Winter Break
Another person has died and a pastor is talking at their funeral. She gives an impassioned speech about how too many schools are forced to deal with tragedy and too many students don't make it to graduation.
6 months earlier. Clay is woken up frantically by Justin who claims that Monty is still alive. They visit Monty in jail however it becomes evident this is a nightmare. Monty is furious that he's been set up for murder and the nightmare ends with him launching himself at Clay. Clay wakes up, drenched in sweat. He's suffering with PTSD and Monty is the subject of his recurring nightmares.
At breakfast, the family discuss how to welcome Justin home from his stay in rehab. Lainie is concerned about Clay's grades at school as they seem to be slipping. She suggests sessions with a therapist, Dr. Ellman may help him deal with any unresolved trauma.
Tyler calls Clay for a ride to the police station. Clay leaves Ani and Jessica to plan their welcoming party for Justin. While outside waiting for Tyler, Clay begins to hallucinate. Tyler returns with news that the police have the bag of guns from the river. He tells Clay that he's told the police he bought the guns but that they were stolen from him.
At Justin's welcome party, the group gather for the first time since Bryce's murder case. Zach's mental health seems to have declined as he's turned to heavy drinking and shows up drunk. After the party, the group discuss the guns when Tyler leaves. They begin to question their trust in Tyler and to further worsen the mood, Justin breaks up with Jessica, giving the reason that he needs to prioritise his sobriety.
At the station, Sheriff Diaz goes through Bryce's murder case and sees there is no tape for Ani's interview. The only thing there is a written statement which arouses Diaz's suspicions.
On Christmas morning, the Jensens are opening presents when Clay has an anxiety attack. He brushes it off when Justin questions him about it.
Jessica invites Ani to live with her as her mother is planning to move to Oakland. Her mother agrees as long as curfews and rules are abided by. Ani and Jessica go to the woods to burn the last tape Bryce gave her. As she watches the flames, Jessica hallucinates Bryce which freaks her out.
At Liberty High, the school has had metal detectors installed and the building has school resource officers accompany students. Jessica sets off the metal detector with her bra and is told by an officer they need to pat her down. She refuses and storms to the principal's office to make a complaint. She demands that female officers are there to carry out searches on female students. The principal seems to agree and suggests they work as a team to make the school a safer and better place.
At the Future Fair, the students are looking to check out clubs and representation. Ani spots the newcomer, Winston and immediately goes up to him. Estela de la Cruz, Monty's sister, approaches Jessica and tells her that she thinks she's inspiring thanks to her activist work. She asks if she can join the group which Jessica accepts. Winston expresses interest in joining the Yearbook Club and strikes up a conversation with Tyler, something that Ani interrupts quickly. She pulls him aside and asks him why he's suddenly at Liberty High. Winston explains that he'd been expelled from Hillcrest and transferred there. Ani tells Clay later on and he freaks out, knowing Winston could expose their cover-up.
Clay sees the football team forcing Estela to wear a jersey with de la Cruz on the back. He confronts them and they say it's to honour her brother, Monty. One of the players, Diego, says that Monty was innocent which causes a fight between him and Clay. It ends up with only Diego getting detention as they believe he instigated it.
At the Boxing Gym, Tony receives the news that his family's appeal for a visa has been denied due to insufficient funds. Tony decides the only way he can make up that money is by going into pro-am league boxing.
Back at the Jensens, Justin tells Clay's parents that Clay was in a fight at school. Clay storms out and angrily. Later, he's at school walking through the corridors and the football pitch. He sees a player, Scott who shows concern for him. He then encounters Ani who tells him he can't save everyone. Clay then wakes up. Justin is on the other side of the room who says he's been talking and screaming in his sleep all night.
At therapy, Clay tells Dr. Ellman that if he loses control, things start to get ugly.
Alex and Zach are hanging out together, sitting on a rooftop. They start to walk along the edge, a show of Zach's recklessness but also Alex's balance is still not 100%. Alex slips and nearly falls however Zach catches him. Alex goes in to kiss Zach which surprises him however Zach just says he's not into guys but still cares a lot about him.
When he gets home that night, Clay experiences another vision of Bryce's confession tape at the lodge. He sees a shadowy figure outside the house and chases it, only to find no one there. Lainie calls out to Clay who admits that he's not okay.
