Ready or Not

- Season 4

(1996)

On their first day of ninth grade in a new school, Busy and Amanda find themselves meeting new friends and perhaps encountering new enemies. In such a new environment, it's hard for the girls to know who to trust.

Amanda and Busy switch lives.

Busy is consumed with "making it big" with her band while Amanda gets excited about trying out for a new play. Busy must also contend with things changing around her house. When things don't go as planned, the girls each have their own ways of coping.

Amanda decides that her best bet at becoming a famous actress is to become a model first. Quickly, she learns that the modeling industry is very critical and she begins to turn a critical eye on herself. Amanda comes to realize that everyone has their own insecurities, even "perfect" people.

The Ramone household is buzzing with the anticipation of Manny's wedding. Busy feels the stress of not only having to conform to certain feminine ideals but to also find a date so that she doesn't stand out.

Busy is working on some new music with her friend Bernie "Sag" when she finds herself feeling some jealousy over Sag's relationship with his ex girlfriend. Meanwhile, Amanda's attention is drawn to Henry who is into extreme sports. The girls begin to test the waters on new ways of gaining the boys' attention.

While feeling frustrated over her feelings about her mother wanting to move in with her boyfriend, Amanda begins wishing for her own Prince Charming to come and sweep her off her feet. Realizing that all of the boys in her class are far too immature, Amanda sets her sights on someone MUCH older.

Although her visits to her father's home are few and far between, Amanda contemplates moving in with him because it's always so fun and exciting. Amanda's mind abruptly changes when she discovers some past information about her father.

Amanda's mom and boyfriend are going out of town and Amanda has the loft all to herself. Trying to impress some older boys, Amanda decides to throw a party and quickly realizes the price of popularity.

A new boy named Aiden transfers to school and Busy finds herself wanting to help him fit in but also being uncomfortable with the fact that he is in a wheelchair. When an injustice occurs in her science class Busy decides to take a stand.

A new group of stuck up girls want to be friends with Amanda. Amanda tries to get them to include Busy but they make it clear that she is not wanted. When Busy tries to fit in with the girls by revealing a secret about Amanda, things get awkward. Eventually, Amanda tries to find out from Busy why the girls are ignoring her and she learns the truth about what Busy said and it causes a rift. Busy does what she can to repair the damage.

Busy is feeling the pressure at home when her new sister in law, Sheila, starts to rearrange the house. When Busy finally gets the house to herself, she invites Amanda over to watch a movie but is interrupted by Sheila when she comes home early. After an argument and a power outage Busy learns something about Sheila and things start getting better.

Amanda finds out about an elite summer program for the arts and becomes determined to get in. She makes a questionable decision and submits a project that is not entirely hers. Soon, Amanda has to face the music over her lie when she gets chosen for the program.