Chapter 3: Battle Within
Olivia grabbed a box out of her car and headed towards the doors of the school. During the staff meeting last night she realized she only had one day to set up the classroom how she wanted it to be. As soon as the meeting was over she approached Principal Grant who was gathering up some papers. As soon as he noticed her he stopped what he was doing.
"Um, Principal Grant, I just realized I haven't set up the classroom the way I wanted. Would it be possible for me to come in tomorrow after school is out to do so?"
"Of course! Why don't you come around 3:30. If that works for you."
"That's fine. Will you still be there?" She asked out of curiosity.
He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm only asking because I'll need to know who to go to in case I have any questions."
"Yes, I'll still be there." He said with a smile.
Olivia struggled to grab the door handle and was about to put the box down when the door was opened for her.
"You know if you keep doing this I'm going to grow to expect it. Do you do this for all the new teachers?"
"For about a week in hopes they'll stick around. After a week you'll be on your own."
Olivia laughed. "Well that's good to know."
She headed in the way of the classroom thinking she left him at the door but when she glanced over her shoulder he was right behind her.
Fitz had found himself pacing in front of the school doors waiting for Olivia to arrive.
Oh this is just crazy! I need to just head back into my office and stay put. If she comes to me needing some help then I'll do what I can. Otherwise I need to focus on finishing up my work so I can get home. The janitor already knows not to close up until she leaves. There's really no reason for me to be out here…except I really want to see her. Damnit Fitz!
He looked out of the window and couldn't help the ridiculous grin that appeared on his face when he saw her approaching. Caught up in just looking at her he almost forgot to open the door. It wasn't until he heard her struggling with the door handle that he realized he was there to help her and finally opened the door. He smiled when she asked, "Do you do this for all your new teachers?" He replied with the joke though he knew…
If I could I would open the door for her every morning just to be the first one to see and talk to her.
Wow! I'm turning cheesy.
After their brief chat she wasted no time in heading to the classroom. Fitz found himself following her.
She probably thinks I'm what the kids call a "creeper," but I can't help being drawn to her. Though I'm not putting any real effort into resisting it. Is it wrong to enjoy the warm feeling I get whenever I'm around her?
Oh Fitz you NEED to get this under control. You're married…You're married…YOU ARE MARRIED!
Olivia entered the classroom and put the box on one of the desk before heading back out to grab another one.
Two more trips out to the car then maybe I can shut myself off in this classroom. I don't think I'll be able to get much done with him around. Why does he have to be so damn handsome and nice all the time? Why do I feel like if he touched me right now I'd lose all control? I need to somehow get rid of what I'm feeling. I won't be able to work here if I have to see him everyday and not be able to act on anything. And why would I even want to try? This could all be one sided. I think I'm going CRAZY!
"Olivia…?" She jumped when he called out her name.
"Oh. I was just thinking over what I want to do. I need to get the rest of my stuff though before I can start."
"Let me help you."
Damn.
"Alright. Ok. I just have two more boxes in my car."
When they reached the car Olivia thought she would grab one box and him the other, but he insisted on carrying both.
"Guess I'm going to be holding the door for you now."
"Finally someone's going to return the favor." he said with a laugh.
Though neither talked again until they reached the classroom it was a comfortable silence between them.
"Well, thanks for saving me two trips."
"No problem." He replied before surprising her by sitting on top of one of the student desk.
"You know you don't have to stay with me. I'm pretty sure I can handle setting up this classroom by myself." Olivia said.
"You do know you can call this your classroom and I know I don't have to stay I want to stay. If that's alright with you…"
How can I say no?
Fitz was relieved when Olivia said it was alright for him to stay. For a while he just watched her move about the classroom with ease. He couldn't stop watching her.
I feel like I should at least pretend to have a purpose here other than being a "creeper."
"How can I help you?"
"By not looking at me that way."
Olivia immediately stopped what she was doing.
Oh shit! How could I say that?
"I'm so…" she started but was quickly interrupted.
"How else am I supposed to look at you?" He asked. "Should I look at you as if I don't find you attractive? I could try. I would fail but I could try."
Olivia stood facing away from him…Stunned.
" You know I should head back to my office and get some work done. I have to be heading home soon. I'll see you Monday Ms. Pope."
He didn't even wait for her to reply before he left. Olivia slumped into one of the desk.
Did that really just happen?
On the way home Fitz couldn't believe himself.
I just put myself and definitely her in an awkward situation. That was not professional at all. She could probably slap a lawsuit or something on me for stalking alone. I couldn't help myself. I should've just apologized. Why didn't that come to mind? Instead I admitted out loud to her and myself that I can't help but find her attractive. She knows I find her attractive! Monday may be the first day that I don't want to see Ms. Pope.
When Fitz pulled into the driveway of his house he took a couple minutes to try to clear his head before going inside.
She might completely forget what I said by the time Monday rolls around.
He desperately wanted to believe that. With a loud sigh he exited his car and walked inside.
"Daddy! Guess what?" Jerry practically screamed.
"What? What?"
"All my friends loved my Ninja Turtles shirt! Jeffrey even said it must be a special one because his mom never said his Ninja Turtles were on steroids. That's cool isn't dad?"
Fitz looked over at Mellie and frowned.
"Mellie you do realize that any calls we get from teachers or parents about steroids will be directed your way…"
Jerry mimicked his dad's facial expression. "Is this a bad shirt? Am I going to get in trouble if I wear it again?"
"No, not all at buddy. It's way too cool."
"Good cuz I'm gonna wear it again tomorrow!" With that Jerry rushed off towards his room.
"Way to go Fitz. Now I'm going to have to get up early and fight with him about putting on the type of clothes he should be wearing."
Fitz got up to grab himself a drink. Something he always needed when he was around Mellie.
"He's 7yrs old. Let him wear what he wants to wear. As a child he should not be stressing over what to wear. In fact I hope he never does. As he grows up he'll learn the necessary occasions where a suit and tie are appropriate."
Mellie let out a sarcastic laugh. "Sure I can't wait till he shows up to his graduation wearing jeans with holes in them and a Toy Story t-shirt."
How did I come to marry this woman? I really don't understand how I ended up here. Well if I'm honesty with myself…I do know. If only I could rewind the last 8 or 9yrs. Still have Jerry eventually but with someone completely different. Someone like…
"Olivia!"
Olivia turned around at the bar. "Abby?"
"Yes you remembered! I didn't know you came here. I never remember seeing you before. Of course you usually don't notice people that you're not looking for," Abby paused to think for a second, "though you just moved here not too long ago so that could be another explanation. I don't know but I'm glad to see you!"
This girl can really talk.
"It's nice seeing you too. I've only been here a couple times." Olivia said as she looked around the bar.
"I'm actually here to meet a friend. I pointed him out to you yesterday but I introduced you to so many people you might not remember him. His name is Harrison Wright and he's the 10th grade Speech teacher."
Olivia actually did remember Harrison out of everyone she met. He seemed the complete opposite of Abby. He came off as very cool, relaxed, and calm.
"Here he is! HARRISON OVER HERE!" Abby called out. "We usually sit at the same table so he wouldn't know to look for me over here. We're regular Friday-Nighters."
"Hey Abby," He said before noticing Olivia, "Oh you're the new English teacher…Olivia Pope right?"
I can already tell he's a smooth talker.
"Yes that's me. Nice to see you again." She said as she extended her hand.
Harrison gently shook her hand. "Would you like to join us?"
After the shocker earlier I need to relax and take a time-out from everything and everyone. But I don't want to come off as rude or antisocial. In fact these two could possibly turn out to be really good friends.
"Sure."
"Did you get your classroom all situated?" Abby asked once they were all seated and had their drinks.
"Yep. Took a couple hours but I got it done."
Despite the presence of a certain Principle.
"Good. I know we just met yesterday but I already feel like we're going to become good friends. You know how you can just feel things when around certain people? You just know like 'hey I feel a really good connection with this person we might just get along'."
Oh Abby you have no idea…
"What's that look on your face?" Abby asked. Olivia looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Harrison look at her face!"
"Oh yeah," Harrison said and acted as if he was inspecting Olivia, "you got that 'I know that all too well' look."
Olivia let out a nervous laugh.
"It led to trouble didn't it." Abby stated more than asked.
It just might…
Fitz tossed and turned in bed. He couldn't relax his mind or his body.
"Damnit Fitz! Go take a sleeping pill or sleep in the guest room if you're going to toss and turn like this all night!" Said an extremely annoyed Mellie.
"Gladly." He replied.
He wasted no time leaving Mellie alone in the bedroom.
I should stay in the guest room every night. He thought though he knew Mellie had nothing to do with his trouble sleeping and sleeping in the guest room wasn't going to solve the problem either.
Maybe a little T.V. will help take my mind off of today.
He flipped through every channel several times before shutting the T.V. and throwing the remote down in frustration.
One woman. One…Woman…is taking over my mind. One woman with beautiful big brown eyes, dark black hair that skims the top of her shoulders, the fullest most delicious lips I've ever seen, and hips that move to with a perfect rhythm.
I feel like I have to have her. I want to…need to get to know her. It's just like those T.V. shows where the devil is on one shoulder and the angel is on the other. I have a battle going on inside and I think I know which side is going to win out.
Right or Wrong if Olivia gives me a chance…I don't think I'll be able to say no.