Dylan woke up to Kelly kissing a trail down his neck
"Good morning." She softly spoke, as he opened his eyes
"It is... This is a wake up call I can get on board with." He smiled, putting his arm around her as she rested her head on his chest.
"I'm glad." She smiled, "But unfortunately I've got to get going." She stretched her arms, about to get up but he pulled her back onto him
"Come on, It's Saturday! 5 more minutes." He whispered, kissing her. "Where's the snooze button on the alarm." He joked, tapping her cute nose.
"I'd love to... but I gotta get home and take a shower, I'm running out of clothes and I'm wearing your underwear." She replied
"That's kinda hot..." He smirked, "But I have a better idea, come shower with me..." He kissed her again
"Dylan... I have so much to do before the pool party." She noticed the expression on his face harden and she knew she had hit a nerve.
"Of course, the keg house." He groaned and got up
"Dylan." She called for him to come back "Don't start."
"Have fun at the party, Kel." He walked into the kitchen
"You could make an appearance..." She said, joining him
"I don't think so." he said under his breath, causing Kelly to roll her eyes.
"Hey, Dylan!" Donna exclaimed as she opened the door for him at her beach house
"Hey, I was hoping I'd catch you guys before you left, wanted to make amends with a certain someone." He grinned, "So... where is Kel? in her room."
"Uhm... actually." Donna began
"Wow..." Dylan said, eyeing a pot of flowers, "David sure spoils you." He smirked, until he read the card
"To Kelly, I'll wait 50 years... you're worth it. -John"
"What is this?" Dylan said firmly
"That's, -erm, that's just-" Donna fumbled over her words
"The same frat douchebag that's been eyeing her all semester?" Dylan's tone was uneasy as he fidgeted in the hall, card in hand. "well?" he said urgently, as Donna felt speechless, "Donna." He said again
"Dylan... if you want to know what's going on, I suggest you come down to the party yourself." She sighed
Dylan arrived at the pool party to find Kelly talking to John. He walked over there with a lump in his throat, trying his best not to become aggressive. He had spoken to Brandon before showing up and his words remained in his mind
"I suggest you go over there and be with her. Once this John guy sees you together he'll back off. But don't go in there guns blazing... that'll just cause a rift between you and Kelly."
Dylan did his best to walk over there calmly and do as Brandon told him
"Hi." He said, his voice was coarse.
"Dylan!" Kelly was surprised to see him standing before them, "Hi!" She said anxiously, before kissing him, "You remember John Sears?"
John reached out for a handshake but Dylan refused,
"Can't say I do." Dylan remarked
"Kelly's told me so much about you, it's about time you showed your face." John smiled
"I agree." Dylan said, glaring at him
"Well, I'll leave you crazy kids to it." John nodded at them before heading off
"We could have a fight right now..." Kelly spoke once John was out of earshot, "But that's not why you came is it?"
"No." Dylan turned to face her, "The only reason I'm here is to be with you." He said kissing her, but not taking his eyes off John.
"Dylan, come on let's go dance!" Kelly said ecstatically, as they held hands, overlooking the crowd who were dancing
"Not in the mood." Dylan said sternly, "You wanna tell me why he's always lurking around us?" Dylan asked, referring to John Sears, who always seemed to be close by and glancing any chance he got
"...Did you come here to be with me?" She asked, "Or mark your territory?"
"Do I need to?" He stared at her, "I saw the flowers at your apartment."
Kelly stood there, temporarily taken aback, "Dylan, that's not what you think..." She said nervously
"Then why don't you tell me why he's sending my girlfriend flowers and making so-called promises." Dylan said harshly
"Okay... yes he's been a little forward, but there's nothing to worry about! I've made it clear I'm with you, okay? So how about we just enjoy the party?"
"How about I send him a message." Dylan warned, and she knew this would only resort to violence
"Dylan.. please. Let him make his moves, even if he is into me, does that mean he gets me? Come on, we're not gonna let a little thing like John's ego get in the way of our fun, right?" She kissed him softly
"Fine."
Dylan did his best to make an effort to enjoy the party for Kelly. But when he got the chance to dump John in the pool he didn't hesitate.
"Can we just take a moment here, to admit we're enjoying the same party!" Kelly said, once they got out the pool
"It's not the party I enjoy. It's the dripping wet girl, Kel." Dylan said, kissing her again, "So... can we go back to my place now? Have a party of our own."
"Dylan, it's not over!" She whined, to which he rolled his eyes and pushed her back in the pool
"Dylan!" She yelled, followed by him jumping back in with her.
Later that night, Dylan and Kelly were at her beach house. They ordered pizza and sat on her porch
"Kel... I'm thinking of dropping out..." He murmured
"Dylan..." She pleaded
"Hey, you said yourself, not everyone HAS to go to college." He shrugged
"But, I thought you were getting the hang of it?" She asked
"This isn't a negotiation... I've been thinking about it for a while and I'm just letting you know."
"So, what will you do?" She asked
"I don't know..." he sighed, "I just don't think this is the path for me..." He glanced inside the house, "You still have the flowers..." He retorted
"Dylan... can we have just one night of peace."
"I just wanna know what happens if I'm not around next semester..." He scoffed and Kelly groaned at his remark
"So you don't trust me." She got up
"Well, ever since we started college you've got this life with your sleazy frat parties and-"
"Dylan, come on! I'm not going to be berated simply because I'm going to fun parties!"
'This guy's been hustling you for a while and you didn't even think to mention it! I'm not even a part of your fun outgoings."
"Hey! I have been asking you to be a part of it."
"So I can watch him and every other Tom, Dick and Harry make a pass at you."
"You know what? I give up. Whatever direction I pick, it's the wrong one. Dylan... I'm trying to make you happy I really am, but it seems you're only goal is to drag me down with you... I mean, what do you want? Do you want me to avoid every person of the male species? Do you want me to drop out of college with you? What the hell do you want? Please, tell me because I don't think I can take another minute of your broodiness!"
"I don't know, Kel!" He snapped back, "I'm not feeling good right now, alright? I'm sorry I'm not the life of the party right now but incase you haven't noticed things haven't been easy for me, and you're not making it any easier with your dalliances.'
"My what?" She warned
"Oh come on, you and I both know you enjoyed every minute of the attention."
"Fine! Yes, I did. I admit it. It was fun, and I wanted to have a good time with people that had that kind of energy... but it doesn't change the fact that I love you."
"So basically, my tragic life is a bore compared to your Gary Poppins."
"Dylan!" She groaned, "I can't get you out of this funk. I can't help you overcome these insecurities you have over loss... you are the one who has got to trust and... at least try to be happier... only you can do that.
They were interrupted by the phone ringing.
"Hello? Yes, he's here. Okay, I'll tell him" She hung up, "Jim wants to see you."
Dylan sighed, scratching his head, "Fine. This isn't over." He said, walking out.
The next day at school. Dylan and Brenda were in their poetry class.
"The sun rises, I light the candle. The flame is bright. I am consumed by the colors in a cloudless sky. When the moonlight hits, the flame is now fire. I get burned as it burns out. The sky is now black, and only ashes remain. But morning returns... I never learn. I light it again, knowing I will get burned, knowing my sun will set again, and only ashes will remain." The professor read out
"So... do I dare ask?" The professor eyed both Dylan and Brenda
"I assume it's some form of masochism..." Brenda chuckled
"It's about addiction." Dylan said clearing his throat
"Elaborate..." The professor urged
"Isn't it obvious?" Dylan cocked an eyebrow
"Dylan." Brenda warned
"What?" He looked at her, "I've had my fair share of addictions, Bren."
"Okay..." She shrugged, "Go ahead."
"Well, the candle... it's like injecting yourself with the drug of choice. The moonlight hitting is the withdrawal kicking in... it's painful, it's torture, he obviously hates going through it but he knows tomorrow will come and he will inject himself again. He'll do anything to feel the high again, knowing the consequences are deadly." Dylan remarked
"So the poem is about drugs." Brenda confirmed
"On the surface yes." The professor nodded, "But what if the drug is a metaphor for-"
"Love." Dylan interjected
"Love?" Brenda asked, puzzled
"The flame is desire or... maybe the passion that consumes him. The cloudless sky means he's, well happier than ever. But when the flame is fire, that's when things get ugly, you know, the black sky. He says he'll never learn because he'll put himself through it all over again when morning comes. Basically he can't live with or without this love."
"That sounds rather dysfunctional."
"Well, that's romantic poetry for you." The professor smiled, "Well done, Dylan."
"Kel." Dylan said, pacing around Kelly's house "Wanna go for a drive?"
"Dylan, it's late."
"Come on, I need to clear my head after Jim... aren't you a little tempted to take a ride in the Porsche?"
"Jim was right..." Dylan said parking the car outside Kelly's beach house, "This car's for picking up girls... I already got a girl." He smiled at her
She was silent
"What is it, Kel?" He let out a breath
"I'm just tired." She said sheepishly
"Well, you know the best place to get a good night's sleep is my place... well not so much with the sleep.." He smirked
"I don't think so." She shook her head
"What's wrong, Kel." His voice firmer
"Things have been... so intense lately, you know.." She fumbled over her words, about to tear up, "It's been hard to take."
"I know... I'm sorry. It's gonna get better, I promise." He stroked her hair
"I think... the situation needs a breather."
"What are you saying, Kelly?"
"I think we should... take a break." She spoke nervously. Noticing his demeanor change. She couldn't look him in the eye. His eyes looked sad, hurt.
"You're doing this?" He looked away from her
"Please remember that I still love you..."
"Who is it?" He asked, he turned to face her
"Dylan... we can't keep lighting and putting out fires. It's torturing us both." a tear dropped down her cheek. They both looked into each other's eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He just wanted to stare at her long enough. Maybe he'd get pinched and wake up.
"You wanna see other people..." He said quietly. She nodded. It felt like time had stopped. He shook his head in disbelief. Hoping it wasn't real. As tears filled her eyes, he couldn't help but tear himself. So that's it... I'm losing her. He thought.
"Please don't hate me." She begged, leaning to kiss him, but he pulled away, knowing he'd get consumed, sucked in by her kiss. Just like the poem at school.
"I won't. That's the problem." He whispered.
She got out the car as he watched her go back inside the apartment. She couldn't turn back to look at him. Uneasy with her decision. She opened her front door and cried.
He couldn't move. He couldn't drive. He just sat there. Wishing it was all a dream.