Rayna is used to being the new kid at school thanks to her mom's military career. But making friends doesn't come easily to her. What's the point when she’ll just have to leave them the next time her mom gets reassigned? The only friend Rayna wants is one of the four-legged variety. So when her mom announces she's finally gotten Rayna a pet, and even entered them in a local pet talent show. Rayna can't wait to teach her new puppy some tricks. But it turns out Rayna's new furry friend isn't a dog or even a cat, it's a… hedgehog.

Spike is adorable, but he's also skittish and just a little emo… just like Rayna. And he doesn't seem to have any special talents. Well, other than attracting the attention of some kids in Rayna's neighborhood, including a boy with kind eyes and long, dark braids named Nick. And Rayna isn't sure she wants any of that attention. Why bother when her mom will get reassigned again soon, anyway? But when Spike goes missing, Rayna can't find him on her own. Will she stop fighting long enough to see that the kids she's been determined to keep at arm's length are actually turning into real friends?