Almost Summer (1978) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Grant Michelson was suspended by Christine Alexander, who used her influence to have him removed from the student body president race. This left Christine running uncontested, which prompted Bobby DeVito to scramble for a replacement candidate to challenge her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier at the beach gathering, Bobby was already watching Christine closely, suggesting he knew she was a formidable opponent.

• grant suspension
• student council
• christine alexander
• campaign

Bobby chose Darryl because he was a lesser-known junior with no political presence, making him an ideal dark horse candidate. Bobby recognized that Darryl's anonymity could work in their favor, and he convinced Darryl that running for office would help him gain attention from popular girls, especially Christine.

Foreshadowing: At the beach, Donna specifically noticed Darryl as a possible dark horse candidate, hinting he had potential Bobby could exploit.

• bobby devito
• darryl fitzgerald
• candidate
• campaign strategy

Darryl declined the presidency because he felt his entire campaign was manipulated by Bobby, including the staged police bust during the debate. He believed his victory was hollow and that he had been used as a puppet, so he publicly told his classmates the truth and walked away from the position.

Foreshadowing: Christine had accused Darryl of being Bobby's puppet during their debate confrontation, which clearly bothered him.

• darryl fitzgerald
• presidency declined
• election winner
• honest

The police bust was arranged by Bobby to boost Darryl's campaign. During the debate, Dean reported that police were arresting Duane Jackson on campus. Darryl intervened, quoted California law about illegal searches, and exposed that the search was unlawful, gaining sympathy from classmates. It was later revealed to be staged by Bobby.

Foreshadowing: Bobby and Dean were desperately looking for a way to counter Christine's debate performance, setting up the staged intervention.

• police bust
• debate
• staged
• california law
• duane jackson

Donna rejected Darryl's prom invitation because she sensed he had changed after the campaign. She was hurt that Bobby had revealed her feelings to Darryl without her consent, and she felt that Darryl had become someone she no longer recognized, prioritizing his new political persona over their friendship.

Foreshadowing: Donna had been excited about prom, hoping Darryl's victory would make it special, but the campaign transformed their relationship dynamic.

• donna
• darryl
• prom
• rejected
• feelings

Bobby and Christine kissed at prom after they called a truce on election day and reminisced about their past together. Despite being political rivals throughout the film, they had a history that resurfaces, and their romantic reconciliation provides a sweet ending to their conflict.

Foreshadowing: Bobby was watching Christine closely from the beginning, and their rivalry had underlying personal tension.

• bobby
• christine
• kiss
• prom
• romance

Christine challenged Darryl to a debate and accused him of being Bobby's puppet, suggesting he had no independent ideas or platform of his own. This accusation struck a nerve because Darryl had been secretly guided through his entire campaign by Bobby, and it foreshadowed his later decision to step down.

Foreshadowing: Bobby was explicitly training Darryl throughout the campaign montage, making Christine's accusation factually grounded.

• christine
• debate
• puppet
• accusation
• campaign

The food fight erupted after Donna overheard Christine accusing Darryl of being Bobby's puppet. When Donna confronted Bobby, he admitted to revealing her feelings about Darryl without her permission. Enraged by this betrayal, Donna threw food at Bobby, which escalated into a full cafeteria food fight.

Foreshadowing: Bobby had told Darryl about Donna's feelings earlier at the hangout, setting up the inevitable conflict when Donna found out.

• food fight
• cafeteria
• donna
• bobby
• betrayal

Yes, Darryl confesses during a hangout that he actually likes Christine, despite running against her. This complicates the love triangle because he was also aware that Donna had feelings for him. His attraction to Christine motivates much of his initial willingness to run, as Bobby promised that political prominence would get him noticed by popular girls.

Foreshadowing: At the beach, Darryl was noticed as having a crush on Christine, confirming his feelings were genuine.

• darryl
• christine
• feelings
• love triangle
• crush

Darryl accepted Christine's debate challenge because he wanted to prove he was independent from Bobby. Though he had been guided through his campaign, Darryl wanted to show he could stand on his own merits and face Christine directly. Additionally, the confrontation had already happened publicly, making retreat impossible.

Foreshadowing: Bobby had warned Darryl that he couldn't beat Christine, but Darryl asserted his independence, showing his willingness to fight his own battle.

• darryl
• debate challenge
• christine
• independence
• courage

Kevin Hawkins, the senior class president and Christine's boyfriend, failed to secure a college football scholarship. This creates tension between him and Christine as they argue about their future plans after high school. Kevin's failed athletic prospects add pressure to their relationship and contributes to the film's underlying stakes.

Foreshadowing: The argument between Kevin and Christine happens after the candidate assembly, showing their relationship stress parallels the election drama.

• kevin hawkins
• football scholarship
• college
• future
• relationship