The war is over, but for 13-year-old Rachel, the battle has just begun. Putting childhood behind her, she wants to prove she has acting talent worthy of the school drama club. Worries about her veteran brother's failing health and repugnance at her mother's unexpected and unwanted pregnancy drive her to seek solace from a seemingly sympathetic, but self-serving teacher. The lies she tells herself hoping to reach solutions to the problems complicating her life merely function to make matters worse.