C. 1

He knew he had really screwed up this time, he should be regretting his actions and decisions but he didn't. It was part of the plan, to get away from him, far away. He never thought it would've escalated to this point, but they were both drunk and no one interrupts Gerry during important meetings. Unfortunately for Gerry he didn't realized the little boy he used to push around had grown, and wasn't going to put up with his shit anymore. He may have landed a few punches, but Fitz wasn't the one who ended up knocked out on the kitchen floor. Gerry's reputation as a Senator was the only thing preventing Fitz from being stuck inside a dention center. Instead, he was sent where he wanted to go five years ago, but might be the worse place for him now. He was on a plane to Virginia to live with his mother and her new husband. He'd be 19 in a week and had plans to move out on his own, he was sure that would be more than enough time to wear out his welcome there as well.

It's not that he didn't love his mother,but things had changed. She had been the most important person in his life more than anyone in his life, but she abandoned him as a ten year old boy and forced me to live with that monster. He used to visited her in his early teens and loved the time with her and Edward, but the past five years he'd been busy with other things during the summer, from the beach to baseball to girls. He just didn't have the time nor see the point in going to visit. But it was more than that. When he was there five years ago at 12 he begged her to let him stay, to not make him go back and live with Gerry. She said no, this was not up for discussion and that California was a better place for him to be. He was devastated, for the second time in his life his mother was abandoning his. He didn't sleep that night knowing what he was returning to in California. His father who used him as a chess piece, trying to plan and control his future, grooming him to be a politician. That's when Fitz came up with a plan of his own, he had always liked sports and had been athletic, but knew to really advance he needed to get myself in the best physical condition so that he could start as a freshman, and someday earn a scholarship to get out from under his grasps and this hell. While he was doing that he also knew that if he did enough to threaten Gerry's reputation there was a military school, the best ones in California also had a reputation for producing star quarterbacks that he could be sent to.

The first plan worked, the second had him on a plane to Virginia. His mother, father and Edward decided going to Virginia to live with her and Edward would be the best place for him until graduation. The only good thing about this is the school district has a great athletic program. The view is nothing compared to the beach he was used to, except for the neighbor. She was one of the most beautiful girls he had seen and she carried herself with a prescence he hadn't seen begfore. She spent most days at the pool with her friend with the red hair, or going for runs later in the evening. He knew they were out at the pool everyday around noon, he had purposely ran or did shirtless yard work at that time of the day. So rather than get up early for my run, he thought he'd go for a shirtless run so e be coming home about the same time they were going out to the pool. If he was stuck here, it doesn't hurt to make friends with the pretty neighbor. She could definitely be another girl he'd like to be with.

Besides there was no way he waking up at 5 am to run after being out late. Technically wasnot allowed out, however that didn't stop him from taking advantage of my fake California ID. After Edward and his mom were asleep he left through the window. He lived in a nice little development not to far from a main highway, so he caught a cab and ended up at a local club. he danced with some much older coeds and when he felt he had drank he was ready to call a cab, until one girl suggested otherwise. She wanted to give him a ride. He didn't need nor did he wanted attachment, but she was all over him. He stopped it before things went too far and had her drop him off a mile from home so she would'nt know where he lived and could snee back in around four before anyone was awake to start their day. He knew this run would be rough after a night like that, but hopefully it would be worth it.

It was almost 11, if he wanted to get a lift in before three miles he better go now, then he would be arriving back from the run just as the two beautiful girls were heading for their usual pool time.

"Olivia, hot stuff just left for a run, looks like we will get to see him. Why don't you go make friends?"

"Abby, you the one so interested why don't you go talk to him?"

"I'm not the one he's staring, besides you better make a friend for next week."

"Why? What's next week?"

"Olivia, I told you we are leaving for Florida this morning for our family trip and I won't be back for a week!"

"Ughhh Abby, who am I going to hang out at the pool with now!?"

"How about the hot thing next door? I've seen you check him out when he's doing yard work, pool cleaning and running through the development shirtless, I wonder if he even owns a shirt? He looks like he just graduated high school, invite him over! A little summer fling!" Abby never had much of a filter.

"I can't do that, what about Brody?"

Brody was the star of the football team and swept Olivia off her feet their sophomore year of high school. She remembered when he was sweet and she was the center of his world, but as his popularity and fame grew he quit putting Liv first. He was her first boyfriend and the first guy she had ever been with. Abby and her had always been nerdy bookworms until their sophomore year when they matured and Liv became a track star. They ran on the cross country team, Abby more so to look at the guys in short shorts while Olivia enjoyed the silence of a long run. Between that and swimming, She had developed an athletic build which Brody took notice of during track season. She knew he wasn't the man she would marry, but he was the star football player, and they looked good together. They did have fun together, plus he was good looking, with dark hair and dark eyes.

"Oh yeah, like he has been thinking about you at all this summer? First three weeks hunting out west and now a two week vacation in Hawaii with his hot but extremely douchebag brother? When was the last time you heard from him, Liv? Besides I didn't say jump Mr. Greek God's bones, just ask him to come swim and hang out!" Abby never liked Brody, she thought he was too flirtatious with other girls and had a wandering eye. On top of that she claimed he was a control freak who either demanded Liv all to himself or left her high and dry when he found something more interesting. . She felt her friend deserved better and thought it would be helpful to get a head start on moving on because we both knew what was coming at the end of the year.

" Almost a week…. I guess you're right, it wouldn't hurt to make friends, I mean his parents and mine are good friends. Besides, if he's in college he'll be leaving soon anyway," what would a little playful flirting and swimming hurt Olivia thought.

" Yeah, and if you're his friend he can get us into college parties!Ok, now go see McHotty over there and make sure to tell him you have a hot single friend!"

"Goodbye Abby!"

Olivia found her favorite white and purple two piece, she made sure it wasn't too revealing as she didn't want to seem as if she was coming on to him. She looked out her window and could see Mr. Muscles running up the street, no shirt on, and sweating. He was gorgeous, with his brown wavy hair, especially his superman curl in the front. She doubted he had any body fat on him because he was so fit, although not overly muscular, with a six pack,square shoulders, and a broad back. He could've been a surfer or swimmer between his wavy brown hair, muscles and tan, either way he was nice on the eyes.

She needed to get her act together, She wasn't trying to pick him up, you just want to be friends. She threw her white swim cover on, grabbed her raybans, a towel, two bottles of water and made her way out the side door to meet the new man on the block.

Fitz sprinted up the driveway and was bent over in exhaustion, he plopped on his butt and removed his oakley sunglasses. He definitely needed a haircut, the bandana was not keeping the hair and sweat out of his face. He had forgotten how humid it could be in the middle of the day in Virginia and was regretting his decision to run during this time of the day, that was until he looked up. Standing before him was the most beautiful girl he had seen. He thought he must've passed out or was dieing because he couldn't comprehend why she was in front of him in nothing more than a sheer white cover up that didn't do a great job covering a light purple and white bikini.

"Would you like a water? I saw you running up the street and thought you'd be exhausted. I am Olivia Pope, you're neighbor," she said while staring at his chest and stomach muscles.

Good thing she had sunglasses on so he couldn't tell she was obviously checking him out. She needed to get her shit together before she made a fool of herself.. What was this guy doing to her? She thought to herself.

"Fitz" he said talking the water and downing half of it "thank you."

"Look I was just going to hang out by my pool and swim some. Would you like to join me, I mean I know you have a pool, but figured with you just moving here you might like some company?" she smiled sweetly at him.

He was surprised she was so outgoing but wondered where her red-headed friend that's with here everyday?

"I'd like that, just let me shower really quick, and grab my swimming trunks"

"You know you are going to swim, why shower?" Words were coming out of her mouth before she could think. She was hoping the shower wasn't an excuse to blow her off.

Fitz chuckled, "That three mile run took more out of me than I thought and I am pretty gross right now, you wouldn't want me over there too long if I didn't shower, the stench would be unbearable," he smiled his crooked smile at her, downed the rest of his water and turned towards the house.

"I promise I'll be back in 8 minutes tops, if not, feel free to come look for me," Fitz winked and went into the house, please with himself that he had caught the eye of the beautiful neighbor girl.

That last comment made Olivia smile, was this guy really flirting with her? Olivia was a runner and swimmer, she knew she had a nice figure, but never thought she was the type of pretty that stood out.

Fitz was out in record time, Olivia had just set up spotify on her iphone and connected it to their pool speakers. She was picking out a playlist when she heard a loud splash, turned around and to see Fitz in the pool. She giggled as he popped up out of the water, pushing his curly hair out of his face. He smiled at her.

"What are you waiting for?" He yelled as he swam to the edge and was making his way over towards Olivia.

"No, no, no… I like to relax and warm up then slowly get in!"

She was backing away from him but was checking him out. His swimming trunks were hanging low on his hips, and there was a trail of hair starting at the top of them. Before Olivia knew what was happening Fitz had his large hands on her hips and was lifting her up easily over his shoulder. She took notice of his muscular back before he ran over and jumped into the pool bringing them both under the water.

When Olivia popped above the water, she wiped the hair outta her face giggled and threatened Fitz. " What kind of guest are you, throwing the host in the pool against her will!?" She laughed playful and she splashed him.

"You didn't put up too much of a fight, besides pools are meant to be swam in, all you and Red do is lay here and listen to music…."

"Sooo you HAVE been watching?" Olivia asked in a teasing manner that Fitz was sure could be mistaken for flirting.

"How could I keep my eyes away?" He swam towards her trying to grab her again.

He was really being brazen, but he didn't' care, he never met a girl like this before. The girls he knew in California were either rich snobs, pretended to be dumb so guys would like them or some politician's daughter his dad was trying to setup and arrange marriage with. No one Fitz was ever interested in for more than a few days and a quick hookup. Plus Olivia had this natural beauty that shone through and he had a sense she had no idea.

Olivia blushed, what has this guy got over her, that's making her feel unlike any guy before. He was chasing her again. She wanted to know more about him though.

"So Fitz, what's your story?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Where you go to school, how old you are, why you just appeared out of nowhere, your favorite food, color, band, ya know the normal stuff?"

Fitz chuckled "Well I'll be going to Northridge high this year and will be a Senior. I turn 19 next week, no I didn't flunk, but my crazy father thought it would be better to be mature for my grade. I used to live with him in California, but wanted to be here with my mother and her new husband Edward...lets just say I did what was necessary to make that happen. Steak, blue and I like a lot of music, but I'd go with the Rolling Stones."

"Classic rock guy huh? I can feel that, although I'm more of a Motown girl myself!"

"You know the Stones were influenced by Motown?" Fitz then began to sing "Ain't too Proud to Beg" a song the Stones covered from the Temptations. He wasn't sure why he was signing, but something about her, he wanted to show off and impress her anyway he could.

She laughed at his attempt to sing the Rolling Stones. She was excited to hear Fitz would be going to school with her and surprised at the same time. No wonder he looked like a college student he was a year older than her.

" I figured you were in college, which is why you just came here. Do you play any sports?"

"I get that a lot, I guess good genes, or maybe bad considering which way you look at it. Yes, I love baseball, but play football and basketball also. I started varsity football and baseball as a Freshman at Oakmont academy in California."

"What position in football?"

"The best…. Quarterback" he smiled his crooked smile again and it made her heart leap. God, was he gorgeous, but quarterback was Brody's position…. Brody, she'd forgotten all about him within the twenty minutes she had spent with Fitz. This was not good at all, they'd be rivals and if Brody found out about this, she knew what him and his cronies would do to Fitz….she'd just have to make sure he never found out. But another part of her didn't care, no guy had ever made her feel so at ease and comfortable in such a brief amount of time. She wondered if this is what people meant when they said love at first site. She had heard her father use the term frequently, but always thought he was foolish.

Although she was immediately attracted to Brody, it was lust, not love at first site. They never quite had the mental and spiritual connection she craved. Brody believed they needed to behave a certain way, which meant he always thought he was too cool to make a fool in front of her or let his guard down.

"Last question… for now. What's Fitz stand for?"

He chuckled before he started,Don't he too cruel to me with this, but it is Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, it's kind of cheezy and my father and great grandfather go by Jerry. My mother hope I would take a different path so she always called me Fitz, hoping I wouldn't act like either of them, so far I think I've done a good job," Fitz gave her a half-hearted smile, not sure why he'd given such an explanation but knew his father had a reputation and wanted to make sure he separated himself from that.

Olivia smiled a soft smile, "I like Fitz, its unique and cute." This comment made his smile grow.

Olivia and Fitz spent the rest of the afternoon together listening to their favorite classic rock tunes. Olivia introduced him to some of the more rare Motown hits and Fitz filled Olivia in on all the liner notes for his favorite songs. Before they knew it Olivia's mother and brother were pulling in, her father Dr. Eli Pope was a pediatric surgeon and today was his twelve hour shift. Olivia's brother Jackson was her twin and a great athlete himself. He didn't associate with Brody and his crew, Jackson was more like his mother and was opposite of Liv. While she wanted to be in control, have things done a specific way and believed in having a plan, Jackson was laid back, lived day to day and didn't worry about future. While Olivia wanted to follow in her fathers footsteps, Jackson planned score a football scholarship and be a pro.

Maya made her way down to the pool, with a bag of groceries in her hands. Fitz jumped up and grabbed them off of her, while Jackson took his bags inside.

"Hello mam, I am Fitzgerald Grant, Michelle's son, I just moved back with her last week."

"Thank you Fitz, well I remember you! You stopped coming a few years ago, but when you and Olivia were toddlers, you were best friends for a week every summer. It is so nice to see you again, you've turned into quite the strapping young man. " Maya was please to see that Olivia had become re-acquainted with their neighbors' son. She was even more pleased to see he still possessed the manners and personality of his mother even after all the years living with his worthless father. Maya and Fitz took the groceries inside while Jackson came barreling back out the door over to pick on his sister.

"Yo sis, who's the guy? Do I need to beat him up and let him know that no one messes with my little sis?" Jackson smiled and gave Olivia a bearhug. They were close, and always looked out for each other. They considered each other best friends and would've hung out together more if it wasn't for Brody.

"No, Jackson, Fitz is cool, besides he'll be on the football team with you this year, so you better make friends!" Olivia stated just as Fitz came back outside the house.

"Football huh, what position?" Jackson asked.

"Quarterback," Fitz stated matter of factly.

This made Jackson smile at Olivia. "Alright QB, lets see your arm, I play wide receiver," with that Jackson tossed Fitz a ball and they went into the back yard, he gave her a smile as he slipped on his flip flops and followed Jackson.

Olivia watched as he hit Jackson dead center in the chest pass after pass. Brodie was good, but Fitz, he was a star, Coach would go crazy when he saw this cannon. Watching him move, she was star struck. His body was built like it was made of stone and the way he could move she could see how athletic if he was. She was sure he didn't have any fat on him and wanted to have her hands all over him. After about twenty minutes the boys had worked up a sweat and were ready to jump back into the pool.

"State-runner up? Shoot man, with an arm like that, we'll be Quad A STATE CHAMPS!" Jackson yelled as he high fived Fitz. Fitz smiled and blushed as he made his towards Olivia.

"Where you going next year?"

"I don't know yet, my dad wants me to take a full ride offer to Standford and become a lawyer. I've heard from Florida, Oregon, Clemson and a few other places."

"You have a great arm, you'll have no problem making friends" she stated as they both smiled at each other.

Maya came back outside to invite Fitz to stay and eat.

"Well Fitz, I know your parents won't be home until late tonight, Wednesdays are always their late nights on campus, I have more than enough hamburgers and hot dogs to grill, you are more than welcome to eat with us."

"Thank you mam, I'd love that," Fitz smiled right before Jackson tackled him into the pool.. Maya winked at Olivia as they followed him in. When the boys popped up she told Jackson to invite his girlfriend over as well and they could enjoy swimming and cooking out.

When Olivia turned around she had two muscular guys ready to throw her in, knowing her brother was now Fitz teammate, she knew she had no chance, so she let Fitz pick her up and jump in with her again. She didn't mind anyway having his body so close to hers. When they both came up out of the water, their faces were so close she thought he was going to kiss her, until Jackson jumped in spoiling the moment.

Maya witness all this, shook her head and said "oh boy" as she turned to walk back in the house.

They all continued to swim with Jackson's girlfriend Marissa joining them. She was going to be a senior like the rest of them and was one of Olivia's best friends. She was feisty and challenged Jackson. This made Fitz like her immediately, and Olivia loved anyone that could help her annoy her brother.

"Listen you two, now that Fitz is here, it levels the playing field so you can't always be ganging up on me," Jackson state proudly laughing at both the girls who rolled their eyes. The four of them continued to swim until Maya came out with the hot dogs and hamburgers to grill. Fitz was glad to help with grill duties, especially since he knew he would eat so much food. He was so preoccupied spending time with Olivia all day he realized he didn't realized how famished he was until they sat down to eat.

The five of them ate and Maya shared stories of Jackson and Olivia as children. She also filled the kids in on new courses and teachers that would be at the school the upcoming year. She had become Principal of Northridge four years ago and was really setting high expectations for students and staff.

"Fitz, you'll need to bring your transcripts in from California so we can place you in the correct classes. Being from a premier academy like that, I think we will be looking to place you in more advanced classes, but may have to have you take some tests before the year starts so we can guarantee the best placement and preparation for college."

"Ok, that sounds great, I'll let my mother know."

"Hey man, we have football lifting tomorrow at 8 am, then I can show you around the school and mom can get you set up with what you need. Just meet me out here at 7:30 it only takes about ten minutes to get there, but Coach is an old jarhead and expects us there fifteen minutes early."

"That sounds great," Fitz smiled, glad that he had found some people that would be welcoming familiar faces before he started at a new school. He look at his phone and realized that it was getting late, he had a message from his mom saying she'd be home soon and hoping he was o.k. and had gotten something to eat. He sent her a quick reply back.

"If I need to be up early I should head back over to my house. Can I help you clean up or with the dishes before I leave? I really appreciate you allowing me to have dinner with you family," Fitz said, laying on a little extra charm to try and impress Olivia. They both reached for th same duh and when their hands touched they both felt something. She pulled back and he picked up the dishes and took them inside.

"You can just put them there dear" she said pointing to the kitchen island.

"I am gonna go shower mama, I need to get wash the chlorine outta my hair before it goes crazy. Plus we have running workouts in the morning."

"You're hair looks beautiful.."Fitz blurted out, blushing after realizing he said that out loud.

Olivia blushed as well and quitely said "thank you." She started towards the stairs and before making it all the way up she turned around and said "I'll see you tomorrow Fitzgerald, I should be done about the same time lifting is over and can help Jackson show you around. Thanks for keeping me company today."

Fitz smiled again and thanked Maya before he headed out the door and across the driveway to hise house. He smiled to himself and was definitely happy he decided to go for a run in the afternoon after all.