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Mandy leads a quiet life under the watch of her strict father and harbors little support at school. The popular girls, led by Lisa Cross, bully and mock her, making her daily existence miserable. Her friends Alexa and Cayenne stay loyal, but they can't shield her from the constant taunts.

During swim tryouts, Mandy loses her glasses at the pool and sinks, nearly drowning. Drew Patterson, the swim team captain, unexpectedly administers CPR and saves her life. She and Drew share a brief conversation that hints at a growing connection.

After the incident, Drew expresses interest in getting to know Mandy better and invites her to hang out the next day. Mandy feels a spark but is also cautious about how this will be perceived by her peers. Lisa's jealousy lingers, threatening to complicate any budding friendship.

Mandy turns 18 and her father surprises her by replacing her glasses and phone with an expensive new video phone and contact lenses. He reveals that he plans to move with her when she attends UCSB next year, hoping to be close. Mandy feels overwhelmed and afraid to voice her concerns about the change.

That afternoon, Mandy flirts with Drew at the lake near school, despite her father's wishes. Lisa discovers the interaction and uses Mandy's dropped phone to film them. Lisa then sends the video to Tom, who confronts Mandy about her behavior.

Drew invites Mandy to his party the following Saturday; she happily accepts, hoping to keep their connection going. Tom's response to the video challenge leads him to restrict Mandy's outings and electronics for the time being. Mandy fears the consequences but tries to maintain her independence.

The day of the party approaches, and Mandy hatches a plan to pretend she is studying at Alexa's house with Alexa's mom acting as a chaperone. She hopes the cover will keep her out of trouble while she spends time with Drew. Tom checks on her during the day, adding to the tension.

Several obstacles threaten to derail the plan. Lisa ruins Mandy's party dress and then buys the same dress as a replacement, forcing Mandy to improvise. The chaos continues to stack up as the night approaches.

Lisa poisons Mandy with a macadamia nut shake, triggering a dangerous allergy and endangering her health. Alexa films the aftermath, heightening Lisa's humiliation. The incident deepens Mandy's resolve to endure the night.

To complicate matters, a furniture salesman impersonates Alexa's stepfather, throwing the girls off. The car is towed, forcing them to win money in a band contest to get it back. A near crash and a gate ban at the entrance push their plan to the limit.

Despite the chaos, Mandy, Alexa, and Cayenne press on and make it to the party. The Patterson Bash rumor about the tower looms over the night, adding a looming sense of pressure. They decide to focus on surviving the evening together.

During the party, Cayenne explains the Patterson Bash tradition: a boy takes a girl to a tower and loses her virginity. The 'tower' is revealed to be Drew's photography studio, filled with pictures of his family and a photo of Mandy. Mandy realizes Drew just wants to spend time with her, not pressure her.

Back home later, Tom shows Mandy an updated detachable version of the model home he built for them. Mandy interprets this as a metaphor for their relationship and gently tells him she doesn't want to be detachable. Tom says he trusts her and suggests letting her go, easing some of the tension.

At the senior prom, Drew is crowned prom king but chooses Mandy as prom queen, signaling a major shift in how others see her. They share a kiss on stage, sealing their blossoming romance. The night marks Mandy's triumphant moment after a long struggle with jealousy and expectations.