Chapter 6

Amanda didn't think things were going well. Olivia was making Amanda a plate, "Sit down, so I can feed you." Amanda sat down and wondered why Olivia was being so nice. It was like she really cared, but Amanda was having a hard time processing it, because Kim was the only person who ever cared about her. Olivia put a plate in front of Amanda, "It's pepper steak stir fry over jasmine rice. I hope you like it. What would you like to drink? Tea, soda, or water?" Amanda answered, "Tea is fine. Thank you."

While Olivia fixed the drinks, "Sergeant Benson…" she set the drinks down and sat in her seat, "Please call me Liv. All my friends do." Amanda thought that's exactly how it started with Dr. Stone, before he tried to take advantage of her. "Liv, please don't tell on me. I need the job at the bar." Olivia pointed to the plate, "Eat while we talk."

They were both eating, "Amanda, you aren't 21 and you lied to him. If he gets caught, they will take his license and bar. Is that fair to him." Amanda just shook her head no. "Why is the bar so important? And don't give me the excuse it's the tip money, lots of places can serve the same purpose. So what's the real reason?"

Amanda's cover was blown, "I need money for school. At the bar I make side bets on sports. And after my freshman year, I'm going to need an apartment. I tried to do it the right way. I looked into being a dorm manager and even went to my asshole professor for tutoring, but he was too busy feeling my ass." Olivia knew everything, because Kim filled her in. She wanted to see if Amanda was going to be honest. She needed to get through to her and find out who this professor was. "Amanda, I can't let you work at the bar. When you turn 21 and if you still want to do that, fine but not now."

Amanda was pissed, "At 21 I will be done with school and won't need it." Olivia smiled, "If you let me help you through this, you won't need it now." Amanda stood up pacing, "Help me! How the hell are you supposed to help me." Amanda stormed off and headed for the door. Olivia stood up, followed her, and stopped her from leaving. "Amanda, calm down. Let me help you." Amanda rolled her eyes and she started kissing Olivia on the lips. Olivia was completely shocked.

Olivia pushed her away, "Hey what are you doing?" Amanda was crying, "You want to help me, so you want something right. You date girls. So I figured I could just give you something in return. No one wants to just help me." Olivia sighed, "One, I don't want that or anything from you. I only want to help you and be your friend. Two, who taught you that you have to give your body away in exchange for help."

Olivia didn't know how she would react, but she reached out and hugged her and Amanda cried, "No one has ever just helped me." She explained that she tried to get the tutoring job and what Dr. Stone did. "I think he's messing with other students and one of my friends in particular."

Amanda hugged Olivia back. She felt odd, but she trusted her just as much as Kim. It felt right. "Hey, let's sit back down, eat, and talk." They walked back to the table and finished dinner. Olivia explained what type of police officer she was and promised to help with the professor. "Fin and I are on it ok. So that will take one thing off of your mind."

Olivia knew the fight was coming. "As for money, let me help you." Amanda shook her head, "So you're just going to give me money? That doesn't even make sense. You don't even know me." Olivia smiled, "You're right, I don't know you. I would like to get to know and help you. My mother was a professor at Hudson and I went to Hudson. I have some connections there. So, I'm going to first make a call for the tutoring position and this asshole professor."

Olivia winked, "Eat your dinner and let me make this phone call." Olivia stood up and patted Amanda's blonde hair. Amanda felt like she really cared, it was weird, but a good feeling. "Dean Barba, how are you doing?" Amanda could hear half of the conversation. She told him everything that Amanda said and that an investigation would open tomorrow. She planned to have a police officer meet him as a student and wear a wire. "That's great Dean Barba! Her name is Amanda Rollins." Amanda smiled when she heard about the tutoring job. "Perfect, I will tell her to come and see you. My partner and I will meet you first thing as well. I appreciate the time." Olivia looked over to make sure Amanda was eating. "I have one more call. Keep eating." Olivia called Fin and Captain Cragen to inform them of the situation.

Olivia sat back down. "How do you feel now? Do you trust me a little bit at least?" Amanda looked at the empty plate, "Yeah. Dinner was good." Olivia smiled, "I'm glad you liked it, because you get to do the dishes." Amanda cleaned the kitchen and Olivia put leftovers in a container. "Here, you have a refrigerator and microwave in your room right?" Amanda shook her head, "Yeah, well my roommate does. She called you, didn't she?" Olivia wasn't going to tell on Kim. "I'm not dumb Liv. Your apartment is way over here. I'm supposed to believe you and Fin just walked in the bar I work at across town." Olivia laughed, "Don't get mad at her." Amanda promised, "I won't, if she trusts you, so will I."

Olivia was happy, "That's good to hear. Look, we don't know each other, but I would like to. So, once a week we will have a family dinner. You, me, Kim, and anyone else you want to invite, with my friends who are my family. I need a number to fix enough food though." Amanda smiled, "I like the sound of that. Can I use the bathroom." Olivia pointed sure, "My room is straight back or the guest room is on the right. They both have bathrooms."

Amanda was dying to check out Olivia's room. She couldn't resist. Olivia's room matched her and her bathroom was amazing. It smelled just like her. She peeked in the guest room on the way back. "You have a nice place." Olivia smiled, "Thanks." Amanda looked like she wanted to ask something, "What is it Amanda? Spit it out. If we're going to be friends, you can't be afraid to talk to me."

Amanda took a chance. "I only have Kim. I mean I'm making friends, but mostly just school stuff. Kim has a serious boyfriend and sometimes, especially on the weekends, I'm alone. Would you mind a guest in the guest room?" Olivia smiled, "Are you asking to stay with me already?" Amanda turned bright red, "I don't...I shouldn't have…" Olivia smiled, "I would love a guest, especially if it's you. Come on grab your food and let me get you home."

They walked into the garage and Olivia walked over to a black '65 Mustang. "Holy shit Liv, you drive this?" Olivia rolled her eyes, "We really need to work on your mouth. Most of the time I drive my police vehicle." Olivia drove her to school. "I'll probably see you tomorrow. Fin and I will be around. Give me your phone." Olivia put her number in Amanda's phone as a favorite. "There, I'm one of your favorites now." Amanda reached in the cup holder and grabbed her phone, "Same." Amanda grabbed the food and climbed out of the car. "I'll see you. Thanks Liv."

Kim was in the room on edge waiting for Amanda. When she saw the door open and the smile on Amanda's face, she knew it was good. "Kim, I know you set that up. She didn't tell, but you know I'm not dumb." Kim hugged her, "I love you and thought it was all out of control. I trust her." Amanda smiled, "Thanks Kim. I trust her too." She told Kim what happened. "Wow Amanda, maybe things are turning around."

Amanda called Michael and told him the truth. "I'm sorry. I had no idea you could get in so much trouble." He couldn't stay mad, "You're one hustler kid. Take care of yourself." She fell back on her pillow. "This food is good Amanda." Amanda yelled, "Hey, save me some. She said we would have dinner once a week and I can bring whoever I want." Kim explained she was coming. Amanda looked at her favorites and saw "Liv". She sent a text.

Amanda:Hey leftovers are already almost gone. Kim is a thief. Come arrest her.

Liv: LOL! Tell her hands off. I made it for my friend.

Amanda: Oh I will. I have a question, but I was too scared to ask you face to face.

Liv: Don't be scared, shoot kid.

Amanda: Kid??? Wow, never mind

Liv: :( I'm sorry. Ask Amanda.

Amanda: Did you like the kiss?

Liv: Honestly I didn't get to enjoy it because I was sad for the reason you kissed me.

Amanda: Oh

Liv: But if you ever want to kiss me for another reason. I'm willing to try it. Go to bed, we have a busy day tomorrow.

Amanda: Night Liv ;)

Liv: Goodnight Amanda 3

Amanda smiled, "She sent me a heart."