Johnny Derrico is a member of the Barons, one of the oldest and toughest street gangs in the Bronx. He has been a member of the gang for five years and loves everything about his life. When his parents decide to move to New Jersey, Johnny finds himself living out his senior year at suburban Landsford High School, a white upper middle class community. The thing that separates Johnny from the rest of the kids is that he is genius with over a 160 IQ and a phenomenal photographic memory. After he arrives in Landsford or "Mars" as Johnny calls it, with his cocky attitude and tough-guy looks, the sparks begin to fly. Johnny meets Cynthia Silverstone, the class valedictorian, who falls madly in love with him. He is attracted to her, but he tries to fight his feelings because he doesn't want to become romantically involved. Johnny is living a double life with one foot in the mean streets of the Bronx and the other in an upper middle class suburban community. When his best friend in the Barons is ambushed in a gang related shooting, Johnny might be chosen by the gang leaders to avenge his friend. It could become the pivotal moment in Johnny's life and what he decides to do could permanently change his life, and the lives of those around him.