161.
Dale: Aaand that’s it.
Dales’s finished his presentation, “How to Manage the Best Bar in Town.” The girls in the class clap and giggle among themselves.
As everyone scatters off to different areas of the library to continue their studies, Rylie Woods, the most industrious girl in the class, approaches Dale to give her opinion.
Rylie: Sorry, no offense, but I don’t see how borrowing money from your rich brothers would be a good idea.
Dale: I didn’t say anything about ‘borrowing,’ I talked about investing. They’re two different things. Investors get a bigger return than if they just loaned me the money with an interest rate. In the end they’ll be so happy they’ll keep investing and earning, and the bar will do so well that it’ll attract more investors.
Rylie: (Impressed). You’ re right, it’ s a good idea. And you say they are your brothers, that makes them trustworthy. You know, you’re very talented. Would you like to join my study group? We’re women only, but it’s always important to have a male point of view.
Dale: Sure, I’d love to.
Dale is happy – he’s finally been fully accepted by his classmates! Although his male classmates (in the background) don’t seem happy that he’s attracting the attention of Riley, the most intelligent and popular girl in the class. On the other hand, Sarah Parker, Riley’s friend, seems quite pleased (even if she pretends to be studying and definitely not hearing anything they say).
162.
Kelly is upset because rumors have reached her that Dale has been studying in the library with a female student named Riley Woods. The rumors also say that they sometimes go to lunch and have a great time together at the cafeteria.
Kelly barely spoke to him at dinner and left early. She said she had a lot of studying to do, which was odd, because the two of them always study together, but today Dale had to study alone.
When Dale returned to the bedroom, Kelly was still studying, he asked her why she hadn’t stayed to study with him, she didn’t want to answer. Dale was dead sleepy and not at all in the mood to start an argument, so he went straight to bed.
Kelly: (To herself). Maybe you’d rather study with your new little friend ‘Rylie’.
The next day at breakfast, Kelly still isn’t talking to Dale.
Dale: Kelly, what’s wrong? You seem upset and I want to know why.
Kelly: Why don’t you ask Riley Woods?
Dale: Riley? Is that who you’re worried about? Kelly, please. She’s just a fellow student.
Kelly: Yeah, sure.
Kelly was so angry that she didn’t wait for Dale to get in the car so they could go to the final exam together. Now he will have to walk. 😒
163.
It’s a sunny day at the University, Dale and Kelly have just taken their final exams, both passed with flying colors.
Once home, Dale wastes no time and decides to talk to Kelly to put this misunderstanding to rest.
Dale: Kelly, listen, I swear you have nothing to worry about, Riley is just a classmate, she and I just get together to study. Besides, she’s not my type.
Kelly: Do you mean it?
Dale: Absolutely.
Kelly: Okay, then promise me you’ll leave her study group and never go to lunch with her again.
Dale: Kel, that’s…
Kelly: Promise me, D.
Dale: Oh, okay. I promise.
Kelly: Thanks, baby.
The storm passed, Kelly and Dale surely won’t fight again in a long time, at least not until the next trimester when Dale has to see his female classmates again. It will be a long road for him from here to graduation, but he loves Kelly too much, so he’ll do whatever she asks him in order not to lose her.
164.
Last night on campus. Dale was exhausted so he went to bed early. Kelly stayed a while longer at the campfire that was left burning after their celebration.
The truth is, she’s a little worried. Is Dale going to be okay? Or was it too much to ask him to leave his study group? She hopes he doesn’t feel bad about it. It’s just that she’s too jealous, she can’t stand those girls getting close to him. Besides, she’s heard that Riley Woods is interested in him. Who the hell does she think she is, trying to steal her boyfriend?
Time to put out the campfire and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another day to think and clear things up. Now she just wants to rest, wait for her report card and then return with Dale to Hidden Springs.
Kelly: Forgive me D, but I won’t leave you in the clutches of that Riley girl.
Kelly: If she lays a single finger on you, she’ll have to deal with me…
165.
Last night of the trimester, the only thing left to do is to go to sleep and wait for the morning to receive the report cards.
166.
Kelly’s report card arrived. She is afraid to look.
But you know, curiosity killed the cat so…
Kelly: I can’t believe it; I got an A!
Kelly: Yes! Thank goodness.
Dale received his grades, too, and is also afraid to look.
So he begins to look slowly, first opening one eye, then the other…
Dale: “What?”
Dale: It’s an A! Kelly? I got an A; can you believe it?
Kelly: (From the living room). Of course I can believe it, you studied really hard! Congratulations, babe, you totally deserve it.
Dale: Ah, this feels good. Wait till I tell Terry…
Dale: I’ll call him right now, he’s gonna be so proud.
Kelly: (From the living room, again) Nah, he’s a jerk, he’ll probably get jealous.
167.
Kelly: Congratulations, baby.
Dale: Congratulations to you too.
Kelly: Aww, thank you.
Kelly: Now, since the trimester is over, we can go back to Hidden Springs right now.
Dale: Wait…
Dale: Maybe I should send a message to Rylie and her group thanking them for helping me study for the finals.
Kelly: Forget it, you don’t owe them anything, you did those exams all by yourself. Besides, you’re out of that group now, aren’t you?
Dale: Er, yeah. I’m–I’m already out.
Kelly: Well then, we have nothing left to do here, I’ll go get ready, you call the transport.
Dale: Okay.
168.
One last photo before leaving.
It will be the last photo of the term, but Dale and Kelly’s first romantic selfie. Their relationship has grown closer since they came to college.
Kelly: Can I see it?
Dale: Sure, here it is.
Dale: Ugh, I’m not photogenic at all, good thing I’m not the one who’s going to be modeling.
Kelly: What do you say? You came out just the way you are, gorgeous! And you’d make a great model, by the way.
Kelly: Why don’t you upload it to your social media or your blog?
Dale: To my blog?
Kelly: Yeah, why not?
Dale: Well, you recently said you wanted to take it slow.
Kelly: And I do, but I think it’s about time everyone out there knows we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.
Dale: You mean like make it official?
Kelly: Yes.
Dale: Are you serious?
Kelly: I’m very serious.
169.
Upon their return to Hidden Springs, Dale and Kelly spent most of their time at home, eating, drinking (only to sample Dale’s blends, of course), and enjoying each other’s company. Neither of them saw the need to get dressed, except in their underwear, lol.
Kelly: Are you sure you don’t want to call your family to tell them we’re back?
Dale: Very sure. I already called mom and dad to tell them about my grades, but I told them as well we wanted to spend time alone, they didn’t have a problem with that.
Dale: As for Terry and Ty, I’d rather see them another time. I don’t want to waste my time here fighting, and I don’t want Cynthia asking me to talk to Terry about things that only concern the two of them either.
Kelly: Good call. Her marriage problems are none of your business. Besides, I think she’s just looking for an excuse to see you. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you two.
Dale: Me and Cyn were stupid. It will never happen again, I assure you.
Kelly: Okay, that’s one down. Now we’re left with that Riley girl and her little friend Sarah.
Dale: Riley doesn’t mean anything to me and I’m going to prove it to you soon.
170.
The night of their return to college, before the moving van arrived, Dale asked Kelly to go steady.
Kelly: Dale, what are you saying?
Dale: We’ve been dating for quite a while now. I think it’s time to take our relationship to another level. I know it’s too soon to think about an engagement, but we can just make our relationship official.
Dale: In short do you want to be my girlfriend?
Kelly: Aww, Dale, of course I do.
With a tender kiss they inaugurate their brand-new relationship status.
Kelly is so happy that she jumps into his arms.
Dale reaffirms his affection for her with another long, passionate kiss.
Kelly: Will you tell your family?
Dale: Sure, but that will be later, now we have to celebrate.
Dale whispers something in Kelly’s ear, she blushes.
Kelly: But D, the moving van is about to come for us.
Dale: Then, I’m afraid it’s going to have to wait.
171.
The van arrived a few minutes ago and has been honking its horn since then. Dale and Kelly leave the house in a hurry.
Kelly went up first, Dale stands on the sidewalk, hesitating. He would have liked to stay longer with Kelly in Hidden Springs, or enjoy a vacation, but there’s no time for regrets. Duty calls!
Kelly: (From the van) D? Get in now, it’s time!
Dale: (To himself) Okay, Business degree, here I come.
******
Dale and Kelly are off to college again for their second term, and there are a few surprises waiting for them there! We’ll soon find out what those are. 😉
172.
Dale and Kelly have just arrived at the University for their second term.
Everything remains the same, same careers, same dorm… Only this time everything is better, -or should be- cause Dale and Kelly are now a steady couple.
They both prepare to attend the Meet & Greet, they are almost ready when Dale’s phone rings. Kelly has a bad feeling.
Kelly: (To herself) God, please don’t let it be Cynthia…
Surprise, the call was not from Cynthia, but worse, it’s Riley Woods.
Kelly: (To herself) Now what does this dead fly want with my Dale? Why the hell does she call him as soon as we get here?
Dale: (On the phone) Yes, Riley, I get it, but you see, Kelly and I are about to leave on our way to the Meet & Greet and– All right, I’ll wait here for you.
Kelly: So, what did harpy want?
Dale: She’s not a harpy. She just wants to talk to me; said it was urgent, so, she asked me to wait for her. She’s on her way over here.
Kelly: If she thinks she can talk to you alone, she’s dead wrong. I’ll be there, keeping an eye on her, until she takes off.
Dale: (To himself) Terry was right, women are just trouble. But I don’t want to make Kelly mad, so I’ll meet Riley outside, see what she wants, and say goodbye right away.
173.
Riley has just arrived, Dale comes down and greets her warmly, she’s more than delighted to see him again. She makes jokes and lets out flirtatious giggles as she shakes his hand, which she has a hard time letting go of.
Dale planned to talk outside in the garden, but she rushed up the stairs and slipped inside the house without asking for his permission.
Dale: (To himself) Of course, why would a spoiled daddy’s girl like her ask for permission? She’ll just sneak in and make herself comfortable. She’s another Cynthia Vanderburg if you ask me.
Whether or not Riley will be able to get comfortable remains to be seen, as Kelly is already on maximum alert.
*******
Kelly didn’t even bother to greet Riley, she crossed the living room without looking at her, she will stand guard from the kitchen.
Kelly: (To herself) I’ll be watching you, Dummy Woods, so you better behave yourself… Ah this is when Terry would come in handy, if he was here, he’d give her such a scare she’d never show her face in here again.
If Riley knew what Kelly thought, he wouldn’t even care, cause she doesn’t even notice her. And she feels so powerful, that it’s unlikely she would feel afraid of Terry.
She’s so bossy and presumptuous that she helped herself to a cup of coffee from the kitchen. She barely glanced at Kelly, and smiled disdainfully at her, as if she owned everything in there, even the University itself! And in a way she does. Well not her, her father.
174.
Dale is back in the living room, praying that Riley will leave soon and that Kelly isn’t upset.
Dale: So tell me Riley, what can I do for you?
Riley: Well, I don’t know if you heard. but they’re remodeling my dorm. I thought they’d be done before school started, but it’s such a thorough job that I doubt they’ll be done soon. It might take them the whole term, so I was wondering if you’d have any rooms available in yours and if you’d mind having me as your roommate.
Dale of course has a vacant room, but he knows that offering it to Riley would be asking for trouble with Kelly.
Dale: I have a spare room, yes, but it’s very small and somewhat uncomfortable, probably not to your liking, as you must be used to larger and much better furnished spaces.
Riley: Oh, don’t worry, any disadvantages will be offset by having you as a partner. It’ll be nice to get to know each other better, don’t you think?
Dale immediately realizes that he’s in serious trouble.
Riley didn’t come to make a request, she already decided that this is where she’s going to live this trimester. He would have no problem accommodating her if she didn’t constantly flirt with him. Suppose he did accept her; how would Kelly feel about it? He doesn’t even want to think about it.
175.
Kelly has heard enough of the conversation and decides to chime in.
Kelly: I’m sorry, did I miss something?
Riley: Nothing special, I was just telling Dale that I’m looking for a place to stay this trimester and I thought it would be awesome if I could room with you guys.
Kelly: (To herself) Not a chance.
Dale decides to step back, maybe it’s best to let the girls work this out themselves.
Kelly: I don’t know if you heard, but Dale and I are a couple, so we like to have privacy, which is why we’re not accepting roommates. I’m sorry, but you’re gonna have to find another place.
Riley: Really?
Riley: Well, I’m sorry to inform you that my dad owns this, and pretty much every dorm on campus. If my dad owns this place, then I own it too, so you’ll have to accept me.
(Kelly is about to explode. He has tried to be nice to the intruder, but Riley has done everything possible to wear out her patience).
Riley: (Goes on) I don’t think you guys want to be evicted. It’s late in the term to be looking for another dorm, so I propose that you give me the spare room and everyone’s in peace. I for one could arrange for you to get a discount on your rent payment, what do you think, Daley?
Dale: (to himself) Please tell me she didn’t call me “Daley” in front of Kel.
Kelly: Excuse me, how did you call my boyfriend?
Riley: Daley. That’s what I affectionately call him; do you have a problem?
Kelly: No. You are going to have a problem if you don’t leave this house right now.
Dale: Kelly…
Kelly: Hush, honey. I’ll take care of this.
Some people like to watch the world burn, Dale is not one of them, so he decides to take Kelly at her word, and leave her alone with Riley. Terry would probably stay to watch the fight and enjoy every second of it, Dale prefers to entertain himself on the computer with the volume turned up loud. He just hopes Riley gets out of there in one piece or he and Kelly will need to find another place to live.
176.
Outside, the conflagration was not long in coming….
Riley: You’re the one who’s going to get in a lot of trouble for this, you smug b*tch!
Kelly: What did you call me?
Riley: You heard me right. Everyone on campus knows how conceited you are. You think because of your looks you’re going to become a big model, we’ll let me tell you, with such a lousy character you’re not going to get anywhere.
Riley: (Goes on) As for Dale, he’s too kind and sweet to put up with these kinds of tantrums, if you don’t control yourself, someday he might get tired and trade you in for someone more understanding, intelligent and good-natured.
Far from stoking her anger, Riley’s last words make Kelly burst out laughing.
Kelly: “Intelligent and good-natured.” Like whom, you? Give me a break!
Riley: Think whatever you want, you’re clearly not civil enough to compromise. So I’ll take up the matter in person with Dale. As the brilliant businessman he is, I’m sure he’ll be much more reasonable.
Riley: I’m coming in. Can you get away from the door, please?
Kelly: Try and make me.
Riley: (Sighs) Well, if that’s how it’ going to be… I’ll talk to Dale later. In the meantime, you better start getting that room ready, cause I’m returning tomorrow to settle in.
Kelly: Over my dead body.
(Well, that was certainly a bad start for two future roommates).
Riley stormed out, Dale was left wondering. Does Riley truly plan to come back and take the room over? Of course she does, she has the power to. Should he and Kelly move to another dorm then? Or stay and try to smooth things over with her? After all, Riley’s father owns half the University. If they antagonize her; they could end up not only out of the dorm but off campus.
Dale: (Thinking) What would Terry do in my situation? Okay, I know what he’d do, but I can’t do that. Should I call him and ask for his help?
Kelly: (From outside) Dale, are you there? Dale, come on out, it’s time to go!
177.
Dale and Kelly are just about to leave for the Meet & Greet when someone else knocks on the dorm door. It’s Sarah Parker, Riley’s best friend. How can such a colorful character be best friends with someone as uptight as Riley Woods?
Dale comes out to greet her, somewhat surprised, what is Sarah doing here at this hour? Shouldn’t she be at the Meet & Greet, spreading charm while welcoming the new students?
Dale: Hey, Sarah, what brings you here?
Sarah: Oh, hi, Dale. I came to see the house where we’re gonna live in.
Dale: (To himself) Did she say ‘we’?
Sarah seems to guess his question.
Sarah: Sorry. I forgot to mention that Riley and I are roommates, and best friends. So if she moves out, so do I.
Dale: (To himself again) ¿Riley Woods and Sarah Parker living under the same roof with Kelly? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Sarah: So Riley hasn’t called you? Well, she must be busy packing. I hope you don’t mind having both of us.
Dale: Of course I don’t, but… ahem, can we discuss terms before we start the move? I thought I heard Riley say something about a discount on the rent payment.
(Typical Dale, business always comes first).
Sarah: Yeah, well, that depends on whether your girlfriend apologizes to her and behaves like a good sport from now on.
Dale: Oh, Kelly is usually very friendly, yesterday she was just tense and tired from the trip.
Sarah: Great, then as soon as Riley arrives, the four of us together can discuss those terms.
Dale: (To self) That is if Kelly doesn’t kick me out for accepting you without asking her opinion.
Kelly: (From the bedroom) Dale? Who knocked on the door?
Sarah: Looks like your girlfriend needs you, so I’m off. I’ll see you in the evening. Thanks for everything.
Dale says goodbye to Sarah as calmly and cordially as he can. It’s time to confront Kelly. Yesterday he was able to avoid the subject cause Riley didn’t call back and Kelly thought she’d given up. But now it’s a fact that she and Sarah are moving in no matter what, so he’ll have to negotiate with them, or, if all else fails, call in the backup (i.e. Terry).
*****
Kelly is waiting for Dale in the garage, but he isn’t coming. It looks like he went to answer the door, she asked who it was, but he didn’t answer and took quite a while. Now it looks like whoever called is gone. Hopefully it wasn’t Riley again. Time to find out.
Kelly: Who the hell is Sarah Parker?
Dale: (Oh, God, when is this going to end?)
Kelly: Dale?
Dale: Weren’t you in a hurry to get to the Meet & Greet?
Kelly: Now I’m in a hurry to find out who this Sarah Parker is.
Dale: Riley’s roommate and best friend. She wants to live here too.
Kelly: What, the harpy and her friend together? No way!
178.
Arriving at the Meet & Greet. Kelly is still upset and hasn’t spoken to Dale since they got out of the car. They argue the whole way there. Dale doesn’t know why Kelly takes it out on him, is it his fault that Riley is a snooty, spoiled brat who does whatever she wants? Also, a discount on the rent payment wouldn’t hurt. The cash register Dale has for a brain hasn’t stopped ringing since Riley mentioned the rebate.
Dale walks past the bar. He wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole.
Dale: (To himself): That bar is a flop, it has no ingredients for a good drink. They didn’t even bother to hire a bartender.
Kelly pauses for a moment in front of the welcome table.
Kelly: (To herself): Same souvenirs as last trimester– Why are these events so repetitive?
(It’s pretty clear they’re both in a lousy mood, lol).
Kelly: Okay, Dale’s not looking now… I’ll have a chocolate bar. It will be just one, I promise.
Kelly: Anyway, now I’m not modeling, I don’t have to diet, and I will need energy to study and go to class. Where’s Dale, by the way?
Kelly: There he is at the arcade games, the Cho’s refuge when they are upset. And Dale is certainly not in a good mood right now, I think I’ve pushed too hard, I’ll leave him alone for a while.
The event is dead even before it starts, there’s not a soul in the building, except for the snack girl. But that’s been enough calories for today, so Kelly decides to entertain herself by playing pool.
Kelly: Not to brag but I am a champion billiard player. I learned from the best… Well, Terence is still a jerk, but I have to admit he’s quite a master.
After several masterful moves, Kelly is starting to relax and feel less upset, when…
Dale: Kelly, can we talk?
Kelly: (To herself): Of course, here he goes again…
179.
Dale: Come on, Kelly let’s not keep fighting about this, it’s not worth it.
Kelly: Then stop insisting that I accept that pair of witches into our dorm.
Dale: Whether you accept them or not, they’re coming anyway, so get over it, babe.
Kelly: I said no! I would never allow it, ever. Stop insisting, Dale.
Dale: Please Kelly, don’t be childish. It’s only one room in the whole dorm. Plus having the daughter of the owner of half the campus with us could be a blessing in disguise.
Kelly: ‘Blessing in disguise’, yeah right.
Dale: But it is! For starters, we’d get a nice discount, and then maybe Mr. Woods would want to learn about my project and invest in it.
Kelly: Sure, and then Riley will want to date you, and next thing you know, you’ll be married to a spoiled rich girl, just like your brother Terence.
Dale: Me? Married to Riley? No way, she’s not even my type.
Kelly: But you’re hers: the good-looking guy with no money who would sell his soul to the devil – or a harpy in this case- just to get rich.
Dale: That’s something Terry would do, not me.
Kelly: Exactly, Terry would. And you do everything he does because he’s your hero.
Dale: Can we stop talking about Terry and focus on business?
Kelly: Do you even talk about anything else?
Dale: Sure, I can talk about bars and sex too.
Kelly: Sex, of course. How could I forget? That’s what the Cho brothers are all about, sex and money, in that order.
Dale: Will you stop criticizing the Chos and listen to my idea? You haven’t even let me tell you.
Kelly: (Sighs) Fine, go ahead, let’s hear that brilliant idea.
Dale: Okay, listen. We will accept Riley and her friend in our dorm, and the discount she offered us. Let’s say, 50%.
Kelly: You think she’ll give us 50%? Please, Dale, stop dreaming.
Dale: She will, because it’s two of them. 25% less for each. Once we get that discount, we’ll be nice and good roommates with them, especially Riley, to earn her father’s trust.
Kelly: I don’t know who I’m listening to anymore, you or Terence.
Dale: Since you keep mentioning Terry, I think I’ll give him a call for advice. And maybe Cynthia can ask her dad to help us with Mr. Woods. Sebastian knows every businessman in Hidden Springs, he probably knows Mr. Woods too.
Kelly: Oh, no, no, no. I don’t want Terry and Cynthia sticking their noses into this. And you don’t need Mr. Woods, you can start your business with the savings you’ve gathered and with Tyron’s help like you planned it from the beginning.
Dale: Of course I’ll accept Ty’s help, but also Terry’s. I can’t leave him aside, he’s my brother too, and in spite of everything he’s always supported me. I’ll call him tonight, at least to hear his opinion.
Kelly: (Sighs again) Okay, as long as I don’t have to listen to him.
180.
Kelly and Dale decide not to talk any more about Riley and/or Terence for the rest of the Meet & Greet.
They prefer to distract themselves with a game of table tennis. This is what happens when two sportspeople come together. Sports is something Dale and Kelly have in common… among other things.
As always, Kelly is winning…
…And Dale is losing.
Kelly: Ha! Yes, beat that Daley!
Dale doesn’t take offense with Kelly’s sarcasm when pronouncing his ‘new’ nickname. Also, he wouldn’t dream of beating her. She’s quite the athlete; Terry taught her well.
Dale: (To self) Come to think of it, Kelly and Terence are a lot alike. They’re stubborn, die-hards, always want to win… Although of course, their likeness is only in temper, cause Terry is just a regular guy, Kelly is a goddess, and she’s mine… Dude, what did I do to deserve such a queen?
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