Lindsay is nominated for Homecoming Queen, and so is Maria, even though she really doesn't want it, but she soon becomes competitive. Mr. B asks Rachel to help tutor star football player Todd Green to keep him eligible. She finds that Todd can grasp things she tells him very well, but he has great difficulty reading. An attraction develops between Todd and Rachel.

Meanwhile, the Homecoming Queen campaign has gotten heated with Ryan and Tommy working for Lindsay and R.J. becoming Maria's manager. The campaign gets dirty when Maria is accused of being a Valley High ""traitor."" Todd fails to complete the test he's been studying for. Rachel tells Mr. B. about Todd's problems. The principal suspects Todd might have a form of dyslexia. Todd is mad at Rachel at first but things get straightened out and Todd passes a verbal makeup test. Lindsay and Maria stop the dirty campaigning and vow that whoever wins will give the crown to the other girl. Who wins? Rachel, as a write-in!