"It's going to be okay, Fi. Trust."

Imogen couldn't help but laugh nervously, her hand gently pulling on each individual curl of her girlfriend's hair, releasing it and letting it spring back into it's original form.

It was graduation day for the class of 2012 and although Fiona had been the one most eager for this day to come – especially considering being held back another year – she was also the most saddened.

It was the end of the beginning, and Fiona couldn't bear to see it happen. Degrassi is where everything happened for her: where she finally fit in, where she felt at home, where she found true friendship, where she felt understood, where she ran away too when her place of origin seemed to turn its back on her, where she learned who she was and most importantly, where she met the person who loved her and accepted her, flaws and all.

Fiona's hair was flawless, her curls seeming to fall perfectly into place even as Imogen toyed with them. Her royal blue cap and gown suited her so well she could wear it in New York Fashion Week and have the look be the trend of the summer season. Her makeup was natural for the most part – skin tone colors, light on the mascara, light on the eyeliner as well, little hints of blue on her eyelids and pink on her cheeks and lips but nothing over the top whatsoever. Fiona looked angelic which ultimately killed Imogen even more because her angel was so sad.

Fiona tried to hold back the tears but every now and then a couple would escape down her cheeks. Imogen would instinctively wipe them away without smuging the older girl's makeup, something she mastered over time.

As the music began playing, cuing for the graduation ceremony to begin, Fiona took a deep breath whereas Imogen adjusted her girlfriend's golden sash around her shoulders and straightened out her cap. Imogen left Fiona with a soft peck on the lips before the show got on the road. "You'll do amazing."

The graduating class walked in their straight lines to their seats, plopping into their seats as soon as the music halted. Mr. Simpson took to the podium and didn't speak long before signaling for the most important speaker of the night.

"And now some words from our valedictorian. Please put your hands together for Fiona Coyne."

The crowed eagerly applauded and the students whistled and hollered. Imogen happily clapped and it took all her might from embarrassing Fiona by getting up being obnoxiously loud. Although her actions didn't match up, Imogen was ridiculously proud of Fiona. She had come such a long way since they first met, and Imogen couldn't help but keep falling deeper in love with the girl each and every passing moment.

Fiona licked her lips as she began. "Friends, family, staff…" she began. "On behalf of the graduating class of 2012, I'd like to thank you all for this journey you've shared with us. If it wasn't for the support, the love, the extra push and the sometimes tough love, we might have not made it this far; but because of each of you, we did, and now we're all on to bigger and better things. Some of us are going off to college. Others the military. Some have prestigious internships. Some even have careers set up for them already. I happen to fall into the college category and to be honest, I never thought I'd see myself get so far. Prior to my arrival at Degrassi, and even through my first year or so here, I expected to live off my parents forever. It was plausible, but it caused me to be almost completely helpless and shut out since in my mind, the world seemed to revolve around me. Since then, I've learned I can take care of myself. I can be responsible. I can pay bills, clean, cook sometimes and succeed in class while also holding a job. I can protect myself, I can be alone, and I can fight any challenges that may come my way. I wouldn't have learned this without the help of everyone at Degrassi and now I can move into the real world as a prepared adult, which is more than I could have ever hoped for. We've stood by one another through the highs and the lows, and fought alongside each other to make it through the rough patches that come along with this period of adolescence. And we made it. Now we're here, moving onto our next stages in life that could potentially change the world." Getting a little emotional, Fiona slowly inhaled, gathering herself for a moment before continuing. "Through our time at Degrassi, each of us has found a true friend, someone to believe in us, someone to push us, and someone…" Fiona said, shifting her eyes to Imogen's. "Someone who could save us from ourselves and love us unconditionally." Fiona slid her hand up, wiping away her stray tear. She cleared her throat to mask her breaking voice, wanting to wrap it up. "The physical separation between some of us will be difficult to handle, for sure, but our hearts will be linked for all time. Degrassi has been and will be some of the best years of our lives, and although our journey here may be complete, our memories, friendships and even romances will live on forever. So congratulations, class of 2012. We did it!"

As Fiona's speech wrapped up, Simpson returned to the podium through the thunderous applause and dealt out the diplomas one by one. As the ceremony concluded, the seniors grabbed their caps and threw them up in the air, then retreated to their loved ones for photo ops.

"Fions!" Imogen squealed, running straight for Fiona as the group was released from the organization of the ceremony. She jumped into her girlfriend's arms, which Fiona was prepared for as she lifted her up and twirled her, kissing her deeply.

"You did an amazing job." Imogen mumbled between their lips.

As their kiss wrapped up, Fiona set Imogen down, keeping her arms wrapped around her waist. "I'm really glad you think so. I couldn't have done it without you." Fiona was referring to the hours of Imogen proofreading and editing her speech somewhat – besides what Fiona unexpectedly improvised from the heart – and a few more hours of Imogen sitting around, listening to Fiona's incessant rehearsals around the loft.

Imogen and Fiona's moment got interrupted with their parents rushing for them, taking enough photos to line the surface area of the interior and exterior of the Empire State Building.

The Coynes and Morenos retreated back to a Japanese restaurant for a sushi celebration. After mingling amongst the families and some delicious, fresh food, both sets of parents decided to let the girls have the last 5 hours of the day to themselves.