Finally Max manages to get Alice into the Bistro where the surprise party had been organized. After the party, Max meets up with Michelino who mentions the cake left at the lawyer's house.

After Alice's surprise birthday party, she and Max share their "monthiversary" and want to tell the story of how they helped Joy.

At school, the teacher talks about bullying and after the lesson, Alice invites Joy to have something to drink. They talk about the party, Alice's parents, and the cake...

Alice returns home and is sad and very worried about Joy. She tells her mother about the forgotten cake and what she learned from Michelino. Her mother calls Joy's mother.

The kids continue to practice their instruments and go to lessons, but there's no shortage of love dramas and first kisses. Sara is dealing with her ex who just won't accept the breakup. And as before, she leans on Matteo.

Joy is not going to school and is not responding to phone calls anymore. Melissa seems happy to know that the JAMS will be in trouble at the competition, but the kids want to give it their all. Meanwhile, Joy is being helped by her parents.

The conservatory orchestra learns that the world-famous conductor, Ruggero Fiore, will be coming in just a few days to work with them and even give a public performance. With little time to prepare, Marioni asks for total commitment.

We are at the finals of the cooking contest, the dessert competition, and both JAMS and The Best have a new captain. Joy talks to the therapist about how much she likes cooking, but drawing, not so much.

After Marioni assigns the orchestra parts to play with the guest conductor, there are some moments of tension between Matteo and Nathan. As a few students gather outside the conservatory, they see Giacomo, an ex-student.

Joy begins to open up with the therapist, while her team members are dealing with a race against time at the contest. At the end of the competition, the professor starts handing out grades.

Marioni manages to reach Giacomo to tell him that he's sorry for how things turned out but also to encourage him to move on with his life. Matteo goes to talk to the new psychologist but puts up his defenses by saying that he doesn't talk much.

New captains, absences, and tensions liven up the competition. The four desserts are being judged, deciding who will go on to the finals. Afterward, the JAMS make a video for Joy to share the results with her.

After the meeting with the psychologist, Matteo meets up with his uncle, who invites him out for un aperitivo (a drink). At the pub, Matteo teases his uncle because the waiter happens to be an ex-boyfriend of his.

When Marioni gets home, he finds Irene waiting for him in her car. She knows Giacomo had shown up at school. The next morning, there is a rehearsal of the orchestra, followed by the Mozart sonata for two pianos, played by Barbara and Domenico.

Maestro Marioni listens to Domenico and Barbara play and is very harsh in his criticism of the girl's playing. Despite her friends being supportive of her, Barbara decides to go home to study instead of going out after the rehearsal.