Brian. So that was the name of my rescuer. I kept repeating in my head. I liked it. It suited him. Then I realized I had not told him my name yet. I raised my voice one more time and said, “My name’s Ashlynn.”

“Ashlynn, huh? Beautiful name, just like the owner.” He said. I blushed profusely and looked away. He laughed and slowed down for a red light at the intersection where my favorite local restaurant was, Huntington Beach Burgers ‘N More, or HBB, as I always called it. I remembered all the good times I had with my parents and two younger siblings. All of the laughter and stupid dares my sister made me do. One instance in particular will always be imprinted in my mind.

“I will give you ten bucks if you ask that hot waiter out!” My sister said a little too loudly.

“Shut up! Not that loud, Marie!” I said, my face turning red. I looked up and smiled at said waiter. He smiled back and pretended he heard nothing. I turned back to my oblivious sister. “He was right there! Couldn’t you have said that when he was past us?”

“Well, are you going to or not?” Marie said, folding her arms and looking oh-so-smugly at me.

“No, I'm not going to. I barely even know the guy!” I exclaimed, cringing at how loud I said that. I looked back and the bus boy smiled as he collected the dirty plates from the table behind us.

“Well, I can change that!” Before I could stop her, she got up and started walking towards the bus boy.

“No, Marie! Stop!” I hissed.

“Relax. I'm just refilling my drink.” She smiled behind her shoulder, knowing that she had pissed me off. When she sat back down across from me, I shot a withering look at her.

“Not funny.” I mumbled while munching on one of HBB’s famous fries.

“I thought it was fucking hilarious.” Marie shrugged. My eyes grew large.

“Marie! Where did you hear that word?” I practically screamed at her.

“Oh come on! I'm fifteen, not seven!” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “But if you must know, I learned it from… oh wait, you!”

“Ok, I am guilty of saying it a few times.” I shrugged.

“A few times?” Marie repeated. “I hear it every day from either you or Alex.”

“Alex? When has he ever said that?” I said, surprised that even my twelve-year-old brother cursed.

“When you or Mom and Dad aren’t listening…” Marie mumbled under her breath.

“Oh really? Well, that is very interesting information that you have given me. So I'm assuming that you do the same thing?” I smiled smugly. “Well, I wonder what Mom and Dad would think about all this?”

“Don’t tell them, please! We will both get in trouble, and then Alex will be mad at me for snitching!” Marie pleaded.

“Oh, come on. You really think that I would tell them?” I laughed. “I honestly don’t care what you say, as long as you or someone else doesn’t get in trouble for it.”

“Thanks, Ashlynn. You’re a great big sister.” Marie grinned at me. I smiled back. “Hey, waiter! Get over here!” She yelled, waving her hand like a maniac.

“Marie! Don’t do that. It’s rude!” I scolded.

“It’s quite all right. I’ve heard worse.” The bus boy from earlier chuckled as he took my asinine sister’s plate and then mine. I placed a five-dollar bill on my plate. The bus boy thanked me and walked away.

“Aww, come on! You should’ve given him your number too!” Marie winked at me.

“Shut it and get in the car.” I muttered. Marie stuck her tongue out at me and sulked out of the restaurant. I walked up to the front desk, paid for the meal, and walked out to my beautiful black Cadillac Escalade that my Mom got me for my 18th birthday. I pulled on the door handle, but the door stayed shut. I pressed my face against the tinted window.

“Marie! Open the damn door!” I yelled.

“What do we say?” She sang annoyingly.

“I don’t need this…” I mumbled to myself and fumbled for my keys in my purse. I quickly unlocked the door before Marie could keep the lock down. I laughed triumphantly and started the engine. “Now I'm not going to take you to the mall.”

“No! Please take me! I won’t do it again, I swear to God!” Marie begged.

“Fine. But only because I love you.” I gave in. Marie did her little victory dance in the passenger seat.

I smiled as I snapped back to the present with Brian. However, that smile was quickly replaced with sorrow. Even though I remember the good times that I have had with my family, I still remember that fateful day. That one moment of hesitation and uncertainty five years ago changed my life forever. I blinked back tears as the whole day flooded my memories just like every other time. I remember everything, right down to what I wore that day. My favorite red tank top that Marie bought me for my birthday and my black ripped jeans that I wore to my first metal concert. The clothes that I refused to wear ever again.

“Hey. We’re here.” Brian said, forcing my reminiscence to fade. “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it.” I smiled.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just… remembering something is all.”

“Well, just remember that memories can either heal you or hurt you.” Brian said. “You can choose what affects you, for good or bad.”

“Thanks, Brian.” I smiled and got off his motorcycle. Suddenly, I heard a loud tearing.

“Oh shit!” I exclaimed as I covered my ass with my hands. My face turned red again and I turned towards Brian so he could not see the tear. He burst out laughing.

“Looks like you’re going to need new clothes.” He said between laughs.

“Umm… yeah that would be nice.” I mumbled. He attempted a peek at the tear but I moved so that his sight was blocked. “I don’t think so.” I shook my head.

“Darn. I wanted to see.” He said, looking disappointed.

“I bet you did.” I laughed. “Do you have clean clothes or not?”

“I do. It’s guy clothes though.”

“I don’t care. It’s better than what I have right now.” I said.

“Alright. Follow me.” He said, walking towards his house. I followed him awkwardly, endeavoring to keep the tear covered.

I suddenly stopped in his doorway. There were three other guys, each with a beer, sitting on the couch. I recognized them instantly. I clasped my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming. "Oh my God! It can't be...! Is it really you guys?" I squealed, jumping up and down. I remembered the tear in my pants and stopped.

“Wow, Gates. Another one?” Johnny Christ said, everyone laughing at his joke except Brian.

“Shut up, Johnny. This one is different. I found her on the street.” Brian said, looking at me. The other guys looked at each other again and burst into a new wave of laughter.

“Oh, on the street, you say?” Zacky snorted. “Was she working the corner?” I lost all my joy from just a moment before and my face turned twenty different shades of red.

“No, I... Umm... I...” I stumbled on my words, trying to explain but failing profusely.

“Don’t listen to them, Ashlynn. They don’t know.” Brian turned to me and grabbed onto my wrist. “Come on, this way.” I just let him lead me, still very embarrassed. I could hear the laughter behind me.

“Why didn't you tell me you were Synyster Gates?" I said when we were alone.

"Hmm, must've slipped my mind, I guess..." Brian shrugged.

" 'Slipped your mind'? How does being a famous rock star slip someone's mind?" I exclaimed.

"It's not important. Right now, you need to get into new clothes.” I nodded in consent and Brian opened the door to what I presume was his room. He opened a dresser, grabbed a random shirt and pair of pants, and tossed them onto his bed. “I guess I will leave you to it. Come back down when you're done."

“Thank you, Brian. This means so much to me. Even if you are a famous rock star, you're a really good person.” I said, looking directly into his beautiful brown eyes so that he fully understood how much it really did mean to me. No one had ever been this kind to me. “If there was any way I could repay you, then I-”

“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Brian smiled and laid a hand on my shoulder. I smiled as he left the room. After I made sure the door was locked and the curtains were closed, I tore off my old, ragged clothes and replaced them with Brian-scented new ones. I snatched up my old clothes in disgust and flung them into the trashcan. I do not want to wear those nasty things ever again. I thought as I inhaled an area on Brian’s shirt where there was still a residue of his cologne.

I inspected myself in the bathroom mirror and frowned. My hair looked revolting. I could be the next Medusa if I don’t fix this soon. I thought as I grabbed a brush that was lying on the counter and began to attack the rat’s nest that was my hair until it was satisfactory. Even still, it looked like I had not taken a shower in a year; which was true. I heard a soft knock on the door.

“Ashlynn, is everything ok?” Brian asked through the door.

“Agghh!” I screamed in a very manly way, or my man-scream, as I call it. Brian burst through the door and ran to the bathroom.

“What happened?” He exclaimed.

“Die, you stupid motherfucker, die!” I yelled as I slaughtered a large cockroach with the brush. Brian just stood there speechless at first, but then started chuckling at my crazy antics. After the roach-massacre had ended, I stood up and straightened my hair with my fingers. “We’re all good.” I smiled as though nothing had ever happened. Brian covered his face with his hand and started laughing until his shoulders shook.

“Oh my God. You’re so funny.” Brian said between laughs. I grinned happily.

“I try.”

“So are you all done?” Brian asked after he was done laughing.

“Umm... do you think I could take a shower too?” I asked, acting shy.

“Sure. Go right ahead.” Brian motioned toward the shower.

“Thanks so much.” I said, smiling.

“Of course. I can’t say no to a damsel in distress, can I?” Brian said, winking.

Notes

Sorry it took so long for the next chapter. I got super busy.