C. 6

Olivia's House

Olivia leaned back against the door, closing her eyes and fighting the tears that were forming. The worst part was she had no idea why she was about to cry, was it over not being able to have Fitz, or cheating on Brody? She knew the only person she was really mad at was herself. She slumped to the ground and started to sob into her hands. She sat there for a few minutes until she could hear her parents talking outside and tried to compose herself. They opened the door and looked at her, She hoped Fitz hadn't said anything, but thought it was too coincidental that they came home shortly after he entered his house. She knew what they were thinking, no one like Brody or the way he treated her. What made it worse was Fitz had made a great impression. She can't think of a time Brody shook her father's hand or brought her flowers. They were probably hoping to hear that Fitz and her had fell madly in love and she would be dumping Brody upon his return.

"So honey where did you and Fitz go? Did you have a good time? I brought your flowers over, you left them there" Maya asked, Olivia knew she was just trying to help but she really didn't want to have to get into it tonight.

"He didn't say anything?" Olivia was sure Fitz would've filled them all in. "We went out to the clearing… the spot where you can see the stars so well….and he… he kissed me…" Olivia said softly, embarrassed that she had let it get this far." And I kissed him back."

"Oh well those California boys can be forward," Maya replied, Olivia could see the smile forming on her parent's faces

"I like him, he's polite, he has a good head on his shoulders and is a great athlete, plus he had flowers for my baby," her dad walked over and kissed the top of her head then continued. "He comes from a good mother, she and Edward wouldn't allow him to be disrespectful.. Besides, a guy has to take a risk and he did not know that you have a boyfriend," Her father responded, winking at Maya as he walked over towards her. "How do you think I got your mother to fall madly in love with me?" he said with a devilish grin, kissing Olivia on the top of the head then walking up the steps.

"So what does this mean with Brody? They are already going to be rivals and this won't make it any easier" Maya asked inquisitively, trying to hide her obviously excitement.

"I realize this...I don't know, I can't just break up with him because I have a crush on Fitz…."

"Livy, you are young, you can do whatever you want, you don't even have to date either of them if you don't want to.

"I'm really tired I think I'm just going upstairs," Olivia responded knowing she had to get out of there before she was forced to answer more questions.

She hugged her mom and told her goodnight.

"Don't be afraid of him Liv, sometimes unexpected things happen that don't fit our plans," her mother whispered in her ear.

Her mother smiled and sent a message to Michelle. They knew it might take some time, but Olivia had a good head on her shoulders and would ultimately make the best decision.

When she got to her room she finally pulled out her phone, she had five messages, two from Brody, two from Abby and a new one from Fitz.

She opened Fitz first "I had a great time with you today… I'm not giving up on you so easy and I don't think you want me to. Goodnight -Fitz"

His message made her both mad, but also gave her butterflies. How can someone make her feel so conflicted? He place a kissing emoji and the smiley with hearts after his name, which she had to admit was cute. Then she read Brody's messages which asked where she was and followed by telling her he wasn't waiting for an answer and would see her on Sunday. That was so typical of him, she sure was Sunday will just be great especially now. Comparing the tone of those two messages should've have made it obvious to her, but she was just so scared of change. She wanted Fitz to fight for her, and part of her wanted to fight for him also.

"Fitz, I like you too, I'm just not good at change. I don't know what to do." She hit send.

Then she figured she'd just call Abby rather than try to explain through messages.

Abby picked up on the first ring.

"Where were you miss? Did you already hook up with Mr. Sexy Abs?"

"Abby stop!"

"OMG you did, you tramp! How was it, I bet it was amazing, look at you, I leave you alone for two days and you go girls gone wild!

"Abby! You're not funny! No I didn't have sex with him….but we did kiss, and it was getting heated, until my phone went off."

"Oh that's a total cockblock, you probably gave the guy blue balls!" She could not believe how brash her friend could be sometimes. She did have a way with words and tonight Olivia appreciated her sense of humor.

"Abby, what am I going to do?" She knew her best friend would have the advice she needed, she could feel the tears coming again.

Abby became serious. "Liv, please don't cry, but you need to follow your heart, if you truly have feelings for Fitz, you need to end things with Brody and explore those feelings. I'll be home in a few days, and help you figure it out, don't do anything too crazy until then."

"Fitz said he had two days to still win me over, what am I going to do, he's not going to ignore me, he's my neighbor and Jackson loves him," she paused gathering her thoughts. "Then there's Brody, I cheated on him, I feel like I need to tell him."

"Olivia do you really want to start World War III, on the first day of football practice? Like I said don't do anything drastic, if Fitz is around hang out with him, maybe it'll help sort out your feelings, but please keep your hands and lips to yourself!" Abby tried to lighten the mood with her last comment.

"Abby this is all your fault you know! You told me to hang out with him!"

Her best friend chuckled, "You know I am just looking out for you, kissing another guy while you're in high school isn't a bad thing Olivia. You don't need to only have one man all your life, It's not like you're married."

She sighed, knowing her friend was right. She always felt she had to have superior morals and be an example as the Principal's daughter. But it was deeper than that, the need to be perfect was a priority. It had been a problems since she was little. While Jackson was a free spirit and a wild child, Olivia would have a tantrum when things were not perfect. Now, as a young adult she would feel disappointed when she didn't live up to these expectations. She was worried about letting herself and my parents down. Thankfully Abby was there to bring her back to reality, and make her realize she is not perfect. She was only seventeen after all.

"Thanks Abs, you're the best friend a girl could have, you know that?"

"Of course, now go dream about those sexy kisses and I'll talk to you tomorrow!"

She was tired after the drama of the last hour, so she washed her face, and changed into her pajama shorts and top. She saw the light was on in Fitz room, and was wondering what he was doing. She looked out to see him standing in only his boxers running his hands through his hair as he walked around his room. She quickly shut her curtains before he could see her, fearful of being spotted. He was so good looking, but it was more than that, she felt he'd always protect her and would be open about his feelings. Plus, he was an amazing kisser. She sighed, her life had always followed a plan and she abided by the rules, but Fitzgerald Grant the third may be the downfall of all of that.

Fitz' House

Fitz walked in the door still smiling to himself as he texted Jackson. He looked up to see four sets of eyes on him. He smiled as he walked into the room.

"Was anyone planning on telling me Olivia had a boyfriend, or was it better to let me make a fool of myself?" Fitz asked, as the parents all looked from Fitz to each other.

Her parents let out a sigh, "We better head home, thank you again for having us for dinner," Maya said as she stood up.

Eli approached Fitz "I'm sorry no one told you, but son, that was Olivia's story to tell, and no one had the right to tell you before she was ready. Actually, I think we were all hoping she would dump him before she had to tell you" He smiled at Fitz, then continued. "But believe me, I've never seen my little girl look at a boy the way she looked at you tonight. She may have a boyfriend for now, but if I was a betting man, I'd bet on you, " he patted Fitz' shoulder and followed his wife out the door.

"Fitz, we agree with Eli, it wasn't right for any of us to tell you, she needed to do that herself. We are sorry for whatever happened," Edward reiterated.

"Fitz honey what happened, are you ok?" his mother asked, he could tell she was more concern about his feelings than anything else.

He took a seat on the couch and explained his story "Well, I opened up to her, she's so easy to talk to and we were sitting there looking at the stars, it just felt so easy to talk to her about everything. I explained why I didn't live here to begin with, why I stopped coming to visit and how I ended up back here. The way she listened without judgement and tried to comfort me, I've never felt that before….. then I kissed her. That's when she stopped me and told me she had a boyfriend, no better time to drop that bombshell huh? " he chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair.

The adults just looked at each other, not sure how to handle this new information. His mother walked over and gave him a hug. He smiled at her and listened as Edward continued.

"Fitz, no one likes her boyfriend, I'm sure any advice anyone is going to give her is to leave him and give you a chance," Edward informed him.

"Well that's good, because I don't plan on giving up on her easily," Fitz smiled. His phone then started to ring.

"This is Jackson, I'm gonna go talk to him and hear what advice he has."

They both told him goodnight as he walked up stairs.

His parents looked at each other and smiled, "This sounds like a familiar story doesn't it?" Michelle smiled and leaned into her husband.

He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head "Very familiar, I hope they can figure it out sooner than we did."

"What happened? I warned her she should've been up front right away! I'm sorry I couldn't fill you in before, but believe me when I say the guy is a real douchebag!"

"So I've heard. I can't tell if she is really mad at me, or was just throwing shade as a defense mechanism. Hold on she's texting me back," he smiled and looked at the message "well she likes me too."

"No way man, you're way better for her and I need to look out for my sister and new friend! Look, I gotta drop Marissa off, then I'll be over, will your parents be cool with me coming over so late and staying? I'm sure mine won't care especially if has to do with hooking you and Olivia up. I'll shoot them a text and see ya in a lil bit."

"That's fine, I'll unlock the door for you."

Fitz decided he needed to change. As he was unbutton his shirt, he thought back to Olivia unbuttoning the same shirt only an hour ago. He laid back on his bed only in his boxers and closed his eyes. Two days ago he was miserable and hated being here, but once he met the Pope family, especially their daughter that quickly changed. There had to be a way to show her who was the better man. He knew there was an undeniable connection, he knew she felt it too. He knew he'd do whatever it would take to make her his. She was genuine and really listened when he talked. She was something special and he didn't care to meet another girl in his life after that.

He touched his lips and thought back to that kiss. Her big brown doe eyes looking at him and those soft pouty lips, he knew she felt the electricity too. But it was more than that, there had always been beautiful girls throwing themselves at him, so I knew I could have a pretty girl, but it was the way she made him feel when he was with her. He could trust Olivia, he knew he could open his heart to her and share things he'd never shared with anyone. It was a piece of his life he was missing, she was the puzzle piece he needed.

His phone rang signifying Jackson was there. He hung up with him and ran a hand through his hair looking at Olivia's window as he did. He swore he saw her there looking back at him. He laughed to himself and threw on a pair of nike shorts and a t-shirt to go meet his friend.

Jackson came in and smacked his new friend on the back.

"Sorry again man, I hate that it had to happen this way….but I think I have a plan, we just need to show Olivia what how much of a better person you are and what life would be like with you. But we do need to be careful not to push her too much. My sister is one of the most stubborn people in the world, after my mother that is. She gets it honestly and she feels cornered or pressured, she will not respond well."

"How are we going to show her this without making her mad or me getting into a fight with her boyfriend? I'm not going to respond well if I see him mistreating her, I have a bad temper."

"It won't be hard, just hang out with me and you'll be around her, he's never treated her bad in front of us, but I have heard cry in her room and he blows her off a lot. Show her you'd put her first and won't blow her off for parties, friends or football. That will be the first way, but the knockout punch is we have to catch him in a lie. Liv's best friend Abby will be able to help us with that, she'll be back on Friday and throw her typical end of summer beginning of a new year bash. It's the last Friday before most of last years graduates leave for college and before we start our school year. We'll talk to her you'll need to celebrate after the first scrimmage when you show up Brody."

"You're a smart man Jackson."

"Man, I know this! Well looks like I am staying here tonight so we can work on our plan, but i'm starving, do you guys have leftovers? How about an x-box I can kick your butt on College Gameday? I've made a version of myself."

Fitz rolled his eyes as they headed downstairs to the kitchen to grab food and drinks to take to the living room in the basement where the x-box was set up.