i gestured down towards the blue blanket and i watched her cautiously place herself , her hands steadying her against the ground.

the skin on her hands clung tightly to her bones, her dark veins being the only color in her skin.

the veins traveled up her arm, to her shoulder and right under her neck.

her jaw was clenched, the muscles hidden under her skin protruding.

"what's in there?" she asked, pointing towards the spider man lunch box.

we didn't have a picnic basket.

i grabbed the box and placed it between us. "only the finest," i replied as i unlocked the lunch box and watched the top swing open.

her blue eyes scanned the lunch box and she gave a small laugh.

"peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?"

"like i said, only the finest."

i passed her the saran wrapped sandwich with her initials on them.

"my mom made them," i admitted, a small blush on my face as she took a bite.

pressing her hand to her mouth, she swallowed and looked me in the eyes. "was your mom a chef? this is the best sandwich i've ever had!"

i laughed and unwrapped my sandwich.

"we would have these all the time after my dad left," i said bluntly.

she stopped reaching for a bite and looked at me.

 "your dad left you and your mom?"

i gave a small nod.

this was nothing new.

i was used to talking about things like this.

"it was right after i was born. my dad wasn't ready for a kid, so he left. haven't seen him since."

"i'm sorry to hear that," she replied putting her sandwich in her lap.

i shrugged. "my mom and i are better off by ourselves."

"do you ever miss him?"

i paused at the thought.

"yes. no. i don't know."

olivia looked down, threading the grass between her fingers.

"that's beside the point. my mom and i are much happier without him in our lives. he was a dick."

she pushed her bangs behind her ear, and i could see the curves of her mouth twitch upwards, but they immediately went downwards.

i was closer to achieving my goal then i ever was.

cover by nightgate