The school year begins with Bill and his friends in pursuit of romance, chess, and recreational firea plan that has always worked beforebut high school is safe compared to the high-stakes Internet conspiracy that grows ever larger, threatening the stability of their world and a best friend's life. When the protection racket hits high school, no one is safe. Add to that the complications of family relationships where disloyalty destroys, but where an over-arching compulsion for loyalty also wrenches the heart, and the boys have a year to remember and to survive.