A/N: Ficlet, two chapters, I am not sure. I just hope you enjoy the reading. Happy Valentine's Day. Part two will be up tomorrow.
The 14th of February
10 years ago
Olivia Pope was a vibrant, happy, and beautiful 16-year-old junior in an all-girls private school just across the river in New Jersey. She loved going to the mall with her friends, listening to loud music to annoy her parents, and softball.
Olivia had hoped to get a scholarship for softball at a southern school, one of the best in the country. She was losing sight of that dream since she had been sidelined the last two seasons with ankle problems. She had broken her left one two games into the season her freshman year and as bad luck would have it, she broke her other ankle during practice before the season began in her sophomore year.
She needed surgery both times and was out for the season. Her coaches and her parents tried to keep her spirits up about a scholarship, but she didn't have as much optimism as they did. Olivia kept her tried to believe there was still a chance as much as she could but to avoid depression she spent her time focusing on her friends and her studies.
Olivia carried one secret that no one knew, not even her best friend in the world, Quinn. Olivia had a major crush on a senior from the brother school across the street from her school. She watched him every day, beginning her sophomore year, following him and knowing his routine. He played baseball and once the two schools had a scrimmage against the same co-ed high school, and that's where she first set eyes on him.
All the softball players sat in the front of the bus and the baseball players in the back. She had her seat, the last one before the back and watched as all the players assembled in some of the guys winking at her. Liv rolled her eyes and Liv watched, not enthused at all, at the boys walking on. Then, she saw him.
He was laughing with one of his teammates behind him and he turned around just as his eyes met hers. Olivia was frozen, not breathing, as the blue of his eyes just iced her. He gave her a nod and continued his conversation with his friend.
Olivia took a hard swallow. She glanced at her teammates who were all oblivious to Olivia. Olivia moved closer to the window and rested her forehead against it as her heart kept beating faster than she wanted it to. She wouldn't dare turn around in fear of seeing him again. She didn't have to, his face, his features, the curls coming out of the cap, and those eyes were now cemented in her memory.
His name was Fitzgerald Grant the Third. He came from money, California money. He lived at the private school, but Olivia didn't. She commuted back and forth to NY every day. His father was rich, a politician, her father was not. Her father worked two jobs and her mother worked two jobs, just to get Olivia through school.
His friends called him Fitz. Her friends called her Liv. She was black, he was white. They were both an only child. He had hopes of joining the NAVY out of high school, wanting to be a pilot. He played baseball for fun, not recognition. Liv had hopes of succeeding in softball and becoming a lawyer. They couldn't be more different.
Olivia found all the information out about Fitz from one of her advisor. She had been working with Ms. Dolan when Fitz walked into the library one day. Liv hid behind a bookshelf as she heard Ms. Dolan kick him out. "Told you once before, you aren't welcome here, go to your own campus and take materials from there."
"Chillax Ms. Dolan, I was just checking to see if Melody was here." He put his hand up like a cat and gave a hissing noise towards Ms. Dolan. Liv covered her mouth, so not to laugh out loud and be heard.
When she came out, once Fitz was gone, she asked Ms. Dolan who she was talking to, and Ms. Dolan gave her the 411 plus some on Fitzgerald Grant. Liv never wanted to hug someone as much as she wanted to hug Ms. Dolan.
"Oh, who is Melody?" Liv didn't want to sound too interested but she was curious.
"She lives full time here on campus. She is a senior like Fitz, a friend of his family's. He uses her to try to get on campus, she thinks he likes her, but Fitz only likes himself."
Ms. Dolan continued checking in books and Liv went back to shelfing them. She had a lot to think about, but it's not like she wasn't always thinking of Fitz anyway.
She told no one. It was her crush. It was her fantasy, and she wanted no one to share it with her. She was convinced this was no ordinary schoolgirl crush. She had trouble sleeping at night thinking of him, she found herself writing his name in her notebooks, and any chance she got, she was on the boy's campus watching him from a far.
She wanted to one day get the courage to go up to him, to introduce herself to him, but she didn't see that happening. So, Olivia just went on with her junior year, anticipating the softball season and hopefully getting to see more of him during his senior year on the baseball team.
Fitzgerald Grant was turning 18 in May. He couldn't wait to turn 18. He thought he couldn't wait to turn 17 to have his own car on campus. New Jersey laws sucked, he would've had his own car when he was 16 in California. He was stuck at this damn school in Jersey because it was the best. Big Gerry Grant would only have the best for his son.
Fitz got through school. Yes, he was brilliant. All subjects came easy for him. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, study law at Harvard and move on in the corporate world. Big Gerry knew his son had no interest in politics, he didn't blame the kid. Fitz had other plans though, lawyers were big ass kissers and overworked snobs, he didn't want to do that. He wanted to join the Naval Academy, graduate as an officer and become a Top Gun Pilot.
Fitz played all sports. He was a cornerback on the football team, a forward on the basketball team, and a shortstop on the baseball team. He was Mr. Popularity having a following of friends. His teachers told him how bright he was and more focus should be on his studies, but work came easy for him. He didn't have to work hard to achieve, and he just went with it.
He remembers a day on the bus heading to a scrimmage. All the guys on the baseball were excited because they got to ride with the softball team from across the way. Fitz didn't see the excitement in it all, but he played along.
Fitz had looks and charm. He knew he had looks and charm. He dated who he wanted to date when he wanted to date them. He also had money, and if there is one thing girls like, it's money. He paid when he went on dates, he charmed when he went on dates, dating was just a back door to him. He opened it when he wanted to.
Melody Sinclair told both schools she was dating him. Every girl though he was off limits because of her, and he told her time and time again to stop the lies. They were good friends growing up and that's all it would ever be.
On the bus to that scrimmage, he remembers talking to Mason on the way on. Mason was talking about his batting average goals for the year and the number he set for himself had Fitz crack a laugh. He turned to Mason to say something, and when he turned back around, he saw her.
How could he not see her? Her eyes and his eyes locked on one another. Fitz forgot he had a spine sometimes, but not that moment. He still remembers the chill that went up it as he nodded at her and moved along. He had to keep his momentum up for his friends, so those brown doe eyes had to remain a memory for now.
Most of the students on his campus had a roommate. Fitz did not. His father paid for a private room, and he was grateful the night after he first saw her. He couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned unable to get those eyes out of his head. He had no idea how he would play the part in wanting to get to know more about her.
He wouldn't be caught dead in the library, especially the library on the all girl's campus, but he wanted to know if Melody knew anything about the softball team, especially her. When Ms. Dolan kicked him out, he was so flushed, so angry. He was going to meet Melody there, but those plans were ruined.
Then he saw her. It had to be about two weeks after they first looked at each other. Her foot was in a boot, and he later found out it was an ankle injury. She was sitting on his campus, engrossed in a book. Melody was with him, and he asked her if she knew who she was.
"She's a commuter. I don't acquaint myself with commuters. I'll ask Debbie, Debbie used to commute. She may know her. Why do you care?"
"I don't," Fitz said. "I just saw her on this campus and wondered if you knew her, maybe that's why she was here waiting for you because everyone wants to be around Melody the Great. Did you get your acceptance letter to Harvard?"
Melody glared at him. "No, why, who did?"
Fitz shrugged, "I can't say."
She whacked his shoulder. "Fitzgerald, you better tell me."
"Angela." Fitz closed one eye knowing what was coming next.
Melody's jaw clenched. Her face turned the color of a very ripe tomato and she grunted. She turned and stormed off back towards her campus. Once she was out of sight, Fitz turned to see if he could have the courage to walk up to "the commuter" but she was gone.
He looked in all directions, but she was no where to be found. He looked one more time, then he felt a pat on his back. "You lost Fitz. I thought you would know your way around by now."
"Real funny Mason, no I am not lost I was just looking for, never mind."
"If you're looking for Melody, she's running towards her campus like they're giving away designer shoes."
"No, definitely wasn't looking for her, come on, let's go grab some lunch."
Olivia had watched the exchange between Melody and Fitz. It caused an ache in her heart. They certainly looked like a couple from her perspective. Liv got up, quickly, she walked to the train station, and headed home for the weekend. She had her headphones on, listening to songs that reminded her of him. Who was she fooling? She would never get up the nerve.
Present Day
"Jake, what the hell is wrong with you? Get up, get up, get up!" Liv was mortified.
Jake got off his one knee. His face was red, he was angered, and he was embarrassed. He just proposed to Olivia, and she flat out refused in front of a park full of people.
"When did I ever give you the impression, I wanted to marry you, when? I cannot believe you just did that." Liv was trying to whisper and walk away at the same time, but it wasn't easy.
"Liv, we've been together for a year, I thought it was time." Jake was trying to keep up with her.
Liv shook her head. "Yes, together for a year, dating here and there. This was never anything serious Jake and you know that, why would you." She stopped before she hurt him anymore than she wanted to.
"I just thought a week ahead of Valentine's Day I would surprise you with a proposal, my feelings towards you are no secret." Jake was still one step behind her.
Liv stopped, "Oh and mine are? Do you really think I am in love with you? I am not ready to settle down, to be married, come on Jake." She was looking directly at him now shaking her head. This was on him and she wasn't going to take the blame for his dumb move.
He put the ring box back into his jacket pocket. "Yeah, you're right in the year we've been toget…dating, you've said I love you zero times. I just thought this may make things different."
"Oh, a diamond ring would make me fall in love with you. Jake, we need to stop this now it's not going to get better."
He shook his head in agreement. "You're right Liv, it isn't going to get better and I am not going to wait any longer for it to get better. Obviously, something is holding you back and I am not getting pulled with you. Goodbye Liv."
Jake turned and walked away. Liv looked down, she kicked the snow that had fallen last night, and turned in the opposite direction. She did string Jake along for a year, that's true. She tried to numb the pain, that constant pain that would never go away. The disease she could not be cured of, there was no medication to help her with the pain being in love with Fitzgerald Grant did to her.
It's been ten years, and she still felt a knot in her stomach every time she thought of him. Her eyes filled up with tears and she found the nearest bench to sit down. Much like Jake walked away from her two minutes ago, she walked away from Fitzgerald Grant 10 years ago on Valentine's Day.
Even after the dreadful pain he caused her heart she never got over him. She was still in love with him, still longed for him, and would never be over him. She hadn't seen him in eight years, hadn't talked to him in ten years, yet it still felt like yesterday when she was in his arms, the night he took her virginity away.
TO BE CONTINUED…..