Chapter 2
A/N: I am sorry for not updating sooner. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review. Thank you for the encouragement to continue this story; you guys are simply the best. I hope you enjoy the latest update…#TrueGladiatorsShipOlitz
"Good morning", said Olivia to her mum and dad who were already seated and having breakfast. She gave each of her parents a kiss on the cheek before she sat down.
"Somebody looks like they're in a good mood", said Maya Pope smiling at her baby girl
"Let's just say life is good", Olivia said returning her mothers smile
"Are going to tell me you have a boyfriend?"
"No mom"
"Thank you God", said Eli Pope as he looked towards the heavens with a big smile on his face. "Do you want me to drop you off at school?", he asked Olivia as he got up to put his suit jacket on getting ready to leave
"It's OK darling. I will drop her off today", said her mother
Olivia did have a car that she was given as her 16th birthday present. She just never liked to drive so she either caught a lift Fitz or one of her parents dropped her off. The only time she ever drove herself is if her parents were away or if Fitz would be taking Mellie to and from school. At first she would catch a ride with Fitz even if Mellie was there but seeing them together broke her heart. She would ride in the back while Mellie rode short gun. Throughout the drive Fitz would have his hand on Mellie's thigh and she would play with the curls of his hair. It took everything she had to not break down and cry. Just thinking about it right now makes her want to weep.
"It's a new day Olivia, filled with endless possibilities. Who knows maybe this time Fitz and Mellie won't get back together and who knows, maybe she would finally work up the nerve to tell him how she feels ", she thought to herself
"Thanks mom. I will be ready in 10 minutes", she said
"It's OK honey. Take your time I am not in a rush"
She smiled and continued to eat. Her father kissed her mother goodbye and wished his girls a good day as he walked out.
"Livia baby, talk to me. What has got you smiling non-stop?" her mother as she turned to give her daughter her full attention
"Nothing mommy "She replied while playing a game on her phone
"Is it Fitz", she asked out of the blue
She nearly choked on her toast. She couldn't believe her mother asked her that. How did she know? She knew she hid her feelings for him very well
"He is my best friend that's all", she said defensively
"I am your mother Olivia, I gave birth to you. I know you better than you think", she said softly
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"I know that your feelings for him are more than that of just friendship"
"Mom…"
"Olivia he has a girlfriend. A girl that we gone on holidays with, a girl that he has said on countless occasion that he loves," she said sadly.
"I know mom but they just broke up"
"How many times have they broken up only to get back together again?"
"A lot"
"A lot. Sweetheart I just don't want to see you hurt that is all. You are beautiful and very smart; you can have any guy you want"
"Boys don't ask me out and honestly I don't care because I want Fitz. I only want him mom. I only love him", she said as tears rolled down her cheeks
"Oh baby I know", Maya said trying her best to comfort her
"I swear mom, I have tried to stop loving him. I remind myself every day that he loves someone else. Even when my mind gets carried away and starts fantasizing about being his girlfriend, I always remind myself that he will never feel that way about me", Olivia as she sobbed into her shoulder
"I am sorry my baby" Maya said as he hugged her tightly.
"Why don't you tell him how you feel?" asked Maya
"I am afraid of losing him."
"Oh my beautiful baby, I wish you had stayed 5 years old were the only thing Fitz could break was your doll house or tea party set and not your heart", Maya said as she wiped her tears
"Finish your breakfast, wash your face so we can go"
"Thank you for being the best mother in the world"
"Only for baby girl, only for you"
She finished her breakfast and they made their way out of the house. Her mother dropped her at school and went to start her work day.
Upon arrival at the school she went to her locker to retrieve her algebra text book. She made her way to the class. As usual she was the first one there. Slowly the rest of the students made their way into the classroom and the teacher stepped in not long after. She noticed that Fitz wasn't in class and wondered if he was just simply bunking or overslept. At recess she saw him sitting with the rest of his team mates laughing and having a great time. Aside from Fitz, she didn't have a lot of friends. Her other close friend Abby moved to France with her family. Her father was stationed there as the U.S ambassador to France. They kept in contact via Skype and Facebook. She didn't have a problem being on her own most of the time. She has learned to enjoy her own company.
After she finished her lunch and saw she had time to spare she went to the library to study. On her way out of the cafeteria Fitz saw her and went to talk to her.
"Hey Liv wait up" he said
"Hey Fitz, what's up", she smiled at him
"Not much and you?"
"Just heading to the library that's all", she looking around and stepped closer to him. "I wanted to thank you again for last night" she blushed
"You're welcome", he gave her a tense smile
"I was wondering if you could kiss me some more this coming weekend. I mean we were going to do something together, so I thought…"
"Livvie, the kiss was supposed to be a onetime thing", he whispered
"Didn't you enjoy it?" she asked as her smile slowly fell
"It's not that…"
"Then what is it?"
"Olivia you promised that we kissing just once wouldn't make things awkward", he said in a pissed tone
"I didn't mean to make it awkward", she said looking at her feet
"Yeah, well it is"
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to. I guess that means we won't be hanging out on the weekend", she said so softly he almost didn't hear her
"That is what I wanted to talk to you about. I have something planned with Mellie so I was going to ask if we could postpone our weekend?"
"I thought you had broken up with her?", she asked her heart breaking a little
"Yes, but I'm trying to win my lady back"
"Oh…OK…I hope you guys work it out", she said as she crumbled inside
"Listen I know that we were suppose to hang out this weekend but I can't make it", he said as he jammed him hands into his pockets
"OK". To say that she was disappointed would have been putting it lightly. She had been looking forward to this for such a long time. She turned and walked away.
He followed her, "I am really sorry"
"It's fine. You don't have to explain yourself to me. I really hope you guys work your problems out", she smiled at him but she was crumbling inside.
This is how their friendship has been since coming to high school. Everything and everyone in his life seemed more important than her.
"I just want you to know that me not being able to hang this weekend has nothing to do what we did me last night or...", he said
"Off course; I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your day"
She had wanted to go the library but found herself at the back of the school where the smokers hung out. Luckily for her nobody was there. She sat and leaned her back on the wall. She closed her eyes and bit her lip trying not to cry. She sat there with her eyes closed as she listened to music on her iPod and didn't notice when someone sat next to her.
"Hello", said the stranger as he tap her on the shoulder
She jumped at the unexpected contact.
"My gosh; you nearly gave me a heart attack", she said with her hand on her chest.
"I am sorry I didn't mean to frighten you", he said politely
"It's ok. Just don't do that again", she said at as she smiled at him. "My name is Olivia by the way" as she extended her hand towards him.
"I know your name", he smiled politely as he took her hand in his. "I am Harrison Wright"
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance", she smiled. "How do you know my name?"
"You're the smartest kid in school and your best friends with the most popular guy in school. Everyone knows you. That's the one thing every person is told when they start a new school, the hierarchy. Hence being the best friend to the top dog, everyone knows you"
"Oh I didn't realize I was famous", she said they both laughed
"It's my first day here. My family had to move here because of my dad's transfer. Nothing in the world is as irritating as having to move away and start your senior year at a new school"
"I can imagine. I hope you are settling in ok."
"Why are you sitting here anyway? I hear this is where the smokers hangout." Said Harrison
"I just needed a little peace and quiet. Since no was here I thought why not?"
The bell rang to indicate recess was over.
"Olivia, I don't have friends here. Would you maybe want to hangout sometime, as friends of course?"
She sent a dazzling smile his way. "Sure, I would like to be your friend. I have to go get to biology class"
"Oh I have biology too. Please tell your teacher is Mr. Paulson", he asked with hopeful eyes
"Yeah he is. Let's go we are going to be late"
On the way to class they talked about their families and what their parents did for a living. She learned that Harrison was the younger of two children. He has an older sister who was a doctor. After her studies she had gone to work for doctors without borders in the Middle East.
When they entered the classroom, everyone seemed to stop what they were doing and looked at them. Harrison was a very handsome fellow, with a deadly smiled and a great sense of humor.
He introduced himself to the teacher and the rest of the class and then made his way to sit. He took the seat next to Olivia. He leaned towards her and whispered something that must have been very funny as she laughed out loud.
"Let's settle down Ms. Pope", said Mr. Paulson
"Sorry", she said she composed herself
Fitz sat at his desk and watched as the scene unfolded before him. Who was that idiot and what was he doing with Olivia? He thought to himself.
At the end of the lesson, the teacher announced that for the next project they needed to partner up and they were all free to choose their partners. This was magic to their ears because nothing was worse than being stuck with a project partner you hated or one that expected you to do all the work.
Fitz got up and from his seat at the back and made his way to where Olivia sat with Harrison
"What's up man, I am Fitz" he said as he extended his hand for Harrison to shake
"Harrison"
"I am sorry to disturb you guys but I just need to talk to Livvie"
"Livvie…" Harrison said with a raised eyebrow
"Yeah; that is what I call her. We have known each other our whole lives."
"Your whole lives…"
"Yeah, our fathers are business partners, so we basically grow up together. She is like my sister"
"How can I help you Fitz", said Olivia putting a stop to this silly conversation they were having
"When do you want to meet to discuss the project?" he said then looked at Harrison
"I chose Harrison as my partner. I thought maybe you would partner with Mellie like you did last time and the time before and since you're trying to win your lady back, you could use this as an excuse to spend more time with her", she said
Oh hell no, this shit ain't happening right now, he thought to himself
"Fine", he said flatly and walked away giving Harrison a glare
Olivia watched him walk away back to his seat.
"So you said you played basketball at your previous school maybe you could try to get into the team here", Olivia said to Harrison giving him all her attention.
"My coach from my previous school talked to the couch here and he said I could come and see him after school"
"Well I hope everything works out"
"You know you could come and give a friend some moral support"
"I might just do that. I don't have anything to do anyway. I was going to go the library and study a bit until my mum came to fetch me"
"If you want I could give you a ride home"
"That would be very nice", said Olivia.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. For the first time in a long time Olivia's day wasn't consumed with thoughts of Fitz. Maybe a new friend was what she needed after all. She went and watched him tryout for the team and was successful, much to Fitz' irritation.
When they were in the locker-room Fitz asked to talk to him in private.
"How can help you man?" asked Harrison in confusion. He didn't know what was so private that they needed to separate from the others.
"It's about Olivia. I am gonna need you to stay away from her", he told him without beating around the bush
"Excuse me"
"I didn't stutter, stay away from her"
"And why would I do that"
"Because I am telling you to. Olivia is very sweet girl. She is my best friend and I am just trying to protect her"
"Protect her from who? Me?"
"Yes"
"Look man, I don't know what your deal is but I would never hurt her in any way. There is no need to be jealous"
"I am not jealous…I know that guys our age are after one thing and you will not be getting it from Olivia"
"I will stop you right there. Don't lump me into the same category as you and other teenage guys you know. I am not plotting to get into her pants if that's what's your worried about"
"As long as it stays that way we won't have any problems"
"Well if you have nothing else on your mind…"
"You can go", he said with cold hard eyes.
Harrison went back to finish his shower. When he was leaving the locker room, one of his team mates, Christopher Howard, invited him to the party he was throwing during the weekend
"Can I bring a friend?" he asked
"Sure. Will you be coming with your girl", asked Chris
"No, just a friend. I am sure you know her"
"Oh, who is it?"
"Olivia Pope"
"Oh…and Fitz didn't have anything to say about that", he asked surprised
"Why would he have a problem with that" asked Harrison, confusion evident on his face
"Olivia is very special to him. She is like a little sister to him. Every guy in school knows that she is off limits"
"Whatever man. I will see you around", Harrison said as they parted ways.
Olivia was sitting at the entrance of the sports building waiting for Harrison since he was giving her a ride home. Fitz walked out of the gym first and saw her sitting on the steps reading a book.
"Hey, Livvie. Do you want a ride home?" he asked with his killer smile
God he was handsome. She will never get over just how handsome he was.
"Thanks for the offer but Harrison is dropping me off", she smiled at him
He wanted to scream. First, he is her project partner and now he is dropping her off at home. What next? This is more stress than what any guy should have to handle in one day. Olivia was his friend, best friend. This Harrison character was pissing him off.
"Liv, you don't know this guy. He could be a psychopath for all you know"
"You're crazy", she said as she playfully hit him on the shoulder."He is so funny"
"You even came to cheer him on as he tried out for the team. I mean how could you do that?"
"What?"
"You came and cheered for him but you never came for me", he said with a raised voice
"That is because you asked Mellie to come cheer you on"
"You are my friend I shouldn't have to ask you for your support"
"Oh…you know I am your friend when it comes to me being there for you. Why are you even bringing it up? You trying out for the team was years ago."
"What do you mean when you said 'I know you're my friend when I need you'?"
"What do you think?"
"I am there for you Olivia. Just because I have a love life and you don't…"
"It's not about having a love life or not. I was there when you tried out. Just because you didn't see me because since you were captivated by Mellie's presence doesn't mean I wasn't there. There isn't anything that was important to you that you didn't have my full support in."
"I support you too"
"No you don't. you don't give me as much support as I do you. I tried out for the debate team you weren't there to cheer for me. When we won last year against our biggest rivals, you we weren't there. Do you know where you were? i will tell you where you were; you were out watching movies with Mellie and your cool friends. I am not keeping score but I would like it if just for once you showed me that I matter to you. And about my nonexistent love life; please don't bring it up again. I know I am not as attractive as Mellie and all the other girls so please don't rub my face in it"
"If i was such a lousy friend why didn't you say so"
"I didn't say you were a lousy friend", Olivia said as she put her face in her palms
"That is what you meant though"
"Lets just drop this topic"
"No"
"Well i am done talking about it"
"Well i am not"
"That's not my problem"
Just than Harrison walked out with Chris.
"Are you ready to go". Harrison asked Olivia
"Yes", Olivia said
"No", Fitz answered at the same time
"I said i was done Fitz, bye"
"Chris invited me to a party he is hosting on Saturday. Do you want to come", Harrison said to Olivia as she put the book she was reading into her backpack
"Really", she asked with eyes open wide
"Yeah. I will pick you up and drop you off", he smiled at her reaction
"I would love to", she replied
Fitz was livid. He was angry. He didn't know whether to punch his friend or what.
"You just had to invite him to your stupid little party didn't you?" said Fitz to Chris trying his best to keep calm
"He seemed cool enough" Christopher said
"He seemed coo...He seemed cool he says"
"Dude, I didn't know he was going to invite Olivia to come along. If had, I wouldn't have asked him"
"Christopher I don't like him, you shouldn't like him either. It's called loyalty look it up. What are you going to do to rectify this matter?" asked Fitz
"What can I do about it?"
"Olivia will not be at that party, especially with him. I will not be there to make sure she is safe" Fitz said as he paced." You are gonna have to cancel the party"
"What the fuck man. I can't do that. Half the school will be there. Do you know how much money I spent on the alcohol? Plus, I will be there I will make sure nothing happens to her?"
"If you telling me that you will be there is designed to make me feel better, I can assure it is not working. The only reason I am even friends with you is so I can keep a close eye on you. You know that keep your friends close and enemies closer kind of shit"
Christopher had to laugh at that.
"Yeah I know man, this shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes are a dangerous combo. The fact that I have dimples makes me lethal. I don't blame you man", said Christopher as the two friends laughed
"But seriously man, that party can't happen. I will pay you back every cent you spent and don't forget I made sure that your parents never found out that you were arrested for drunk driving"
"It's not about the money Fitz. You know I will always be greatful for what you did that night but you can't ask me to cancel this. Everyone has been looking forward to it. Hell, I have been looking forward to hosting it. You know I would do anything for you, but I won't cancel my party"
"Thank you so much for nothing well you better help me come up with a way to make sure she is nowhere near Harrison this weekend", he said sarcastically as he stood up
"Why is it such a big deal if Olivia comes with him", Chris asked Fitz. He has tried on many occasions to understand why his friend was so possessive over Olivia. The guy was more possessive over Olivia than his girlfriend. The girl he says he is 'inlove' with.
"Because, there will be alcohol and drugs. Horny teenagers, drugs and alcohol were never a good combination. No one knows this guy; he might be a danger to her"
"Seriously Fitz; dangerous. He is a just a teenage boy who enjoys basketball like we do. There is nothing dangerous about him and plus I will be there. I care about Olivia too, not as much as you but I would let anything happen to her"
"He has a penis, which, in my book makes him more dangerous than Ted Bundy. I have been good and kind, I don't know why God is punishing me like this", he said as he ran his hands through his curls
"You are going to give yourself a heart attack. Let it go"
"No I can't, I won't let it go. Olivia is mine and I am not going to share her with anybody"
"Just don't let Mellie, your girlfriend, hear you say that"
"Have you seen Sunjay Patel?" he asked Chris
"At the library I am sure, why?" asked confused
"I need him to ask Olivia out to the movies or something. She is not going to your stupid party with that guy. I don't trust him"
"Oh come on man"
"Don't 'Oh come on man' me. You shouldn't have invited him. if you are not going to stop the party then you better help me come up with a way to make sure that Olivia is nowhere near the vicinity of your house on Saturday night"
"Have you ever thought what would happen should Olivia find out that you are the reason she has never been on a date?"
"No I have never because she will never find out"
The two boys walked into the library looking for Sunjay. It took them a couple of minutes but eventually they found him and as usual he deeply engrossed in whatever comic he was reading
"What's up my man", Fitz as he sat himself across from him
"Fitz how can I help you?" he asked shocked that the most popular guy was talking to him
"I want to help you Sunjay?" he said almost too kindly
"That he does", said Chris
"With what?" Sunjay asked
"I know the last time we talked I wasn't very nice and I want to apologize for that. And to show you how sorry I am I will allow you to ask Olivia out"
"As in a date?"
"Yes"
"Do you think she will say yes?"
"Yes she will"
"I really like her. She is so smart and drop dead gorgeous", he said smiling from ear to ear
"Isn't she just", Chris said knowing he is pissing Fitz off
"Ok, this is how this will work. You will ask her out tomorrow and take her out for a movie in the evening. You are not to touch her in an intimate manner. Am I understood?"
"Yes but i can't take go out with her"
"Why the hell not. I had to throw you into the rubbish to make you how serious i was when i said you need to stay away from her now that i am allowing to ask her out you decline "
"I have a girlfriend"
"Well bring it in my man, respect!", Christopher said as he shook Sunjay's hand
"Christopher please..."Fitz said as he closed his eyes and released a heavy got up and made his way out of the library
"What are you going to do now Fitzgerald"
"I don't know yet, but Olivia is not going to that party on Saturday. Every guy in the school knows she is off limits. What about that does he fail to understand but you know what? no worries, be fore long he will know when it comes to Olivia my word is LAW.
XXX
"Thank you for inviting me to go with you to the party"
"It's only a pleasure Liv. Are things Ok between you and Fitz"
"It will be my first party. Can you believe it, I am 17 and have never been to a party", she said with a smile ignoring his question about Fitz
"Ok I will stop asking about Fitz. So tell me why have you never been at a party?"
"Because I am a nerd and nerds don't get invited to parties"
"That's shame because I think you're a really cool girl"
"Shut up, you don't", she said with a laugh."You're just saying that to be kind"
"Since you were friends with Fitz, I would think that when he would invite to you to parties that he hosted", he asked curiously."I am being serious when I say you're a cool chick"
"Fitz has never hosted a party. Hell he will never get a chance to a host a party at his parent's house. When his parents are away, my parents are in charge of him"
"In charge of him"
"Yeah, they make sure that he is safe and all that jazz. My parents are his godparent and his, are mine"
"Your families must be really close"
"They are. Our fathers went in high school and have been best friends ever since"
"Well here we are", Harrison said as he stopped in front of her house.
"Do you want to come inside for a snack or something?"
"No thanks Liv, maybe another day beautiful. I have to get home. I was going to help my mother cook dinner today"
"You help your mother cook, that is very sweet", she smiled at him
"Yeah, it's kind of our special thing. I know it's weird, that a teenage boy loves helping his mother cook. It's totally lame. One day I will cook you dinner and you will be amazed by what a good cook I am", he said shyly
"I don't think its lame. I think it's sweet. I wouldn't mind having a son like you someday and you know what; I will take you up on that offer to cook for me one of these days", she winked and smile at him as she stepped out of the car.
"Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow morning", he asked
"Yeah, I would like that very much"
"Ok cool. I will see you tomorrow", he said as he waved at her
"Until tomorrow, bye"
XXX
When Liv got home, she finished the rest of her home work. She went downstairs to help her mother finish up dinner.
"Will Fitz be joining us today?" he mother asked
"Yeah, he should be here soon", Liv said
"There is a new guy in our school", she told her mother
"Oh really", said Maya as she he wiggled her eyebrows at him
"Mom", she laughed. "It's not like that, he is just a friend. He said I was cool and he said I was beautiful"
"He must be a charmer, your father and I would love to meet him"
"Meet who?" asked Eli as he walked into kitchen with Fitz not far behind
"Harrison Wright, he just transferred to our school. He will be playing basketball with Fitz", she said to her father with a huge smile on her face. She was still a bit pissed with Fitz but she has never been one to hold a grudge. They argued a few hours ago and now she was over it.
"He must be something if he is able to put a huge smile on your face and he isn't even in the room", Eli said
"Somebody please shoot me. Next they will credit him for the stars in the sky. I am gonna be sick." Fitz thought to himself
"I invited him to come to dinner one of these days. He said he was a good cook and I will ask him to cook for us"
"Fitz, have you met this guy. How is he?" asked Eli
"Just a boy, nothing special really", he said with a shrug to his shoulders
"He made the basketball team dad. The couch was very impressed with him. Be careful Fitz he might just take the captaincy from you", Olivia joked
"Don't hold your breath Olivia. That will never happen", he said as he looked at her with hard grey eyes
Why he was so angry she was just joking with him. maybe he was still salty about earlier. But even if that was the case, he had no right to be so short with her
"Ok, whatever", she said and carried on with her dinner
After the dinner, Olivia and Fitz washed the dishes. Olivia tried to talk to him but he would answer in mono syllables after a while she just gave up.
"Are you going to sleep here or…?"
"Yeah I will sleep here tonight", he said softly
"Ok, goodnight", she said as she turned to leave
"Wait", he said before left the room.
"What?" she turned to look at him with big beautiful eye
She was so cute. He always thought she was cute. Even when she had braces, she was pretty to him. She was a dork but she was his dork. Olivia was the kindest and sweetest girl he has ever known and had the purist heart. Besides his parents, she was the most important person in his life. Yeah, he knew he hasn't been the greatest of friends to her but she was his. He didn't like the idea of losing her to someone else or someone taking his place in her life. Olivia is his, she will always be his. He wasn't inlove with her but he just didn't want her to be with body else. He knew to others he sounded like a chauvinistic, possessive pig but he didn't care.
"I am sorry that I haven't been a good friend to you when you have always such a great one to me".
"Its fine", she smiled
"Olivia I don't like Harrison"
Olivia was taken aback by his statement. What reason does he have not to like him? They have hardly spoken to each other. So why would he not like Harrison.
"I don't understand. What has he done to you to warrant your dislike?"
The mother fucker is trying to take what's mine, he is trying to take my best friend, he thought to himself
"You have only known for a few hours and already he is causing problems between us"
"What problems are you talking about?"
"Today of example. He is the reason we had an argument"
"No he had nothing to do with our little argument"
"Ok fine whatever, it doesn't matter I still don't like him. Please tell me you won't go to the party with him."
"But I already told him I would go. I can't back out on him plus I would really like to go to at least one party before I graduate high school", she answered
"Livvie..."
"I'm sorry I can't back out on him. I WON'T back out on him", she said with finality
"You know what, I don't care. Go to the stupid party with your stupid friend", he said as he stormed out.
Fitz had intended to sleep at the Popes but he changed his mind. He needed to get his mind away from Olivia. He was so frustrated by the whole situation. When he got into his bedroom and threw himself on the bed. He was so frustrated it nearly brought tears to his eyes.
"I don't fucking care who she spends her time with", he said to himself. He lay on his bed for an hour telling himself that he didn't care about what she does with her time. After a while he got up and went back to the Pope mansion.
"Are you OK son", Eli asked Fitz as he entered the house
"Yes Uncle Eli, why do you ask?"
"It's just that you were very quite during dinner"
"I am fine just tired. I just have to ask Liv something than I will go to bed"
"Ok my boy, good night"
"Goodnight"
"Liv", Fitz said as he lightly knocked on her door
"Come in"
Fitz entered. Olivia was lying on her stomach on the bed with her iPad before her reading a novel. They stared at each other for a long time before one of them spoke
"Don't go to the party with Harrison, we can hangout and we can kiss some more…