Damien Battle is a Black teenager living in Harlem, New York. He is the son of Ernestine and Avery and comes from a privileged background. He excels in academics and is thus accepted into Brown University. Despite this, he does not relish his success, instead struggling with guilt because of the underprivileged people around him. Likewise, Damien is frustrated by his parents’ plan for him and their lack of interest in who he truly is and wants. Even with his best friend Kevin, he displays a maturity uncommon for teenagers and is unmoved by social hierarchy.

Damien’s life changes upon seeing schoolmate Junice Ambers, who overtakes his previous interest in the privileged Roxanne. As in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Damien experiences love at first sight upon encountering Junice. He is so certain that what he feels for Junice is true love, that he rarely questions nor doubts the decisions he makes involving her. Though she is initially hesitant to spend time with him, Damien is relentless and undaunted, repeatedly asking her out for coffee or to dances. He is polite and gentlemanly in his pursuit, never once pressuring Junice and always treating her with kindness and respect.