Fourteen-year-old Serginho makes it his mission to be the life force of the family home, which his father has deserted and his depressed mother neglects. Although he has yet to fully experience adolescence, alone, he must assume the responsibilities of an adult. The lack of affection from his family, combined with the impossibility of finding himself creates confusion and Serginho has difficulty understanding who he is. Unable to understand his own desires, he attempts to compensate for his inadequacies by fixating on his teacher.