Running away from his family and second-language problems, Richard Young With-No-Chinese-Name finds refuge in his college darkroom and his friends. Like shutterbug ZZ. Like the seemingly unattainable Samantha. Like gung-ho Janice and laidback Jacqueline. And seventeen looks like a great age to be forever. Until a mysterious Chinese flute player suddenly enters their lives, and slowly – and tragically – Richard's life begins to unravel.