMs. Alex is having a bit of a rough time, but i hope you liked the introduction of a few other characters, hope I can continue to do them justice. Same as always I'm not American so if some of the terminology is wrong I apologise and I do not own any of the characters.
Chapter 12 - The Morning After the Night Before
Piper had pored over the book for hours, after she had watched Alex pass around the corner she had held the book up to her face covering the large grin she was sporting. The book had a perfumed smell, Piper recognised the smell instantly and knew this was Alex's perfume. Having been stored in her bag next to her clothes the book had picked up on some of their fragrance. Not for the last time Piper found her self sniffing at the text, instantly images of Alex flooded Piper brain.
Piper had written and deleted the text numerous times before finding the courage to hit send. Piper had waited expectantly for Alex to reply then chastised herself for being so stupid, the woman has a girlfriend who she was obviously rushing to see, she didn't have time to be messing around with her.
Closing up her studies Piper made her way down to the kitchen to prepare her evening meal. She was soon joined by Larry, who also looked like his eyes were bloodshot from studying.
"Hi Piper, how's the revision going?
"Ah ok I guess, I'm calling it quits for tonight though"
"Yeah me too, my brain feels frazzled"
"You fancy watching some Netflix and chill out for the evening?"
Piper laughed, knowing that Larry hadn't meant it to sound the way it did
"Yeah Netflix sounds good" with that they both busied about their cooking, to ensure Larry truly hadn't meant Netflix and chill Piper asked Polly to come and join them too, unfortunately George had also heard the arrangements and Larry had invited him too. The evening passed without event, apart from Piper feeling a little uneasy each time she caught George staring at either hers or Pollys legs.
Piper returned to her own room and once again checked her phone for messages, apart from one from a friend back home asking if she was home for thanksgiving there was nothing from Alex. Piper could not help feel a little disappointed. As she lay in bed trying to get to sleep thoughts of Alex and why she hadn't replied dominated her thoughts, what were her and her girlfriend upto?
Sunlight soon filtered through the blinds heralding the start of a new day. Out of earshot of Pornstache, yes the name really did suit him, Piper had arranged with Polly and Larry to go to the library to revise after their morning lectures. Before showering she again checked her phone, still nothing from Alex.
Alex hurt, physically and metaphorically. She had passed out shortly after Nicky and Lorna left, which had probably been for the best, at least when you're asleep you can't replay all the hurt in your mind. On waking she was aware of a pounding in her head and foul taste in her mouth, unable to lift her head silent tears fell from her eyes softly landing in the pillow. How could she be so stupid? 'Never fall in love with the straight girl', sage advice from Nicky only this time it should read 'never fall in love with a cheating skank!' Alex felt as if her heart were ripping in two. Trying to sit she reached for her nightstand to try and find her glasses knocking into the water and tablets her friends had left for her. Forcing her to sit up quickly she grabbed her phone before it could be engulfed by the water. Bad move her head swam and she felt the tell tale burn rising in her throat, thank goodness for the sick bucket Alex thought as she emptied out the few remaining contents of her stomach. After she had been sick she made it to the bathroom and cleaned up, looking at her puffy pale face in the mirror she asked herself again how could she be so stupid?
Lorna woke in the exact position she had fallen asleep in, Nicky lay cuddled into her side, her head resting on Lornas chest. With her free hand she had soothed her wild haired girlfriend to sleep by rubbing abstract shapes on her back. As she now lay staring at the ceiling she found herself making the same involuntary moves. Thinking back to last nights events she felt saddened seeing Alex so upset. In truth Lorna had never been fond of Sylvie but she had tolerated her initially for Nickys sake and latterly for both her and Alex. She silently commended herself on being the good judge of character she always felt that she was. Feeling Nicky stir beneath her arm she shuffled up the bed a bit.
"Hey sleepy head, you alright?"
After a steamy shower together with Lorna, Nicky was feeling less glum and more ready to tackle whatever it was that had caused Alex to derail last night. She kissed her girlfriend good bye as she set off to work and pulled on her boots ready to walk round to Alex's. She didn't know what state her friend would be in but knew that coffee and something sweet were usually a good place to start.
After throwing up Alex had felt marginally better she had glanced at her phone briefly before laying back down and falling into a light sleep.
Nicky Nichols was never really known for her tact and diplomacy but on this occasion ever her mother would be proud, she knocked gently on Alex's door, hearing nothing the first time she knocked again a little louder. Alex stirred but wishing to be left alone lay there silently. A text buzzed through on her kind since silenced phone.
Nic: Hey, look I understand if you're not wanting to talk but I want to check you're still alive... and I've got coffee and doughnuts out here :0)
Alex smiled, she really did owe Nicky one, she made her way the the door grabbing her dressing gown en route.
Hearing movement behind the door in the apartment Nicky calmed down a little, Alex opened the door, her skin a paler shade than Nicky had ever seen before.
"Hey good job you opened it up than, you know I'd hate to have kicked the door in!"
A faint smile graced Alex's lips, for all her talk Nicky always left the physical stuff to Alex wherever possible. Walking into the apartment she flopped down onto the sofa, Alex followed and sat beside her, Nicky began opening the coffee and doughnuts, both in comfortable silence.
"Eat something stretch, it will make you feel better" she said thrusting a doughnut towards Alex's mouth, Nicky knew these were a personal favourite of Alex's and if she stood any chance of getting her to eat it would be with these. Sensing that Alex was not ready to talk Nicky put the television on, they watched live with Kelly in silence Nicky content that she was there for her friend and Alex was happy that Nicky wasn't pushing her to talk.
"Thank you" she said looking Nicky square in the eyes
"Ah no worries stretch, I know you'd do the same for me, although I think I'd be easier to walk down the street" Nicky replied punching Alex on the arm "man you kept standing stock still every few hundred yards", wether it was the sudden jolt or the coffee and doughnut swirling round her stomach like a pit of snakes Alex wasn't sure but she bolted for the bathroom, yet again losing her stomach contents. Eventually returning to the sofa, a delicate shade of green, she lay her head back and pondered just how she could have been so stupid. Her phone which she had placed on the table buzzed again, it had rung, (Nicky checked the screen when she was in the bathroom), 54 times.
"Won't stop ringing hey?"
"Nope"
"You going to speak to her?"
"Nope"
"Fair enough"
The pair contented themselves with a rerun of a classic film, as the credits rolled Nicky slapped Alex's thigh announcing the she had 'places to be,people to do'.
"Take care of yourself Al, you know where I am if you need me"
"Thanks"
Alex picked up her phone which had finally stopped ringing, dismissing the missed calls she began to read her text messages, smiling briefly at her moms, always a worrier, and then at Pipers, oh she could think of so many ways she could thank her. She read Sylvies but swiped left and deleted.
Alex: hey mom, are you working or do you have anytime off? Ax
The reply came almost instantly
Mom: Hi Hunny, what's wrong? I'm off tomorrow all day and then I'm evening shift Thursday xxx
Alex: I'm fine, just thought I might come cu Ax
Mom: you're always welcome sweet cheeks you know that xxx
Mom: u sure ur ok? xxx
Mom: a mother knows! xxx
Nicky headed out with purpose, ignoring the receptionist who tried in vain to stop her, Nicky crashed through the office door to find Sylvie laughing a joking with some young redhead, "out now!" Nicky barked at the terrified looking younger woman
Sylvies face contorted a little, shocked at the sudden intrusion before quickly smirking "ah Nicole, what a pleasant surprise, please do take a seat"
"Fuck you" she spat "what the fuck have you done?"
