In a quaint town in Arizona, Terri Griffith (Leigh McCloskey), an ambitious young journalist with a flair for storytelling, faces skepticism from her teachers due to her remarkable looks. After suffering a setback when she's denied her dream internship at a local newspaper, Terri becomes convinced that her gender is the reason behind the rejection.
Determined to prove her worth, she devises a bold plan without her parents' knowledge. Enrolling as "Terry" at a rival high school, she keeps her true identity a secret from everyone except her unsuspecting younger brother, Buddy (Buddy), and her loyal best friend, Denise (Toni Hudson). On her first day at the new school, she encounters the shy newcomer, Rick Morehouse (Clayton Rohner), who quickly captures her attention.
As Terri navigates the complexities of her new life, she takes it upon herself to help Rick reinvent his image and gain confidence to approach girls. However, her path is fraught with challenges, including the pressures of the school's social structure and the looming threat of bullies led by the intimidating Greg Tolan (Greg Tolan).
Throughout her journey, Terri grapples with various dilemmas, such as maintaining her relationship with her college boyfriend Kevin (William Zabka) and a setup involving a blind date with Sandy (Sandy). Despite these hurdles, she successfully wins the respect of her peers, establishing herself as one of the guys.
The drama escalates during the senior prom, where jealousy ignites a fierce confrontation as Greg attacks Rick. In an unexpected twist, Rick triumphs over Greg, leaving the entire student body in shock. However, chaos ensues when Terri's boyfriend Kevin arrives, prompting Rick to mistakenly believe that "Terry" is gay. To clarify her identity, Terri takes the bold step of revealing her true self by exposing her chest to the stunned crowd.
Though she professes her love for him, Rick ultimately rejects her, leaving Terri heartbroken and humiliated as she kisses him in front of the onlookers. In a desperate attempt to regain dignity, Rick awkwardly shouts that "Terry" has breasts before fleeing the prom, intensifying Terri's feelings of embarrassment.
Retreating to her room, Terri channels her feelings into an emotionally charged article detailing her experience as a girl disguised as a boy, highlighting both the highs and lows of her journey. This candid piece is published in the newspaper, granting Terri the recognition she longed for and securing her dream job at the publication.
Yet, even with her professional successes, Terri finds herself missing Rick, who has been notably absent since their prom night confrontation. As the beautiful summer days pass, Rick re-enters Terri's life after discovering her article. Their heartfelt revelations about their feelings lead to a heartfelt reconciliation, and they make plans for a second date.
On this occasion, they choose a relaxing drive in Terri's car. However, their blissful reunion is momentarily interrupted when a stunning blonde on a motorcycle catches their eye, inviting Buddy to join her on an adventure. Without hesitation, he hops on her bike, leaving Terri and Rick to say their goodbyes. Both couples ride off in separate directions, each basking in the glow of newfound joy and connection.
