Chapter 7

The next morning Amanda woke up and was in the best mood ever. Kim laughed, "I should have called Liv months ago." Amanda rolled her eyes. "Amanda, is she Dominick's replacement?" Amanda got dressed, "Kim, I'm 18 and I don't know how old she is, but she called me a kid yesterday. So, I'm pretty sure I don't have any chance with her." Kim laughed, "Wow, that's not what I asked but, I have my answer. You like her." Amanda smiled, "Maybe, but I've got to go get a job. See you tonight?" Kim asked, "If you're ok, I'm going to stay with Nick." Amanda waved, "Sure, I'm good. Love ya."

Amanda went to see Dean Barba. She knocked on the door when the secretary told her to head on back. "Come in." Amanda smiled, "Hello Dean Barba! I'm Amanda Rollins." The Dean pulled her file, "You just missed Sergeant Benson, I'm sure you'll see her later. Amanda thought that was a weird comment. They are headed to your building for most of the day. I would like to apologize for what happened to you Miss Rollins. We don't take it lightly." Amanda smiled and felt better. Dean Barba gave her the tutoring job and told her where to report.

Amanda went to the library on the 3rd floor. "Hi Mrs. Stabler. I'm Amanda Rollins, the Dean sent me." She smiled, "Welcome Amanda! I heard you're really good with math among other subjects. We will definitely be able to put you to use. Can I see your schedule?" Amanda handed her the schedule and she set a time. "Ok how about you help me open at 8:00 and work until 10:00. Then you can head to your classes, come back around 2:00 and help me close at 4:00." Amanda smiled, "That would be great. Thank you so much and yes I can help with any subject."

Amanda jumped right in to help. While helping someone with their math, Gillian walked in. "Amanda! Hey, you work here?" Amanda shook her head, "Yep, just started. You've been coming here?" Gillian shook her head, "No, but I will now. You can help me with my math." Gillian looked around, "I'm here for him." She pointed to a cute guy wearing a football jersey. "That's my boyfriend Brian. He plays football for Hudson." They all walked to the buildings. When they got to Dr. Stone's class, they saw a sign, "Class canceled."

When they turned they saw the Dean, two police officers, and a handcuffed Dr. Stone walking from the offices. Dr. Carmichael was crying. Gillian tapped Amanda, "What's going on?" Amanda saw Liv and Fin walking with Dr. Carmichael and a younger girl. Amanda said, "Maybe he was messing with other girls. Gillian, he touched me, but did he do anything to you?" Gillian started to cry. "It's my fault Amanda. I was failing and I needed help." Amanda hugged her, "It's not your fault. It's ok." Liv saw it, but couldn't hear what was going on.

Her and Amanda made eye contact and Amanda waved her over. "Hey Amanda." Gillian looked up, "Hi Sergeant Benson." Amanda winked, keeping their friendship a secret. "Gillian, this is Sergeant Benson. She helped me when Dr. Stone hurt me." Olivia took Gillian and they left. Amanda headed back to work. On the way she got a text.

Liv: Did you get the job?

Amanda: Yeah, thanks to you.

Liv: I'm glad. You deserve some good. Well this case has me busy. Call you later. ;)

Amanda worked and helped anyone that came in. Mrs. Stabler was impressed. "You're a hard worker and you're smart." Amanda smiled, "Thanks for the opportunity. I really need the money. Truth is, I'm just getting by. I have some scholarships, but they aren't enough. Then with books, housing, and food. It's been a struggle." Mrs. Stabler sat down and pulled up her information. "Let me see your ID, maybe I can help. I pull double duty in this office. I am also in administration. I'll see if we can give you anything else."

Mrs. Stabler scanned her card and smiled, "Wow, you must have impressed Dean Barba." She turned the screen so Amanda could see her information. "You'll be getting a check back from the 1st semester and your 2nd is covered. Keep up your straight A's. He found some scholarships for you. See they were applied today." Mrs. Stabler pointed to the date and the zero balance, plus refund amount. Amanda was good with math, "Wait, why the refund? Even with the Dean's scholarships. It doesn't add up." Mrs. Stabler pointed, "Someone paid it. See the check for 3,500. It gives you money back." Amanda shook her head and knew exactly who did it.

Amanda and Mrs. Stabler closed and locked the tutoring lab. "Here these are for you. Guard them with your life. The room is full of expensive equipment. Please always be on time in the morning and call me if you can't make it or you are sick as soon as you can." Amanda was nervously holding the keys. "Hey, don't worry so much. I have a great feeling about you. The keys are just to help me out. Sometimes I may need you to open and close." Amanda liked Mrs. Stabler, "I've got it! See you tomorrow."

Amanda started for the dorm, but changed her mind and headed towards Liv's apartment. She walked and the same man greeted her. "Hi Amanda!" She smiled, "You remember my name. Yeah! Ms. Benson isn't home from work yet though." Amanda felt silly coming all the way over here. Olivia was busy and she probably shouldn't just pop in without asking. "Right, I'm silly. She's a cop, I should have called her. See ya."

Before she could leave, he called out, "Hold on!" He picked up the phone, "Yes, Ms. Benson everything is fine. Amanda is here, should I let her up?" Amanda was in shock, "Oh no, don't." He hung up the phone, "Come on, follow me." They walked into the elevator, "I didn't mean for you to call her. She's busy, you know. It's my fault for not calling her. You know my name, what's yours?" He smiled, "I'm Simon and it's fine. You're on the list, so I didn't have to call, but she should give you a key to make it easier."

Amanda heard him say that yesterday, "What's the list?" He walked towards her place, "Every tenant has a list of people who can come up whenever, without being called. They can have 5 people on the list." He opened Liv's door, "There you go. She said she would call you. Bye." Amanda waved, "Bye Simon." Amanda closed the door and looked around. "Well, this is weird." She was coming out of her shell, Amanda would have never done something like this or talked to Simon before Olivia.

Her phone rang and she saw it was FaceTime. "Hey, are you ok?" Amanda was so embarrassed, "I'm so sorry and embarrassed. I got out of work and Kim was with Nick and I wanted to ask you why you paid my bill and I'm rambling. I'm sorry, I should've called." Amanda looked at Olivia smiling. "Are you done?" Amanda shook her head, "It's fine really. It's been crazy since this morning, but I'll be home in an hour. Do me a favor, look on the refrigerator and you'll find a menu for Chinese and order dinner. Get whatever you want and order whatever is circled on the menu for me. They'll bring it up." Amanda walked in the kitchen, "Oh and Amanda?" Amanda looked at her, hearing the serious voice, "Yeah?" Olivia smiled, "Order your own egg rolls because I don't share mine." Olivia winked, "See you soon."