The guys are arriving at the Cinema Plumbob…

Before the movie starts, Sarah wants to talk to Dale.

Kelly pretends to walk away but stays close enough to be able to eavesdrop. Lauri also hangs around just in case.

Sarah: May I ask why you are giving Lauri false hope?
Dale: False hope how? I’m just trying to be a good friend.
Sarah: I know that, but she doesn’t. She’s thinking of canceling her trip to Lucky Palms because she thinks there might be something going on between you two. And that trip was supposed to be to get away from you!

Dale: Sorry, it wasn’t my intention to confuse her. I just offered to help her with her training. Though it’s not a bad idea to cancel her trip, like I said, Lucky Palms isn’t…
Sarah: ‘A place for two girls alone’, yeah, you’ve said that a thousand times, Cho.
Dale: Okay, do you want me to talk her into going again?
Sarah: Honestly? I think it’s best if you stop talking to her altogether.
The talk ends abruptly because the show is about to begin.

The girls run to the theater; Dale gets stuck with Miles Forthright who insists on giving him an inkblot test for his end of term project. All Dale sees in the smudge is confusion, probably the one he created in Lauri’s mind. Maybe he was wrong to try to offer her friendship, cause now she thinks he has feelings for her – what a mess!

Already in the theatre…
Dale: Sorry I’m late, Miles kept me with some stupid test.
Sarah: That’s the least of your problems, believe me. And don’t worry, the movie hasn’t started yet.
Lauri doesn’t say anything, she seems annoyed. Sarah didn’t tell her what she discussed with Dale, but it wasn’t necessary because, for a change, she overheard everything.

And so did Kelly!
Kelly: *Mutters*. So you offered to train the genius girl?
Dale: *Mutters too*. You were listening?
Kelly: Luckily, yes.
Dale: Kel, listen…
Sarah: Will you guys shut up? The movie is already starting.

Dale and Kelly fall silent. All four stare at the screen but remain absorbed in their thoughts.
Dale: I hope Kelly doesn’t take this the wrong way.
Sarah: I hope Lauri understands after this.
Kelly: So genius girl wants to steal my boyfriend? Over my dead body.
Lauri: So Dale just wanted to be friends with me? I don’t buy it.

By intermission time, Lauri looks confused, Kelly is tired, and Dale is a bit distracted. Sarah wonders if it was a good idea to talk to him there, with the other two eavesdropping. Is there no privacy anymore?

Sarah: *To Kelly*. Dude, relax, if you were listening, you’ll know that Cho wants nothing with Lauri. But he is and will continue to be a chick magnet; today it’s Lauri, tomorrow it’ll be someone else, so get used to it or quit.
Kelly: Sarah, leave me alone, okay?

Before long, Dale’s glance at Manisha Kapoor only confirms Sarah’s words.
Sarah: *To herself*. Ah, Cho, you’re hopeless.

The show at the Cinema Plumbob is over. It wasn’t the happiest group outing, but at least things are now clear, especially for Lauri. (Or so Dale hopes).

On their way back home, no one spoke to each other. So much for group bonding. 🙄

Another day ended at the Uni dorm. Soon the term will also be over, fortunately for all of them.

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