The moving van, with Dale and Kelly inside, finally pulls away.

Riley obviously isn't happy. Sarah, on the other hand, breathes a sigh of relief. In a few minutes the two of them will also leave the dormitory. Riley, for good; Sarah will return the next trimester.

She hopes that, once out of the dorm, Riley will forget about Dale and everyone, including herself, will be able to continue their studies in peace.

(She hopes as well that Mandrake will finally go away soon so she can leave and lock up).

 Dale and Kelly are already in the van, Sarah doesn't want to talk to Riley anymore, but she will have to. Hopefully, this will be the last time.

Sarah: So you were going to tell Dale exactly what you asked me not to tell him.

Riley: You have to understand me, it was my last chance, I thought if I told him….

Sarah: He would feel sorry for you?

Sarah: Come on Rye, you're smarter than that.

Riley: I know, but I just had to try.

Sarah: I know cause it's something that concerns me directly. And it involves you too… unfortunately.

Dale: ¿¿?? I don't understand, please explain to me.

Sarah: I'm sorry, but I can't, I promised Riley I wouldn't say anything about it.

Dale: But she was going to tell me anyway.

Sarah: Yeah, she must have thought that it would win your sympathy, but actually, it was better that she didn't tell you, so you will be more at ease. Actually, it was better that she didn't, so you will be more at ease

Dale: But you just said it concerned me, so I have a right to know, don't you think?

Sarah: Maybe, but like I said, it's not my place to tell you, it's a family matter, a private one.

Dale: Which you said affected you.

Sarah: Not anymore, cause Riley and I are done, probably for good. What I can tell you, though, is that I broke with Riley thanks to that important matter; truth be told, I'd rather lose her than have her ruin your life.

Dale: Ruin my life, how?

Kelly: (From upstairs) Dale, honey, the transport is here, it's time to go!

Sarah: (Sighs) Well, Cho, I think I already say too much; now go upstairs or you'll miss your ride. Good luck to you and Kelly, and please stay away from Riley from now on.

That was the end of the conversation, and Dale was left with more questions than answers.

After the abrupt end of his conversation with Riley, and for the brief moments remaining of the trimester, Dale kept wondering what was this important thing she had to tell him? Was it another one of her tricks? Some ace she had up her sleeve? Anything he should know about?

Of course he should know, he had to be prepared for any possible low blow from Riley. And who better than Sarah to know what she was up to? So, while Kelly finished packing, Dale went to the bar downstairs where Sarah was.

Sarah: Cho? What are you doing here? Your transportation is about to arrive.

Dale: Yeah, I know there's not much time left so I'd like to ask you something.

Sarah: Hm, okay, go ahead.

Dale: Do you know what's that "important matter" Riley wanted to talk to me about earlier?

Sarah: Huh?

Dale: Please don't say you don't, cause I'm not going to believe you.

Sarah: Okay.

Dale: Okay? So you do know.

Sarah: (Sighs) Well, if this is what I'm thinking, yeah, I do.

 Kelly has managed to get away from Mandrake and has entered the garage. She soon notices that Riley and Sarah are not talking to each other.

Sarah wants to make a keg stand and Kelly helps her, only to piss off Riley.

Meanwhile, upstairs, a problem erupted because Carol dropped Lauri, who hurt herself and complained to her. A little argument started between them; Dale was upset, he doesn't want anything to ruin the good relations between his two potential roommates.

In the end, Carol apologized and things didn't escalate, but they both thought they had already had too much to drink and decided it was time to leave the party. 

While Dale kills time drinking to keep his mind off things, the party goes on.

Carol Chen is having fun helping Lauri make a keg stand. Carol is another possible roomie for the next trimester. Dale, at least, would love to have her; Kelly, who knows, especially if she finds out he considers Carol attractive.

Speaking of Kelly, she is now downstairs, trying to get rid of Mandrake, who, God knows why he thought it was a good idea to try to flirt with her.

And Riley has gone to the garage to drink, just like Dale, to keep her worries at bay. Sarah stays close to her, probably to make sure she doesn't do anything foolish. Even if Riley doesn't believe it, Sarah still cares for her.

Dale, Paul and Oscar join the girls at the table. The atmosphere is very peaceful and friendly.

Here comes Riley, she's noticed Sarah's sudden interest in this Lori Hayword, so she heads inside to check on her. But Sarah is on her way out already, since Lori didn't sit at the table, she isn't sitting either.

(Poor Mandrake is still outside, trying to get in, he's missing dinner!)

Riley is already inside, but no one invites her to sit at the table.

Sarah went outside to get some air, preferring to stay as far away from Riley as possible for now. Lori is out of sight, but that's okay, there's no rush, she'll have time to get to know her well next term.

Dale's keg party is about to start, the first guests have arrived, Oscar Dillard and Mandrake Astron are stuck at the bottom of the stairs, Lori Hayword is the first to make it to the top. Sarah discreetly checked her up and down; she heard that she might be their next roomie, well she's not bad at all....

For some reason, Lori thought it was a good idea to run 'naked' with her clothes on, Sarah thought it was funny; Paul Biden didn't find this idea amusing whatsoever.

Sarah on the other hand still thinks she's great.

Sarah: (to herself) Mental note, make friends with Lori Hayword.

Meanwhile, in the dining room Kelly, Carol Chen and Liz Tarry are already settling in to enjoy the Cobbler that one of the guests brought.

Kelly: (After a few seconds reading) What??

Dale (Startled) What? What is it?

Kelly: Oh my God…

Dale can't stand the curiosity anymore, and neither can Sarah, she's even wandered into the living room to find out.

Dale: Kelly, come on, speak up already, how was it, did you pass?

Kelly: Yes, I got an A too!

Dale: (Breathes with relief) Yes!

Sarah: (In the distance) It's about time…

Kelly: I did it, I passed the trimester with an A!

Dale: OMG, Kel, that's fantastic, congratulations!

Yep, Dale and Kelly have passed the trimester with very good grades. Phew! 

It is full dawn at the dormitory, grades are about to come in.

And at last it's 8 am...

Kelly: The report cards are here, it's the moment of truth.

(Dale almost chokes on his pancakes from nervousness).

Sarah gets up from the table, Riley continues to eat as if it's not the most important moment of the day for her roommates.

Kelly isn't finished either, Dale can't take the doubt anymore, he needs to see that report card now.

 

Yes, at least for Riley, there is always something left to say. Although her 'conversation', is more of just a complaint about how unfair it is that she's the one who has to leave. Sarah, as always, just listens to her. Boy, is she patient!

Her complaints make Dale feel guilty. Maybe he should have been more tolerant and given her a chance? Kelly disagrees.

Kelly: Ignore her, honey, she's just trying to get your attention.

Riley: I hope you reconsider your decision and come with me, the atmosphere here is unbearable.

Sarah: For you, maybe. I'm sorry, but my decision is made, and I don't want to talk about it anymore, ok?

 

Sarah sat down to eat; Kelly is already here; no one knows where the hell Riley is.

She finally shows up and sits down at the table next to Sarah.

Kelly pretends she's not there and concentrates on her conversation with Dale. The topic is the grades of course.

Sarah and Riley barely speak. Seriously, is there anything else to say? 

 

Dale made breakfast for everyone but was careful to serve only his and Kelly's plates on the kitchen table.

Sarah's and Riley's, he served them in the dining room, but not without apologizing to Sarah.

Dale: Sorry, dude, but I try to avoid unpleasant confrontations.

Sarah: Don't worry, buddy, I understand.

It's only a few hours before the end of the quarter and Riley has been left without the attention of the others in the dorm.

Dale doesn't even look at her and continues preparing breakfast.

Kelly has gone to her room to play computer games so as not to have to see her face again.

Sarah, who is the only person in this dorm who might be interested in what happens to Riley, is still asleep.

Riley can't stand the pressure and decides to go outside to play guitar while the others wait for their report cards. She's no longer waiting for anything - or so it seems.