A friendship begins to develop between Cody and Chris as the boys work to start a school choir.

A friendship begins to develop between Cody and Chris as the boys work to start a school choir. Organizing the choir was Chris' idea, and its success boosts his self-confidence; but at his moment of triumph, his mother moves out, leaving Chris behind with his alcoholic father. Cody, meanwhile, is grappling with the complicated reality of his extended family. Though he lives with his former step-grandmother, Liz, he's still legally in the custody of his aunt. Bristling under his father's control, Chris takes a job at Taco Bell, where his work hours quickly escalate. Running on too few hours of sleep, he watches his grades plummet. He pursues a relationship with a new girl in school and is accused of giving her illegal prescription drugs. On the verge of being expelled, he is forced to face a harsh reality: quit his job or abandon all hope for an education.