Empty Spaces Chapter 5
Mostly Alex's POV- Cuz the waiting is the hardest part.
When 5 am came around Alex was still wide awake, she'd managed to get the tears under control before the other women around her started to rise. She usually popped right up and out of bed this time of morning so she could get up and in the showers before it got too crowded, but this morning she just couldn't gather the strength. She'd always liked starting her mornings off that way feeling fresh and clean ready to take on the world, truth be told she did kind of want the shower. Wanted the almost hot water to wash away the fears that had plagued her all night, the tears that had left her eyes all puffy and red. She just wasn't ready for everything else that lay waiting outside the walls to her cube. She'd never be able to hide her pain from the family she'd been adopted into, it was written all across her face. She didn't move from her place on the bunk when Leanne quietly rose and slipped away quietly.
She was still laying there staring at the ceiling a few minutes later when Nikki came in and sat down on the edge of her bunk, gently laying a comforting hand on the brunettes thigh. She didn't say a word just sat there waiting silently as Alex's body started to ripple and shake as the tears overcame her again. Nichols pulled her in close and held her as the poor woman came apart in her arms. She discreetly tried to wave away the concerned friends and family who were already starting to gather at the entrance to her cube. They drifted off to talk amongst themselves and leave the two girls alone. They'd realized pretty early on last night that Pennsatucky had been missing from their dorm but they hadn't gotten confirmation about Piper till a few minutes before when Taystee and Poussey had come to break the bad news. Nicky didn't have the first clue how Alex had already known, but that didn't matter now. all that did was trying to help this shattered girl before her and hoping Piper was stronger than her tiny little frame suggested.
Alex for her part was grateful for the contact that Nicky provided, she felt like she'd been drowning in this all night. Swimming in a sea of what ifs that never seamed to end. What if she had been there? What if she hadn't chased the blonde away? What if she had pushed her? Really got in her face once and for all that they were meant to be together. What if she'd quit all thise years ago like Piper had wanted? She'd been able to see it in her eyes every time they'd looked at each other. That silent plea to run away together and build a new life. A life rich in adventure, endless days and nights spent exploring the world and each other. What if she had chosen Piper over the business? What if she had made the right choice?