The fallout of Trey's shooting sees Marissa thrown out of Harbour private school due to a petition of concerned parents. Marissa finds herself enrolling in a local Newport public school. Her relationship with Ryan suffers due to the events of the summer and the new group of friends she finds at her new school. Things become complicated as Marissa grows closer to Johnny who makes things harder by admitting her has feelings for her.
Summer, Seth, Marissa and Ryan look to the future and which colleges they're going to attend next year. Summer and Seth seem to be heading in different directions, with Summer wanting to stick to the west coast of America and Seth heading to the east. A compromise is reached though with the help of an unlikely ally, Taylor Townsend.
Tragedy strikes as Marissa leaves Newport. Her plan is to spend a year helping out on a boat whilst she tries to get her life back on track. A frantic Volchok attempts to force her to talk to him. He chases Ryan and Marissa as they head to the airport and he forces them off the road. Volchok flees from the scene leaving Ryan to drag an unconscious Marissa away from a leaking fuel tank which threatens to engulf the car in flames. He carries her for a short distance before lowing her to the ground where he hears her last words as she dies in his arms.
