This is the journal of a school shooter. His name is Jerry Benjamin and he lives in a small Mid-Western town dominated by religious conservatives. His Aunt, whom he loves dearly, gives him what he really wants for birthday. A journal where he can put his private thoughts. And thus the book begins. He is extremely intelligent, but shy, withdrawn, has no friends, and is bullied at school. Within a very short time he meets and befriends Tod, who is a popular boy at school, gets in trouble all the time, has a hard time with his studies, and has no prospects for the future. Tod is heterosexual, but he helps Jerry deal with his suppressed homosexuality, and aids him in coming out. The two of them become unlikely friends. Jerry falls in love with Tod even though Tod has warned him not to. This eventually leads to Jerry going over the deep end and exploding in a rage of violence that cannot be undone. The Journal is found beside his body.