Destini Fletcher is thrilled when popular Tyron Becker asks her out, thinking their relationship will help her become more accepted at Tubman High, but as Tyron belittles Destini's friends and good grades, she wonders if he is as perfect as she thought.
Derrick Shaw witnesses a murder on the way home from his after-school job and promises the killer he will not reveal his identity, but his vow of silence begins to weigh heavily on Derrick's mind.
Jaris Spain has been in love with the beautiful Sereeta Prince since junior high, but her refusal to even acknowledge Jaris plunges him into a depression and makes him consider drastic measures to get her attention.
The girls at Tubman High prepare to compete in the Princess of the Fair, and even though they are supposed to embody characteristics of Harriet Tubman, they allow themselves to get caught up in a popularity contest and will stop at nothing to win.
Teenager Jaris Spain is surprised to hear gunfire in his neighborhood and learns that thirteen-year-old Maya Archer was caught in the crossfire, but a rumor spreads that the shot was meant for DeWayne Pike, and Jaris decides to discover the truth.
Everyone's a little nervous after a drive-by in the barrio. But then comes news of another shooting, and it hits very close to home for Ernesto Sandoval. After Naomi's neighbor and fellow senior, Roxie Torres, is shot, a homeless drifter is arrested. But Ernesto thinks Roxie is a liar.
Chelsea Spain, tired of her father's harsh rules, decides to take some risks with her life, but when her immature friends start egging her on more and more, she is not sure every temptation is worth it.
Trevor feels he is caught between his girlfriend, Vanessa Allen, and his mother and brother, who think Vanessa is not a good influence on Trevor, and realizes he is old enough to make decisions for himself, but is not sure what the right one is.
Sereeta Prince, trying to cope with problems with her family, is blamed for a string of thefts at Tubman High School and starts to fall into a depression.
Kevin Walker is determined to be a loner at Tubman High so no one will discover the secret that forced his family to move, but when he becomes the star of the track team, his rising popularity threatens everything.
