Mikey Ross || Arrested

The fluorescent light overhead flickers, casting shadows over the minimalist jail cell. It’s sparse — though nicer than some of the others in the precinct — a place where they put their more high-profile arrests. They couldn’t have celebrities in the general holding cell after all, that would create too many issues. This cell was smaller — set off to the side near the Chief's office — and distinctly out of line with the front door in case any paparazzi came snooping.

It didn’t get used often, but right now that cell housed the bleach-blond guitarist of the band Ashes of Our Youth.

Mikey Ross lay on the metal bunk fastened to the stone wall, one arm behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. They could have at least let him keep his phone, right? Because this — this was boring. “Bored–” Mikey whines as a yawn escapes him.

He shifts and then sits up, running his hand through his blonde hair. Tch. His roots are beginning to show again. He’d have to dye it soon. His arms are covered in scratches and bruises, and his shirt is torn in several places from falling partially down the cliffside while trying to escape. He would have gotten away, too, if he hadn’t tried to livestream while running from the cops.

Oh well — at least Vic got away with the footage — it’d taken the promise of two exclusive Legend of Zelda figurines and Mikey coming to Comic-Con with him in the costume of Vic’s choice, but the surly bassist had finally agreed to help him. After all, he couldn’t tell Kellin — this was a surprise for him — to fulfill their childhood dream of seeing their name in lights — and what better lights than the Hollywood sign, shining over all of Los Angeles?

Davey would remind Mikey this was a bad idea, and Ben and Zack were definitely out — especially Ben. So Mikey did his best to charm Victor with bribes and by tugging on the sentimental strings of a heart Victor swears he doesn’t have.

The plan was simple: they parked at Davey’s and hiked to the Hollywood sign along Mulholland Drive. Mikey designed the banner himself, spending weeks hidden in his studio at Kellin’s, painting intricate designs.

Once they’d reached the sign, they’d scaled the fence just like they had in High School and set out with their plan. The first banner unfurled along the base of the sign, reading THE LAST LETTER NEVER SENT with the album's art. That had been almost too easy, and in hindsight, they probably should have stopped there.

But Mary Ross didn’t raise a quitter.

The duo then scaled the back of the sign, securing the large roll of canvas over the Holly section. When the banner unfurled, the sign transformed from 'Hollywood' to 'Asheswood'. He even called Kellin from the top of the sign, ordering him out onto the balcony of his Los Feliz home. “You dumb asshole,” Kellin had laughed into the phone.

Only their call would be short-lived as a helicopter's spotlight illuminated the pair, telling them they were under arrest and not to move. Several officers began to descend from the fence line at the top of the mountain, heading towards the rockstars.

“Run, Martinez!” Mikey yelled, taking off into the darkness of the cliffside. He’d hiked up here dozens of times with Zack and Davey over the years, but everything looked different at night with only his phone’s flashlight to illuminate his path. Still — he hasn’t had a fucking thrill like this in years. He tosses his head back, laughing as he runs from the cop, trying to start a livestream for their fans.

Because why not?

If he was going to get caught, he might as well go all out. Of course, it’s that hubris that led to his downfall. While trying to start the stream, he’d missed the massive rock in front of him and tripped over it. Mikey’s whole body was thrown down the cliff, feet over head, until a bramble of thorns stopped his descent.

“Alright, ya got me officers,” he’d teased as they hauled him from the brush, handcuffing him and leading him off the mountain and into their squad car.

Which is how he found himself in this jail cell, bored out of his mind. He doesn’t even know how long he’s been in this cell, but knowing Ben, he was probably delaying bailing him out, partially because he’s trying to smooth over the media shitstorm and partially to punish Mikey for being, as Ben would say, a complete and utter reckless idiot without any sense of self-preservation.

Okay — he might deserve it this time, but Ben can’t be too mad at him! If Vic had gotten the video up as they planned, then Ashes should be going viral once again — and this time it isn’t because Kellin’s nudes leaked online.

Mikey has dozed off when the heavy door finally slides open, his green eyes struggling to focus.

“You’re lucky, Ross,” The officer tells him, beginning to unlock the cell. “You’ve been bailed out. Try not to vandalize signs anymore? My daughter will hate me if she finds out I arrested her favorite band.”

A cheeky grin crosses Mikey’s face as he leaps up, rubbing his hands together at the prospect of being able to get some breakfast and a hot shower. “Listen, Ben–” he begins turning his attention to the person behind the officer, expecting to see his pissed off tour dad of a manager — only instead Mikey blinks, tilting his head in confusion.

“–You’re not Ben!”