Schraff, Anne E

Beginning his junior year at Cesar Chavez High School, Ernesto Sandoval didn't want to move back to the barrio until he sees Naomi Martinez and finds himself falling in love.

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.

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.

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.

Ernesto does not understand why Naomi, the girl who he cares for, puts up with her abusive boyfriend, Clay, but the dark secrets surrounding their relationship are brought to light after Clay hits Naomi in the face during one of their arguments.

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.

Amid conflict, jealousy and competition, Darcy fights for her relationship with Hakeem and struggles with fears over her family's future.

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.

Abel, a sixteen-year-old junior at Cesar Chavez High School, happily accepts a job at a local donut shop to make some money and distance himself from his parents, who continuously put him down, but when money goes missing from the register, Abel hopes that Claudia, the cute girl who works at the shop with him, is not responsible.

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.