Be My Guardian Angel

Chapter 5

Charlie

August 18, 2015

God, why does she have to be so fucking beautiful? It's almost a shame she has to go. I'd love to keep her I really would but I know she won't be willing to stay with me. She's always been a little shit like that. Then again, she's also always been full of surprises so who knows? I guess I'll find out tonight.

I never did like how stubborn she was though. I don't understand why she couldn't just listen to me like a good girlfriend would. But no matter how hard I try, I can't stop loving the shit out of her.

I go into the hardware store to get the rope that I'm missing. You'd think I would have that by now but nope. I smile at the older guy behind the register, pretty sure he's the owner of this place or at least the manager.

"Can I help you find anything, son?" He asks me, in that shaky old guy voice. I try not to cringe when he says "son". I've never liked being called that. It's what my father would call me all the time right before he hurt me in some way. Ironic, I know. The very thing a father shouldn't be, calling me son. He was actually an okay guy before my mom died. But she did and now he's dead too...wonder how that happened.

"Uh no," I tell him, still smiling, "thank you, sir. Just looking for some rope."

"Ah," he says, his eyes shining as, I'm assuming, he was remembering something, "I know what that's for."

"I highly doubt it." I mutter darkly.

"What was that?" He asks, leaning in closer.

"Oh sorry, just clearing my throat." I start walking towards the aisles looking for what I need.

"You're buying rope for your kids aren't you?" He guesses, following me. "I remember when I built a tire swing for my kids. They played on that darn thing for hours."

"That's really, sweet." I reply, trying not to gag.

"Is that what you're getting it for?"

"Yeah," I say, nodding and smiling, "that's exactly what I'm getting it for."

"Well, good luck, young man. I'll see you when you're done." He says, hobbling back to the register.

"Thank you, sir."

I turn into the next aisle and almost right into a guy about my age, short brown hair, blue eyes, with a roll of duct tape in his hand.

"Oh," he says, putting his hands up, "sorry man."

"Nah bro, it's all good." I tell him, patting his shoulder.

"Cool." He replies. "See you around."

"Yeah, see you."

Lauren

July, 2014; 22 yrs old

I brushed my bright blue bangs away from my forehead as I wiped down the counter. It'd been such a long day and I was just ready to go home.

"Hey, I'm about to leave." Ashlyn told me, hanging up her apron.

"Okay," I replied, "be safe."

"Always." And she was gone.

The bell on the door rang and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. We're literally just about to close and some asshole just had to walk in.

"How may I help you?" I recited the phrase that's been ingrained in my head without turning around.

"Uh, just a medium coffee, please; black." I heard him say.

"Coming right up." I quickly made the coffee because I knew as soon as I did I could just go home.

"Here you g-" I stopped after seeing the customer when I turned around. He had these amazing blue-grey eyes. He seemed just shy of six foot and looked like he worked out but not in a way that made him seem like a gym rat. In short; damn.

"Uh, s-sorry." I stuttered after I realized I'd been staring. "Here. Medium coffee; black."

"Thanks." He smiled, handing me the money in exact change; I love a man who has exact change. "But you forgot something."

"What did I forget?"

"Oh it's not a big deal, really. Never mind." He trailed off casually.

"No," I giggled, "what did I forget?"

"Your phone number." He said, leaning on the counter.

I blushed like mad before reaching my hand out for the receipt back and wrote down my number, contemplating putting a heart by it; I did.

"Thanks. I'll see you soon." He smiled before heading out the door.

"Wait!" I called to him. "What's your name?"

"Alex."

Max

No matter how hard I try, I just can't get her out of my head. Well, I suppose that's a good thing considering I'm supposed to be looking after her. But she's just so cute with those green eyes perfectly accentuated by her long blue hair. A cute little button nose and beauty mark right above her lip. I can't believe that she was just this ugly little baby when I first met her and now she's this gorgeous young woman. With a boyfriend..shoot.

Alex really is a nice guy and he treats well, especially compared to him. I could never be with her, anyway. I'm up here and she's down there where she really wants to be. I'd give anything to join her.

"Max? Helloooo?" I snap out of my thoughts at the sound of Bill trying to get my attention. Since Lauren is asleep and it'll be a while before I have to help with anything, I decided to come keep him company. He seems to really need it.

"Sorry, Bill." I hold up my hand in apology and run it through my hair probably causing it to stick up in every direction. "Just a little distracted."

"Thinking about what?"

"Just Lauren." Just Lauren? It's not just Lauren and you know it.

"Ah," he says, stacking some papers together before rolling back to a filing cabinet, "your little love interest."

I gape at him, shocked that he would say that.

"She's got a boyfriend, you know." He inserted the papers before searching for more. "Real nice guy. And you know, human."

"I know." I resign, putting my head down.

Being human has always been a dream of mine. Whenever I'm with Lauren down on Earth, it never ceases to fascinate me. It's so full of color, and friendly people, and amazing smells. I just want to be a part of it more than anything.

I could hold her hand and share drinks with her and actually talk to her along with all the other interesting people I see everywhere. That'd be the life.

"Sorry Bill, I gotta go." I wave, standing up from the rickety chair and heading out the door.

I wave the workers and other guardians I pass but they all just scowl at me or roll their eyes. I really don't know what I did to be so disliked. Maybe I'm a little clumsy but I can't help that.

I close my eyes and snap my fingers and I'm back in my happy place; with Lauren.

*** So I hope nothing is too confusing for everyone. All the italicized text is a flashback and I put the date and how old she is right before. Everything that isn't italicized is the day that keeps repeating. I hope that makes sense. If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

Btw, I've got the whole book planned out and there should be 15 chapters plus an epilogue so yay!