Dakidd: Olivia has some growing to do. She's in the real world now. Guest: Olivia is acting immaturely. Someone should check her. I hope you all hang in there with me and this story. Sister1256: We will see who gets close and see if olitz can mend their relationship. Fitz definitely finds his balls in this chapter. Abby is a very different person than liv. Friendship has a different meaning to her. Yall really want Mellie gone. Let's see who she is first, wink wink. IAMSCANDALLOVER: will an uninterrupted conversation with Fitz fix their relationship?
Mellie, Blue Ridge, GA
Melody scrunched her nose as she opened the front door of her mother's house. When inside, she sighed, shaking her head at the disheveled place, wondering where her neglectful mother was. The house reeked of cigarettes and booze, unphased by the mess she calls home. Mellie advanced to her bedroom, escaping the wretched conditions.
"Oh, Mom, where are you?" Mellie muttered as she purposefully hid the Louis Vuitton luggage in her closet.
Stepping into Melody Margaret's room, you wouldn't believe that it was connected to the same house you just walked through. Her room is pristine and clean. Beauty pageant trophies line the walls, along with honor roll certificates. She's a bright, beautiful young lady. Her community is proud of her and happy and equally curious about how she ended up being nothing like Charleen, her mother.
The slam of the front door sends melody running to the living room.
"Mom!" Mellie shouts, making her presence known.
Releasing the lips of the random man she was fondling, Charleen spins around to seeing her eldest child disappointed.
"Mush?...what are you doing here?" Charleen asks, using her daughter's nickname to lessen the blow. She had forgotten to pick Mellie up from the airport. Most times, Mellie wonders why she even comes home.
Melody ignored the words of affection, asking: "Where were you?" waiting for an explanation.
Charleen turned to the not so handsome stranger. "Baby, go wait in the car." looking at her disapproving baby girl. "Mush, I'm going out for a bit. I'm sorry that I forgot you- I'll make it up to you" she hugged Mellie, and when she didn't reciprocate, Charleen nodded with a half-smile. Before exiting the same way, she came in.
Retreating to her safe place, Mellie dialed his number. Awaiting his answer, she paced the room.
"Hello, hey, can we talk later? I'm running late for a meeting."
"Okay, I'll be quick. I'm in California for the summer. we should meet up; I would for you to give me a tour." There was a level of desperation in her proposal.
"Oh- I'm still in Cambridge, and next week I'm flying to Costa Rica with a few of my buddies," Fitz says.
"Have fun. I guess I'll be giving myself a tour of your city." he can sense she's pushing.
"We'll do coffee when I get back to campus and have fun; I hope you enjoy California," Fitz said shortly. He wasn't lying when he said he was late for a meeting. "Bye"
"bye-" The dial tone played in her ear. She sighed, tossing her phone.
Georgia was nothing like her, everything about this tiny, musty town. The people were shallow and destined for devastation and destruction. That's where her determination and ambition came from, no role models, just examples of people she didn't want to be like.
Olivia, Cambridge
"What did your dad say?" Olivia shouted from the bathroom; as she grabbed her toiletries.
Abby neatly folded Olivia's shirt and placing it in the organized suitcase. "He said, I have to prove myself. Apparently, one year of semi-good grades isn't enough to be rewarded with a vacation," she said bitterly.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you're spoiled. This might be good for you," she said, agreeing with john, Abby's father.
"I'm spoiled, but you're going to England and Figi." Abby scoffed,
shrugging her shoulders. Olivia snickered at the comment. Abby didn't even believe that; she was just bitter. "well, I earned it..." And she did earn it. This was why she forfeited a summer in D.C. A city that only offered her dry heat and boring beaches. Hard Pass.
"-but like I said last week, Quinn and I will miss you." Olivia snickered, zipping the suitcase with ease. "Maybe you'll learn some respect and how to get up for a class on time. Next year isn't gonna be the same, and we're going to have entirely different professors. It'll be our second year, and you shouldn't be the same old Abby."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, you just want me to be miserable while you sunbathe on tropical beaches, getting a beautiful tan," Abby feigned jealously.
Liv narrowed her eyes playfully. "I already have a beautiful tan,"
"Shut up," The redhead mocked, "I think that's everything; let's go before I get lazy." Abby was Olivia's personal chauffeur for the day. Olivia planned to have her best friend drop her off at the airport and pick her up upon her return in 4 weeks. Micahel was her first choice, but he left a week early.
The friends hugged one last time before Liv boarded an 8-hour flight to the UK.
Eight hours later, Olivia is welcomed by her dear friend Stephen. It's been two years, and Olivia is ecstatic to be back in her second home finally. The long-time friends embrace, and Olivia smiles, taking in the scenery.
Fitz, Santa Barbara
Fitz heedlessly walked into his father's office, slamming the door behind himself. His peers don't need to hear this.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Fitz says
Jerry's head popped up from the documents, and he stared at Fitz under his reading glasses. Wondering what the hell is wrong with Fitz. Unphased by Fitzgerald's outburst, the older man leans back in his chair. why did he think Fitz would ever greet him with kindness, honestly he should have noticed his agitation from the way he disrespectfully opened the door and marched in without so much as a " hello, dad, thank you."
"Hello, son, how are you? I'm well." Jerry says sarcastically.
"What was so wrong with Olivia that you had to drive her out of my life?" His angry is smoldering right now, but if jerry gets too close, he just might get burned. "answer me," Fitz said in a raised voice. His father was trying to play dumb by avoiding the question entirely.
"Fitzgerald, I don't care about some whore you're screwing. I have more important things to worry about-like my reelection." Jerry was short and brash. Fitz wanted to jump across that desk and choke him into unconsciousness.
"Sit down, son." Fitz sat down, and Jerry continued, "This is the one; my second term is easily the most important and impactful. I need to win, and not just for me, but so that you also have a stakehold in this office. I have something for you,"
"I don't want anything from you...except the truth," Fitz says through clenched teeth.
"It's from your mother...and grandfather. Fred left you an inheritance; obviously, she controlled it and never let me get anywhere near it. You are of age now, and I'm giving you the account information," Jerry slid a post-it note across the mahogany. Fitz accepted the information, giving his father a skeptical look.
"Now I need something from you," Jerry conveniently added.
"Not until you tell me why you broke Olivia and me up. Liv didn't do anything. She's innocent." Fitz said,
Jerry lurched across the desk with his finger outstretched to Fitz's face. "No, she isn't. That girl is a walking disaster, a campaign killer; all she will do is make you smaller." Jerry pulled a drawer open and took out a manila folder, pushing it towards his son. "Have I taught you nothing? You didn't research this girl before you call yourself dating her." shaking his head disappointedly, watching as Fitz read the contents of the folder.
However, nothing in there was news to him. He already knew Olivia dated senator Davis' son. He didn't care, and he still doesn't. Fitz casually closed the unnecessary waste of paper. "I already knew this."
"you knew," Jerry fumed, snatching the glasses off his nose. "And you still tried to screw me."
Frowning at the man. "That she had a boyfriend before me, yes, I knew. It wasn't top secret, and we talked about it," Fitz said, observing his father's body language. He was on edge, and it couldn't just be Olivia.
Big jerry took a deep breath, staring at his idiotic son. "I'm not talking about her many many boyfriends; I'm talking about the fact Craig Davis never won another election after she stopped dating Edison." He poked the paper.
"Oh, for godsakes," Fitz jumped out of his seat, glaring at his father's ridiculousness. Every fucking thing revolved around his political career, his status, his money. "You went out of your way to research Olivia and then when her background check wasn't to your liking. You evil son-of-a-bitch..." jerry was fixing his mouth to defend himself "...no, shut the fuck up. You preyed on our relationship and were being racist, from what she tells me, just because you think she's some bad omen. I lost the love of my life because you were afraid of her skin color and losing a fucking election, selfish, racist bastard."
The grey-haired man's eyes got wide when Fitz mentioned he'd talked to Olivia.
"Dad, you were right. I should have thanked you and asked how you are. Cause this will be the last time I ever speak to you." Fitz got up and walked out the room, seemingly calmer than when he arrived.
XXX
"Hello, sir. How may I help you today?" The bank teller asked pleasantly
Fitz fished the crumple post it from his jeans, and he read off the account number. "I need to know if this account exists?"
The middle-aged man nodded, typing in the information he was given. The account was there. Ken, his name tag read, looked up at Fitz, trying to guess his age. There was a hefty amount of money in this account, more than he ever saws in his own bank account. "Can I have your name, ID, and social security number?"
Fishing out his wallet, he gave the gentleman everything he asked for. About five minutes later, ken verified all the info and handed Fitz his items back. "Sir, if you could wait a moment, our senior banker will be out to speak with you. You can have a seat there," Ken pointed to one of the desks in the lobby.
"Thanks." Fitz had a feeling this would take a lot longer than he expected. Fitz had thought his father was lying. He was quite young when Susan died, so he didn't remember much about her besides the fact he loved her, and she was his mother. And he had only met her father once before his death. With one leg thrown over the other, Fitz reclined in the comfortable chair. He stood up as a man with salt and peppered hair approached the desk, hand extended.
"Hello, my name is Ronald Hastings. I'm the senior banker, and I usually handle large accounts and trust funds, which happens to be both in your case" The man smiled, taking a seat and prompting a dumbstruck Fitzgerald to do the same.
Mr. Hastings opens a large banking packet and begins telling Fitz about the fortune his grandfather left him. "The account currently holds 3,356, 789, 447."
His mouth dropped to the floor. He was momentarily speechless, rooted to the ground in the middle of the spacious air-conditioned lobby. The man continued the details of the account. Fitz had so many questions. "When did they do this? I didn't even know my mother's family had money." He exclaimed
"According to our records, it was 1998 and opened by a Fred Hampton, but there were deposits from a Susan grant, I presume that to be your mother. However, it stopped in 2007. The information I have here says you were given access to the account upon your eighteenth birthday. Mrs. Grants wishes."
In 2007 his mother died, so he knew why the deposits stopped, now he had other questions. "I'm 22. Why wasn't I notified, sent a letter, or however you-" He was searching for answers, and the only person he can see being responsible for his unawareness is Big jerry. Fitz shook his head, staring at the man incredulously.
"Unfortunately, I don't have that knowledge. Is there anything else I can do for you today?" The banker closed the folder, giving the documents to Fitz.
"Yes, I would like to close a joint account between my father and me," Fitz said with finality.
Olivia, UK
"Abby said you were dating her crush-well ex-crush," Stephen said out of nowhere.
Olivia chuckled, shaking her head. "The fact she's still calling him her crush. We're not dating anymore; you're so late."
"Only because you don't call me," Stephen cocked his head, smirking at the now honey blonde Olivia.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't talking to anyone that much, Abby only by default. My dad is probably worried...or maybe not. He's used to having me gone for long periods of time," she sighed, sticking a spoon full of chocolate ice cream in her mouth.
"So what happened with...I'm gonna call him Grant. I'm not too fond of his first name. What kind of name is that." Stephen stopped rambling and let her speak.
"I'm embarrassed; I really liked him. Like I planned our wedding- in my head, of course," Olivia clarified as Stephen's expression changed. "We were so good together, or so I thought. His father turned out to be just like Senator Davis. This time I was only verbally assaulted."
"I only know what Abby blabbed about."
"She can't hold water," Olivia muttered, staring into her cup.
"She really can't. She even sent me the video," Stephen informed. He stood up, reaching for her hand. "come on, let's walk" Olivia stood up with him and discards the soiled cup, then she loops her arm around his.
"So have you talked to him? He left his school and moved to Massachusetts." Damn, It's like Abby really is reporting back to Stephen.
Olivia nods her head, slightly annoyed by Abby's loose-lipped mouth. "A little while ago, he apologized and said he didn't cheat. I wanted to believe and forgive everything. But his dad's words echoed in my head. Like I'll never be able to look at Edison the same, I want to forget."
"You took Edison back," Stephen said. Olivia shot daggers at him, annoyed that he would even bring that up. Cheating was Edison's first offense after what his perverted father did that was the final straw, and after that, she cringed just hearing the man's name. Their ice cream date has turned into a therapy session about her failed love life for some reason.
"Yea... I like to think that I'm different now. Older, smarter. Big Jerry said some hurtful things. He didn't even know me but was able to pour salt in every open insecurity I have." Olivia pulled her hair into a low ponytail and retook Stephen's arm.
Her loose curls kept flying in her face. The weather was beautiful; it was the perfect day for a walk, and Olivia much appreciated Stephen's presence; he was right: she doesn't call as much as she should. For as long as they've been friends, Stephen has never let her down or led her down the wrong path; he was the only guy she genuinely trusted.
"I'm sorry, Love. He's rubbish." That made her laugh; she lived in England with Stephen for over 6 years and still hasn't truly adjusted to his remarks and accent.
The honey blonde girl gripped his arm tighter "You're not rubbish." she giggled, Stephen led her down to a grassy area, and they sat watching the clouds. The pair relaxed in silence for a while before Olivia mentioned his uninterest in the new guys she's dating.
"-I'm not particularly happy about it" His accent thick and somewhat annoyed. Stephen glanced at his friend, and he needed to tell her what's really up. "You rebound rapidly. I don't think it is particularly healthy. It's an emotional escape. So not to be rude, I don't care much about Michael," he said distastefully.
"Interesting" Olivia nodded her head, slowly drinking in his comment.
"It's not interesting; you just aren't listening." Stephen pushes Olivia over because when he looked at her face, she was trying to hold in a laugh, and for a moment, he felt like his best-friend was happy again- at least for the time being.
Olivia rolled down, a mini hill, feigning injury, and when Stephen came to her aid, she pushed him, and he toppled over, laughing.
XXX
Fitz broke out into a jog and rushed towards the boarding gates. "Shit," he mumbled. Fitz miscalculated how long it would take to go home and pack. However, he didn't take into account how jet-lagged he was. Fitz got off one plane just to be in the air again two-hours later. Now he's racing against the clock. Luckily he didn't have to waste time parking since he took a Lyft. And you gotta love TSA prechecks. Fitz was able to board the plane with enough time to text Jake and Peter before the flight attendant warned him to put it on airplane mode. Fitz curses himself for forgetting to call melody. She had been calling all day, but he couldn't answer because he's been traveling back and forth. He'll make it up to her.
"Can I get you anything, sir?"
Shook from his thoughts Fitz eyed the perky blonde, "No thanks, I'm fine," he gave a half-smile. Reclining his chair, he fell asleep and got some rest before he lands in a few hours.
Olivia, UK, Midnight
Olivia came and plopped down on the sofa beside Stephen. Neither one said anything, but she had a feeling he heard her conversation with Michael and was itching to say something. Still, the silence remained until she asked what he was reading; he simply replied with the title and kept his nose in the paper. Stephen glanced over when she reached for the remote, and before she got a chance to start something, he said:
"I have a hot take about something," placing the bookmark between the pages.
"Does it involve you defending Fitz?"
"Yes, and I'm going to say it anyway." Stephen shifted, so his brown eyes met Olivia's. "he apologized, and you spat on him. Livvia, you just told me you had strong feelings for him; I think you should apologize. You shouldn't have been so harsh."
Rolling her eyes, "I cut him off-" Olivia tried but was interrupted.
"For something his father did, not him." He reminded,
"I did the same with Edison, and you were applauding me."
"His creepy as father tried to have sex with you while you were underage." He said, giving her a take this seriously, look.
Olivia thought for a minute before she came with a rebut. "You're right, but I don't feel like I'm staying true to myself if forgive and forget. I would be hypocritical to cease contact with Ed and not Fitz."
That's not all she did to Edison.
"Two different situations, Liv. You know I'm right. You're just scared."
"Scared of what?" brows furrowed, and her tone was defensive.
"Love, you're scared that if you let him close again, he'll warm that cold dark heart you've been protecting. I'm saying you should apologize right now."
"He's not here, and I'm not calling him." She said, stubbornly folding her arms.
"You are going to text him because he didn't deserve what he got"
"Either did I" Olivia arched her brows again, wondering whose side is Stephen on.
"It's a war liv- wars have casualties. As I said, you can stay true to yourself and not be a bitch. Liv, if he waves, are you going to flip him a bird and tell him to eat shit. No, so you might as well apologize so that when you see each other, you're not plotting his murder." Stephen snatched her phone out of her hand.
"Funny how his contact is still in here, 'three cursing emojis' I bet that's him." Stephen clicked on the contact info, and he was right.
Fitzgerald, I was hurt and talking out of my ass. If I see you around campus, don't be a shy wave, and I'll wave back.
He typed and handed the phone back to her without sending it.
"Simple, there's no hope behind that message, and there's no animosity. You are two people sharing the same space and not wanting conflict. Liv, you're 19; it's time to grown-up."
"I'll rewrite that in the morning I don't like it, but you're right. I can be civil; I'll just have to call Abby off to, you know, she attacked him at a party," Olivia said, causing her and Stephen to burst out laughing. Either was sure she could physically fight, but she was the first to jump down your throat and make you wish she had only hit you.
As their laughs subsided, Olivia had tears in her eyes, and Stephen was holding his belly.
"I'm going to miss this," Liv says
"Me too, and call me more."
"I will, but promise you'll come and visit sometime; I really want you to meet Quinn."
"I can promise that."
The next morning Olivia was up early; her next flight was in an hour. Olivia went and woke Stephen up twenty minutes ago, and he was still in bed. After she was done neatly organizing her suitcase, she slipped off to his room.
"Get up, Stephen" she pinched his arm, nothing. He was dead asleep. So she climbed on his bed and started jumping, waking him up with the commotion.
His voice annoyed and groggy "Liv, get the hell off my bed."
"You should have never tried to drink all that wine, now get up" Olivia bounced again, and Stephen pulled her leg from under her causing her to fall in his lap.
"Mercy," glancing at the clock, "you won't be late."
Olivia climbed off him "ok, come on, I made breakfast."
Throwing the comforter off his body, Stephen got up, following her to the kitchen. "Beans and toast?"
"Uh...yeah, I just forgot the beans- so just toast," she chuckled as he cut his eyes at her.
"Have fun in Fiji and tell Quinn I'm looking forward to meeting her," Stephen said as he bit in the toasted bread.
August 26, Cambridge
Fitz rolled over, ignoring the blaring alarm. There's no way the class starts in an hour. He was just on the beach in Costa Rica, enjoying a beer with his best friends. After ten minutes of tossing back and forth, realizing he wasn't gonna reclaim those last five minutes of sleep. Fitz got up and started his morning.
Before he showered, he checked his email, looking over his schedule. He sighed as he skimmed the electronic list. There were at least five books he would need for one course alone. Now that he dropped the law courses, he can go back to focusing on his original studies. After a long summer and much thinking, Fitz decided to stay at Harvard. After all, it was a good school, and it put some distance between him and his father.
As Fitz exited the shower drying his hair. He grabbed his ringing phone. "Good morning, Mellie," Fitz smiled.
"Good morning; how was your trip? Sorry, I didn't get a chance to call before now; I was enjoying California too much," the giggling girl said. Fitz rolled his eyes; his caller ID begs to defer.
"Glad you had fun."
"So, coffee?"
"Yeah, meet me at the shop. I'll be there in 15."
"I see you there." Mellie smiles, disconnecting the call.
XXX
Her eyes widen when she saw Abby walking up, hands interlocked with a mystery man. Olivia stood up, hugging her best friend.
"This is David, my boyfriend," she announced.
David blushed and pushed his glasses up his face. "Nice to meet you," Olivia says.
"Likewise"
"Oh, this is Michael," Olivia remembers when Abby nods in his direction.
"Good to see Abby with one guy" that comment earned him frowning stares from the group.
Cutting the awkward silence, Olivia asks: "when, where did you meet?"
"Coffee shop Abby stole my latte." David regales, smiling at Abby.
"I did it on purpose, anyways he's 3L, so I have a built-in study partner." The redhead squeals.
"That's amazing, awe you guys" Olivia hugs her heart. She doesn't know much about David, but he seems good for Abby. Focused and mature, she could really use that. Olivia's attention is taken by Mellie and Fitzgerald walking by laughing; he didn't even acknowledge her. Whatever they were obnoxiously laughing about had him distracted. Abby made some snarky remark about the pair. Though Olivia didn't hear it, she was too busy staring.
"Liv?" Michael snaps his fingers.
"What?" She says irritant.
Abby looks between the two, and before an argument starts, she comes with the save. "I think we have the same class; let's go," Abby says, dragging Olivia across the campus, leaving David and Michael.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, and we don't have the same course, at least not this hour."
"You were about to lose another boyfriend," Abby points out tactlessly.
Olivia rolled her eyes at Abby and walked off to class.
By the afternoon, the Radcliffe quad was covered in tents and tables. Club rush was in full effect. As students poured out of the buildings, lines formed, and horns sounded. The festivities have begun.
"Wow! This is amazing," Olivia squealed. The students were fully immersed in activities, clubs, and dance teams were performing in the grass: music, food, and sun.
"Do you need a towel?" Abby mocked; she didn't have any interest in campus activities...except for parties. Olivia's squealing and wanting to run around and check out every table was not how Abby wanted to spend the afternoon. She'd rather listen to David read off penal codes.
Side eyeing her bestie, Olivia shook her head. They stopped at the mock trial table first. Last year Olivia had to drop it, so this year she'll get her do-over.
As the girls approach, they're welcomed by an enthusiastic redhead. "Hi, Liv, I see your back. Please tell me you can stay this time," Sydney pouted playfully.
"I can stay," Olivia says as she signs her name on the decorative sign-on sheet. "This is almost full, wow."
"Yeah, more people means more trouble. Everyone's not gonna get in." Sydney complained. The mock trial was pretty competitive on Harvard's campus. Almost two-thousand law students and are just so eager to be in a courtroom.
"I hope the decision isn't too hard. Bye, I'll swing back this way after I'm done browsing" Liv smiled politely and pulled Abby over to another table.
Two best friends are being hauled around campus, annoyed with the perpetrator. Fitz sighs as Mellie signs her name on the fourth sheet of paper. Mellie's been giggling since she found him, and he's just tired and wants to go home and sleep. Being on a plane for the entire night and then walking around all days was not fun.
"Mel, please," Fitz sighs, pinching his nasal bridge.
she silently squeals at the nickname. "Come on, Fitzgerald, just one more. Let's sign up for a mock trial, and it'll be the last one, I promise." Pulling him towards the table. Sydney plasters on a smile when she sees the couple approach.
"Melody, welcome back."
"Good to be back."
Fitz picks up a booklet detailing what mock-trial is and this year's current case. Along with the pictures of last year's team. "What major are you?" Sydney directs her question to the blue-eyed handsome devil standing before her.
"I actually just dropped law, and I'm back to teaching courses." He smiled politely.
"Well, you don't have to be a law student, and we teach you everything you need to know in court; you just have to show up and impress the judges and try to win your case." She hypes, leaning forward, hoping somewhat of what she's saying interests him.
Fitz inspects the list, three full pages of names; no way they're accepting him. Against his better judgment, Fitz sighs the sheet below Melody's name and leaves his number.
Clasping his hands together, "ok, let's go; I'm hungry," Fitz says.
"Oh, Fitzy, your such a killjoy" Mellie flashes a smile, linking her arm with his.
XXX
Michael slid into the booth, snuggling up to Olivia. He still had on his apron, and he smelled like a spice cabinet. "Hi," he greeted, throwing his arm over her shoulder.
Olivia smiles when he plants a kiss on her cheek. "How was your day?" She asks.
"Long, I'm thinking about quitting and working over at the diner on 17th," sipping Olivia's drink, and she frowns because she hates when people eat her food.
Pushing the cup towards Michael, she begins, "what's wrong with this job?"
He sighs; it's like she doesn't listen when he's talking. Michael hasn't liked working on campus since he started, students are rude, and the pay isn't worth it. He's never been pressed for money, but he and his girlfriend's 6 month anniversary is coming up.
"I need a little extra money, and I won't get it here." Peering at his phone, Michael springs from the booth. He kissed Olivia and went back to work.
Frowning at the paper cup, Olivia shakes her head. She wasn't done with, but now she is; they've been dating long enough for him to know that's one of her pet peeves. As she's leaving, she tosses the cup. Olivia glanced at the ringing device.
"Hello," Olivia answers, "Hi, dad."
"Olivia, I asked you to call. I wanted to check and see how your first day went." Eli reclines his chair, waiting for Olivia to report her day.
"Yeah, today went well. I signed up for the mock trial, but there were a lot of people on the list, so I don't know if I'll get in."
"You'll get in, is there anything you need?"
"Nothing at the moment; I have money. My car is good. The only thing left to do is go grocery shopping." Olivia says as a reminder to herself.
"Alright, Livvia. Daddy loves you" he smiles sadly. Olivia is on the other end, trying to end this call, and he can sense it.
"I love you too, dad," she's says softy.
"Good night," he's stalling.
Olivia exhales sharply, and she kicks herself for what she's about to ask him. "Daddy...do you still have your contact at the CIA?"
Straightening up in his chair, Eli asks with concern: "Did something happen? Are you in danger?" worried because he's gotten to this call before.
"No, I just wanna check out this guy. You can never be too safe, right."
Lifting a pen from the drawer, he says: "Give me a name."
"Thanks..."
Late sophomores wander into the lecture hall dodging glares from their journalism professor. Olivia releases a sharp exhale, watching the man grow frustrated as the disruptive bunch takes their seats, with no regard for Mr. Novak or their peers.
"Welcome to journalism," he announces, and almost everyone groans as if they didn't sign up for this course. "Adults!... Your first assignment is an article. I want perfection or something close. I'm not too sure of those of you in the back," rolling his eyes. "Check your email. Mine is on the syllabus. The syllabus was handed it out yesterday and-"
A hand goes up in the middle of his speech "yes," Mr. Novak forgoes, asking her name.
"When is it due?"
"Tomorrow," he says as if it was the most obvious thing.
"Thanks"
Professor Novak's ears perk up at the girl's manners. "What's your name?"
"Amelia," she answers.
Olivia glanced at the girl that's seated on her right and smiles.
"And yours?" Pointing at the girl with honey blonde tips that fall just past her shoulders, with his ballpoint pen. They were the only students sitting in the front, and whereas he couldn't force the rest to respect him enough to be up here listening attentively, he had two volunteers, and he deeply appreciated that.
Confused by who he might be referring to, Olivia fingers her chest; when he nods, she answers: "Olivia Pope."
"Nice to meet you both; I want you to turn in the assignment on Thursday."
The girls look at each other, almost speechless, the rest of the class clamors bitterly.
"Now on to what you'll be writing about." With clasped hands, James smirks at the annoyed students.
At the end of class, Olivia and Amelia must have had the same idea because the pair found themselves chatting about the upcoming assignment. At the same time, waiting for the professor to become available.
The way they were talking, you would have thought they'd been friends for years. Amelia is the shy type, but when you talk to her, she opens right up. from the short conversation, Olivia's learned a substantial amount about the girl. "Hey, if you ever need a study buddy, I'm always free."
"Thanks, I'll definitely take you up on that" Olivia smiled politely and went into Novak's office when he called.
XXX
Following the brief meeting with her journalism professor, Olivia hung around campus a little while until she got a call from Sydney. With instructions to meet her in building A lecture hall C. Olivia basically sprinted across campus. Eager to meet this year's Mock trial team.
Olivia waved to everyone before sitting down, Sydney standing at the front of the class, with Mr. Green, the infamous mock trial couch. He's led Harvard to multiple championships, Olivia was poised to be apart of making Harvard history.
"We're waiting on two more people, and we're going to start announcing roles and what our case will be. As usual, we'll have two months to gather opening/closing statements and witness prep. And in January will go to trial." The redhead claps her hands excitedly. Causing the group the laugh and snicker.
Rushing in the hall, Fitz sits down without surveying his peers and drops his bag by his foot. "Sorry, I'm late. I was all the way at widener library."
"That's alright-"
"Sorry I'm late, I was with him," Harrison announces, continuing to stand.
With bright eyes and high voices, Sydney starts handing out roles to everyone. A slew of moans and groans comes from the selected students to be witnesses and the bailiff.
Fitz frowned, thinking, why did I have to be the closing attorney.
Olivia squeals with joy when her card reads "Opening attorney."
Harrison pumps his fist in the air "yes, pre-trial, guess you get stuck with the hard work," he says to Fitz and chuckles.
She makes eye contact with him and feels her heart race. To avoid him, she turns and starts talking to the person beside her. Shaking his head Fitz smirks. Whatever just happened to him, she felt too.
I've been waiting for the adults to show up. Was Stephen right or wrong about avoiding unnecessary conflict? Two questions: who's name did Olivia give? And what did she do to the Davis family? Until next time. stay safe and have a nice day or night