Check My Brain

Chapter One- Pilot

Jerry's pov:

It has been a week of me roaming around Seattle and trying to find a place to go. I decided to go out and live on my own without the support of my family. As you can tell, that plan hasn't gone too well since I am literally homeless with only a backpack full of clothes and my guitar. I only have a few bucks left since coming over here on the bus took most of my money. I have thought about loitering and playing my guitar for change but I won't allow myself to sink that low. I have too much pride to ask my family for money and I was the one who left anyway so fuck that.

A couple of days ago, I was in some park just jamming to myself with my acoustic and coming up with some riffs until I felt someone walking towards me.

"Sorry to bother you. Couldn't help it but to come over to compliment your playing." said the tall man.

"Haha its all good man, thanks."

"Hey, are you from around here? Never seen you around." asked the stranger.

"Nah, came over here from Texas. Came here for a new start."

"Wow, that must've been a hell of a trip from all the way down there."

"Fuckin tell me about it" I chuckled out. The man also laughed and gave a sudden expression of surprise.

"Wow, where are my manners? I'm Sean. Sean Kinney." he said, holding out his hand.

"I'm Jerry. Jerry Cantrell." I said as I shook his hand.

"How long have you been playing guitar?" He asked.

"Since I was a kid. I had an electric but I left it back home since I didn't want to haul around a heavy-ass guitar so I brought my good ol' friend."

"Yeah, that makes sense. I play drums. We should jam together one day at my place!"

"Yeah, I would be down. Have nothing else to do."

"Where are you staying?" Sean asked. I looked down and stalled. I dreaded that question so much. The embarrassment that ran through me was noticeable and Sean caught on.

"Oh, I see, well I live close to the Music Bank if you need a place to clean up and eat." He said and pulled out a piece of paper and started to write the address down. He handed the paper to me and I smiled at him.

"Thanks, man. I really appreciate it." Sean nodded his head and looked at his watch.

"Well Jerry, you look like a cool guy but I gotta take my leave."

"Alright well, it was cool talking to ya" I responded.

"Alright well, I'll see ya around." Sean was about to walk away, but he quickly turned around and said, "Hey, are you busy on Friday?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Why?"

"There is gonna be a party at the local bar and it would be sick if you would come by. A lot of musicians you can mingle with. Maybe you'll get an opportunity to show your skill."

"Alright, I'll be there. What time?" I responded.

"Around 7 pm. Alright, I'm gonna take my leave, and don't hesitate to stop by my shack. Ya hear?"

"Yeah thank you again." and with that, he went on his way.

~~~~~~~

Its Friday, it's 5 pm, and I am here knocking on Seans' apartment door.

"Coming!" Sean said, and a few seconds later, he opened the door.

"Jerry! Wow good to see ya! Come in come in." Sean said while patting my back and leading me in.

"Hey man, just here to freshen up for the party. Sorry for disturbing you."

"Oh dude, don't apologize. I'm the one who welcomed you to come over. Mi casa es tu casa. You here to shower right? Lemme show you around."

Sean showed me his apartment and it was simple but pretty nice. It was a single bedroom apartment and besides a few beer cans and clothes on the floor, it was spacious and cozy. It seems like he lived by himself for the most part.

"Is the whole place yours?" I asked.

"Yeah. My ex-girlfriend used to live with me but she moved out after we separated. It's all cool though since I can do whatever I want without her telling me shit haha."

"Yeah, I get that." I responded with a chuckle. Sean is quite the character.

"Alright here's a towel and lemme know if you need anything."

"Alright." and with that, he left and closed the door behind him.

I took a quick shower and looked into my backpack after I was done. I drained the remaining water on my and brushed it out. God it felt great to be clean. I picked out a worn-out slayer shirt along with a leather jacket, ripped jeans, rolled up tube socks and black converse. It wasn't much but its all I got and I'm pretty sure half of the people at that party are gonna look just like me.

I walk out to the living room and Sean was waiting for me ready to go.

"I knew you were a punk kind of guy. Youll like the rest of the people at the rest of the party."

"Yeah, seeing me with a guitar on my back might have been another hint too." I said chuckling.

"Duhh. Alright ready to go?"

I nodded and we started to walk to the bar.

*TBC*

A/N: Its my first time writing a fic so please give me feedback lmao