Life seen through the eyes of Angela Chase, a 15-year-old high school student. Angela's friendship with unconventional Rayanne and her sexually ambiguous pal Ricki, alienates her parents and best friend Sharon. In her search to discover who she is, Angela falls for Jordan Catalano, an aloof older boy, but remains unknowing about the crush her next door neighbor Brian has long harbored for her. Angela's relationship with her mother becomes more embittered while her parents find themselves drifting apart. Her younger sister Danielle vies for attention in the wake of Angela's prominence.