pranking people in the process. DeLonge was an average student, later saying: "I knew exactly how hard I had to work in school. As long as I got that C, I wouldn't try one minute extra to get a B. I just cared about skateboarding and music."

DeLonge's parents fought constantly during his formative years, culminating in a divorce when he was 18. Shortly thereafter, his mother lost her job. He promptly moved out, feeling that he needed to start his own life; his brother was also away at that time in the Army,