Ste loved Kevin, he'd been there for him like a brother. Anytime or anywhere and Kevin would drop everything for Ste without a second thought. They spoke to each other about everything, not having to worry about it been passed on or spread around the college walls. Their friendship was tight, they had a special bond.

They had known each other for 2 years on their cooking course at college. At first Ste thought he was smug and loved himself. Likewise for Kevin, who thought Ste was nothing but a mouthy council estate chav. Until they had to work in pairs, they refused at first but with a push from their tutor they got on with it and that's when they got to know each other properly. They spoke about their future career plans, both wanting to own their own restaurants. It was a slow friendship, but over the first few months they spent more time together and they let their guards down and soon enough they freely told each other about their pasts and family lives.

Kevin's upbringing and life was the total opposite to Ste's. Ste had an alcoholic has a mother, and that affected Ste in school and his behaviour got worse as time went on. Ste never felt envy towards Kevin though, most times Kevin's house felt like his home, somewhere he could go to when he needed to escape and when he needed to feel safe.

They knew each other like the back of their hand, but right at this moment Ste felt as if he didn't know Kevin at all. He looked at him like a stranger as they stood in the canteen in college.

"You've started doing what?" Ste had to make sure he heard him correctly.

"I've started ya know, selling drugs," Kevin whispered. "The cash I get for doing it is quality. The man I sell the drugs for is so rich."

Kevin smiled as if he was proud of himself. Ste swallowed, his mouth was so dry. Ste wasn't no saint himself and he'd been in trouble with the police before several times, but that's exactly why he didn't want his best friend getting into any bother.

"You have to stop, stuff like that can get dangerous." Ste chewed on his bottom lip with his teeth nervously, "what if you get caught? End up in prison, what then?"

"Chill man, that won't happen. The guy I sell them for is careful with his dealers and that. He's hard too, so if I got into any shit he would sort it for me."

"This is crazy, YOU are crazy. Kevin, this isn't you right? You wanna make something of your life, you want a massive businesses, a family." Ste shook his head disappointingly, "I don't wanna lose my best friend."

"You sound like my dad or something! I thought you'd think it was cool...its not as if you haven't done it before. I'm just doing it for the money, I'm not gonna be doing it forever."

"I'm just trying to look out for ya! God knows who this man is? I bet you know nothing about him Kevin. How did you even get involved in this shit? I'd stop before its too late." Ste scratched at his head and looked around the canteen to make sure no one was watching them, it would have been clear to anyone that Ste was in a bit of a state if they were. Thankfully nobody was and Ste leaned over the table and said calmly, "I got beat up twice by thugs cause a deal messed up...then I got arrested but got off when they found no clear evidence. I was 15 at the time, thought I was proper hard and would be seen as a man, but I was wrong."

Kevin seemed worried all of a sudden. Ste was right, he was a good lad, he shouldn't have got himself into this, this wasn't him. "He's called Brendan. Brendan Brady." Kevin breathed shakily and looked at his vest friend for support. "He was round at my house a few weeks ago, arguing with my dad. I don't know what about, but this Brendan guy was so angry, he scared the shit of me. My dad told me to go upstairs, but I just couldn't move my legs until this Brendan man spoke to me then, told me to 'move like a good little boy' his accent was different to ours. Irish he is. He looked possessed and it was enough to make me run out the door. Five minutes later he was leaving my house and smoothing down this awful moustache with his fingers." Kevin took a bit of his drink, trying to calm himself down and clear his throat. "He walked up to me and I was so scared Ste, he could tell though and he just laughed like a mentalist in my face, I can still hear it in my ears now. Anyway, he suddenly took a pack of gum out of his trousers and popped some into his mouth and that's when he said he had a job for me. Said it would help my dad, and how I would make the most money I ever will in my life. I wasn't thinking when I said yeah Ste, I was scared about what would happen if I said no."

Ste tried to take it all in. The name Brendan Brady was a popular name around the village, Ste had heard only bad things about him. He'd never seen him or come across him but Ste was now more worried for his friend than before. "You need to stay away from him Kevin, you need to stop dealing for him OK? Have you got his number?" Kevin nodded, "right text him and tell him you're sorry but you can't deal for him no more."

"It won't be that easy, he won't let me quit."

Ste had a feeling that would be the case but there was no other way out. "Just text him Kevin and let him know. Whatever happens, we deal with it together."

Kevin bravely took his phone out of his pocket and began to type out his message with unsteady fingers. Once he'd hit send he gripped his phone tight and prayed for the best.

Ste had text Kevin throughout the rest of the afternoon to see if he'd heard anything from Brendan, he hadn't. Ste hoped that no news was good news.

At the end of the day, Ste packed up his stuff and made to meet Kevin at the gates where they usually met after college when they didn't have a lesson together. When Ste reached the gates he saw Kevin been pinned up against a silver car by a man. Ste instantly knew it was Brendan and his heart dropped.

" 'ere get off him!" Ste screamed and ran across the road to his friend. "Picking on teenagers eh? Go and pick on someone your own size!"

"Shut up Ste!" Kevin urged, trying to get his breath.

Ste got his phone out of his pocket, " I'm ringing the police me,-"

"Ste no!"

Ste's phone was pulled from within his grasp before he could stop this crazed man from doing anything serious. Before Ste could think properly, his phone was being stamped on by a pair of black shoes with so much force that he was surprised the ground didn't have a crack in it.

He looked up astounded at this mans cruelty and spoke before he could think, "you fucking bastard!"

Brendan spoke as if what was happening was normal, "cute. Count yourself lucky you're still standing boy." Brendan suddenly let go of Kevin and smoothed down Kevin's coat and smiled to the boys. "Sorry about the phone." Brendan looked down at it and he looked anything but sorry. "Accidents can't be helped though boys, eh?" He laughed as though he had just told a joke, he turned to Kevin and pointed in his face, "make sure you're at the usual meeting place tonight or more accidents could happen and we don't want that, do we?"

Kevin shook his head as if he had given in again. Ste kind of wished he could do the same but he never was one for biting his tongue, so he spoke up again. "Kevin ain't interested in your dirty deals, alright? So just back off. Go and make someone else's life a misery."

"Ye just don't know when to keep quiet, do you?" Brendan seethed, "keep ye nose out. Kevin and I can handle this, he's a big boy he doesn't need you holding his hand." Brendan turned back to Kevin, "go home and get ready, I'll text you about tonight."

Kevin ran off whilst he had the chance, Ste called after him but Kevin just carried on running.

"Nice talk... Steven."

"Don't call-" Brendan was in his car and driving off before Ste could finish.

Ste felt drained, but he knew he would find the fight in him again that he needed to help his best friend.

He wasn't going to let Brendan Brady win.