Episode 5 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" opens with Belly's memories of her and Conrad's dance practice sessions flickering in her mind. As the scene shifts to the current moment, those cherished moments materialize into Belly's diligent preparation for the Debutante Ball. Standing before her, Ms. Cubbington, her dance instructor, is ready to guide her through the intricate steps of the waltz. However, there's a glaring omission—Belly doesn't have a dance partner. Her impulsive behavior in the past has left her alone on the dance floor, and she hasn't extended an invitation to Cam either.
In a desperate attempt, Nicole steps in, but their partnership is a bit of a mismatch, with the two stumbling through the dance. Suddenly, Jeremiah appears like a knight in shining armor, rescuing Belly from her dance mishap. Yet, his intervention is short-lived as he's soon ushered out, disrupting the music with his uninvited presence. From afar, Conrad observes the unfolding drama with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Amidst all this, Belly's emotional turmoil intensifies. When Cam arrives at her house and invites her for a bike ride, she joins him reluctantly, sandwiches in hand. They sit by the shore, but Belly's heart yearns for Conrad's presence. Unable to bear the guilt, she decides to end her relationship with Cam. He handles the breakup gracefully, though his heartache is evident. Meanwhile, Belly rushes back home, eager to find Conrad, but instead finds Jeremiah lounging by the pool.
Elsewhere, Laurel and Susannah reconcile, and Laurel even confides in Susannah that she spent the previous night with Cleveland. As they talk, they indulge in a stoned high and devour snacks. It's worth noting that their behavior doesn't betray their drugged state—it's all an act. Nevertheless, this minor detail aside, Laurel and Susannah decide to hit the bars. Susannah soon finds herself dancing and kissing a stranger in a dark corner, while Laurel remains a spectator, feeling like a third wheel. She decides to take matters into her own hands, messaging Cleveland and arranging a late-night rendezvous.
As Laurel departed, she found herself in a spontaneous swim with Cleveland, their bodies intertwined beneath the surface of the water as their lips met in an unexpected kiss. Meanwhile, Susannah made her way home alone, leaving Belly to await Conrad's arrival at the house.
Conrad confessed to Belly that while he indeed pondered about her, he wasn't certain he could embark on this journey with her, leaving Belly feeling defeated. With a firm resolve, she retorted, "I'm no longer waiting for you." She huffed, her frustration evident, and retreated indoors.
Amidst this intricate web of emotions, another thread unfolded, involving Steven. He had been promoted to the club room and assisted the men with their poker games. Although there were subtle undertones of racism, Steven remained silent, particularly when he received a generous tip for his services. His supervisor even advised him to disregard it, acknowledging that such banter was just a part of their environment.
Back at home, Belly and Jeremiah found solace in each other's presence, taking a swim together. Jeremiah confessed that Belly was his dearest friend, but there were moments where he longed for something deeper. He had never voiced his feelings before, as there was always someone else standing in the way—between Cam and Conrad, he never had a chance. However, in this fleeting moment, all barriers seemed to crumble. Their kiss was intense, passionate, and marked the climax of an unexpected turn of events, as the episode drew to a close.
