Chapter One
"Just a cloud away"
North Philadelphia, January 19, 2007
The bright sun beat through the sheer linen lining the floor-length windows in her sister's bedroom. Olivia flips over to shield her eyes from the harsh rays and instead meets with the haphazard pile of clothes planted in the middle of the room. She sighs, deciding to get out of bed to collect herself. The shuffling outside of her door told her exactly where her family was this morning, three beats on the door, and fast steps thundered down the hall jumping off the last three stairs with a loud thud that had her mother raising her voice from the kitchen. If these weren't the shenanigans every morning Olivia wouldn't know how to act.
Her mother's voice bounced off the wall the moment Olivia opened the door. "Livia, get your butt down here before your daddy comes up there." She took another look at the pile of haves and have-nots and decided to leave until after breakfast. A small smile spreads across her face as she makes her way down to the kitchen where her mother and brother waltz around the kitchen, singing a duet with the spatula she's using to fry eggs. Corey, her little brother, swipes a slice of bacon off her plate and she frowns.
Maya spun around. "Good morning, baby"
"Good morning, Mama" Olivia pulled up a chair to the island and sat down.
"I don't get a good morning?" Corey says
"Mama did you hear something, I think-I think it might be the wind again." Corey licked out his tongue in response and Olivia flipped the nine-year-old the middle finger.
"Oh come on now y'all are too old for that mess. Livia, you can't act like that when you're away at school. And Corey, leave your sister alone, you won't see each other for a while." Maya says.
"Where's daddy?" She asks
"He's working on Lucy" Maya rolls her eyes as she shovels eggs onto Olivia's and Corey's plates.
Both her kids laugh, and Maya licks her tongue out at them.
"Oooh Weee" Eli, Olivia's father howls as he enters the kitchen. "It's cold as hell out there. I hope you packed more jackets than you did those little crop-y top things you like to wear" He says, kissing his wife's cheek and then Olivia's. And lastly ruffling his son's locs.
"Ugh come on daddy, you're covered in car grease." Olivia swipes her shoulder across her face to get the blackened oil off her cheek.
"I like it, he smells like a man is supposed to." Maya cackles while fixing a plate for Eli.
"Yes, I packed jackets, and because of that I can't fit half of my good clothes now."
"It's for the best," Eli smiles.
"yeah, it's for the best" Corey mimicked their father, down to the food flying out of his mouth as he chewed. Earning a glare and shoulder check from his sister.
"You wanna take one of my suitcases, Livia?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm trying not to pack so much on vacation and one less suitcase seems like a good place to start. You can have the purple one, it's in my closet"
"Thanks, Mama." Olivia was out of her seat in the blink of an eye ready to rush upstairs and pack up the pile.
"Finish your breakfast first," Eli says
XXXXXXX
"You okay, baby?" Her mother asked as she inched further into her daughter's room, peeking over her shoulder until she could see what had Olivia stuck. She was holding a black picture frame, tear drops beaded the glass, sniffling. It was Olivia hanging off her sister's shoulder at their tenth birthday party. Wearing the biggest smile and September's matching. Their mother snapped that photo. Olivia wiped the tears off the photo and slipped it into the front pocket of her suitcase.
"I can't believe I'm actually going off to college without her."
Maya sat on the edge of Olivia's bed patting the empty spot. "Oh come here, baby…You can go anywhere in the world and she'll always be there, cheering you on from her cloudy home. I miss her too." She sighs "When I was in labor for thirty-two hours I imagined every milestone and if god himself told me that I would only have 18 years with her I would have called him a liar. I still can't believe it myself sometimes, but I try not to think of it like that."
"It's hard. I wish she were here, and now I'm going to our dream school without her. It doesn't feel right."
"She wouldn't want it any other way, I promise, baby."
"I know."
"Your dad and I have something for you. It's for emergencies so don't abuse it." Maya says "I'm just saying it as a warning, but you've always been my responsible one, but I also don't want you to get up in New Jersey and lose your mind. You hear?"
"Yes, mama. So this was your idea and not daddies?"
"It was mine but it came out of his pockets." Maya chuckles "Now finish this so we can get on the road." When she stepped into the hall, she turned and her gaze touched every inch of September's room.
Dr. Crystal didn't think it was odd for Olivia to sleep in September's room, she diagnosed it as grieving. And Olivia would be mourning for the rest of her life so her parents didn't push her to go back to her room even though the girls hadn't shared a room since they were fourteen.
"Visit as much as you can, Livia okay." her mother says. "And don't forget your glasses" She picked up the case off the dresser and handed it to Olivia.
"I will mama."
Santa Barbara Ranch, January 2007
A cloud of steam followed Fitz out of the bathroom, he had one towel wrapped around his waist and his hand patting his damp curls. A frown creased his brows when looked up and saw Mellie had emptied his suitcase. "Mellie what are you doing, I have a flight to catch in two hours," Fitz says.
"I know, but I don't want you to leave," Mellie whined, scooting down the bed she grabbed his hand and tried to pull him back on the bed. "We can have some more fun." But he pulled out of her grasp, chuckling at the dramatic way she flopped backward on the mattress.
"I know and I don't wanna go either but you know how important school is to me. And you're working on your bachelor's, I would think you'd want to get back so we can graduate at the same time." Fitz rolled a pair of pants in a ball and threw them in the suitcase. Mellie frowned at how much of a slob he was being. She started taking out the ill-folded clothes and refolding them.
"You know Luna could have saved you the time and she would have done it neater," Mellie says
"I don't wanna miss my flight, Mel, and her name is Laura." Her nimble fingers fussed at his collar. Swatting them away. "I look fine," Fitz says. Which she ignored and went right for his curls with her licked wet palm.
"You'll look better after I'm done"
"Mellie, stop worrying about me and get dressed." He pointed to the closet. If she didn't get dressed now he would miss his flight. Which he suspected was what she wanted. After three weeks of winter break with her in his hometown, she didn't want to let him go.
"I won't get to do this when you're across the country, let me have some fun." Mellie giggled and kept messing with his curls.
"After I graduate you'll have me all to yourself." Fitz pecked her lips and went to the other side of the room.
"You aren't actually gonna make me wait that long? That doesn't seem fair and you know how my mom is, she isn't going to wait that long to see her daughter happily married."
"We've only been engaged a week, let's give it time to marinate. Plus your mom probably has a huge guest list. Mel…" He crossed the room, laying his palm against her cheek. "We aren't in a rush. I love you, okay."
"I love you too, it's just I've waited so long for our moment. I'm just excited."
"I know," Fitz says and Mellie presses a long kiss to his lips, tasting the cool mint on his breath. "It's one year, okay and I know you'll come to visit me in spring."
Mellie lifted her face, flaunting her kitten eyes. "Okay"
January 20, 2007, Langley Hall, Princeton University
Olivia slapped her thighs and sighed at her father. He's had that cam recorder in her face since they'd left Philadelphia. Acting like this would be the last time he'd ever see her again. "Dad, I'm folding jeans not making NASA codes. You can put the camera down" Olivia says.
"Hush, girl. One day these videos will be like gold to you. Looking back on your first day in college- You'll thank me for having this" Eli says, but he closes the screen and tucks the device away.
"Or she'll be mortified that she wore those jeans" Corey launches the purple pillow at her head, and falls back laughing at the way it smacked her upside the head.
"Get off my bed!" Olivia hurls the pillow back but he dodges it. "Dad!"
The Pope family arrived nearly three hours ago and Olivia was ready to send them on their way again. How was she supposed to begin adult life with her mom and dad hovering over her? And not to mention her annoying brother. Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Get down from there Corey Elijah Pope," Maya says. "Baby, we're gonna eat before the drive home, do you want to eat out with us before we go?"
"um, I'll eat from the dining hall"
"Come on, Maya, she really wants to get rid of us,'' Eli says, in good fun.
"Not before I get my hug, come here baby" Olivia wraps her mother in a bear hug, inhaling the sweetness of her shampoo. A comforting scent that she would miss at night while she was away. There would be no climbing into bed with her mom when she's sick, not for a while at least. Little arms wrapped around Olivia's waist and her brother whispered "I love you" her father joined in on the family hug.
"I love you guys," Olivia says.
XXXXX
It was pitch dark outside by the time her roommate finally stumbled into their dorm giggling loud enough for the entire first floor to hear her. Olivia suspected she was drunk or high, maybe both. She had dark black roots and bright red tips flowing down her shoulders, she was short, even shorter than Olivia who stood at 5'4.
"Hi, I'm Olivia" She extended her hand and the girl shook it.
"Kelly. We met last week by the way."
"Yeah, but I wanted to reintroduce myself now that we'll be living together." Olivia says "I left you the right side of the closet."
"Oh don't worry about it, most of my clothes are at my boyfriend's apartment, he lives off campus. So take as much space as you want. Just don't touch my bed. I hate that." Kelly replies.
"You don't have to worry about that." Olivia sat back on her bed, and Kelly laid back on hers typing away on her blackberry. The air turned stiff and awkward. "I like your hair, red looks good on you."
"Thanks." Kelly finally sat up and unglued the phone from her eyes. "What's your major?"
"History and minoring in African American studies," Olivia says, beaming. This was the full experience she was looking forward to. Becoming besties with her roommate, going to class, and meeting people outside of her hometown in Philadelphia. "What about you-" Kelly didn't hear her over the ringing of her cell phone.
"Hey, I gotta go, my boyfriend is waiting for me. But nice meeting you." Kelly was one foot out of the door before she turned back "I don't mind you bringing guys in, but faculty doesn't allow them in Langley hall so be sneaky." She winked.
"I don't have a boyfriend actually," Olivia said to herself because Kelly was already outside, probably in her boyfriend's arms.
Olivia pulled out her laptop and started checking her emails. In the meantime, she read the professor's syllabus. Before falling asleep without dinner.
XXXXXX
Olivia quickened her pace as the gray clouds gathered in the sky. Up until now, she hadn't explored the campus, only because she thought it was weird to do it alone. And she wanted to save herself from the awkwardness. But if September were here she wouldn't have to awkwardly explore the campus gasping at what she thought was cool or beautiful, wondering if her peers were laughing at her. Her twin would have happily explored with her but she wasn't here and Olivia would have to get used to that fact. Not that it would be easy but sooner or later she would have to stop looking to her right expecting to see her sister there to guide her. And Even though it wasn't intentional sightseeing, she was just having a hard time finding building M.
Building M was on the far north end of campus tucked away near the library but she found it and was only eight minutes under schedule.
"Sorry, I'm late" Olivia greeted. Why did I say that? Now everyone is looking at me. "Sorry" She directed to her professor.
"Grab a seat and we'll begin," He says.
It was like the class was waiting for Olivia to find a seat to her liking, though she kept walking up rows. She was never this particular but she didn't like being the center of attention, quite the opposite, September was the outgoing one, and everyone heard her before they saw her. Olivia finally took the seat between the redhead and a boy with a blue polo on.
"Hey" The boy leans forward. "Yeah you, what's your name?" He asks.
"Ballard, if you're going to keep talking you can do that in the hallway." Douglas projects to the top rows.
"My apologies sir."The redhead turned and smirked at the boy, Olivia wondered if they had a thing for each other.
After class Olivia, and the girl was the last of the lot. Then she looked up and saw a Blue polo shirt walking down from the top row to where she was. "So are you gonna tell me your name? I'm Jake"
"Olivia" She smiled awkwardly. Don't do that "Um nice to meet you, I guess."
"Professor dumb ass can be a stick in the mud, don't take it personally. But he grades harshly so if you ever need a study partner, call me." He grins and slides a folded piece of paper across the desk.
"Thanks" I guess.
Jake walks out with his backpack carelessly thrown over his shoulder. Hoping that Olivia is turned on by his coolness.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything, but are you starting a study group with Jacob Ballard?" The girl asks
"I don't think he intends to study, so probably not. But I didn't want to be rude."
"Well here's my number, I need a study partner, and I'm not just saying that to get in your panties" She laughs, "Abby, by the way."
"I'm Olivia. Do you stay here on campus?"
"No, my parents live in town, so I'd rather stay there where I know I'm not wasting money on a musty dorm. No offense."
"None taken, I wanted to get the full college experience," Olivia says "I transferred from CC so I think living on campus would be a good start into college life."
"You'll get over it, I promise." She rolls her eyes as if to say she knows the experience all too well. "Are you doing anything later?"
"Yeah, I'm hooking up with my sociology books" She laughs, and then it's awkward because Abby doesn't so much as crack a smile she just nods slightly.
"Ok well if you get bored call me there's a party at the frat tonight."
"The frat?" Olivia raises a brow.
"The Alpha Omega frat, they're a bunch of assholes but the good music and booze make up for it."
"um, okay." Olivia isn't sure about going to a college party so she's glad she can use the excuse of studying even though it's her first day and she hasn't been assigned work. She'll end up rereading the syllabus and then watching The Wizard of Oz for the millionth time.
He felt when his shoulder bumped into someone but his eyes didn't look up from his Nokia, he was too busy with whatever texts from his fiance he was reading. Jake bumped him again just to force him to look up, but all he got was "xcuse me, dude" and Fitz kept walking. Jake knew this routine with Fitz, he'd get into these long-winded text chains with Mellie and the world would disappear around him. When Fitz kept walking, Jake ran up behind him and snatched the phone, gaining his attention for once.
"Dude you're so whipped, it's pitiful," Jake says, as he pushes the Nokia into Fitz's chest.
"She's my fiance, I know you think I'm your school boyfriend but you'll just have to learn to share me."
"Out of all the girls, you choose Melody stuck-up no one is good enough for me Hampton. Dude how did I let you sink so low." Jake bursts out laughing and Fitz does too. Because he's heard it all before and Mellie says worse about Jake.
"But you two gotta find some common ground and it isn't me because, after four years of high school and three years of friendship, you still won't wave the white flag. She's my fiance and you're my best friend. So something has to change."
"Yeah, whatever. She started it." They continue down the long hallway. "Oh I met this girl in my history class, she's hot." Jake suddenly says.
"What does she look like?" Fitz asks, raising his eyebrow, he stops at the window looking at the rain pouring. Deciding whether or not he wants to drive during the storm or head back to the lounge area and wait it out.
"She's brown skin, dark brown eyes and she wears her hair long and straight. She reminds me of Angela from your pre-med class. And she has a nice little body-"
Fitz put his hand up, interrupting Jake. "What's her name or were you too busy looking at her… assets, to ask." Fitz eyes his friend, knowing exactly what kind of dog he is.
"It's Olivia, but I can tell she's kind of a goody-two-shoes. Speaking of...that's her right there." Jake pointed out of the water-stained window. Most of the day it was drizzling but the rain was coming down hard with a venges. Olivia quickened her pace because her arms were full of books and it was impossible to hold an umbrella.
"Go out there and help her," Fitz says.
"She's not feeling me yet. Be my wingman, talk to her like you did with Vanessa. She can't stay off me now." He smirks.
Fitz mimes thinking for a moment. "Okay but you have to say a toast at my wedding and don't trash my fiance."
"If you put in a good word for me with Olivia I'll give the best toast and Mellie will love me for it. I'll even take her out to dinner and clear the air the next time she visits."
"Deal" Fitz shook Jake's hand and ran out into the storm.
Her shoulders jumped in a frenzy, almost dropping her books when she looked up to see a strange boy walking beside her. With the wind and rain whipping it was hard to hear anything.
"Hey, I guess you could use this." He said, pulling the small black umbrella from the side pocket of her bookbag and opening the nylon shield above their heads.
"Oh uh, thanks" Olivia shrugged her shoulders lightly, trying not to show her nerves. But she had wondered where this mysterious guy came from.
"You're Olivia right?"
"Yeah." Olivia couldn't fully crane her neck up without her books becoming a victim to the puddle they were crossing. But she caught a slight smile on his face. "Do I know you?"
"No, but my friend is interested in you and he was talking about you."
"The guy from my history course?" I knew he didn't need a study partner. Well, he probably does. That's rude. "Jacob?" Olivia confirmed, ripping herself from the conversation in her head.
"He prefers Jake, but yeah." I see what he's talking about, she's gorgeous. It's her deep brown eyes. The sweetness that he's attracted to.
Don't.
"Okay"
Olivia couldn't have been more relieved to get to her dorm, even if half her books and clothes were soaked. She didn't know how to respond and she felt silly for just saying Okay. But he didn't push. When they arrived at Langley hall, she opened the door with her key card and Fitz held the door.
"Wait, boys aren't allowed in here, but thanks for not letting my books get ruined."
"It's no problem. Here's your umbrella." Fitz starts to close it but she stops him.
"Just keep it, I'll buy a new one. Thanks again."
"Olivia- uh, welcome to Princeton" Fitz says, and it looks like she smiled slightly as she carried on inside. It was too quick to be sure.