Max stayed home from the footy because he didn’t want to run into Jaden. It had been a bad week—he was sure he’d soon be going to prison. After school yesterday, Jaden had shown him a little black book with a list of all the things Max had stolen. Jaden had written everything down in his messy, leaning-back writing.

Cigarettes

Fruit Tingles

Coke Cola x 2 3 4

Snickers x 2

Mars bar x 2 3 4

Mentos

Packet of lolly snakes

Cadbury’s chocolate block

Icy pole

Picnic bar

Tic Tacs

Twisties

Jubes

Freddo Frogs x 2 3

Violet Crumble

A two-page list with a word on every line. When Max saw it, he felt himself melting into the ground. Had he really stolen all that stuff? Jaden had made him do it, but that wouldn’t matter when the cops got him.

‘Five years is what you’ll get,’ Jaden had said. ‘Five years behind bars.’

Max looked at him fearfully. What did kids do in jail? Did they have TV and PlayStation? Would he be allowed to use his iPhone? And did they eat porridge every day? The food wouldn’t be like Mum’s spaghetti, and no way would there be ice-cream.

‘They put people like you in solitary,’ Jaden said.

Max wasn’t sure what that was. He decided not to ask.

Jaden flapped the notebook in his face. ‘This is your death sentence. You have to do what I say, or off you go to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars.’

Max’s ears pricked. Two hundred dollars would be enough to get Rosie fixed. ‘Where do I get two hundred dollars?’

‘It’s Monopoly, you idiot. Monopoly money is play money. Nobody’s going to give you two hundred dollars. You have to rob a bank to get that much money.’

Max’s knees went wobbly. He hoped Jaden wasn’t going to make him rob a bank. To do that you needed guns and escape cars and balaclavas.

Jaden poked him in the ribs. ‘Didn’t you hear me? I want you to get me some beer.’

Max shook his head. Beer would be harder than cigarettes.

‘Your dad has heaps,’ Jaden said. ‘He’s an alco, and alcos always have beer.’

Max was cross that Jaden had called Dad an alco because it wasn’t true, but he had to think quickly. ‘Dad’s given up beer. Mum made him stop.’ It was a good lie: everyone at school knew Max’s dad had come home and was in the doghouse, as Mum put it.

Jaden did a Chinese burn on Max’s arm and made it go red. ‘If I see your dad drinking beer at the footy then I’ll know you’ve got some at home.’