Episode 7 of The Summer I Turned Pretty commences with Belly's awakening, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she prepares for the Debutante Ball. Downstairs, Susannah has a delightful surprise awaiting her—Laurel, having finally embraced the idea of the Deb Ball, presents Belly with the exact dress she had longed for. Laurel's acceptance that her daughter has grown into a young woman is evident in her gesture.
Meanwhile, Steven confides in Shayla, unveiling the distressing truth about the poker night. His summer savings are gone, and he lacks the funds for a tuxedo. Shayla is astonished and offers to lend him money, but Steven refuses. Unwilling to miss the momentous occasion, he reluctantly agrees to borrow her father's old tuxedo as a compromise.
As Steven returns to Susannah's, his gaze falters upon seeing Jeremiah and Belly sharing a tender kiss. The sight shocks him, but Belly assures him that she is making the right choice.
Arriving at the Ball, Belly sits with Nicole, seeking to mend fences. She apologizes for Conrad's hurt, acknowledging that he was her first love. "I'm completely over him," Belly declares, but Nicole gently counters, "No one ever truly gets over their first love."
At the Ball, Conrad offers an apology to his friends, acknowledging that he had not spent much time with them this summer. To make amends, he suggests an overnight fishing trip. They readily agree, as tensions between the guys seem to have eased.
Jeremiah eventually joins Belly, their stroll drawing applause and admiration. However, the attention is too much for Laurel, who seeks some solitude outdoors. John appears, following her to ensure her well-being. He also reveals that Victoria is no longer a concern; she has been eliminated from the picture.
Belly's eagerly anticipated dance with Jeremiah seems destined to take place, but a snag arises. Jeremiah learns of Susannah's cancer diagnosis just before the dance and rushes outside, close to tears. Alone on the dance floor, Belly is left with no choice but to dance with Conrad. The dance commences, and Jeremiah misses his opportunity with Belly. As the music fades, Conrad confesses, "I'm glad it was me."
Meanwhile, Cleveland reveals to Laurel that Conrad knows of Susannah's illness. This news spreads to the brothers, and Jeremiah, enraged, confronts Susannah, demanding to know why Conrad kept this from him. In the midst of the Ball, they confront her, and Susannah too, eventually learns of their discovery.
Alone in her thoughts, Susannah resolutely accepted the trial, motivated by her deep concern for both Jeremiah and Conrad. However, the scene at home was filled with tears and heavy emotions. The show culminated in a bittersweet reunion, where the families gathered for a dinner filled with mixed emotions. It transpired that Conrad's recent moodiness stemmed from Susannah's diagnosis, and he confessed this to Belly on the beach the following morning. He confessed his need for her, and in a moment of tenderness, he kissed her. But the question remained: What impact would this have on Jeremiah?
