Vinnie Matthews lives with her brother, Mason, who is a bit crazy, and her grandmother. Vinnie misses her father, and Washington, where they used to live as a family. She hates the school she goes to, and only goes because of her teacher, Mr. Clayton. One day she sees Lupe, with bright orange flip-flops playing hopscotch. Vinnie finds a friendship, and almost loses it because of jealousy.