Chapter fourteen
Piper had nestled herself in a corner behind the tumble dryers and the wall in the laundry room. She had decided to take a break from prison and that gorgeous and frustrating Amber chick. She needed to force herself to not care about what or who Alex did. Besides Alex was in Farfield, so it wasn't her business. Amber was lovely; this is what Piper found most devastating. Amber was absolutely devastatingly lovely. Piper couldn't hate her if she tried, Amber was absolutely striking. It's no wonder Alex hooked up with her. But still, Piper couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal.
To know Alex had hooked up with somebody who was a better person than Piper, it just felt hurtful. It felt like a personal dig. Piper knew it was crazy to think that, she knew Alex had no say about Amber being moved to Litchfield, in fact, Alex would have an easier life if Piper didn't know about Amber at all.
"Sucks about Amber, eh?" Nicky's voice broke the silence. Piper glanced up from her book, greeting the intruder with a sad smile.
"Sort of, I guess." Piper mumbled, trying to lie as well as she could. Nicky studied Piper then flinched for her. She saw through Piper with a shrewd ease, it was Nicky's innate ability to see through people.
"Who're you kidding?" Nicky asked, she sat atop the dryer and peered down at Piper. Her large eyes stared at Piper, scrutinizing her every move with a child like curiosity.
"How're the stitches?" Piper asked, nodding toward Nicky's body.
"Healing up. Its slow though, and irritating."
Piper nodded. The pair fell silent for a few moments, nothing but the gentle whirring of the nearby washing machines could be heard. Piper lifted her head and peered up at Nicky.
"You think I'm an idiot?"
"More often than is fair, but about Vause and the ginger? Naw." Nicky said casually, "you do realise that Vause is just having some harmless fun with her, right?"
Piper shrugged, "that's not the point."
"Then what is?"
"Nicky, she's been making love to Amber—"
"Making love? Calm down. This aint some musical. Alex has just been hitting that, and honestly, can you blame her?" Nicky asked with a wink, "I mean, did you SEE her?"
Piper stood up and tossed her book at Nicky, "worst pep talk ever, Nicky. Worst pep talk ever." With that, Piper stormed off. Nicky sighed, then called after her defensively, "I was just being honest...!"
But Piper had already left earshot. Nicky examined Piper's book then raised an eyebrow at it. She hadn't read a book in a very long time, maybe she ought to try it out.
Piper stormed back into her room, she stopped in her steps and stared in disbelief at the new roommate she had acquired.
"Hey, are you okay?" Amber asked from her cot. Piper opened her mouth to speak, but the words didn't come out.
"We're roommate," Amber said with a small smile. Piper slumped onto her bed and faced the wall. She couldn't believe her luck.
"Piper, that's your name right? Are you okay?" Amber's voice asked with soft concern. Piper inhaled deeply, then answered, "Fine, thanks."
She felt a weight shift at the foot of her bed, Amber had perched beside her.
"If you need someone to talk to..." Amber offered, warmly.
"You said you were Alex's girlfriend?"
"Well... her friend with benefits." Amber admitted with a playful smile. Piper sat up and studied her, "how is she?"
"She's okay. She's... Alex; self-destructive to a fault but sexy as hell." Amber said, Piper studied her.
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question...?"
"Be my guest," Amber replied. Her eyes lit up with childlike excitement in anticipation of scandal.
"Who hit on who first?"
"She hit on me." Amber answered. Piper winced, that's how it is? Okay Alex.
Piper nodded slowly, Amber frowned as she noticed Piper's discomfort.
"Do you know her?"
"No. No, God no."Piper said perhaps with too much enthusiasm, then stood up.
"I need to go find my book," Piper sighed, "I don't remember where I left it. It was nice talking to you Amber."
"You too." Amber replied with a sincere smile. Piper watched as Amber headed over to her own cot and curled up on her bed. Amber was absolutely irresistible.
"She's fuckin' irresistible!" Piper exclaimed at Nicky, who was in the laundry room now engrossed in Piper's book. Nicky reluctantly put the book down, "So do Darcy and Elizabeth hook up...or is it all just pretentious doth's and thou's?"
"There are no doths and thous in there...can you even read?"
"Yes." Nicky replied with a thoroughly offended look.
"Sorry...Nicky," Piper said, the intensity in her voice made her shake, "Can you believe it? Alex hit on her first...Alex intentionally sought her out for sex!"
"Chapman, I get your wounded pride won't let you be... but if Amber was unattached, every chick in this prison, be it straight or gay, would be hitting on her. You know it and so do I."
"But Alex is better then that—"
Nicky gave her an apologetic look, "apparently not. Besides, you're talking like Alex is the only woman you turned gay for."
"Nobody turns gay. People are just... people, and they just fall in love with whoever they fall in love with. Everything else comes in later."
"Alright, alright, quit your preaching, my point is this... you can kick and scream all you want, but Alex has fucked that girl and probably enjoyed it."
Piper stared at Nicky, she knew it was irrational and stupid, but her heart crumbled as Nicky continued to speak. Tears began to sting her eyes.
"And the fact of the matter is, we're all adults. We can do who and what we want tom Chapman...Chapman?" Nicky queried, Piper blinked back tears and glanced up from the floor. Nicky's expression softened as she noticed Piper's teary eyes.
"Sorry, Chapman. People suck. They freakin' suck and they'll bust your heart clean open if you let them."
Nicky handed Piper her book back, Piper shook her head, and sniffed back tears.
"No, you finish it. It's good."
"Thanks...Hey Chapman," Nicky's laidback words were soothing, "Just move on. Don't think about her or Amber, condemn yourself from it. And just move on."
"Is it that simple?" Piper asked sadly.
"I can't make any promises but it should be." Nicky nodded. Piper slumped down on the ground and leant against the washing machine. Nicky lay back on top of the tumble dryers and continued to read.
"Hey Nicky?" Piper asked after a moment.
"Yea?"
"Can I crash in your room?"
"It would be an honour." Nicky quipped.
"Thanks." Piper managed softly as she hung her head, and fought back the heartache that threatened to overflow.
Alex walked through Litchfield for the first time in months, her eyes took in all the familiar faces, various inmates nodded greetings at her. She smiled, Farfield had been a nice break but Litchfield was where she belonged.
Alex came to a halt opposite Piper, Piper gave her a small nod. Alex held her gaze, letting her sharp gaze search Piper's. Alex found herself feeling wistful. It was easier to decide you didn't feel something for somebody when you didn't have to face them every day
"Alex!" Amber's voice cut through the crowd, Alex felt alarm bells ring as she looked from Amber to Piper. Piper turned and walked away as Amber gave Alex a hug.
"I'm so glad they transferred you here!"
"So was I." Alex murmured, completely caught off guard. Her eyes scanned the crowd for any glimpse of Piper, but Piper was no longer amongst the inmates. She caught Red's disproving stare, then glanced at Nicky and Morello. Morello had her head on Nicky's shoulder, Nicky gave Alex an unimpressed look, then turned, leading Morello away from the crowd as she went.
Amber went to give Alex a peck, without thinking, Alex pulled away.
Amber gave her a confused look, Alex ignored it and turned to Taystee and Poussey.
"Welcome back, girl!" Taystee celebrated, giving Alex a firm hug.