Alex woke with a start. Fuck, what time is it? She leant over and felt for her glasses. Grabbing her black frames she shoved them onto her face. She picked up her phone. 11.47am.
Thats the longest lie in I've had in the last 7 years. She stretched, rolling onto her back she stared blankly at the ceiling. Now what? For the last 7 years she had had her whole day structured out for her. She woke at 5 to shower, and then went back to her bunk to read. She would wait till the last possible minute before heading to breakfast. After inhaling weak coffee and a portion of fruit, she would return to the laundry room where she would stay all day until dinner. Then she would eat whatever shitty food was on offer, and once again return to her bunk to read. Sleep, eat, work, and repeat.
She sat up. She couldn't waste her time in bed all day. She padded into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. A stranger stared back. When did I start looking so fucking old? Running a hand through her hair she silently inspected herself. Dull, dark hair that hung limply down her back, she had last nights make up smudged down her face, chapped lips from the cold weather. But most noticeably, was the change her eyes. What were once bright shining green orbs, were now a dim and glassy sea colour. Her smile that used to reach her eyes, now failed to even appear. Fuck this.
She reached over the bath and turned on the taps, added soap and let it run. Okay, enough of this pity party and get your shit together. She went and retrieved her phone from the bed and returned to the bathroom. On the window sill there was a box of matches. Perfect. She went round the room lighting the candles before returning the box by the window. Digging through the cupboard she found her old body wash and razors. She tied her hair up into a messy bun, slid out of her tank and underwear and slid into the bath. Oh my god. This is fucking heaven.
She stayed there for the next hour. Washing away the dirt, washing away the bad memories, recreating her body again. No more fucking wallowing Vause, you got this. Getting out the tub she slipped into her gown, and walked into the bedroom.
There was suddenly a loud shrill coming from her phone. Who the fuck is that? Nobody knows I'm out. Cautiously she picked up the phone and accepted the call.
"Hello?".
"Vause!".
"Nichols?"
"Who the fuck else stretch? Hows it going?".
Nicky had got out a couple of years before her. The two had stayed in touch through letters, and although there were occasional visits, Alex implemented a strict policy that Nicky needed to get out there and live her life instead of wasting her weekends visiting her.
"I'm doing okay Nick. I mean its weird, but fuck I'm finally out of there". She smiled into the phone.
"Damn right you are. Where the fuck are you? Its been 24 hours and I'm yet to see that smug fucking face of yours". she chuckled.
"Im in my old apartment. Trying to sort my fucking life out".
"Yeah? And hows that going for you?".
"It fucking sucks Nick".
"I'll tell you what, meet me at Millers tonight Vause, we'll get a bite to eat, have drinks, and figure out where the fuck we go from here. What our next fucking empire will be!".
"Our empire?".
"Yeah, you know business talk". She could practically feel her grinning from the other side of the phone.
"Deal. Definitely up for the drinks part of that conversation". Maybe me and my old pal jack can hook up.
"Alright stretch, 9 o'clock. Don't be fucking late". She hung up the phone.
What the fuck am i going to wear.
Across town Piper was at work with Polly in their newly opened Popi store. After such a success selling online and at local markets, they had enough money saved to secure a small store. Piper was sat in the back office typing away on her laptop at speed. She was good at her job and she loved organising. She was currently working out the numbers of their current stock, and estimating product further lines. Herself and Polly had a big and important meeting with Barnys lined up and she wanted to be prepared. Pausing for a minute she cracked her knuckles. Turning on her chair to pick up her coffee cup she realised it was empty. She sighed.
Polly had spent the day setting out the store. It was decorated in pure whites and glass shelving. Displays were illuminated by white spot lights with fresh flowers placed around the shop to accentuate the floral elements of their products. It was a bright and airy store, and herself and Polly's upbringing meant they had the pleasantries and charm to convince each customer that entered to leave with half the stores products.
Polly poked her head round the office door.
"That was the last of the vanilla soap from the last batch gone Pipes, we need to up our game. Looks like we will be spending a few late nights here over the next few weeks.".
"Coffee. I need coffee". Piper said as she hastily shut the laptop and span around on her office chair to face her. She loved how well the business was doing, but the late nights, the pressure of their upcoming meeting and the sexual frustration was pushing her to the brink.
"Fuck coffee Pipes, I need wine". Piper was not the only one that was stressed. Polly had put a lot of hours into the business lately, and it was started to effect her relationship with Pete. They were trying to get pregnant, and so far they had been unsuccessful in their attempts. /
"The stores closed up for the day Pipes. Ive done the clean down, and cashedup the till. We have made a fortune today. And I don't know about you but I think that deserves an early finish and a little treat". She smiled.
Normally Piper would exclaim that they shouldn't be running before they could walk, but she had to admit even she needed a break.
"Make mine a tequila and you've got yourself a deal".
"Done".
Piper got up and grabbed her jacket, she slipped it on, grabbed her bag and turned off the lights. After setting the security alarm they left the store. Arm in arm they strolled down the street in the direction of Millers.
Millers was a bar downtown that served cheap enough alcohol with half decent food. Luckily it wasn't far from the store. The two arrived and grabbed a booth in the corner.
"Is everything ok lately Pipes? I mean I know I have my own problems going on at the moment with Pete and we have this meeting coming up, but you've just been acting a little weird. Even for you".
Instead of replying, Piper signalled for a server to come over.
"A large glass of red and a margarita please" she said with a smile to the young blonde haired waitress. Seconds later she returned with the drinks, placing them on the table. Piper took a large gulp and looked at Polly.
"This is hard for me to say. I mean, I know things are going so well for us lately, and me a Larry are in a great place, but I don't know. I just feel as if something is missing?" she said looking down at the table, absent kindly playing with her napkin.
Polly took a sip of her wine. "Maybe your ready for the next step?". She cautiously looked on for Pipers reaction.
"You mean like babies and marriage? No!". Fuck no. "I mean maybe one day, but I don't think that day is any day soon. I just feel like I'm waiting for something else". Someone else. "Something to knock me off my feet, something special and soul wrenching"
Polly glared at her. "Come on Pipes, don't you think thats just a bit picky? I think life is just too settled for you. Your life is completely stable and that scares you. Your not walking on the wild side anymore. You and Larry are solid. He's reliable. I just don't think your used to that". She took another sip of her wine shaking her head.
"Maybe your right, I love Larry, he's a great guy. But we have been lacking lately in more ways than one". She took another gulp of her drink.
"What do you mean?" Polly replied as she scanned the menu in front of her.
"I mean for starters maybe the fact that I haven't had an an orgasm from someone other than myself in god knows how long? That he always wants me to be with him every second of the day? He is so needy lately ever since he got fired from that stupid publishing job." She frowned.
"I love Larry I really do, and we have tried so much, but I'm clutching at fucking straws Pol. I know its wasn't his fault and sex is not the most important thing but i'd like to be able to relieve some of this stress with a good fuck or decent conversation". Piper downed the rest of her drink. Easy Chapman, you're starting to sound like a bitch. Larry is great, just give him time.
Polly opened her mouth to reply but before she could they were interrupted.
"Hey gorgeous, what you having?". Pete had arrived. He strolled over and planted a kiss on Polly's cheek./span/p
"Same again please" as she passed Pete her now empty glass.
He turned to Piper. "And for you sweetheart?".
"Margarita please". she slid her glass across the table into Petes outstretched and waiting hand.
"Girls I don't know about you but I'm starving. Im going to get a burger with fries, have you decided yet?".
"I'll just have the same" mumbled Piper who was now absentmindedly playing with her necklace.
"Just a Caesar salad for me babe".
Pete strode off to the bar with the empty glasses. Polly looked at Piper.
I think sometimes we have to accept we cant have it all Pipes. Life's not like the fairytales we were told when we were younger".
That may be true now Pol, but once I really did have it all.
After hours of getting herself ready Alex stepped in front of her floor length mirror. She had freshly dyed hair and had curled it, so it hung loosely in waves down her back. She wore a tight black tank top that showed off the curve of her hips, and it was so low cut and tight around her tits, it should of been illegal for her to be in it. Skin tight black skinny jeans paired with her old triumph Dr Marten boots. She gave her self a once over. Not too bad Vause, you've still got it. Her signature black eyeliner was paired with a smoky eye effect, and finished off by placing her black framed glasses onto her face. Smoothing her clothes over she took one last look before grabbing her black vintage jacket and shoving it on, she picked up her wallet, keys and phone and left the apartment.
I wonder what Nicky has in store for me tonight.