ROSE DOZIE and EKON IGWE (15), are blissfully in love. They attend the same school and have so much in common, including their talent to create music and their desire to make it as stars with Rose’s vocal prowess and Ekon’s masterful instrument playing. They plan to write hit songs, save money earned by busking and buy their own house, have a top of the range car, plus 2.4 kids. 

Rose’s dad, CARL DOZIE (50s), had tried in his younger years, to be a singer and failed. Knowing the pitfalls of the industry, Carl strongly dissuades Rose from that path drumming into her that education is paramount and to leave any notion of ‘stardom’ in the ether where it belongs. Despite Carl being against Rose’s career choice, he’s also against her relationship with Ekon, but together, the teenagers can deal with all negativity thrown at them because they have each other. 

The idyllic life of the love-struck couple is thrown into turmoil when Ekon’s family decide to leave the UK and rescind their citizenship. The couple are distraught and they hatch a plan in which Ekon will run away and not return to Arochukwu, Nigeria with his family, where he was born. 

As his parents return home, Ekon makes the streets of Acton his. Occasionally, he’s able to stay with Rose by sneaking into the family home late at night after her parents retire, but too often, that is scuppered when Carl, oblivious to their activity, stays up late, thwarting the only way that Ekon has a bed to sleep in. 

Ekon realised that running away would mean no longer being able to attend school, as that would lead to a social worker getting involved and his deportation. For six months, bolstered by the deep emotions he has for Rose, Ekon tries to make it on the streets, sleeping rough, washing cars to earn money, enduring a skin infection contracted due to his harsh circumstances. Rose helps when she can, giving him food, offering to run away with him, but they decide it best that Rose stay in school and pass her exams.  

The two meet at their favourite café with pressing news to share. Ekon has learnt from a prospective employer that being under 18 as a runaway, there is an automatic warrant out for his arrest. Realising he won’t be able to get legitimate work, he Independently decides that the life he and Rose had planned, can no longer come to pass. He wants Rose to be with someone who can give her the world she deserves. He has called the police letting them know where he will be to arrest him. 

Ekon has been given a mobile in exchange for work. He writes his number on a napkin for Rose as he relays his decision, only to learn from Rose that she is pregnant. He has immediate regret, but it’s too late. He tries to run, but the police arrive. Rose is angry at Ekon for taking the unilateral decision to give himself up and vows never to forgive him as he’s arrested, dragged away and deported. 

Carl and VANESSA, Rose’s mother, are against her keeping the baby. They give her an ultimatum, abort the child or get out of their house. Rose chooses the latter. 

Rose experiences the harshness on the streets as Ekon did. She sleeps on park benches and has their baby in a shop doorway. Knowing that she will be unable to raise her child, Rose calls Ekon in Nigeria, gets his voice mail, and leaves a message telling him of her actions, that she will leave their baby in a telephone box. She watches until a WOMAN hears the baby cry and takes her. 

Rose walks away in the opposite direction.