the next morning alex shook me awake and before i even knew it i was in the car with him zack and rian- riding to jacks house.

"i swear to fucking god if he took jack with him i will be so pissed!" alex said, banging the steering wheel.

"i'm almost positive he did. but i mean- he'll be back in a month? it's not forever?" rian said, trying to look on the bright side of this totally dark situation.

we pulled up jacks driveway to see his mother sitting on the front steps, hunched over a letter with fresh tears in her eyes.

"mrs barakat..." zack said as we all hurried to her side and sat on the steps around her.

she put her head in her hands and gave rian the note, and he read it out loud in a shaky voice.

"dear mom,alex, zack, stella and rian,

    i'm so sorry. i'll be back by december. or thanksgiving- i doubt dad wants me for any holidays. i love you all so much. you guys are the reason i'm happy and my motivation to stay alive. i'm sorry about the band. i know practices are gonna be really awkward considering that there won't be a guitar player, but i guess you can let that joe guy replace me for a month. he seems nice. cool hair i guess. i'm supposed to be packing my bag while i write this actually. oops. dad is coming in a matter of minutes so i have to wrap it up. when any of you are feeling sad, lonely, or hurt, or hell - miss me, please go into my room. do whatever you want. lay in my bed. watch my tv. go through my porno mags (sorry mom!). i'll be back as soon as possible.
i love you guys.

so long soldiers

                           ~ JACK!!
                                   (the soldier thing was a reference to my own band...#LAME!)

a/n

a depressing double update! youre welcome