In the text it states ,“they’d called a few times and he got together with them once in awhile, but he was busy trying to keep his marks up.” (Aker 287). Although, towards the end of the book Reef had stopped spending time with Jink and Bigger often because he knew that they had a bad influence on him, so then reef began to focus on school and find new and better friends from North Hill. During the beginning of the book, Reef was a reckless person with friends Jink and Bigger who did not have a negative influence on him . When Reef was being rehabilitated at North Hills, he had made new friends that were in the same position as he was such as Colville and Alex who helped him understand that a ruthless behaviour is not wanted/acceptable. Another example from the text is when Reef told Colville “It was a good day”(Aker 213). This quote shows that when Reef found the right friend named Leeza at the hospital he started to “feel free” as Reef says. Reef was able to talk about his family and express his loss, without being judged by Leeza. Furthermore, Reef had fun being in the company of her and helped Leeza recuperate at the same time and himself too, while still not having to act like a “tough guy” and be himself. Leeza had changed Reef to a more thoughtful and caring