Girl from the Hamptons
Chapter 2
The four unable to find a time to set guidelines and rules finally decided to agree to meet at the girls' apartment at 8pm... The location was set so the girls would not have to travel around campus after dark. Both girls headed off to their prospective try outs the guys decided to pick up a case of beer and head to Fitz's apartment.
Both got settled with a beer and reheated pizza from the night before.
I am not sure if Professor Beene completely introduced us Fitz said," I'm Fitzgerald Grant"
"Fitzgerald Grant like Senator Grant from California?" Stephen asked.
"Guilty, The one and only"
"I'm Stephen Bass, born in New York, mother American, father Scottish, I've been living in Scotland with my father the past ten years., He decided it was time to return to the states. …. What do you know about the girls Fit?"
"I don't know any more about them than you do, I know they are freshmen both from the Hamptons, that's all. "
"Fitz, your snob nob is showing, I'm a foreigner and I know who they both are"
"Snob knob?"
"Yes, your family is so important there is no need to learn anything about the others. Olivia Pope is daughter to former Ambassador Elijah Pope who is now Undersecretary of the UN. Abby Whelan is a member of Ethel Kennedys family, how do I know this and you don't?"
"I went straight into the military from High School, spent four years there. I guess I lost touch with the in crowd, no wonder Olivia speaks four foreign languages"
"I suspect she speaks four but probably understands more so be careful if you are going to make underhanded references in another language"
"Thanks, I'll remember"
"And you Stephen, what is the rest of your story?"
"Both parent's diplomats who met at the UN. Mother American, Father Scottish. We lived with in New York until my dad's family decided it was time for him to take over as head of the family business, unfortunately my dad could not convince my mom to live full time in Scotland. I lived with my mother in New York until I was twelve, the past ten years with my dad."
"are your parents divorced?"
"nope, still married they live very unconventional lives. She spends the summer there he has an office in New York, it works for them"
"what year are you, Stephen?"
"I'm in my third year, I've put off Dr. Benne's class until now. Both my parents insisted I take his class so her I am… and you"
"First year but I'm doubling upon classes hoping to finish up in three years then off to law school,….. . its expected,"
"as it is expected….. for you to ace this class as you follow in the footsteps of your dad and grandad.!
"not really my mother family is from old New England stock, son went west and made his mark as a miner. I can either follow the political world of the Grants or the business world of the Andersons"
"Grant and Anderson, you are stacked you can choose either"
"yes, but right now I just need to pass the three classes I need from Dr. Beene so I can get into law school, I'll decide after that.
They found a football game and settled back to enjoy the beer pizza and the game.
The four met at the girls' apartment and set the boundaries for the project.
Abby began ;
"Absolutely no work on this project will be done in this apartment. If Fitz wishes to discuss it in his apartment or if Steven wishes to discuss the project in his, ok, We will not allow any discussions in our apartment."'
"Why not", Fitz asked
"because we said so", both answered at once
The guys looked at each other in dismay
"Any other places off limits ", , Stephen wanted to clarify
"yes, at the restaurant where we meet to chill"
"what restaurant?'
"the grill, of course"
OK, Fitz said anywhere else"
"nope"
"Now notes!" Olivia said
"notes, yes we are not to snoop into the others notes", Abby continued
"Ok," the guys agreed
"No involving friends, to take sides or offer opinions… matter of fact no discussing this project with outsiders."
" So who is it accepted to discuss it with", Fitz inquired
"The other person you are working with", Liv said as she gave Fitz a WTF look
"What about others in the class who are arguing from the same point of view?", Fitz asked
"The problem, they may be trying to pick you for ideas be careful, don't add anything just listen to theirs, if they ask., Don't volunteer any information. This is like a high stakes poker game don't share any tells. Remember when it's all over we have to debate each other. We don't want any of the others to steal our ideas from us", Liv said. "This class and this project can make be the start or end of a very promising law career"..
"Ok". Fitz gritted his teeth. It's a project in a first-year political science class, why all the boundaries?"
"You may appreciate the boundaries when you hear the discussions around the campus", Stephen said," I've heard about and lived with Dr. Beene's projects it can destroy lives and friendships."
"Right", Liv agreed …". Abby and I will start as friends work on the opposite side on this project and end better friends than ever". The girls gave each other a high five, shook hands with the guys and decided to go out for coffee to celebrate their beginning to be foes, friendly foes
They ended up at The Grill, where else, its where they would usually find themselves at some time in each day.
They all joined Huck and Quinn deep in a discussion about a new app for the newest iPhone which Huck was trying to see how vulnerable it is. Harrison was discussing the latest paper due in his English Lit class with Beth a newbie to the group. The four crowded around the table and ordered coffee.
"I heard about the new assignment from Dr. Beene, it's a rough one" Quinn stopped her discussion with Huck just long enough to say.
"That assignment is not to be discussed at this table, we are in the class we are aware of the assignment…., by the way this is Stephen all, say hi and be nice, Abby answered
"Ticky Ticky, its only been a day and nerves are already frayed and you guys have three more weeks. It's going to be a long three weeks for all of us "…..Harrison said as he looked around the table.
"Why such long faces, it's a simple assignment, the pros and cons of the decision of Roosevelt and the congress", Harrison continued
"they said, no talking about it at the table, what didn't you not hear", Huck said
With that the conversation was changed as Huck rarely spoke about anything and never in that tone.
'How did the tryouts go today, Liv, do you think you will make the team? Fitz asked
"Yes, I will make the team, not as a freshman but next season for sure. I will join the swim club which will include some of the same demands that required from the team so I'm happy, thanks for asking"
"How about you Abby, how did track tryouts go?"
"Too much sweating I decided I would join the writing club, someone needs to document you guys. It may make a great book later"
"Just think"…. Abby continued…and looked around the table…..
Fitz will become governor of California maybe even POTUS.
Liv loves to solve problems she will head a think tank or open a firm solving problems saving reputations
Stephen will, become either the Scottish ambassador to the UN OR the head the largest multinational corporation in Europe
. Huck,…. afraid to says…. probably find a way to make costly smartphones obsolete,
Harrison and Quinn lawyers and me I will have the skinny on everyone. I will become a writer; this table alone will net 4 books….. all best sellers.
About then Mellie and her cousin Elizbeth entered and made a beeline for the table. Mellie sided up to Fitz, put her arms around him and asked, "are we still on for later?"
Fitz gave her a nod, as Mellie gave him a kiss on the lips and walked back out the door when no one asked them to join the table. They all looked at Fitz who hunched his shoulders.
"I guess I missed that one about you and Mellie, "Stephen said…., Fitz said nothing only taking another sip from his coffee but noticed Liv giving him a disapproving look.
The night ended, Fitz volunteered to drive the girls back to their apartment which they refused, Liv saying, "we don't want to detain you."
"nope its late we will see you home safely," the girls climbed into the back seat of his car, both giving Fitz the evil eye.
On the drive to drop off Stephen , Fitzhe was asked "why Mellie"
"why not, she's a family friend, we have been in the same circles since grade school …and
"…And she has the pedigree for the first lady of California and the first lady of the US., Stephen finished the statement for Fitz
"I guess so and she fills certain needs right now"
"Do you love her Fitz?"
"Nope"
"Do you even like her?"
"Nope, not really"
"Then why?"
"it's complicated"
"complicated to whom"
"both our fathers have planned for us to be together since we were babies"
"Fitz, this is not the middle ages, you don't have to accept the woman you family chooses"
"I took my time in the military to try and make a decision but it kept coming out the same way. Mellie seems built into my future, like it or not. I slept with countless women the past four years, they were all just a lay. I am not sure what I thought was out there, what was possible actually exist, maybe we are all just here to keep the species going nothing else"
"ok, it's your life"
"not much of a life"