thismy

Wow, it’s been a while. I went back through a lot of the discussion I missed since I dropped off again. I do agree that part of the reason I stopped reading was the change in Jack’s character, and the constant shit he always did. However, I’d be lying if I said it was the reason I stopped reading. Life gets in the way, and mine did. I’m gonna give it another go, and it seems like I’ve got a lot of story to catch up on. Congrats on the 100 chapter milestone, and I know the place isn’t as active as it used to be. You should know that I think about this story a lot. Sometimes it just comes to me in the middle of the day. I think “I wonder how Jack and Kayla are doing.” It was a part of me as I struggled with things, and as I grew up more. I think a lot of what frustrated me about the story and Jack is, that while the situations weren’t too similar, I found them to be real, and hitting a bit too close to home sometimes. I don’t really know how to explain it, but sometimes, it was hard to come back here. It was like coming back to a part of my life that I couldn’t get back. The point being, you’re an incredible writer, and your story has had a tangible impact on me. It inspired me to write on my own and to do it often.

I'd forgotten about 42 & 43. Those two chapters were a beautiful mosaic of failure, betrayal, and despair.

Those two things are angles I hadn't though about. I've been following the "Kayla feels suffocated" avenue pretty hard, but that could be only a side issue. Yeah, maybe she is feeling a little pressure from Jack she doesn't want. But the possibility that she is worried about her home life and her parent's life is likely, and that she is feeling pressure from her mom. I think that issue is most telling about their relationship. Jack and Kayla are shown to use through Jack's eyes. They are, in his mind, the perfect couple. They've grown a lot over their few years together. Yet they still have a lot of growth to go. There are a lot of things yet to come to set them as an ironclad couple.

It was incredible. I was feeling the same things. That nervousness, that sadness, even a bit depressed. That really damn good writing to do that to me. We see more and more of Kayla every chapter, and I love it! So chapter 81 was strong. Very strong. I'm reminded of my high school graduation, which was hectic and crowed, but I had it a one of my town's many event centers, not a university. I got Jack's feeling of being out of place at the arcade. Went to one of those for a party my senior year, and it was pretty bad. And Arthur throwing some shade! It'll be interesting to see how he and Tara work out. But Jack and Kayla have been splitting. There are definitely weak links in their relationship, and those are being stressed. The last conversation of the chapter seems to confirm our theories of Kayla's feeling of suffocation. It's technically not too late to change, but Kayla is in pretty deep. This, above all else, might actually be the biggest strain on their relationship. I know we all assume that Jack and Kayla are endgame, but this should be good to see.

I also just recently got back. It's a rough few chapters (rough as in for Jack. Great writing) but I like the direction. Took a while to catch up, I left off about the same spot as you.

Ch. 80 was soild. I sort of got my wish! Kayla attacking Jessica was a bit of a surprise, and Jack did have to rein her in. "Attacking," may be a strong word, more of a quick shove, but it did it's damage. Her final words were befitting, but we might get another glimpse of her, I think. The marriage point was quite contentious, and interesting to see play out. That was really the first time I can recall Jack and Kayla having an in depth discussion about it, and it's interesting that Kayla has been so set off. As Joe Long mentioned, college is a new window for Jashley. He can reboot, restart. Fresh characters, plot lines. New issues and challenges with Kayla. I think it's pretty safe to say they'll both go to ISU. Kayla may have second thoughts and so on, but I think they'll end up in the same place. They don't strike me as a couple that could survive the long distance. (few can, it destroyed my brother, though probably for the better. Hell, 50 miles ruined one of mine, but that was kinda on me) No slight against our heros, but that's just my perspective. The point about not having time in college, I don't buy that. At least not for freshman year. Right, Kayla will have some tough classes, Jack too but not as much. However, freshman year is mostly gen eds, lower level classes. Jack and Kayla have always seemed pretty smart. My freshman year, difficulty wise, was not that bad. And it was recent too. I had plenty of time on the weekends, and I often saw people all over campus. I suspect Jack and Kayla should be able to grab lunch at least twice during the week, and then on the weekends hang out. They can do homework together at the library, in study rooms all over. My school is not lacking in those. Free time abounds, even with homework. I'm really looking forward to Kayla developing her own group of girlfriends (maybe her roommate(s?) can be an in to that) totally independent of Jack. I think it's what Kayla needs, anyway. Maybe she rushes a sorority? She doesn't strike me as the type, but who knows. As previously trending through the thoughts on the last few chapters, the talk about marriage and other things, could Kayla be feeling suffocated by Jack? I don't doubt she loves him, but maybe she acts out to get her own space. The stress of college brings out booze party Kayla. She has her sorority-frat only parties. That could send Jack into another world of insecure. So many possibilities! I can't wait to see what's in store.

Chapter 76 about 2/3rds through: "“I have to check my schedule too and I think I’m supposed to go out with the girls on…maybe Saturday?” She thought about it for a second. “Or maybe it was Friday…Have to check.” “The ‘girls’?” “From work, genius. How many other girls do I know?” Before I could even state the obvious answer, she pressed a finger to my lips. “I’m not hanging out with Becca alone, Jessica’s out of the question, and Belle…” She grimaced sourly. “From work.” “How come I’ve never met them?” I asked once she finally pulled her finger away, “Believe me, I’m not gonna go after any of them.” “Good,” she said emphatically, her eyebrows arching, “Nice to know you don’t have a death-wish anymore.” “Yeah, well—” “And most of them are your mom’s age and married so…do with that what you want.” She smirked and folded her arms. “So what’s our next date gonna be?”" So yeah, I doubt Kayla has a lot of young male attention at her work, yet it is possible. However, I think Jack getting upset over it would be another big blow. "Jack, I love you. You still don't trust me?" Something like that. Kayla cheating on Jack is, in my opinion, highly implausible. Jack's insecurities, at this point in their relationship, would be kind of outrageous and probably a turn off for Kayla. I think you're right that Jessica shouldn't be taken lightly. I'm just not sure what she'd do. I doubt bring Brad back. Maybe try to humiliate them? Do something to get Jack or Kayla in a proactive position? It'll be interesting to see what her mom does and possibly meet her dad, who apparently she gets her stuck up entitlement from. Or is there one last villain or problem waiting in the wings for Jack and Kayla before they leave? With regards to Jeff again, I think the Brad thing is the problem. Brad was a significant character. We knew he'd come back, right. It was always likely. Personally I'd hoped he'd have changed, and Jack could at least not hate him, but whatever. Jeff on the other hand, we've never met, and haven't heard from for at least two years. Him coming to find Kayla when she and Jack were first together was likely, but not now. If he were to show up, It'd be very hard for me to accept without real good justification. I expect Belle might show up one more time, and we might get a tie up with the gym teacher whose name I'm too lazy to go spell correctly. We've still got a lot of story ahead of us. There are many things still to happen. Bombs, car crashes, water torture, engagements, wedding, college and all the things that come along with it, plus the items that haven't been teased. A lot of the story's recent conflicts have been past villains, old haunts. I expect we'll see something new.

The catfight seems most likely of the three, but personally seems far out to me. I'm not saying I have any better ideas, because as of now, I don't, but I just don't see it happening. I recall Kayla mentioning that her co-workers are all double her age, and Kayla doesn't seem like the older guy type of gal. So Jack probably wouldn't have to worry on that front. The Jeff point is possible, but I feel it'd be cheap, and Jashley usually leaves bread crumbs, which we've had none of. Jeff was a conflict. One that is far away and has been resolved.

That's what I want! Kayla has been on the same side in a lot of these issues. I'm hoping either it's something happening to Kayla that Jack and Kayla as a team, with our newly improved not fixing things as much Jack, work through. Or we get Kayla making a mistake. She's not perfect, and the biggest one I can remember is not telling Jack about Jeff. She's overreacted a couple times, but otherwise she hasn't made a big slip up. It's her turn, at least I think. Otherwise I really want a situation where it effects both Jack and Kayla and they're on the same page as to what to do, or maybe Jack has to reign in Kayla a little.

I forgot about Jessica's mom. That's an interesting one. I would also like to see more and was thrown by here frank discussion with Jack and Kayla.

79 was very quiet as well. Hmm. What is Jashley hiding? 79 was good, Jack and Rhona scene took up most of the beef. Calm and just what Jack and Kayla deserve, but will it last? I'm still over here waiting for Kayla to mess up. Yeah she's had her overreactions, and there was Jeff, but what else? Will Kayla slip up, make a mistake? Will it for once be on Jack to forgive? College is coming and we've still got so many known things to happen. Water torture, the bomb, possibly a car crash. I'm looking forward to seeing team Kack's next great challenge.

God, the ending to chapter 77 was beautiful. One of the better finishes to a chapter, in my opinion.

I gotta say, the ending to chapter 72 was pretty entertaining. I liked. Angry Jack and sibling Jack.

Oh I'm expecting it. I think I accidentally spoiled part of it for myself anyway.

I'm on chapter 70 right now, and I have to say. Jack fucking sucks. It's been a long time, I need to sort out my thoughts some. But damn. Everything he does pisses me off. He's too flawed.