Plot

The story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart.

David has had a crush on Jade since the first time he saw her in the tenth grade. With high school coming to an end, David has never spoken to her until her family pulls up to The Inn, where David works as a valet. She and David fall madly in love, a love that only grows stronger as parents try to tear them apart. David knows Jade's past, but as his secrets are slowly revealed, Jade's trust is tested and leaves them wondering if they are truly meant to be together.—Anonymous

Destined to become a cardiologist just like her father, the wealthy and sheltered Jade meets for the first time her rebellious blue-collar classmate, David, on the night of their high school graduation where he works as a valet. As David summons up all his courage to talk to Jade, almost instantly, sparks start to fly, and much to his surprise, for the rest of the summer, the two of them will become inseparable. However, Jade's overprotective and highly disapproving father has other plans for his daughter and he is determined to separate the young lovers at all costs. Will David prove himself worthy of Jade, furthermore, will their love blossom?—Nick Riganas

Jade Butterfield and David Elliot have just graduated from the same Atlanta high school, not having spent any time together in the four years of being in the same class. Jade, from a wealthy family - her father, Hugh Butterfield, a cardiologist, and her mother, Anne Butterfield, a published novelist - has willingly had her nose in the books for the four years in the pursuit of following in Hugh's footsteps. Under Hugh's pressure, Jade doing so was largely in memory of her eldest brother, Chris Butterfield, who was supposed to be that cardiologist, but who died in his senior year of high school from cancer. Jade's surviving older brother, Keith Butterfield - who was the middle child - never succumbed to any of their father's pressure, and as such is the neglected offspring. Jade had been seen by her classmates as an ice princess for not socializing with them. Hugh has managed to get Jade an internship over the summer before she heads to Brown in the fall, all these steps on track for her to get into medical school when the time comes. David comes from a blue collar family, his widowed father, Harry Elliot, who runs his own garage. Although academically bright, David has no intention of going to college, he who quite happily would work in the garage as his livelihood. David, who has pined after Jade from afar for the four years, never had the nerve to talk to her. Although he didn't specifically see Jade in that associated role during high school, David aspires to true love, the kind of love he says he witnessed between his parents up until the time his mother passed away. When Jade and David finally have that connection early in the summer, they quickly begin to fall for each other. They decide to spend whatever time they have over the summer together before Jade leaves, they living in the moment with no real plans for a "them" at Jade's departure. Anne wants Jade to experience her first love with David to the fullest, whether it be the puppy or true variety, and Keith is happy about how happy David makes Jade, unlike the four years of high school when she really wasn't truly happy. But working against a Jade/David happy ending are David's old girlfriend, fellow classmate Jenny who secretly is working on getting David back, and Hugh, who will do whatever it takes to see that David does not ruin his plan for Jade's life, regardless of how hypocritical his talk and actions are.—Huggo

Beautiful-but-shy Atlanta native Jade Butterfield, age 17, has not made any friends throughout her four years of high school. She has missed a social life in favor of studies, wanting to do well in memory of her eldest brother Chris - who died from cancer. David Elliot, another graduating senior, has had a crush on her since they were both freshmen, yet he never had the courage to act on said crush. Jade - along with her elder brother Keith, and their parents Hugh and Anne - stop at an upscale restaurant where David works as a parking valet. When Jade drops her (empty) yearbook, David retrieves it, mentions that they were classmates and agrees to sign it. Inside the restaurant, Jade asks her parents for a graduation party. When Anne and Hugh approve, Jade excitedly invites David. David thrills Jade by taking her on a brief joyride in the car of a snobby guest - partly in retaliation for the guest's demeaning behavior toward David's best friend Mace, another valet. David punches the client when he insults Jade; this gets David and Mace fired, but wins Jade's appreciation..

The movie opens with a scene from a high school graduation, class of 2014. Jade Butterfield (Gabriella Wilde), a shy but beautiful young woman, is graduating and will be attending Brown University in the fall. After the ceremony, it's clear that she does not have any friends. Jade rejoins her family while reminiscing about her brother, Chris, who died from cancer. David Elliot (Alex Pettyfer) observes her from a distance. He has had a crush on her throughout high school, but never had the courage to speak to her.

Jade, her parents Hugh (Bruce Greenwood) and Anne (Joely Richardson), and her brother Keith (Rhys Wakefield) stop at an upscale restaurant for lunch after the graduation. While exiting the car, Jade bumps into David, who works as a valet at the restaurant. David mentions how they were classmates, and she asks him to sign her empty yearbook. Inside the restaurant, Jade asks her parents for a party as a graduation present since she hasn't socialized with her peers before. After her parents approve, Jade excitedly invites David to her party. After accepting her invite, David brings her on a brief joy ride in the car of a snobby guest, which thrills Jade. She and her family also observe David getting fired for getting into a physical altercation with the pretentious client when they return.

Jade's requested party disappoints her at first when only her father's wealthy, middle-aged friends show up. David arrives and informs Jade that her former classmates are at another graduation party occurring that same evening. David gets a large crowd of their peers to attend Jade's party by calling in a false noise complaint with the police, which effectively shuts down the other event. The party becomes a success, and after bonding that night, Jade and David sneak into a closet to share a kiss. Hugh, slightly upset with the presence of the teenagers, gathers everybody together for a speech about how proud he is of Jade. When called for, Jade sheepishly comes out of the closet followed by David, stunning everyone. Her father completes the toast, thanking everyone for coming then politely asking them all to leave.

While leaving, David introduces himself and apologizes to Hugh, aware of his bad first impression. He makes it clear to him that he truly cares for Jade. Jade secretly listens to this conversation from inside the house and smiles at his words. As David leaves, Jade runs after him for a passionate kiss, beginning their romance.

David, who works at his father's garage, tries to please Hugh by fixing a broken car that has sentimental value to him (it was Chris's). In return, Anne invites David to dinner, at which Hugh reveals to David that Jade is leaving for an internship soon. When asked of his future plans, David says that he isn't going to attend college; despite having passed his exams, he just wants to find true love. While Anne is impressed, Hugh is displeased since he finds it unrealistic. As David is leaving, Jade throws him a paper plane from her balcony asking him to come back inside the house when the lights are off. That night, David sees Jade waiting for him in a negligee. David assures her that they can wait, but Jade insists she wants to have sex. Afterwards, it becomes clear that they are in love.

The next day, Jade declines her father's invite to observe a surgery at the hospital. Her father is taken aback by her not following his wishes in preparing herself for a career in medicine. Jade meets David and explains that she cannot pass up the internship, for which she is leaving in ten days. David just wants to spend their remaining time together. A montage shows them enjoying each other's company with reckless abandon. After their last evening together, Jade decides to spend the summer with him. When her father finds her unpacking, he knows it's because of David and is furious.

The next morning, Jade's father announces that their family is going to their lake house; this upsets Jade, since Hugh is rather obviously doing this to keep her and David away from each other. Shortly after they arrive, David unexpectedly shows up and reveals that Jade invited him. Hugh insists that David leave, but Jade boldly points out that she - not her father - invited David, and declares that she wants him to stay. Later, Hugh talks with Anne about Jade's uncharacteristic rebelliousness; Anne, however, is pleased to see their daughter truly happy for the first time since they buried Chris. David decides to apply for college, and Anne offers to write a letter of recommendation that should greatly help his chances of admission. That night - while Jade, David, Keith, and Keith's girlfriend are outside setting off fireworks - David catches Hugh cheating on his wife in the garage. David is shocked. The next morning, Hugh takes David by boat to the center of the lake. He intimidates David into remaining quiet about the affair.

Trouble ensues when Jade and David get caught sneaking into a local zoo after hours for fun with some friends. David lets the police catch him so that the others can escape. When Jade begs her parents to bail him out of jail, her father displays a criminal record of David that he dug up on him, exposing a history of violence. Jade is distraught that her father has gone to such lengths for the purpose of breaking them up. Hugh finally agrees to bail David out, on the condition that Jade goes for the internship, which she agrees. Their tension escalates when David insults Hugh for his cheating, and when Hugh insults David's father and criminal record. David snaps and punches Hugh. With a bloody face, Hugh goes home and tells them that David is out of control. Desperate for an explanation, Jade confronts David, who asks her to trust him despite his secrets and then walks away. Jade accuses him of being a coward, and for not fighting to maintain their relationship. She then gets into her car to drive away, moving David to run after her. She is slammed by another car.

At the hospital, Hugh takes David's father aside and gives him a restraining order, demanding that David stay away from Jade. David's father resists, arguing that they're only kids, but Hugh refuses to hear him. When Jade wakes up, having suffered only minor injuries, she wants to see David. She goes to his house, but his father reluctantly refuses to let her in since that would land his son in prison.

Jade leaves for Brown while David stays home. They each try to move on with their lives, including seeing other people, but it is clear they are unhappy. Months go by and David runs into Anne in a bookstore. While having coffee together, she tells David that she admired his love for Jade. She arranges for him to meet Jade at the airport, when she comes home for the holidays. Anne confronts Hugh about his obsession with ruining David's life. It's then revealed that Hugh sabotaged David's chances for college by making sure Anne's recommendation letter was never sent. She voices her disapproval of the man he is becoming. Despite this, Hugh tries to stop David from meeting Jade. Meanwhile, David and Jade successfully meet and re-affirm their love. She agrees to meet him that night and go off with him.

Upon arriving home, Hugh fights with Keith and his girlfriend for being in Chris's room. Keith and his girlfriend leave, and Anne goes with them, having had it with Hugh's behavior. Jade also has had enough of her father and tells him what she thinks of the way he has been dominating their lives ever since Chris's death. Jade further declares that David will be a part of her life, whether Hugh likes it or not, and she is going wherever he goes. Seeing Jade's packed bags in her room, he realizes her plans. Then Hugh sees David waiting for her outside and attacks him with a baseball bat. He furiously accuses David of wrecking things between him and his daughter. Jade intervenes and breaks up the fight, telling Hugh that if anyone hurt their family, it was him. Heartbroken over realizing the truth of Jade's words, Hugh retreats inside as Jade prepares to leave with David.

Unknown to anyone, a candle has fallen over in Chris's room during the fight...and ignited a fire. As Jade and David are leaving, they see that the house is in flames. Her father desperately tries to collect Chris's things, as David rushes inside to save Hugh. When trying to open a window, David is knocked down and loses consciousness. Seeing this, Hugh puts down Chris's belongings and picks up David. They both make it out and reconcile their differences.

The next scene shows Jade and Anne standing at Chris's grave. Jade's parents have separated. Hugh drops Jade off at the airport, where she meets David. Jade and David take a flight to California, where Keith and his girlfriend get married. The movie ends with the four of them on the beach as Jade and David lie next to each other. Jade's voice over explains how her first love was everything all at once and is the kind of undying love that is worth fighting for.