In Beaufort, North Carolina, a prank on a student goes wrong and puts him in the hospital. Landon, a popular student with no plans for the future, is held responsible and forced to join after-school, community service activities, which include starring as the lead in the play. Participating in these activities is Jamie Sullivan, the reverend's daughter who has great ambitions and nothing in common with Landon. When Landon decides he wants to take his activities seriously, he asks Jamie for help and begins to spend most of his time with her. He starts to like her, which he did not expect to happen. They develop a relationship, much to the chagrin of Landon's old popular friends and Jamie's strict, reverend father. But when a heart-breaking secret becomes known that puts their relationship to the test, it is then that Landon and Jamie realize the true meaning of love and fate.