In this intense YA coming of age drama, Levi (17) struggles to deal with his mother's cancer and his father's abandonment. When a teacher takes Levi under her wing and helps him overcome his alcohol/drug addiction, he regains control of his life and triumphs in the end.

SYNOPSIS:

Levi Armstrong (17) is in trouble. And he’s angry. His mother is dying from pancreatic cancer. He’s been kicked off the soccer team for missing practice in order to do a photo shoot on Zuma Beach. So, his father, Adam, puts an end to Levi’s fledgling modeling career, the one thing that gives meaning to Levi’s troubled life. Now his alcohol and drug addictions force him into a downward spiral – culminating in a DWI conviction. All seems lost until one of Levi’s teachers, Sarah Wright (27), takes an interest in his welfare and helps him find a summer job. As their friendship blossoms, Levi misreads Sarah’s concern for him as a romantic interest and he makes inappropriate advances toward her. As Sarah struggles to keep Levi from ruining their friendship, she helps him deal with the stress of his mother’s terminal illness, and the abandonment and anger he feels toward his workaholic father. When Levi’s mother dies, he hits rock bottom and gets arrested for public intoxication. Sarah steps in and intervenes with Levi’s father, and she encourages them to seek counseling. Adam takes Sarah’s advice and reaches out to Levi in order to rebuild their damaged relationship. Adam then helps Levi achieve his dream of becoming a model, imparting to his son valuable life lessons about following your passion, and refusing to take no for an answer.