When Sonya Crane transferred to predominantly black Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School (PLD) in Atlanta, she hadn't planned on passing as biracial. But being one of only a few white students in the school, she finds that hiding her identity makes it easier for her to fit in and gives her the kind of recognition and clique of friends she never had before. That is, until someone threatens to reveal her secret.

For Tandy Herman, the most popular girl at PLD, fitting in was never a problem. She hides her good grades, rock-music tastes and upper middle-class black status by maintaining a ghetto girl facade. But when Sonya finds out, she threatens to reveal Tandy's secret even though it may expose her own.