Number 32
Michael makes an early morning call to Lucas, asking him to sub for English Lit today (they're short- staffed since Libby's time off). But Michael has to take on the class himself when Lucas says he's busy. Tash saunters out in her pyjamas and tries to get an angry reaction (or any emotion) from her dad by telling him how late she got in last night. But Michael feigns nonchalance and quickly hides the scrapbook he was looking at last night before heading off to work.

Garage
Lucas looks through a stack of mail before switching on his laptop to look at his online bank account. His dad's money remains untouched, taunting him. He gets a phone call from Sonya, who asks him to meet up with her at the garden.

Community Garden
Sonya's dressed up from her bank meeting, but by the look on her face things didn't go too well. She's sadly looking at a garden bed when Lucas arrives with tea and sympathy. Sonya lets him know the bank didn't approve her loan because she didn't 'meet their criteria', and she's disappointed because she had so many plans. Lucas gives her hand a comforting squeeze.

Number 30
Toadie brings home a present for Sonya - a plant for the front garden - but Sonya quietly tells him it's an indoor plant. Noticing her sullen mood, Toadie asks what's wrong and Sonya admits that she applied for a loan, which was denied. Toadie's a bit peeved seeing as they're supposed to make big decisions together, but Sonya says she just needed to do this for herself. When he sees how upset she is about it, Toadie softens and gives Sonya a hug.

Erinsborough High
Callum and Sophie are trying to think up names for the band they want to start but all Callum's ideas have the word "Squid" in them. Dean laughs at them for choosing music as an elective, calling it a girls' class, and says Callum should be doing woodwork instead. But Callum talks up his prowess playing Guitar Hero and starts rocking out in the hallway, not noticing everyone slowly walking away from him.

The bell rings and the seniors file into their English Lit classroom, staring at the new boy sitting on one of the desks. Chris gives him a nod when he walks in and the new boy hops off the desk and chooses a seat. Michael arrives to start the class and introduces everyone to Noah Parkin (the newbie), but is interrupted by his daughter who is operating on Tash- time today. Michael tries not to appear too annoyed when Tash keeps chatting to Chris about what an awesome time she had last night, but it's hard when she also flippantly tells Michael she didn't do her Lit assignment.

In the hallway after class, Chris tells Tash how crazy she's acting, but Tash just shrugs and says she has her own independence now. She hears Dean and Callum talking about how Stew ran into her last night and tries to quickly lead Chris away, but fires up when Dean calls her a "prawn". Tash tries to save face, but Dean keeps teasing her and Chris soon realises his friend had a pretty disastrous night last night.

First Commercial Break

Erinsborough High
Chris chases Tash outside and asks her why she lied to him about last night. But Tash says she didn't want more attention drawn to how ugly she is - too many people are already talking about it online. Chris assures her that people can be idiots, and if he wasn't gay he'd totally want to date her. Tash gives him a half- hearted smile, but Chris knows he's cheered her up a bit. He asks if she's coming back inside, but Tash just gives him a kiss on the cheek and says she'll see him tomorrow.

Back inside, Callum's regretting choosing music as an elective. The entire class is sitting cross- legged on the floor with small drums and maracas, trying to keep a beat. Callum tells Sophie how boring everything is but Sophie looks like she's actually enjoying herself. To alleviate his boredom, Callum starts keeping time by smashing his tambourine against his forehead.

Number 32
Tash is digging into a block of chocolate when Michael gets home and asks her what she's playing at - first she doesn't hand in her assignment and then she just leaves school? Tash doesn't see why Michael should care, though, seeing as he's not parenting her anymore.

MICHAEL: As a principal I have to look after my students.
TASH: Yeah well maybe as a principal you better call my dad and tell him what a lame parent he's being.

Michael glares at her and says if she doesn't get back to school right now she'll be on detention for a week. Scowling, Tash gathers her bag and walks out.

Garage
Chris drops by with forms for his superannuation and apologises to Lucas if he overstepped the mark calling Sonya about Lucas's gambling last week. But Lucas says it was fine and they're cool. When Chris puts the forms on the desk he accidentally bumps the laptop and sees how much is in Lucas's account. Lucas explains that his dad left him some money and that he's testing him, but Chris thinks he could look at it in a more positive way. Now Lucas has the means to help someone out, "just like Oprah would!" Lucas laughs, but Chris has actually given him food for thought.

Second Commercial Break

Erinsborough High
Callum tells Sophie that they should think about giving woodwork class a go, but Sophie says she wants to stay in music class. Callum chats to Dean about all the different tools and things in woodwork, but when he turns back around he realises Sophie's walked off on him. Callum looks put out - something's different with Sophie but he doesn't know what.

Michael walks into Tash's maths class to have a chat with the teacher, but barely makes any eye contact with Tash. Bored, Tash starts whispering to Noah about his work but he just shows her a cartoon he's been drawing of the teacher. Tash smiles and tells him it's really good, but Noah just stays quiet and throws it in the bin when class ends. Tash retrieves it and decides to keep it, but when she's folding it she realises there's another cartoon on the back. It's of her and she's not happy with how big her nose is. Tash sits down with her laptop and looks at a photo of herself, unhappily zooming in on her nose. The taunts have really gotten to her.

Charlie's Bar
Michael chats to Lucas while he orders his lunch and says how much Tash is testing his patience at school. Lucas comments on how hard it'd be to have to punish Tash as a principal and then as a parent, but Michael just nods and smiles. When Michael heads back to work, Lucas looks through a paper and sees an article about the community garden being up for auction.

Ramsay Street
Lucas finds Sonya gardening and says he has something to chat to her about. Or more accurately, something to show her. Sonya's stunned when Lucas hands over a cheque and tells her he wants her to buy the community garden.

Third Commercial Break

Number 30
Sonya can only stare at the cheque in shock when Lucas follows her into the house (and there's a clever close up of Toadie's little plant as they go in - a small offering versus a big offering). He explains that it's his dad's money and that he doesn't want to be responsible for such a big amount. Sonya says she's amazed by Lucas's generosity but can't accept it, but Lucas says she can at least think about it and talk it over with Toadie. Sonya thinks she could repay Lucas in instalments, but Lucas says it's a gift. When Toadie arrives home, Lucas lets him know about the offer and then leaves to let them chat about it. Sonya's starting to look excited but Toadie doesn't share her enthusiasm, looking a little put out.

SONYA: I'd be able to set up the nursery!
TOADIE: That's very generous but...
SONYA: It is isn't it? It's amazing!
TOADIE: You can't accept it.
SONYA: Why not?
TOADIE: You just can't.

Preview
(Tomorrow on Neighbours)
SUMMER: We need to pay the deposit for schoolies. It won't be a problem will it? Surely daddy can sling you that much cash?
(As it turns out, though, daddy can't)
PAUL: You need to learn to manage your finances better, my boy.
ANDREW: Dad, I do. I just didn't see this one coming that's all.
PAUL: It's called planning.
(Noah starts drumming on the lockers near Sophie and later she finds him playing guitar)
(Sonya and Toadie are still talking about Lucas's money)
SONYA: Imagine being handed that kind of money
TOADIE: This goes a lot deeper than Lucas being generous. If the business goes under the friendship is ruined and no amount of money is worth that.