Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is known as 'steel country.' But its name also implies its penchant for producing hard-nosed, tough-minded individuals. Who no matter how dark things get, always manage to overcome. So it should come as no surprise that 13 year old Derrick, is a product of this town. When his mother succumbed to her crack habit, Derrick was left as the sole provider for himself and a pair of younger sisters. While simultaneously still in middle school and trying to keep his grades up. One fateful afternoon, Derrick is summoned to the principal's office. As he's en route, the young Pittsburgh native has no idea that once he steps through those doors... his life will never be the same.