Seventeen-year-old Rue returns home from rehab with no plans to stay clean. She meets Jules, who's new in town, at a party at McKay's house. Nate gets in McKay's head when McKay takes an interest in Cassie. Nate and Maddy, who have broken up once again, attempt to make each other jealous. Meanwhile, Kat is pressured to lose something big.

On the first day of school, Rue's excited about her new friend, Jules, but struggles to put the past behind her and gets into trouble at Fezco's. Nate becomes obsessed with Maddy's hookup, Tyler, while trying to get back together with Maddy. Kat finds out that a video of her has surfaced online. McKay takes the stress of college out on Cassie.

Kat decides to try camming and has her first session. Jules starts falling for a boy online and asks Rue to help her take some nudes. Maddy finds something odd on Nate's phone. Cassie and McKay spend the weekend at his school and go to a party at the frat he's rushing. Rue is confronted about her lies at NA.

In the aftermath of the carnival, Maddy and Nate are forced to deal with a police investigation. Jules begins to feel pressured by her role in Rue's sobriety. Kat ignores a confused Ethan and embraces her new lifestyle. Cassie ries to distance herself from Daniel and focus on her relationship with McKay. Cal worries about how his actions have affected his sons.

Rue gets depressed and watches 22 straight episodes of a British reality show.​ Jules goes to visit an old friend. Cassie looks for advice in the aftermath of Halloween night.

As the semester kicks off, Jules questions Rue and Elliot's new friendship. While Cal hunts for answers, Nate makes a tough decision. The lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur as Kat ponders her relationship, and Maddy contemplates the decision to end hers.

At Maddy’s birthday party, relationships are celebrated and questioned. Meanwhile, Jules turns to Elliot for advice and Cal takes a trip down memory lane.

Art imitates life as the East Highland crew watches their complicated dynamics reflected in Lexi's long-awaited play. Meanwhile, Fezco gets ready to attend.

As the show goes on, fragments of memories collide with the present and future.