Addicted (OITNB)

20- Not An Eggplant

AS I WALK down the halls of prison, I can't ignore the Christmas spirit radiating from the walls. Almost every inch of the prison is decorated in red and green Christmas decorations, from baubles hanging off strings across the windows to a pretty wreath on every door. I even saw a few COs and prisoners wearing red Christmas hats.

I never expected prison to be so festive. I realise that there will seven more Christmases before I can celebrate with my family. With Millie.

I have mixed emotions right now. I'm excited and happy about it being Christmas Eve, and I'm so grateful that Litchfield gets into the spirit, because I don't know how I'd survive if we weren't able to celebrate.

But then I remember Millie, and I remember that she's alone. I haven't spoken to her since after Tricia died, and I don't know how Allie had taken the news. I wonder if Millie is celebrating with Allie, that is, if Allie is still letting Millie live with her. 

"Connor!" I hear my last name from behind me, and stop walking. I turn around and see Sophia strutting towards me, looking more fabulous than ever.

"Oh, hey!" I say with a smile, walking towards her as well. "What's up?"

"Remember when I said that you didn't owe me anything?" She says slowly.

"Right..." I squint suspiciously at her. Oh no. I barely have any money.

"Well, Sister Ingalls and I are hosting the auditions for the Christmas pageant, but we think we'll need an extra position since I can already predict Sister and I bumping heads."

Relief floods through my body and I evidently relax my shoulders. "Oh. Well if that's all it is..." As long as I'm not the one auditioning. "Sounds fun."

"Great." Sophia smiles wide. She then grabs my wrist. "Well let's go!"

"Wait, right now?" I groan as I let Sophia drag me down the hall. Now I know why they asked me. It's leisure time and most inmates are out having fun by chilling outside and playing games with each other. I doubt the last thing they would want to do is spend the precious two hours they have trying to pick someone out of the tiny amounts of talent there is.

The last time I had free time, I regretfully decided to spend it gardening with Red. It was more of a chore than a hobby. I should probably stop agreeing to things. Starting tomorrow.

When we enter the Chapel, I almost forget I'm in prison. It reminds me of the church I visited when I was little- orange lights with colourful mosaic windows. I slowly trail behind Sophia, taking it all in. The last time I was in the church, I had overheard a priest say a little comment about gays going to hell. That was the last time I had gone.

"Religious?" Sophia asks as she sits down at the end of one of the long brown chairs. I follow her and sit besides her.

"Not really. You?"

"I'm pretty sure God hates me, so no." She says but smiles. I turn my head as soon as I hear the heavy Chapel doors open. I recognise Sister Ingalls and she walks toward us, sitting three rows behind us.

"What? Do we smell or something?" Sophia jokes.

"Oh, no. I just want to concentrate on my note taking." She taps her notepad with her pen and I realise how serious they're taking these auditions. Well, at least how serious Sister Ingalls is.

Sophia turns to face the front again, and I copy her slowly. "Was I meant to bring something? Like a piece of paper or a pen?" I whisper.