The Cho dorm, 10 pm

Night has fallen over the dorm; it’s time to go to rest. Tomorrow a new trimester will begin, with new challenges and most likely new problems.

Night fell, yes, but no one has gone to sleep yet, even though tomorrow is a school day. Maybe because they all have things to think about.

And the bonfire is a good place to leave their worries at.

As the hours pass, exhaustion overcomes Sarah and Lauri, making them retreat to their quarters, while Dale and Kelly are left alone at last.

It’s a good opportunity to air their issues, but Kelly stays true to her word and waits for Dale to make the first move.

So he decides not to keep her waiting any longer.
Dale: Kel, can we talk?
Kelly: Sure, want to go inside?
Dale: No, I’d rather stay here, we’ll avoid interruptions and, you know, birds on the wire.
Kelly: Sure. Well, go ahead, I’m listening.

Dale: First of all, I want to apologize, I was an absolute jerk with you, you don’t deserve that because, and I want to make this very clear, you did absolutely nothing wrong.
Kelly: Do you really think so, Dale?
Dale: Yeah, all you did was chat with Mullis to express your admiration like the rest of the people there. That’s not a crime.
Kelly: But it still made you uncomfortable, didn’t it?

Dale: It doesn’t bother me if you talk to other guys, or if you express your admiration for them, it’s just that… Forgive me but it seems, well, unfair to me that you’re free to talk to anyone, while I have to restrain myself from talking to other girls to avoid you getting mad at me. Or at them, as it happened with Lauri.

Dale: I’d like there to be a balance as to what we can do when interacting with other people. I want us to have the same freedom, you know?
Kelly: Okay, so what do you suggest we do? Do you want an open relationship, is that what you want? Because if so, I…
Dale: No, no, I’m not talking about having sex with other people, that was over for me when I proposed that we go steady. What I’d like is, like, equality, that the rules, if any, apply to both of us, not just me.

Dale: For example, yesterday I was very jealous to see you talking to Eddy Mullis, but then I realized it was just a chat and no more. I wish you could think the same when I talk to other girls, or when they express admiration for me. I want both of us to trust each other, to have confidence that we can be faithful without the other constantly having to pull on the reins.

Kelly: Thank you for being honest with me, darling. I assure you that I will do my best to control my temper from now on, I’ll even take that anger management class. I’ll work on my emotions day and night to make you feel freer and more confident.
Dale: You mean it?
Kelly: Yes.

Kelly: But you must promise me you’ll always be honest with me like you’re being now, that you won’t hide things from me just to not make me angry. The more honest you are with me, the less I’ll worry, and the less misunderstandings there will be like the one yesterday.
Dale: I promise you it’ll be like that from now on. But I ask you the exact same thing, if you think I’m being a jerk to you, if I’m out of line, tell me right away, don’t hold anything back, okay?
Kelly: Okay, well…

Kelly: If I didn’t call you out yesterday in the living room with Lauri, it was because I know that wasn’t you.
Dale: No, it was me, but a ‘me’ I don’t like. I never meant to hurt you, babe, that’s for sure, so I apologize again.
Kelly: It’s forgiven… By the way, a bit late, but I apologized to Lauri.
Dale: Yeah, forgive me for jumping the gun with that, I should’ve trusted you and waited.
Kelly: Well, we both lacked communication, but that won’t happen again.

Dale: So, we’re good then?
Kelly: Better than ever.
Dale: Thank you, babe.
Kelly: No, thank you, honey.

The two end the conversation with a long, tight hug.
Dale: I love you, never forget it.
Kelly: And I love you, never forget it either.

Dale: It’s late and it’s cold in here. Shall we go to bed?
Kelly: I thought you’d never ask.

They’re in such a hurry to get to the bedroom that they forget to put out the bonfire.

Fortunately, about hour later, Dale returned to extinguish it and while he was at it, he drank some of the “juice” still in the keg to celebrate, not only that he and Kelly had made up, but that, for the first time, they were able to communicate without anger and guilt. No doubt their relationship has taken a major step towards maturity.

Mind you, he didn’t tell her about Cynthia’s phone call. Not that he wouldn’t do it at some point, but first things first, that’s a topic for another time. But, on the other hand, talking to Terry to help Cynthia? No way.

If Terry ever finds out that she called him, it will only bring trouble to her. If anything, he could try to spark a conversation with Terry about how things are going for him, maybe he’d open up and tell him all about it. That would be the only possible way for him to address the issue.

Now, what if that baby Cynthia decided not to have, was his? Should he ask her? Nah, better not to think about it anymore. He and Cynthia were over for good, and she’s his brother’s wife now, so… Yeah, back to the backburner,

For now, a few sips more to lessen the shock that the recent events, especially Cynthia’s call and its contents, caused him.
Dale: I shouldn’t be drinking a few hours before class, but the occasion calls for it, so – cheers!

With the bonfire out and in his underwear, the night feels even colder, so Dale finishes his little celebration and returns to the bedroom.

When Kelly returns from the shower, Dale is already sleeping soundly. For the first time in a long while, she feels totally at peace. Also, for the first time, she feels that her relationship with Dale is moving forward into something more serious.

She’s always been afraid of marriage, kids and that stuff, but today for the first time she’s considering it. She doesn’t know about her, but Dale? He sure would make an excellent parent.
Kelly: Like I’ve said before, I’m so lucky to have you. I hope nothing and no one ever tears us apart, D., cause I don’t know how the hell I could live without you.

---