my knuckle bounced off her front door, the knock echoing through the house.

  no reply.

  this time i tried the doorbell.

  moments later, the door finally opened.

  olivia's face was thin and pale, hollowed out.

  i could see her ribs through her black t-shirt.

  was she starving herself?

  "what do you want?" she said, her eyes locked on her painted toenails.

   "for you," i said, handing her the yellow rose. 

    she took it cautiously, as if she was expecting it to blow up.

     "yellow?" was all she said

      "y'know, like the sun?"

      her lips twisted into what looked like a smile, but i knew it wasn't.

      it was fake.

     "would you like to come in?"