Chapter 8

Amanda ordered the food and sat down. She wanted to look around, but that was snooping. So, she turned on the TV to not sit in silence. About 40 minutes later she heard knocking that startled her. "Amanda, it's Simon. Your food is here." She opened the door and thanked him. "Wait, who do I pay? I have cash." He looked at the receipt attached to the bag, "It says paid." Amanda shook her head, "Well here!" Amanda handed him 10 dollars. "Sorry we don't take tips." Amanda was annoyed, "Well that's a dumb ass rule." She jammed it in his pocket anyway and closed the door.

She found the plates and forks and was pulling the food out of the bag, when the door opened. Amanda didn't even let her put anything down, before going at her. "Liv, I don't like this. First, you get me that job and scholarships using your connections. Then, you paid my tuition. I'm giving you every cent in my account tomorrow. And when I finally think I get to do something, you paid for fucking dinner." Olivia's eyes shot up hearing the end of the rant and Amanda was beyond frustrated.

Olivia calmly put her stuff down and walked over towards her. Amanda was too mad to be scared. Olivia gently caressed her face. Her thumbs were stroking her cheeks. "Hey, look at me. Calm down, let's eat, and we can talk ok." Amanda instantly felt calm, "Ok Liv." They ate and talked about anything other than the drama of what happened. Amanda smiled now, relaxed and not thinking about the case or money. "You like egg rolls huh?"

Olivia shook her head, seeing she was better. "I do and I don't want this to put you in a mood again, but here." Olivia slid the 10 dollars back. "Simon can't take that and there are cameras in the hall. So he could lose his job." Amanda felt defeated again. "I'm giving it back, because after Chinese, I like dessert. And you're buying." Amanda smiled wide and Olivia knew it was the pride. She realized she couldn't save Amanda with money and she was going to have to tread carefully.

They both cleaned up and walked to get ice cream. They plopped on the couch, "Amanda I'm stuffed!" Amanda agreed, "Can we talk now. I'm calm." Olivia sat up, "Sure, do you want to go first or me?" Amanda pointed at her, "Amanda, I went to see Dean Barba, because he's like a father figure. He and my mom dated. She was a professor at Hudson with him. So I asked him to see if you were able to apply for any other scholarships. Amanda they have tons, plus when he heard about Dr. Stone's unprofessional behavior. He wanted you to have the job. And you did the work. I did pay the rest to give you some money back and a little cushion."

Olivia waited for Amanda to process it all. Amanda sighed, "I'm not used to getting help. I definitely haven't had anyone say they would help me and really mean it. It's weird to me." Olivia held her hand, "Amanda, I get it and I may have pushed a little too much all in one day, but I wanted you to be able to breathe. Enjoy college a little more and not have to do anything illegal to make it. I would love for you not to work at all, but I know I can't ask that of you." Amanda looked at her, "So you're just rich and paying a college kid's tuition." Olivia laughed, "I'm not rich, but I'm very comfortable."

Olivia knew she had to give Amanda something,"When my mom died, she left me insurance and her house, which I sold. So I'm good and I want you to be good too." Amanda was confused, "Why Liv? Why me?" Olivia smiled, "Honestly, you remind me of someone I used to know." Amanda asked, "Who?" Olivia stood up, "Me. Amanda, everything isn't what it seems. Everyone struggles with something. Everyone goes through a hard time."

She walked over to the bookshelf and grabbed the picture of her and her mom. "I kept this picture, because she wasn't happy, but this day, Dean Barba proposed to her and he took this picture." Olivia pointed at the light reflecting off of her mom's finger. "See!" Amanda finally put it together, she had noticed Olivia wore a ring on a necklace.

Amanda looked at the photo, "Something bad happened? I mean you said they dated and he proposed but not married." Olivia didn't talk about her past much, "Amanda, when my mom was a brand new professor, her and Dean Barba were new together. They dated and were in love. One night they had an argument and she left the building without him and he didn't chase her." Olivia giggled a little, "She was a bit of a drama queen, nothing like me."

Amanda smiled at her telling a joke, but as she continued there was nothing funny. "She was attacked and raped, Dean Barba eventually came out and found her. He never forgave himself and she was never the same."

Amanda was shocked, Olivia was so well put together. She felt like it was talking to Kim. She thought everyone's life was better, but Olivia was right, everyone had their own struggles. "I only know all of this because of Dean Barba. She of course ended up pregnant and she kept me, but sometimes I wonder why. She wasn't loving, she didn't seem to care what I did. Dean Barba helped raise me, he never left her side or mine. She drank a lot after that. That's what I remember, my mom being drunk all night. She left a bar the night before my high school graduation and hit a telephone pole. She died instantly."

Amanda put her arm around Olivia, "I'm sorry. I would've never guessed. Why are you telling me this?" Olivia winked, "Because, I want you to understand that I didn't get here today all by myself. My life hasn't been pretty and you haven't told me much, but I'm guessing yours hasn't either. I needed help to make it, so maybe this is my way to pay it forward. I just need you to let me." Amanda smiled, "Ok Liv. I hear you." Olivia hugged her, "Good, let's get you home."