Jasper Short is a sixteen-year-old sophomore attending Lenox Memorial High in Lennox, Massachusetts. He is dark-haired, hazel-eyed behind black glasses, and ignored. He is a shadow. He is hardly acknowledged, save for being harassed and teased. Despite his personality, and his intelligence, he has only one friend named Oliver. Calvin Locke is a seventeen-year-old junior attending the same school. He is fair-haired, blue-eyed, and adored. He is the sun. He is more than acknowledged, he is revered. Despite his physical attractiveness, he could be considered quite a jerk towards many. Jasper Short being one of his victims. When Calvin stands up for him one day in class, things turn and twist. He is suddenly under his wing, and convinced to run track with him on the team. Months later, great friendship melds into stronger feelings, and the heart flushes as the school year comes to a close.