Denim Diaries

This story explores the lives of sixteen-year-olds Denim Mitchell and Andre Patterson, who have shared an intense bond ever since they were kids. Denim yearns to date Andre, known by his friends as Dre. However, Denim's parents are doing everything in their power to keep the heat of the passion between the two teens under wraps. Dre, a rising basketball star and budding artist, has a glorious future ahead of him. Unfortunately, rumor has it that he's involved in activities that could ruin his chances of ever hooking up with Denim or achieving his dreams of going to college and the NBA. Denim realizes her relationship with Dre could be shattered if her parents find out that she violated their trust. One lie, one party, and one bullet change the course of both of their lives forever.

The BGR sisterhood is the most notorious and respected gang in Scotland Heights. In spite of her gang's powerful reputation, seventeen-year-old Patience is ready to step down as BGR's leader. The problem is that the same way she was jumped into the gang is the only way the other members will let her out-if they'll let her out at all. As Patience plans her farewell from the hood, Denim Mitchell overhears that Patience is being set up by her own BGR sisters. Will Denim find out who is behind the plot to betray Patience and stop them in time?

Jumping double-dutch is 12-year-old Tiffany's favorite pastime. She's the most talented jumper at her school, incorporating flips and stunts into her routine. All that practice has made her the best in the mid-state area, good enough to enter into an upcoming competition. Then suddenly, her demeanor changes and she stops jumping rope altogether. Her mother, who wasn't thrilled about Tiffany's obsession in the first place, easily accepts her excuse that she's just not feeling well. Tiffany's 16-year-old brother Levar, however, becomes suspicious there is more to the story when he catches her burning her clothes in a dumpster near the house. Unable to get his sister to open up to him, Levar shares his concerns with his friend Denim, who offers to reach out to Tiffany. Unfortunately, Tiffany withdraws even more when the unimaginable darkens Levar's door and threatens to rip Tiffany's family apart forever.

Fifteen-year-old Kane Alexander is growing up in a single-parent home after her mother abandons the family. Her father is forced to take on two jobs to support his family, and the responsibility of caring for her two younger siblings is placed on Kane. She loves her family, but can't help but feel like she's missing out on life as a teenager. Kane shares her feelings with her father, but he insists that she should put her family ahead of her social life. When the pressure in her home becomes too much to bear, Kane decides to run away, however, she doesn't make it far. Her escape puts her in an unlikely place, with an unlikely person. Will Kane and her father be able to work out their differences?

Denim Mitchell is excited to learn that she's been selected to tutor students after school. Not only will this earn her extra credit in her honors classes, but it will also look good on her college applications. Fourteen-year-old Julius Graham enjoys working with his new tutor, but when he becomes the only witness to a horrific crime in his neighborhood, Julius shuts down emotionally. He hasn't told anyone what he saw, but with the detectives hanging around his house asking questions, he fears that it's only a matter of time before the murderer comes looking for him. Withdrawn and scared, Julius realizes that he has to tell someone his secret, but at what cost? Will Denim become his voice of reason and convince him to do the right thing, or will his secret put not only his family at risk, but Denim as well?

After seventeen-year-olds Patrice and DeMario spend one intimate yet careless night together, they find themselves anticipating the birth of their first child. Unfortunately, their excitement is not all that it could be because their two best friends are not around to share in their joy. Estranged from Denim after a heated argument, Patrice battles with bouts of depression as she struggles through a difficult pregnancy. DeMario is feeling alienated after the mysterious disappearance of his friend André and the stress of finding a job to support his family. Isolated and alone, even more pressure is added when the young couple finds out that Patrice and their unborn child could be facing life-threatening complications. Will DeMario be left a widower, or will lifelong friendships be just what the doctor ordered in time to save Patrice and her baby?