Take It Away

''Arson is so fun.'' Jenny commented as the fiery wisps danced below her, illuminating her face in the dark starry night.

Through the window she could see two figures. One was tending to the other.

She checked the fire in the grass. A phone was burning in it. The thing she clutched to at all times of the day. The thing that warmed her hands when they were cold. A thing that filled her mind with knowledge from around the world. In other words a way to pass the time while she sat on the couch.

Jenny and the phone were the only real constants on that couch.

Her mother standing up and sitting down. Always visiting her friends or going out and wasting money, or talking her ear off about the fun she has.

Her dad sitting on the mornings and evenings, staring blankly at the TV. More than happy to get up and retaliate when she lashes out.

But both of them together is what really got the annoyance to well up inside her.

It was like a liquid filling up a human shaped container.

Mornings when mom talked her ear off and dad and mom bickered it got to around knee level.

The annoyance would fill up to waist level when her father would leave, leaving her to her mother's pent up anger.

Then for the rest of the afternoon Jenny would spend the time with herself letting the annoyance build up as she visited the same sites, annoyed herself over the same thoughts. As nothing significant happened or changed in her time spent on the couch, the container that was her got filled to the neck. She was her worst enemy in a sense.

She had no allies in this. She had a comfort in her phone and it was the something that was destroying her with its monotone.

Jenny was a constant on the couch. As the day went on, people came and went, the sun changed the position of the shadows it cast through the windows, words passed by. Some contributing to her well of annoyance, some skipping over her.

The plastic of the phone melted in the yard. The fire burned and crackled around it.

It was almost done.

Like the rising moon brings the currents so did it swirl the annoyance inside her. The moment at the end of the day when her parents would notice her.

This time she'd lashed out.

''Don't you have to study? Stop wasting your time on that phone, we gave it to you so we can take it back.''

But you won't.

''Why don't you help me with the housework instead? Come on, don't make me take your phone.''

Feel free to take it. Maybe you can look up how to actually do housework.

''Don't you have any friends? Gosh! Actually do something with your time. I'll take your phone one of these days.''

No you won't.

And they never did. So she took it herself.

They'd scold her, tell her off and contact the insurance company for a replacement. Life would continue as usual.

Nothing would change in the circle of her day to day life.

There was a warm light next to her. A divine white glow. It illuminated one side of her face while the fire illuminated her chin from below.

''Who the fuck are you?'' She asked, not risking turning to the side afraid that the bright light would blind her.

''Would you believe if I told you I was your guardian angel.''

Probably a friend of her mum's.

''Let's say I believe.'' she went along with the eccentric friend.

''Let's say you're lying. Anyway, I don't usually get to talk to you all that much so I'm using this opportunity to help you.'' the woman stated with confidence in her words.

''So I have to cause this level of trouble for someone to pay attention. Good to know.'' Jenny spat with a bitter smile.

''I've always watched over you. It's just that you're not making enough decisions for me to actually advise you. You become numb to my words after repeating the same routine every day. You don't decide, the decision is made before you start.'' the 'angel said.

''Advice? Let me hear it. Do my homework? Help with the housework? And what if I don't comply. I've already 'taken my phone'.'' She gestured at the burning plastic remains.

''You've dug yourself into a pit of your own making. Removed yourself from the rhythm, the elation of life.'' the angel replied.

''What do I do then? It's not like 'some bastard in white armor' is gonna come dig me out.'' Jenny poured water over the fire, extinguishing its flames.

''If I may?'' the angel asked. The divine light was receding.

''You may.'' Jenny turned her head a bit, getting a glimpse at the woman's face. Pretty blonde. Too pretty. Scary.

''As much as I'd like to be that 'bastard in white armor' I can't, really. I love you. I've been watching you. I know you. I cared for you like a child.'' the angel explained. ''But I can't.''

''Cause you've stopped caring.'' Jenny stated blankly.

''Cared. Like I'd care for a child. Now.'' she paused and averted her gaze. ''I care in a different way.''

Jenny's eyes widened and she blushed.

''But we're here to discuss your problems not mine.'' she stated and caught Jenny's gaze.

''You want love. Someone to care about you. To actually attempt to help you, even if it's by 'taking away your phone'.'' at the angel's words jenny clenched her teeth, afraid to show any emotions.

''I wanna hug you but I can't touch you. I want to kiss you but my lips pass by yours.'' the angel leaned into her face and sank in like a hologram. Jenny felt a breath on her ear. ''I wanna tell you you're special, but your ears are mute to me.''

Jenny was trembling. She wasn't letting anything show.

''You're here. Find a person even if it's you and love them, fight for them.'' the angel whispered as she faded away.

Jenny stood petrified for several minutes.

Her eyes were focused on the window, following the forms of her parents fighting verbally, wild gestures, flapping mouths and all that.

She turned to the. starry sky.

''You think you can just say all that stuff and leave.'' Jenny turned around towards the front gate. ''Screw that. I'm going out and finding a church. I need a one way ticket to heaven.''

Jenny's face was animated.