Maya, an eighth-grader from Kazakhstan, traveled to America as things started to get difficult. Before they did, her aunt emigrated to the United States with a man she met through a magazine. To travel to America, they had received sponsorship. Maya dances the Spring Fling. She doesn't believe her parents will let her leave. One of Maya's American friends joins her in her passion of gymnastics, which she also enjoys.
Maya is summoned to a office for something, but she is unsure of what. Nevertheless, she learns that her younger brother Nurzhan was bullied at school by Ossie Nishizono because of the way he pronounces words. Maya is upset with her brother since she also needs to leave gymnastics practice in order to attend a meeting for her father. As a result, she cannot interpret. Maya's father is quite irate following the encounter. A few days later, Maya is caught by her father holding the hand of a "American guy," and she is punished. Her mother is really frustrated and angry.