Free Bird follows Jemma, a sixteen-year-old girl who has spent most of her life living with glioblastoma. After losing her mother at birth, she is raised by her father, Ed, who does everything he can to give her a happy life. When Jemma is seven, they move from Houston to Minnesota, where she meets Eliana and John, who become her closest friends. As Jemma grows older, her illness becomes a bigger part of her life. She spends much of her time in the hospital. At the same hospital, Jasper is dealing with problems of his own. He feels like the second choice in his family, carries the effects of a painful childhood, and struggles with his emotions. Although he has Ria, his girlfriend, and attends therapy with Dr. Davis, he often pushes people away and pretends that he is fine. Jemma and Jasper first meet by accident when Jasper tries to avoid his therapy session and ends up hiding in Jemma's hospital ward during Eliana's birthday celebration. Their first impression of each other is far from perfect. Eventually, they begin talking and slowly become friends. Jasper learns about the things Jemma has always wanted to experience but has never been able to because of her illness. They create memories together, and Jemma begins to feel more free than she has in years. As they spend more time together, Jasper begins changing too. Jemma helps him see that his past does not have to control his future, while Jasper gives Jemma reasons to look beyond the hospital walls. Somewhere along the way, Jasper realizes that what he feels for Jemma is more than friendship. But just as their relationship becomes something neither of them can ignore, Jemma's health begins to get worse. The people around them are forced to face a reality they don't want to accept. Jasper struggles with the thought of losing the person who helped him find hope, while Jemma begins to understand that she may not have as much time as she wishes. In the end, Jemma's story becomes less about how long she lived and more about how much she lived. She leaves Jasper with memories, courage, and a reason to keep moving forward. Her friendship and love change him in ways he never expected. Jasper eventually understands that sometimes loving someone doesn't mean you get to keep them forever.