Chapter 7

Kate

I got lead into a cell with six beds, "Been a while since I've been in one of these." The Italian lady offered me a toothbrush "O I have all that already." She took the toothbrush back,"I am Morello I don't think I introduced myself." She extended her hand and I shook it, "I am sure you'll be fine here, give a week a two and you'll get assigned to a cube,"

She left, I looked around the cell and there was an oldish looking woman that was hooked up to a machine. She was asleep and was snoring badly I didn't even know what bunk I had. I saw a bunk with just a plastic mattress on I put my stuff on there. "You don't want to make the bed," I turned around it was the lady hooked up to the machine. She took her mask off, "we have our own way of doing it here." She got up to show me, "it helps to pass inspection, I am Gina by the way," She winked at me and went back to her bunk. "Also count is coming up in five."

"Thanks."

"Huh, British that's a new one."

After count it was lunch time I didn't want to eat but the guard said I had to go. "Sir, I really don't want to eat." He walked up to me, "I said it's fucking lunch now your going to lunch whether I have to drag you." I decided not to test him I struggled to get to the canteen. I sat down at an empty table a tray full of food was placed in front of me.

A big butch woman sat in front of me, "you look like you've seen better days." She looked me up and down like she was visualizing me naked. "I am Big Boo," looking at the food made me feel sick I still felt awful. "I need to see a doctor is there one here." Big Boo laughed "your kidding right, but um I am handy with my hands if you catch my drift."

"I get it." I got up and went to Bell, "I need to see a doctor."

"And I want a hot date with Brad Pitt doesn't mean I am going to get it, now sit down." My ribs really hurt "Listen either I am going to pass out here or you can take me to the doctor." Bell rolled her eyes, "Bennett take lady of the manor here to the doctor." It was the guard who shouted at me he grabbed my arm and lead me to the doctor.

"Well, that's some broken ribs you have there." He pushed down on my side it hurt every time he done it, he took his gloves off. "And there's nothing I can about it, broken ribs heal on their own." I got up and put my orange shirt back on, "I'm really struggling to breath."

"I'll give you some strong painkillers that's all I am allowed to do, I'll write a prescription out for three weeks, that's the usual time they take to heal." At least he was helpful and didn't touch me up when he felt the rib area. "I'll also talk to Healy to make sure you don't get assigned a job for a few weeks." I felt relieved I shook his hand, "thank you your very kind."

Bennett pushed my hand away, "No touching inmate sorry." The doctor gave me some painkillers and I was sent back to the cells. For the first time in a few days I could sleep "You look a lot better." Gina was lying in her bunk as well, I sat up "I guess strong painkillers and sleep does wonders for people." It certainly does I thought, "Hey dinner is coming up."

I felt really hungry for the first time in a while as well. I made my way to the canteen and stood in the queue there was a wild hair person behind me. "I'd stay away from the eggs if I were you."

"Thanks."

Her face dropped, "wait your British did you get transferred from Virginia." How did she know that did Alex tell her or was it the Italian. "Um, yeah, " I moved up the line. "How did you know that?"

"I put two and two together, I'm good at that if you know what I mean." Big Boo walked up to us, "I can't believe you're doing this again after the whole Soso thing." I turned my back to them last thing I needed was more drama. "Oh look what you've done, you've scared her off." I got my food and hurried to an empty table, I opened my book and put my head down, hoping that I wouldn't be bothered. A tray was put down opposite me, I looked up it was a Chinese woman. "Hi, I'm Soso."

"God you look awful, I mean I've seen people get beaten before, I mean before you got here, there was this big inside war with this lady called Vee and Red one of them got slocked." She carried on talking for a long time, I couldn't get a word in, I finished my dinner quickly and left. I got back to my cell I turned to Gina "I have just met the world's fastest talker."

"Ah Soso the best thing to do is sit on her face that's what Nicky did." There was a knock on the wall there was a blonde lady there "Um Kate right can I talk to you a minute."

"And you are?"

"I am Piper, I think me and you have a lot to discuss."

I walked out the cell and into the bathroom with Piper. "Alex told me everything." I had butterfly's in my stomach, "Listen, I swear blind, I didn't mean to respond and I stopped it before anything further could happen." Piper walked up to my face and looked in my eyes.

"She told me you made the first move and I don't blame you, Alex is a very tall and very hot lady." What? I believe Alex lied. Last time I checked she came onto me.

"Tell me about it." I put my hands over my mouth, I really need to think before I speak. Piper put her hand on my shoulder. "You see I am giving Al the benefit of the doubt because we were in a bad place at the time."

"That's good she does love the bones of you," Piper took her hand off. "So what's going to happen is Al has agreed to not speak to you again."

"Well, that's going to be a bit hard isn't it."

"Your very sarcastic aren't you what is that some sort of British humor."

"No just a trait I was born with." Piper backed away "just stay away okay." Piper left I didn't even know what I did wrong Alex was the one that came onto me. Maybe keeping my distance is a good thing. A Shower curtain opened it was the wild haired one. "Gotta love dyke drama." She was naked I took one look and then looked away she wrapped a towel around herself. "I am Nicky by the way."

"Hi Nicky."

"Look, listen I heard your little discussion." I felt embarrassed, talk about looking weak, letting a small blonde lady walk all over you. "Look, I know Vause very well and if there's one thing I know if she wants something she'll walk on broken glass to get it." She walked to a mirror and started brushing her teeth. "And Piper well she wouldn't back you off if she thought you didn't mean anything." What was Nicky trying to say that Alex has feelings for me "Just don't lose hope on her yet kid, but be prepared for some serious dyke drama." Nicky walked off, I felt something in the pit of my tummy. I rushed into the toilet cubicle and was sick in the toilet. It must have been a mixture of strong painkillers and bad food. "I guess now would be the wrong time to say hi, huh?" I knew that raspy voice anywhere I turned around and looked up to see the tall dark haired lady looking at me. Fuck me.

Alex

I ran down the stairs to the cells where they put the new inmates. I paced up and down, I kept thinking about what I was going to say. How the fuck did she end up here? Bennett came out the cell "Inmate you're out of bounds, and aren't you suppose to be at work."

"Was just going."

I saw Lorna coming out the cell "Hey, that British girl you dropped off where is she?"

"She's in with Gina." Lorna folded her arms "Why are you so interested?" She said suspiciously, "I met her in Virginia I'm allowed to be worried okay."

"Whatever."

Lorna walked off I tried looking through the bars to see if I could spot her. This is fucking hopeless, I stood around for 5 minutes. I went to work otherwise Bennett would give me a shot.

"Hey lurch," it was Pennsatucky, "I overheard your cozy little chat last night with college." I really wasn't in the mood for this, "surprised you didn't get off on it you know cause your one of us now."

"Yeah, well when it disrupts my sleep, that's when I get cranky."

"Your an ex meth head, of course you're going to get cranky." Pennsatucky scowled at me and carried on folding sheets. I got stuck with Soso again, who just talked the most random shit. "I heard there's a British girl that's been transferred here, I wonder if she knows the queen." I took my glasses off and couldn't help but snigger. "Just because she's British doesn't mean she knows the queen."

"But maybe she might be related to...I don't know Hugh Grant." I put my glasses back on, "God, you're fucking annoying." Soso didn't look offended, maybe she was used to being told that. Soso kept talking, about random bullshit. I knew I had to tell Piper now Kate is here. There was no point in forgetting what happened between us Piper was going to put two and two together at some point.

After work I found Piper in her cube reading a book, "Hey, I thought we were meeting at dinner." I took my glasses off and sat next to her, Piper sat up next to me. "How was work."

"Same old shit if you worked with Christian meth heads a wannabe lesbian and an Asian chatterbox, it gets interesting." Piper laughed I loved it when she laughed. "Well, today I learnt how to fix a coffee machine and I didn't shock myself." I clapped, "Yay well done you." Piper put her head on my shoulder, "isn't it strange how normal this feels."

I decided to just come out with it otherwise I would never tell her. "Look Pipes since we've started a fresh I need to tell you something." Piper lifted her head from my shoulder, "I knew you were hiding something." I put my glasses on my head and faced Piper I cleared my throat. "When I was in Virginia, there was someone that I kinda kissed, but before you go all ape shit nothing further happened, it was just a kiss." Piper was giving me that scary look like she was going to hit me. "So here I was worried about you and your off trying to fuck other women. "

"No, it wasn't like that it was a stupid I was an asshole."

"Wait a minute who came on too who." I hung my head in shame and sighed, "She did." Piper looked relieved I couldn't believe I said that, god I am such a bad person. Now I really needed to find Kate and pre warn her. "Is it that British girl that got transferred?"

"... Yes"

"Do you like her?"

"No totally not." The lies were piling up by the minute now, I was in way over my head. If I could just get to Kate and explain it, then it'll all be good she can play along with it. "I forgive you Al." That was easy I was expecting an argument of some kind. "That's very unusual about you I was expecting a slap of some kind." Piper held my hand, "we were in a different place, it's fine, honestly, and thanks for being honest." I looked at Piper "What are you planning?"

"Nothing, we started afresh we've both been in the wrong and you've held your hands up though it's going to be awkward, but I think we'll be fine." Piper kissed my cheek, I looked at the guard station Bell and Bennett were doing something. I put a blanket over our laps and put my hand down Pipers trousers. "Al" Piper whispered "What are you doing."

"Trying to fuck you." I was about to put my finger in but Piper took my hand out of her pants. "There is a time and a place for those things."

"Okay, I understand."

Piper nudged my shoulder, "Maybe later in the chapel."

"We're so classy aren't we." I laughed as I looked at the clock, "count time is coming up I better get back." I got up and quickly kissed Piper on the lips. "I'll see you later."

"You will."

At dinner, I couldn't see Kate anywhere I was sat opposite Piper. "You look on edge like you're waiting for someone." I smiled at Piper, "I'm good honest, where's Nicky?" I was trying to change the subject but I think Piper saw through that. "Think she's trying to get some pussy." I nodded my head as I played with my food, "Gotta love Nic always trolling for pussy." I took my glasses off and put them on my head Piper already finished her meal. "I am going to find Nicky."

"She's probably in the shower either getting clean or not if you catch my drift." Piper got up and took her tray, "I need to ask her something about work." I was suspicious Piper never gave a fuck about work. "What's it about?"

"Oh, just some stupid thing I won't be long Al." She kissed my forehead and walked off. Now Piper had me scared she has changed a lot lately, the whole getting me put back in here thing isn't something I ever thought she'd be capable of. Maybe she was testing the water to see what she can get away with. I don't think I'll ever know the real reason why she done it. I didn't mind being back in prison at least I was safe and away from the blow and back with Piper.

After dinner, I went to the showers to see if Piper was still there. I saw Nicky, coming out the room she had her towel wrapped round her. "Hey Vause" Nicky opened the towel and exposed herself. "Wanna hit this."

"Been there, done that." I knew she was joking, she made a pretend sad face as she wrapped the towel back around herself. "Aw Vause doesn't want to play," I lifted my glasses and put them on my head. "Have you seen Pipes?."

"Yeah, you just missed her, your British girlfriend is in there." I instantly rushed to get in the bathroom, "O Vause." I turned to look at Nicky, "be prepared for some dyke drama." What did she mean by that? Nicky walked off to get changed. I went in the bathroom and found Kate over a toilet being sick. I couldn't help but look she has a great ass. I leaned on the toilet door and folded my arms. "Guess this is the wrong time to say hi huh," Kate turned to look at me. "Surely it is you can even hold back my hair." Kate looked a mess she looked paler than usual and she had a black eye and a bruised cheek that looked nasty. I felt a sudden urge of anger whoever did this to her was going to fucking pay. "What happened? Who did this?"
"Just someone in Virginia she kicked the crap out of me because I wouldn't stash her drugs, but it's cool, I'll be fine." She tried to get up I quickly moved in to help her but she pulled my hand away. "I'll be fine," She was clutching her side. Kate kept looking at the toilet wall, not even looking at me. "I had a little visit from your girlfriend just now." I took my glasses off, how the fuck could Piper do that to me. "Kay I am so sorry I didn't know she'd do that."
"Am I some sort of fucking game to you? Am I part of some twisted plot to piss the blonde off?"
"No you're not a game or being used I really do like you, I am just so fucking confused right now." Kate laughed, then all of a sudden looked like she was in pain again. "You like me? Fucking great," Kate rubbed her temple. Kate pushed past me and left the cubical. For the first time since I said hi Kate looked at me. "Piper told me to stay away which I will because I am not a jerk like that." Kate then looked down at the floor. "She also said I made the first move."
"I was put on the spot, come on Kay give me a break here." My tone sounded like I was pleading with her surprise I didn't get down on my knees. "That's cool Vause cause us," She pointed to me and then herself. "Never happened, it was just a kiss a fucking amazing one at that, but that's it." God, she looked hot when she's angry, but thinking things like that is what got me into this mess in the first place. "That's cool, so what else did she say."
"Just to stay away from you and that's it really."

"I can't believe Piper has done that I am so sorry."

"You've said that twice now and it doesn't make it any better, but I just want to do my time and leave here so I am done, I am so done." Kate walked towards the door to leave I grabbed her wrist to stop her. "What do you mean done?"

"With whatever this is Alex I am nearly 30 years old I am too old to be caught in some stupid lesbian love triangle." I let go of Kate maybe she was right, I needed to carry on with forgetting about her though seeing her every day was going to make that hard. "I am sorry you got caught up in this." Kate rolled her eyes and sighed. "You keep saying sorry Vause but the thing is you think that your this horrible person when the truth is that you're not and the next you say sorry to me, I am going to punch you." Kate walked to the door "I'll always be your friend Vause if you need me, but from now on I'll leave you alone, I don't deserve to be that woman that came between you two." And Kate left now me and Piper can live in peace now. But could I stay away from Kate though.