It's January, summer in Boonelg, and just before school starts back for teenage fugly Jennie Cragg the hunk of her grade, Nick Lazzarri, returns from being in a juvenile detention facility. Jennie has always had a huge crush on Nick and decides that, seeing as this is her last year at Boonelg High, this is the year she has to become 'cool' and make a move. She dyes her fringe blonde and buys a whole bain marie of mini pizzas for Nick from the school canteen but she is no match for the school's head skank Tracy Hooker.

Jennie's mother is diagnosed with morbid obesity. Cassandra, however, is more concerned with the wellbeing of her new cat.

For Jennie and her friends, Amy Lee and Nigella, the maths Olympiad is the highlight of their academic calendar.

Jennie needs to raise $10,000 for her mother's stomach stapling operation. Cassandra starts a bonsai cats franchise and ropes Jennie into selling them for her.

Jennie begins rehearsals in hopes of beating the school skanks. Cassandra is sacked from her job due to her negligence.

Cassandra uses Jennie as a substitute in order to collect the prize for the coloring-in competition. Jennie recruits Nick to join her dance battle team.