ATL

Rashad lives in Atlanta with his Uncle George and his younger brother Ant. They run a custodial company and balance work with Rashad's last semester of high school. He is a talented artist, but he’s grown used to the family business and can’t quite picture a future in art.

Esquire, Rashad's best friend, attends a prep school on the opposite side of town and dreams of Ivy League admission. He learns he will need a letter of recommendation from someone of high stature to boost his chances. This pushes him to seek influential connections, even if it means distancing himself from Rashad's world for a while.

Rashad and his skate crew hang out at the local skating rink, where New-New catches his eye with her mysterious aura. He and New-New share a kiss after he gives her a ride home in his Chevrolet El Camino. Esquire immediately distrusts her, fearing trouble she might bring into their circle.

Ant starts slipping into Marcus's world, becoming involved in drug dealing to help the family finances. This marks a dangerous turn for the family as Ant grows closer to Marcus. Rashad begins sensing the looming danger as the line between work and trouble blurs.

Esquire meets John Garnett, a wealthy businessman, and the two form a surprising friendship. The connection promises a potential path to the letter of recommendation he needs, and Esquire begins to see Garnett as a gatekeeper to his Ivy League dream.

At Garnett's house, Esquire meets Erin, who is revealed to be Garnett's daughter and is connected to New-New. Erin proposes a deal: she will tell him where he is really from if he tells Rashad about her. The request tests Esquire's ethics and heightens Rashad's suspicion.

Rashad discovers that Erin is New-New, and he feels betrayed by Esquire's secret keeping. He cuts himself off from his friends, convinced that Esquire has lied to him for personal gain. The rift within the group deepens as trust falters.

Feeling guilty, Esquire returns the letter to Garnett and finally tells him the truth about himself. He reaches out to Rashad to repair their friendship and asks him to attend Skate Wars, hoping it will reunite their circle. The gesture offers a chance to mend fences and realign their goals.

Rashad initially refuses the invitation to Skate Wars, wanting to distance himself from past tensions. After confiding in his Uncle George, he decides to give the competition another chance and heads toward Skate Wars. The decision marks a turning point toward reconciliation and renewal.

Meanwhile, Marcus closes in on Ant, demanding the money he owes. Rashad tracks Marcus to a confrontation and, in the ensuing trouble, Ant is shot in the neck. The incident precipitates the urgency of the hospital and a healing path for the family.

Ant is rushed to the hospital after the shooting, and Rashad stays by his brother's side. The close call forces the brothers to reassess their choices and reaffirm their bond. The family and friends rally around Ant as he recovers.

After the turmoil, Rashad and his friends make peace and each move toward their own ambitions. Rashad imagines a future that blends art with responsibility for the family business, while Esquire pursues his Ivy League dream and Ant charts a steadier path forward.