Graffiti Skies

This is my first Linkin Park fanfic. I usually keep them all in my head, so this would the first I wrote down (or typed....). Anyways, I hope you like it, and please post! I had written this for an English assignment and got an A, but that doesn't mean I'm this 'awesome' writer, well I guess you'll be the judge of that!

Graffiti Skies

As soon as the bell rang, the students shuffled and hurried out the many classroom doors at Agoura High School. Mike slumped behind with no hurry to go anywhere. But he did have a talent show to go to. He just didn’t want to go. He wasn’t really in the mood, since he had made his dad angry that morning.

Mike flinched as he touched his bruised arm, remembering the time he had forgotten to take out the trash one time, like his dad had him told to. But that morning, he didn’t just forget to take out the trash. No, he did something much worse. He had talked about his mom in front of him.

“Hey, Yo, Mike!” Mike turned around to see Brad hurry down the hall toward him. The halls had pretty much emptied out by now. “Are you OK man? You look even more down than usual,” Brad added, out of breath, finally catching up to him.

Mike shrugged.

“Wow, I actually got a body gesture. That’s the most I’ve gotten all week!” Brad smirked.

“I’m just nervous. I haven’t been able to concentrate all day. ‘Cuz I mean, what if it doesn’t work?! What if…. What if something goes wrong? What if we mess up and humiliate ourselves in front of hundreds of people? What if I forget my lines?! Or-or what if-“

“Easy, easy! Everything will work out! Don’t worry. I mean, we’ve rehearsed our butts off for the last couple off weeks. We should be ready, right?”

“Right….” Mike responded glumly, hiding his purple bruise under his sleeve.

Mike sneaked a look at the audience as his bud, Nathan, was introducing the next musical group; his band would be after them. There had to be at least 3,000 students in the auditorium at Agoura High School, waiting anxiously to watch the concert. Mike turned his face back to his five band mates with an I-can’t-do-this look, only to find them having the exact same expression. This is the first time they were doing a live concert in front of such a huge audience, so they had no idea what to expect.

Taking deep breaths, Mike sat down between Joe, the DJ, and Brad, who was too busy kissing his lucky guitar pick. Why was he so nervous?

‘It’s not like I haven’t played in front an audience before,’ he thought. Could it be because of the fact that people from record companies were watching with gaping eyes? ‘But they’re just normal people like me and….Brad.’ As he thought this, Brad started pulling other ‘lucky items’ out of his shoe, including a lucky ketchup packet. ‘Okay, maybe not Brad.’ But this was their chance to make it happen. If they pleased the talent scouts and nailed a record deal, their whole future could be molded out for them before their very eyes.

‘But my dad’s mad, who cares about some stupid record deal. I should be worried about what’s waiting for me when I get home, a good kick in the-’

‘No, no!’ Mike though furiously, pushing those thoughts away. ‘Think positively. Think about the band. Yeah, that should make me happy. Nothing else does….No, wait. I can think about my mom.’

‘Why did you have to go, mom?’ he added. His mom’s passing away had

really affected him, as well as his dad. That’s why Mike feels so much pressure, because his dad blames him for the loss. So Mike decided to blame himself, too. Thankfully, he has his band for comfort; it’s the only thing that makes him happy.

When the band got together 2 years ago, it was just Brad, Rob, with the

drums, and him, as the vocalist. But that wasn’t enough. So they held auditions for a bassist and ended up with Dave. Shortly after that, Mike met Joe in art class and Chester, the other vocalist, interestingly enough at a Britney Spears Concert. Long story. But as they started performing in front family and friends, they realized how much people enjoyed their music. So they entered themselves in this talent show, where talent scouts would be watching. Watching with hawk eyes. Huge, yellow hawk eyes.

‘Like your dad’s eyes.’

‘Shut up!’ Mike told himself.

“Okay, guys. Band meeting,” Rob called out. At this, all six guys huddled around in a circle. “Are you all ready? We should be on in about 2 to 3 minutes.”

“Does not being able to feel your fingertips, count as ready?” Dave asked nervously.

“See, I told you to eat two bananas! It helps with your nerves,” Brad said.

“What kind of freakin’ remedy is that?” Chester scoffed.

“A very good one!” Brad said matter-of-factly. “My nana taught me it.”

“Well your nana is on something,” Chester replied. “Kind of like you,” he muttered under his breath.

“I’m sorry, did you say something? I was too busy looking at your big HEAD!” Brad snapped sarcastically.

“Whoa, okay guys. That’s enough. If you want to throw lame comments at each other, take it outside! Right now, we’re dealing with something important. We have to just-“

“Awwwwwwww!!” the audience let out with disappointment.

Rob was left with his mouth open when the lights went out. The power was cut off throughout the school, leaving them in complete darkness. “-Calm down….”

“No way, this cannot be happening!” Mike hissed through gritted teeth. How could this happen, he thought? Their one chance at success and getting their music out there, blown. His one chance at happiness, blown.

“Well, maybe it’s just temporary thing,” Joe reassured, sounding nervous, himself.

“Can I have-Can I-Can-,” the host, Nathan, tried calling out. “If everyone would just stop-ju-just.” The audience obviously didn’t want to calm down. “That’s it,” he muttered. “COULD EVERYONE JUST PLEASE SHUT UP?!!” Everything got so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. “Ok, thank you,” he said, adjusting his jacket. “We just want for you all to calm down and be patient. They’re trying to situate the problem. Now, I’m sure it’s just a glitch in the electricity.”

“This is just great….” Rob muttered, looking out into the angry audience.

Mike was too shocked to talk.

“Uh….” Nathan added. Anxiously, he said. “While we wait, how about we sing a song, yeah? Row, row your boat, feel free to jump in, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily-no? Ok....uh…”

Just then the lights went back on.

“Halleluiah,” Nathan muttered under his breath. “Ok, that was quick. Let’s just bring out the next group, shall we? Ladies and germs, Linkin Park!”

“Wha….?” Joe said stupidly.

Brad looked up. “No no no no! We’re not ready-“

“Come on, let’s get set up!” Dave dragged him on stage.

Mike walked timidly to the stage. He didn’t feel ready. He didn’t want to do this. “Are you guys ready?” he asked the guys quietly. They all gave him thumbs up. “Well then….” He turned to the audience, swallowing a golf ball-sized lump in his throat.

He was about to open his mouth when he saw him. There he was, his dad, standing in the audience, as if nothing had happened that morning. He put his mouth to the microphone, but nothing came out. ‘Come on, Mike. Pull yourself together!’ Finally building up his courage, he opened his mouth and talked into the microphone, “This song is called Faint.”

“Don’t turn your back on me! I WON’T BE IGNORED!!!!” As Chester screamed out the last lyrics, the whole crowd went wild.

Mike looked at the audience, with a feeling of, a feeling of…. contentment. ‘That was so awesome!’ He thought. He had never felt like this before. The crowd cheering….the rush….the excitement. For once, in his life, he had forgotten about his dad.

“THANK YOU! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!” Chester yelled to the audience as the band left the stage.

Mike, grinning ear to ear, trailed behind his band mates backstage. Reaching for a bottle of water, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see who it was.

Discovered

Mike turned around to see who it was. Horrifed, he saw his dadlooking down at him and before he knew it, he slapped his mouth before he can let out a small hi. Mike quickly looked around for help, but all of his band mates had left for the school band room to put away their instruments.

"Where the hell were you after school?! Why didn't you tell me you were gonna play at this crap a** show?!!" Mike's dad yelled in his face.

"I thought you kn-"

"You thought?! YOU THOUGHT!! You know better than that! Don't assume!" Grabbing Mike's wrist, he added "You're coming HOME!"

Mike could alcohol in his breath. 'He's been drinking again.' "No", he said meekly.

"Excuse me?!"

"NO!" Mike yelled this time, struggling to get out of his father's grip, but he was too strong. He tried to push him away, but his dad just fought back. His dad pushed him back against the wall behind him and started choking him. Mike gagged.

"Don't you EVER disrespect me again! I'm your father!" He punched Mike againg in the eye. He let him go with his other hand to try to grab his shirt, but Mike was too quick. He squirmed away from his dad and ran.

***********

Mike ran down the hall, hoping his doesn't run after him. He turned left and entered the men's restroom. Overwhelmed, he looked into one of the mirrors with his hands on the sink, holding him up. He couldn't go home that night. That would be like, suicide. He regrets so much for what he said that morning. 'Why did I have open my big, fat mouth....'

He raised his hand, hesitantly, to touch his purple eye. 'It just hurts too f***ing much.' He wiped away a tear. Mike couldn't take anymore. 'But what could I do....?' Straightening himself, he looked in the mirror one last time before setting out to look for the rest of the guys, hoping they wouldn't question too much.

But just as he turned to leave, Brad came in. Instantly, Brad looked at him with a shocked expression. "What happened to you?!!!!"

"N-nothing. I'm f-fine. I uh, I ran into the wall-door-thing. It was too dark to see and-"

"Mike, don't give me that bullcrap. You've run out excuses. Now, c'mon, tell me. Why is there freakin' blood on your lip?! Who the heck is doing this?! Who would do that?! I mean, why-why...." Brad just stared at him in disbelief. Mike reached to touch his lip, not having noticing the blood before. 'Damnit....'

"Seriously, I ran into the wall!! Why can't you just believe me!" Mike shoved his way around Brad, but Brad grabbed his arm.

Not Finished!! Sorry I have to run to that store real quick. I'll try to write soon! Maybe later tonight.... Oh yeah, thanks for the comments!! .

yay another chapter! Anybody gonna come with me and find mikes dad so we can flush his head down the toilet?

Lol! . I'll help! Even though it's my own story.... lol. .

"Mike!" Brad said with an alarmed look on his face.

"I can't....!" Mike hesitated and said softly, "I can't tell you"

"Why?.... I mean, if you don't tell, you'd only hurting yourself." Then, a look of relization came over him. "Oh.... It can't be.... your dad?"

Mike took his arm out of Brad's grip and turned to face the wall. "What if it is...."

"If it is then you gotta get help!! Mike, wake up!! Call the police and-"

"BUT I CAN'T!!!!" Mike turned to him and screamed. Then, realizing he was a little loud, he said through gritted teeth, "My dad would kill me!"

"Not if he's in jail! Then, after he's out of the house, they could find you a foster family, a better family. You and your brother can-"

"Whoah, Whoah! HOLD IT! This is going too far!! Just-just drop it! Please? I'll figure it out on my own.... Let me just get it together and.... just let me figure it out on my own...." Mike leaned against the wall and slid down onto the floor.

They stayed silent for while, until "You're sleeping at my house," he demanded. "You're not going home tonight."

"I'm not sleeping over.. I'll just find a bench at the park or something.." Mike replied glumly.

"Oh, yes you are! C'mon, dude." Brad let out a hand to help Mike up.

"Fine...."

Brad smiled at this and said, "Let's go find the other guys. When I left them, Chaz's foot was stuck in the railing in the band room." Mike smiled and followed Brad out.

More tomorrow! Por el favor de Dios. Talk to you guys later and good night! :thumbsup:

GotLinkinPark?']YAY!! can't wait for more. poor mike

Thanks guys!! I'm glad you like it. . I'll post more soon! .

Thanks guys!! I'm glad you like it. . I'll post more soon! .

can't wait. I absolutely LOVE your story!!

That night, Mike was in Brad's sleeping bag at his house trying to fall asleep, while Brad was snoring audibly in his bed. He had left a message on his dad's cell phone saying he was sleeping over at Brad's house. He figured it would be safer than actually going to his house, telling him face to face.

Mike twisted and turned on the floor, but his dad's angry face still lingered in his mind. 'Get out', he thought, slapping his head, frusturated. Since the the hammering his brain didn't work, he sneaked his hand under Brad's bed, and borrowed his CD player to help him fall asleep.

He turned it on, and found their demo being inside. Pretty soon, he fell asleep to Chester's soothing voice singing the words of Pushing Me Away.

The sacrifice is never knowing....

Why I never walked away

Why I played myself this way

But now I see, your testing me,

Pushes me away....

Mike's Dream:

The phone rang. Mike immediately woke up from the his nap on the couch. He hurried toward the phone to answer it, because he loved answering it. Can you blame him? He was five; what five year old doesn't like to answer the phone and talk to new people. But he heard his dad answer it, but Mike picked up the phone anyway, so he could listen in.

"Hello?" Mike heard his dad's deep voice say.

"Hello, good afternoon. May I speak to a Mr. Shinoda?"

"Speaking. How may I help you?" Mike's dad answered.

"Now this is very uncomfortable for me to say. I'm Officer Thompson from the LAPD, and we recently found a woman with the I.D. of Barbara A. Shinoda. She was found trapped under her car, licsenced SKM-211 on the side of the highway heading towards Augora. Unfortunetaly, she was found dead and-"

Mike instantly hung up. He couldn't believe it.... Did he just hear what he thought he heard? 'They have to be talking about the wrong person! It can't be Mommy.... No, no....no!' Tears started to peek out of the coners of the kindergartener's eyes. He could hear his dad yelling and crying hysterically into the phone.

"CALM DOWN?! CALM DOWN?!!! HOW CAN I CALM DOWN WHEN MY WIFE IS-"

Mike ran out of the kitchen and to the living room closet. He didn't want hear the last word. With tears running down his face now, he locked himself in and crawled into a ball in one corner. 'No no no no.... Mommy's just at the store getting me some more grahm crackers. She's not dead, no. No no no no.' With his small hands, he furiously wiped away his tears. 'No way.'

"Mike!" his dad called out, in a fake enthusiastic voice. "Where are you? Daddy's gonna take you for a walk! Come on, Mike! Where are you?! We'll play hide and seek later. Mike!!"

'I don't wanna go for a walk! I'm gonna stay and sit in this closet until Mommy comes home!! She's not gone! She's gonna come back! She's gonna come back! She's not.... NO no no no no....' Mike was crying hysterically now. 'No no.... no....... no....'

Mike sat bolt upright, dreched in cold sweat. "No!" Regretting that, he instantly clapped his hand over his mouth. He found himself in tears. Careful not to wake up Brad, he creeped out of the sleeping bag and headed toward the bathroom in the hallway. He turned on light and closed the door. Frantically, he searched through the mirror cabinent for a razor. Mike finally found one and sat ontop of the orange, fuzzy toilet seat cover and rolled his up sleeve. Taking a shaky breath, he pressed the razor on the tanned skin on his wrist. Just as he was gonna add more pressure, he heard the door open.

"Mike??" Brad asked drowsily. Mike dropped the razor. The razor made a huge crash on the floor in the dead silence. Mike just sat there with a terrified look on his face, regretting not locking the bathroom door.

I'm so horrible.... , lol. What do you guys think? .