It's her eighteenth birthday, but Brooke soon realizes that she has no one but Rachel to celebrate it with. Meanwhile, Nathan continues to struggle with memories of the accident and Dan continues to be haunted by remorse over his actions against Keith.

After a cardiac incident, Lucas has a dream in which the spirit of Keith visits and shows him how much one life can affect the lives of others, with a nod to “It's a Wonderful Life.” Elsewhere, Hayley is the victim of an accident and Dan helps out Nathan.

A class assignment reveals the deepest secrets and desires of Lucas and the students at Tree Hill High. Worried about college prospects, Skills turns to Haley, while Nathan wrestles with Deb's suicide attempt. Chase learns that Brooke cheated on her calculus exam, while nudity and drugs run rampant in the halls of the school.

As the end of the school year approaches, Peyton considers participating in a music internship in Los Angeles, while Brooke tries to reconnect with Chase through yearbook signatures, and Haley struggles to write her valedictorian speech. Meanwhile, Dan suggests that Lucas get professional help when Karen worries about his obsession with theories about Keith's murder.

Nathan and Haley throw a birthday party for Jamie. Deb hired a clown, and Haley is not happy with it since it's a creepy one. Lindsey returns to Tree Hill for Jamie's birthday, which gives Lucas hope that the relationship will be rekindled. When Dan arrives, Deb's mood swings fast and in the meantime Brooke and Peyton attend the party with baby Angie.

Brooke takes a trip to New York with Victoria. Peyton begins connecting with Mick Wolf, who begins telling stories about her parents. Haley continues having problems with a student and Nathan is confronted by a vision of Quentin.

Lucas' novel receives interest from a suprising person, as does Mouth as he meets his new intern. Jamie begins to develop a crush on Sam and her rebellious ways, while someone becomes enamored with Brooke. Meanwhile, Haley and Nathan discuss his return to baskeball as his comeback begins to look more like a reality.

Brooke is shocked to find out that Samantha is in her room with a boy named Jack. Along with that, Julian asks her to make some clothes for the movie. Peyton tries to get Mia to focus on her follow-up album. Lucas is excited when he travels to Hollywood to meet the director of the movie. Meanwhile, Nathan gets the chance for a pro-basketball try-out. Haley takes Jamie to his school's talent show and Millicent confronts Mouth about Gigi.

As Lucas begins to start casting for his movie, Peyton begins to put together plans for their wedding. Meanwhile, Dan gives Jamie advise when he has his first school crush; Brooke is introduced to the actress that will play her in Lucas' movie; Nathan receives exciting news; and Haley is forced to make a tough decision at work.

The families of Tree Hill draw closer as Lucas bonds with Jamie while working on Peyton's car, Sam develops a connection with Victoria, and Brooke and Haley throw Peyton a baby shower. Meanwhile, Nathan's ambitions seem closer than ever when he learns that an NBA scout will be watching his next game.