The girls cope by attempting to act tough, using bravado to mask their insecurities, asserting themselves in a milieu ruled by the men in their lives. The prime focus is on Karidja Touré as Marienne, nicknamed Vic, a likable youth who is dominated by a bossy older brother, Djibril (Cyril Mendy), who wants to keep her in line and her reputation intact. Vic also lives with her mother, and she has two younger sisters in the family.

Vic falls in with girls who pride themselves in their toughness as they navigate their neighborhood and who assert their strength by being ever battle-ready. They give Vic a hard time at first, but soon accept her as one of their own when she proves that she can be tough too, although there ultimately is jealousy on the part of one member who has been the leader.

Vic slips into a sexual relationship with Ismaël (Idrissa Diabate), a friend of her brother, whose honor would be threatened if everyone knew that his sister was being bedded. It is that sort of an atmosphere with which Vic must contend.

Even though her boyfriend would be willing to marry her, that is not the kind of life for which she wants to settle. She is restless and wants to have her independence and, even though she may not have completely thought it through, feels the need to explore what a better life may have to offer.