Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California, formed in 1996. Since their formation, the band has sold more than 50 million albums and won two Grammy Awards. It achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Hybrid Theory, and its following studio album, Meteora, continued the band's success, topping the Billboard 200's album charts in 2003. The band then explored other genres in their third studio album, Minutes to Midnight in 2007. The album topped the Billboard charts and had the third best debut week of any album that year.

Linkin Park was originally formed by Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon, who were friends in high school. After graduating, they began to take their musical interests more seriously and recruited Joe Hahn, Dave "Phoenix" Farell, and Mark Wakefield to perform in their band, Xero However, the failure in landing a record deal and stalemate in progress prompted Wakefield, Xero's vocalist to leave the band in search of other projects and Farell, who left to tour with Tasty Snax and other bands.

Xero then recruited Chester Bennington, who was referred to the band by Jeff Blue, the vice president of Zomba music. The band then changed its name from Xero to Hybrid Theory and then again changed its name from Hybrid Theory to Linkin Park, a play on and homage to Santa Monica's Lincoln Park. As the band was still struggling to land a record deal even after several rejections, they turned to Jeff Blue, who was now the vice president of Warner Bros. records for additional help. They managed sign a deal with the company in 1999 and later released their breakthrough album, Hybrid Theory, in 2000.

Hybrid Theory was well received and after having sold more than 4.8 million copies during 2000, it earned the status of best- selling album in 2001. Singles such as Crawling and One Step Closer established themselves as staples among radio playlists during the year. The album was also nominated for three Grammy Awards and MTV awarded the band their Best Rock Video and Best Direction awards for In the End. Through these, Hybrid Theory's success had catapulted the band into the mainstream's attention.

Following the success of their debut album, Linkin Park toured around the United States before working on new material for their second studio album, Meteora, having been inspired by the rocky region of Meteora in Greece. Meteora debuted on March 25, 2003 and instantly earned worldwide recognition, going to number 1 in the US and UK, and number 2 in Australia. It sold more than 800,000 during its first week and music videos for the album's singles, received significant radio attention. Although it was not as nearly successful as Hybrid Theory, it was the third best selling album in America during 2003.

After Meteora, the band continued to tour and work on many side projects such as Bennington's work with Dead by Sunrise and Shinoda's Fort Minor. They also worked with Jay-Z to produce another remix album, Collision Course, which featured intermixed lyrics and background tracks from both artists' previous albums. However, the band's relationship with Warner Bros. Records was also deteriorating rapidly on account of several trust and financial issues but they managed to negotiate a deal in December 2005. Besides these, Linkin Park also helped to raise money to benefit victims of Hurricane Charley in 2004 and later Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They also helped relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami victims by staging several charity concerts and setting an additional fund called "Music for Relief" However, their most notable event was their participation at Live 8.

The band then began to work on new material in 2006, working with producer, Rick Rubin. The album was initially going to debut sometime in 2006 but was delayed till 2007. Warner Bros. Records then announced that their third studio album, Minutes to Midnight, a reference to the Doomsday Clock, would be released on May 15, 2007. It sold over 600,000 copies in its first week and also took the top spot on the Billboard Charts. The album's first single, What I've Done, became the top ranked song on the Billboard's charts. It was also used in the soundtrack for the film, Transformers.

During the band's tours and live shows, Bennington had stated that they plan to release a follow- up album to Minutes to Midnight but will first embark on a US tour to gather inspiration. In October 2008, Shinoda revealed that he, Phoenix and Hahn had begun working on two song ideas, with studio recordings to begin soon. Bennington had also stated that the fourth album would be a concept album. In May 2009, they announced that work has begun for their fourth studio album, which will be released in 2010, with the aim to be "genre- busting". It was also stated that Rick Rubin will be the producer of the new album and that it would have a bigger "thread of consistency" compared to Minutes to Midnight

Papercut

Crawling

Somewhere I Belong

Breaking the habit

What I've Done

Given Up

Many people would have been familiar with Nena, after the release of her New German Wave song, "99 Luftballons" in 1984, which rose her to international fame.

Born Gabriele Susanne Kerner, March 24, 1960. She spent the earliest part of her childhood in Breckerfeld and later lived in Hagen. When she was three, she acquired her nickname, based on the Spanish word for "Niña", meaning "little girl", while on a vacation to Spain with her parents.

She began her musical career in 1979 when guitarist Rainer Kitzmann offered her a position of the lead singer of his band, The Stripes. However, even though the group had a minor hit, it never got mainstream success and soon disbanded. Then in 1981, she and her boyfriend moved to west Berlin where they met their future band members: Carlo Karges (Guitar), Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen (Keyboard), and Jürgen Dehmel (bass). Together, they formed the band Nena and released their first single, Nur geträumt (Only dream) in 1982. It soon became an instant hit in Germany after the band appeared on the German televsion show, Musikladen.

The band released their first album titled Nena, which contained the singles Leuchtturm (Lighthouse) and 99 Luftballons (99 red balloons, but the German version does not mention any colour). 99 Luftballons became a number one hit in Germany in 1983. The English version of the song hit number one in the UK while the original version hit number two in the US. It was a major hit in many countries and till now, it is one of the most well known German rock songs in many parts of the world. However, the band split up in 1987 and Nena went solo afterwards.

In 2002, Nena celebrated her 20^th anniversary on stage with her album Nena feat. Nena, a disc consisting of newly arranged recordings of her hits from the 1980s. This album spawned a number of successful chart entries and the remake of "Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime' as an English-German duet with Kim Wilde was a hit in various European countries, reaching the Number 1 spot in the Netherlands and Austria, and Number 3 in Germany, in 2003. The 2005 album Willst du mit mir gehn (Do You Wanna Go with Me?) achieved platinum status. The first single from the album, Liebe ist (Love Is), reached number 1 on the German charts in early 2005.

 In October 2007, Nena released a new album entitled Cover Me, made up entirely of cover songs. David Bowie, Rolling Stones and Rammstein are three of the bands covered. She also released the single, "Ich Kann nix Dafür" ("I can't do anything about it") in April of 2007 for the film, Vollidiot (Complete Idiot). She also recorded and released a new version of her hit song "99 Luftballons" in 2009, which more closely follows the 1980s original, in contrast to her 2002 version.

99 Luftballons (1984 version)

99 Luftballons (2002 version)

Engel Der Nacht

Wilst Du Mit Mir Gehn

Anyplace Anywhere Anytime (ft. Kim Wilde)

99 Red Balloons

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot and Samantha

Gerard grabbed his bag and fished out a piece of scrap paper and a mechanical pencil. Then, after a few doodles, he immediately shoved the piece of paper under her nose.

Lindsey looked at it before giving out a snort of laughter. She looked up and wiped away the tears. "So that's your impression of them?"

Gerard nodded and grinned at her. For once, genuine happiness flooded through him. The last time he had grinned this widely was when he was ten, having getting himself all muddy after playing a game of soccer with Ray, Bob, Mikey and Frank.

They sat there, grinning at each other like idiots before Lindsey piped up, "So... tell me about your school life."

Gerard nibbled on his bottom lip for a while before saying, "Well... it was... pretty boring, studying in a boarding school. All we did was study and do the arts. The students are pretty competitive when it comes to academic stuff but because my school is an arts school, you can imagine the competition between the students," he shrugged. "But honestly, I don't really bother about this type of stuff. The reason I actually bothered to join the competition is because my parents pressurized me to," Gerard glanced at the concrete floor, a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes. "What about you? Tell me about your friends."

"Basically, we're pretty much a bunch of outcasts," Lindsey said, shrugging her shoulders. "We don't go with the crowd, like gossiping about which celebrity broke up with which celebrity, what's the newest and hottest trend in town, etc. We are our own individuals, we wear whatever which looks good on us, we listen to bands that inspire us and at the same time, give our very best in school and in our bands."

"You're in a band?" Gerard asked.

"Personally, no, but the others are. Anyways, we generally lead pretty normal lives but..." Lindsey paused, glancing around nervously. "We have our ups and downs too. I recently just got kicked out of my house but luckily Alicia's family took me in. But I think the worst happened to Zac and Josh, it left a pretty huge scar on their emotional selves."

"Why?"

"A year ago... they lost their younger sister, Samantha, in a car accident. Zac is slowly accepting her death but Josh still thinks that he is to blame for her death," Lindsey sighed. "Samantha was a great friend; she was always there for us, comforting and cheering us up. So her death was a very big blow to us, Josh wouldn't eat and all Zac did was doodle and mope. It was a very dark period for us; our teachers were screaming at us, they thought that we were being rebellious."

"What was the cause of the accident?"

"The driver was driving under the influence of alcohol. It didn't help when he had taken drugs too. But truth to be told, the actual cause of the accident was because Josh had an argument with Samantha.

[Flashback]

"Stop trying to tell me what to do!" Samantha screamed. "This is my life! I am who I am! I hang out with whoever I want to hang out with and be friends with! Would just stop nagging for once and let me do what I want?!"

"Listen to me Samantha," Josh pleaded, grabbing her wrist. "They may seem nice and normal but look at what they've made you to become?! Drugs, alcohol, staying out late into the night... You're slowly becoming like them? Your grades are plummeting, your behaviour is unruly and the way you speak to Mum and Dad. It's like... you have no respect for yourself and them!"

"SHUT UP!" Samantha roared. She yanked her wrist from Josh's grasp and slapped him across the face. "Why are you such a... a... ARGH!! I don't see you lecturing Zac the way you are to me. I'm 15, stop trying to treat me as if I'm 7! I'm not dumb!" She immediately turned and stomped down the pavement.

"Samantha!" Josh yelled, running after her

"Stop following me!" She dashed across the road towards the other side, not watching for any incoming cars. Without warning, a red Chevrolet knocked into her.

"Sam!"

[End of flashback]

They sat there in silence and Lindsey immediately turned back to face her table. Gerard looked at her for a moment before muttering, "I'm sorry."

-END-

Ok, I was just thinking, maybe this story should basically just focus on them trying to deal with stuff which you and I face, peer pressure, influence (the people whom you hang out with), etc. But it's not really go into the really hard stuff like underage drinking, drug abuse, sex, and other stuff. So, on a final note, there will be no romance, just hints of it here and there.  What do you think?

I walked down the shore, the waves lapping at my feet. It has been a long time since I've went to the beach, ever since I've graduated from secondary school. I sighed, letting the breeze whip through my hair and savoring the sound the waves and seagulls flying ahead.

I turned, imprinted on the sand, were my footprints. I smiled and realized that they reminded me of the journey of my life.

When I was a child, there would be more than one set of footprints beside me. My parents and siblings would always be walking beside me, guiding me through my childhood, making sure that I made the right choices and not stray away from the right path. Then, I entered school, more footprints followed. My teachers and friends were always there to encourage me, boosting me on.

As time passes, footprints come and go, but never at any point of time would there only be one set of footprints on the path of my life. There would always be bound to be another set of footprints besides mine, guiding me along.

"Keisha!"

I turned; my husband was jogging barefooted towards me, carrying our one- year- old daughter, Mitchella, in his arms. "What's the matter?" I asked, taking her from his arms. "Did Daddy refused to give you ice cream again?" She giggled and wrapped her small arms around my neck.

"Nah," my husband laughed. "I think she saw you strolling along the shore all by yourselves and figured that you might need some company."

I chortled and jiggled her. "Well?"

She gurgled and reached towards my husband. He laughed again and placed her on his shoulders. She giggled and tugged gently on his dreadlocks.

I giggled and continued strolling along the shore, his fingers interlaced with mine. I looked back at our footprints and thought, one day Mitchella would be just like me, more than one set of footprints on the path of life.

-END-

I don't like the ending... :/

BTW, happy belated 21st birthday to Gustav Schafer! :D

Note: Sorry for the lack of pictures, I'm kinda in a rush right now.

I AM VERY SORRY.

Lindsey surveyed the boy at the front of the class. His hair was black and it made his skin stand out even more. In fact, almost everything on him was black. Black shirt, black jacket, black jeans, black converses, even his bag is black. She switched her gaze to his face. His lips were pursed, as if he didn't want to be here. His eyes had a bored and annoyed look in them. Lindsey squinted a little; she could see traces of eyeliner around his eyes.

"Josh," Pete whispered, leaning back in his seat. "Maybe you're right, that guy could actually be a vampire. I mean, look at him!"

Reita, who was sitting beside Pete, whispered, "Honestly, I think he reminds me of Edward Cullen, albeit one who's not bronze- haired and has sparkly skin."

"If that's the case, I hope he doesn't sit near me," Teruki said. "But for some reason, I find him really familiar, like I've seen him before but I can't remember when."

"That's Gerard Way," Gustav butted in. "You know, son of that millionaire, Donald Way."

"Oh yeah, now I remember, Gerard Way, that kid who is apparently a piano prodigy."

 "He's a rich kid and piano prodigy at the same time?" Lindsey asked, shocked. "Why is he doing here? In this... dump you call a school?!"

"Well, apparently, rumour has it that he and his brother got into really huge trouble with the principal," Teruki whispered, and they leaned in closer to listen. "What type of trouble, I have no idea, but it was so serious, they got expelled."

"Whoa, does this mean that he might burn down the entire school building?" Andy asked, joining in the conversation. "I hope he does because-,"

"Are you fucking with me here? he is a piano prodigy? He does look like a rich kid but piano prodigy, No way!" Gabe interrupted.

"Way, Gerard Way," Miku giggled.

All of them, including Lindsey, burst out laughing.

"Josh, Pete, Akira, Teruki, Gustav, Lindsey, Andy, Gabe and Akiharu; I would really appreciate it if the eight of you would listen to what your new classmate has to say about himself and stop having your little conversations with each other," Miss Rosie snapped at them. "If this mindless chit- chat keeps going on, I may have to rearrange your seats, whether or not you like it. Same goes for you, Georg, don't think I didn't notice you." she added, eyeing him.

Georg shifted slightly in his seat, a pink tinge slowly appearing on his cheeks. The others kept their mouths shut, but it didn't stop them from passing notes to each other. Lindsey threw a fleeting glance at Gerard and blushed when she saw that he was staring at her with a look of amusement in his eyes, his mouth curled into a small smirk.

Gerard glanced at the girl who was sitting at her seat with her head bowed slightly and face flushed. He couldn't help but give a small smirk at her embarrassment, the round glasses which she was wearing fave her a cute but dorky look. Then, he turned to Mrs. Rosie and asked, "Is it okay if I sit beside... erm..." He paused, trying to remember her surname. "Miss Ballato?"

Mrs. Rosie hesitated from a moment before giving him a smile and replying, "Why don't you sit between Leighton and Paris instead?" He looked at the two girls who she was pointing at. They were staring at him which such intensity that he swore that the moment he sat between them, he is going to get screwed, literally.

She continued, "I'm sure they would love to show you around the school, you might pick up a few good manners too! Also..."

Gerard rolled his eyes. More like they would love to eat you alive, he scoffed to himself inwardly. Good manners, schmood manners...

"I'm sorry Mrs. Rosie, but you see, I don't normally sit at the back of the classroom. It's pretty distracting," he explained, flashing his most charming smile at the old English teacher. "Also, I may have to squint to look at the whiteboard which is pretty bad for my eyesight. So if you don't mind," Gerard hitched up his bag. "I shall sit next to Miss Ballato." Then, before she could even say anything else, he stalked off.

Lindsey smiled at Gerard as he placed his bag on the chair. He grinned back and gave Georg, who was sitting beside Lindsey, a smile. Georg grinned at him and continued doodling on his note pad.

"Oh wow, now dork girl is trying to get a boyfriend!" A loud voice laced with sarcasm floated across the classroom. "Not surprising since she had recently just got dumped."

"Very true, Leighton," another voice remarked. "First a quarterback and now a millionaire's son, she sure does change her taste in guys a lot. I'm not going to be surprised if she starts dating one of her guy friends."

"Oi! Would the both of you shut the fuck up?!" Gabe yelled. "It's not her fault that you girls were born resembling hags in the first place!"

"Yeah! Also, at least Lindsey isn't the one with legs like chopsticks!" Andy added before throwing a paper ball at Paris.

"Enough!" Mrs. Rosie shrieked. "Mr. Saporta, I would appreciate it a lot if you would refrain from using explicit language in my class. Mr. Hurley, please do not throw anything across the class. One more time of such nonsense, both of you would be getting detention

Gerard turned to look at Lindsey, who was looking down at her shoes, face flushed and her eyes were filled with tears. He blinked for a moment before reaching over and patting her hand. Then, he whispered, "Come, let me draw you something that will cheer you up."

-END-

Finally it's updated! Part 2 would only be posted after my piano exam, which is about a week away. Also, credits to Isabelle Chan for Leighton and Paris! Comments?

Available: *nods head*

Animals: I love all of them! :D

Birthday: 4th feb. Remember that peeps! XDDD

Best Friend(s): Isabelle, Jewell, Regina, Latasha, Dione, etc.

Crush: TOM KAULITZ [Well, actually I like and hate him at the same time. x)]

Car: I wish. *shakes fist at name above*

Color: Red, White, Black, Blue

Dream Car: Maybe a BMW...

Eye Color: Dark Brown

E-mail: I think it's on my profile...

Favorite Food: *shrugs*

Favorite Band/Artist: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE!!!!!!! 8DDDDD

Fast Food: Is Subway counted?

Goals: Be in a band, get good grades for once, and please let everything be back to normal.

Hair Color: Dark brown. :)

Height: 154 cm. I feel short...

Hometown: Singapore!

Instrument: Piano. :)

Ice Cream: Chocolate FTW baby!

Job: Writer, musician, etc.

Kids: I want a boy and a girl

Love: True believer.

Major: ???

Music: Alternative Rock, Heavy Metal, Symphonic Metal, Alternative Metal, a little pop.

Movie: Loads. The first four Harry Potter movies to name a few

Nickname: Kei Kei [It's pronounced as Kay Kay, due to my cantonese grandparents, who gave me that.], Keisha.

Outdoor Activity: Husband and Wife! It's a St. Margaret's school tradition to know how to play the game. 8DDD

One Wish: Loads...

Phobia: I dunno...

Quote: Uh...

Restaurant: I'm actually fine with anything. :) But I love Kopitiams! 8DDD

Season: Winter!!! I love the cold. :D

Sport: Basketball. :D

TV Show: Does Mr Brain count?

Time of Day: In the middle of the night. :)

Thoughts: Well, I'm thinking of fanfiction right now...

Unknown: I have a soft spot for guitarists.

Vacation Spot: Japan, Hong Kong, Europe

Worst Habit: Procrastinate. xP

X-Ray: Teeth, for braces!!!

X-Rated: My mind and fanfiction. x]

Your Mood: HIGH HIGH HIGH!!!!

Zoo Animal: Uhh.... Dolphin???

Zodiak Sign: Aquarius.

This intoxicating passion between the both of them was addictive but they only consider it as mindless sex between the two of them whenever they needed release. It was like a drug, they were each other's addiction. Once take, there was no stopping of it.

-END-

I was thinking of Harry Potter x Draco Malfoy while writing this. *cues evil laugh*