diff --git a/pairtools/lib/parse.py b/pairtools/lib/parse.py
index 99a9006..f6382c2 100644
--- a/pairtools/lib/parse.py
+++ b/pairtools/lib/parse.py
@@ -392,6 +392,66 @@ def flip_alignment(hic_algn):
     return hic_algn
 
 
+
+def _convert_gaps_into_alignments(sorted_algns, max_inter_align_gap):
+    """
+    Inplace conversion of gaps longer than max_inter_align_gap into alignments
+    """
+    if (len(sorted_algns) == 1) and (not sorted_algns[0]["is_mapped"]):
+        return
+
+    last_5_pos = 0
+    for i in range(len(sorted_algns)):
+        algn = sorted_algns[i]
+        if algn["dist_to_5"] - last_5_pos > max_inter_align_gap:
+            new_algn = empty_alignment()
+            new_algn["dist_to_5"] = last_5_pos
+            new_algn["algn_read_span"] = algn["dist_to_5"] - last_5_pos
+            new_algn["read_len"] = algn["read_len"]
+            new_algn["dist_to_3"] = new_algn["read_len"] - algn["dist_to_5"]
+
+            last_5_pos = algn["dist_to_5"] + algn["algn_read_span"]
+
+            sorted_algns.insert(i, new_algn)
+            i += 2
+        else:
+            last_5_pos = max(last_5_pos, algn["dist_to_5"] + algn["algn_read_span"])
+            i += 1
+
+
+def normalize_alignment_list(algns, side, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=None):
+    """
+    Normalize the alignment list: insert empty alignments in gaps between alignments, 
+    sort by distance to the 5' end, add read side, alignment index.
+
+    Args:
+        algns (list): The list of alignments.
+        side (str): The side of the alignment.
+        sort_by (str, optional): The key to sort the alignments by. Defaults to "dist_to_5".
+        max_inter_align_gap (int, optional): The maximum allowed gap between alignments. Defaults to None.
+
+    Returns:
+        list: The normalized alignment list.
+
+    """
+    if len(algns) == 0:
+        algns = [empty_alignment()]
+
+    if max_inter_align_gap is not None:
+        _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns, max_inter_align_gap)
+
+    if sort_by:
+        algns = sorted(algns, key=lambda algn: algn[sort_by])
+    
+
+    for i, algn in enumerate(algns):
+        algn["read_side"] = side
+        algn["align_idx"] = i
+        algn["tot_align_count"] = len(algns)
+
+    return algns
+            
+
 def flip_orientation(hic_algn):
     """
     Flip orientation of a single alignment
@@ -475,18 +535,9 @@ def parse_read(
         for sam in sams2
     ]
 
-    if len(algns1) > 0:
-        algns1 = sorted(algns1, key=lambda algn: algn["dist_to_5"])
-    else:
-        algns1 = [empty_alignment()]  # Empty alignment dummy
-    if len(algns2) > 0:
-        algns2 = sorted(algns2, key=lambda algn: algn["dist_to_5"])
-    else:
-        algns2 = [empty_alignment()]  # Empty alignment dummy
+    algns1 = normalize_alignment_list(algns1, 1, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=max_inter_align_gap)
+    algns2 = normalize_alignment_list(algns2, 2, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=max_inter_align_gap)
 
-    if max_inter_align_gap is not None:
-        _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns1, max_inter_align_gap)
-        _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns2, max_inter_align_gap)
 
     # By default, assume each molecule is a single pair with single unconfirmed pair:
     hic_algn1 = algns1[0]
@@ -619,10 +670,8 @@ def parse2_read(
             )
             for sam in sams2  # note sams2, that's how these reads are typically parsed
         ]
-        algns1 = sorted(algns1, key=lambda algn: algn["dist_to_5"])
-        if max_inter_align_gap is not None:
-            _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns1, max_inter_align_gap)
-
+        
+        algns1 = normalize_alignment_list(algns1, 1, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=max_inter_align_gap)
         algns2 = [empty_alignment()]  # Empty alignment dummy
 
         if len(algns1) > 1:
@@ -678,20 +727,8 @@ def parse2_read(
             for sam in sams2
         ]
 
-        # Sort alignments by the distance to the 5'-end:
-        if len(algns1) > 0:
-            algns1 = sorted(algns1, key=lambda algn: algn["dist_to_5"])
-        else:
-            algns1 = [empty_alignment()]  # Empty alignment dummy
-        if len(algns2) > 0:
-            algns2 = sorted(algns2, key=lambda algn: algn["dist_to_5"])
-        else:
-            algns2 = [empty_alignment()]  # Empty alignment dummy
-
-        # Convert alignment gaps to alignments:
-        if max_inter_align_gap is not None:
-            _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns1, max_inter_align_gap)
-            _convert_gaps_into_alignments(algns2, max_inter_align_gap)
+        algns1 = normalize_alignment_list(algns1, 1, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=max_inter_align_gap)
+        algns2 = normalize_alignment_list(algns2, 2, sort_by="dist_to_5", max_inter_align_gap=max_inter_align_gap)
 
         is_chimeric_1 = len(algns1) > 1
         is_chimeric_2 = len(algns2) > 1
@@ -829,32 +866,6 @@ def rescue_walk(algns1, algns2, max_molecule_size):
         return None
 
 
-def _convert_gaps_into_alignments(sorted_algns, max_inter_align_gap):
-    """
-    Inplace conversion of gaps longer than max_inter_align_gap into alignments
-    """
-    if (len(sorted_algns) == 1) and (not sorted_algns[0]["is_mapped"]):
-        return
-
-    last_5_pos = 0
-    for i in range(len(sorted_algns)):
-        algn = sorted_algns[i]
-        if algn["dist_to_5"] - last_5_pos > max_inter_align_gap:
-            new_algn = empty_alignment()
-            new_algn["dist_to_5"] = last_5_pos
-            new_algn["algn_read_span"] = algn["dist_to_5"] - last_5_pos
-            new_algn["read_len"] = algn["read_len"]
-            new_algn["dist_to_3"] = new_algn["read_len"] - algn["dist_to_5"]
-
-            last_5_pos = algn["dist_to_5"] + algn["algn_read_span"]
-
-            sorted_algns.insert(i, new_algn)
-            i += 2
-        else:
-            last_5_pos = max(last_5_pos, algn["dist_to_5"] + algn["algn_read_span"])
-            i += 1
-
-
 def parse_complex_walk(
     algns1,
     algns2,