CHaracter Role

Kelly is the protagonist of Making the Grades: Kelly's Unveiling, set at Eastern Tsuga College. It is the first book in the Making the Grades series.

Biography (Before Making the Grades)

Kelly’s academic path is not one she chose with passion but rather out of indecision and pressure from her mother’s career in a related field. Though she has the potential to excel academically, Kelly typically coasts through college by relying on social connections and charm. Her membership in the prestigious Astraea Society brings additional pressure to maintain a specific image, both socially and academically.

Kelly’s relationship history has played a significant role in shaping her current self. In high school, she had several fleeting relationships, none of which left a lasting impression until her involvement with Bastian Keller, a married graduate student she met early in college. This affair was secretive and intense, yet left Kelly feeling conflicted about her choices. Though the relationship eventually imploded, it had a profound impact on her views of trust, intimacy, and control. This connection, along with her summer fling with Mark Rogers, behind the back of her friend, Stacy Cantrell, influenced Kelly’s internal conflicts and desire for validation.

Personality and Traits

Kelly’s personality is multifaceted. Outwardly, she presents herself as confident, extroverted, and often carefree. She enjoys being part of the social elite at Eastern Tsuga, particularly within the Astraea Society, where she feels the need to perform and meet certain expectations. However, beneath the surface, Kelly is introspective, struggling with deeper issues of power, control, and submission.

Kelly has a tendency to avoid direct confrontation and prefers finding ways around her problems rather than tackling them head-on. She is torn between pleasing others and asserting her independence, a dynamic that defines many of her relationships. Her affair with Bastian and her complicated summer relationship with Mark showcase Kelly’s need for validation and her difficulty in maintaining emotional boundaries. 

Affiliations and Locations

Astraea Society: Kelly’s membership in the Astraea Society is a key part of her identity. The Society is known for its prestige and high expectations, and Kelly constantly feels the pressure to meet these standards. Being part of Astraea shapes many of her social interactions, as she tries to maintain her standing within the group while grappling with her internal conflicts.