Mahalia, who lives with her mom and whose dad has a new family, really wanted a sweet sixteen, but couldn't have one due to lack of funds. After her best friend Naomi's party, Mahalia is more determined than ever, and with her birthday having past, decides she'll have a coming out party instead. She wonders why coming out has to be a thing anyway, since straight people don't have to do it. She still doesn't have much money, so she plans the party for a few months out and tracks her finances. To her surprise, her mom agrees to match what Mahalia saves, not that her mother knows the new reason for the party, being a member of a conservative Christian church.

Each chapter starts with Mahalia's bank account balance and what she's spent--usually on things like gas and groceries, but occasionally party supplies or something to woo her crush, Siobhan. Siobhan is a new kid, arrived from Ireland and somehow immediately found a boyfriend, Danny, a dude with the annoying habit of carrying drum sticks everywhere and banging them on everything all the time.

The story includes tropes of is-she-or-isn't-she-gay, will-they-or-won't-they, being self-involved and risking an important friendship, and an estranged dad who isn't going to change.