A/N: I didn't want to wait to post this chapter. Just a tiny look into their law school days. I hope you enjoy and feel free to review.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from ABC's Scandal or anyone/anything else.
I casually strolled through the Yale library one warm March afternoon, knowing she would be in there. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after class, she was here looking for books needed to help build her cases for in class and her internship.
It was a Tuesday, and that meant she would be on the second floor in the science section. She was working on an environmental case for the company she was doing her internship at, and she wanted to prove her skills. I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that a first year already had an internship, but I knew she was full of surprises.
I took a seat at one of the desks near the ecology books and pulled a book off a nearby shelf, pretending to read it when I saw her walk in.
Right on time, I thought as I looked at my watch - 2:15 p.m. I only looked out the corner of my eye, pretending to read this incredibly boring book about plant ecosystems and federal laws against harming them. I saw her grab a book off the shelf and scan through some more when I decided to get up. I walked back to where I got my book, and looked where to put it back when she spoke.
"You need some help there?" She asked with a smirk, and I tried not to laugh as I put the book back in its correct spot.
"I'm good, but thanks," I said back. "Mellie, right?"
"And you're Fitz, the pretty rich boy whose father is the governor of Texas and drives a Mercedes," she shot back.
"Well you seem to know an awful lot about me, so why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?" I smiled, moving a few steps closer to her. I noticed her pretty navy blue shoes and slimming gray suit, and even her reading glasses on top of her perfectly pulled up brown curls atop her head.
"This is a library, you're supposed to be quiet," she whispered with a smile, walking away and going to the next aisle to find her other book. I followed on her heels and I could feel her eye roll without turning around.
"Then why don't we go somewhere more...social?" I said, looking around and seeing no one nearby. She sighed quietly and grabbed another book off the shelf.
"I don't have time for any games, Fitzgerald. I'm very busy, so whatever you're getting at, please just say it," she said, looking me dead in the eyes. I was putty in her hands after I heard her say my name. It was so sexy the way she said it.
"Would you like to go to dinner tonight?" I asked, my heart beating fast while I waited for her answer. Did I really just ask a first year out to dinner?
"Fine," she said, walking towards the stairs, killing me trying to play hard to get. She went down the stairs and checked out her books, then walked out the front glass door of the library and started down the sidewalk. She walked faster than anyone I knew.
"I'll pick you up at-"
"Seven. You get an hour and a half, two hours max. Helen Hadley, I'll be outside. Casual dress," she said, walking away. I stood there, dumbfounded. She was going to be some work, but I wanted her bad.
I pulled up outside of her dorm, which surprised me. I pegged her as more of the lavish apartment type, but maybe the graduate dorms were that nice. Who knows.
I saw a few girls on the front sidewalk talking and giving me a few looks, then immediately turning their attention to Mellie as she walked down the front steps in dark blue jeans and a nice gray ruffled shirt. Her hair was down, which was unusual, and it was beautiful. I couldn't help but look her over again as she got in the passenger seat and I drove away, giving the group of girls a look, letting them know I would soon be taken.
"You look...beautiful tonight," I said as I drove off campus.
"Thank you," she blushed, and I could tell she was a little uncomfortable. "You look nice too."
I looked down at my khakis and blue striped button down and matching blue tie. I had the sleeves rolled up already and felt overdressed compared to her.
"So where are we going?" She asked, seeming like her thoughts were elsewhere, like she was ready to be done with this date before it even started.
"How about you relax a little and wait and see?" I smiled, wishing she would let loose for a night. I heard she was always studying and rarely went out, so I knew my time tonight with her was precious.
I drove up to this fancy little hole in the wall restaurant I had found in my second year, and I parked near the door. I got out and opened her door, escorting her inside.
"Fitz, this place is amazing," she whispered as we sat down, noticing the interior brick walls and antique dimmed lights. The waitress handed us some menus and I smiled, hoping Mellie was enjoying herself. I looked over the wine menu and noticed her studying the menu carefully.
"Would you like a drink?" I offered, glancing over the menu.
"No thank you, I don't drink," she declined my offer politely and I sighed softly.
"You don't drink or you won't drink?" I jokingly asked. "Come on, at least let me pick you out a nice glass of wine."
"One glass," she smiled, giving me a playful look. "What are you thinking about getting?"
"I was looking at the steak. You?"
"The grilled chicken," she said, putting her menu down.
"With the house sauce and asparagus? It's amazing," I said, seeing the waitress coming back. I ordered two glasses of my favorite wine and ordered for us, then was hoping she would talk a little.
"So, you never told me about yourself," I said, taking a sip of my wine.
"What do you want to know?" She asked sheepishly.
"I don't know, where are you from, what you want to do in life, whatever you want to tell me," I tried to put her at ease. She picked up her glass and tasted the wine, closing her gray eyeshadow covered lids.
"This wine is delicious," she said happily. "It's sweet and smooth. Where did you find out about it?"
"My mom. Whenever we host a party, my dad prefers the hard liquor. My mom always keeps a couple of bottles of this in the house," I laughed. "She's more of a mixed drinks and wine person."
"Smart lady," Mellie smiled. "About me...where should I start?" She sighed.
"I'm from Asheville. My mom is a lawyer, my dad is the CEO of a tech company based there. I majored in business management, minored in nutrition. I drive an Altima, not a Mercedes," she joked. "What else?"
"What's your favorite color?" I asked. I just wanted to know something that simple.
"Purple," she said. "Yours is...blue, I'm guessing."
"You're good," I smiled.
We talked throughout the whole dinner about home, school, friends, you name it. It was one of the best nights of my life. I could tell she was finally loosening up some, which put me at ease.
She was so much different than I imagined. I knew she was a classy, intelligent woman, but I didn't know she was this much fun. She made me laugh countless times and had stories of a few wild parties from undergrad. But I knew behind those blue eyes, there was something else holding part of her back. I just didn't know what it was.
We left shortly after we finished eating and paid, and as soon as I got near campus, she got restless.
"Don't go back. Not yet," she begged. "I just have piles of papers to go over and homework and I'm dreading it," she sighed.
"I could help you with it," I offered.
"Don't you have a job to get to or your own work to do?" She questioned as I drove around the block.
"I work summers at a large firm in Texas. I internship at a local firm here Mondays through Thursdays, and I finished my case right before I picked you up. I don't mind helping you out," I said honestly, but I could tell she wasn't exactly open to the idea. "I know you could find something I could help you do."
"Fine. But you're out of here by midnight, understood?" She gave me a serious look.
"One," I shot back with a grin.
"Twelve thirty," she compromised as I pulled back onto campus and took the last free spot in front of her dorm.
"Deal," I smiled, seeing a few girls from earlier sitting outside again, taking it all in. I left my sunglasses on, not wanting to leave them in the car. I walked around and opened her door for her, then put my arm around her waist as we walked to the door. They kept on looking and I nodded at them.
"Evening, ladies," I smirked, and they were in disbelief that a guy like me would go for Mellie before one of them.
Mellie was a hundred times better than any of them.
We took the elevator to her room on the fourth floor and I followed her down the hall, nervous as she unlocked the wooden door. I was hoping if she had a roommate, she wasn't there right now.
"Thank God," she said under her breath. "She probably won't be back tonight. She usually doesn't tell me where she goes or when she'll come back," Mellie laughed nervously. We walked inside and I looked around the typical dorm room, glad I had my own apartment. I stood by her closet until she sat on the bed and grabbed her books and files.
"Make yourself at home, stranger," she smiled, handing me a notebook to write on. I sat on her bed beside her and propped my feet up, trying to get comfortable to do work. I looked at my watch - 8:47 - and got to work.
She moved closer and closer to me the entire night, and I finally put my arm around her. I could feel that she had finally relaxed, and I wanted to kiss her so badly right then. I wanted to make her mine. But I couldn't rush this and risk pushing her away. She was worth too much for that.
We worked until one thirty and realized what time it was, shocked it was that late.
"How is it already one thirty?" She sighed, sounded upset. "I was so close to being caught up. And I have a class at nine."
"Just finish it first thing tomorrow and I can come back and help with the new stuff," I said, getting up off her bed and putting my shoes on.
"Don't neglect your work just to help me."
"I'm not, I promise. I'll call you before I come over. What's your number?" I asked, opening my flip phone to add her in my contacts.
"Real smooth," she laughed before giving me her number. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course. I had a really nice time tonight, Mellie," I admitted, heading towards the door to leave.
"So did I. Thank you, Fitz. We should do it again sometime," she smiled. "Good night."
"Good night," I said as I left her dorm and headed back to my apartment.
I wondered if it was possible to already be in love after one date.