"can i please take off this blindfold?" olivia asked, her hands waving in front of her as she cautiously stepped forward onto the sidewalk.

 my hand was placed just under her shoulder blades, turning her left and walking straight.

 "not a chance."

she let out a huff of annoyance, but it only made me appreciate her more.

her brown hair fluttered in the wind as we approached our first stop.

"can i take it off now?" instead of replying, i took the black fabric into my calloused hands and undid the knot.

her blue eyes fluttered open like butterfly wings and i could see the amazement in her eyes.

"an amusement park?"

"nothing makes people smile more than cotton candy!"

 she gave a hint of a smile, the ghost of an old frown still buried in her skin. 

"you ready?" i asked her, gazing at her like a dog gazing outside.

it was a quick nod, but after that, she grabbed my hand and gave it a light squeeze.

her hand was warm and i could feel her bitten fingernails brush against the palm of my hand.

was i dreaming?

was she really holding my hand?

"i'm ready," she said in a soft voice.

screams of enjoyment and my own racing pulse pounded in my ears as we entered the park.