"It's been nine days since you left. I still don't really believe it. The house feels so empty and sad without you. I've been spending most nights with Pete and Patrick at their place, just to get away from it. I miss you.

"Some guy named Andy joined their bad. They met at a bookstore a couple days ago. He plays drums. He seems pretty cool. They all miss you too.

"We're about to go out for dinner. I'll write you when I can.

"Stay safe. Love you.

"Mikey."

"I haven't seen you in two weeks. How are you? Training must be busy, you've only written three times. Miss you lots.

"The guys had their first gig last night. It was amazing. They decided on the name "Fall Out Boy". I like it. I'm helping out on some songs and it's really great. I'm thinking of joining, or maybe making my own band. I don't know, it's just a thought. Not like I'd have any other members to join me.

"Send something when you can.

"Stay safe. Love you.

"Mikey."

"Hey Gee, it's Mikey. Things aren't so great here. After a month without you, I'm kinda falling apart. I miss you.

"How's it going over there?

"Please write back when you can.

"Stay safe. Love you.

"Mikey."

~~~

I had gotten a letter like that every weekend for two months. Mail call was my favourite part of the week. Answering, however, was not.

The letters were progressively getting shorter and I was starting to worry. The guilt of leaving Mikey back home was weighing down on me immensely. Everything had changed so quickly, and it was my fault.

Training itself wasn't so bad. Lindsey had become a good friend of mine in those two months we had been together. Every night, I'd have nightmares, and every night she'd sneak into my barrack and climb into bed with me. It helped more than I care to admit.

I trusted her with everything. I confided in her with all my doubts and worries and every feeling I had. And so did she. We helped each other train, as most people didn't want to befriend us, so we only had each other.

I was sitting on the top bunk when I heard a whistle outside and some yelling. That was our cue to go stand in formation outside. It rarely happened, and was saved mostly for important news.

I quickly set down the pad of paper I was drawing on and pencil and hopped down, jogging towards the field.

I spotted Lindsey in the crowd and weaved my way through the soldiers to get to her. We exchanged smiles and waited for the sergeant to speak.

"Atten hut!" he called and began pacing in front of us, "Tomorrow, a new group of soldiers will be arriving here."

Whispers erupted from the crowd. Neither Lindsey nor I said anything.

"Oy!" He yelled, and the whispers subsided.

"Sergeant Bryar," a soldier ventured. I didn't know his first name. Here, everyone went by last name. I knew him as Dun. "How many soldiers?"

"150."

The announcement continued, but I didn't pay much attention. When we were dismissed, I turned right around and left to my bed.

"Gerard!" Lindsey tried to call after me, but I ignored her. I had an uneasy feeling and wanted to be left alone for a while. Maybe I would write a letter to Mikey.

~~~

We woke up every morning at 5:30am. Lights out was at 9:00pm, or 2100 hours. Everyday, we would have the same schedule.

Except for that day.

At 7:00am, twelve transports came into the camp. Soldiers crowded around to get a first look at the new recruits.

I, however, stayed by the door of my barrack. Lindsey joined me.

"I wonder what they're like," She kept her eyes on the trucks.

"Yeah," I said softly.

Lindsey patted me on the back and went over to join the group of soldiers waiting to see the new people. Giving in, I followed close behind her.

The rackety transports stopped in the middle of the campground and people in uniform began spilling out of them. The newcomers looked around, taking everything in. Their heads moved in every direction.

There were so many people, but one specific man caught my eye.

His short hair, recently cut, made recognizing him harder, but I knew it was him.

Frank.

His smile spread across his face as he looked around in awe and bewilderment and his hazel eyes almost sparkled. He seemed to have a part of Jersey in him, reminding me of home. Despite being noticeably shorter than his peers, Frank still seemed to be above most.

I stood up straighter and tried to get a better look. Frank noticed me in the crowd and seemed to remember me too. He turned around and motioned for someone to follow him before walking up to me and, once they got closer, I recognized the second man as Raymond.

"Hey! Gerard, right?" Frank greeted.

"Yeah, you remembered," I marvelled, surprised.

"Of course."

"Back at ya," I smiled. He actually remembered me?

Lindsey cleared her throat, pulling me from Frank.

"Oh, Frank, this is Lindsey. Lindsey, Frank. And that's Raymond," I said, pointing to each of them respectively.

They greeted each other, shaking hands and smiling.

"Way," Sergeant Bryar approached us, "Making friends, are we?"

"No, sir. Just greeting some of the new recruits. We were just trying to help them adjust," Lindsey answered for me, earning a scowl from the sergeant.

"Ballato. Way. Report to your training posts," he ordered, "You two, report to your barracks."

"Yes, sir," all four of us said in unison and parted ways. As I walked away, I managed to sneak one last glance at Frank walking with Raymond.

~~~

"Hey Mikey. I miss you too. Tell the guys I say hi. Sorry I haven't written much to you, this has been really tiring and time-consuming. I'll try to send more letters soon.

"I included a picture with this letter of me and some friends I made here. Lindsey, Frank, and Raymond. They're pretty great, and we're doing alright. They take good care of me. Especially Lindsey.

"Oh, she wanted to hi to you. I talk about you guys and home a lot apparently.

"Love you. Until next time,

"Gee."