Kenzie's Kindling

Prologue
         I think part of me realized that this is where I'd end up, burning the faces I'd built of myself. He was the flame to which that part of me I thought was gone burned, even briefly, with liquid fire. It was beautiful but also so...frightening to see yourself go up in flames from the inside out. This flame is different for everyone since they use different chemicals to make it beautiful for them.
         For me he was a water jug filled with alcohol vapors so that it sprung up in one bright and vivid blue burst. I don't think I was ever scared of losing him because I knew, somewhere, he never loved me and because of that the flame was only a burst. No, I think it was that I feared losing the flame of myself in his world that was too fast, too bright. That's how God works though, giving me all these answers when I don't even know the questions yet like chemicals without labels. The only doubt I have is if I want to know the chemicals.

Chapter 1
         The hurt in Mother's eyes was a needle popping the huge balloon of my anger. As it deflated in a gasp and a covering of the mouth the reality sank in. She knew. Everything I had tried so hard to keep hidden, keep to image of a innocent daughter in her eyes, had melted leaving the gunky mess of who I was. My heart pounded in my chest as her kindess faded leaving a stern and hateful expression in its place.
         "Mom, I..."
         "Out. You are eighteen. You will be out of here within the day and leave the key." she said her expression emotionless. My fists clenched, digging my nails into my palm so I wouldn't cry.
         "That's not fair."
         "You'll learn life isn't."
         She turned in a swish of blue hair. Father looked at me a sad smile on his face as he tried to hug me. The anger was back again in an instant. I shoved him away and hid my place as I ran wherever my feet carried me. It wasn't until my feet couldn't carry me anymore that I looked up.
         The smoke from fog machines and strobe lights made it feel like people were skipping in time. There was so many people crowding for their own special flames. Many found them. I was content letting the music pound through me and feeling the heat of their flames. Sweat formed on my skin and it only made me feel more in love with the feeling. Hands slipped around my exposed stomach causing the feeling to fall to the ground in ashes as I whirled around, a mess of brown hair and bright red material. His smile melted into my skin dazzling his blue eyes and lighting his red hair with tiny sparks. He moved like the rest of us, skipping moments in time but if I were to close my eyes we weren't moving at all.
         "You shine so brightly, like a pheonix.What's your name?" he lips whispered against my ears so I was drunk by the last word.
         "Pheonix." I murmured teasing as I moved from his grasp with a light laugh. He clutched my hand as if he'd burn if I let go of him as I moved to the outside of the dancers. As soon as we were free I was shoved against the tree arms clutching to him as his kisses seared me from the inside out.
         I couldn't summon the tears for the encounter as I looked at the dismal area around me. I rubbed at the make up my emotions numb. Mother had kicked me out. I pulled up my sleeve the pheonix's chest rising with breath as my arm flexed. My hand caressed the bird with a smile.
         "Kenzie! You out here?" I frowned turning in the direction of the voice. Hastily I rubbed at the tear tracks as the person came into view. I molded a smile onto my face. Amaranth was one of the few pieces of coal that had carbonized with the heat into a diamond. His grey eyes were gentle as he knelt beside me.
         "I thought you'd be out here."