One Shots

Josh Balz

My Baby Brother...

Josh's POV

The guys and I were back on the bus, getting ready for our last show before we went back home to Pennsylvania. It had been a great tour, but I was starting to worry about my family. They haven't called me in a few days, which wasn't normal for them.

I had just finished my eye makeup when Chris called for me. "Dude, someone's here to see you." I raised my eyebrows. It was uncommon to get people knocking on our door while we were living in the RV, but not unheard of.

I went outside to find a tidy looking business woman holding the hand of my very frightened looking six year old brother.

As soon as he saw me, he started sobbing. I ran up to them, crouching down to give my baby brother a hug. The woman smiled sympathetically. "Joshua, I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but your parents died on the operating table this morning." She spoke quietly, obviously trying not to upset Jake any more than he already was. "They were in a motorcycle crash with a drunk driver, they didn't stand much of a chance."

She handed me a set of very official looking documents. "Jacob is officially in your custody, since you are his closest relative. Your sister agreed that you should be the one to take care of him." When she mentioned Hadley, I hugged Jake tighter. "Thank you for bringing him out here." She shook her head, and dropped a backpack by my feet. "It's my job."

I watched her walk back to her car and drive away. Standing up, I rubbed Jake's back while he cried. "Buddy, I know it's tough." I soothed. The guys all gave me confused looks, and I shook my head. "I'll explain later." I mouthed the words, sitting down with my baby brother still in my lap.

"Joshy?" He looked up at me with wide grey eyes. "Do I get to live here with you?" I nodded, kissing his forehead with a smile. "You're the newest member of Motionless In White, boo." He smiled, and I wiped away his tears. "Let's get you ready to go onstage, buddy. We have a show pretty soon." Jake jumped up off of my lap and ran to go get my goth kit.

Ghost, who was our newest member, was the only one who seemed lost. "Is that your son?" Ryan snickered. "I knew you were a literal motherfucker!" He joked, and I tackled him to the ground.

Chris pried me off of him, saving the guitarist from being tickled to death. I turned to Ghost with a sigh. "Jake is my little brother, and he's in my custody as of today." His jaw dropped. "Sorry, man, but he's so little, and he looks just like you, I just kinda presumed-" I cut him off with a shrug. "Happens all the time."

Jake came out and handed me my makeup bag. "I wanna look scarier than Chris." He stated, making the band laugh. "I don't know if that's possible." Chris hit me, and I pouted. "See? Chris is a meanie!" Jake giggled, and I started on his makeup.

When we finished, he looked like he belonged in the band. "Let's go!" He tried to run ahead of us, but I stopped him. "Jacob Robert Balz, get back here!" He ran back and poked me in the side. "Tag, you're it!"