Chapter Text
I ran into Bert sitting on the side of the road. We went to school together for a while, were in the same choir class. Then Bert just dropped out. I hadn't seen him in a long time. I heard Bert had been struggling homelessness and addiction, that he was in and out of jail. I knew about Bert’s endeavors with a few different bands, but none of them lasted long. Supposedly, Bert was an unbelievable frontman.
As of late, I have been trying to form a band with Branden Steineckert and Jepha Howard. We need a frontman. We had a bunch of auditions but no one fit. Seeing Bert on the side of the road like this…So, I walked up to Bert.
“Hey…long time no see.”
Bert looked up at me with a surprised expression. He definitely remembers me, that's a good thing.
“Uh..hi?”
His voice sounds kinda scratchy and very, very tired. Fuck, what do I even say to him? Are you still on meth? Gah! What am I even thinking?
“how, uh, how have you been doing?”
That sounds so awkward. Fuck.
Bert hesitates for a moment before responding,
“You know, same old stuff. Different day.”
Ah, I doubt he is clean then. That sucks. Wait, isn't he in Cobra Kai right now? They're straight edge… they wouldn't keep him if he wasn't sober.
“Are you still in Cobra Kai?”
Bert grimaces slightly at my remark. Fuck, he got kicked out.
Bert sighs, “nah, man. They kicked me out because I got caught smoking pot. Stupid.”
Really? Just pot. Wow. That seems..almost tame.
“Just for smoking pot? Really? That's all?”
“That's all. Seriously.” Bert chuckles. “Pretty dumb isn't it.”
“I mean..yeah. Are you okay though? You look like absolutely dogshit.”
“Yeah, I'm just chillin”
That feels like a lie to me.
“Can I at least walk you home?”
Bert looks down.
“Well um…”
This isn't going to be good is it.
“I don't have anywhere tight now”
Damn…
“Well fuck dude. That sucks.”
Should I offer for him to crash by me…I doubt my parents would be too happy. But I can't just leave him like this.
“Come crash by me for a bit.”
Wow, he lit up fast. He may as well be bouncing around with excitement. Kinda like how he was in high school sometimes. I miss seeing that.
I rest my hand on his shoulder to try and ground him a bit.
“Really?! I can?! Does this mean I can shower?! Am I able to sleep on something soft?! I don't have any clothing..probably shouldnt shower then… do you have snacks?”
His words rapidly fly out of his mouth at what seems like 100 miles per hour. I have no clue what he is saying now.
“Yeah. Now come on, let's go home.” i wrap my arm around his shoulder
I let out a sigh, I'll ask him about trying out another time.