Broken Arrow
He Led With Words, They Sang Along
Ruby's POV
I'd slept in Brian's bunk that night, despite the cramped space. Jimmy had woken up in the wee hours of the morning to pee, and when he'd seen me wrapped in Brian's arms, he smiled warmly and whispered; "It's about time you two got your shit together." I had felt too giddy to fall asleep after that, and had simply laid there, admiring Brian as he slept.
He was so beautiful, blissfully unconscious with his hair falling in his face. Lost in his slumber, you'd almost forget this was the same cocky bastard you saw onstage every night. But that was because the man everyone saw onstage was Synyster Gates. This, was Brian Haner Jr, the man behind the charade. My Best Friend, who grew up to be a Rock Star. Who knew that the skinny boy with short blonde hair whom I had met just a few years ago would grow up to be so Handsome? He had truly blossomed in the years we'd been apart.
He grunted in his sleep, tightening his arms around me and pulling me closer to his chest. I don't think I had ever felt so secure, not even with Jack. Brian's warmth seeped into me, the smell of Cigarettes and Whiskey so strangely intoxicating. Because it was his smell. I nuzzled into his neck, not even minding how the scruff under his chin tickled my face, and placed a small kiss below his jaw.
My heart seemed to swell, the hole in my chest finally full after what had seemed like an eternity. I felt complete again, thanks to my very Best Friend, whom I was almost certain I had fallen Helplessly, Unconditionally In Love with...
***
Dallas, Texas
Backstage was chaos as usual as I maneuvered by way through the crowds on the prowl for the catering cart. I was desperately craving a Coffee, which was a rare occurrence on Warped Tour, apparently. Finding an energy drink? Particularly, a can of Monster; that was a cakewalk. Coffee on the other hand? That was as much of an epic quest to require as Frodo taking the ring to fucking Mordor.
"GET BACK!" a nearby voice hollered, and I turned to see at least three security guards huddled by the gate that fenced off the backstage area from the general public.
"Please!" cried a young, female voice. "You don't know what I had to go through to get here!"
Curiosity getting the better of me, I abandoned my Coffee quest to investigate what all the commotion was about. Just outside the gate, I saw a small girl with a head of shocking pink hair, who couldn't be much older than McKenna. Mascara ran down her face, and she was dressed in what looked to be a custom-made corset and lace gloves.
"Hey, what's going on?" I asked, grasping one of the guard's shoulders.
"This kid's trying to get backstage without a pass."
"Please." she sobbed. "I drove over 14 hours to be here."
"And other people travel several states, no exceptions." another guard responded.
"Guys, she's with me." I lied. "She's Brian Haner's sister's friend."
The guard looked at me, clearly clueless as to who I was talking about.
"Synyster Gates." I rolled my eyes. "Avenged Sevenfold."
"Oh..." his eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, come on through." he said to the young girl, opening the gate to let her inside.
"I wouldn't mention this to anyone, if I were you." I scowled, hooking my arm around the girl's shoulders. "I don't think Brian would be too happy if he knew you denied his sister's friend her rightful backstage access."
"My lips are sealed." he spluttered.
"Good boy." I smirked, leading the girl away toward the catering cart.
"Thank you." she sniffled. "You didn't have to do that."
"Oh please." I snorted. "They're jerks."
"Why did you help me?" she asked, tears glistening in the corners of her pale green eyes.
"You traveled a long way to be here." I shrugged. "Coffee?"
"I'll take a Monster?"
I sighed. Of course, she's a kid. "Sure thing." I ordered a coffee, and paid for both drinks, handing the can of Monster to the young girl while I waited. "So where are you from, specifically?"
"Decatur."
"Wait, seriously?" I grinned. "I'm only three hours away-" I shrugged. "Well, I was."
"Was?"
"I used to live in Chicago." I smiled. "Oh, thank you." I thanked the barista as they handed me my Coffee.
"What're you doing out here?" she asked, sipping at her can of Monster as she followed me through the crowds. "Are you in one of the up-and-coming bands on this year's tour?"
"No." I chuckled, shaking my head. "I wish, but no."
"Personal assistant?" she guessed, gesturing at the coffee in my hand.
"Friend of Avenged Sevenfold." I smiled.
"Oh, of course." she laughed, slapping her hand against her forehead. "You mentioned Syn's little sister."
"I never caught your name, by the way." I giggled. "Sorry about that."
"Ariel." she smiled.
"Oh, you're a Mermaid? That's awesome."
"Shut up." she snorted, rolling her eyes.
"You still have Mermaid hair."
"You're more Ariel than me." she teased, playing with a strand of my vibrant red hair.
"I so easily forget I'm a redhead now." I laughed. "So what brings you all the way to Texas? Why not just go to Warped in Chicago in a couple of days?"
"It completely sold out." she frowned.
"You must be pretty dedicated to travel all this way."
"I couldn't miss Linkin Park for anything." she breathed, the enthusiasm of a true fan lacing her voice. "Chester is my Idol."
"Is that so?" I cocked an eyebrow.
She nodded enthusiastically. "He's the reason I wanna sing in a band someday."
I gazed off to a trailer in the distance as the cogs turned in my brain and conjured up a brilliant idea. "Come on, I wanna show you something." I smirked, taking her hand.
I led her through the crowds and across the lot, stopping just outside the trailer. She looked puzzled as I gestured for her to stay put, and stepped up to knock on the door. A few moments later, Mike Shinoda's face poked around the door. Ariel gasped from behind me, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Do I know you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Ruby." I smiled. "We met at the-"
"At the kickoff party, right." he nodded. "Yeah, I remember."
"Listen..." I started, putting on my sweetest voice. "I've got a young girl with me who traveled pretty goddamn far to be here today... And she sort of loves you guys." I leaned in closer and lowered my voice to a whisper. "Chester's her Idol and I think it'd mean a lot to her if she could meet him." I batted my eyelashes. "Think you could do me a solid?"
"How can I say no to such a pretty face?"
"Sure." he stood back, holding the door open.
I gestured for Ariel to come over, the poor girl looked like she was about to go into cardiac arrest as she followed me onto the bus.
"Nice to meet you." Mike smiled, cupping her hand between both of his as he greeted her. "What's your name?"
"A-Ariel." she stuttered.
"It's lovely to meet you." he nodded, turning his attention to the man sitting on the couch. "Chester!"
"Yeah?" he replied.
"There's someone here to see you."
"Oh?" Chester replied, setting his phone aside.
"H-Hi." Ariel stammered, waving nervously.
"Hello." he smiled in response. "What's your name?"
"Ariel."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Ariel."
"It's beyond amazing to meet you." she replied, talking quickly due to nerves. "You're my absolute biggest idol and I never would have started singing if not for you."
"That's awesome." Chester chuckled.
"I'm actually working on starting up my own band." Ariel smiled, seeming as though her nerves were starting to settle.
"Oh really?"
"I actually have some lyrics on me right now, I don't know if you'd want to hear them but-"
"Sure, go right ahead." Chester grinned.
I smiled as she sat beside him and pulled out her phone, watching as she sang the lyrics to a song that she'd been working on. I hardly knew the girl, but seeing her face light up in the presence of her idol warmed my heart...
***
I stood to the side of the Main Stage beside the sound guy, watching as Linkin Park took the stage. The very familiar intro of "In The End" started to play and the crowd roared with excitement. Ariel stood to my right, the biggest grin on her face as she watched her Idols psyche up the crowd. She sang and rapped every word of the first verse, not missing a beat, and I joined her in every chorus.
"I tried so hard, and got so far. But in the end, it doesn't even matter. I had to fall, to lose it all, but in the end, it doesn't even matter..."
The song came to an end and I recognized the beginning of "Numb".
Ariel squealed and jumped up and down, causing me to laugh.
"This is the first song I ever learned to play on Piano!" she cried.
"I'm tired of being what you want me to be, feeling so faithless, lost under the surface. Don't know what you're expecting of me, put under the pressure of walking in your shoes...
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
Every step that I take is another mistake to you..."
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
"Can't you see that you're smothering me? Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control. 'Cause everything that you thought I would be, has fallen apart right in front of you."
"I'm gonna hand the mic over to a very special young lady, right now." Chester said, walking over to us and dragging Ariel onto the stage. "Take it away." he smiled, handing his microphone to her.
Ariel looked like she was about to piss herself, but quickly dove into the next chorus;
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
Ariel's voice was absolutely incredible, considering how timid she had been prior to now, I hadn't expected that, at all. Chester smiled broadly from beside me, watching her proudly as she performed.
"And I know, I may end up failing too. But I know, you were just like me with someone disappointed in you."
"That kid is gonna go far." Chester called over the music.
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
Chester strode back onstage with another microphone to finish the song with her;
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)..."
The song faded out and the crowd exploded once more. Chester grabbed Ariel's hand in his own, lifting it into the air as he spoke; "GIVE IT UP FOR MY NEW BEST FRIEND, ARIEL BLOOMER!"
I giggled as an overwhelming wave of joy washed over me. I never had to help the girl get past security, I never had to introduce her to Chester and Mike. But I had, and my one random act of kindness had made one, incredibly talented young girl's dream come true. And seeing the happiness it brought her, that made me feel amazing...
I'd slept in Brian's bunk that night, despite the cramped space. Jimmy had woken up in the wee hours of the morning to pee, and when he'd seen me wrapped in Brian's arms, he smiled warmly and whispered; "It's about time you two got your shit together." I had felt too giddy to fall asleep after that, and had simply laid there, admiring Brian as he slept.
He was so beautiful, blissfully unconscious with his hair falling in his face. Lost in his slumber, you'd almost forget this was the same cocky bastard you saw onstage every night. But that was because the man everyone saw onstage was Synyster Gates. This, was Brian Haner Jr, the man behind the charade. My Best Friend, who grew up to be a Rock Star. Who knew that the skinny boy with short blonde hair whom I had met just a few years ago would grow up to be so Handsome? He had truly blossomed in the years we'd been apart.
He grunted in his sleep, tightening his arms around me and pulling me closer to his chest. I don't think I had ever felt so secure, not even with Jack. Brian's warmth seeped into me, the smell of Cigarettes and Whiskey so strangely intoxicating. Because it was his smell. I nuzzled into his neck, not even minding how the scruff under his chin tickled my face, and placed a small kiss below his jaw.
My heart seemed to swell, the hole in my chest finally full after what had seemed like an eternity. I felt complete again, thanks to my very Best Friend, whom I was almost certain I had fallen Helplessly, Unconditionally In Love with...
***
Dallas, Texas
Backstage was chaos as usual as I maneuvered by way through the crowds on the prowl for the catering cart. I was desperately craving a Coffee, which was a rare occurrence on Warped Tour, apparently. Finding an energy drink? Particularly, a can of Monster; that was a cakewalk. Coffee on the other hand? That was as much of an epic quest to require as Frodo taking the ring to fucking Mordor.
"GET BACK!" a nearby voice hollered, and I turned to see at least three security guards huddled by the gate that fenced off the backstage area from the general public.
"Please!" cried a young, female voice. "You don't know what I had to go through to get here!"
Curiosity getting the better of me, I abandoned my Coffee quest to investigate what all the commotion was about. Just outside the gate, I saw a small girl with a head of shocking pink hair, who couldn't be much older than McKenna. Mascara ran down her face, and she was dressed in what looked to be a custom-made corset and lace gloves.
"Hey, what's going on?" I asked, grasping one of the guard's shoulders.
"This kid's trying to get backstage without a pass."
"Please." she sobbed. "I drove over 14 hours to be here."
"And other people travel several states, no exceptions." another guard responded.
"Guys, she's with me." I lied. "She's Brian Haner's sister's friend."
The guard looked at me, clearly clueless as to who I was talking about.
"Synyster Gates." I rolled my eyes. "Avenged Sevenfold."
"Oh..." his eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, come on through." he said to the young girl, opening the gate to let her inside.
"I wouldn't mention this to anyone, if I were you." I scowled, hooking my arm around the girl's shoulders. "I don't think Brian would be too happy if he knew you denied his sister's friend her rightful backstage access."
"My lips are sealed." he spluttered.
"Good boy." I smirked, leading the girl away toward the catering cart.
"Thank you." she sniffled. "You didn't have to do that."
"Oh please." I snorted. "They're jerks."
"Why did you help me?" she asked, tears glistening in the corners of her pale green eyes.
"You traveled a long way to be here." I shrugged. "Coffee?"
"I'll take a Monster?"
I sighed. Of course, she's a kid. "Sure thing." I ordered a coffee, and paid for both drinks, handing the can of Monster to the young girl while I waited. "So where are you from, specifically?"
"Decatur."
"Wait, seriously?" I grinned. "I'm only three hours away-" I shrugged. "Well, I was."
"Was?"
"I used to live in Chicago." I smiled. "Oh, thank you." I thanked the barista as they handed me my Coffee.
"What're you doing out here?" she asked, sipping at her can of Monster as she followed me through the crowds. "Are you in one of the up-and-coming bands on this year's tour?"
"No." I chuckled, shaking my head. "I wish, but no."
"Personal assistant?" she guessed, gesturing at the coffee in my hand.
"Friend of Avenged Sevenfold." I smiled.
"Oh, of course." she laughed, slapping her hand against her forehead. "You mentioned Syn's little sister."
"I never caught your name, by the way." I giggled. "Sorry about that."
"Ariel." she smiled.
"Oh, you're a Mermaid? That's awesome."
"Shut up." she snorted, rolling her eyes.
"You still have Mermaid hair."
"You're more Ariel than me." she teased, playing with a strand of my vibrant red hair.
"I so easily forget I'm a redhead now." I laughed. "So what brings you all the way to Texas? Why not just go to Warped in Chicago in a couple of days?"
"It completely sold out." she frowned.
"You must be pretty dedicated to travel all this way."
"I couldn't miss Linkin Park for anything." she breathed, the enthusiasm of a true fan lacing her voice. "Chester is my Idol."
"Is that so?" I cocked an eyebrow.
She nodded enthusiastically. "He's the reason I wanna sing in a band someday."
I gazed off to a trailer in the distance as the cogs turned in my brain and conjured up a brilliant idea. "Come on, I wanna show you something." I smirked, taking her hand.
I led her through the crowds and across the lot, stopping just outside the trailer. She looked puzzled as I gestured for her to stay put, and stepped up to knock on the door. A few moments later, Mike Shinoda's face poked around the door. Ariel gasped from behind me, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Do I know you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Ruby." I smiled. "We met at the-"
"At the kickoff party, right." he nodded. "Yeah, I remember."
"Listen..." I started, putting on my sweetest voice. "I've got a young girl with me who traveled pretty goddamn far to be here today... And she sort of loves you guys." I leaned in closer and lowered my voice to a whisper. "Chester's her Idol and I think it'd mean a lot to her if she could meet him." I batted my eyelashes. "Think you could do me a solid?"
"How can I say no to such a pretty face?"
"Sure." he stood back, holding the door open.
I gestured for Ariel to come over, the poor girl looked like she was about to go into cardiac arrest as she followed me onto the bus.
"Nice to meet you." Mike smiled, cupping her hand between both of his as he greeted her. "What's your name?"
"A-Ariel." she stuttered.
"It's lovely to meet you." he nodded, turning his attention to the man sitting on the couch. "Chester!"
"Yeah?" he replied.
"There's someone here to see you."
"Oh?" Chester replied, setting his phone aside.
"H-Hi." Ariel stammered, waving nervously.
"Hello." he smiled in response. "What's your name?"
"Ariel."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Ariel."
"It's beyond amazing to meet you." she replied, talking quickly due to nerves. "You're my absolute biggest idol and I never would have started singing if not for you."
"That's awesome." Chester chuckled.
"I'm actually working on starting up my own band." Ariel smiled, seeming as though her nerves were starting to settle.
"Oh really?"
"I actually have some lyrics on me right now, I don't know if you'd want to hear them but-"
"Sure, go right ahead." Chester grinned.
I smiled as she sat beside him and pulled out her phone, watching as she sang the lyrics to a song that she'd been working on. I hardly knew the girl, but seeing her face light up in the presence of her idol warmed my heart...
***
I stood to the side of the Main Stage beside the sound guy, watching as Linkin Park took the stage. The very familiar intro of "In The End" started to play and the crowd roared with excitement. Ariel stood to my right, the biggest grin on her face as she watched her Idols psyche up the crowd. She sang and rapped every word of the first verse, not missing a beat, and I joined her in every chorus.
"I tried so hard, and got so far. But in the end, it doesn't even matter. I had to fall, to lose it all, but in the end, it doesn't even matter..."
The song came to an end and I recognized the beginning of "Numb".
Ariel squealed and jumped up and down, causing me to laugh.
"This is the first song I ever learned to play on Piano!" she cried.
"I'm tired of being what you want me to be, feeling so faithless, lost under the surface. Don't know what you're expecting of me, put under the pressure of walking in your shoes...
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
Every step that I take is another mistake to you..."
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
"Can't you see that you're smothering me? Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control. 'Cause everything that you thought I would be, has fallen apart right in front of you."
"I'm gonna hand the mic over to a very special young lady, right now." Chester said, walking over to us and dragging Ariel onto the stage. "Take it away." he smiled, handing his microphone to her.
Ariel looked like she was about to piss herself, but quickly dove into the next chorus;
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
Ariel's voice was absolutely incredible, considering how timid she had been prior to now, I hadn't expected that, at all. Chester smiled broadly from beside me, watching her proudly as she performed.
"And I know, I may end up failing too. But I know, you were just like me with someone disappointed in you."
"That kid is gonna go far." Chester called over the music.
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming this, all I want to do, is be more like me and be less like you."
Chester strode back onstage with another microphone to finish the song with her;
"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there.
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)..."
The song faded out and the crowd exploded once more. Chester grabbed Ariel's hand in his own, lifting it into the air as he spoke; "GIVE IT UP FOR MY NEW BEST FRIEND, ARIEL BLOOMER!"
I giggled as an overwhelming wave of joy washed over me. I never had to help the girl get past security, I never had to introduce her to Chester and Mike. But I had, and my one random act of kindness had made one, incredibly talented young girl's dream come true. And seeing the happiness it brought her, that made me feel amazing...
Notes
In loving memory of Chester Bennington1976 - 2017
I felt it was only right to take the opportunity of my story currently taking place on Warped Tour, to pay my respects to Chester. When I first heard the news, I didn't think it was going to affect me so much. But as the day went on and I went back and watched a bunch of Linkin Park music videos, I realized just how many of their songs mark specific moments in time, such fond memories, for me.
And if not for Chester, if not for Linkin Park, then Icon For Hire would not exist. Ariel Bloomer is one of my biggest role models who I feel so incredibly privileged to have met a couple of years ago. So I thought this chapter would be fitting for a small cameo from her. - And she actually did cover Numb on her YouTube Channel once.
Hope you all enjoyed, and I promise I'll be back next chapter, with a little less sombre vibe...
Until Next Time xx
@Ghost-On-A-Sea-Of-Wine
I totally get where you are coming from! Hopefully inspiration comes along
8/7/21