In a seemingly typical suburban neighborhood of Chicago, 15-year-old Jade Butterfield (Brooke Shields) finds herself swept away by a whirlwind romance with 17-year-old David Axelrod (Martin Hewitt), a connection fostered by her older brother Keith (James Spader). Jade hails from a family celebrated in their community for their free-spirited, bohemian lifestyle, which creates an environment where her relationship with David can flourish into an all-consuming and passionate affair. The Butterfield household is a realm of liberal openness, even granting Jade and David the liberty to express their affection unsupervised in her bedroom, including intimate encounters by the warmth of the fireplace.
In stark contrast, David's upbringing is one of privilege marked by the suffocating silence of his wealthy, politically conservative parents, who largely neglect his emotional needs. One fateful evening, Jade's mother, Ann (Shirley Knight), ventures downstairs and unwittingly becomes a spectator to Jade and David's passionate moment. This experience sparks a forbidden sense of yearning within her, as she begins to live through their love in ways she had not anticipated. Meanwhile, her husband, Hugh (Don Murray), becomes increasingly troubled by the intimacy he witnesses, igniting a tension that looms over the family.
As Jade continues to lose herself in her romantic pursuits, her academic performance begins to suffer, leading to sleepless nights filled with anxiety. Desperate for rest, she attempts to pilfer one of her father's prescription sleeping pills, but is caught in the act, pushing her father to impose a severe ultimatum on their relationship. Hugh demands that David refrain from seeing Jade until the academic term ends, a warning not taken lightly as Ann obliquely hints at the consequences of defiance.
At school, David confides in his friend Billy (not in provided cast), whose tales of misguided heroism trigger a dangerous impulse in David. Inspired by a troubling childhood anecdote of setting fires, David recklessly ignites a blaze on the Butterfield’s porch during a late-night revelry. Unfortunately, a sudden gust of wind transforms his thoughtless act into a catastrophe, leading to a conflagration that engulfs the entire house. In a heroic yet tragic attempt to save Jade and her family, David gallantly ushers them to safety, only to find himself apprehended as the flames consume everything they hold dear.
The aftermath reveals the grave consequences of his actions; David faces a harsh trial where he is ultimately charged with second-degree arson. His sentence includes five years of probation, a mental health evaluation, and a court order prohibiting him from any contact with Jade or her family. Despite these restrictions, David pours his heart into writing letters to Jade, letters that, due to the court's orders, never reach her. His affluent parents manipulate the system to secure his early release from the mental facility, aggravating a situation that Hugh finds unbearable.
In a painful twist of fate, after the Butterfield family relocates to Manhattan pursuing a fresh start post-tragedy, Ann unexpectedly makes a pass at David. However, his refusal leaves her in a state of disbelief. Determined to reconnect with Jade, David searches through Ann's address book, discovering her new life in Burlington as a student at the University of Vermont. Just as he is about to board a bus to find her, tragedy strikes: Hugh's pursuit of David ends catastrophically when he is struck by an automobile, leaving Ingrid Orchester (Penelope Milford) as a tragic witness to the unfolding chaos.
Upon finally reuniting with Jade, she attempts to leave after sharing a moment, but in a fit of desperation, David pulls her back, demanding her love. Keith's fury interrupts their exchange, leading to accusations that David's actions directly contributed to their father's tragic demise. Caught in a web of grief and remorse, Jade is torn between her feelings for David and her loyalty to her family. As the police arrive, David is rigorously apprehended for violating parole, succumbing to a dark fate in the form of a lengthy prison sentence.
Through the somber veil of sorrow, Jade finds the strength to assert to her mother at Hugh's lakeside funeral that a love like David's is unparalleled. Ann, understanding the depths of Jade’s heart, offers her silent approval. In the film’s poignant closing montage, we witness David confined behind bars, his longing gaze fixed on Jade as she approaches through the barred window, a tender reminder of their unyielding connection even in the face of insurmountable obstacles.
