A/N: This is an alternate version of Season 6, which I feel is where Degrassi ultimately started to go downhill. I'm not going to include any college storylines and most Season 5 seniors won't be used except for key episodes. I decided to introduce some come characters a little early with slightly different stories (Holly J, Jane) and make them a grade below Emma and the rest of the seniors to add some more Grade 11s. Other newer characters will start to appear as the season goes on. I hope you enjoy, I have a lot of cool ideas for fleshing out underused characters. Let me know what you think.
Degrassi Season 6
Main Cast-
Grade 12-
Miriam McDonald as Emma
Cassie Steele as Manny
Shane Kippel as Spinner
Ryan Cooley as JT
Aubrey Graham as Jimmy
Melissa McIntyre as Ashley
Deanna Casaluce as Alex
Sarah Barrable-Tishauer as Liberty
Jake Goldsbie as Toby
Grade 11-
Jamie Johnston as Peter
Shenae Grimes as Darcy
Charlotte Arnold as Holly J
Alex House as Tim
Jajube Mandiela as Chantay
Dalmar Abuzeid as Danny
Marc Donato as Derek
Paula Brancatti as Jane
Ishan Dave as Linus
Adults-
Stefan Brogen as Mr. Simpson
Amanda Stepto as Spike
Melissa DiMarco as Ms. Hatzilakos
Other Characters-
Adamo Rugierro as Marco
601
It was the end of summer, and a very unusual heat wave had decided to come through Toronto. It certainly wasn't making it any easier for Gavin "Spinner" Mason who groaned as he carried two cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other into his friend Marco DelRossi's new college dormitory. Marco followed behind him, struggling for air as he dropped his suitcase on Spinner's foot, causing him to feel even more pain.
"Spin, I'm so sorry!" Marco said.
Spinner simply ignored him and crashed on the nearest bed. "Remind me why I'm spending one of my last days as a free man helping you move?"
Marco sighed. "I would have asked Dylan, but he has hockey practice. I would have asked Jimmy, but he's on a date with Ash tonight. I would have asked Craig, but he's out in Vancouver somewhere. And you've just been sitting in your room the past few weeks."
Spinner grimaced as he looked down. "Can't argue with you on that one."
Spinner had been sitting in his room for weeks waiting on a call back from Darcy. Ever since she got back from camp he had tried to call and hadn't had any luck. Her little sister answered once or twice, but Darcy was either in the shower or out with friends. Spinner needed Darcy this year and was starting to get really scared.
"Darcy still hasn't called back, huh?" Marco asked apologetically.
"Nope. Right when I think things are back to normal, they just decide to change again" Spinner said angrily. "I don't know how-"
"Oh, hold that thought!" Marco exclaimed as he glanced down at his ringing cell phone excitedly, causing Spinner to roll his eyes. "Paige is calling!"
"Great. Tell her the sex wasn't worth-"
"Hey there, Banting girl!" Marco answered, cutting off Spinner who put on a mischievous grin. "How have your first few weeks of college been? Any cute guys?"
Spinner arched an eyebrow as he tried not to focus on Marco and Paige's conversation. Even though he had known Marco was gay for several years, it still didn't mean things didn't get awkward every once and a while. Spinner looked confused as loud gagging noises starting coming from the phone.
"Paige?" Marco asked, holding the phone a few inches from his ear until the gagging sound stopped. "Hey! Are you okay? Yeah, just call me back when you can."
Marco ended the call, with a concerned expression slowly starting to show.
"Dude, was Paige just blowing chunks?" Spinner asked.
"She hasn't been feeling well lately. But Spinner, I'm sure you're overreacting. On the first day of school I bet Darcy's gonna be ready for you to sweep her off her feet," Marco assured Spinner.
"I hope you're right," Spinner said. "This first day of school is gonna be hell."
Opening Theme
Simpson/Nelson House
Manny Santos carefully did her makeup in the mirror, making sure every detail looked perfect. This was going to be her year. With Paige gone, the Spirit Squad was finally hers and she could finally get the recognition she deserved.
"Manny, hurry up!" Emma Nelson, her best friend, called out impatiently from upstairs.
"Almost done!" Manny called back, rolling her eyes.
Upstairs, Emma and her boyfriend Peter Stone awaited their first day of school. Peter and Emma had been developing an even stronger relationship over the summer and neither of them could have been happier.
"We better not be late, or my mom will kill me. Why does she always do this?" Peter asked, annoyed at how Manny was acting.
"Calm down," Emma said, giving Peter a grin. "Think of it as payback for when you posted her boobs on the internet."
Peter gave Emma a playful glare, as he hated when people brought that up.
"And look at the bright side. We get to spend more alone time together," Emma said, as she neared toward him and gave him a kiss. She always knew how to calm Peter down.
Elsewhere, in the Degrassi parking lot, JT Yorke and Toby Isaacs grabbed some posters which read VOTE FOR LIBERTY out of JT's car. Liberty Van Zandt exited the school and approached them excitedly.
"Thank you so much for helping me put up my election posters early," Liberty said gratefully, as she pulled JT and Toby into a group hug. Behind her back, JT gave Toby an angry look before they all pulled away.
"We were happy to," Toby said before JT could get a chance to speak.
"This election should be a piece of cake now. Wish me luck," Liberty said anxiously. "I'll see you guys inside. Just hang the last few ones up in the foyer. Thanks again JT."
She gave JT a smile which he struggled to return. As she turned around and walked away, JT looked over at Toby.
"Isn't she the only one running? What's the point of wishing her luck, she doesn't even deserve it!" JT declared frustratedly.
"Okay, what's your problem JT?" Toby asked, noticing that his friend had been acting grumpy all morning.
"Well maybe my problem is that I had to get up at 6 on the first day of school to help hang posters for an election that only one person is running in," JT said sarcastically.
"Liberty really wanted me to get you to come! What did you want me to do?" Toby asked.
"Tell her I was asleep. Which is what NORMAL people do at 6 o'clock in the morning" JT quipped back.
Toby simply sighed, shaking his head and knowing he this was one of those arguments with JT Yorke that you can never win.
Darcy Edwards and Chantay Black were just getting to school. As usual, Chantay was in her talkative, gossipy mood. But Darcy was acting oddly quiet.
"I just couldn't decide which top to pick this morning! It was a total nightmare," Chantay said as she looked to the passenger seat and noticed Darcy wasn't paying attention. "And did you hear about the zombie apocalypse that's supposed to happen?"
"Wait, what?" Darcy snapped out of her trance as they parked.
"Where are you this morning? This isn't like you" Chantay said concernedly.
"It's just… I don't know what I'm going to say to Spinner today, I've been battling myself all summer and I just don't know if I should take him back," Darcy responded.
"Well it looks like you have about 3 seconds to make a decision" Chantay said, motioning toward the entrance to the school where Spinner was waiting. Darcy sighed as she got out of Chantay's car.
"I hope I'm making the right one" Darcy said, approaching Spinner. Chantay grinned, knowing they would be back together in a matter of moments.
Darcy stopped a few feet away from Spinner and the two stood in awkward silence. Both searched the depths of their minds for the right thing to say, but neither could seem to find it. Spinner took a deep breath.
"Darcy, listen, you have no idea how sorry I am, I-"
"Spinner, stop." Darcy said as she looked down at the ground. "I know we all mistakes. And I think I'm ready to be over the past if you are, as long as I know you're here for me now."
A smile slowly formed on Spinner's face as he grabbed Darcy and twirled her around, letting her down with a passionate kiss.
"Oh my god, Darcy, you have no idea how afraid I was of how this conversation was going to go" Spinner said.
"But if I ever catch you even thinking about another girl, then it's over!" Darcy's tone suddenly changed, almost scaring Spinner, who stepped back wide-eyed. Darcy grinned, knowing she had scared him enough. "Walk me to class?"
"Gladly" Spinner said happily, putting his arm around Darcy and entering the school.
JT put a few books away in his locker, impatiently waiting for the first day of school to end. VOTE FOR LIBERTY posters were plastered all over the hallways to remind him of his rough morning. He closed his locker and noticed Emma and Peter approaching.
"Hey," Emma greeted as Peter and JT bumped fists. "How's your first day of senior year going?"
"If you mean my first day of hell, than it's going dandy" JT smirked as the trio began walking to lunch.
"Well someone's in a bad mood" Emma laughed.
"Liberty's just been shoving this whole election thing down our throats. No one's even running against her, but she still feels the need to decorate the whole place to make it look like her fan club," JT angrily said.
"I've never seen anyone care about school more than she does," Peter commented.
Almost like magic, Liberty and Toby appeared, walking in sync with the group. JT's face sunk, causing Peter to laugh.
"It's only the first day, and this is going better than I ever could have dreamed!" Liberty beamed. "With my ethical leadership and outstanding academic ideas, there's no way I'm going to lose this election."
As they neared the caf, they suddenly heard cheering coming from it. They all looked at one another questioningly before heading forward to see what the commotion was about. Liberty was shocked as she saw a girl with dirty blonde hair speaking to a crowd of students. Two video monitors were set up behind her on either side which read "HOLLY J FOR PREZ". Holly J had definitely gotten Peter's attention, who was a little taken aback by her beauty.
"If you want more dances, more sports, and more fun, vote for me as your president this year! Holly J Sinclair!" Holly J spoke valiantly. The crowd applauded loudly at her words.
"Holly J Sinclair? Satan has a sister?" Emma asked surprised.
"Maybe this election is going to be harder than you think," Toby said to Liberty who obviously looked worried. The competition had come when she least expected it.
Spinner sat in algebra class, watching Coach Armstrong finish writing some equations on the board.
"Let's catch up and see what you guys remember from last year. Spinner, you wanna try the first equation?" Coach Armstrong asked.
"Um… are you sure?" Spinner asked, causing a few people to chuckle.
"Yes, I'm sure," Coach Armstrong grinned. "It's nothing too complicated."
Spinner nervously stepped up to the board and began working on the equation. After a couple minutes or so, he stepped back somewhat nervously. Coach Armstrong looked at it for a moment and smiled surprisingly.
"You got it right. Good job," Coach Armstrong said as the bell rang.
Students quickly grabbed their things and headed for the door.
"Don't forget to get your forms signed" Coach Armstrong reminded his students. "Spinner can you see me for a moment?"
"Sure" Spinner replied, wondering what he could want.
"Good job on that equation today. It's nice to finally see some improvement," Coach Armstrong began. "I've been wondering if you'd be interested in getting your spot back on the soccer team? We could really use your skills this season."
"Really? Of course, that'd be awesome," Spinner said excitedly.
"I look forward to seeing you at tryouts next week," Coach Armstrong said, giving Spinner an assuring smile. Spinner exited the classroom, feeling happier than ever. It was only the first day of school, and so far his senior year had been going amazing. He had Darcy back. He had a spot back on the soccer team. Things were finally starting to turn around for him.
His best friend, Jimmy Brooks rolled out in front of him, forcing him to hault. Spinner jumped a little bit, not expecting Jimmy to come out of nowhere. Jimmy laughed as his girlfriend Ashley Kerwin appeared at his side, laughing as well.
"Good one. Please don't scare me like that again" Spinner said.
"Had to get your attention somehow," Jimmy laughed. "Calling your name wasn't working."
"Sorry guys, I'm like on a different planet right now," Spinner said happily, causing Jimmy and Ashley to look at each other concernedly. "A planet where things actually go the way I want them to for once."
"So things went well with Darcy?" Ashley asked as they began walking together. Ashley tried to push Jimmy's wheelchair, but as always, he stopped her. He had been trying to act more independent lately.
"They went more than well… we're back together!" Spinner exclaimed.
"Atta boy!" Jimmy said, giving Spinner a high five. "We should celebrate tonight at Dylan's! Marco invited us all over tonight. You should bring Darcy"
"Dylan's?" Spinner asked cautiously. "But what about-"
"Paige is up at Banting, remember?" Jimmy asked with a chuckle. "So unless any of your other ex-girlfriends are coming, it should be fine."
"We're in!" Spinner replied.
The first day of Spirit Squad tryouts appeared to be going magically. Manny enjoyed having a sense of control and stability for once. All the eyes were finally on her this time and not Page and Hazel.
"Alright girls, there's only 4 spots open, so you're gonna have to give it everything you got if you really want this," Manny warned the several auditioning girls. "Darcy's going to go through the basic routines with you and then-"
Manny was interrupted by the gym door opening. She looked up to see Holly J entering with a confident grin.
"You're late," Manny said. "Sorry, we can't accept any latecomers."
"I was lost," Holly J immediately argued. "I came from a big private school, but nothing's more confusing than this place. And also, I think you guys need me."
Manny raised an eyebrow, starting to get mad at how arrogant Holly J was acting. "Oh really? And why is that?"
Holly J did a triple cartwheel and landed gracefully. The auditioning girls applauded, gravitating toward her and asking for lessons. Darcy and Chantay looked at each other and smiled.
"Looks like Sprit Squad's gonna be taking it notch up this year," Chantay said.
Manny worriedly eyed Holly J, who seemed to be spreading through Degrassi faster than a wildfire.
Spinner, Darcy, Jimmy, Ashley, Marco, and Dylan were all hanging out at Dylan's apartment and sharing some laughs. Even though it had taken some convincing to get Darcy to come, it all worked out in the end, and Paige was nowhere to be found as promised.
"My roommate is such a jock, he has no respect for Jill Barber's music," Marco commented on his new dorm mate.
"That's a bad thing?" Jimmy asked, causing the group to crack up.
"Hey Dylan, can I use your bathroom?" Darcy asked.
"Yeah, it's down that hall, third door on the left," Dylan said, pointing it out.
"Thanks," Darcy said, heading for the bathroom as a knock came at the door. Once she was safe and secure in the bathroom, the visitor was revealed as Marco opened the door. None other than Paige.
"Oh my god, what are you doing here?" Marco asked as he pulled Paige forward for a hug.
"Just thought I'd surprise everyone," Paige replied, struggling for air in Marco's tight hug. Spinner looked as if he had just seen a ghost. He had to escape. But how? He looked at Jimmy and Ashley with a "how the hell am I gonna get out of this one?" look, who shared his worry.
"Spinner, it's so good to see you!" Paige said as she approached him for a hug. Spinner looked horrified and unsure of what to do.
In the bathroom, Darcy was fixing her makeup, happily looking over her appearance in the mirror. She couldn't believe how well things were going with Spinner. She expected things to be weird and awkward, but somehow they fell right into place.
But as she reached the living room and the sight of Paige with her arms around Spinner, that all went out the window.
"What is SHE doing her?" Darcy snapped after starring in disbelief for a moment.
"Darcy. Hey," Paige said as she and Spinner separated. "I was hoping we could forget about what happened. I don't think there's any reason for us to be enemies at this point hun, is there?"
"You slept with my boyfriend," Darcy snapped back. "If you think that's something I can just automatically forget about, then you must be out of your mind."
"Babe, calm down," Spinner said, putting his arm around Darcy and trying to console her. She quickly pulled away.
"No, I'm leaving, I knew this would be a bad idea," Darcy said, marching out the door.
The remaining people stood in silence. Spinner looked down at the ground, attempting to gather his thoughts. Everything had just happened so fast.
"Spinner, I-" Paige started to say.
"NO!" Spinner yelled, interrupting her. "I'm tired of you barging into my life and messing things up for me. Save your apology and never speak to me again."
With that, Spinner was out the door too.
Manny and Liberty sat in Liberty's hot tub, relaxing after their tough first day of school.
"So how was your day?" Manny asked.
"Spectacular, until Heather Sinclair's evil sister decided to show up and run for president. She's more popular than I am already and everyone's just joining her side. I can't believe this," Liberty said, sounding very disappointed.
"She did the same thing to me at Spirit Squad auditions. Who does she think she is, trying to outdo everybody? This is our school, just because her sister was some wannabe legend doesn't give her the right to take it from us," Manny said, beginning to plot something in her head.
"Apparently everyone else disagrees," Liberty said. "Holly J's an epidemic. And there's nothing we can do."
"We can get her back," Manny said. "Liberty, this was supposed to be our year, and we're going to let Holly J take that away from us? I don't think so."
"So, what do you suggest?" Liberty asked.
"I don't know," Manny asked. "But we need to make her realize who she's messing with, and that this is our school. I want to pull a big prank. Something she'll never forget."
"I don't know Manny," Liberty said, starting to get nervous. "I don't want to get in trouble over this."
"If we set it up right, we might can get away with it. But we have to try" Manny said defiantly.
Liberty looked unsure, but nodded in agreement. "I'm in."
"Good," Manny sat back and smiled. "Holly J's never going to know what hit her."
"I'm sorry again about what happened," Spinner said. He was sitting in his room, talking on the phone to Darcy.
"I know you didn't invite her. It's not your fault. Just promise me our next date can be somewhere else?" Darcy asked over the phone.
"Anywhere you want in the world," Spinner said with a laugh.
"I'm getting kind of tired. I'll see you tomorrow?" Darcy said.
"Bye. I love you Darcy," Spinner said.
"I love you too," Darcy's voice gleefully said on the other line.
Spinner ended the call, but just as he set it down, it began to ring to again. But this time it was Paige. Spinner sighed and decided quickly to just resolve the conflict as peacefully as possible.
"Look, Paige, I'm sorry for what I said at your brothers, but I really can't talk to you," Spinner said calmly, answering the phone.
"Spinner, I'm pregnant," Paige said.
"What?" Spinner asked, confused.
"I think you might be the father," Paige said.
Spinner froze up, trying to take in the news. What else could go wrong today?
To Be Continued…