Ivan Irlbeck was a boy whose brain has never, and will never, function properly for him. All he wanted was to live the life of a typical teenager, but being gay and having to live with a severe mental illness wasn't making that wish come easy. He lived a life of solitude, and he was beginning to make peace with that. When a new family comes along and moves in down the street, Ivan's life is turned upside down by their older son Ethan, who quickly became enthralled with the mysteriousness that was Ivan Irlbeck.

When things with his step brother finally escalate too far and Gabe gets seriously injured, he's sent to stay with another family for a while. Unfortunately the guy Gabe's sharing bunk beds with has taken an instant dislike to him for no apparent reason.