Ever since kindergarten, Liz had a crush on Michael. He was handsome and seemed mature for his age. When Michael moved away in middle school, Liz had a hard time finding another boy who could compare to him (or to dream-worthy guys in movies). So when Michael moves back their senior year, Liz thinks its fate for them to end up together.
Because Michael is close friends with Liz’s next-door neighbor Wes, Liz asks Wes to be her wingman (with her “payment” being letting him have the prime street parking spot). Michael eventually does ask Liz to prom, but only because he’s afraid that the head cheerleader who he’s actually interested in (Laney) might still be hung up on her ex.
Ever since Michael’s promposal, Liz realizes that Michael’s not her dream guy after all. She actually prefers Wes since he’s funnier and surprisingly caring (e.g., he lends her spare workout clothes when she gets puked on at a party).
It also turns out that Wes has always had a thing for Liz, which is why he always picked on her, hid on her patio while she was practicing piano, and fought with her for the street parking spot for an excuse to talk to her even though his mom lets him park in the driveway. Wes likes how Liz marches to the beat of her own drum through her fashion choices, her college major choice (becoming a music curator), and her laugh-out-loud humor. He considers other girls (like the pretty and seemingly perfect Alex, who’s known to have a crush on him), but they don’t compare to Liz in his eyes.
In the end, Liz encourages Michael and Laney to get together, and Liz ends up with Wes (and they even decide on the same college).