During the summer at band camp, Amy Juergens meets Richard "Ricky" Underwood, who persuades her into having sex. Amy learns that she has conceived a child at the beginning of the school year. Her best friends "Lauren Treacy" (played by Camille Winbush) and "Madison Cooperstein" (played by Renee Olstead) are the first ones to know about her being pregnant. Madison unknowingly spreads word that Amy is pregnant, and Amy considers abortion before telling her parents. Soon, Amy's younger sister Ashley finds out. After some time during an argument at the Juergens' home, Amy admits being pregnant and her boyfriend Ben learns too. Ben remains faithful to her during and after her pregnancy. So that the child is not born out of wedlock, Ben and Amy secretly get married illegally.