Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 18:59:35 EST
From: WatchitcrumbIe@aol.com
Subject: Linkin Park Love

This story is not intended to imply anything about the sexuality of any of
the members of Linkin Park. Nor do I personally know any of the members of
Linkin Park, namely Chester Bennington.  It's just a giant obsession over
the sexiest man alive. I sure hope you all agree.

_________________________________________________________

'' A friend in need is a friend indeed,
  A friend with weed is better.
  A friend with breasts and all the rest
  A friend who's dressed in leather

  A friend in need is a friend indeed
  A friend who'll tease is better
  Our thoughts compressed
  Which makes us blessed
  And makes for stormy weather''

__________________________________

         My eighteenth birthday was a time of massive changes for me. It
seemed that all the things in my world had been taken and flipped
up-side-down. My sexuality was the biggest of them all.  I'd had
tendencies... Or, little fantasies about boys since far before I had hit
puberty. I hadn't any idea about sex at the time, so these little... Dreams
mainly consisted of me just hugging other boys. The cute ones,
naturally. But it progressed, and I began thinking bad things about the
cute boys I sat behind, or next to. I remember feeling my heart leep when
one would accidently touch me. But all these things were kept away good and
well, and I made sure nobody ever expected a single thing. And they never
would. Until my eighteenth birthday, when I had decided that I was tired of
pretending to be the son my father had always wished for. He didn't take it
very well, I don't think... Not what I'd call a violent reaction, but not
exactly a calm one by any means. He just... Got very quiet. He and I don't
talk much anymore.
         My mother seemed to be a bit more understanding, saying that ''as
long as I'm happy, it's fine with her''.. my stepdad, however... Now, he
seemed to have always known. He had a thing for hitting me that began when
I was twelve, and went on until I moved out at at 17.
         I had changed a lot since I'd begun high school four years ago.
I'd entered happy, content with the world, thinking that I would be
welcomed to this new place. Only to be ridiculed, simply because I was a
freshman. I had always been the type to cope quickly, and did so here, as
well. From trendy and nice, I'd almost drastically become dark and bitter.
Vinyl and mesh, baggy or tight, it didn't matter as long as it was dark.
Black combat boots had become standard-issue for me, eyebrows each adorned
with silver barbells. Tongue pierced much in the same manner, with a silver
stud labret piercing to follow it all up. My hair, which was naturally a
dark brown, was often dyed blue, red, purple, pink, orange, green...
Anything that wasn't natural. What I had hoped for had worked.  People left
me alone. And that was just fine for me, because at least I would be safe
in school.
         So this crisp October afternoon was no different that any other.
It was a day off, and I'd decided to go to the mall. Maybe stop into the
Hot Topic, and pick up some hair dye. Or... Just look around. I really
didn't have a lot of money to blow in the stores. But it was saturday, and
I wanted to do something. I wasted no time in any other parts of the
building. I was the kind of guy who only did what he planned on doing
before anything else.
         Saturdays always seemd to bring out the cutest boys, I thought as
a thudded step fell to the floor of the entrance to the Hot Topic.
Naturally this sound was drowned out by loud music playing overhead, which
I quickly recognized as The Ataris. The store was relatively empty, save
for one guy standing over at the wall where the dyes were. Now, I've seen
boys that made me turn my head in a blatant manner before.. But, this one
actually had me staring for a moment.  I caught myself before he turned
around to look. Gorgeous, I thought. Absolutely gorgeous.  Deep brown
eyes...  The kind I could lose myself in. Somewhat tall, about 5'11, he
appeared. With bleached and spiked hair, and a labret piercing quite
similiar to the one I had. Once I regained my composure, I made my way over
to the racks and started looking them over carefully. I figured I was just
going to do it black for now. I was in no mean to deal with bleaching and
the sort right now. Plus, I was afraid my hair was going to fall out of my
head if I kept on bleaching it. The hot guy was right next to me now, it
seemed... Brow furrowed in what seemed to be deep contemplation. By now I
had reached over and snagged my bottle of dye.. Which just happened to be
right in front of him. Lucky, lucky. It seemed to have got his attention,
though I had no intention of doing so, for he turned his head to me and
asked
	" What do you think? Leave it bleached, or dye it blue..? "
	Ugh. Those eyes again.
	"Uh... It's cool just as it is," I replied, trying to act as cool
as I possible could. Thus far, it didn't seem like it was working.
	"Oh. Thanks, man," And he went to the register to pay for what he
had, a plain black beanie. The kid behind the counter gave him a funny
look.. One of those second-glances, and then I heard him say "A..A re
you... Chester?". To which the guy nodded, and he was immediately asked for
his autograph. I was surprised at the fact that the kid had done that to
begin with, really... They had always struck me as people who just didn't
care. Me, on the other hand.. I had no idea who Chester was. I just knew
that he was fucking gorgeous. I shrugged my shoulders as Chester stepped
away from the register to put on the newly-purchased beanie, and I
wordlessly paid for my dye. Taking the little black-and-red plastic bag in
hand and heading off, I saw only the back of Chester's head as he was
walking away. Slowly, it seemed. I myself was a rather fast walker, so it
didn't take me long to up beside him, and then ahead. Then I heard his
voice from behind me call
         "Hey, You!". I stopped, turning my head to look back over my
shoulder. He was hurrying up to catch up to me. My head was cocked to the
side as I turned to face him, brow furrowed in wonderment. Why had he
called out to me, of all people?.. I immediately thought I must have
dropped something. But then..
	"Thanks for not making a scene in there.." He said, not out of
breath in the least.
	"...Um. Sure, I guess," I figured there was no need for him to know
I hadn't a clue who he was.
	"Hey.. You uh.. Wanna get somethin' to eat with me?" He asked.. He
sounded almost.. Hopeful. I was dumbfounded, but I nodded and we headed off
to the food court on the other end of the mall.
	Obviously he hadn't a clue I was gay. But, in that short walk, I'd
discovered that he was from a band called Linkin Park, of which I'd heard
of, but had never really listened to that closely.
         I hardly knew what to do with myself. The most incredibly gorgeous
guy i'd ever seen had asked me to go sit down with him..

_________________________________

Well, it's not exactly interesting yet. But I do have to establish some
things before I get going. By the looks of things, though, it ought to be
good. E-mail me with your opinions.

Watchitcrumbie@aol.com.

Thanks, Later!