“That was then, this is now.”
Chapter 1
Bryon Douglas, the protagonist, introduces his life in a rough neighborhood where he and his best friend, Mark, navigate adolescence. The two are like brothers, but Bryon begins noticing Mark’s reckless behavior, including petty theft and fighting. Bryon works at a bar to support his mother, while Mark drifts into trouble.
Chapter 2
Bryon meets Cathy, a girl he quickly falls for, and their relationship deepens. Meanwhile, Mark’s disregard for consequences worsens—he steals from a liquor store and gets into fights. Bryon starts questioning their friendship as he matures, while Mark remains stuck in his impulsive ways.
Chapter 3
Bryon and Cathy grow closer, but tensions rise when Bryon’s friend M&M, Cathy’s younger brother, experiments with drugs. Bryon tries to intervene, but M&M disappears, sending Cathy into distress. Mark remains indifferent, showing his detachment from the consequences of their lifestyle.
Chapter 4
Bryon and Cathy search for M&M, eventually finding him in a drug house, traumatized by LSD. Bryon realizes the dangers of their environment and Mark’s harmful influence. He begins distancing himself from Mark, who grows increasingly volatile.
Chapter 5
After a violent altercation, Bryon discovers Mark has been dealing drugs. Devastated by the betrayal, Bryon reports Mark to the police, leading to his arrest. The novel ends with Bryon reflecting on how much has changed—his loyalty to Mark is gone, and he accepts that their paths have diverged forever.
Key ideas
- The painful transition from childhood to adulthood.
- The consequences of loyalty versus moral responsibility.
- The impact of environment on personal growth.
- The destructive nature of drug abuse.
- The inevitability of change in relationships.
Who should read this book?
- Teens and young adults navigating friendship and moral dilemmas.
- Readers interested in gritty, realistic coming-of-age stories.
- Fans of S.E. Hinton’s other works like The Outsiders.