Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bussed to a predominantly white middle school two-hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and dealing with the school bully, Joey.

Chris joins the school Basketball team even though he can't play, but a failed pop quiz threatens to get him dropped. Back at home Julius gets a lodger after he offers 6 months rent up front, despite the fact he makes Rochelle nervous.