At seventeen Merlot Reed(Yes like the wine. An example of her fathers sense of humor) was more of a mother to her siblings than Shelly was. Shelly enjoyed travel ling and partying in the city, forcing Merlot to step up and assume responsibility, Merlot's life turns upside down when she enrolls at Beltain, her new high school. There she meets people she never expected to like. People like Fitz.