2003: St. Hollowford College, Ireland.

The bell was my cue to bolt. Not that I ever stuck around that hellhole longer than I had to. Dodging a few stragglers, I pushed through the double doors of St. Hollowford’s, already fishing for a smoke.

"Donovan! Wait up, you prick!" Sean's voice cut through the afternoon chaos. I grinned, slowing my pace. "What's the craic, Reilly?"

He jogged up, Tadhg trailing behind him like a lost puppy. "Heard you had another go with Finnerty," Sean said, a glint in his eye. "Reckon you'll ever learn to keep your fists to yourself?" Tadhg chimed in, ever the voice of reason.

"Nah, where's the fun in that?" I shot back, lighting my cigarette. Finnerty had it coming, mouthing off about Maeve, my sister, again. Family's off-limits, simple as.

Slowly, we fell into our usual rhythm, heading towards the back gate where Caoimhe would be waiting, probably already halfway through a pack of Marlboro Reds. Life was simple: school, smokes, pints at the pub, and avoiding my Da when he was in a mood. Rinse and repeat.

Oh, and the all-consuming addiction that I was battling when the doors were closed. Turns out that much cocaine really did ruin you.

As we rounded the corner, Caoimhe was there, alright, but not alone.

Some girl I'd never seen before was leaning against the wall beside her, laughing at something Caoimhe said. Dark hair, bright green eyes, tits that might be able to kill a man, and a smile that could probably stop traffic.

I felt a jolt, something I hadn't felt in a long time since..well, everything went to shit and I became too dependent on drugs and less on sex. Intrigued? Maybe. Annoyed that she was messing with my routine? Definitely.

"Who's the newbie?" I asked Caoimhe, trying to sound casual as smoke spilled from my lips, split from fighting, but I could feel Sean and Tadhg exchanging glances. This was new territory for Rory Donovan, and they knew it.

I could feel it already, I was totally and utterly fecked.