The plot unfolds through the narration of the two protagonists, Nicole and Chase, who at first are barely aware of each other. Nicole is very wrapped up in her planning for the prom, and Chase is equally wrapped up in trying to be uncool. Both are honest speakers who bluntly say what is on their minds.

Nicole knows that she has a fairly plain face and an unshapely body; she masks what she feels are physical flaws by the unobtrusive use of makeup and by carefully chosen clothes.

She knows how important it is to look good or be thought to look good since her ranking in the Time Zone's social hierarchy almost wholly depends on being regarded as pretty. Given her focus on social climbing, it is not surprising that she is somewhat self-absorbed; add in her parents' very rancorous divorce and the...