Then the book forwards to when she's 12, popular and confident, having lost weight, found makeup, and hair-straighteners, and with a best friend, Shannon.

Meanwhile, Ginger meets Sam, a boy at her school that doesn't wear uniform and ditches class often.

Mr. Hunter, their English teacher (who everyone likes but Sam, and Shannon has a crush on) announces that they will make a school magazine (S'cool).

After the magazine is completed, the students throw a release party which falls on Shannon's 13th birthday.

Shannon's parents aren't home at the party, so some of her friends bring in beer, and soon everyone starts to get drunk except Emily and Ginger.