Angela Hardy seems like the least likely person to cause trouble. Quiet, sincere, and always sweet, Angela is one of Lexi Leighton's favorite friends. But almost without warning, Angela's behavior begins to change. Her boyfriend, Egg McNaughton, notices, too, and he and Lexi are at the end of their ropes trying to get to the bottom of Angela's problem.

But the rope snaps when Angela suddenly runs away. Claiming things at home are too difficult, she simply disappears. With the help of the police, her friends comb Cedar River from top to bottom, fearing the worst. All by herself with nowhere to go, how can Angela hope to survive? But even if they find her, can her friends convince her to come home?

In her desperation, she turns her back on everyone-