Prologue: A Flash of Lightning

The sky was dark, the clouds and ominous shade of grey as the young man in the hooded top ran through the village, his face awash with tears. He snivelled, rubbed his face hard, so hard his skin was turning a shade of violent red. He raced passed a woman, he didn't recognise who, as he ran towards his home.

A couple of his friends were standing at the Drive'N'Buy as he ran home. His mother, busy behind the counter, called out to him cheerfully but he ignored her and continued on his path back to his room.

Inside the flat, his step-brother was sitting at the dining table, munching on a sandwich. His innuendo filled comment vanished into nothingness as he continued his quick paced walk back towards his room.

He set his iPod to shuffle and stretched out on his bed. He divested himself of his clothes, resting only in his underwear, and continued to cry.

Meanwhile, a cardigan wearing boy was smiling so brightly you would've thought it would hurt his face. He was so happy, in fact, he was whistling a jaunty tune as he practically skipped his was home. His tanned skin and short, styled hair gave him a preppy look and he'd received many an interested look from both sides of population on his nights out in Chester.

But he only had one interest: his best friend... and first, true love.

He got his keys out, unlocked the front door to his house and got inside, away from the cold. His mother and eldest sister were sitting on the sofa when he entered, each with a bacon butty and a mug of tea before them.

His sister, sensing the happiness the was pouring out him, swivelled round in his seat and smirked at him.

"Why do you look like the cat that got the cream, Craig?" she asked, taking a bite from her sandwich.

"Got some great news, sis, really amazing news." He replied, joining them on the couch and nicking the other half of his sisters sandwich.

"Oi! There's one in the kitchen for ya, you cheeky sod!" she shouted, slapping at his wrist. "Now c'mon, tell us this great news?" she inquired.

"Yeah, luv, what's got you bouncing of the walls?" his mother asked through a mouthful of bacon.

He tapped at his nose, smirked to them and heading towards the kitchen. He retrieved his sandwich and shouted over his shoulder, "You do remember what happened to the curious cat, right Jacqs?"

He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and made a dash for the stairs, before his sister could come up with a quick reply.

Once inside his room, Craig logged onto Facebook and updated his relationship status. It had previously been set to 'It's complicated' but he had now changed it to 'In a Relationship' as he took a big bite from his sandwich.

He smiled once more, his face brightening instantly.