Addicted (OITNB)

19- Just A Little Prick

I IGNORE THE dull yet constant aching in my back and thighs as I lean down to dig a small hole in the soil using the miniature shovel in my hand.

The sun is beaming down on us constantly and it's at times like this where I'm grateful that I don't get sunburn.

Red and I have been going at this for two hour straight now, and it's getting to the point where it's barely enjoyable anymore and I have resorted to stripping almost completely naked, sticking with just a tight white singlet. This feels like a chore and I really thought that doing this would help me feel better but instead I'm just in even more pain from all the squatting and digging.

"It's a beautiful day." Red comments as she breaths in deeply and stares up into the sky.

"Would be nice to enjoy it inside." I mutter under my breath. Red hears anyway.

"Chin up, darling. We're halfway there." Red says as she walks around the small garden.

I groan dramatically. "Can't we take a break?"

"We only have so much time to get this done. Once you start you gotta finish. That's what I always say." Seeing Red in such a good mood warms my heart up a little. Although I'm not having a good time, I'm glad she is.

I smile to myself as I pat around the seedling I just planted. I feel like I should be studying or something, but then I remember I'm in prison.

"You never told me why you ran off yesterday." Red says from across the garden.

I stand up and wipe the dirt stains off my knees and palms.

"I just thought I saw someone I knew, that's all." I say as I walk towards where she works. I hover over her, watching her trim the thorns off the roses.

"You looked pretty shocked. Who could it have been?"

"Of course I was shocked. Prison isn't exactly a common place to see someone you know." I mumble the last part. Red stands up and turns to me.

"You know you can tell me anything." She says as she stares into my eyes.

I bite my bottom lip as I contemplate whether I should tell her or not. Maybe I should, it might be comforting to know that Red is aware about how I feel. Who knows, she may even be able to relate.

"I thought I saw Tricia."

Red's face looks apologetic. I look away from her, not wanting any sympathy.

"And I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I'm scared I'm going crazy." I whisper.

"Oh, you poor, poor girl."

I look at her again. "Am I crazy?"

"No. Of course not." Red pulls me in for a hug and I accept it, resting my chin on her shoulder. I stare at the white rose bush behind her, some of them still containing their thick long thorns.

"You missed a few." I say, referring to the thorns. We pull apart and Red turns around, her hand resting between my shoulder blades.

"I need my glasses. Here, you get them and I'll be right back." Red shoves the small clippers in my direction. I take them hesitantly, not wanting Red to leave me for some reason.

I watch her rush off towards the building, before turning back to face the bush.

I drop on my knees and gently pull the stem of a rose towards me so I can get a better look.