Amy likes to spend weekends hanging out “by the freak tree,” or playing capture the flag in the park. Like many high schoolers, she is caricatured by her peers, but is a nuanced and talented individual. Suzanne is labeled as an “artsy indie,” while Laney is considered “creepy” because she is not bothered about being different. Allie is dubbed a “freak” for the same reason, and Flor a “Mexican slacker” because she dropped out of school as a freshman to take care of her brother while her parents were away. Flor has a congenital heart defect yet remains positive.

Blue’s mother threatens to beat him because he has been failing some classes. She confiscates his computer. Blue does his homework in a local Starbucks on a computer Ms. Collins has leant him. He contemplates suicide. Blue’s mother tells him he is going into the military.

On Leigh’s birthday, Noah feels distant from her. He campaigns for junior class president, but once again, Kent beats him. During the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Noah accidentally hits a friend with a golf cart. He jokes with Leigh on the bus home, and after several days, they decide to get back together.

Surrounded by skinnier girls, Danielle talks less and less.