Alison Penderghast, a sarcastic and observant teen, prefers to narrate high school drama from a distance, armed with her private vlog. Her world of witty banter with tight-knit friends and a rivalry with her neighbor, Owen Cooper, is about to shatter. The looming Masquerade Winter Formal threatens to uncover past humiliation, stemming from a ninth-grade bet that profoundly "cracked" her trust in romance. As she vows to navigate the year undamaged, lines blur between friendship and something more, Alison's guarded defenses crumble. With best friend Gianna infatuated with Owen, Alison must confront uncomfortable truths and navigate unexpected connections. 'Because I liked a boy' is a journey of self-discovery where masks shed, true feelings surface, and Alison must decide if her shattered heart can truly heal.