Landon experiences some anxiety about the upcoming dance. Although Jamie's religious code does allow her to dance, Landon fears that Jamie will wear her usual brown sweater and plaid skirt, which may prompt the other kids to tease her. Landon's friend Eric, who is dating a cheerleader named Margaret Hays, suggests double-dating, but Landon rejects this idea, aware of Eric's tendency to tease, especially when he has been drinking.
On the day of the dance, Landon fulfills his student council obligations by decorating the gym and then picks up a corsage for Jamie and drives to her house, where Reverend Sullivan is waiting to have a word with Landon. In an awkward conversation, Landon has to convince Reverend Sullivan that he means no ill will toward Jamie and does not plan to play any pranks on her.
Landon is relieved when he sees Jamie, who has put on a nice blouse and skirt and is not carrying her Bible, although she is still free of makeup and wears her hair in a bun. Landon observes Reverend Sullivan's fondness for his daughter as Landon and Jamie depart for the dance.
Jamie has few friends, and because of Jamie, Landon is largely shunned by his, so the two spend the first hour of the evening alone, talking and dancing. Trouble brews when Angela and Lew arrive: Angela has already been drinking; Lew spikes the punch bowl; and Landon finds himself staring at Angela in her flashy dress, which angers Lew. Jamie cheerfully intervenes, recognizing Lew from a photo she saw at the home of an elderly woman she once helped, and this saves Landon from a fistfight.
Later that evening, Jamie finds Angela retching on the bathroom floor, and Jamie and Landon clean up Angela, clean up the bathroom, and take Angela home. Landon is able to drop Jamie off just before her curfew and is amazed when she says she had a good time, despite being covered in Angela's vomit.
