Prom
The episode opens with Charlie and Alex waking up after Charlie spends the night at Alex's house. Alex asks Charlie to sneak out of the house so his parents don't know he stayed.
After the school riot, the school was closed for a week. An investigation has been launched to find out what Diego and Justin were fighting about and what incited the protest. As Clay is leaving for the first day back to school, Justin says he can't go as he's not feeling well. He admits that he's relapsed and using drugs again. When Clay asks if he needs to go back to rehab, Justin refuses to use their parent's money again and doesn't want them knowing he's relapsed.
At the school, Dean Foundry has begun interviewing students about the protest. He begins with Zach and asks why he was vandalising the school. Ani is also interviewed. She explains that she was involved in the protest because it was instigated by an oppressive police force. When Jessica is interviewed, she offers take whatever punishment is given but only if prom isn't cancelled. The dean tells her he can't help to which she replies that she will make prom happen either way.
In the H.O base, Diego confronts Jessica about her friendship with Justin. He notes Justin's protectiveness of Jessica during the riot and didn't want her to be arrested. He tells her that he believes she's involved in Bryce's murder, to which she reacts by laughing at him. Angered by her reaction, Diego threatens to go to the Dean about it. Jessica holds her ground and tells Diego to talk as the other members of H.O surround them.
At therapy, Clay tells Dr. Ellman that he still hasn't told anyone about his involvement with the graffiti and vandalism. Dr. Ellman advises that opening up about it being his fault may help to relieve the anxiety he's currently living with. Clay tells his friends about his dissociative episodes. At first, Clay's friends are angry but the conversation quickly changes. They discuss Winston, Diego and Estela and the fact that they're close to finding them out. Charlie tells them that the Dean has heard Bryce's tape and has continued the investigation. He suggests that maybe they should start telling their parents half-truths in order to get the prom reinstated.
When Clay and Justin speak to their parents about the tracking apps on their phones, Matt and Lainie push back by saying the boys had been lying to them. Clay counters their argument by saying they had paid for the security measures and the drills at the school. Matt says that he believed it would be something he thought would keep them safe. Clay proposes that they will be more open with their parents in exchange for their trust. He then admits to being behind all of the vandalism during his dissociative episodes. He explains that with his therapy, he's learning to deal with the trauma he's experienced. Justin then confesses to using drugs again but turns down his parent's offer for rehab. Clay says that they really want the prom to happen and need their parents help.
At Monet's, Charlie comes out to his dad as bisexual and tells him that he has a boyfriend. His dad reacts positively and says that he's not entirely surprised. Charlie then asks his dad for help to reinstate the prom.
Jessica talks to Principal Bolan about prom. She first addresses the excessive police response which has been widely agreed on social media of going too far. She states that the racial discrimination was present during the walkout and that her father and Ani's mother, Ms. Anchola, would be willing to speak publicly about people of colour being singled out disproportionately. She says she is happy to take responsibility for inciting the riot and to take a suspension from school as punishment. She states that Lainie Jensen is asking for the investigation to be dropped. Jessica reminds Bolan about his promise to make the school experience a good one at the start of the year. Jessica says giving students a prom would be the highlight of the school experience. Bolan asks if the prom or the graduation will be interrupted. Jessica says it won't be.
Meanwhile, Alex introduces Charlie to his family as his boyfriend. The family respond positively and they have dinner together.
Jessica announces to the H.O members that the prom is back. However, she realises she has no one to go with. Ani convinces her that they should go together instead seen as she isn't with Clay any more and Jessica isn't with Diego. Throughout the school day, Alex ignores Charlie's increasingly creative ways of asking him to the prom. Alex finally gives in and gives Charlie a half-baked acceptance to be his date. Tyler asks Estela to the prom, which she excitedly accepts. Caleb asks Tony to the prom at the auto shop using donuts.
On prom night, Clay asks Justin if he's going to go. Justin states that he's still feeling unwell and doesn't feel like going. Clay expresses his worry for him.
During the prom, the group have what is probably the most fun they've had in a long time. During the evening, Zach arrives with a date who turns out to be an escort. They head to the bathroom to do cocaine and drink. Alex and Charlie find him in the bathroom with the barely conscious girl. Charlie scolds Zach, who appeared to be ready to take advantage of her. They get the escort a ride home and get Zach back to the prom.
Diego approaches Jessica in the main hall. He tells her that he misses her and doesn't want anything bad to happen to her. Whether she wants to tell him her secret or not, Diego says he will always protect however Jessica doesn't want to hear it. Diego walks away, sadly.
Zach joins Alex and Jessica at their table, commenting that they look like they're attending a funeral. Jessica says that she went through a lot to make prom happen and that she's going to have a good time. Alex states his guilt over Bryce and says that he should be here. Jessica says that he would only be getting drunk and choosing his next victim. Alex agrees but says that he didn't deserve to die.
Winston catches up to Ani and tells her that he knows who killed Bryce. He states that he knows it was Jessica, he has enough evidence to prove it and that's why they're all covering. She tells him that she came to the town as an outsider and made all these friends. She says they're all messed up people but she loves them all the same. She leaves as Winston sees his own hallucination of Monty. The two dance together as Winston tries to find closure. After they dance, they share a bittersweet kiss with Monty then leaving out the door for good.
Later in the evening, the Prom King & Queen are announced. This year's prom royalty turn out to be Charlie and Alex. The crowd cheers as the pair receive the crowns and kiss before moving to the floor to dance. As they dance, Charlie asks Alex if he's still sad. Alex says part of him will always be sad but the other part is the happiest. The couple declare their love to each other and the other students join the dancefloor. Clay sits out, just watching everyone being happy and seemingly free.
Justin arrives after all. Dressed in a white suit, he makes his way in. When people spot him, they part ways to let him through to Jessica, who's nudged gently by Ani. As they meet, Justin and Jessica declare their love as Diego watches on. Ani goes to sit with Clay and they discuss their time together. They agree that they weren't ready for a relationship and Ani tells Clay he has an unrealistic ideal that no girl can match. They agree to remain friends and Ani leaves for a dance. Clay joins shortly after with his mother, Lainie.
The Dean approaches Alex and Charlie and congratulates them on their win. He also states that it would have never happen in his time, introducing his own partner, Josh.
The students continue to dance, enjoying themselves as they should do. Suddenly, Justin collapses on the dancefloor with everyone staring in horror.
