Sasha, a popular senior in high school, with excellent grades finds herself increasingly attracted to Duane Banks, a boy who stands out not because he flaunts his good looks and his achievements at the school like so many, but because he is shy and somewhat withdrawn. He's one of the few good-looking boys who pays little attention to her, and that makes him more interesting.

When auditions for the new school play begin, she and Duane both get parts and Duane slowly seems to be coming out of his shell, permitting himself to hope and succeed at something. But when neither of his parents show up to see the play, Duane goes into depression.

When one morning Duane doesn't show up for school, Sasha is distraught to learn that he has taken his own life. Blaming herself for not working harder to make him happy, Sasha too begins a downward spiral into depression. But Sasha finds support and comfort from an unexpected quarter.