The Scent of His Woman
Chapter 4
Nine Years Ago
"Olivia over here", Abbey waves energetically to her new friend as she enters the cafeteria. Olivia smiles a sigh of relief, happy to avoid the infamous high school lunch dilemma of where to sit, which clique to join or what group of mean girls to steer clear of. She quickly walks over to Abbey's table and takes the seat next to the lively redhead.
"Everybody this Olivia Pope transfer student from…you know what I never asked where you were from. Where do you hale from Ms. Pope?"
"Los Angeles, actually the San Fernando Valley."
"Oh you're a valley girl," Crystal pipes.
"Ah, like for sure," Olivia grins.
"Okay crew, introduce yourselves and state your claim to fame for the new girl," Abbey orders.
"Hi I'm Crystal, the fashionista of this motley crew. I shop wherever, whenever and for whatever. Wholesale, retail, sale, no sale, it doesn't matter. If you need simple garments or jaw dropping attire, I'm your girl." Crystal extends her hand for Olivia to shake.
"Hey, I'm Quinn, the resident computer geek and electronics guru. Welcome to our little enclave insanity, I'm sure you'll fit right in."
"Hi I'm Bill; this is my brother Will, and my other brother William. Olivia raises her brow slightly confused. Yeah, yeah we get the look all the time. Don't ask, our parents have a warped sense of humor and an unnatural affection for some old TV show called Newhart. Apparently, there is trio of brothers on the show, two of which have the same name. Our parents, Daisy and Hugh, thought it would be a hoot to go one-step further and give all three of their male progeny the same name. Our claim to fame is our name."
"It is nice to meet all of you. Did all of you grow up here in Cedar Park?"
"Yeah, pretty much," they all chime and nod.
"So how goes your day so far Olivia?" Quinn asks.
"Pretty good I guess, no new kid embarrassing moments or mean girl encounters." Olivia pauses considering whether or not to ask about her volunteer tour guide. "Do any of you know a Fitz Grant?"
"Why," Abbey asks?
"He offered to show me around campus tomorrow."
Everyone at the table coughs in unbelief.
"You're shitting us right?" Abbey squawks.
"No, why would lie about a thing like that?"
"Well, first of all, Fitz is one of the three Thunders from Down Under."
"The three what," Olivia questions?
"Thunders from Down Under! I'm not talking about the dance troupe. I'm referring to how they make the girls around here feel when they talk to them. I personally have not experienced the "thunder" for myself but I have it on good authority from several reliable girlfriend wannabes the "thunder is a real phenomenon. Can you confirm said physical reaction Ms. Pope?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but I felt no such stirring along those lines." She lied but Olivia is not the type of person to share her emotions and feelings with strangers or unproven friends.
"I knew it was an urban myth," Bill blurts out.
"Who are the other members of the "make a girl holler" troupe? Olivia inquires.
They all laugh at Olivia spin on things.
"Let's see there is Fitz Grant, Harrison Wright and Huck Finn. To look at the three you would never imagine them being friends, let alone having some uncanny charismatic aura."
"Charismatic aura," Olivia chuckles. "Are you serious? Wait did you say Huck Finn?"
"Yep."
"Olivia you are new to these parts and unacquainted with the fact this Seattle burb is inhabited by the offspring of Woodstock attendees. We have a bevy of literary character and rock star namesakes attending this school. We have a Jimmie Hendricks, a Jim Morrison, a Cass Elliot and an Atticus Finch." William details.
"But back to you and Fitz. You must have that certain sump'in, sump'in, because some of us were beginning to think Fitz was asexual or preparing for the priesthood. Everyone knows Harrison is a horndog and Huck is trying to woo Quinn, but Fitz he's been the unattached loner in the romance area like for-e-ver."
"No he's not, he's with Mellie isn't he?" Crystal corrects.
"Oh hell no," Abbey smirks. "He cannot stand Mellie. Have you ever seen him spend more than 30 seconds with her?"
"Spoiler alert, mean girl headed this way," Will warns.
"We've got your back Olivia. Don't worry."
"Worry? What do I need to worry about? What is going on?"
Mellie and her lackeys saunter up to the table behind Olivia. "Pardon me, you're Olivia right," Mellie asks with all the sincerity of a used car salesman.
Olivia turns around abruptly. She stands to face the unwelcomed visitors.
"Yes I am. I'm sorry, have we met?"
"We haven't met officially but I am in your English class. I'm Melanie Grayson, Fitz's girl…girlfriend." Mellie can't even get the lie without choking on the words.
"Oh really, he did not mention you to me."
"I'm sure if had spoken to you other than casually he would have mentioned me to you."
"You are probably right, we've talked about his friends, his family and school so far. His girlfriend I suspect he'll talk about later today. I'll be sure to let him know I spoke with you during our next period." Olivia can tell Mellie is a delusional stalker at worst or a remorseful ex-girlfriend at best.
"No need if he thought you worthy of knowing about me he would have told you."
"Worthy of knowing- interesting choice of words you use; or did you mean to say if he thought you were worth mentioning he would have told me." Mellie flinches. Everyone at the table covers either their mouth or turns away to hide their laughter or to let loose a giggle.
"Look I don't know who you think you are." Mellie barks.
"We've already established I'm Olivia Pope." Olivia replies calmly.
"You need to stay away from Fitz. He and I have an understanding."
"An understanding you say and what type of understanding might that be? I hear he can only take about 30 seconds of your presence before he flees as a means of self-preservation. Is understanding code for nonexistent relationship?" Olivia is on a roll.
"How dare you! You've been here what all of four hours and you think you have a bead on Fitz. You don't know shit! There are dynamics going on here you know nothing about."
"I'm sure you are right," Olivia agrees.
"Damn straight I'm right," Mellie puffs.
"The question is, is Fitz aware of these dynamics?" Olivia asks adding air quotes with her fingers.
"Why you little bi..!" Olivia steps into Mellie's personal space daring her to finish the word.
"I'm a little what? Look, you don't know me and I don't know you but let me enlighten you to a few fun facts about me. Mean girls do not intimidate me. I do not go after other girl's boyfriends and I do not take kindly to threats. The two hapless idiots who unfortunately chose to cross that line with me ended up needing both extensive dental and rhinoplasty work. So, if it is your intention to keep up these mean girl theatrics don't say I did not warn you." Olivia continues to stare straight into Mellie's eyes goading her to respond.
Mellie is speechless. No one has ever challenged her or questioned her relationship with Fitz. By now half of the cafeteria, including Fitz, Harrison and Huck who caught a whiff of Olivia's elevated hormones back at the bleachers, is standing around the two combatants silently enjoying the battle of words. Before Mellie can respond to an immovable Olivia the end of lunch bell rings. Mellie and her two toadies turn up their noses and walk away. "This isn't over Olivia."
"Whatever," Olivia sighs.
"Olivia I have no words. That was fucking awesome!" Abbey squeals with delight.
The crowd disperses and Fitz makes his way through the onlookers to Olivia. Olivia is facing the table repacking her untouched lunch into her backpack. She is about to step away when a familiar hand grabs her by the waist and spins her around. "Olivia Pope I think I love you," he says and proceeds to lay a deep toe curling kiss on Olivia. Caught off guard Olivia is stunned momentarily but not stunned to the point she fails to reciprocate the kiss. Fitz pulls out of the kiss slowly. He pants "ready for our next class?"
"Yeah, wha..?" Olivia mumbles as she regains her senses. Fitz picks up her backpack, takes her by the hand and leads her to their next class. Abbey and gang remain motionless at the table, glued to their seats as they try to process what just transpired.
"Damn, I think she feels the thunder now," Crystal howls.
/
Okay this is what happened; I realized I needed to add this flashback and this is the only logically place to put it. I want to alternate between the past and the present to knit together the foundation of their relationship.
Don't worry; the other half of Fargo is almost completed. The smut-a-thon is coming. LOL
I don't know about the other FF writers but intimacy scenes take me longer to conceive and write and edit.
For those following Desert Princess, I hope to have the next chapter up by Thanksgiving or the weekend after.
Until next time, take care and let me know what you think.