Chester Bennington - Unusual Neighbor

Two different men

"I'm sorry if my grandmother made you uncomfortable the other day," I told Chester while we were back to my window frame, sitting with our legs hanging to the fire escape stairs. Chester knocked on my door around 8.30 P.M., hoping that he could hang out for a while. Apparently, he had a rough day at work and needed to unwind a little.

"Not at all. She is actually really nice. And I love her story with your grandfather. I think I would love to meet him."

"Yeah, he would definitely like you," I said with a huge grin on my face as I remembered some happy moments I spent with him before he died. I told Chester about how he used to take me fishing in his small boat to the lake near our house, much to my mother displeasure. He taught me how to fish, how to fire a gun (yes, my granddad was that cool), he even taught me how to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night, knowing that my mother was very strict with me and would be pissed off.

Chester was listening to every word I said, happy because I was sharing those memories with him, but jealous because he wanted to have family stories as I have. He was sad because his family was all about discussions, tragedies, and he wasn't capable of looking them in the eyes, after everything that happened. He shook all those thoughts away and focused on what I was saying, on the shine behind my eyes, and the way my red lips move with each word I say. That moment he remembered of something: my dark shiny hair, pale skin, rosy cheeks, dark eyes, and red lips were just like Snow White. Like a princess.

"Hey, are you listening to me?"Chester was snapped out of his thoughts by my voice and my hand touching his shoulder. "I'm talking too much ain't I?"

"No! No -- of course not. I was listening to you... I was just wondering what other skills do you have? I mean, you know how to fish, fire a gun and be a ninja. And you definitely know how to take care of a house. I wonder what other skills you must have."

I laughed at him and he just smiled even warmly.

"Ninja? Alright, I can live with that. Uh... I know jiu-jitsu. My grandfather helped me convince my mother to pay me for some classes. I was really good."

"Wow, really? I mean -- could you just knock me out if you want to?"

"Well, I don't like to brag but... I actually stopped a robbery by knocking two guys out. So... yeah, a girl knows how to defend herself. I can teach you one day if you want to."

"I really don't want to be on your bad side now." He laughed. "I would never guess that about you."

"Why? Because I'm a girl?" I asked, crossing my arms and lifting a brow at him.

"No. Because you're such a peaceful and lovely woman."

"Nice save." I hit him with my elbow. "I also know how to play the guitar."

"Really?" He asked with a huge smile on his lips. "We should play together then, one day."

"I'd love that."

Chester stared at me for a while as if he was wondering if he should say something that was on his mind. It really looked like he was battling really hard, trying to hold himself. I ignored his stare and continued drinking my hot tea and watching the street under us and the stars up in the sky. Eventually, I heard him clearing his throat and ask in a low voice.

"I've noticed that you like superheroes." He said randomly. I narrowed my eyes, trying to understand why he said that and how he knows that.

"What? How?" I looked him in the eyes. For a moment I felt dizzy and some weird tension when I noticed we were shoulder to shoulder, very close to each other. But I decided to ignore it the best I could.