Dan Howell is a timid boy, who always does as he is told. He was once friends with Phil Lester, the 'bad influence' who soon ditches Dan for the popular group in Year 7. After five years of not talking to each other, they're partnered in a project and Phil's wants to win Dan over just like he has with most of their year. But yet, Dan is determined to find out what Phil is hiding behind his arrogant mask.

After getting sick of the constant bullying from his previous school, Dan Howell starts at a boarding school miles from his small home town. But the new people he meets have a bigger impact on him than he ever thought was possible.