Synopsis: “14-year-old Laura Holloway is brought to stay at Starlight Mansion after losing her parents in a car accident. Although musically talented, Laura feels lonely and has low self-esteem. When a boy at school named Bobby Braddock gives Laura pills, Laura becomes addicted to them.”

Summary: Episode 40 (S2E14) is written by Sandy Fries.

We open with social worker Mrs. Harding, who drops off Laura Holloway, an orphan whose parents recently perished in a car accident. The city has run out of room at their local housing facility, hence why Laura will be staying at Starlight Mansion for Foster Girls (at least for the next few weeks).

Jem notices that Laura brought a guitar with her and asks if she wants to jam with the Holograms. Sheepishly, Laura explains she’s not very good and would rather not. Jem offers to introduce Laura to the other Starlight orphans, but she is reluctant and admits to not being able to make friends very well, so she asks to go to her room.

Laura makes her way into the recreation room where Ashley and Ba Nee are competing in a ping pong match. Ashley invites Laura to play ping pong, but she declines.

Laura: No thank you. I was just looking for the linen closet.

Jerrica walks in and finds Laura, clutching the ping pong paddle closely. When she’s invited to lunch, Laura requests to be left alone. Jerrica tries to encourage her to talk, as sometimes that helps, but Laura admits she doesn’t fit in. From her perspective, all of the other girls are prettier and are more talented and she feels she just can’t measure up. Jerrica tries to console Laura and says that everyone has something they’re good at, but Laura thinks that she doesn’t truly understand how she feels.

Laura takes off to a room where she can be left alone, with just her guitar.

Laura Holloway music video: “Alone Again.”

Jem and the Holograms overhear Laura singing and playing guitar. It turns out Laura is quite talented, even though she doesn’t know it yet. Jem invites Laura to play a song with them at their upcoming concert, but she turns the offer down, saying she’s not good enough and packs up her guitar. Kimber tries to use reverse psychology to try and convince Laura to perform with the band–it works (she calls Laura chicken, which is really not cool).

Laura: Oh, great. Now I have chance to mess up in front of the whole world. A concert in front of thousands of people. Maybe I’ll get lucky. Maybe there’ll be an earthquake or a typhoon and I won’t have to play at that dumb concert.

At school the following day, we see Laura by herself, wishing for a natural disaster so she can get out of having to play at the Jem and the Holograms concert. A boy named Bobby Braddock overhears Laura, who was talking to herself, and introduces himself.

Bobby: My name’s Bobby Braddock. I guess you’re the new kid, Laura Holloway.

Laura: How did you know my name?

Bobby: Oh, I just sneaked a look at the list of new kids from the administration house. You’re Laura Holloway, 14, and you’re staying at the Starlight House.

Laura: Why would you go to all that trouble to find out about me.

Bobby: Hey, I always make it a point to know the names of cute new girls at school.

Laura: Me? Cute?

Bobby: Would I kid ya? Besides, I wanted to become friends with you ’cause I care about you, and I want to help you with that concert you’re so worried about.

Laura: Well, how could you help?

Bobby: A little gift. They’ll make you feel great. [CHUCKLES] Th-they’ll make you play music like a pro.

Laura: Pills? I-I don’t think so.

Bobby: Come on. They’re free. It’s a gift from me to you. You know, I’m going to be at that concert.

Laura: You will?

Bobby: Don’t you want to play your best? For me?

Laura: Th-Th-Thanks.

Later in the evening, Laura takes…