Rise Up

"Erma, get the hell out of this house and don't come back until you're able to pay the rent yourself!!!" Max's voice echoes through my ears. "You useless piece of-" that's when my hand flew and slapped his rusty cheeks.

"Max, you drunkerd, it's Bridge. Call me when you're sober." I had remarked. His big black eyes stared at me as I had walked away. "By the way," I had shouted over my shoulder, "Erma says you're a good for nothing drunk beast!" He threw the half filled can of Corona at me. Hadn't I ducked and my whole back would be drenched in beer.

Max was my moms latest boyfriend. He was the kind who was drunk every other night, which was fine by me. Mom would be as wasted as he was every weekend. I didn't like him much, but he was fun to tease. Mom was happy and her nagging had stopped, so I was happy. Better than listening to her cry and complain all day.

Mom was on a business trip. She said it was anyway. I think she's looking for my mysterious father. She says she gave up a long time ago, but i've seen her room full of papers. She swore it was a sad thing that I grew without a father, but I didn't think so. I had Gramps. He was the only normal person in my life. Not that it means much to say that. He never drank and he was all about being clean, no to mention free of drugs, but he is a loud crazy and wild old man. My grandma had died when I was born. She only held me once. They say that she's the reason my eyes are green and not brown. So I guess even I'm not normal.

Any way, Mom was having me stay with Max while she was gone, but I wasn't about to babysit a grown man. I wasn't going to tell mom. Why should I? She was planing to marry him.

I only had one serious problem with this dumbass, he always mistakened me for his ex wife, Erma. She was a short brunette with a spidery figure and brown eyes. I was a towering nineteen year old with surprisingly curly brown hair and ever changing green eyes.

I never met this Erma, but her pictures always pointed to her flattering curves and small lips. I was so different from her physical look, Im pretty sure that Max is mentally unstable to even suggest that I look like her.

Suddenly my favorite song blasted in the car "In the End" by Linkin Park. No matter how old that song may be, I could always relate. I sang along thinking about Justin's big grin waiting for me.

Justin and I had met at the same middle school. We both had lunch B, but Justin was with his girl friend, Ella. I was walking to the computer room to edit some music when they passed by, Ella bummed into me. I had been listening to my music on my favorite headphones so I hadn't seen them in time to move. Just as I was going to say sorry she threw my plate down to the floor and cussed her pretty looks away. Justin dumped her on the spot and gave me the extra food he had. After that we kind of just became best friends. Sadly he lived in La Quinta and I lived in Coachella. So it was a mission to see him after he went into high school. Justin always came to see me though.

Finally I was pulling into Justin's drive way. He was sitting outside, despite the already dark hour, with my favorite blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. He was wearing his favorite red plaid button up and jeans. He wore his worn out Jordan's that had my drawings all over them.

"Where were you the night of Halloween?" His deep voice questioned as a bright beam of light flashed in my eyes.

"I went out dressed as a prisoner and kidnapped little monster and fairies." I answered. Justin burst into laughter and tossed me the blanket. "That was a fun day." He recalled. As he got up he handed me the hot coco and kissed my cheek.

"So Max kicked you out as Erma or Bridget " he asked. I calmed my rushed heart beat.

"As Erma." I replied. "Don't come back until you can pay the rent!" I imitated Max's drunk voice and laughed. "Poor idiot needs help." Justin took my hand and led me into the house. Somehow I had suddenly felt a strange shock in the warm touch of his dark and kind hand in mine. When we got to our couch in his living room I went cold when he let go.