Della had always thought that fifteen was too young of an age to date - but that was before she actually got asked out, by a guy two years older than herself. After a fight with her boyfriend Della is followed home by a strange collage-age man, who confronts her father about her wandering the dark streets alone. As Della ages, without much grace and oceans of heartache from her boyfriend, the man - Ray - stays beside Della. Ray is the only one that knows that Della's boyfriend abuses her, but keeps quiet as a request from Della. Then one day Ray finds Della laying on the side of the rode - completely still - this is when he confesses to Della's clueless father about Della's torment.