Bethany Pruitt (Ashley Rickards) is valedictorian of her class - her one student homeschool class. Stuck with younger brother Shayne (Martin Spanjers) under their perky but oppressive mother June's (Anna Gunn) thumb, Bethany's only escape is a teen fashion 'zine courtesy of her absentee gay dad.

Life at dad Dale's (Diedrich Bader) mobile home is no picnic either. Despite the close bond she forms with his fun, younger boyfriend, Chip (Haley Joel Osment) Dad's self-loathing, alcoholic outbursts weigh heavy on Bethany. She finds solace selling cloathes at a cheap, trendy retail chain, Jail Bait, but her petty, cutthroat coworkers cause a new set of "real world" navigation problems.

When Bethany learns about Fashion Art Technology Institute, aka F.A.T.I., she sees a chance to break free once and for all and forge her own brighter future. How she gets there will redefine her and her family and maybe even update her wardrobe.