Jerome met Andy under the small brick tunnel. He pulled out some money and handed it to him. In return, he got a small bag. The two boys parted ways, Jerome heading back to Anubis house with the tiny bag in his pocket.

Jerome walked to his room, finding that is was free of Alfie. Probably hanging out with his new friends. Perfect. He pulled out the bag and closed the door, then took a seat on his bed. He poured the contents of the small bag onto his nightstand: white powder. After this, he turned and checked over his shoulder.

His attention back on the cocaine, he shaped the powder into lines, then pulled out some money from his pocket and rolled it up. Jerome put his index finger on his right nostril. He put one end of the note into his nose, then chased a line with the other end. He rubbed his nose and sniffed, later chasing another line.

Jerome first started using cocaine about two months ago, finding that it helped make him feel better and forget about his problems for a while. It's just a weekend thing. I'm not going to get addicted. It's just that he has no one else to turn to. Alfie has new friends now. Mara knows about his parents leaving him, but he can't stand running to her and whining about every problem that crosses his mind. He doesn't like crying or feeling weak in front of her-or anyone for that matter.

That's why Jerome always covers up his emotions with humor and jokes and pranks. Alfie is a great friend to hang out with and keep his mind off of things. Well, he was. Until he started ditching him for Fabian, Amber, Patricia, Joy, and Nina.

That was one of his many problems. Alfie just seemed to lose interest in him. He felt so lonely. He'd lost his best friend.

Jerome was also abandoned by his parents, who had left him at this boarding with no intention to visit, call, or even write. This happened when he was only five years old. He hasn't heard from his parents since. They left him to rot, and that's exactly what he did.

Jerome pranks others to see them hurt, watching others feel pained for a change. I know. It sounds bad. But I didn't want to be like this.

At least he had Mara-beautiful, sweet Mara. Mara Jaffray: his girlfriend. She brings out the best in me. But this placed another problem: Mick. Jealous Mick, who would do anything to break Mara and Jerome up.

Jerome sniffed, rubbing his nose, then went to find Mara.

Mara sat on her bed next to Jerome, their lips connected. Her hand was on his cheek. His was climbing up her thigh, then was under her shirt in no time.

She pushed him away and jumped to her feet. "Jerome! What are you doing?"

He wiped his nose. "What?"

"You know that I'm not ready to go that far!"

The teen only nodded.

"Are you okay? You're acting really weird today."

"I'm fine."

"You look sick. Maybe you should lie down in your room."

Jerome stood and started toward the door. He reached for the knob, but the door swung open. Good thing, too, because his coordination was way off and his hand had been nowhere near the knob.

Patricia stepped into the room, giving Jerome a once-over. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Jerome exited the room and went downstairs and into his room, where he saw Alfie, who was putting things into a suitcase. The young man just took a seat on his bed and made a snorting noise with his nose, an effect of the cocaine.

"Mick and I are gonna switch rooms. You know? So you and him can work out whatever problem you have."

That wasn't the real reason, but Jerome wasn't in the right mindset to comprehend that.

"We're still best mates. Yeah?"

Jerome only nodded.