my leg bounced anxiously in the waiting room. 

i couldn't contain my anxiety.

the nurses had refused to let me in.

coughing and crying echoed through the hospital hallways, bouncing back and hitting my ears.

i could feel germs spreading around me.

 "cole?"

 my head shot up so fast, i thought for sure i would have gotten whiplash.

 "she is requesting to see you."

   i jumped upwards and practically pushed past the nurse to the room where olivia was waiting.

  tubes were hooked in every visible place on her body.

 her eyes were swollen red and her lips were extremely chapped.

 she patted the bed and i hesitantly sat myself down.

 "hi," she croaked.

tears formed in my eyes and i let out a shaky breath before responding.

"hey."

i needed to know why she did it.

without thinking, i blurted out "why did you do it olivia?"

olivia's eyes clouded with sadness as she let out a shaky breath.

 "because i realized there's no good left in my life. i'm just taking up space."

 a familiar lump in my throat formed and my eyes began to burn from holding in my tears. 

"there's always good in life. you just have to find it."

 olivia shook her head.

 "you don't understand, i-"

 "then help me understand!" i hissed, water forming in my eyes. "let me help you!"

 olivia's lip trembled as she looked me dead in the eyes.

 "you can't help me! the only way to help me is for you to let me die!"

 i grasped her shoulders as i let a sob escape my lips.

 "why would you even say something like that?"

 her head turned away from my gaze as she whispered "you need to leave."

 i didn't look back once as i stormed out of the hospital.

cover by cover contest winner -magical