Human After All.

It was the last weekend for July, and apparently I had earned some sort of break, as long as they didn't need me working for anything important, I was set too just sit back and relax for two days.

Although it was hard to be alone when I was practically dragged to the Motionless In White's tour bus. I was sitting at one of the little tables, waiting for the guys too get ready for their next set. Although I wasn't sure what I was doing here at the moment, it was a pretty funny process too watch them get ready.

Especially when it came too black paint. They were practically throwing it at each other and the end result was that they still looked good. Jesus, are they always like this? I thought to myself, and then remembered, yes they were always like this, because I had the pleasure of being their new hang out guy almost every single day. And it wasn't always all of them, some days I just got one of them, maybe two. Chris was the main one I hung out with, oddly enough. Second one was Josh, and then there was Devin. Although rare the times we hung out where, it was still a good time, mostly either going too my RV and watching a Ghibli movie or one of his favorites; a Tim Burton movie or just walking around the venue and talking. He really loved those Tim Burton movies and admittedly so did I, because every time we would decide on one, we would both be reciting every word of them, mostly Sweeney Todd, because we both got too sing dramatically and act like the demon barber of Fleet St.

He was a treasure, that much I was sure of, and every moment I spent with him, gave me butterflies that travelled from my head too my toes. And when he would leave, I would pass out on my bed, wondering how much more I would be able to take.

That was a really good question. I thought, my lips twitching into a frown of sorts. Chris brought me out of my thoughts by asking.

“What do you think?” He had on his trademark black jean vest with a Bleeding Through patch on it, and the rest of his torso and part of his arms and all around his neck was black paint. He puffed it out and struck a pose like the men on clothing magazine covers do when they want you to buy what they’re wearing. Although it was pretty hilarious for Chris to try and pull it off without him laughing at himself, his grin plastered to his features.

“Fantastic as always.” I laughed with him as he started strutting down the aisle of the bus, disappearing from my sight.

“Get out of here you fucker.” I heard Devin growl from the bathroom. I heard Chris stumble and laugh, walking back to where I was. He sat on the opposite chair from me, grinning from ear to ear. “So, are you going to tell me what I’m doing here, or am I a hostage of sorts?” I asked, moving my hand that was laying on my leg up too the table, so it was supporting the top half of me.

“Oh, Balz didn’t tell you?” He asked. “Balz didn’t tell me what?” I asked, feigning grumpiness.
“We’re taking you too one of our infamous barbeques at my place here in Scranton.” I raised my eyebrow in disbelief, and I stopped breathing for a few seconds.

“What.” I choked out. “As in, all of us here and a couple of close friends are all coming too my place too have a barbeque.” He said it slowly, almost mockingly and I had an urge to throw something at him.

“That’s always fun, going to a party of sorts, and I only know you five.” my breathing coming back, sarcasm holding each of my words.

“Well, since Jake left, you seemed lonely and just for the record, you’re coming and that’s final.” Balz walked out, declaring that I had no choice. I looked at him. “I’m not that lonely. I am just more introverted than I seem.” Although, it was a bit lonely by myself now a days since Jake found a new job a few states back. But we exchanged information long before this, so at least I could keep in contact with him. He was a pretty awesome roommate.

“Besides, I have you guys always tagging around when I’m working, how can I be lonely.” I muttered, earning a chuckle from the two men.

Soon, Devin and Ricky walked out and joined us. Devin was looking incredibly sexy in his knee length dress, his hair was in its usual craziness, sticking out everywhere, making him look wild and yet somehow breath haltingly alluring. Maybe that was just me. He was also wearing fishnet stockings with some leather strapped boots that went up almost to his knees.

Damn. My inner sass snapped loudly in my mind. I looked over and saw Chris get up, and they all lined up minus one absent Brandon who gone too the stage already.

“What do you think?” He gestured to all four of them. “What do I think? Right now I’m thinking how the hell I got such sexy looking friends, I mean, come on.” I put my hand out lazily and in defeat.

“I mean, every time we’re out walking around, all eyes are on you guys, fans of your music or not. I shouldn’t need too keep telling you guys this.” My hand falling in my lap. They all started posing, jutting there hips out and making faces, acting like they were in front of a camera.

I started laughing, as did they. I guess even rockstars need encouragement now and then. Devin came and sat down beside me, while the other three sat on the opposite side, all squished together. “You guys comfy over there?” I asked, watching Balz practically sit on top of poor Ricky.

The two started bickering, and soon got into a little scuffle, which somehow got Chris involved. The three of them started smacking each other, calling each other names; and I was just sitting here in wonder how the hell nothing was broken in here yet.

I was about to comment something too Devin, but then the door crashed open and we both jumped looking over too who it was. It was their managers assistant manager Angie. I, of course had the pleasure of meeting her all of two times, and each time was worse than the first. I knew right away this was going to be absolute hell stuffed into a 5 foot 4 inch tall girl with fiery red hair and an attitude to match.

“Sup, freaks.” She said in a cheerily sickly way, that I knew she wasn’t joking around with them. I wasn’t too sure with the reason too why she acted this way towards the band Motionless; but I heard it was something to do with being rejected, and now all she did was put on this ugly facade and pretend to be nice, all the while mocking them.

“Heres your schedule for the day and tomorrow.” She threw a bunch of papers up in the air, and I watched as they floated to the ground, anger boiling in my chest at this woman.

I knew from experience that a woman can be extremely resentful and hold a serious grudge, but there was seriously no reason for this. If she was angry at one of the guys, then why didn’t she be the one who quits and finds another job if it bothered her too be here.

I bit my tongue, trying to hold back a question that was bugging me from the moment I met her. I don’t know how they put up with her. I shook my head, literally saying “Fuck it.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“I have too ask, Angie, what is with that attitude?” She was about to turn around and leave, but stopped and looked at me

“What ever do you mean?” She smiled, but I heard the anger and annoyance in her voice. She gave me a look, that challenged me to say something else.

I accepted. “I mean, why do you slam the door open, and spit venom at these guys, trying to disguise it as nice words and friendship.” I stood up, moving past Devin, who was giving me wide eyes, so I could stand in front of her. I was a good six inches taller than her. But I kept my anger down low, and I didn’t tower over her.

For once, I think had her speechless for the first time since I met her. Her mouth was open as if to say something, but couldn’t think of the words. “Well?” I asked quietly. I was serious about wanting to know. And I had better get a reasonable excuse. I heard Chris, Ricky and Balz stop fighting and scramble to get up off the floor. I was staring her directly in her green eyes, and she was trying to avoid them, glancing away but then looking back.

I saw Chris’ tall shadow fall over my shoulder, and I saw Angies eyes widen. I glanced behind me, too see who she was actually looking at. She was staring at Josh. I looked at her, and she let out an angry huff. “Why don’t you ask him?” She glared at him, and turned and walked out the door, slamming the door behind her again.

My eyes made there way over to the black eyed man behind me, my eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, she must really have it in for you.” I commented, my tone light.

He sighed, and it didn’t sound annoyed, it sounded more tired. “We were good friends when she started working with us, but soon she wanted more than that, and I just didn’t feel that way about her. I still don’t.” He explained.

“And ever since that, she’s had it in for all of us. She does stuff like that, and we just let her, because apparently Alex; our manager can’t find someone to fill in, in her place.” Chris finished. I felt my brow rise in surprise. “That’s-.” I sucked in a quick breath. “That’s really shitty.”

I let thoughts of the angry red head go through my mind. “Hmm.” I really didn’t want to ask, because I didn’t want to seem like I was trying too hard. But I wanted to help them. I would have to talk about it with Michelle, and shes pretty easygoing with that type of thing.

“You wouldn’t happen to be looking for another job, would you?” Ricky joked. I grinned. “I was actually just pondering that thought. I would only do it if you guys were okay with it of course, and obviously your manager.”

I swear their faces were like startled deer in headlights. I sniggered, it was just too funny. “Whats so funny?” I immediately stopped, and put on a straight face. “Nothing, nothing at all.” I smiled, and I felt my teeth showing.

“You were serious though, right?” Chris asked. I nodded. “I don’t joke around with stuff like that.” I paused.

“Would you guys be okay with that?” I repeated slowly. “Hell, yes!” Ricky and Chris shouted, then turned to each other giving each other high fives for saying it at the same time. Chris turned and stared at me for a second, and I gave him a confused look. He turned around too the guys and didn’t say anything at all, and they all nodded as if in some sort of silent agreement. Oh Shit.

“Get him!” They all rushed me, and I felt multiple arms wrap around me. It was quite the sight, I bet, if anyone was staring at us right now. Devin, Ricky, Balz and Chris were all hugging me tightly and laughing. I would have loved to hug them back, but seeing as my arms are restricted, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. I leaned my head onto someone elses head, I wasn’t quite sure whose, but I knew it wasn’t Chris’, because he was just a few inches taller than me. “I appreciate the effort, guys, but usually it works better when the hugge gets too hug back.” I laughed, I could feel my smile widen at the feeling of being hugged by people who cared. It was literally warm and fuzzy, and I wasn’t going to say no to that.

I heard the bus door open, and I almost felt a panicky awkwardness set in, at the thought it was going to be Angie again, but I heard a male voice this time.

“Am I interrupting something?” I heard the male ask. “Nope, not all.” I lifted my head and tried to turn it, the guy must have been in his late thirties or early forties. He was wearing some dark blue expensive looking jeans and and white dress shirt. “Hi, there.” I continued, “I would shake your hand, but I’m kind of restricted here.” I laughed. The guys released me, and shook myself, feeling like I was all pressed together. I fluffed out my dark grey shirt with the words ‘Bite Me’ on it, and I felt a little better.

“Hey, Alex. We were just coming to talk to you, actually.” Chris explained, laughing a little at my reaction when they stopped hugging me. So this was Alex. Cool.


~


I wore a plain black dress shirt with no sleeves and my best jeans, and a pair of running shoes. The shoes were more of a preparedness I had thought I would need in case I needed to be running away from my crazy new friends. I guess even some of the Black Veil Brides where coming to. Even more reason to have my running shoes on. I looked down at them, at least they went with the outfit, mostly black with with dark blue accents.

As if to confirm my earlier thoughts, I heard someone scream my name, and in the same instant a pair of skinny arms made there way around my neck and the body attached to it slammed into my back. “Jesus!” I yelled as I heard the one and only Andy Biersack laugh into my ear. He wrapped his legs around my waist, nearly hitting me in the crotch with the heel of his foot. “Careful, man.” I hooked my hands under his thighs and adjusted him, so he wasn’t choking the life out of me.

As we continued walking towards Chris’ house, he started talking again, as if me giving him a piggy back ride was extremely normal. “So I heard you’re Motionless In White's new assistant.”

“Where'd you hear something like that.” I laughed jokingly.

“News travels fast at Warped, so obviously I was one of the first to know.”

“You are so full of yourself, Andy.” CC came up behind us, laughing at the sight of his friend getting a piggy back ride.

“Hey CC.” I greeted. “Sup?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary, how about you?”

“Same old, same old. Hey Andy, where is everyone else?” I knew he was referring too the rest of their bandmates.

“They all went on ahead of us, bunch of jerks.” He laughed.

“I wonder if it was too avoid being jumped by one of their friends who is crazier than the Mad Hatter himself?” I mused out loud, momentarily letting go of Andy’s legs, causing him to yelp in fear of falling, and then I quickly caught him again.

CC roared with laughter. Andy slapped my chest, “Asshat.”

“Jerk.” I countered, chuckling.

“Theres Chris’ house, put me down.” Andy all but shouted in my ear. “Very poor choice of words.” I tried my best Joker accent, and let him go. He stumbled backwards, laughing like an idiot. “I should have just let you drop the first time.” I laughed.

He regained his footing and pushed himself between CC and I. I looked over to where Andy was pointing, and saw what I could only assume was a ridiculously big white house that belonged to a ridiculously tall man. At least the image fits. I thought to myself.

“Chris lives here, holy fuck.” Surprising as it was, I didn’t get enough time to look at, because Andy and CC were dragging me around too the back of the house, too an enormous yard, with a forest cutting it off at the end.

It was actually pretty crowded here, I saw most of the Motionless In White crew, along with the rest of the Black Veil Brides, and what I was gonna go with, must have been family members and friends. I smelled the familiar smell that was charcoal burning in a barbeque. Smoky and a slight burning smell, along with the scent of cooking meat.

It honestly smelled absolutely delicious, I could practically taste some of the spices that were on the meat, and I felt my stomach growl in reaction. I walked over to where Chris was standing over the grill, and announced my presence.

“Hey, did you find the place okay?” He asked, as we bumped fists. “Yeah, I had the help of those two over there.” I pointed over to Andy and CC who were started to mingle with everyone. I turned back to Chris who was turning his attention back to the food on the grill. He was wearing a black and white jersey without sleeves on it, showing off his many tattoos on his arms.

“So what’s on the menu tonight?” I asked,referring to the nights events. “Well, its going to be consisting of eating, fucking around, playing some games, and then more eating. And drinking, of course.”

“Of course.” I laughed, agreeing with him.



~

It was many hours later in the day, when things started calming down. Well, sort of. I was currently on the ground, trying to catch my breath back, because a certain short haired fucker, tackled me too the ground, without any cause or no warning at all. “Ugh.” I sat up slowly, pushing my dark brown hair back out of my face. I saw Chris and Balz laying on the ground also, I guess the dumbass tried to take Chris on too, in our little game of Capture the Flag.

Although, I guess when both teams consisted of mostly men, it got a little rougher than normal. Balz was on the other team, and I was trying to run back to mine and Chris’ flag with the other teams flag in hand; and thats when Balz and I got into a scuffle, that landed me on my backside. I had to admit, he was a sneaky motherfucker, he jumped out from behind a tree I was running by, I didn’t even know it was him until he started laughing.

“Dude, get the flag quick!” I saw Chris get up slowly, “Before Balz’s team come and get it back.” I looked on the ground under me, and I saw a flash of the orange plastic on the ground beside me, I quickly grabbed it, and I stumbled too my feet. I saw Josh try to get up too stop me but Chris held him down as I started running for our flag. I set a slow pace as I was trying to be wary of the other members of Balz’s team. I knew Brandon and possibly Devin would try something, and more than likely Andy and Ashley would to, just because they were on the same team.

I gave a quick glance around and saw Ricky, he was waving at me too keep on moving, or too go faster. I picked up my pace a little, although it was kinda hard when you have a sore side from getting tackled by a hundred fifty pound man at the speed he was going. I soon made it too the clearing, and I saw our little ‘camp’ in the distance, but no flag. Shit. My eyes scanned the trees around, waiting for one of Balzs’ team too come flying at me. I turned around, scanning the small space around me. No movement, that was never a good sign. I quickly made my way around the clearing, keeping close to the woods, so hopefully no one saw me.

I saw movement on the other side of the clearing, something black, which really didn’t help anything since all of us were wearing black. I ducked into the trees and ran a little deeper in the forest, trying to find some cover, but all the while trying to make sure, I kept our camp in sight.


I was getting closer and closer, and I still haven’t run into anybody yet since Ricky and Chris. Fuck. I spoke too soon, when I heard voices. I hid behind a tree, and waited.


I heard rustling from whoevers feet stepped on some branches and some leaves. I heard Andys voice, along with I think was Devins and Ashleys. Of course, it had to be those three. I gave in an inaudible groan of frustration and mentally slapped myself.

“Are you sure, you saw something over here Andy?” Devin whispered harshly. “Yes, of course I did.” He whispered back, annoyed.

“Okay, well are you sure it was who you think you saw?” Ashley whispered also. Little did they know I was probably only a few short feet away from them. My heart was pounding and I felt a little sweaty. My heart rate raised even more when I heard Andy speak up again. “I’m telling you, it looked like Alistair, you know, intimidating build, awesome hair.” I was trying really hard not to laugh, and I somehow managed as I heard the resounding 'smack' as someone hit, who I presumed to be Andy.

“Anyway, lets go, I think he headed further into the woods.” I heard the other two agree and then they ran off. I waited a couple of seconds and I took off towards the camp, running as fast as I could. I was about two feet away from it, and I was so caught up in getting myself there, that I didn’t notice the extra footsteps until it was too late.

Someone charged me from behind, and we were both sent toppling to the ground. Once we hit the ground, I rolled one way, trying to get them off of me. We struggled a bit, rolling around in the dirt and grass, trying to get a hold of the other.

I finally got a hold of them, and got them on their back, so that I was sitting on top of them; triumphant. I looked at the wrist I was holding and saw our blue flag is their hand. “I win.” I grinned, finally looking at the person I was holding down.

I was met with a pair of startling grey blue eyes staring at me with confusion. It took me a moment to register the fact that I was indeed holding down the one and only Devin Sola, and it started doing things too my insides when he smirked back at me.

Notes

Okay, Chapter 4? Is it..

Yes, yes it is. Anyways sorry for the late updates, with this story and with the other story I have going 'For What It's Worth'. I think you all can relate when I say I have some lovely family problems going on and its been wearing me down slowly. *sigh* Some days I hate being an adult.

Anyways, enjoy! :3