75

Mrs. Zikora continued "You see Frederick and his father were like this" she joined her two forefingers to demonstrate "So my husband passing away really hit him hard, hit 'us' hard" She corrected. "It took some time, but through a lot of counselling and therapy Frederick stopped it. After that we moved abroad for like a year before coming back" She finished with a relived sigh.

"Wow" was all I could mumble out. Couldn't really think of another thing to say.

"it's a lot to take in I know" adjusting herself a little on the bed she spoke "Frederick wouldn't have told you, because he wouldn't have wanted you to feel sorry for him or see him in a completely different light. But do you know the reason why I told you Amanda?"

"No" I whispered.

"I told you because you needed to know Amanda" I wasn't really getting what she meant but I continued listening intensely. "We both know I'm not going to be around much longer, and I need someone to be there for Frederick when that time comes. And that someone Amanda is you"

"But..." I wanted to counter her statement but was stopped.

"That time 'will' come Amanda, no matter how much we both try to deny it, it will"

"I just have one request Amanda, will you do this old lady a favor?" She joked with a wink.

"What is your request ma?" My throat at the moment felt scratchy, it always feels like that anytime I was close to tears.

"I want you to always be by Frederick's side, will you do that for me?" I just had one question still lingering behind.

"Why me?" I asked "Trust me I'm not the right person for this job. Frederick deserves a whole lot better than me" As sad as that sounded, it was honestly the truth. There were better people out there, people that were not me, that were not trying to fix there broken selves.

"Frederick was right" Mrs Zikora frowned. She looked...angry? This was the first time I had ever seen such a look on her face. Usually she was always smiling or laughing. This was definitely new. I gulped

"Right about what"

"You conceal your worth way too much young lady. You might not know this but your worth is much greater than jewels and mere gems honey. I thought Frederick had talked some sense into you" She muttered her last words.

It was like Frederick and his mom just had a gift of making me cry.. strictly in joy though. What did I say, this woman was an absolute gem. I gave her a watery smile.

"And to answer your question dear, the reason why it has to be you is because I trust you. We met in the past Amanda, you might not remember me or maybe you do...but we did meet" Confused I stared at her. What did she mean by that. I don't recall ever meeting her before the hospital.

As I was about to find out more on what she said Frederick entered the room.

"So mummy I'm done with what I wanted to do. it's already getting late I have to go drop Amanda. But don't worry I will be back as soon as I can" I couldn't read the accurate emotion on Frederick's face, but all I knew was that he was definitely faking the smile on his face. What was he hiding?

"Let's go Amanda" He stretched his hand out for me to hold. That same fake smile was still plastered on his face.

I still took his hand. I guess I would find out what's wrong when we get in the car.

"What's wrong?" I finally asked as we entered the car.

After starting the car Frederick spoke "What?"

"I said what's wrong Frederick?" I said once more.

He smiled but it was obviously fake "I don't know why you think something is wrong cause everything is absolutely fine"

I hardened my gaze "You mother may have fallen for it, but I won't. Now tell me what's wrong"

"You're not letting this go anytime soon are you?" Immediately he spoke I remembered that those were the same words I said to him in the past. It's funny how this time it's reversed.

"No. Now talk"

With a smirk he spoke "Well isn't someone being a little bossy today" the intensity of my glare made him to sigh.

"Fine. Since you want to know soo badly, I'll tell you" Finally.

"I heard two of you" he began "about when my dad died and how it affected me in the past" oh.

"I know it's generally known as a bad habit to eavesdrop" he sighed switching off the car "But as I was coming back I heard my mom telling you about my dad and all"

"Though it was not her place and all to tell you about 'my' past, I'm quite glad she did. Because God knows I wouldn't have. I've actually been wanting to tell you but I'd always chicken out at every single turn. I mean nobody would want to tell another person about their shitty past. Cause trust me, my past was indeed very shitty" After listening to all that Frederick said I finally spoke.

"Frederick remember when you told me you cared about me?" The expression on his face clearly stated that he didn't understand why I was bringing that up at the moment.

"It was practically today I told you that, of course I remember" A confused frown still placed on his face.

"Well just as you care about me Frederick, I care about you. I don't know when it started but I do" Finally saying it out was like a breath of fresh air. Although Frederick looked slightly shocked. Only slightly though.

I continued either ways "So anything that you want to talk to me about, even if it's about.....how did you put it again.... your 'shitty past' I will listen, and definitely without judging you or anything of that sort. Trust me"

"I know you obviously won't judge me" Frederick chuckled "The thing Amanda is I do trust you. Even more than I wish I did"

"Then what were you afraid was going to happen?" I asked with a combination of frustrated confusion.

"I was afraid that if I told you. You would give me the look you're presently giving me" He gestured to my eyes.

I frowned "What look?"

"You have that sorry look on your face" He sighed out. "I don't need you to feel sorry for me Amanda. A lot of people have been feeling sorry for me almost all my entire life, I don't want you adding to the list" He chuckled, but there was definitely no humor in it.

"Sorry" I mumbled.

"No need to apologize Amanda. it's frankly not your fault in anyway, that's the first thing anyone in your place would do"

"Yeah, I guess" what all I could mutter.

"So is there anything else that's bothering you?" I asked squinting my eyes a little at him.

He smiled "Yeah that's all" It was obvious as day that he was lying from the forced smirk on his face. I didn't really want to push it, so I just let it be. I seriously wanted to pester him, but he looked like he really didn't want to talk.

"Oh okay" With a glimmering fake smile of my own I said. After that Frederick started the car once more and then we drove off.

It absolutely slipped my mind that the next day was another day of school. With everything that happened yesterday it was very plausible that I forgot. I didn't even have the time to dread school the next day because a lot of things were on my mind.

I'm sure you're wondering why I used the word 'dread'. To be actually honest, school wasn't all that bad, even before I met Frederick it really wasn't, save for the bullying in school I actually.... enjoy the place teenagers called hell. I really loved learning. Homeworks, tests, quiz and exams were the normal things students desperately hated to the very core, but I thought different about that.

God I'm ranting too much I know. Now back to what I was saying, 'dreading' Yeah. I was dreading school tomorrow because after the stunt Frederick pulled on the schools PA system I didn't know how people were going to take it. I didn't go back to class yesterday after lunch break was over, Courtesy of my dear fiance Frederick, so I wasn't able to see how my classmates took to the news.

So I was presently walking through the lengthy hallway of Qatass academy, staring straight forward making sure my eyes doesn't come in contact with any of the students standing in the hallway. They all stared at me, I didn't need to see it to know that they were staring, I could feel their stares from different angles. It was almost suffocating.