Early in her trip to China with Daphne, Bay contracts a serious illness and spends weeks recovering. When she does, the summer is almost over and she has not seen much of the country so she convinces Daphne to stay the whole school year. Travis joins them, and begins a relationship with Bay. 10 months later, the three are called home when Emmett overdoses on a mix of medications. Bay, Daphne, and Travis decide to stay in Kansas City. Daphne is upset to learn how behind she is in her studies; she also learns Mingo has a new girlfriend and that there is no housing for her at the university. Regina allows Bay to stay in the empty apartment above the Cracked Mug with Travis, but Bay tells Travis she wants Daphne to move in with her instead. Regina attempts to end her relationship with her much younger secret boyfriend, Luca. Mingo invites Daphne to a karaoke costume party. His costume is of Lil Wayne and he takes a selfie with Daphne, causing outrage from some who view it as blackface.

Toby and Lily come for a visit with the baby. They are fighting because Lily misses work, while Toby is working too much and not helping with the baby. Toby reveals his gambling problem has returned. They decide to move back to the States. Lily gets her job back at the university, and Kathryn will help with the baby. When Bay tries to rekindle her friendship with Mary Beth, she is upset to learn Mary Beth is now dating Tank. Regina decides to go public about her relationship with Luca. John teases her about the age difference, but relents after she scolds him for applying a sexist double standard. Kathryn and Daphne are both supportive and happy for Regina. Daphne is having nightmares about Bay's illness in China and is then concerned about Bay's health and well-being when she is displaying some possible relapse symptoms relating to the illness. Luca recognizes it as PTSD. Luca accidentally spills the secret about Bay's illness to Regina and Bay and Daphne have to tell everyone about it.

Bay meets the man who molested Travis when he was twelve: his uncle. She tries to make him tell his mother about what happened and reconnect. Chris tries to make Daphne cheat on his drug test so he won't get kicked out of the baseball team for using steroids. Regina finds out her coffeehouse is being robbed, so she put security cameras all over the place. She finds out the culprit is Eric, who has returned to get back a secret stash he hid in the coffeehouse so he and his son, Will, can start a new life. He asks her to come with him, but she refuses.